Assessing the Fit and Comfort of Motorcycle Safety Gear

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Form NHTSA 2000 Rider Partially Participates - Screened, Consented, Began One Survey Type Form and Instruction	New
Form NHTSA 2000 Rider Fully Participates - Screened, Consented, Completed One Survey Type Form and Instruction	New
Form NHTSA 2000 Screened Only - Does Not Participate Form and Instruction	New
Supporting Statement Part A - Assessing the Fit and Comfort of Motorcycle Safety Gear 12-1-2025.docx Supporting Statement A	2025-12-01
30-day FRN MC Fit and Comfort 2025-21598.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-12-01
60-day FRN 1-13-25 MC Fit and Comfort 2025-00406.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-10-01
Questions and Justifications_Form 2005 Pants.docx Supplementary Document	2025-10-01
Questions and Justifications_Form 2004 Jackets.docx Supplementary Document	2025-10-01
Questions and Justifications_Form 2003 Helmets.docx Supplementary Document	2025-10-01
Questions and Justifications_Form 2002 Gloves.docx Supplementary Document	2025-10-01
Questions and Justifications_Form 2001 Footwear.docx Supplementary Document	2025-10-01
Supporting Statement Part B - Assessing the Fit and Comfort of Motorcycle Safety Gear.docx Supporting Statement B	2025-10-01

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
277833	Rider Partially Participates - Screened, Consented, Began One Survey Type Form and Instruction	New
277618	Rider Fully Participates - Screened, Consented, Completed One Survey Type Form and Instruction	New
277617	Screened Only - Does Not Participate Form and Instruction	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202509-2127-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOT/NHTSA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Assessing the Fit and Comfort of Motorcycle Safety Gear
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 12/01/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved
Responses	1,250	0
Time Burden (Hours)	341	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: NHTSA seeks approval from OMB for a new information collection request to assess the fit, comfort, and preference of motorcyclists’ safety gear. The proposed study aims to address the pressing need to understand the relationship between the fit and comfort of personal protective motorcycle gear and the decision to use gear. This information collection will be a one-time voluntary collection involving assessments of motorcycle safety gear (i.e., footwear, gloves, helmets, jackets, and pants). In 2022, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, comprising 15 percent of all traffic fatalities and 19 percent of all motor vehicle occupant (driver and passenger) fatalities, representing a fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled nearly 22 times that of passenger car occupants. These findings demonstrate the inherent risk of motorcycle riding and highlight the importance of wearing personal protective gear. Nonetheless, not all motorcyclists use gear on every ride. There are many reasons why a motorcycle rider may not wear protective gear, such as a sense of “personal freedom,” “It’s more fun to ride without a helmet,” skepticism about the protective value of helmets, and the discomfort of wearing a helmet. Even when protective gear is worn, ill-fitting gear or improperly worn gear could compromise protection. NHTSA provides specific information on its website about finding the right fit and identifying unsafe helmets, but the extent to which motorcyclists wear helmets that fit and are worn safely is unknown. Additionally, the requirements for an effective fit may vary by the type of motorcycle, riding style, and riding positions. To encourage greater and proper usage of protective gear, it is crucial to understand the factors contributing to non-adherence to safety recommendations. NHTSA is conducting this study to investigate riders' beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions regarding gear fit and comfort, and to assess the fit and comfort of gear in use. The study plans to screen 1,250 riders to reach the targeted 625 study participants with an equal number of riders of standard, cruiser, sport and adventure/touring motorcycles, and seated motor scooters; gather information about the protective gear the riders use; and assess the fit and comfort of the gear. Participation will be voluntary and anonymous. Participants will be recruited at locations where riders gather such as rallies, and other organized social or training events. Study staff will observe gear worn by riders, assess the fit of one type of protective gear (i.e., footwear, gloves, helmet, jacket, or pants) per participant, and ask riders for their opinions about the fit and comfort of the protective gear type of interest (one type of gear per participant). Additionally, study staff will use a tablet to show participants a series of images of examples of the protective gear type of interest that range in protective value (e.g., half helmet, full-face helmet); the examples will include a description of the item (e.g., composition material, ventilation/waterproof features) but not the brand name. Participants will rate each example in terms of its perceived protection and the likelihood they would use or purchase it. The intention of this collection is to learn about the experiences and perceptions of riders regarding protective gear. The collected information will inform NHTSA’s development of programs as it looks for ways to improve rider safety while still prioritizing rider comfort to ensure riding remains an enjoyable experience. NHTSA will use the collected information to produce a technical report with aggregate (summary) statistics and tables only; no personally identifiable information will be retained or reported. The technical report will be distributed to audiences interested in improving highway safety.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 23 USC 403 Name of Law: Highway Safety Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 7	01/13/2025
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 228	12/01/2025
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 3

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Rider Fully Participates - Screened, Consented, Completed One Survey Type	NHTSA 2001, NHTSA 2000, NHTSA 2002, NHTSA 2003, NHTSA 2004, NHTSA 2005	Screening and Informed Consent ,   Motorcycle Footwear Survey ,   Motorcycle Gloves Survey ,   Motorcycle Helmet Survey ,   Motorcycle Jackets Survey ,   Motorcycle Pants Survey
Rider Partially Participates - Screened, Consented, Began One Survey Type	NHTSA 2000, NHTSA 2001, NHTSA 2002, NHTSA 2003, NHTSA 2004, NHTSA 2005	Screening and Informed Consent ,   Motorcycle Footwear Survey ,   Motorcycle Gloves Survey ,   Motorcycle Helmet Survey ,   Motorcycle Jackets Survey ,   Motorcycle Pants Survey
Screened Only - Does Not Participate	NHTSA 2000	Screening and Informed Consent

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	1,250	0	0	1,250	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	341	0	0	341	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The collection of this information is associated with a new project.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $251,358

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 12/01/2025

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