Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s traffic authority (DGT), the motorcycle industry association Anesdor, and Fundación MAPFRE have launched a public awareness campaign to promote safety for motorcyclists through the use of advanced rider-assistance systems (ARAS).
The campaign features weekly online content, including a downloadable guide and a series of short educational videos. These resources explain the benefits and use of ARAS technology already available in many modern motorbikes.
MotoGP legend Dani Pedrosa and technical engineer Ramón Forcada lead the campaign as ambassadors. Their experience is used to help demystify the systems and demonstrate how they can improve safety on the roads.
Technology to reduce accidents on two wheels
According to the DGT’s Road Safety Observatory director Álvaro Gómez, ARAS represents a new era for motorbike safety. He said the systems could play a similar role to ADAS in cars, which have already contributed to accident reduction.
“These technologies allow the motorbike to respond dynamically to its surroundings, reducing the risk of serious crashes,” said Gómez. “They correct errors, monitor blind spots, adjust speed, and improve visibility, helping riders avoid danger before it happens.”
The systems fall into four main categories:
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Dynamic assistance, which adapts to road and rider conditions;
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Environmental sensors, such as radar and cameras;
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Visibility improvements, especially for night or poor weather;
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Connectivity features, including vehicle-to-vehicle communication and emergency call systems.
Videos and guides available across multiple platforms
The series will be published on the websites and social media channels of all three organisations. The DGT has created a dedicated section under its “Move Safely” portal. Fundación MAPFRE and Anesdor are also hosting the content.
Each video focuses on a different ARAS feature. Topics include adaptive cruise control, traction control, blind-spot monitoring, emergency calls, and anti-wheelie technology. One video will be released every week.
The guide, available on Anesdor’s website, offers further reading for those wanting to understand how these technologies can assist motorcyclists in everyday scenarios.
Outdated Motorbike Fleet Slows Progress
Although ARAS features are available on new bikes sold in Spain, the average age of motorbikes on Spanish roads is 17.8 years. This means many vehicles lack the latest safety tech.
Jose María Riaño, general secretary of Anesdor, stressed the importance of updating the national fleet. “The absolute number of accidents is rising as more motorbikes are used for urban mobility. Without technology, safety cannot improve,” he said.
He added that the industry is investing millions annually in new systems and called for public initiatives to help modernise older motorbikes.
Motorcycle fatalities continue to rise
Jesús Monclús from Fundación MAPFRE noted that while car-related deaths have declined by 10% in recent years, motorcyclist fatalities have increased by 43%.
“Motorcyclists have no protective structure,” he said. “Safety must focus on better training, protective gear, and now, these safety systems. If widely adopted, ARAS could reduce serious injuries and deaths by 30%, potentially saving 150 lives per year.”
The campaign reflects a growing effort to make motorcycling in Spain safer through education, technology, and collaboration across sectors.