The January issue of American Motorcyclist had an interesting article about the new barriers being used along roadsides. They asked three questions about the barriers.

1. “What are cable barriers and what are they used for?”

Cable barriers are a fully crash-tested and federally accepted highway safety barrier system that is composed of multiple horizontal strands of twisted wire cable attached to strands of twisted wire cable attached to small metal posts to catch most of the errant vehicles traveling along the roadways and safely redirect them.

2. Why are they becoming popular in the US?

They aren’t just popular in the US, but other nations as well. The barriers provide undeniable protection for motorists. Proof of this is the improvement of traffic deaths in our nation from crossover crashed. The concrete and steel barriers are more like running into a brick wall. Cable barriers dynamically deflect six or more feet under impact and may offer a bit more protection from injury and death due to flexibility.

3. Do these barriers pose a danger to motorcyclists?

Data points indicate that cable barriers are not a clear danger to motorcyclists at this time. How can this be? After all, some motorcyclists call them “cheese cutters.” This initial response is well understood, on a gut level. But the data doesn’t support it.

It’s too early to tell for sure, but perhaps the use of cable barriers removes the threat of a head-on collision with an oncoming car, so motorcycle safety may actually improve. In a crossover crash the motorcyclist is the one who will lose. It looks like the cable barriers improve our odds of survival.

Another reason the barriers might help is that in a crash the cycle and rider are usually down and sliding. Compared to continuous concrete barriers and guardrails, cable barriers offer a much bigger space under which a motorcyclist can slide. The space gives the sliding motorcyclist a greatly improved chance to get through the barrier without contacting a vertical post.

At the present time this is the best thought on the cable barriers. More studies will tell if this is true or only a myth.

Safety and education are the very heart of GWRRA to make motorcycling more enjoyable and keep us safe. Every time we are on the motorcycle we must be alert to all our surroundings, anything can happen at any time. Educate yourself and your rider it will save your life someday.

Phil & Jan Billiter
Rider Ed.