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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 7 (Monday, January 13, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2779-2781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00406]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2024-0051]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for 
Comment; Assessing the Fit and Comfort of Motorcycle Safety Gear

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice and request for public comment on a request for approval 
of a new collection of information.

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SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 
invites public comments about our intention to request approval from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for a new information 
collection. Before a Federal agency can collect certain information 
from the public, it must receive approval from OMB. Under procedures 
established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, before seeking OMB 
approval, Federal agencies must solicit public comment on proposed 
collections of information, including extensions and reinstatement of 
previously approved collections. This document describes a new 
collection of information for which NHTSA intends to seek OMB approval 
to gather information on the personal protective equipment (PPE) 
motorcyclists wear including helmets and riding jackets, pants, boots, 
and gloves, how well the PPE fits, and how comfortable riders find it 
to be.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 14, 2025.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Docket No. NHTSA-2024-
0051 using any of the following methods:
     Electronic submissions: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Mail or Hand Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. To be sure someone is there to help you, please call (202) 
366-9322 before coming.
    Instructions: Each submission must include the agency name and the 
docket number for this Notice. Note that all comments received will be 
posted without change to https://

[[Page 2780]]

www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. 
Please see the Privacy Act heading below.
    Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all 
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov or the street 
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the 
dockets via internet.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information or access 
to background documents, contact Dr. Kathryn Wochinger, Contracting 
Officer's Representative, Office of Behavioral Safety Research (NPD-
310), (202) 366-4300, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 
(PRA) (44 U.S.C 3501 et seq.), before an agency submits a proposed 
collection of information to OMB for approval, it must first publish a 
document in the Federal Register providing a 60-day comment period and 
otherwise consult with members of the public and affected agencies 
concerning each proposed collection of information. The OMB has 
promulgated regulations describing what must be included in such a 
document. Under OMB's regulations (at 5 CFR 1320.8(d)), an agency must 
ask for public comment on the following: (i) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (iii) how to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and (iv) how to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, for example, permitting 
electronic submission of responses. In compliance with these 
requirements, NHTSA asks for public comments on the following proposed 
collection of information for which the agency is seeking approval from 
OMB.
    Title: Assessing the Fit and Comfort of Motorcycle Safety Gear.
    OMB Control Number: New.
    Form Numbers: NHTSA Form 2000, NHTSA Form 2001, NHTSA Form 2002, 
NHTSA Form 2003, NHTSA Form 2004, and NHTSA Form 2005.
    Type of Request: New information collection.
    Type of Review Requested: Regular.
    Requested Expiration Date of Approval: 3 years from date of 
approval.
    Summary of the Collection of Information: NHTSA is seeking approval 
for a new, one-time information collection from a targeted sample of 
625 motorcycle riders (from 1,250 screened for potential participation) 
about their use and preference for motorcycle protective gear. The 
study will involve recruiting motorcyclists attending motorcycle events 
to gather information on the protective gear they are wearing 
(including footwear, gloves, helmets, jackets, pants) about the 
perceived and assessed fit and comfort. The study will allow NHTSA to 
assess the relationship between perceived and objectively measured fit, 
rider beliefs about the protective value of gear, and factors 
influencing the selection and use of protective gear.
    Participants will be recruited at locations where riders gather 
such as rallies, training events, or other organized events. The study 
plan is to recruit an equal number of riders of standard, cruiser, 
sport, adventure/touring motorcycles, and seated motor scooters. 
Depending on the venue, the study team will either invite riders to 
participate at a study tent or conduct the survey near the rider's 
motorcycle. Study staff will observe gear worn by riders, assess the 
fit of the gear, and ask riders for their opinions about the fit and 
comfort of the gear. Data collection will involve the use of a portable 
tablet for the consent process, and for recording participant responses 
and staff observations. Participants will self-administer some portions 
of the survey, while data collectors will verbally ask the participants 
about their gear during the gear assessments. Anthropometric 
measurements (e.g., head circumference) will be taken using ribbon tape 
or an anthropometer as appropriate depending on the gear type being 
assessed.
    The study plan is to assess one type of gear (e.g., jackets) per 
respondent. Additionally, to obtain information on respondents' 
perspectives of different types of gear, study staff will use a table 
to present images of the gear type being assessed (one type per 
respondent). The images will be of gear ranging in quality; they will 
include product descriptions but no brand names. Participants will be 
asked to rate the protection afforded by the gear, its quality, and the 
likelihood of wearing or purchasing it.
    All data collection activities will be voluntary and anonymous. 
This collection only requires respondents to report their answers; 
there are no record-keeping costs to the respondents. NHTSA will use 
the information to produce a technical report that presents summary 
statistics and tables; a de-identified data set will also be made 
available to the public. No identifying information will be reported. 
The study will advance our understanding of how the fit and comfort of 
gear influences the choice to use or not use gear. This information 
will inform the development of NHTSA outreach and education motorcycle 
safety programs. The technical report will be distributed to 
stakeholders in highway safety and the public.
    Description of the Need for the Information and Proposed Use of the 
Information: NHTSA was established to reduce deaths, injuries, and 
economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes on the Nation's 
highways. As part of this statutory mandate, NHTSA is authorized to 
conduct research for the development of traffic safety programs. Title 
23, United States Code, chapter 4, section 403 gives the Secretary of 
Transportation (NHTSA by delegation) authorization to use funds 
appropriated to conduct research and development activities. The agency 
develops, promotes, and implements educational, engineering, and 
enforcement programs with the goal of ending preventable tragedies and 
reducing economic costs associated with vehicle use and highway travel. 
Having current data is essential to develop appropriate approaches to 
improve traffic safety. This is especially true for information on 
vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists, where data is much more 
limited.
    In 2022, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes, 
comprising 15 percent of all traffic fatalities that year and 
representing a fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled of 26.16, 
nearly 22 times that of passenger car occupants (1.20).\1\ These 
findings

[[Page 2781]]

demonstrate the inherent risk of motorcycle riding and highlight the 
importance of wearing personal protective gear, especially a helmet, 
but including footwear, gloves, jacket, and pants. Nonetheless, not all 
motorcyclists use gear on every ride.
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    \1\ National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, July). 
Motorcycles: 2022 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 
589). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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    The proposed study addresses the need to understand the 
relationship between the fit and comfort of personal protective gear 
and the decision to use gear. The results will assist NHTSA develop its 
programmatic activities in motorcycle safety by providing information 
on the types of gear being used, the comfort and fit of gear in use, 
and deterrents to using protective gear.
    Frequency of Collection: This study is intended to be a one-time 
data collection. Because data collection may occur at multiple events, 
there is a remote chance an individual could participate more than 
once. This is not expected, however, as potential participants will not 
know data collection locations or times.
    Affected Public: This study will recruit volunteers who are riders 
of selected types of motorcycles (standard, cruiser, sport, adventure/
touring, scooter) at the data collection locations. Motorcyclists 
passing by the data collection locations will be recruited to 
voluntarily participate in an assessment of the fit of their current 
protective gear (if worn). They will be asked to review images of 
selected gear and provide their opinions on the gears' protective 
capabilities, usability, and perceived quality.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: The study expects to contact 
approximately 1,250 motorcyclists at the data collection locations to 
obtain responses from 625 motorcyclists (125 per type of motorcycle).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: The total amount of burden is 
estimated to be 340.42 hours. This includes the estimated 312.5 hours 
for the 625 participates who fully participate, with an average 
completion time of 30 minutes, and the 18.75 hours for the estimated 75 
people who will partially participate, spending 15 minutes on average, 
and 9.17 hours for the estimated 550 people who received screening 
items but decline to participate, spending on average of 1 minute.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Cost: The total annual burden cost is 
estimated to be $15,520 with an annual burden cost of $5,034 (total/3) 
(see Table 1). Participation in this study is voluntary and there are 
no costs to respondents beyond the time spent hearing about the study 
and participating in data collection if they decide to participate. 
Participants will incur no burden related to annual reporting or record 
keeping due to the collection of this new information.

               Table 1--Summary of Total Burden Hours and Estimated Costs by Type of Participation
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                                                                                       Total
      Type of participation          Number of      Minutes per   Estimated wage     estimated    Estimated cost
                                    respondents     respondent      per hour *     burden hours
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Rider Fully Participates........             625              30          $45.97           312.5      $14,365.00
Rider Does Not Fully Participate              75              15           45.97           18.75          861.90
Rider Screened but Does Not                  550               1           45.59            9.17          418.06
 Participate....................
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    Grand Total.................           1,250  ..............  ..............          340.42       15,519.75
                                                                                           (340)        (15,520)
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* September 2024 total private average hourly earnings (fully loaded at 30%) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor
  Statistics at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t19.htm.

    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspects of 
this information collection, including (i) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Department, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (ii) the accuracy of the Department's estimate 
of the burden of the proposed information collection; (iii) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (iv) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Authority: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. chapter 
35, as amended; 49 CFR 1.49; and DOT Order 1351.29A.

Nanda Narayanan Srinivasan,
Associate Administrator, Research and Program Development.
[FR Doc. 2025-00406 Filed 1-10-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
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