Following the success of the various airbag systems in road racing, FIM’s Motocross Permanent Bureau, composed of FIM President Jorge Viegas and Infront Moto Racing President and CEO David Luongo have made the decision to bring this safety technology to FIM MXGP, MX2, Women’s World Championships and the FIM Motocross of Nations.
Jago Geerts tests an airbag in 2025. Photo: Luis Duarte/Infront Moto Racing
With proven results in improving rider safety in road racing this new technology represents a step forward for riders across the gamut of action sport. Airbag and air vests have already been embraced by downhill mountain biking, and are already in use in motocross through early adopters of the technology, which is already available in the New Zealand market.
“Airbag systems are now well established in road racing and from 1 January 2027 they will be compulsory in selected New Zealand Championship road racing classes,” offers Motorcycling New Zealand (MNZ) Operations Manager Vicky Hicks. “The FIM’s decision to introduce airbag technology into Motocross World Championship competition is another significant step forward in the development of protective equipment and rider safety. While these requirements do not currently apply to MNZ motocross events, there is nothing preventing riders in New Zealand from choosing to use approved airbag systems now if they wish to do so.”
This new ruling reads as follows:
01.65 EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING DURING PRACTICE AND RACE
65.01 Clothing and protectors
For FIM MXGP/ MX2/ Women’s World Championships and FIM Motocross of Nations:
from 2027: the use of a functional/operational airbag system is highly recommended
from 2028: the use of a functional/operational airbag system is compulsory.
The airbag system must be either:
– a FIM Homologated Airbag Off-road (FRHPab-01)* or
– one of the Airbag systems declared compliant with FIM Category 3 (Motocross) listed HERE
The equipment must be worn, correctly fastened, at all times during on-track activity (the airbag must be functional/operational at least at the start of each track session). The decision of the FIM Technical Director is final in matters of rider equipment.
*To be published by the end of 2026.
Jago Geerts tests an airbag in 2025. Photo: Luis Duarte/Infront Moto Racing
Alpinestars’ Tech-Air MX Airbag system first launched in 2024, building upon the brand’s extensive research that first started back in 2003 in MotoGP. It took six years of R&D before Tech-Air Race was introduced to MotoGP in 2009. In 2014 Alpinestars began testing an off-road version destined for Dakar and off-road motorcycle racing, which came to life in 2019. Motocross and supercross data acquisition began in 2016. This data helps to identify the difference between a hard impact during normal racing, such as ruts, braking bumps and heavy landings, and the dynamics of a crash scenario. That complicated algorithm is partly why the vest took so long to arrive in motocross.
While Alpinestars has set the standard for motocross other brands like RST and Dainese are expected to offer solutions in the future, to match their current road racing offerings.
“Motorcycling New Zealand actively embraces technology that improves rider safety and will be considering how airbag systems may be incorporated into competition in New Zealand in the future,” added Hicks.
