Cable Barriers Save Car Occupants — But Can Be Deadly for Motorcyclists
I understand why cable barriers are installed along interstates. They absolutely help prevent cross-median crashes and likely save a lot of lives for people in cars and trucks.
But as a motorcyclist, they seem terrifying. If a rider goes down and impacts a cable barrier at highway speed, survivability appears incredibly low. Unlike someone protected inside a vehicle, a motorcyclist has almost no protection from the cables, posts, or the way the barrier can catch and throw a rider.
It feels like this is one of those highway safety issues that doesn’t get talked about enough. Are there better alternatives that still stop crossover accidents while being less dangerous for motorcycles? Maybe concrete barriers or guardrail systems with motorcycle under-ride protection?
I’d genuinely like to hear thoughts from riders, first responders, highway engineers, and anyone who has seen these crashes firsthand.