Motorcycles will be able to feature the "eCall" system thanks to Bosch's Help Connect device

For a little over two years, specifically since 31 March 2018, European Union regulations have required that every newly manufactured passenger car be fitted with the “eCall” system, which in the event of an accident automatically calls an emergency centre to alert the emergency services so that they can reach the scene as quickly as possible. However, this regulation excluded the other segments, leaving motorcycles out, even though this system could be of enormous help to them.

It is clear that sooner or later, hopefully as soon as possible, the “eCall” system will also become mandatory on motorcycles, because if getting help as quickly as possible is vital in any accident, it is perhaps even more so for the riding community, since in most cases the impacts land directly on the rider, and we often ride our motorcycles on roads where very few vehicles pass, even on some days not at all.

While we wait for the “eCall” system to also become mandatory on motorcycles, some brands have decided to get to work before they are forced to, as is the case with BMW Motorrad, the first manufacturer on whose motorcycles the “eCall” smart calling system can be installed as an option. Through a set of sensors, the “eCall” system can be activated if it detects either a high-speed collision or a mild impact and fall, but also, from the handlebars themselves, we can make the emergency call if we witness an accident simply by keeping the engine running.

But if there is no BMW motorcycle with this system installed in our garage, we are a little more unprotected in the event of an accident, although that is something that will soon have a solution. For the moment it is only available in Germany, but Bosch is already effectively implementing its Help Connect system which, like that of BMW, makes use of the stability sensor that most motorcycles nowadays are equipped with to measure various parameters in real time and detect whether an accident has occurred, and even whether the motorcycle has fallen while stationary.

https://youtu.be/LAwHMVLna4Q

The Help Connect system works through the Vivatar application, which Bosch already uses in vehicles and also offers as a service to cyclists and riders in 11 European countries. This application will automatically make the emergency call if it receives fall or accident data from the system integrated in the motorcycle, providing our position for a rapid arrival of help. In addition, if we have entered our personal and health data, the emergency services will receive it, which will be especially useful if we are allergic to any type of medication.

Gas Biker and Garmin inReach Mini

Unfortunately, the Vivatar application is not available in Spain while we wait for the Help Connect system, but all those riders who want to feel a little more protected should know about a Spanish application called Gas Biker. With Gas Biker, besides being excellent for tracking our routes so we can save them and not forget where we have been, we also have an emergency call function called ECTS, available free of charge.

It is enough to tell Gas Biker that we are setting off and, based on our location and other parameters, the application can automatically call its call centre to send us help, or we can request it manually ourselves if we have run out of fuel, are lost, have had a minor accident or have suffered a breakdown. We can also create a group with our riding companions, who will be alerted if any of them requests the ECTS emergency call, as will the emergency contacts we have previously added.

Another option, in this case extremely effective but requiring payment for the device, is the Garmin inReach beacon. This beacon is really useful because we can use it anywhere in the world, wherever we are, since it connects to the network via satellite, in addition to incorporating other very interesting functions. Another point in its favour is that its size is really small, less than 10 centimetres tall, so we can mount it on the handlebars or anywhere else within reach on the bike, or even carry it in a pocket, although the latter is perhaps not the most recommendable.