Car-Style Rider Safety Comes to Motorcycles
Owners and buyers of motorcycles and scooters may soon find blind-spot warnings and lower-cost electric drives on new models.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Motorcycles
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Would you feel safer riding a motorcycle or scooter with blind-spot warning systems?
Valeo showed rider assistance, head-up display, lighting and electric propulsion systems for motorcycles and scooters at EICMA 2026 in Milan. The company adapted car technology to two-wheel packaging for riders and electric-bike makers.
Why it matters
Powered two-wheeler riders make up under 2% of European Union traffic but about 20% of EU road deaths, which makes rider safety systems a practical priority. Lean angles, vibration and tight packaging make car-style sensors harder to fit, so the adaptation is the central engineering step.
The iSMMG is a 48V unit with outputs of up to 10kW, offered in an air-cooled version without rare-earth magnets. Camera resolution for motorcycle fairings runs from 3 to 8 megapixels, and the processor handles up to six safety functions at once.
The players
Valeo
A French automotive supplier known for driver-assistance sensors, lighting and electric propulsion systems, now extending car technology to two-wheelers.
EICMA
The international motorcycle and scooter show held annually in Milan, where manufacturers and suppliers unveil new two-wheel technology.
The details
Valeo pairs a radar for blind spot, lane change and rear collision warnings with cameras mounted in the fairings. The air-cooled iSMMG combines the motor and inverter into one unit, and a windscreen head-up display keeps speed and route guidance in the rider's view. The company says the iSMMG targets lower build costs for electric bikes and scooters.
Timeline
EICMA 2026 showcase in Milan, 2026.
The Home Front
Car-style driver-assistance sensors, long standard in new vehicles, are now being reworked for two-wheelers where lean angles and vibration complicate fitting. Powered two-wheelers remain a small share of European traffic yet a large share of road fatalities, which keeps rider-safety technology on the regulatory and product agenda.
If you own a motorcycle or scooter, watch for rider-assistance options such as blind-spot warnings when you shop for your next bike. Have any electrical or electronic upgrade installed by a licensed motorcycle technician rather than attempting it yourself.
The takeaway
Rider safety systems are moving from concept to product as manufacturers adapt car technology for two-wheelers. When comparing electric bikes or scooters, ask dealers which driver-assistance and battery-cooling features are standard versus optional.
Further reading
For more on the two-wheel segment, browse our Motorcycles coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Automotive World.
Live Poll
Would you feel safer riding a motorcycle or scooter with blind-spot warning systems?
