
The Pre-Consultation Workshop on Draft Standard for Powered Two-Wheeler (PTW) Crashworthiness Testing was organized by the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS), IIT Madras, under the guidance of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
India has witnessed a rapid increase in two-wheeler ownership, with registrations growing significantly in recent years. At the same time, two-wheelers account for the largest share of road fatalities in the country, representing 44.8% of total road deaths according to the MoRTH Road Accidents in India 2023 report. This highlights the urgent need to strengthen safety standards and improve crash protection for riders.
To address this challenge, CoERS has been entrusted by MoRTH to develop a framework for crashworthiness testing standards for powered two-wheelers in India. The workshop was conducted as part of the consultation process to gather inputs from key stakeholders and technical experts.
Developing India’s Draft Standard for Powered Two-Wheeler (PTW) Crashworthiness Testing
This workshop brought together experts from government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, component manufacturers, and testing organizations to discuss the proposed framework for powered two-wheeler crashworthiness standards.
The discussions focused on identifying gaps in existing testing standards, evaluating international best practices, and exploring the development of India-specific crash testing protocols. Special attention was given to integrating human factors, vehicle performance, and infrastructure considerations in order to build a comprehensive crash assessment framework.
The workshop also explored the concept of Bharat New Motorcycle Assessment Program (BNMAP) and the potential development of star rating systems to evaluate the safety performance of powered two-wheelers.
Through collaborative discussions and technical presentations, the workshop aimed to strengthen the foundation for evidence-based safety regulations and improved rider protection in India.
Date: 9 October 2025
Venue: IIT Madras
Organizer: Centre of Excellence for Road Safety (CoERS), IIT Madras
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 09:30 – 10:30 | Registration and Networking |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | Welcome Address |
| 10:45 – 11:00 | Context Setting by Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian |
| 11:00 – 11:10 | Special Address by Secretary, MoRTH |
| 11:10 – 11:30 | Tea Break and Photo Session |
| 11:30 – 11:45 | Presentation on Need of Bharat New Motorcycle Assessment Program (BNMAP) |
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 11:45 – 13:30 | Presentation and feedback on the framework developed for PTW Crashworthiness |
Key discussion areas:
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 13:30 – 14:30 | Lunch Break |
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 14:30 – 15:30 | Presentation and stakeholder feedback on PTW Crashworthiness framework |
Key discussion areas:
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 15:30 – 16:00 | Summarization of revisions to protocols and way forward |
| 16:00 | Vote of Thanks and High Tea |
Key Objectives of the Workshop