BEIJING, Jan. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- A motorcycle collision safety test was held in a lab at Qinghua University here Tuesday, the first of its kind conducted in China where motorcycles are a major means of communications.

    Two models of motorcycles produced by the Chongqing Jiajin Industrial Co. Ltd. were chosen for the test. The results indicated that the tires, wheel hubs and other components alter shape to absorb much of the energy of severe collisions, which could effectively protect riders from being severely injured, said Zhang Jinhuan, acting director of the lab.

    Motorcycle riders are more vulnerable than automobile drivers in traffic accidents, and studying the relationship between safety and motorcycle quality is very important, said Zhang.

    China is a major motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with annual sales exceeding 10 million. But the country has no national laws and safety standards concerning the manufacture and use of motorcycles.

    More than 100,000 traffic accidents took place in China in 2002,during which motorcycles were involved, resulting in 18,000 fatalities. Enditem