Only On 2: Costa Mesa Company Develops Motorcycle Suit With Built-In Airbags

COSTA MESA (CBSLA.com) — In the Emergency Room, motorcyclists are often referred to as "organ donors."

And for good reason. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle riders are 26 times more likely to die in a crash than occupants of passenger vehicles.

But there's new technology that could make the road a lot safer for bikers.

Dainese, an Italian company with North American headquarters in Costa Mesa, is putting air bag protection right into riders' apparel.

Their D-Air Racing Suit deploys an airbag filled with helium.

The company say its the first of its kind.

"It's a great innovation, nobody else really has it," according to Roberto Sadowsky, vice president of operations at the Costa Mesa office.

The airbag suit is designed to protect the shoulders, collar bones and spine. It was designed in Italy, but will be available this September in the States.

It will retail for $2,500.

Sadowsky showed crash videos demonstrating how these wearable airbags deploy and protect the rider when they sense a sudden change in movement: "This technology detects when there is an imminent crash and it goes off immediately."

He's hoping these suits change the sport for the better: "Motorcycling is a very dangerous sport, but it's pure enjoyment for people, so we try to make the enjoyment less dangerous."