Motorcycle airbag course
Online course of 300 hours in airbags for motorcyclists. 6 modules covering airbag principles, mechanical tether systems, electronic systems, certification and testing, and use, maintenance and the market, with an assigned technical tutor.
Motorcycle airbag course — studying from New Zealand
The motorcycle and two-wheeler sector in New Zealand is primarily retail, servicing, touring and recreational use, with a sizeable community of riders served by importers, dealerships and specialist workshops. Motorcycle safety and licensing fall under the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, and the Motorcycle Trade Association supports the sector. Engineers and technicians often work in dealership service departments, component importers or with small specialist manufacturers.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,080 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Is there a professional body in New Zealand that recognises motorcycle engineering?
There is no separate statutory register for motorcycle engineers in New Zealand. Engineering New Zealand covers the wider profession, and vehicle compliance is regulated by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so employers decide how much weight to give them.
Who employs motorcycle engineers in New Zealand?
Likely employers include importers and distributors, motorcycle workshops, performance and race teams, and engineering firms serving the automotive sector. Some roles relate to vehicle certification and safety. Employers generally judge candidates on hands-on ability and project evidence, and a private qualification may or may not be valued depending on the employer.
How long does the course take alongside a job in New Zealand?
The course is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home without a student visa. Specialist courses total 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours. You have an assigned technical tutor, and fees can be paid in instalments or sponsored by an employer where available.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the protection principle of motorcyclist airbags.
Distinguish mechanical tether systems from electronic systems.
Analyse crash detection algorithms and their limits.
Interpret certification under EN 1621-4.
Advise on airbag selection, use and maintenance.
Understand the airbag requirements in racing.
Produce a comparative technical report on airbag systems.
Who it's for
- Airbag product technicians.
- Embedded systems engineers working on safety electronics.
- PPE after-sales service technicians.
- Technical advisers in motorcycle shops.
- Fleet safety managers, for example in delivery fleets.
- Passive safety researchers.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to work in protective-equipment manufacturing.
What you'll work with
- UNE-EN 1621-4 (motorcyclists' inflatable protectors)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/425 (personal protective equipment)
- Directive 2014/53/EU (radio equipment)
- Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (batteries and waste batteries)
- Directive 2014/30/EU (electromagnetic compatibility)
- UNE-EN 17092 (protective garments for motorcyclists)
- MATLAB
- LS-DYNA
- MADYMO
- Python
6 modules
1.1History of the airbag in motorcycling1.2Motorcycle-mounted versus rider-worn airbags1.3Protected areas: neck, chest and back1.4Biomechanics of inflatable protection1.5Inflation and trigger time1.6Inflation duration1.7Cold gas generators1.8Tether and electronic systems1.9Evidence of injury reduction1.10Workshop: analysing deployment videos
2.1How the trigger tether works2.2CO2 cartridges2.3Trigger force and anchoring2.4Re-arming after deployment2.5Advantages and drawbacks2.6Common user errors2.7Compatibility with jackets2.8Maintenance and expiry2.9Applicable regulations2.10Practical exercise: re-arming a tethered vest
3.1Sensors: accelerometers and gyroscopes3.2Crash detection algorithms3.3Road, track and off-road modes3.4False positives and false negatives3.5Batteries and operating time3.6LED indicators and diagnostics3.7Software updates3.8Wireless communication with the motorcycle3.9Protection of usage data3.10Case study: logic of a detection algorithm
4.1EN 1621-4 for inflatable protectors4.2Transmitted force tests4.3Inflation time tests4.4EU PPE requirements4.5Airbag requirements in racing4.6Electromagnetic compatibility4.7Radio equipment regulations4.8Battery regulations4.9Labelling and instructions4.10Lab: interpreting a test report
5.1Choosing according to riding type5.2Fit and size5.3Use with leather racing suits5.4Periodic checks at a service centre5.5Recharging and storage5.6Cost and subscription models5.7Passenger airbags5.8User training5.9Trends and integration with the motorcycle5.10Case study: recommendation for an urban delivery rider
6.1User profile and risks6.2Analysis of available systems6.3Standards and certification6.4Technical comparison6.5Improvement or selection proposal6.6Maintenance plan6.7User training plan6.8Technical report6.9Written report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the course is compatible with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MATLAB, LS-DYNA, MADYMO and Python, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for re-arming and checking tethered vests, analysing crash detection algorithms and interpreting test reports. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: UNE-EN 1621-4; Regulation (EU) 2016/425; Directive 2014/53/EU; Regulation (EU) 2023/1542; Directive 2014/30/EU; UNE-EN 17092.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme's software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with MATLAB, LS-DYNA, MADYMO, Python, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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