DELA CRUZ, JUAN

<SECTION>

ACTIVITY 2.1: INTERACTION DESIGN

STANDARD MOTORCYCLE CONTROL SWITCH PLACEMENT

Most motorcycles follow the same design language in terms of buttons and switch placements for its rider.
This product design has persisted after years of iterations and redesign. Despite some variants of the
current layout, we can observe similarities among motorcycles from different makers:

LEFT HAND: RIGHT HAND:

• Beam Settings (High/Low) • Lights (Headlight/Park Light/Off)
• Turn Signals • Electronic Start
• Horn • Throttle (Accelerator)
• Rear Brakes • Ignition
• Front Brakes

ANALYSIS

Switches placed on right-hand side are the least accessed during transit (Lights and Electronic Start) as the
right hand is constantly on the throttle. Placing switches / buttons like the Horn on the right-hand side
while the motorcycle is moving for example, can be difficult to press while on the throttle. This button
layout can be considered balance as the buttons placed on the right-hand side is commonly interacted
with for only once per trip and before any movement. While the switches/buttons placed on the left-hand
side however, can be accessed with the left hand while the vehicle is moving which is free while the right
hand is on the throttle.

The ignition is placed on the right because of two reasons: (1) most humans are right-handed, and (2) it
would be unsafe to turn off the ignition while the vehicle is moving. While the vehicle is moving, the right
hand is constantly on the throttle and pulling or turning the key would be impossible.

During movement, the left hand is the free hand. This the sole reason that switches / buttons that are
essential to operate while the vehicle is moving is placed on the left-hand side. The same goes for the
brakes. The left-hand brakes will engage the rear brakes and it is known for motorists that braking from
the rear tire is safer than braking on the front tire. With the proper braking in mind, the rear brakes would
be engaged by the left hand followed by the right hand engaging the front brakes. Another reason that
the rear brakes are designed to be accessed by the free (left) hand is because of faster reaction time. If
the rear brakes are placed on the same side with the throttle, it will consume more time for the driver still
has to let go of the throttle before engaging the brakes. It is also a matter of safety concerns as split second
decision could be a matter of life-and-death.