ACEM (Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles), the Motorcycle Industry in Europe has just released its latest newsletter (July 2011) which not surprisingly, looks at the issues that affect the motorcycle industry, but also those that affect European motorcyclists. It includes comments about the French government’s proposals which led to mass demonstrations across France in June.
In his editorial, the ACEM Secretary General, Jacques Compagne leads on the Type-Approval Regulation for L-category vehicles – the frame work regulations for motorcycles – commenting “….this regulation represents the future for the motorcycle industry”.
At Right To Ride we would add that this (the regulation) represents the future for motorcycling.
Any other topic at present is only a side issue.
Looking at the IMCO time line, tomorrow 12th July sees the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee considering these amendments during a 15 minute session, with a vote on the amendments at an IMCO meeting scheduled for the 5th – 6th October 2011.
According to the IMCO document, there are in total 298 amendments tabled on the proposed regulation with not only mopeds and motorcycles but also quadricycles (such as on-road quads and mini-cars).
Information
Right To Ride on Frame Work Regulations (aka Market Surveillance of two and three wheeled vehicles) – Click Here
Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) – 12th July
4.35pm – 4.50pm – Click Here
Hi Viz and Day Glo – The French Government
As mentioned the ACEM newsletter contains the industry’s views on the proposals in France to adopt new Road Safety measures for PTWs introduced by the CISR (Comité interministériel de la sécurité routière).
One of the major issues that has been highlighted by French riders, their riders organisation FFMC – the Fédération Française des Motards en Colère (The French Federation of Angry Bikers), rider organisation in UK – MAG UK, their demos and individual riders on websites, blogs and social media sites such as Facebook relate to fluorescent equipment for riders.
We have asked the UK’s Prime Minister’s office and the Minister for the Department for Transport.
- Are there any plans to introduce in the UK to mandate the wearing of HiViz/Day Glo jackets/vests for motorcyclists?
- Are you aware that the European Commission is planning to introduce legislation so that member states will have to introduce the compulsory wearing of HiViz/Day Glo jackets/vests?
The reason is that what happens in Great Britain can filter through to Northern Ireland:
We also contacted the RSA (Road Safety Authority in Ireland) – We asked whether the proposals in the 2009 consultation will be introduced in Ireland at some point in the future as legislation.
Number Plates
With regards to the French Government proposals, the size of motorcycle number plates is being proposed to be increased and ACEM comments that, “ACEM is generally in favour of fair enforcement in terms of contribution to road safety. We observe that the French proposal on number plates remains in the frame of the permissible dimensions foreseen by the EU directive, which is positive.”
Apparently since last April the size of German motorcycle plates has been reduced to a minimum size of 18 x 20 cm. The new regulation also applies to temporary plates and vintage motorcycle plates. Smaller motorcycles plates already exist in neighbouring countries such as Austria or Italy.
3rd Driving Licence Directive
Moving on to more European Directives, ACEM report that in Spain, ANESDOR, representative of the motorcycle industry in Spain, have denounced the Spanish Government’s initiative to illegally anticipate the application date of the 3rd Driving Licence Directive.
This directive was voted on and passed in the European Parliament in 2006, should have been transposed into national law by January 2011 and then enter into force as of 19th January 2013. The directive is designed to harmonize motorcycle licences across Europe, although the directive allows members states flexibility at what age they can allow a rider to access the licence categories.
In the UK and Northern Ireland authorities are still deciding on what and how to implement the directive and other authorities in Europe, including a technical working group within the European Institutions are still discussing the same. ACEM reports that the Spanish manufacturers have, “asked Government to bring back the old licence scheme and to restore the access age of mopeds to 14 years with the aim of rescuing the ailing PTW market.”
At Right to Ride we have always had concerns regarding this Licence Directive but in a previous ACEM press release Jacques Compagne, General Secretary, sums these concerns up perfectly.
Finally
To complete our reporting of the ACEM Newsletter, ACEM comments that the Joint Transport Research Centre of the International Transport Forum and the OECD has launched a Working Group on “Motorcycling Safety and Mobility”. The aims of this working group are to build on the Conclusions of the 2008 ITF/OECD Lillehammer Workshop. This was the first international event gathering all stakeholders involved in the safety of powered two-wheelers.
What does that mean?
Read this article in full at Right To Ride EU – Click Here
