The February 2012 edition of the Motorcycle Sport & Leisure motorcycle magazine has an article regarding the regulation proposal (ant-tampering laws) that is heading through the European Parliament decision process.
Written by Motorcycle Sport & Leisure’s Steve Rose the article headlines with, “Anti-tampering laws: Not much wrong so far – Hmmmm, MSL was heading out of the door to the printers when the vote results came through from the European Parliament about anti-tampering. And you know what? It doesn’t seem to be all that bad …”
Steve gives his reasoning as, “Mostly because the first paragraph in it acknowledges that motorcycles are a solution to Europe’s congestion problems.
But it goes on to say that many people who would otherwise want to ride one are put off by the perceived danger, backed up by the well-voiced statistic that we make up 2% of traffic but account for 16% of deaths.
So, the committee members’ aim is apparently to get more people on to two wheels and in order to do that they want to make motorcycling safer.”
Tampering
Steve has picked up about ABS and tampering and comments, “So they are recommending that ABS be fitted to every bike or scooter over 51 cc and that it becomes impossible (and illegal) to tamper with a power train (engine, injection and exhaust) in such a way as to increase the speed.”
Steve continues “By which I think they are really targeting small bikes for learner riders. But the truth is that most of the tinkering that goes on here is to get around legal licence restrictions fitting 180cc big bore kitif125cc machines etc – which is already illegal anyway.”
Picking up on powertrain tampering Steve comments that, “the other interesting thing about the European vote is a clear statement that it is only powertrain tampering that makes a bike faster that they are targeting. Other kinds of cosmetic or chassis tampering are still legal. And, in addition, manufacturers will now have to make all service data available to anyone so your local mechanic will now be able to fix the traction control on your Ducati Diavel.”
Should We Be Worried?
Steve poses the question: “So should we be worried?” and then replies, “No, probably. At least not now. These new laws make no mention of power or speed restrictions and no mention of compulsory high visibility clothing”
Steve opinion of the “EU Law makers” will probably stir up a hornets’ nest. In his view, “They appear to be the rational and sensible conclusions of a bunch of rational and sensible people who have considered the facts and come to a decision. So long as you can prove that your race exhaust doesn’t make your bike any faster than it was before, then you’ll be fine (and presumably it will be up to the authorities to prove this –innocent until proven … etc).”
Right To Ride Comment
What is Right To Ride’s opinion of Steve Rose’s article?
The article is certainly a different view from what we’ve been used to reading in the motorcycle press and on various forums and websites. We certainly think that is one of the more rational articles we’ve read so far.
We reckon that the vast majority of motorcyclists do not care about anti-tampering (illegal modification) nor the mandatory fitting of some of these systems. It’s all beneficial, not only in having the latest gadgets, but being a better rider on a more technologically advanced and cleaner machine.
Is this heresy or is it moving the debate onto a higher level?
Read the full article and leave comments on Right To Ride EU – Click Here
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