Dangerous Motorcycles – the Saga
18th June 2010
Over the last few months we’ve been corresponding with the EU Commission Road Safety Unit (DG MOVE) regarding the europa website and the comments “Motorcycles and Mopeds are the most dangerous form of transport.
We complained about this to the Commissioner and received recognition from Mr Tajani that this comment “did not add value” and was removed.
We then pointed out to DG MOVE that the problem had not gone away because the comment about motorcycles and mopeds being dangerous was still on another of their websites
European Commission – Road Safety – Powered Two Wheelers - Click Here
There were further inflammatory comments including:
“A further reduction in number of PTW accidents is only possible with a very restrictive licensing system with access only at higher age limits, more extensive training and testing, lower power to weight ratios or restricted top speed. These measures will not be popular with present user groups or the PTW industry. Discouraging or restricting the use of PTW’s may be more acceptable if alternatives are made more attractive”.
After a flurry of emails, we received a letter from the Commissioner’s assistants.
In a nutshell, they wrote that because the website content was the result of a project which the EU Commission funded they are obliged to publicise the results (deliverables).
What we gathered from this letter is that the Commission cannot do anything about it – even if it is scientifically wrong.
However they wrote that they (the Commission) are willing to consider the inclusion of other research on motorcycles and mopeds to balance the comments in the Safetynet document.
On the europa website we saw that the OCED Workshop in Lillehammer has been linked and that on the knowledge page at the top of the page the text, “The opinions expressed in the studies are those of the consultant and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission.” has appeared.
We replied that the European Road Safety Observatory report is now two years old and it has effectively been superceded by the ITF/OECD Workshop in Lillehammer (in 2008).
We also wrote that we hoped for the future any new “deliverable” must include a more positive attitude to motorcycling, while recognising that motorcycle safety is an ongoing process and should encompass all stakeholders in this process.
Europe Brands Motorcycles As Dangerous
10th April 2010
Although certain parts of the “Dangerous Motorcycles” text has been removed from the Europa website – see reports below.
The content of the knowledge document in the specialist page – specifically HERE still has the offending text:
“Riding a PTW is also much more dangerous than using another motor vehicle.”
The European Commission has drawn to our attention that:
“This text – as many texts quoted in this website – is an output of a project carried out by scientists. As a standard rule, the Commission never brings alterations to such texts. To make things clear, they are covered by the following disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the studies are those of the consultant and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission”.
We have asked for the offending comments to be removed and replaced with scientific, unbiased research.
For example the comment:
“A further reduction in number of PTW accidents is only possible with a very restrictive licensing system with access only at higher age limits, more extensive training and testing, lower power to weight ratios or restricted top speed. These measures will not be popular with present user groups or the PTW industry. Discouraging or restricting the use of PTW’s may be more acceptable if alternatives are made more attractive.”
This comment is unscientific and is contrary to the spirit of DG TREN’s principle of transport for all.
In the first place there is no evidence that imposing a restrictive licence system will reduce casualties, the evidence supports this – and indeed is contrary to this statement – it is a recognised fact that experience has a far greater effect on casualty reductions.
There is conclusive evidence that power to weight ratios do not affect accident statistics – rather it is the style of motorcycle (e.g. sports bike) that has a greater influence.
While we appreciate that the Commission may not alter the texts – I cannot see any reason why this text should remain on the DG TREN website. It reflects a biased opinion of motorcycling, in spite of the fact that DG TREN recognises PTWs as a sustainable, important, cost effective means of transport.
Furthermore, it does not carry the name of the consultant – which implies that the work is supported by the Commission.
For this reason, we have included a link to the UK government’s website where there is a review of literature in relation to motorcycle safety. This review looks without prejudice at the issues concerning accident causation and possible solutions for PTW casualties.
Click Here pdf 360kb – Road Safety Research Report No. 85 Car Drivers’ Skills and Attitudes to Motorcycle Safety: A Review David Crundall, David Clarke, Patrick Ward and Craig Bartle, School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, May 2008, Department for Transport: London
We have written to Northern Irelands three elected MEPs and to date we have only received acknowledgment and correspondence from the DUP’s Diane Dodds.
Further contact to date within the European Commission and the editorial group responsible for the “knowledge web page” has led us at present to an impasse.
While we welcome dialogue with the Commission, we feel that the views of motorcyclists need to be considered and respected. Consequently we – and many other motorcyclists – believe that the text must be removed.
We will continue to lobby through professional dialogue to argue the case that the text must be removed.
Dangerous – USA Reports
10th April 2010
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) information bulletin and the ‘Go For A Ride’ (Go FAR) magazine in the USA have both carried Right To Ride’s – “Europe Brands Motorcycles As Dangerous” article in their latest issues.
Our original article referred to the inflammatory text regarding motorcyclists on the European Commission’s website – EUROPA – dedicated to road safety, branding motorcycles as dangerous.
“Motorcycles and mopeds are the most dangerous mode of transport in the EU.”
“Riding a PTW (Powered Two Wheeler) is also much more dangerous than using another motor vehicle.”
As a direct result of our protest, we received a letter from DG TREN stating that the Road Safety Unit had deleted the statement from their home page in which they stated that “Motorcycles and mopeds are the most dangerous mode of transport in the EU does not bring added value”.
However the statement, “Riding a PTW (Powered Two Wheeler) is also much more dangerous than using another motor vehicle.” remains in the “knowledge” document on the “specialist” page on the Europa website.
We have asked for these and other offending comments to be removed which include, “Discouraging or restricting the use of PTWs” to be replaced with scientific, unbiased research.
Go FAR’s, Editor Mike Savidge, commented, “The story and the issue help to remind anyone who rides that riders rights aren’t just an American phenomenon” and ” It also became apparent to me that American lawmakers don’t have an exclusive monopoly on stupid” adding that, “Just like stateside, little thought seems to be given to educating the vehicle drivers about road courtesy when it comes to bikers.”
We contacted FEMA (who assured us that they were dealing with this) and our three Northern Ireland MEPs, though only receiving acknowledgment and positive correspondence from the DUP’s Diane Dodds.
We find it incredulous that FEMA and its members are seen to be supporting the European Commission by having a link on the very same Europa website as well as organising an International Motorcyclists’ Conference in Brussels in June with the support and participation of the very same European Commission.
On the one hand the European Commission wishes to make friends with motorcycling by establishing a ‘Motorcycle Forum’ which in principle, we support. On the other hand, it allows inflammatory and biased comments on its website: that motorcycling is dangerous and that motorcycling should be discouraged or restricted. In our view, this sends out mixed messages.
Further contact to date within the European Commission and the editorial group responsible for the “knowledge web page” has at present, led us to an impasse.
While we welcome dialogue with the Commission, we feel that the views of motorcyclists need to be considered and respected. Consequently we – and many other motorcyclists – believe that the text must be removed.
We will continue to lobby through professional dialogue, to argue the case that the text must be removed.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)
The MRF is a U.S. membership-based national motorcyclists’ rights organisation headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Monitoring and when necessary, it sways federal legislation and regulatory action that pertains to street riders.
The MRF concerns itself with what is going on in the arena of motorcycling safety education, training, licensing, and public awareness.
Providing members and state motorcyclists’ rights organisations with direction and information to protect motorcyclists’ rights and motorcycling.
The MRF sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists’ rights activists.
Go For A Ride Magazine
Go For A Ride (Go FAR) Magazine is a monthly motorcycle & travel publication based in Tampa, Florida.
It is distributed for FREE at motorcycle dealerships, repair and accessory shops, and biker friendly restaurants and bars throughout much of Florida.
Go FAR was designed to present a new perspective to the motorcycle community.
Each issue features a unique Scenic Ride Map along with family-friendly content.
You’ll find Travel Tales, Motorcycle Industry News, Veterans Information, a Word Puzzle, Events Calendar, and much more.
Our content is always family-friendly.
Go FAR is the magazine with READABILITY.
You can download the latest issue on their website.
Why Worry!
Well the so called experts who wrote the offending text on European Road Safety Observatory (ERSO) website – which ended up on the Europa website and in a full report supported by the European Commission – has been quoted by another bunch of experts in the literature review of the – National Motorcycle Action Plan Technical Report, Road Safety Authority (RSA), Rep. of Ireland – published in April 2009.
So while this remains on the EU website, the anti motorcycling text will be quoted by expert after expert and used to formulate proposed motorcycle legislation which will need always to be fought against!
Page 65 of the RSA document
Powered Two Wheelers Website
3.8.5 This was published by the European Road Safety Observatory on 02 September 2008.
3.8.6 It is available on the European Road Safety Observatory (ERSO) website and is aimed at road safety professionals. ERSO is the Gateway into a Central Resource of European Road Safety data, knowledge and links. The pilot website is one of the final results of SafetyNet, which is an integrated project funded by DG-TREN of the European Commission.
3.8.8 ………….Riding a PTW is also much more dangerous than using another motor vehicle.
Page 67
3.8.12 A further reduction in number of PTW accidents is only possible with a very restrictive licensing system with access only at higher age limits, more extensive training and testing, lower power to weight ratios or restricted top speed. These measures will not be popular with present user groups or the PTW industry. Discouraging or restricting the use of PTWs may be more acceptable if alternatives are made more attractive.
Full Report Click Here 874kb pdf
Motorcycles – The Added Value Factor – Europe
8th January 2010
Motorcycles and mopeds are no longer branded dangerous by the European Commission’s website – EUROPA which is dedicated to road safety.
Right To Ride protested about the statement, “Motorcycles and mopeds are the most dangerous mode of transport in the EU.” to Mr Antonio Tajani – Vice President for Transport Policy at the European Commission Directorate-General For Energy And Transport.
As a direct result of our protest, we received a letter from DG TREN stating that the Road Safety Unit has now deleted the statement from their home page in which they stated that “Motorcycles and mopeds are the most dangerous mode of transport in the EU does not bring added value”.
We also communicated this concern to rider groups in the UK, Ireland and to FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations) and to our Northern Ireland MEPs.
Right To Ride’s, Trevor Baird, says, “Right To Ride has the same fundamental principle to promote riders’ interests and defend riders’ rights along with other rider organisations in the UK and Europe, for this reason we believe that communication amongst riders is our greatest strength and dialogue with the authorities goes beyond boundaries and ideology.”
However the statement, “Riding a PTW (Powered Two Wheeler) is also much more dangerous than using another motor vehicle.” remains on the “knowledge” document in the “specialist” page on the Europa website.
This text is quoted from the output of a project, “Powered Two Wheelers – Web text of the European Road Safety Observatory” and is from a scientist’s view point, written without input from motorcycle user groups. The European Commission covers any quoted text with the disclaimer, “The opinions expressed in the studies are those of the consultant and do not necessarily represent the position of the Commission”.
In our opinion this statement implies that any form of motorised transport, from an electric bicycle, car, van, to a HGV may be dangerous and we believe that this does not reflect a balanced view by the Commission because it omits to include scientifically based research from the perspective of European motorcycle riders, their representatives and experts.
If we consider the statements on the Europa website, “The overwhelming majority of motorcycle and moped crashes are caused by human error” and “Motorcycles and mopeds are more vulnerable than cars or trucks, because they are less stable and provide less protection.”, we can determine which vehicle or rather which driver is more dangerous to another vehicles or drivers/riders.
Therefore we may come to the conclusion that an HGV is more dangerous in a collision with another vehicle because of its size and weight even though the driver is highly trained and tested.
Equally we could say that cars are far more dangerous (statistically) because of the sheer number of deaths of vulnerable road users – including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists – which are the direct responsibility of car drivers.
It is our view that if the EU Commission wishes to reduce casualties on European roads, then it makes sense to look at the core issues rather than identifying one mode of transport as “the problem”.
Links
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/poweredtwowheelers/index.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/users/motorcyclists-mopdeds/index_en.htm
Powered Two Wheelers – Web text of the European Road Safety Observatory – Source of Dangerous Motorcycles position 2008 written without input from motorcycle user groups. Click Here pdf 289kb
FEMA Response to European Road Safety Observatory – 2009 Click Here pdf 64kb
Europe Brands Motorcycles As Dangerous – And Want Us Off The Roads
7th December 2009
On the 2nd December the European Commission hosted a conference on the results of the public consultation preceding the drafting of the European Road Safety Action Programme 2011-2020.
Most worrying is that they state in the context of failed solutions to reduce casualties, “Discouraging or restricting the use of PTWs may be more acceptable.” and “A further reduction in number of PTW accidents is only possible with a very restrictive licensing system with access only at higher age limits, more extensive training and testing, lower power to weight ratios or restricted top speed.”
More than 400 stakeholders with different backgrounds, including motorcycle representatives discussed the issues of road safety in the European Union and regarding motorcycles, focused on the safety of motorcycles and on how to adjust infrastructure to different categories of road users.
The Commissioner for Transport Antonio Tajani opening speech recognised motorcyclists as vulnerable road users along with pedestrians, cyclists and elderly people.
He stated that, “’The public consultation and today’s conference contribute to defining a clear and measurable European action programme on road safety for the period 2011-2020. Europe cannot be lax on road safety – tens of thousands of human lives are at stake each year. This action programme will help us remain demanding and determined in our fight against road accidents.”
However while recognising that motorcyclists are vulnerable road users, a new section on the European Commission’s website – EUROPA – dedicated to road safety, brands motorcycles as dangerous.
“Motorcycles and mopeds are the most dangerous mode of transport in the EU.”
“Riding a PTW (Powered Two Wheeler) is also much more dangerous than using another motor vehicle.”
Write To Ride says, “When did a mode of transport become dangerous? A food blender, a set of ladders or a lawn mower can be dangerous if it’s not used properly. If we are to brand the most “dangerous” road user, it is effectively the car driver who is mainly responsible for the carnage of motorcyclists.”
While recognising that studies of moped and motorcycle accidents find large proportions of collisions with a car driver, who should have waited for the motorcyclists, indicating problems with the perception of motorcycles, the Commission trots out the same solutions of headlights and reflective clothing, not that drivers should be taught at an early stage in their training to look, see and recognise motorcyclists.”
The solution is not their recommendation that (Electric) power assisted pedal bikes and tilting three wheelers could become acceptable alternatives in the near future for some existing groups of PTW users.
Write To Ride calls on the European Commission on Road Safety, as well as the European motorcycle user groups and European Motorcycle Industry, being the supposedly influential bodies and finally, our politicians as “European Citizen” representatives to delete the branding of motorcycles as dangerous on the EUROPA website and that responsible motorcycle, scooter and moped use should be encouraged as a solution for congestion and placed in a hierarchy of viable “green” alternatives to car use.
Motorcycle Madness From the EC
7th December 2009
Original article available by Clicking Here
On the European Commission’s Europa website, as part of the “solution” to reduce road casualties they want to “discourage or restrict” the use of motorcycles.
Accident prevention and injury protection
There are a number of measures that can make riding a PTW safer.
These can focus on reducing the number of accidents occurring or improving injury protection when accidents do occur.
However, even if these measures were used to their full potential, the accident rates of PTW’s will still be much higher than for driving a car. A further reduction in number of PTW accidents is only possible with a very restrictive licensing system with access only at higher age limits, more extensive training and testing, lower power to weight ratios or restricted top speed.
These measures will not be popular with present user groups or the PTW industry. Discouraging or restricting the use of PTW’s may be more acceptable if alternatives are made more attractive.
Pedal bike, public transport or cars do not seem to be alternatives to the present use of PTW’s. (Electric) power assisted pedal bikes and tilting three wheelers could become acceptable alternatives in the near future for some existing groups of PTW users.
HJ asks, “How, exactly, is a ’tilting three wheeler’ safer than a motorcycle? I’d really like to know. And if we are all supposed to be concerned either about climate change or diminishing world resources or both then surely motorcycles benefit the world far better than cars.”
Also on the EU Commission’s website is the statement “Motorcycles and mopeds are the most dangerous mode of transport in the EU”.
Why are we paying these EC lunatics huge amounts of money to ruin our lives?
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