MAG UK Comes Out EU Safety

The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK) has put out a press release opposing the European Unions (EU) “well-intentioned but wrong” safety proposals regarding its new Road Safety Action Programme (RSAP) for the upcoming 10 years.

UK riders’ representative organisation the Motorcycle Action Group, has joined the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) to warn that the plans will result in a worse deal for riders without delivering improved road safety.

Right To Ride says, “After our own reporting on the issue, since January this year, we welcome the fact that both FEMA and MAG UK have presented their position on these latest “safety proposals” by DG MOVE. These proposals are tied into the whole issue of the framework regulation proposed by the European Commission (DG Enterprise) for motorcycles, which seeks to regulate emissions and the safety of motorcycles. It seems to us that one part of the Commission is trying to sideline another in the race to saves us from ourselves. Maybe good cop – bad cop tactics?”

MAG UK has picked up a relevant point regarding the current Road Worthiness Tests, the MoT.

MAG UK says, “Current Road Worthiness Tests (such as the MoT) may be replaced by a new Europe-wide test requiring checks to see that riders only use maintenance and repair parts, luggage, accessories, etc. that are approved by the manufacturer of the original bike or the EU itself.”

Further pointing out that “Such a system would restrict choice and add further costs for the user, even though vehicle defects contribute directly to a very small proportion of crashes.”

If the European Commission proposals go unchecked they will eventually affect riders in Northern Ireland on what motorcycle you can buy – what you can ride and how you can ride it!

Motorcycle Action Group (MAG UK)

The European Commission, the body that effectively governs the European Union, has published new plans to halve the number of road deaths by 2020.

The Commission says that “While other vehicle transport modes have shown significant decreases in fatalities and serious injuries over time, those for PTW/(Powered Two-Wheeler)/ riders have exhibited much lower decreases or remained even static.”

The Commission says its ‘Road Safety Action Programme’ includes “a new focus on motorcyclists”. Riders say that while the proposals are unlikely to mean overall improvement in rider safety, they will certainly reduce consumer choice and increase costs.

The Commission plans to regulate biking through mandatory Advanced Braking Systems, headlamps being permanently lit and preventing riders from tuning or modifying engines. New standards for rider clothing will be introduced and the annual MoT test could be replaced by a new Euro ‘road worthiness testing’ system. Airbag technology in bikes and rider clothing is also being considered.

MAG (UK) General Secretary Nich Brown says, “Some of the most effective ways to reduce the risk that riders face on Europe’s roads, have been ignored. The Commission should be making sure all member states to actively think about the needs of riders as part of overall transport policy and managing their roads, as well as focussing on reducing the risks to rider safety presented by other road users and larger vehicles. Instead, they are relying on unproven and expensive measures that focus solely on restricting vehicle design.”

Advanced Braking Systems remain more difficult to develop for Powered Two-Wheelers than for most cars. FEMA and MAG(UK) say the user must retain the right to decide on whether to use what remains an expensive and limited technology.

The benefits of Automatic Headlamp-On to help riders be seen by other road users are increasingly doubtful, most cars and larger vehicles now run much stronger lighting in daylight hours.

Anti-Tampering measures may prevent a minority of riders from tuning engines beyond the performance limits on the rider’s licence. However, they also prevent any rider from making legitimate improvements to fuel consumption or engine characteristics and increasingly requires special tools for basic maintenance and repair.

Current Road Worthiness Tests (such as the MoT) may be replaced by a new Europe-wide test requiring checks to see that riders only use maintenance and repair parts, luggage, accessories, etc. that are approved by the manufacturer of the original bike or the EU itself. Such a system would restrict choice and add further costs for the user even though vehicle defects contribute directly to a very small proportion of crashes.

There is concern that commercial interests may be helping to drive many of the Commission’s proposals; restriction of the market for replacement parts, aftermarket equipment and maintenance facilities would almost certainly mean riders face less choice and more expense. Ironically, this could lead to new safety problems.

Links

Right To Ride – Frame Work Regulation – Anti-Tampering – Click Here

Read what – Back Roads Rider – Independent influential opinion and commentary from a biker inside the UK’s motorcycling political community – has to say – Click Here

Motorcycle Action Group – www.mag-uk.org

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