Regulation Amendments

The amendments to the European Commission proposal for a regulation on the approval and market surveillance of two- and three wheelers and quadricycles, voted on by the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) on the 5th December 2001, have been published.

We are currently wading through the document to see what amendments have been deleted and what has been voted through by MEPs.

To view the document – Click Here – Word Document 690kb

Positive Amendment?

(3a) More than 70 % of the Union’s population lives in urban areas while approximately 85 % of the Union’s GDP is generated in cities. All major cities in Europe aim to reduce congestion, accidents and pollution. Better type-approval requirements for L-category vehicles can facilitate the transition to more efficient, safe and clean urban mobility. New, innovative and technologically advanced two-, three- or light four-wheel vehicles can significantly enhance urban mobility, by taking up less space, using less energy, creating fewer emissions during production and operation, while at the same time offering connectivity, productivity and enjoyment.

Right To Ride’s comment: The recognition that motorcycles can be enjoyed………….

An approval authority may exempt the vehicle from compliance with requirements laid down in one or more of the acts listed in Annex II, provided that the approval authority imposes alternative requirements and has reasonable grounds for such exemption. An exemption of this kind may be granted in particular for unique vehicles built by private individuals, in order to keep costs to an acceptable level.

Right To Ride’s comment:  Left to member states …………… advantageous?

Negative Amendment?

If substantial modifications are made to the powertrain components by the user or by those acting on his behalf, the vehicle shall comply with the technical requirements of the initial vehicle category and subcategory, or, if applicable, the new vehicle category and subcategory, which were in force when the original vehicle was sold, registered or entered into service. Those modifications shall be inspected and approved by the competent authorities of the Member States.

A modification shall be deemed to be substantial when it affects the safety of the vehicle or its emissions to the environment, or when it renders the original type-approval obsolete.

Right To Ride: This needs a full explanation………. what is a substantial modification and more importantly what is not a substantial modification ……………… other than safety or emissions – or  – perhaps it is better to leave it open ended?

Questions To Be Answered!

Meanwhile as previously reported , we have contacted each of the seven political groups in the European Parliament asking them for their opinion regarding the proposal, especially surrounding the issue of anti-tampering and how this would or not affect motorcyclists from the custom of modifying their motorcycles and the Rapporteur and Shadow rapporteurs in the IMCO committee.

We asked the Rapporteur and Shadow rapporteurs in the IMCO committee their views on the proposal and the amendments especially any that they may have submitted.

We asked them:

  • How did you arrive at this conclusion?
  • What are your reasoning and justification to take this approach?
  • Did you take the opinion or views of motorcyclists in consideration before submitting the amendment/s?
  • Was this entirely your opinion or view or those of your party or political group, or other lobbying by industry or other interested parties?
  • What do you think the implications of the regulation will have on the ability of motorcyclists to legally modify or customise their motorcycles/trikes?
  • What do you think the implications of the amendments submitted regarding Article 18, will have on the ability of motorcyclists to legally modify or customise their motorcycles/trikes, including disabled riders to adapt their motorcycles/trikes to their disability?

With regards to mopeds, although the Commission has been unable to provide evidence that tampering of mopeds is wide spread, the Commission wishes to extend anti-tampering measures to L1 and L2 category vehicles.

However, given that both the Commission and yourselves have agreed to exclude the 74 Kw limit from the proposal and subsequent regulation, you evidently accept that speed is not an issue in relation to the power of the motorcycle.

It is a fact that the low speed of mopeds (45 kph) can lead to dangerous situations in heavy traffic in cities such as Rome, Madrid, Paris etc.

  • Would you support an increase in the threshold of speed for mopeds to 55 kph in order that the moped rider can safely manoeuvre in traffic? (That would not only eliminate the danger for these riders, but would also ensure that they have no reason to tamper with the power outlet i.e. modify the power train).

We are aware of the Impact Assessment that is being carried out, however regarding ABS (Advanced Braking Systems) and amendments to the fitting of these systems (Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) – Combined Braking Systems (CBS)).

  • Do you not think that rather than technically regulating the type of system to be fitted, that this should be left to the motorcycle industry and innovation and technical advances to decide which systems suit the overall technical specification e.g. scooters and smaller motorcycles?

Political Groups EU Parliament

European People’s Party (Christian Democrats)  – www.eppgroup.eu

Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats – www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu

Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe – www.alde.eu

European Conservatives and Reformists – www.ecrgroup.eu

Greens/European Free Alliance – www.greens-efa.eu

European United Left – Nordic Green Left – www.guengl.eu

Europe of Freedom and Democracy – www.efdgroup.eu

Rapporteur – Shadow Rapporteurs IMCO

Rapporteur

Wim Van De Camp – European People’s Party (Christian Democrats) (Epp) – Dutch MEP – wim.vandecamp@europarl.europa.eu

Shadow Rapporteurs

Kerstin Westphal – Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) – German MEP – kerstin.westphal@europarl.europa.eu

Toine Manders – Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (Alde) – Dutch MEP – toine.manders@europarl.europa.eu

Heide Rühle – Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/Efa) – German MEP – heide.ruehle@europarl.europa.eu

Kyriacos Triantaphyllides – Confederal Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left (GUE/NGL) – Cyprus MEP – kyriacos.triantaphyllides@europarl.europa.eu

Matteo Salvini – Europe of freedom and democracy Group (EFD) – Italian MEP – matteo.salvini@europarl.europa.eu

Malcolm Harbour – European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) – UK MEP – malcolm.harbour@europarl.europa.eu

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