The Department for Transport (DfT) in the UK has launched a consultation on the proposed new European regulation on the type approval process for motorcycles, three wheeled vehicles and quadricycles.
The aim of the consultation is to help refine the UK’s impact assessment on the Commission’s proposal and provide an opportunity to receive comments based on the progress of discussions to date.
The closing date for the consultation is the 28 October, however since negotiations are ongoing early responses are more likely to allow us to take any additional evidence into account during the negotiating stage.
This is a chance for motorcyclists to give the UK government your views (because the government does not like the majority of the EU proposals) and respond to the consultation in a coherent way.
CHANGES TO EUROPEAN RULES ON MOTORCYCLE TYPE APPROVAL
DfT Press Release 5th September 2011
A consultation on a proposed new European regulation on the type approval process for motorcycles, three wheeled vehicles and quadricycles was published today by Roads Minister Mike Penning.
Type approval is used to certify that a vehicle meets minimum European standards on safety and exhaust emissions.
Vehicles which are type approved can be sold and registered throughout Europe without further approval restrictions being imposed by Member States.
The proposed new regulation would replace existing legislation setting out the requirements manufacturers must meet when presenting new motorcycles, three wheeled vehicles and quadricycles for type approval.
The proposed changes include bringing all type approval requirements for these vehicles under one regulation rather than several, as is currently the case, as well as introducing new requirements on vehicle safety and environmental impact.
Roads Minister Mike Penning said: “This is a chance for both motorcycle manufacturers and riders to have their say on this new EU Regulation.
“I hope as many people as possible will respond to the consultation and give us the benefit of their knowledge and experience as we progress towards the negotiating stage on these new rules.”
Comments received to the consultation will be used to help refine the UK’s negotiating position.
The consultation is open until 28 October 2011: Click Here
Right To Ride responds to The Department for Transport’s Consultation on the EU Regulations
(The proposal for the approval and market surveillance of two or three wheel vehicles and quadricycles).
The aim of the consultation is to help refine the UK’s impact assessment on the Commission’s proposal and provide an opportunity to receive comments based on the progress of discussions to date.
http://www.righttoride.eu/?p=8082
Background – I am a female biker with11 years experiance and currently own two motorcycles, a 1987 GSXR 750 sportsbike and a 2008 Yamaha 125cc scooter, I have owned many bikes over the years including 1000cc track bikes as well as brand new and old classic bikes. I worked for DVLA for 7 years both in Swansea and in the Local Office Network in Project Management and as a trainer in DVLA processes, procedures and systems. I feel that my opinion on this consultation is a well balanced due to my experiance.
1- ABS: As a biker I fully oppose the introduction of ABS as a mandatory system on all new motorcycles. This is not for a cost reason, this is for safety reasons. ABS destabilises the vehicle in the worng conditions and takes control away from the rider. Motorcycles are not like cars, you don’t just point them generally in the right directon and hope for the bext. Motorcycle control is very much about feel and adding a compulsory system to a bike that takes over some of this control will not help reduce accidents. ABS should be an option for the rider. Motorcyclists choose what type of tyres to fit to a bike dependent on riding style, useage, profile, feel, weather conditions etc. The same approch should be taken with ABS, give bikers a choice!
2 – Modifications. I agreee with the Government in regards to the fact that modifications have little effect on emissions. In fact some modifcations improve emissions. Additionally changes such as drivechain modifications are not easy to identify and the cost of enforcing such regulations would be prohibative. One rear sprocket does look very much like another unless you sit and count the teeth!
3- Recategorisation of electric vehicles – There are currently appropriate regs and processes in place in the UK to categorise and licence these vehicles. Any changes would impect systems already in place such as the DVLAs Drivers System and VSS Database.
4 – Approval of individual vehicles – We already have the SVA process which works very well and is of reasonable cost to both DfT, small import companies and to the consumer. A blanket approval standard would be costly and would not benefit individual countries where there are specific requirements for vehicles.
5 – Changes that affect older vehicles: I own a 1987 Suzuki sportsbike and it is very much a classic bike in that it was one of the first ‘proper’ sportsbikes bulit for the road. I maintain it to a very high standard and it has only covered 14,000 miles from new. I take my bike to Plymouth City centre as Plymouth promotes motorcycling in the city and allows bikes the use of bus lanes and provides excellent parking facilities. I also go to the local cafe situated in the City where many bikers meet up on a sunny day with new and classic bikes. To stop bikes of a certain age into Citiy centres will kill off my local biker caff and will mean that I either have to use my scooter that I use to commute to work only (which is not suitable if I need to take my partner or a friend to town) or I will use my car adding to congestion.
All in all I feel that the Government response has been well thought out I agree with the opinions stated in the response. The only area I would recommend that DfT investigate further is around compulsory ABS as I feel that this is a very bad idea!