In the Netherlands an in-depth study into motorcycle accidents shows that in more than half of the crashes, a collision with another road user resulted in the most serious injury. The crash opponent was most often a passenger car. The aim of this in-depth study by SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research was to contribute to promoting the road safety of motorcyclists by providing qualitative insight into the factors that play a role in the occurrence and outcome of motorcycle accidents. In this report, the following four research questions are answered: 1. Which crash patterns or sub-types of motorcycle crashes can be distinguished? 2. Which crash and injury factors contribute to the occurrence of these crashes? 3. Do these factors differ from those reported in

FEMA, FIM Europe and NMC published an online survey about (mandatory) protective gear for motorcyclists, to gauge the European riders’ points of view. We receive information from a growing number of countries that governments are suggesting the mandatory use of (parts of) mandatory PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and we think it is important to have an understanding of today's riders’ opinions. We invite all riders to take part in the survey, and to share the survey with as many motorcycling friends and colleagues as possible. Please fill out the survey before Monday 11 May 2026. ----------------------------------------------------- CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE SURVEY. -----------------------------------------------------  

Motorcyclists’ organisations FEMA, FIM Europe and NMC unveil a new set of joint position papers designed as powerful lobbying tools for the European motorcycling community. As the EU accelerates its work on mobility, climate policy, and road safety, these documents ensure that the voice of Europe’s riders is not only heard but taken seriously in the legislative process. The position papers present clear, evidence‑based recommendations for EU decision‑makers. They address the most pressing issues affecting motorcycling, from sustainable transport strategies and infrastructure design to licensing, training, and emerging technologies; they translate the concerns of millions of riders into concrete political wishes. With these joint position papers, FEMA, FIM Europe and NMC reaffirm their shared commitment to shaping policy in a way that protects

FIM, supported by FEMA, has sent a letter to Jens Gieseke MEP, rapporteur on the revision of the Roadworthiness Package, urging him to maintain Member State flexibility regarding periodic technical inspections (PTIs) for motorcycles. The letter is also co-signed by 21 national motorcyclists' associations, in a historical cooperative effort to prevent the European Parliament from making a big mistake. The letter states: "We recognise and support the shared objective of improving road safety across the European Union and are involved in many projects to improve rider safety. However, extending mandatory PTIs to motorcycles – particularly through lowering the threshold to include motorcycles under 125cm3 as suggested in your draft report – raises serious concerns regarding proportionality, cost-effectiveness, and territorial fairness. Mandatory PTIs

For the second year in a row Olea Kvalsvik has been elected as FEMA's President. All members of the FEMA Management Board have also been re-elected: Eric Maldiney (treasurer), Jesper Christensen, Jari Kielinen, Michael Noonan and Kristrún Tryggvadóttir. During this year's annual general meeting, held in the Netherlands, we also welcomed two new organisations with observer status: Moto Touring Croatia and WIMA Norway. Both motorcyclists' organisations will now have a full year to get to know FEMA's inner working before they apply for full membership. Written by Wim Taal This article is subject to FEMA’s copyright

European Parliament rapporteur Jens Gieseke has published his draft report on the European Commission’s proposal to revise the Roadworthiness Package, which includes Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI). Gieseke wants all motorcycles over 50 cc to be tested, no exceptions. The full amendment reads: "Testing the roadworthiness of motorcycles has clear benefits for road safety. This has also been demonstrated by the number of Member States that already include motorcycles in their roadworthiness testing systems. Therefore, the testing of motorcycles with an engine capacity above 50 cc should be mandatory. Member States should set appropriate intervals as well as areas, items and appropriate methods of testing. As a result, the current possibility of an opt-out for motorcycles with an engine capacity above 125

EU Council and Parliament strike a deal on the rules for vehicle circularity and the management of end-of-life vehicles. The Council presidency and the European Parliament’s representatives reached a provisional agreement on the regulation concerning circularity requirements for vehicle design and the management of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). The new rules will replace the two existing directives and set requirements to ensure that new vehicles are designed in a way that supports their re-use, recycling and recovery. The new regulation is part of the European Green Deal and the circular economy action plan, aiming to transition the automotive sector to a more circular model. It introduces measures across the entire life cycle of vehicles, from design and production to their end-of-life treatment, with

A great victory for European motorcyclists: European transport ministers set the Council’s position on the roadworthiness package, which puts forward an update of EU standards with regards to periodic roadworthiness tests, technical roadside inspections and registration of vehicle data. Thomas Danielsen, Danish Minister for Transport said: “I am pleased that we have reached a positive outcome and that we now have a general approach on both proposals in the package. With this agreement we are securing a modernisation of the rules for roadside and periodic testing and registration of vehicle data while minimising administrative burden.” Denmark currently holds the EU presidency. The package consists of two proposals focusing on the update of three directives: one on the periodic roadworthiness testing for motor

Despite a number of crashes with motorcycles, Tesla wants to introduce Full Self-Driving (previously called 'autopilot') in Europe. Tesla has requested early access, pilot release programs or exemptions where possible. In a statement on X, Tesla now claims that the Dutch approval authority RDW will grant them an exemption for the feature. Current UN and EU regulations make Full Self-Driving illegal in its current form. A Tesla statement says: "Currently, RDW has committed to granting Netherlands National approval in February 2026. Upon NL National approval, other EU countries can immediately recognize the exemption and also allow rollout within their country." RDW's response however is a bit more realistic. From the RDW's statement: "On November 22, 2025, Tesla posted a message on X about

We are pleased to invite you to an open, online meeting with Mips, a global leader in helmet-based safety technology. This event is open to all motorcycle enthusiasts across Europe, and we encourage you to share the invitation with your members via your website and social media. Information about the meeting is posted on our website > www.femamotorcycling.eu Date & Time: 10 November at 19:00h CET (7pm) Open to: All motorcycle enthusiasts REGISTER HERE! Mips specializes in helmet-based safety and is a market leader in this field. Based on an ingredient brand business model, the Mips® safety system is sold to the global helmet industry. The technology is built on more than 25 years of research, testing, and development in collaboration with KTH Royal

A new study is sounding the alarm on the hidden threat all motorcyclists are aware of: the steel safety barriers lining thousands of kilometres of roads. Motorcyclists across Europe are familiar with the dangers of slippery curves and unexpected obstacles. Researchers confirm that these barriers, designed primarily to protect car occupants, are a serious risk to motorcyclists in a specific type of accident: upright crashes. When a rider hits a barrier in an upright position, their chest or abdomen often slams directly into the sharp upper edge of the guardrail. The research paper calls for better guardrails to protect motorcyclists in these upright crashes. While ‘motorcycle-friendly’ barriers already exist to reduce injuries from sliding crashes, where riders slide into the barrier after

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) published its 19th PIN annual report, analyzing the 20,017 deaths on EU roads in 2024. In this report, the ETSC again calls for periodic technical inspections for all motorcycles and mopeds without offering any proof of safety gains. The ETSC recommends to extend testing to cover all motorcycles, including mopeds, without exemptions: as a minimum, first inspection after four years, subsequent inspections every two years, then every year after that. But more on that later, let's look at the road safety numbers first. The EU has set a target to halve the number of road deaths by 2030, based on their level in 2019. Most European countries have similar national targets. The 19th PIN report paints