From 2023 Euro NCAP will start testing driver support systems in cars, such as Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Support Systems, on their ability to look for and react to motorcyclists. Motorcycles are often not detected by the sensors of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) or the reaction of the systems is not adequate. In 2016. research by RDW (the Netherlands Vehicle Authority) showed that cars with an innovative driving system, such as an adaptive cruise control, were capable of noticing motorcycles, but when motorcycles rode at the edge of their lane, the adaptive cruise control did not respond well to them. In many tests, action had to be taken by the driver of the car to prevent a collision. RDW investigated

The European Parliament wants robust road safety measures, such as a 30 km per hour speed limit and zero-tolerance for drink-driving, but it also suggests Intelligent Speed Assistance on motorcycles. On 5 October 2021, the plenary meeting of the European Parliament adopted the draft report of the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Elena Kountoura with a large majority of votes. The report contains many measures to enhance road safety in Europe. One of them is the introduction of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) on motorcycles. In general, the European Parliament sees a large contribution to road safety in a change to active mobility (walking and cycling) and public transport. Also, better infrastructure, a European road transport agency, speed reduction, and enforcement should

A FEMA survey shows that a possible ban on the sale of new petrol-powered motorcycles is rejected by more than 90 percent of the motorcyclists that took part in the survey. In July and August 2021 FEMA conducted an online survey on motorcycle emissions and a possible ban on the sale of new petrol-powered motorcycles. The survey was available in 12 languages and was filled out by 23,768 people (1,188 women and 22,580 men). When asked ‘What do you think about a possible ban on the sale of new petrol-powered motorcycles?’, 92.91% of the motorcyclists that responded rejected such a ban. There are differences between countries, but the disapproval rate of a possible ban on the sale of new petrol-powered motorcycles does

French president Macron postponed the implementation of the European Union’s requirements for periodic motorcycle inspections. France’s transport ministry hit the brakes on an order for the nation’s army of motorbikers to get their machines tested every two years, after President Emmanuel Macron got wind of the plan. “Now is not the time to bother the French public,” said an aide to the president who asked not to be identified, adding that the government was “already asking a lot” during the Covid crisis. A decree had been issued on Wednesday 11 August 2021, ordering regular roadworthiness tests for motorbikes from 2023, in a long-delayed move to bring France into line with EU legislation. Macron’s move to rescind a decree issued by his own government

The European Commission wants to revise the driving licence legislation and asks for feedback. FEMA asks the Commission to shift the focus from technical skills to better risk awareness and the ability to handle unexpected situations. The European Commission takes the next step to new driving licence legislation and has published a ‘Roadmap’ to a revision of the Directive on driving licences (you can respond here until 21 May 2021). In this roadmap the Commission defines several problems and initiatives the tackle them. FEMA reacted and has sent its views on driving licences to the Commission (you can read FEMA’s full reaction here). In FEMA’s view, the revision must be used to solve several problems that we have already addressed for a

The European Parliament calls upon the European Commission to have all powered two- and three-wheelers periodically tested. On 26 April 2021, the European Parliament - in its plenary meeting - voted on the report about the review of the Roadworthiness Package. The vote confirmed the outcome of the earlier vote in the transport committee. This means that the European Parliament calls upon the European Commission to have all powered two- and three-wheelers periodically tested, although for mopeds and light (<125cc) motorcycles they ask for a cost-benefit analysis first. Literally the report says: "...calls on the Commission therefore to consider extending the obligation to conduct roadside inspections to two- and three-wheel vehicles, including the 5 % minimum yearly inspection target, as these vehicles are

FEMA wants motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers to be included in Europe’s road safety plans. FEMA studied the European Commission's latest road safety plans and wrote an extensive response, stating that the plans focus on cars only and do not sufficiently take motorcyclists into account. FEMA can and will not support an approach that is not safe for all road users, including motorcyclists. The European Commission published its Road Safety Policy Framework, called 'Next steps towards Vision Zero'. The Commission sets new intermediate targets to halve the number of fatalities and serious injuries on European roads by 2030. According to Mrs Adina-Ioana Vălean, EU Commissioner for Transport: "The Framework provides a comprehensive set of measures for priority areas such as improving the

Fuel identifiers have been placed on new vehicles and fuel pumps since 2018; this year labels will also be placed on charging stations and on all newly-produced electric vehicles. A European directive* requires European Union member states and European Economic Area states to improve the information given to consumers who are faced with a choice of fuels for their vehicle. To that end, a CEN standard** has drawn up common symbols, or ‘fuel identifiers’, that will be placed on new vehicles and fuel pumps. These identifiers have to be in place since October 2018. When customers arrive at a filling station and open the fuel-filler cap on their vehicle, a common fuel identifier will be visible on both the vehicle and the

The European Parliament wants mandatory periodic technical inspections for all motorcycles and mopeds in every member state. No exceptions. On 25 February 2021, the European Parliament Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) asked the European Commission to include motorcycles in the obligation to have a periodical technical inspection. For small motorcycles - less than 125 cc - and mopeds, the Committee asks for an assessment first to investigate the cost-benefit factors. By means of this own-initiative report, the European Parliament requests the European Commission to put forward a legislative proposal. Most European countries already have a mandatory periodical technical inspection (PTI) for motorcycles, some are going to introduce it in 2022 and three countries (Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands) do not intend

FEMA has signed a letter of agreement to become an official supporter of the Connected Motorcycle Consortium. With this we formally support the work of CMC. The Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC) is a consortium of BMW, Honda, KTM and Yamaha with the purpose to develop new applications and standards that make motorcycles communicate with other road users and infrastructure. The goal is to enhance road safety for motorcycles. Think of applications that warn motorists who want to turn left in front of oncoming motorcycles. As you know, this is the most occurring accident with motorcycles, so the introduction of such applications could be a big step forward in protecting motorcyclists from getting hit by cars. The consortium has also been joined by