Innovative road markings for motorcyclists are successful FEMA News 12 July 2024 Taking the correct cornering line is an absolute must for motorcyclists. KFV, the Austrian Kuratorium für Verkehrssicherheit, investigated the effect of innovative road markings for motorcyclists in risky Tyrolean curves and provided proof of success: the white ellipses on the road resulted in motorcyclists choosing a safer through curves and a reduction in the number of motorcycle accidents by 80 percent. Taking the corner safely in the correct riding line - that's how it should be. The correct cornering line is an absolute must for motorcyclists - motorized vehicles without a crumple zone. A look at the accident statistics shows that most motorcycle accidents on Austria's roads occur in bends. The cause of many motorcycle accidents is an incorrectly chosen cornering line;
More action is needed to improve motorcycle safety FEMA News 25 June 2024 At a road safety conference in Brussels, where motorcycle safety was discussed, a prize for achievements in road safety was presented to Finland. Finland is the recipient of the 2024 European Transport Safety Council prize for outstanding progress in road safety. Finland reduced road deaths by 29% over the decade to 2023, while the average decline in the EU was 16%. The Road Safety Performance Index (PIN) award recognises Finland’s progress in road safety and is a testament to the country’s long-term targets and comprehensive strategy for improving the road safety of all road users. Since 2000, Finland has implemented several important measures to improve road safety. These include lower speed limits in most urban areas, construction of pedestrian and bicycle paths,
Motorcycling: the individual mobility solution that brings many advantages FEMA News 13 June 2024 A French white paper, published by CSIAM (the International Chamber of Automobile and Motorcycle Trade Unions) offers a summary of the significant progress that the use of motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers makes, both in terms of relieving road traffic congestion and reducing polluting emissions and on savings that can be made by the community and road users themselves. It also offers an industrial perspective on the problems of noise and road safety as it is understood in the motorcycle sector. Below we offer a compilation of the most important issues (click here to read the full white paper). Travel time Taking into account the results of a FEMA mobility test, which establishes that the average time saving between the car and
Can electronic warnings improve road safety for motorcyclists? FEMA News 23 May 2024 C-ITS systems (Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems) that warn a motorcyclist of an upcoming danger only work if the rider is interpreting the warning correctly and reacts accordingly. So far however, there is little knowledge about how long a rider reaction towards a warning takes. Additionally, the question arises whether reactions from the passenger car domain can be applied to powered two-wheelers. Two whitepapers describe two dynamic motorcycle riding simulator studies by the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC), which investigated motorcycle riders’ reaction times towards different types of warnings. Such knowledge can bridge the gap between results from the accidentology side to the use case and test case specific strategies. The latter focus on the decision on how an application’s display/ alert principle
Riders and manufacturers agree on historic joint motorcycling manifesto FEMA News 7 May 20247 May 2024 The main organisations representing both the riders and the motorcycle industry (ACEM, FEMA, FIM) jointly celebrate the Day of Europe by launching a manifesto addressed to European leaders, ahead of the European elections. We call on the European Institutions to actively incorporate motorcycling into the policy priorities for the 2024-2029 political mandate that will kick off with the coming European elections on 5-9 June. Our sector positively contributes to the European economy, social inclusion and territorial cohesion with around €21.4 billion to European GDP and 389.000 jobs. Only in Europe, there are almost 40 million motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles and quadricycles to support a clean, efficient, practical and enjoyable alternative for moving people and goods in cities and rural areas. Motorcycling fully aligns with
Success: riding with a motorcycle trailer FEMA News 6 March 2024 Some motorcyclists like to attach a trailer to their bike. In the development of the current driving license directive the fact that sometimes motorcycles pull trailers was not taken into account (unlike with cars). The European Parliament now agreed on new, draft rules on EU driving licences and finally fixed an oversight FEMA has been pointing out for years: the possibility to legally ride a motorcycle with a trailer behind it. The proposal that is now adopted by the European Parliament (amendment 59), says the following: 'Without prejudice to the provisions of type-approval rules for the vehicles concerned, motor vehicles in categories referred to in points (a) and (b) may be combined with a trailer with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding half
European Parliament: driver training should focus on risk awareness FEMA News 28 February 20241 March 2024 Today the European Parliament adopted new, draft rules on EU driving licences. No mandatory medical test will be required when a driving licence is being issued and renewed. The introduction of probation period for inexperienced drivers of at least two years. 18-year-olds can obtain a licence to drive a truck or a bus with up to 16 passengers. Introduction of a digital driving licence, available on a mobile phone. Focus should be risk awareness training. No higher minimum age for the A1 licence. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) want drivers to be better prepared for real driving situations and be aware of the risks, in particular for vulnerable road users. Therefore driving in snow and slippery conditions, safe phone use
Mandatory medical tests when renewing a driving licence are controversial FEMA News 28 February 2024 Today the plenary session of the European Parliament debated the proposals on the revision of EU driving licence rules. The most controversial issue turned out to be the proposed mandatory medical test. In the original proposal by the European Commission, Member States may require "an examination applying the minimum standards of physical and mental fitness for driving" when a driving licence has to be renewed; rapporteur Karima Delli MEP, member of the Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance, wants to change this into a mandatory medical test every fifteen years that must be implemented by the Member States. Karima Delli also proposes a probationary period of at least two years for novice drivers. During that period drivers should be subjected to stricter
Presidents FIM & FEMA: working together will benefit motorcyclists FEMA News 19 February 2024 FEMA's newly elected president Odd Terje Dovik had a top meeting with FIM president Jorge Viegas. On the agenda: stronger cooperation on motorcycling issues. The FIM Commissions met in Lyon this weekend, providing an occasion for the new FEMA president, Odd Terje Dovik, to meet with his FIM counterpart, Jorge Viegas, as well as the FIM Deputy director Damiano Zamana. Jesper Christensen, FIM Director of the Commission for Mobility and FEMA board member, was also present. The meeting was following up the presentation given by Damiano at the recent FEMA Annual General Meeting (AGM). At the FEMA AGM, Damiano expressed a strong wish to formalize and further develop the ties between FEMA and FIM, to the benefit of both organisations. In Lyon, this
New president for FEMA FEMA News 14 February 2024 The members of FEMA elected a new President and three new members of the Board. FEMA's Annual General Meeting took place in the Netherlands on Saturday 10 February. The newly elected president Odd Terje Dovik from motorcyclists' organisation NMCU Norway took over from Anna Zee who was president since 2015. Odd Terje thanked Anna for her many years of service, both in FEMA and in the British motorcyclists' organisation BMF. The new members of the Board are Eric Maldiney (FFMC France), Jari Kielinen (SMOTO Finland) and Michael Noonan (IMA Ireland). Board members Jesper Christensen (SMC Sweden) and Steinmar Gunnarsson (BLS Iceland) were re-elected. FEMA also said goodbye to Board member Lene Michelsen and to FEMA treasurer Jim Freeman. Austrian motorcyclists' organisation Bikers' Voice -
UN: motorcycles will be included in the cyber security management regulation FEMA News 31 January 202431 January 2024 Motorcycles, scooters and electric bicycles with speed exceeding 25 km/h will be included in the scope of the UN Regulation No. 155 on cyber security and cyber security management. Cybersecurity, within the context of road vehicles, is the protection of automotive electronic systems, communication networks, control algorithms, software, users, and underlying data from malicious attacks, damage, unauthorized access, or manipulation. The UNECE Cybersecurity regulation requires automotive manufacturers to establish cybersecurity measures to prevent cyber threats. This includes creating a management system, risk assessments, and continuous monitoring against potential vulnerabilities and threats. The UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe) Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles decided to include motorcycles, scooters and electric bicycles with speed exceeding 25 km/h in the scope
No extra European import taxes on US motorcycles (yet) FEMA News 15 January 202415 January 2024 The European Union has decided to extend the suspension of its rebalancing tariffs on US products, such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In 2018, the then president Trump signed two proclamations to impose additional duties of 10% and 25% respectively on certain imports of aluminium and steel products into the United States, introducing tariffs on €6.4 billion of European steel and aluminium exports. These measures followed investigations carried out by the US Department of Commerce, which concluded that imports of these products threatened US national security and recommended action to restrict imports. In response, the European Union introduced rebalancing tariffs on US exports to the EU of a value of €2.8 billion; this included import tariffs for US products such as Harley-Davidson motorcycles, making