In Brussels the European Road Safety Charter Excellence in Road Safety Awards 2024 were presented to the winners of five different categories: Education Motorcycling Pedestrians and cyclists Technology and innovation Urban The European Road Safety Charter, led by the European Commission, is the largest civil society platform on road safety. To date, more than 4,000 public and private entities have committed to the Charter and carried out road safety actions and initiatives targeted at their members, employees and the rest of civil society. Together, these various entities form a community in which members can share their expertise and actions, inspiring and learning from each other. FEMA is a member of the European Road Safety Charter. Pedestrians and cyclists >> Alternative mobility strategy

The Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) has officially joined the European Road Safety Charter (ERSC), marking a significant step toward enhancing road safety for motorcyclists. The ERSC, spearheaded by the European Commission, is the largest civil society platform dedicated to road safety, with over 4,000 public and private entities actively participating. This collaboration will enable FEMA to share its expertise and initiatives, contributing to a broader community focused on improving safety for all road users. By joining forces, FEMA and the ERSC aim to inspire and learn from each other, implementing effective actions that target motorcyclists specifically. As Europe’s leading motorcyclists’ organisation, FEMA is poised to make a meaningful impact in promoting safer riding conditions across the continent. Top image: AI generated This

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;

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 -