EU proposals to restrict the future of motorcycling – latest news from Brussels
European Type Approval Regulations that would bring compulsory ABS to all new bikes, alongside anti-modification measures and road-side spot checks to enforce them, took another step forward on 30th August 2011.
Fortunately, there is something you can do about it – first though, here are the main restrictions that look set to be introduced on new bikes from 2015:
Compulsory Anti-lock and/or Combined Braking Systems on all new motorcycles and scooters over 50cc.
Advanced braking systems add cost and complexity to the manufacture and servicing of bikes, but do not always help the rider (especially on loose surfaces such as gravel). The Commission’s evidence that the costs are outweighed by the benefits is patchy and may rely too much on data from commercial interests. Consumers should retain the choice to specify ABS if they want it, there should always be an option to disable ABS when necessary.
Three new progressively tighter emissions limits to be introduced over 5 years.
Real-world trials of various sizes of bikes and comparable cars on commuting routes show that bikes offer shorter journey-times and lower fuel-consumption. The Commission’s evidence relies on one source and does not adequately consider the additional costs and impacts on fuel-economy from adding pollution control technology developed for large vehicles on to small lightweight vehicles. The Commission justifies this by emphasising that bikes account for a growing proportion of some traffic pollutants, but the context is that the total generated by all types of vehicle has fallen to a very low level.
Devices to prevent modification of the engine or transmission (including restricted choice of air-filter, drive sprockets or rear-tyre).
Riders of identical bikes are not themselves identical, nor are their journeys. Bikes used mostly on motorways need different drive characteristics to those used mostly on urban streets or rural roads, these can be achieved easily, eg; by choosing different drive sprockets or tyre dimensions. The Commission wishes to add cost and complexity to vehicle design so that owners will be restricted in modifying their bikes to suit their needs in this way.
Partly the Commission wants to stop novice riders tuning their bikes to perform better than their driving licence allows. The Commission prefer to penalise riders who want to de-restrict their learner-bike once they are fully qualified, not to mention already-qualified riders who need or want lightweight bikes with good performance.
Computer chips on every bike to monitor and ultimately disable engines.
The Commission envisages basic chips on all bikes to record breaches of emission limits as a pre-cursor to requiring more sophisticated devices capable of disabling bikes and storing information about riding characteristics at a later stage.
Road-side checks of passing bikes (but not cars)
The Commission proposes all EU Member States should mount road-side checks of passing bikes as one means of enforcing restrictions on riders’ ability to modify their bikes. This iniquitous threat to the free-movement of citizens does not extend to people travelling in modified cars.
Impact on after-market parts suppliers
The Commission’s impact assessment considers the effect of changes on the manufacturers of original equipment to the detriment of alternative suppliers of after-market components and spare parts, future consumer-choice of replacement parts has not been adequately considered.
New rules to allow non- Type Approved vehicles to be used on the road
The Commission seems to expect one-off specials and custom builds, bikes built in small production runs (perhaps even bikes built before Type Approval), etc. to meet the same standards as big manufacturers who can spread the very high costs of gaining Type Approval over the whole production run of mass-produced bikes that have had millions spent on their development. Currently, ‘Single Vehicle Approval’ rules allow builders of individual bikes and small production runs to register bikes for road use provided they meet national construction and use regulations, this sensible approach must be safeguarded.
Power and speed limits to restrict development of electric motorcycles
The development of electric drive technology could see the development of low-, medium- and high-performance alternatives to fossil-fuel bikes in the foreseeable future. The Commission wishes to restrict that competition by imposing speed and power limits on electric bikes. This gross interference in the development of consumer choice may also indicate an intention to restrict the performance of future cars or other personal transport vehicles.
Last Tuesday (30th September), a meeting of ‘IMCO’, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee of MEPs which is overseeing the European Commission’s proposals, discussed progress on negotiations with the Commission on more than 300 amendments tabled by MEPs.
Sadly, it looks as though Dutch MEP Wim van de Camp, who is taking the lead in negotiations with the Commission, not only agrees with many of the Commission’s proposals, he sees little room for compromise on most of the amendments put forward by his fellow MEPs. The alliances formed between different blocks of political parties in the European Parliament could yet deliver a majority of votes to Mr van de Camp – unless we all do something to turn it around.
What can be done..?
1. There is a very simple way to contact the MEPs that represent you, and put forward our case against further restrictions on bike-design and use of bikes BEFORE these decisions are cast in stone. Vital discussions are going on in the next few days and weeks so please go to www.writetothem.com and tell them how you feel about the points listed above (cut and paste the seven bullet points above if you need to).
2. UK-wide protests are being organised for 1pm on Sunday 25th September – this is your opportunity to defend the riders’ right to decide what they ride and to modify their bikes to suit their needs (not to mention oppose compulsory day-glo, bans on older bikes in cities, etc.). For further details of more than 70 starting points on the UK trunk road network go to: http://www.facebook.com/pages/25th-Sept-2011-Action-Now-EU-Hands-Off-Biking/218514361530962
In the meantime, MAG continues to lobby our own Department for Transport, UK MEPs and MPs to oppose any further restrictions on bikes and riders. MAG will be meeting DfT officials again in a few days time – more to follow on this very soon.
Video of the IMCO meeting, as well as official papers describing the Commissions proposals and the 300+ suggested amendments, can be found on the EU website (the video shows discussion about the Type Approval Regulations from 15:54:30 to 16:26:00): http://www.europarl.europa.eu/wps-europarl-internet/frd/vod/player?eventCode=20110830-1500-COMMITTEE-IMCO&language=EN&byLeftMenu=researchcommittee&category=COMMITTEE&format=wmv#anchor1
If you do watch the video, pay attention to Mr van de Camps’ introduction – you’ll hear that he is a motorcyclist (he has a collection of bikes including an R1) but that he is working on the Type Approval regulations as an MEP rather than as a rider. Also he says he had a crash recently and that he believes ABS would have prevented it. Our Dutch speaking colleagues at MAG(NL) confirm the translation is accurate.
Ride Free
Nich
