New EU legislation nearly there

[StephenC]

MEPs have passed the draft through yesterday. Now it has to be agreed by member states before it becomes binding. Includes ABS, lighting and emissions.

New rules designed to make motorbikes 'safer and greener' have got the thumbs up from MEPs in Strasbourg.

Members approved the rules in a vote in parliament on Tuesday. They are to apply to all powered two- and three-wheel vehicles, from mopeds to heavy motorcycles, and also quads, as of 2016.

As these vehicles account for 16 per cent of accident deaths on Europe's roads, but only two per cent of road traffic, MEPs approved more stringent safety requirements for them, as well as tougher emission targets.

Under the new rules, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) will have to be fitted to all "bigger" motorbikes - those over 125cc - while ABS or combined brake systems (CBS) could be fitted to smaller ones under 125cc, including scooters.

By the end of 2019, the commission is due to present a cost-effectiveness analysis, with recommendations as to whether the rules should be revised to make ABS mandatory for smaller motorbikes, too.

The new regulation, adopted with 643 votes in favour, 16 against and 18 abstentions, still has to be formally approved by EU member states. The vote, which included over 300 amendments, was closely followed by riders and manufacturers.

The motorcycle industry has been keenly awaiting the new legislation so it can start making investments in the next generation of cleaner and safer machines. MEPs said they welcomed the measures to improve the visibility of motorbikes and riders by introducing automatic switching-on of lighting when the engine starts.

Parliament's rapporteur on the issue, Dutch EPP member Wim van de Camp said, "Of course safe motor cycling is largely the responsibility of the rider, but there is still some scope to make bikes safer and cleaner."

Further reaction came from ECR member Malcolm Harbour who said, "This vote is the culmination of a great deal of listening to biking enthusiasts so that we could put in place a law that makes two, three and four wheeled machines safer and cleaner, without ruining their cherished hobby. "This new type approval framework will secure the future of motor biking for a generation. "There has been significant scaremongering about the purpose behind this law.

"It was simply to make 15 outdated laws setting technical standards into one current law, which will be easier for manufacturers to decipher. We always had at heart the best interests of millions of people across Europe for whom biking is a way of life." Harbour said he had worked closely with a number of motorcyclist organisations, attempting to shape the law to better suit the wishes of enthusiasts.

[Funkycowie]

Yamaha already have the auto switching on of lighting, which I think is great, I hate Piaggio's approach of always on when ignition on can lead to difficulty starting.

ABS... I don't really see the need as it can encourage lazy braking, just like traction control can encourage increased speed, and other such devices that could cause people to take more risks due to thinking these additions make them better giving them a false sense of security.

People need more training on controlling their vehicle and having more awareness of other road users first so they are not so reliant on technology that can fail.

[Data]

Virtually all reasonably modern bikes have 'ALO' (automatic lights on) when you turn the ignition on anyway. It's not new. It shouldn't interfere with starting as most bikes have an interlock switch that cuts the lights momentarily as you thumb the starter. If you don't have that feature then yes it could make it more difficult if the battery is low, but interlocks will become standard so don't worry about that. I think on the face of it the new rules will be an improvement and force manufacturers to make more economical, cleaner engines for us. That's long overdue. The technology is there.

[DougL]

hate Piaggio's approach of always on when ignition on can lead to difficulty starting.

Most of the modern ones have an engine running relay which only allows the lights to come on once the engine has started. GTS300 and Bev 350 certainly have this feature. On the ABS front, I'm pleased, as I'll finally be able to buy a TMAX with ABS... I suppose that all depends on the reliability of the current scooter

[halfabusa]

The light comes on as soon as the ignition is turned on for my burgman L0 and not after the engine starts. So is this new feature going to bring that function where the lights only go on after engine starting?

Data, by interlock switch, do you mean the lights go off momentarily as we press the starter button? Is that easy to see (i.e. night time against a wall when starting up, would i see them go off as i press the starter?)

I didnt take notice on that function but i'm pretty sure the dashboard lights dont go out as i press the starter. There might be a separate logic for the headlights tho. I'll need to test it against a surface at night time to see.

[irev]

Those EU dicks want to decide what is safe? Why is it safe to have compulsory lighting when riding past skittish animals as we do every day in the New Forest? Why is it safe when every vehicle has its lights on, so making it impossible to discern the motorcycle against the clutter of Volvos and those dickwad LED-bedazzled Audis?

Surely the safe alternative is to retain choice, yet persuade through education, training and proven research that `on` is better. 100% of the time. If they can't prove that then why do they even bother to claim consultation when what we have here is imposition. There can never be a 100% case made for safety, so the light legislation is founded on nothing but falsehood.

Consequently, my research, through consultation with a number of organisations that didn't answer the phone when I called, and a man in a pub called Brian, is that the greatest benefit to the millions of people across Europe for whom biking is a way of life is to take fuckwits like Wim and retards like Malcolm out into the fields, and set fire to them.

Discuss.

[MrGrumpy]

On the ABS front, I'm pleased, as I'll finally be able to buy a TMAX with ABS... I suppose that all depends on the reliability of the current scooter

Yeah! However, I don't think I can wait until 2016 before it comes into force! However, the downside is that Yamaha will charge us handsomely for this benefit....

[Mr Angry]

Those EU dicks want to decide what is safe?
Surely the safe alternative is to retain choice, yet persuade through education, training and proven research that `on` is better. 100% of the time. If they can't prove that then why do they even bother to claim consultation when what we have here is imposition. There can never be a 100% case made for safety, so the light legislation is founded on nothing but falsehood.

I emailed one of the instigators and suggested better training and power restrictions for new car drivers would show a more marked increase in fatality reduction than what she proposed. Of course I never got a response.

Some member states will opt out as they have never had MOT's for peds and such and are unlikely to legislate for the introduction of costly testing stations in these times of austerity.

[MrGrumpy]

Some member states will opt out as they have never had MOT's for peds and such and are unlikely to legislate for the introduction of costly testing stations in these times of austerity.

Apparently the Netherlands and Sweden don't have any MOT tests for bikes at all. I have a vague recollection that Finland dropped MOTs for Cars since mechanical failures caused so few accidents (but I could be wrong on that!).

[Bluebottle]

"Cherished hobby" ?
Mine is transport matey.

2 wheelers will also be fitted with a compulsory fax transmiter and directory so that they can contact motorists ahead and request that they don't pull out in front of them

No fax receiver will be permitted in any motor vehicle