Brussels, 21/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - As from 2016, motorbikes will have to respect new rules to make them safer and greener. Under the new rules, anti-lock braking systems (ABS) will have to be fitted to all “bigger” motorbikes. MEPs adopted this legislation on 21 November in Strasbourg with 643 votes in favour, 16 against and 18 abstentions. The industry has already been calling for a rapid follow-up to ensure that manufacturers can incorporate these new developments as soon as possible.
Safety and the environment. The amended European legislation will apply to two- or three-wheel vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, road and off-road quads, and electric carts. As far as safety is concerned, the new rules will ensure that anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are fitted to all “bigger” motorbikes (i.e. those over 125 cc) as from 2016. ABS or combined brake systems (CBS) could be fitted to smaller vehicles (under 125 cc), including scooters. By the end of 2019, the Commission is expected to present a cost-effectiveness analysis, with recommendations as to whether the rules should be revised to make ABS mandatory for smaller motorbikes, too. 2016 will also mark a turning point in making motorbikes more environmentally friendly: they will have to respect Euro 4 standards; and the year after will see mopeds subject to this legislation. Euro 5 standards will be introduced for all vehicles in 2020.
MEPs pleased. The author of the report on this issue, Wim van de Camp (EPP, the Netherlands), commented on the vote and explained that, “of course safe motor cycling is largely the responsibility of the rider, but there is still some scope to make bikes safer and cleaner” and these technical improvements will definitely help to save lives on European roads. British Conservative, Malcolm Harbour, returned to the points in this debate that had provoked the most controversy with regard to this new legislation and which had been greeted negatively by motorbike riders. He provided the latter with assurances that they had been listened to but that there had been a lot of alarmist ideas bandied around with regard to the objectives of this legislation. He explained that it was simply a question of replacing 15 different laws on technical standards with a single legislation, which would make life easier for manufacturers to understand.
Industry in a hurry. The industry is already hurrying along with the work in this connection. The Secretary General of the Motorcycle Industry in Europe (ACEM), Jacques Compagne, explained that, “Complex technical issues such as environmental propulsion performance, vehicle functional safety, vehicle construction, as well as administrative requirements still need to be tackled before manufacturers can actually apply the regulation”. Therefore, he wants the Commission to move to, “a quick progression of the delegated acts, in close consultation and cooperation with stakeholders, so that all necessary measures can be implemented in order to start production planning of vehicles complying with the new type approval rules.” (MD/transl.fl)