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It seems the wearing of compulsory Fluorescent/Yellow HI Viz/Jacket/Vest by French bikers while riding has gone away for now.
France’s National Road Safety Council requests that the new road safety recommendations to be translated into regulatory text by the Government. The recommendation from the council is similar to that which is obligatory for motorists, which would be to carry a high visibility vest under the motorcycle seat, in a bag, in the box top etc and for that vest to be worn in case of an emergency stop. We cannot leave the article without mentioning our previous reporting on the Hi-Viz issue which spilt across the channel into the UK.
That is to state that the Hi-Viz issue was not a European Union issue, there was no European proposal, it was a national French issue and there were no plans by the UK or Northern Ireland Governments or agencies to introduce Hi-Viz here.
Although we have said that this is a French National issue it is worth keeping an eye on the issue as riders from the UK need to be kept informed for trips across the channel.
For now at least, the wearing of a yellow vest while riding a motorcycle in France is not mandatory.
Read the full article on Right To Ride EU
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As reported by some European rider organisations, the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) argues that, “Road users and motorcyclists in particular, have serious doubts about the objectiveness of the EU decision-making process and the actual motives and democratic values of our representatives.”
FEMA adds, “It would not be the first time the EU has been accused of not having its actual people’s interests as a priority.” and wonders, “how long it (we assume the European decision making process) can really afford to carry on operating like this.”
These accusations and further mutterings from FEMA concern the European Commission’s proposal to introduce mandatory Road Worthiness Testing (RWT) for motorcycles in all European member states. At this point in time there are 9 countries that do not have RWT aka MoT for motorcycles and scooters.
Just to be clear, our position at Right to Ride is and has always been that this is a national issue and should be left to Member States to decide, which is why we support the EU Council’s position (which is similar to the Northern Ireland Assembly’s position) to change the proposal into a Directive.
However we have also made it clear that we believe that roadworthiness testing is a valid means of ensuring that vehicles circulating on our roads are compliant from a technical and emissions perspective.
What is the actual problem between those individuals and bodies in the European decision making process? In response to our queries, FEMA’s President Frederic Jeorge replied that they do meet the MEPs, interact and discuss, and have plenty of them (MEPs) on their side. However, evidently the FEMA representatives in Brussels are unable to have any impact within the TRAN committee or in this case with the rapporteur Werner Kuhn and Chairman Brian Simpson. Perhaps it is the case that FEMA left it too late and should have perhaps been in contact with these people months ago when the proposal was first introduced?
As per our previous article – RWT – Is it Toast?
We considered what we believe to be the most likely outcome, which is that due to the vast difference of positions between the EP (i.e. Rapporteur Kuhn of the TRAN Committee) and the EU Council, we find it unlikely that this proposal will see the light of day in its present form, because the majority of the Member States don’t want it (RWT) as proposed by the Commission, nor do a significant proportion of MEPs.
Let’s hope somebody can enlighten us or get this alleged problem sorted before riders representative credibility swirls down the plug hole!
Read the full article on Right To Ride EU
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Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy announced at the start of July 2012, the opening of two new bus lanes in Belfast city centre, on Oxford Street and East Bridge Street, both of which will allow access for motorcycles.
The Minister said: “The new bus lanes are part of the Belfast on the Move Transport Masterplan and will give priority to buses. The lanes will also be available to motorcycles, bicycles and Belfast public hire taxis. Drivers should take extra care when travelling in the city centre area until they are familiar with the new traffic management arrangements.”
The new bus lanes opened on Thursday 5th July 2012.
The Oxford Street bus lanes will give priority to buses between Queen’s Bridge and May Street from 7.00am - 7.00pm, Monday to Saturday.
The East Bridge Street bus lane will be in operation Monday - Friday 7.30-9.30am and 3.30-6.30pm and will assist buses approaching from the east from incurring delays at the signalised junctions.
Both bus lanes will be clearly delineated with solid white lines and associated signs.
The Minister also said: “Associated works are now underway in May Street, Donegall Square South and Howard Street, to provide further bus priority measures over the summer months.”
These works include;
· the reconfiguration of the pedestrian facilities at the junction of Bedford Street
· the provision of new traffic signals at Donegall Square South / Linenhall Street, including a bus gate
· one way traffic northbound on Linenhall Street between James Street South and Donegall Square South and
· one way traffic northbound on Alfred Street between Sussex Place and May Street.
The Minister added: “Further traffic management works are planned across the city centre until Summer 2013 for the full implementation of the ‘Sustainable Transport Enabling Measures’ (STEM).
“Ongoing works at Grosvenor Road / Durham Street and Sandy Row / Hope Street will provide an alternative south-north bypass of the city centre via Hope Street, Sandy Row and Durham Street. These works are due to be completed later in the summer.”
The STEM proposals include:
The re-routing of northbound through traffic from Great Victoria Street onto Hope Street and Durham Street with south bound traffic continuing to use Great Victoria Street. Grosvenor Road will become one-way westbound and College Square North one-way eastbound.
The redistribution of existing road space in city centre streets to provide extensive bus priority measures for use by public transport, taxis and cyclists.
The delivery of 20 new controlled pedestrian crossing points; about 2.6km of new bus lanes which will also accommodate cyclists and taxis; 340m of new dedicated service bays; 1km of new dedicated cycle lanes; and over 40 additional dedicated disabled parking bays.
At Right To Ride we have been assured that motorcycles (Powered Two Wheelers – Motorcycles – Scooters – mopeds) will have the necessary access within these proposals.
Original Source
Information
Further details are available on the ‘Belfast on the Move’ website
Right To Ride - Bikes In Bus Lanes
Read this article leave comments on Right To Ride
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During the week Environment Minister Alex Attwood proposed radical changes in driver training and new driver safety. The new measures which are said to reflect best practice around the world, are claimed to be a fundamental shift towards safer driving for young people.
Alex Attwood said: “These proposals would create the most radical change in the driver training regime for a generation. I know that the proposals will challenge our thinking. But the objective of better road safety with the ambition of zero road deaths on one hand and reduced driver premiums on the other makes a bold and informed approach the right approach. This is the core argument at the heart of the proposals.”
The Minister’s plans include:
•lower provisional licence age of 16½;
•a mandatory minimum learning period of 12 months for provisional licence holders;
•post test period will be two not one year;
•removal of the 45 mph speed restriction currently applied to learner and restricted drivers;
•learner drivers will be allowed to take lessons on motorways when accompanied by a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor in a dual-controlled car;
•N plates (for ‘New’ drivers) will replace R plates, displayed for two years; and
•compulsory logbooks for learner drivers;
•and in a new initiative, new drivers up to age 24 will not be allowed to carry young passengers (aged 14 to 20, except immediate family members) during their first six months post-test, unless there is a supervising driver over 21, with three years full licence in the passenger seat.
To implement these changes the Department will need to make primary legislation. With Executive approval from Stormont, it intends to include the necessary provisions in a Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill planned for introduction to the Assembly later this year.
How although this only mentions drivers, there are some aspects, if related to riders, that would have an effect, especially as in January 2013 the European Driving Licence will change the learning and testing period for riders.
At Right To Ride, not being backward at coming forward, we fired off some questions which included:
•Part of the announcement was that the R-plate currently displayed by newly-qualified drivers restricted to 45 mph will be replaced by an N (for new drivers) plate which must be displayed for two years. This is linked into, as previously discussed in the stakeholders meeting, to remove the 45 mph restriction on learners and newly-qualified drivers.
•Also regarding the N plate would this include motorcyclists, considering the introduction of the 3DLD and the progressive access route to the different categories and having to pass a test to step up a category A1- A2 – A would a rider have to display a N plate for six years.
•Also with introduction of Direct Access then I would assume a rider would have to display the N Plate.
•And also the announcement includes that, New drivers up to the age of 24 will not be allowed to carry young passengers, except immediate family, for six months after passing the driving test., would this have an effect on motorcyclists.
•Maybe a review/overview for the next stakeholders meeting on how or if the changes will affect learner motorcyclists and those that past their test.
The Department of the Environment has also announced it is already taking forward plans to legislate to set the drink drive limit for newly qualified drivers (for two year post-test) at 20mg/100mls in place of the current limit for all drivers of 80 mg/100mls and plans to consult on this shortly.
The Department will also be taking measures to improve new driver safety that won’t need legislation. It will do this by developing awareness campaigns and improving driver training.
In a “Pigs might Fly” statement the insurance industry has apparently said, “Significantly, the car insurance industry has pledged to review premiums for young drivers if these changes are enacted. “ “These measures should benefit young drivers on the road and in their pocket: by helping to make them safer drivers and reducing their crash risk, they will benefit from lower motor insurance premiums.”
We would like to see that same statement from the insurance industry regarding motorcycling, as previously mentioned with the introduction of the 3rd European Driving Licence will see a motorcycle licence structure in place designed for riders to progressively access different categories of motorcycles in respect of their power and speed, with a regime of stricter testing and training. New riders should already be safer on the road with the introduction of CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) that riders must complete and be delivered by AMI (Approved Motorcycle Instructor).
However riders in themselves may be safer on the roads but is the interaction with other road users and their awareness of motorcyclists that cause problems? Therefore within these proposals we welcome the introduction of compulsory logbooks for learner drivers and we hope that these log books include a section for learner drivers to be instructed and learn to look out for riders and other vulnerable road users.
Perhaps a new generation of drivers will be more aware of motorcycles and their riders.
Read the article on Right To Ride
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Last week apparently saw large and small manufacturers present their greenest two-wheelers and cars at Clean Week 2020 – 2012 event at the Zolder Race Circuit in Belgium.
The Clean Week 2020 event also saw voting on the European e-Motorbike and e-Scooter of the Year.
Clean Week 2020 aims at providing an annual review of future oriented technologies in the fields of mobility and environment, blended into an appealing mix of sporty, educational, technological and recreational elements.
However what does this all mean for the “average” motorcyclist where is the “infernal” combustion engine heading, will we have to adapt and change in the far or near future to electric motorcycles, scooters and mopeds?
No matter how hard electric is pushed, will it become the norm through acceptance or simply legislated in to our daily lives?
In Northern Ireland an ecar project is investing over £2 million in electric vehicle infrastructure which includes up to £850,000 in funding received from OLEV (Office for Low Emission Vehicles) in December 2010. The remainder of funds have been raised by the local consortium.
The ecar consortium is jointly led by the Department for Regional Development and the Department of the Environment. The consortium members are: NIE, ESB, Donnelly Motor Group, Power NI, SAP, Intel, Derry City Council, Newry and Mourne District Council, Armagh City and District Council, Fermanagh District Council, Larne Borough Council.
There will be public charge posts in Belfast, Londonderry, Armagh, Newry, Enniskillen and Larne. There will also be a number of rapid chargers near to major motorways.
Danny Kennedy Minister for Regional Development has said: “The ecar Project in Northern Ireland, jointly led by Department for Regional Development and Department of the Environment, is set to change the way we think about transport.
“While most drivers will recharge their ecars at home overnight, from today the first of what will become a fully integrated network of public charge points becomes available to everyone using an electric vehicle. The charge points provide a convenient facility for drivers to ‘top-up’ away from home, if necessary.
“Whether we use the car for personal or commercial reasons, electric vehicles, with a typical range of around 100 miles on a full charge, now offer a tangible alternative to petrol or diesel fuelled vehicle.”
Over 40 public ‘opportunity’ charge-points are now available in Belfast, Londonderry, Newry, Armagh, Enniskillen and Larne. Over the next year this number will increase to around 140. Special rapid chargers will also be introduced close to major roads that can charge a vehicle to 80% of its capacity in just 25 minutes. Charge Points in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland are fully compatible.
But what about two wheeled vehicles?
ecar has a dedicated website within NI Direct Goverment Services and a Facebook page and Right To Rides’ Trevor Baird asked the question on the page regarding the launch of ecar.
ecar A very successful launch today! Thanks to everyone who attended and for all the enthusiasm and support!
Trevor Baird Brilliant, but what about emotorcycles?
ecar Trevor e-motorcycles are welcome to charge at public charge points also. All public charge points use a ‘Mennekkes’ plug (which is a 7-pin plug). I would ask your e-motorcycle manufacturer to ensure they supply you with the correct lead so you can charge at all the ecar public charge points.
Trevor Baird Excellent! Although I wasn’t asking for myself, I run a motorcycle website in Northern Ireland, so it was for general information for our readers. A motorcycle is a motorcycle or a Powered Two Wheeler, however the power we have concentrated on is the combustion engine. So for any electric powered two wheelers out there this is good news that maybe they were not aware of.
ecar Trevor, I would suggest you contact the manufacturer and check that the Mennekkes 7-pin plug can be used on the electric bikes to be sure that they are all compatible.
So are there any emotorcycles out there in Northern Ireland?
How does the infrastructure in Northern Ireland compare to that in your country?
Are emotorcycle a “big” deal in your country?
Do emotorcycles embrace motorcycling or are they a threat?
Read the full article and leave your comments on Right To Ride EU
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