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1. EU Proposals on motorcycles – Separating The Wheat From The Chaff

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 15th Sep 2011

   Riders in the UK and in Ireland are up in arms about the EU Commission’s proposals for motorcycles. Protest demonstrations have been organised for the 25^th September throughout the UK and Ireland.

   There are many issues of which riders have justifiable reasons to express their anger and concerns regarding these proposals.

   There is however a lot of misinformation out there and it seems to us that riders are getting mixed messages about what the European Commission is actually proposing and what the MEPs and the UK Government is doing in response to these proposals.

   Right To Ride has aimed to provide clear and factual details of the progression of the Commission’s proposals and the discussions that have taken place within the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee.

   We have communicated to all the players in the Commission, Industry and IMCO expressing our views and concerns.

   Yesterday we received from Malcolm Harbour, Chairman of the IMCO Committee and Shadow Rapporteur for the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) a follow up email in relation to the Commission proposal for an EU Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles.

   Excerpts from his email:

   “The amendments tabled by MEPs which are outside the scope of the Commission's proposal constitute political recommendations which are very unlikely to feature in the adopted text. If however there is majority support for any of these ideas, the amendments concerned can only feature in Recitals to the Regulation which means they have no legal effect. Even if these recommendations make it through the Committee stage, which I doubt, both Council and Commission would resist them featuring in the final text of the Regulation as they have no corresponding Article. The amendments concerned relate to driver/rider training, side visibility reflectors, roadside random spot-checks, technical examinations of motorbikes and liabilities in accident situations, and the harmonisation of driver licence schemes”.

   “In the context of this draft Regulation, we are simply not engaged in a discussion on national debates concerning the mandating of high visibility jackets for riders, the banning of older motorcycles from urban areas, nor are we discussing EU funded research on throttle and speed control schemes. These are all considerations which are completely outside the scope of this legislative proposal. Furthermore, picking up on other concerns constituents have expressed, there are no proposals on the table about mandating the sealing of the power train from the air box or relating to setting a diameter and aspect ratio for the rear tyre”.

   Read the full article on Right To Ride EU
   

2. Right To Ride - EU Meeting & Withdrawals

   Posted on 12:00am Thursday 15th Sep 2011

   This Friday 16th September a meeting of the Motorcycle Working Group (MCWG)/MVEG (Motor Vehicle Emissions Group on motorcycles) will take place in Brussels.

    

   This will be to discuss mainly the status of the Commission proposal for a Regulation (codecision act) of Council and Parliament on type-approval and market surveillance of L-category vehicles which includes motorcycles.

    

   These working groups, which there are a raft of, including – MVWG – Motor Vehicles Working Group – MVEG – Motor Vehicle Emissions Group to WGAT – Working Group on Agricultural Tractors etc, are set up by the Commission to assist in proposing EU legislation or exercising tasks of monitoring and coordination/cooperation in relation with EU policies.

    

   These groups provide expert advice to the Commission. They may consist of national/government experts but also experts or stakeholders from business, NGOs, trade unions, academia, etc.

    

   The draft agenda for Friday’s meeting and the status of the European Commission’s regulation proposal includes items regarding studies on – Durability – Tampering prevention of powertrain and noise abatement system.

    

   In a European Commission presentation for the MCWG meeting it mentions that the European Council – motor vehicle working group in the co-decision process has, “Modified Article 52 regarding racing components, aligned with Framework Directive 2007/46/EC;”

    

   The presentation also mentions that it “Clarified art 18, paragraph 4 regarding harmful powertrain modifications.”

    

   Also the presentation the European Commission has outlined that it will maintain its position NOT to include items in the proposal that are irrelevant to technically approve an L category vehicle.

    

   This is particularly relevant as a communication from the office of Malcolm Harbour Chairman of the IMCO Committee and Shadow Rapporteur for the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) reports that Robert Rochefort MEP (France) has withdrawn his tabled amendments to the proposal – amendments – 97 and 103.

    

   These meetings and committees need to not only be monitored by motorcyclists, but reported on because they are the basis for the Commission’s proposals for legislation and regulations such the proposed type-approval and market surveillance of L-category vehicles.

    

   Although this is all relevant for the present what is happening now is also relevant for the future!

    

   Read the Full article – http://www.righttoride.eu/?p=7626

3. Right To Ride - Doomed or Marooned?

   Posted on 12:00am Monday 5th Sep 2011

   On Tuesday 30th August 2011 the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee met for a second debate on the proposed regulation and the hundreds of amendments, 304 at the last count, regarding the approval and market surveillance of mopeds, motorcycles, trikes and quads.
    
   What did we learn from this session in the European Parliament?
    
   We learnt that the Rapporteur in charge of the IMCO committee report, Dutch MEP, Wim van de Camp had an recent accident on his motorcycle. He said “It’s a bit embarrassing your (referring to Malcolm Harbour, UK MEP and Chairman of INCO) introduction to me because – If my motorcycle had ABS braking I wouldn’t have found myself on the ground last week and I would be in finer fettle. Let’s say I have some problems with my legs but I didn’t hit my head”.
    
   Van de Camp also appeared to distance himself from being called a motorcycle enthusiast or an avid motorcyclist or a “dyed in the wool motorcyclist” saying that, first and foremost I am an MEP and that is my perspective.”
    
   So he’s no longer the motorcyclist’s friend? He is now getting down to his job rather than use his hobby of motorcycling as the basis for his “expertise” as the rapporteur for the IMCO to challenge the Commission’s proposals for the EU Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles.
    
   In terms of using his position as a parliamentarian to ensure that the Commission does not “overstep its mark” he has done a superb job in his presentation of the IMCO’s draft report on the subject.
    
   Bear in mind that the proposed regulations that he overwhelming supports with a few minor amendments) will increase the cost of motorcycles in Europe and will drive motorcyclists towards buying second hand vehicles and keeping them for a longer period of time, thus defeating the purpose of the legislation they (Commission and Mr van de Camp) want to introduce.
    
   Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Meeting
    
   The meeting only took about half an hour and there was a general discussion about the amendments proposed by the various shadow rapporteurs.
    
   Mr van de Camp mentioned the political factions within the committee and according to him the left of centre rapporteurs e.g. Ms Westfahl, German MEP and Ms Ruhle, German MEP had a minority position, equally the Chairman Malcolm Harbour, also shadow rapporteur held a right of centre (minority) position, while according to Mr van de Camp, his position represented the majority, which was more or less aligned with the EU Commission
    
   Conclusions Of Meeting
    
   Mr van de Camp concluded that he would need time to consider the various (political) positions to arrive at a compromise. However he pointed out the responsibility of the committee is to focus on technical issues.
    
   He indicated that with regards to emissions, the Greens want to go more quickly, while he wants to go more slowly. He said that they are are now trying to come to an agreement and have the commission’s text to consider.
    
   He pointed out that there were huge gaps between the various positions of the shadow rapporteurs.
    
   So where does that leave us?
    
   Well, apart from the fact that it has become apparent that the various political factions are posturing and politicking, not much has happened since we wrote our previous article which considered the IMCO committee’s 298 amendments – except that there are now six more amendments.
    
   The Chairman of the IMCO committee wound up the meeting with the comment “We have work to do”..
    
   Our Conclusions
    
   So what did we learn?
    
   We learnt that the next meeting of the shadow rapporteurs and the rapporteur to discuss the report will be held in Strasbourg between the 12th and 15th September and the IMCO vote will be on October 6th.
    
   What we have is a European Commission proposal going through a process, which has been put into the hands of elected MEPs representing the citizens of Europe
    
   These MEPs have proposed amendments that are in some cases worse for motorcyclists and some are supportive of motorcycling, but in the end these proposals and counter amendments will all end in a compromise that will make “peace in our time” look like a discussion about who should buy dinner.
    
   All this depends ultimately on who has the biggest “political” support and not necessarily what will be beneficial for the future of motorcycling.
    
   We will have to wait to October to find out the result of the “compromises”.
    
   What now?
    
   Well, in the UK, riders are being coordinated by the Motorcycle Action Group UK to protest against these proposals by organising a national demonstration on September 25th, up and down the motorways and major roads of the UK.The demonstration also supports the issues that the French and Irish have regarding Hi Viz clothing and the ban of vehicles over 7 years in French cities.
    
   Riders in Ireland are also protesting on the same day, this appears to be organised mainly through motorcycle forums in Ireland, with support from MAG Ireland.
    
   But – we ask – apart from the UK and Ireland, what are the rest of European Riders organisations doing?
    
   Are they protesting against these EU proposals?

   Are they lobbying their governments or MEPs?
    
   Are we doomed or just marooned?
    
   Fly in the Ointment – or The Best of British?
    
   During the IMCO meeting several references where made about the UK Government, our ears pricked up at this and we went looking to see what the UK Government had said.What we found was a report from the Parliamentary European Scrutiny Committee which assesses the legal and/or political importance of each EU document (about 1,100 per year) and decides which are debated.
    
   On the 19 July 2011 the committee debated the EU Draft Regulation.
    
   The UK government has raised concerns on the European Commission’s draft regulation and the IMCOs draft report.
    
   Although the Minister endorses in the draft report, the introduction of advanced braking systems and other safety provisions, without detailing what these are
    
   However at least we have a position and thoughts from the UK Government and the proposal is being looked at and is on the radar!
    
   Read the full article

4. MOT - Save Our Stands

   Posted on 12:00am Friday 24th Jun 2011

   Over on the NIBikers.com forum riders have voiced their concerns regarding the practice, at MOT test centres, that  testers are lifting bikes fully onto their side stands to test front and rear wheels and bearings.

   It was reported that one rider who complained about their bike being lifted in this manner had his bike failed the MOT and is apparently appealing on the grounds that the test centre is not equipped with adequate stands to do the job properly or safely.

   While side stands on bikes may seem robust, concerns were raised that side stands are not designed to support the weight of the bike in this manner and could snap or bend the frame and side stand mounting.

   One rider commented that the side stand on his KTM is bolted to the engine case, with many owners buying a relocation kit to take the pressure away from this point.

   While as a rider, you may be capable of carrying out this manoeuvre, it is your responsibility if something happens, e.g. you drop the bike.  However would you let a total a total stranger do it? Who's at fault as they would claim they had your permission.

   At Right To Ride, we do what we do and have fired of a letter to DVTA (Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency) to highlight riders concerns that, “Motorcyclists pay a fee to have their motorcycles tested and would expect that the items on the motorcycle that require to be tested are tested in a safe manner, both for themselves and your staff and there is no risk that damage could be caused to their machines.”

    Our main question was, “What is the policy for MOTing a motorcycle that by design and is fully type approved, that does not have or indeed is not required legally to have a centre stand fitted”?

   The DVTA sent a prompt response, “We appreciate that you have brought to our attention the practice of using the motorcycle side stands to raise the road wheels off the ground to assist in the inspection of components.”

   They went on to say, “Lifting devices have been provided to raise motorcycles that have no centre stands fitted, however it is recognised that such devices are not suitable for lifting all types of machines.

   Where motorcycle road wheels cannot be raised safely from the ground, the examiner is limited to a visual inspection and assessment of components. The annual inspection is in the main a ‘visual inspection’, without any dismantling of vehicles or involving cumbersome processes, therefore there are a few types of motor vehicles and motorcycles which cannot be raised from the ground during the annual inspection.

   The inspection of motorcycles is due to be reviewed and it is anticipated that new and improved procedures and methods of inspection will be implemented.

   DVA Health & Safety Section has now been made aware of this practice of using the motorcycle side stands to raise the road wheels off the ground and Test Centres have been informed that such a method cannot be used.”

   Although the MOT test and issued certificate confirms that your vehicle at the time of its test (as far as can be reasonably determined without dismantling) met the minimum acceptable environmental and road safety standards required by law, it doesn’t mean that the vehicle is roadworthy for the life of the certificate and isn’t a substitute for regular maintenance.

   With the promise of a review and new and improved procedures and methods of inspection to be implemented for motorcycles, at Right To Ride we look forward to a test that gives motorcyclists value for money for our test fees (Full Test £22.00 – Retest £14.00), will pick up any faults, without the risk of damaging our bikes or us or them! In other words a proper job!

   Right To Ride would like to thank the DVTA for sorting out this issue and riders at NIBikers.com for raising and discussing the issue.

   www.nibikers.com

5. Right To Ride: No Wrath In Parking Up

   Posted on 12:00am Tuesday 14th Jun 2011

   While new Regional Development Minister Danny Kennedy is urgently reviewing a proposed policy of introducing new car parking charges for towns and villages throughout Northern Ireland, the Ulster Section of the BMW (Motorcycle) Club has been looking at motorcycle parking in Belfast City Centre.

   Through their industrious hard work, the BMW Club Ulster Section reports that, “Campbell Owens the son of one the club’s esteemed club members, Bill Owens, has managed to get some very interesting information on the legalities of parking your treasured motorcycle in our capital city without incurring the wrath of a traffic warden or pedestrians.”

   He shows that writing to your local politician, in this case, Chris Lyttle from the Alliance Party works. A letter was issued from Conor Murphy, Minister for Department for Regional Development (DRD), (pre Northern Ireland Assembly elections) with some informative points regarding where motorcyclists can park, how much it will cost, and some plans for the future.

   The DRD’s Roads Service advised that*:

   Motorcycles can be parked in its kiosk operated car parks at a reduced rate of 50 pence for up to 4 hours parking and £1 over 4 hours.

   Motorcycles can also be parked free of charge in any Roads Service operated pay and display car parks, as long as they are parked wholly inside a marked bay.
   In terms of on-street provision, Roads Service advised that they have, “Not yet provided any dedicated motorcycle parking facilities. However, it has recently produced internal guidance which is intended to facilitate on-street parking provision for motorcycles. Initially, given the growing demand and competition for kerbside parking in towns and cities, the provision will be made on a two year trial basis.”

   “These trials will see the conversion of existing standard paid/ticketed parking bays into bays intended solely for motorcycles / scooters.”

   “In order to encourage both the use of this type of parking facility and motorcycling as a form of travel, these bays will be provided free of charge. Roads Service is currently making arrangements to survey potential users to inform them of the decision making process, in terms of the numbers and positioning of such bays. It is intended to start this stage of the exercise early in the next financial year.”

   Right To Ride’s, Trevor Baird says, “We are now into this financial year and with a new Minister at the helm of the DRD which oversees Roads Service, we hope that the provision of the free of charge bays does not lose momentum.”

   In London motorcyclists are protesting through the “No To The Bike Parking Tax” Campaign www.notobikeparkingtax.com. against the introduction of bike parking charges, while here in Northern Ireland we welcome the Roads Service promised trial for free on street-parking provision for motorcycles.

   Trevor Baird of Right To Ride adds that riders currently park in “dead spaces” or on “pavements” where pedestrian safety is not affected, or other road users obstructed. This type of parking should not be seen as detrimental and should be investigated further as a means of utilising space. Roads Service could look at the benefits that motorcycling offer in improving transport options and thus increase confidence for riders so that their journey’s end is parking near their point of arrival.

   Original Source.

   Further Information

   A copy of the full letter from the Conor Murphy.

   * A list of car parks can be obtained from the roadsni.gov.uk site, http://applications.roadsni.gov.uk/carparking/TownCarparks.aspx. to use the car park search by town.