The March edition of InMotion, the International magazine of the FIA – Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile – carries an article in which one of their Regions (1) is disappointed and brands as “Flawed” a report on the cost-benefit analysis of Anti-Lock Braking Systems for motorcycles.
 
We assume that the article refers to the Impact Assessment conducted for the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) committee. This Impact Assessment looked at three measures contained in the European Commission’s proposal for a “Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheeled vehicles and quadricycles”.
 
This was relevant to three compromise amendments to these measures which were submitted by MEPs to the IMCO Rapporteur, Mr van de Camp’s report in February 2012.
 
The FIA article appears to focus on the amendment concerning the mandatory fitting of Advanced Brake Systems (Combined Brake System (CBS) and/or Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS)), moving the ABS introduction date forward by a year and extending Advanced Brake Systems cover to Powered Two Wheelers of more than 50cc.
 
At Right To Ride, we agree with the FIA comment that, “the report is disappointing as the evidence of all key stakeholders, in particular users and suppliers, has not been included.”
 
As previously reported, ETRA the European Twowheel Retailers’ Association also commented on the shortcomings of the Impact Assessment, stating “the Committee rejected the conclusions of the impact assessment study. (…)  due to the limited amount of time to draft it and to the unclear mandate given to London Economics.”
 
ETRA’s press release continued with the comment, “The Conference of Presidents that followed the discussions, decided to give more time to London Economics to come up with a final and more thorough version of the study that, for instance, would take into consideration also the point of view of the parts suppliers as regards the cost of ABS.”
 
However, the tag line on the picture accompanying the FIA article is as follows:
 
“The FIA says that the EU failed to listen to suppliers such as Bosch, whose ABS 9 system is shown here.”
 
At Right To Ride, we wonder if this is a “veiled” promotion of one ABS manufacturer over others?  The reason we wonder, is because there appears to be a comprehensive and systematic lobby by one ABS manufacturer.
 
Our opinion at Right To Ride is that mandatory ABS will not be the panacea that will “save” the proportion of riders lives in collisions that is being reported by various sources, because there are just too many variables when considering the cause of motorcycle collisions.
 
It would appear that FIA have tempered their views and recognised that ABS on its own will not automatically enhance road safety.
 
Read the article at Right To Ride EU

IAM’s head of riding standards and advanced biker, Peter Rodger, is advising on getting back on the road after the winter.

• Check your bike’s fluid levels, brakes, lights, horn and coolant to make sure they’re all in good working order.
• Try starting your bike to check if the battery needs recharging.
• Check that the tyres have sufficient tread, no obvious damage, and are inflated to the right pressure. If you have taken any part of the bike apart over the winter check it is properly back together and that the nuts are all tightened appropriately.
• When you’ve given it the once over, switch on the engine and let your bike warm up before you go out on a ride.
• If you’re feeling particularly rusty, get on your motorcycle in a car park before taking it out on the road. The first ride should be about settling in gently – you need to get used to riding again.
• Gain confidence by having a few short, simple rides. Consider it a warm up for you and the bike; you've had time away, and both need to warm up again.
• Make sure your leathers and helmet are in good nick– don’t be tempted to take that first ride in street gear because you’re not planning on being out for long. 
 
Rodger said: “It’s that time of the year when many riders are taking their bikes out from winter storage. Check the bike before you begin this season’s rides, and make sure the rider is up to it as well.”

www.iam.org.uk

News that the Government is considering plans to privatise sections of the UK’s road network poses a real threat to the rural road network warns the 80,000 strong British Motorcyclists Federation.
 
Commenting on the plans, the BMF say that motorcyclists are far more aware of poorly maintained road surfaces than most car drivers and because private investors will only be interested in high returns from major trunk roads and motorways, the lesser used rural roads favoured by motorcyclists will suffer.

Privatisation will result in a two-tier roads system say the BMF with the most lucrative roads creamed off and the others becoming ‘Cinderella roads’ deprived of investment and left to deteriorate.

While many local authorities already contract out their roads maintenance, their maintenance programme is still under council control. Taking financial control away from them will mean that private profits will take precedence over service say the BMF.
 
Tolling will also be an issue for motorcyclists. The BMF have always maintained that motorcycles make little demands on road construction and inflict negligible damage on road surfaces. In fact say the BMF, motorcycles already incur a disproportionate amount of road tax for their size (£74 pa for a 600cc machine as against £95 for a five seater 1600cc car) and motorcyclists see any additional charges as being grossly unfair.

The UK needs a sound roads infrastructure but the road network is far too important to be privatised say the BMF.

www.bmf.co.uk

“In his Budget speech the Chancellor announced some changes to the rates of vehicle tax for cars, motorcycles, light goods and trade licences. These will apply to tax discs taken out from 1 April 2012. He also announced there will be no changes to vehicle tax rates for all vehicles over 3500kg and buses.”
 
The new rate is to introduced from 1st April 2012 for Motorcycles and Tricycles.
 
Vehicle tax rates for motorcycles not over 150cc remain unchanged at £16 a year, with the no option to tax for six month remaining.
 
Motorcycles from 151cc to 400cc the new vehicle tax rates will be £36 a year, up from £35 a whole increase of £1, with the no option to tax for six month remaining.
 
Motorcycles from 401cc to 600cc the new vehicle tax rates for one year is an increase from £53 a year to £55 and for six months an increase of £1.10 to £30.25 .
 
For motorcycles over 600cc the new vehicle tax rates for one year will cost £76 instead of £74 and for six months £41.80, an increase of £1.10.
 
Tricycles (not over 450kg unladen) over 150cc see an increase for one year of £2.00 to £76.00 and up £1.10 to 41.80 for six months. Those not over 150cc see no change.
 
Read this article and links to NI Direct Government Services at Right To Ride

The winners of the competitions we ran @ The Manchester Bike Show 2012, were as follows...   For the two night stay for two @ The Royal Agricultural College in the heart of the Cotswolds, the winner was Fiona Jones.   For the sets of tickets to attend Stormin' the Castle 2012, the winners were Sheena Groom, Dave Devlin and Bob Allaway.

For the set of tickets to attend Rally in a Chalet 2013, the winner was Jennifer Hughes.

Many thanks to all who entered, all who passed by our stand and well done to the winners...