[EDITO]

Dear Readers,

2007 has been an intense and rewarding year for ACEM. Emerging priorities and increasing challenges in policy making sparked new activities and projects. ACEM has implemented several partnerships and has been involved in new projects funded by the EC.

During 2008 we will continue to build on the three pillars of our activity: information, innovation and integration, reaping the fruits of our efforts and consolidating the basis for further endeavours.

We will start the new year with a fully redesigned website and a new electronic newsletter presenting our activities and sharing our views with you. Our new website has been devised to reflect the need of transparent and open discussion. We think that one of our priorities lies in the active participation to public debates, playing our role, giving our contribution and sharing views with other stakeholders.

Two issues have dominated the headlines during the past year: energy and climate change. In Europe urban congestion and urban pollution are problems that citizens and businesses have to deal with every day. The 100 dollar per barrel oil spike of recent days and the attention drawn by the UN conference on climate change in Bali have reinforced a feeling of urgency that it is time for action to adapt mobility to the realities of today. ACEM is tackling this challenge by focusing on urban mobility. Not only is PTW’s share to transport considerably greater in cities than elsewhere, but also the growth in recent years of PTW in European cities and towns indicates that this mode of transport is considered as an appreciated solution by city dwellers.

Making road mobility cleaner, safer, more energy efficient and freer flowing is in everybody’s interest if we want to continue enjoying the freedom of moving around and the economic wellbeing brought by easy and affordable mobility.

On this backdrop ACEM  organised its 4th Annual Conference on Urban Mobility and the PTW contribution to better quality of life in cities. The event has proven to be an outstanding opportunity for the motorcycle industry to showcase the results of its R&D activities. Hybrid, low friction, electric, and fuel cell engines are innovations that could be available on the market very soon.  

The Motorcycle Industry is facing new challenges and sees many opportunities to play its role in our rapidly changing world. Solutions to urban congestion and pollution are already at hand provided PTWs are acknowledged by policy makers and integrated in transport plans.

With best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Jacques Compagne
Acem Secretary General