[EDITORIAL]

Dear Reader,

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 achieved considerable goals while implementing several partnerships and being 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.

[read the full editorial by Jacques Compagne, ACEM Secretary General]

[REPORT]

The Powered Two-Wheeler contribution to better quality of life in cities

On 20 November, over 100 participants took part to the 4th Annual ACEM Conference to exchange knowledge on the theme of urban mobility and Powered Two-Wheelers. Attendees at the Residence Palace in Brussels ranged from ACEM member manufacturers, to users, the European Commission, MEPs, city and national authorities, and other transport stakeholders. The event was chaired by Malcolm Harbour MEP.

[read more]

[OUR MEMBERS]

Crowds Celebrate Ducati's MotoGP Triumph In Bologna

More than 30,000 fans gathered in the historic centre of Bologna on December 2nd to celebrate Ducati’s World MotoGP title victory.

Ducati fans and enthusiasts came from all over Italy and abroad to visit the factory and the museum, which were open to the public all weekend, while groups of motorcyclists peacefully invaded the city centre.

[read full article]

[NEWS]

ACEM AND POLIS PARTNER UP ON URBAN ROAD SAFETY PROJECT

ACEM joined the POLIS network supporting an Urban Road Safety Project that will investigate accidents in cities. The data gathered will be then disseminated and will serve as a database on safety in European cities.

The signing ceremony took place on 17 December, in Brussels. ACEM Secretary General Jacques Compagne and Jean-Luc Moudenc Polis President and Mayor of Toulouse signed the partnership agreement before representatives of 70 European cities and regions.

[read more]

[NEWS]

NEW WEBSITE FOR ACEM

ACEM is launching today its new website. It presents our activity, our positions and our views on current policy matters in an easily accessible way.

www.acem.eu will also offer news, events, and updates of the Motorcycle Industry in Europe.

It has been developed to be a reliable and up to date source of information on ACEM's participation to public debates and policy issues.

As 2007 draws to an end we'd like to take the opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

[visit ACEM's new website ]

[NEWS]

HONDA'S RIDING TRAINER ADOPTED BY 62 SCHOOLS IN ITALY

A pilot project for road safety has been implemented in 62 schools in Rome with the support of Rome’s Automobile Club. Honda’s Riding Trainer is now used in traffic education classes in 62 middle and high schools in the Italian capital and in its region.

[read more]

[NEWS]

ETSC PUBLISHES NEW PIN

The latest ETSC Road Safety PIN (Road Safety Performance Index Programme) focusing on motorcycling highlighted a wide gap between best and worst performing countries.

Flash 7 of the road safety PIN, focusing on motorcyclist safety, was presented on 18 December by the ETSC (European Transport Safety Council).  The report highlights that PTW fatalities reduction is slower than for other vehicles, and that safety performance varies significantly, dependant on the countries considered.

[read more]

[NEWS]

EUROPEAN RED CROSS SAFETY CAMPAIGN

National Red Cross Societies have launched an EU-wide campaign to increase awareness, knowledge and respect of road safety rules and behaviours as well as to promote first aid amongst the general public.

[read more]

[MOTORCYCLING & SOCIETY]

THE 2008 DAKAR RALLY

The the 30th edition of the Dakar Rally, the most challenging adventure race for off-road motorcycles, will kick start on the 5th of January 2008 in Lisbon.

The first competitors of this one-in-a-kind event took off from the place du Trocadéro in Paris in December of 1978, and were the pioneers of several generations of ordinary adventurers. The 263 motorcycles competing in the 2008 race and representing 50 nationalities will take off from Lisbon heading towards Senegal’s capital where the finish line will be crossed on Sunday January 20th.

[read full article]