[REPORT]

ETSC’s draws attention to PTW safety

On 26 May the European Transport Safety Council presented a review on the Safety implications of motorcycling in the European Union. ACEM supported the launching event of this independent report focussing on PTW users' safety.

ETSC is a Brussels-based independent non-profitmaking organisation dedicated to the reduction of the number and severity of transport crash injuries in Europe. Founded in 1993, ETSC provides an impartial source of expert advice on transport safety matters.

The event was introduced by Prof. Herman De Croo, MP, Minister of State, President of ETSC. The other speakers were Isabelle Kardacz, Head of Road Safety Unit, European Commission, John Chatterton Ross, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), Jacques Compagne, The Motorcycle Industry in Europe (ACEM), Martin Winkelbauer, Austrian Road Safety Board (KfV), Graziella Jost, European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) and Antonio Avenoso, ETSC's Executive Director.

Graziella Jost presented the findings of the PIN Flash 7 on reducing motorcyclist fatalities in Europe which highlighted the negative trend of motorcyclists’ deaths in Europe, the striking disparities in the risk of riding a PTW between countries and the higher risk of PTW compared to car.    

Martin Winkelbauer, co-chair of the ETSC’s review on "Vulnerable riders", presented the set of 16 key recommendations which stressed the need to integrate PTWs in transport and safety plans and to improve availability and quality of (exposure) data on PTW (General recommendations). He also highlighted the importance of traffic safety education, rider and driver training, progressive access to PTWs, helmet safety and enforcement (in the area of human behaviour).

Mr Winkelbauer called for further research into ABS and other advanced braking systems, PTW conspicuity, ISA for PTWs, airbags and leg protectors, protective clothing, A-pillar design, and side under-run protection.

Research in road design should be addressed by authorites, argued Mr Winkelbauer, in particular on curves and intersections, forward visibility and design, with road safety audits and road safety inspections taking into considerations the needs of PTW riders, minimising roadside objects and improving the maintenance of road surfaces which should also be provided with maximum and consistent skid resistance.

Jacques Compagne, ACEM’s Secretary General, provided the industry perspective on the role of manufacturers in improving PTW safety and pointed out the timely publication of the ETSC report in the context of the ongoing dialogue on urban safety. He stressed the fact that ETSC independentently came to many of the positions regarding safety that ACEM had been maintaining for some time. However he explained why ACEM does not share the same view on the mandatory provision of ABS and of protective clothing. Mr Compagne reminded the panel that in the the diversity of vehicles, owners and purposes had to be taken into consideration. ACEM’s opinion is that ABS should not be mandatory for all PTWs and that appropriate personal protective equipment should also consider the diversity of users.

ACEM has already committed within the European Road Safety Charter to progressively supply PTWs with advanced braking systems taking into account PTWs different characteristics and that 31% of vehicles were already fitted with these different advanced braking systems at the end of 2007.  

John Chatterton Ross presented the FIM and showed their particular commitment on drivers’ training. He particularly welcomed and supported the general recommendation on the need of integrating PTW and users’ needs in transport and safety plans.    

Isabelle Kardacz, the newly appointed Head of Road Safety Unit at the European Commission elaborated on the main actions undertaken so far by the Commission in order to reduce the risk of PTW road users and on the future steps currently planned.

She announced that safety of PTWs clearly needs to be addressed in the forthcoming 4th Road Safety Action Programme. A particular emphasis will be given to PTW safety in an urban mobility context. As concluding statements she mentioned the launch of a new project on urban safety and PTW (eSUM), and a dedicated part of the Road Safety Day that will be held in Paris on 13 October 2008 on training and education.

Antonio Avenoso concluded the session by remarking that ETSC would certainly contribute with its inputs to the 4th RSAP and by stressing the fact that the EU needs a fresh impetus to reaching the 2010 fatalities reduction target.

Links:

ETSC website