[NEWS]
ITF identifies priorities for Motorcycle safety
PTW to be fully integrated into transport policies
The International Transport Forum Workshop in Lillehammer held on 10-11 June 2008 brought together nearly 100 expert participants from 21 countries, representing the main stakeholders involved in motorcycling safety. ACEM was among the contributors of this event as a member of the Organizing Committee. The objectives of the workshop were to identify the real problems of motorcyclist safety, discuss practical solutions to these problems, and propose a set of measures to improve safety. This is the first time that so many high-profile stakeholders have met at international level.
The workshop was officially opened by the Norwegian Minister of Transport and Communication, Mrs. Liv Signe Navarsete, along with Mr. Jack Short, the Secretary General of the ITF.
During her opening remarks, the Minister underlined that motorcycles have a natural place in the transport system. At the same time, the vulnerability of motorcyclists requires a range of policy responses including increased training and awareness as well as responsible behaviour from the individual road users. Mr. Short pointed out that motorcyclist fatalities were rising in many countries and that the problem needed urgent attention.
Participants at the workshop identified a number of measures that could be implemented in the short term to make motorcycling safer. The overarching principle was the need to support continuing dialogue and co-operation between the various actors involved in motorcycle safety (including policy makers, researchers, manufacturers, and motorcyclists themselves).
Including motorcycles more fully in transport policy and infrastructure policy/management, so that an integrated approach can be developed, was seen as fundamental. Motorcycle crash counter-measures need to be developed on the basis of evidence-based research into car driver and motorcycle rider behaviour. Evaluating the success or otherwise of the measures introduced is a key aspect of developing effective safety programmes.
Better training is a key counter-measure. This means developing a tiered approach to motorcycle training which builds upon existing standards, focusing on risk awareness and risk avoidance and an understanding of the limits of rider/motorcycle capacities.
Regarding more practical measures, the following ideas were supported by participants:
The results from the Lillehammer workshop will also be considered at the OECD/ITF High Level Road Safety Seminar in Paris in September.
Links:
[INDEX]
ETSC DRAWS ATTENTION TO MOTORCYCLING SAFETY
EP ADOPTS LEGISLATION ON HIGHER SAFETY STANDARDS FOR ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE
HONDA REVEALS FIRST ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED COMBINED ABS
Recently transformed from the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT), the International Transport Forum is an inter-governmental organisation within the OECD family. The International Transport Forum is a global platform and meeting place at the highest level for transport, logistics and mobility. The aim of the Forum is to foster a deeper understanding of the essential role played by transport in the economy and society. The highlight of the International Transport Forum's activities is the annual meeting in Leipzig, during the last week of May.