[REPORT]
The French Motorcycle and Scooter Day
Journée Nationale de la Moto et du Scooter
A hands-on experience
of the PTW industry’s vision
Announcing the European Mobility Week topical discussions on how to solve the congestion problem, reduce accidents, become altogether more environmental-friendly while enhancing Europe's economic prosperity, Paris premiered a very interesting event showcasing the industry’s latest technological innovations for Powered Two-Wheelers.
Created in partnership with insurance company AXA and Club 14, and with the support of ACEM, the Journée Nationale de la Moto et du Scooter was blessed by a radiant sunny day on Tuesday September 9th on the Carole racing track on the Paris city brinks. The circuit proved to be an excellent venue for journalists, professionals and policymakers to take a new angle on PTWs around three simple keywords - safety, environment and citizenship.
Providing a hands-on experience of the PTW Industry’s vision was also an opportunity to positively reflect on the growing role of scooters and motorcycles in cities. Mobility is key to people’s quality of life and is vital for growth and competitiveness. Daily, PTWs play a dynamic role on the urban scene providing effective answers to the mobility needs of an increasingly more important share of the EU population. The growing amount of traffic and increasing fuel prices are bringing more and more European citizens and businesses towards motorcycles, scooters and mopeds. Only in France, since the beginning of the 2008, PTW registrations have increased by 25%.
The organizers’ objective was to show that PTWs require being integrated into traffic plans through dedicated strategies and that their environmental and safety records are a priority for the Industry. With the support of authorities, the PTW contribution can be successfully harnessed in a way that boosts the efficiency of transport and ultimately everybody’s quality of life.
Ari Vatanen MEP, Chairman of Mobility for Prosperity in Europe commenting on the event, said: "Events like the Journée Nationale de la Moto et du Scooter in Paris highlight the importance that powered two-wheelers bring to mobility in European cities. They also show the motorcycle industry activities on innovative vehicle technology. Powered two-wheelers provide on many occasions a real alternative to individuals in terms of mobility. Of course you might have problems moving your house with them... fortunately we don't need to do this very often whereas we must go to work on a daily basis. In a city like Paris you just need to look at the traffic at 8 o'clock and you'll immediately understand the benefits brought to Europe's economy by motorcycles and scooters."
Over eighty accredited journalists had the opportunity to wallow around the 23 stands of the village exhibitors and test on the circuit all the models present. Piaggio showcased its three-wheeler with hybrid engine, and PTWs equipped with advanced braking systems were featured by every manufacturer. Peugeot, Honda, Yamaha, BMW, Aprilia and Piaggio presented their line-up of urban vehicles with advanced safety and environmental features. Many animations had been prepared, including a trophy for the most fuel efficient PTW, a demonstration of Honda’s air-bag on a motorcycle and advanced braking systems demonstrations by Honda and Peugeot. These two brands also presented their studies on safety and environment for PTWs.
Electric propulsion solutions also attracted the attention of participants, who could test ride scooters made available by specialised PTW manufacturers such as Sweet' Elec, Vectrix and Quantya.
The event received considerable attention from specialised press and was also extensively covered in the evening news on different National TV channels.
ACEM believes that the Journée Nationale de la Moto et du Scooter was a timely event providing a clear long term vision of the role of PTWs in Society and that the values promoted at the event are key to the future of motorcycling.
Links:
[INDEX]
ANESDOR LAUNCHES IRT IN MADRID
EC INTRODUCES DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
INTERVIEW WITH HARLEY-DAVIDSON CEO
The European PTW market has increased by 25% between 2003 and 2007. The urban mobility oriented scooter style experienced the highest growth accounting today for almost 50% of the market.
