[EDITORIAL]
Dear Reader,
In 2008, after 6 years of steady growth, the PTWs sector was hit by the economic and financial crisis. 2.5 million PTWs were registered in the EU in 2008, a -7.4% reduction over 2007. Only a year before, in 2007, more than 2.7 million PTWs had been sold in the European Union.
In particular, the last quarter of 2008 showed a downturn over the same period of 2007. The month of January 2009 also showed further negative signals of severe drops in the EU PTW market (in the range of -40% for many National markets over January 2008). Given the seasonal pattern of PTW sales, the full impact of these reductions on the 2009 market will only become apparent later this year.
However, against this gloomy backdrop we must also be reminded that the PTW market has been steadily growing over the last few years (+22% over the period 2002 – 2007), bringing the EU PTWs fleet to about 33 million units. According to long term market projections, the fleet is expected to continue to grow and reach between 35 and 37 million vehicles in 2020, mainly pushed by an increasing mobility demand.
Despite this economic background ACEM recently announced several initiatives and proposals regarding safety, emissions and periodic inspections that lead the way towards a more sustainable mobility. By participating to the the public consultation on a new PTW Framework Regulation ACEM continues to pursue collaboration and dialogue with the European Institutions and wishes that the views of the Motorcycle Industry will be taken into due account.
Enjoy your reading!
Jacques Compagne
Acem Secretary General
[REPORT]
Framework Regulation on type-approval of PTWs
The Industry's proposals to the public consultation
The European Commission is preparing a revision of the legislation on the type-approval of two- and three-wheelers including new measures on safety and pollutant emissions. ACEM is participating to the consultation process, giving the views on how to achieve a simpler and more effective regulation while at the same time working together towards safer and cleaner vehicles.
[read more]
[NEWS]
Competition for rider trainers launched by CIECA
The International Commission of Driver and Rider Testing Authorities will award a prize for the best training exercises
CIECA, the International Commission of Driver and Rider Testing Authorities, has launched a worldwide competition to collect examples of the best rider trainig exercises. By filling out a questionnaire contestants will have the opportunity to win a Suzuki scooter, a visit of the MV Agusta factory and other prizes. Together with its partners ACEM, FIM and FEMA, CIECA invites rider trainers to submit rider trainig exercises related to the ten most frequent accident causes for PTWs.
[read more]
[NEWS]
eSUM meeting in London
TfL hosted a two-day summit of the eSUM project
Delegates from Paris, Rome and Barcelona attended a two-day summit on motorcycle safety in London. Transport for London, the capital's agency responsible for mobility, hosted the meeting of the eSUM project reuniting industry and local authorities of Europe’s principal motorcycle capitals.
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[NEWS]
MCI Launches Code as London Launches City-Wide Experimental Bus Lane Access for PTWs
City Authorities adopt pilot project for PTW safety
To coincide with the opening of London’s primary route bus lanes to motorcyclists on January 5th, the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCI) has launched a new Code of Conduct for motorcyclists who will be enjoying the new freedom to use bus lanes.
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[NEWS]
Road constructors underline infrastructure design must consider PTWs safety
ERF – IRF BPC releases paper on safer infrastructure for PTWs
The growing popularity of PTWs in European cities requires to adapt the road infrastructure to take into account the specificity of these particular users. The European Union Road Federation (ERF), the Brussels Programme Centre of the International Road Federation (IRF) released a Discussion Paper on “Road Infrastructure Safety of Powered Two-Wheelers” in order to kick-start a broad reflection on the topic and find shared solutions which will ensure PTW riders benefit from the safest possible road environment.
[read more]
[NEWS]
Vice President Tajani: EU action needed for
sustainable urban mobility
Long-awaited action plan to be launched during 2009
Vice President Antonio Tajani reassured stakeholders that the action plan on Urban Mobility will be launched later this year. During a conference held last January Mr Tajani emphasised his strong commitment to delivering a comprehensive Action Plan tackling the chronic problems created by transport in Europe's towns and cities.
[read more]
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