[NEWS]
ETRA focuses on urban mobility at Brussels event
While Smart2Wheels event pushed 2-wheels higher on the European agenda, the European Mobility Week reaches its end amid criticism by riders.
On Thursday 22 September, MEP Brian Simpson, Chairman of the TRAN committee, kicked off "Smart2Wheels" on the esplanade of the European Parliament in Brussels. This event organised by ETRA was aimed at raising awareness in the European institutions of the potential that 2Wheels offer to making transport more sustainable.
Smart2Wheels took place in the context of the European Mobility Week, an awareness raising campaign sponsored by the European Commission aiming at encouraging citizens to use public transport, cycling, walking and at urging European cities to promote these modes of transport and to invest in the new necessary infrastructures. 
This initiative was criticised by the Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) for failing to include Powered Two-Wheelers in the debate by saying: "European Mobility Week writes off motorcyclists once again" regretting that this event, which could have been a great opportunity to introduce citizens to the benefits of two-wheeled mobility of all types, is instead prisoner of an ideology that focuses on three transport modes that cannot alone answer the public's demand for personal mobility and ignores the benefits of motorcycles".
Furthermore, a study published by FEBIAC, the Belgian Motorcycle Importer Association, and a member of ACEM, showed that more motorcycles on the roads can ease congestion (read article). In fact, according to researchers in Belgium, if 10% of car drivers would give up their car for a motorcycle or a scooter, traffic congestion would be reduced by 40%. A considerable contribution to mobility.
ETRA responded to this call by inviting FEMA to participate to Smart2Wheels. Considering the good participation of several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and visitors, ETRA to considered the event a success.
ETRA President Erik Oddershede invited the European institutions to go into a higher gear in the field of 2Wheels policy. He stated: “Environment, climate change, sustainable mobility, energy-efficiency, etc. are very high on the priority list of the European institutions. The use of 2Wheels, whether bicycles, electric bikes, Powered Two-Wheelers, fit perfectly well in this debate. And yet, the European institutions very often overlook 2Wheels in their policies. Subsidiarity, lack of economic relevance, safety problems, … there seem to be plenty of reasons, or should I rather say misconceptions, to leave 2Wheels out of European policies.”
He went on to say: “With Smart2Wheels, ETRA offers policy-makers and other interested parties an opportunity to gain an insight into current and future developments in this exciting area, and to understand how 2Wheels can contribute to a sustainable and innovative European transport system.”
Referring to the Type-Approval Regulation now under discussion in the European Parliament, present MEPs agreed that new legislation should not obstruct the market. Saïd El Khadraoui mentioned among other things the possibility of imposing Sustainable Urban Transport Plans on the cities in order to incite them to deal with making transport more sustainable.
While much of the debate was dedicated to cycling, FEMA Secretary General Aline Delhaye managed to point out that PTWs can just as well contribute to making transport more sustainable. They allow to save time and use less public space. They are relatively cheap both in purchase and in use. Moreover, they are becoming gradually greener as a result of new technologies.
[INDEX]
INNOVATION BRINGS NEW ROAD SAFETY MEASURES TO MARKET
PEUGEOT TO TEST ELECTRIC SCOOTER HIRE AT PARIS TRAIN STATION
FUEL CELL SCOOTER A REALITY ON EU ROADS
IRTAD UPDATES ROAD SAFETY STATISTICS
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More Powered Two-Wheelers would ease congestion. 10% more motorcycles used for commuting equal to 40% less traffic jams, concludes a study conducted by Transport & Mobility Leuven. [Read more].
Commuting by Motorcycle:
Impact Analysis by Transport & Mobility Leuven, September 2011
Download the study here.
From left to right: MEPs Toine Manders, Saïd El Khadraoui, Michael Cramer, Malcolm Harbour, Heide Rühle
Left: MEP Malcolm Harbour with Aline Delhaye.