[HIGHLIGHT ON URBAN MOBILITY]

The Green Paper on Urban Mobility

On September 26 the European Commission published the Green Paper on Urban Mobility. ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry in Europe, welcomes the inclusion of Powered Two-Wheelers (PTWs, motorcycles and scooters) in the Green Paper on Urban Transport and looks forward to contributing to the creation of a new urban mobility culture in Europe.

In the European Union, the majority of the population lives in urban areas, which quoting the Green Paper results in chronic congestion, delays and pollution amounting to 1% of the EU’s GDP.

The growing amount of traffic on urban roads therefore requires policy makers to consider all mobility tools available – Powered Two-Wheelers are effective solutions to problems caused by urban congestion, providing citizens and businesses with improved mobility and accessibility in cities, to the benefit of quality of life and the economy.  For many urban trips, Powered Two-Wheelers offer a valid alternative or complement to the use of cars and public transport; they also provide opportunities for small logistics deliveries and increased efficiency of public utility services.  In all these situations, while on the move and when parked, they contribute to relieving space pressure, to the benefit of both their users and the whole local community.

The convenience of Powered Two-Wheelers in responding to urban mobility needs is reflected by the European market’s positive trends over the last 10 years.  Across Europe, Powered Two-Wheelers are chosen by 30 million users and represent 11% of the total vehicle park.  Within this fleet, city-oriented motorcycles and scooters offering an interesting trade-off between convenience, comfort and cost play the most important part in terms of numbers: within some cities, Powered Two-Wheelers provide around 8% of all trips, including private vehicles, public transport, walking and cycling.  However, the lack of proper integration of Powered Two-Wheelers in many urban transport plans and the so far limited use by city authorities of dedicated mobility strategies has meant that in some situations the growth in the circulating park has also been accompanied by a higher participation in road safety statistics.  Some city authorities are nevertheless leading the way in the successful integration of the Powered Two-Wheeler in their mobility plans, in partnership with the industry.

ACEM members share the view that “a new urban mobility culture in Europe” must be based on Information, Integration and Innovation, and wish to play an active role in this process.  The EU can also play an important role, within respect of subsidiarity, for instance in promoting available best practices to achieve better, cleaner and safer urban mobility for the future, including policies recognising the Powered Two-Wheeler alternative.  This could be part of a ‘labelling’ scheme for cities, and the proposal of a European Observatory on Urban Mobility with a wide participation of stakeholders also appears attractive to promote the development of sustainable urban transport.

As responsible mobility providers, ACEM manufacturers are committed to working together with policymakers and stakeholders towards free-flowing, greener and safer cities.

Link:
Green Paper on Urban Transport (Directorate General for Energy and Transport)