The International Clean Council on Transportation (ICCT) recently published a study on vehicle emissions in Paris, on behalf of the Real Urban Emissions (TRUE) Initiative . The study was mandated by the City Council of Paris and concludes that emissions from motorcycles in that city are higher than those of petrol cars.

ACEM seriously questions the reliability of the remote sensing technology used by the ICCT to measure real urban emissions from the wide range of motorcycles and other L-category vehicles. Whilst this limitation is to some extent acknowledged in the report, which reads: “the smaller engines used in these vehicles result in a smaller plume signal relative to vehicles with larger engines”, the authors also draw negative conclusions as to the environmental performance of motorcycles, including those meeting latest Euro 4 standards.

ACEM has grounds to believe that the report's conclusions are based mainly on measurements of L-category vehicles during their acceleration phase. A generalisation of such results simply does not match real urban reality, and results in a drastic overestimation of vehicle emissions.

Research carried out by the European Research on Mobile Emission Sources (ERMES) has clearly shown that the emission performance of Euro 4 motorcycles is similar to the one of Euro 5 and 6 petrol cars. These measurements were taken using well-established, lab measurement technology, as well as real world test cycles.

The ERMES findings were used by the European Environmental Agency to update its own emissions model (COPERT ) in 2019. The COPERT model is used by policy-makers across Europe to model vehicle fleet emissions in urban areas. Furthermore, the ERMES findings were also used by public authorities in Austria, Germany, Sweden and Switzerland to update the Handbook Emission Factors for Road Transport (HBEFA ).

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Commenting on the study Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said:

“ACEM fully supports the principle of public authorities mandating independent studies to gather evidence for effective policy-making. However, it is of utmost importance that such independent studies are performed using validated, accurate testing methods.

“The ICCT report is inconsistent with recent independent research findings based on real world emissions for motorcycles. The large number of invalid measurements and the high level of uncertainty of the valid ones clearly indicate that the remote sensing technology in the ICCT report is unable to correctly measure emissions of L-category vehicles. In other words, ICCT should not have drawn any conclusions based on these measurements. This could lead to ill-advised policies, which is unacceptable”.

“ACEM has already contacted the authors of the study and will continue engaging constructively with the ICCT to discuss both the findings of their report and the possible limitations of the measurement technologies used. In any event, the motorcycle sector remains fully committed to continuing to invest in cleaner technologies and reducing its environmental footprint. The entry into force of the Euro 5 environmental standard in 2020 will be another important step in that direction”.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager
  
+32 (0)22 30 97 32

Documents available to download

ACEM comments on the ICCT study [PDF]

The “Ready to Ride” motorcycle training programme, by the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Safety (VSV), was today awarded the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label. “Ready to Ride” was introduced in 2015 to promote motorcycle safety training in Belgium. This programme is currently offered across the Belgian region of Flanders in 9 different training centres. Almost 2,000 motorcyclists have followed this programme so far.

The European Motorcycle Training Quality Label was launched in 2016 to promote the best post-licence training programmes in the EU. The scheme is run by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), the German Road Safety Council (DVR) and the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM). A total of 29 training programmes operating in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden have already been recognized with this award.

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Wouter De Clercq, Project manager of the VSV, said: “We believe it is important that motorcyclists take their own responsibility in riding safely with a powered two-wheeler. Riding a motorcycle is far from being an easy task. Motorcyclists, as vulnerable road users, must be aware of any risks on the roads and recognize hazards that are specific to powered two-wheelers”.

“VSV developed its “Ready to Ride” safety training programme precisely to achieve this important objective. The programme is currently delivered in several training centres in Flanders”.

Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) said: “Many motorcycle training centres offer excellent post-licence programmes. However, it is not always easy for motorcyclists to know which ones to do. This is why we are delighted to award the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label to this programme. It is the recognition of both the quality of the training programme established by VSV and its commitment to making a positive difference to motorcycle safety”.

“The motorcycle industry fully supports the EU’s objective to reduce the number of fatal and serious accidents on Europe’s roads. This is precisely why our sector is working closely with public authorities, training organisations and users to improve motorcyclists’ safety”.

Press contact

For further information please contact:
Ilaria Balloni. ACEM communications assistant
E.
P. +32 22 30 97 32

Video

Informational video by VSV [Dutch]

Documents available to download

Press release - “Ready to Ride” motorcycle training programme receives the European Training Quality Label - English [PDF]

Press release - “Ready to Ride” motorcycle training programme receives the European Training Quality Label - French [PDF]

European Motorcycle Training Quality Label Award - High resolution photo [jpg]

European Motorcycle Training Quality Label Award - High resolution photo [jpg]

Race-track training - High resolution photo [jpg]

Race-track training - High resolution photo [jpg]

Race-track training - High resolution photo [jpg]

Race-track training - High resolution photo [jpg]

Race-track training - High resolution photo [jpg]

Road training - High resolution photo [jpg]

Road training - High resolution photo [jpg]

Road training - High resolution photo [jpg]

Registrations of motorcycles in the EU reached 618,502 units during the first 6 months of 2019, according to the latest figures of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM). This represents an increase of 9.1% compared to the same period of 2018.

With 138,650 units (a 6.2% increase on a year-on-year basis) Italy remains the largest European motorcycle market, followed by France (109,606 motorcycles, +12.5%), Germany (105,970 motorcycles, +8.5%), Spain (88,690 motorcycles, +12.6%) and the UK (56,611 motorcycles, +2.3%).

Motorcycle registrations also increased in almost all EU countries.

Moped registrations in the EU increased by 19.5%

The European moped market reached 147,826 units during the first 6 months of 2019. This represents an increase of 19.5% compared to the registration levels of the same period in 2018 (123,712 vehicles). The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were France (41,230 units), the Netherlands (31,154 units), Germany (14,629 units), Belgium (13,119 units) and Poland (10,427 units).

Registrations of electric vehicles in the EU up by 70%

Combined registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles reached 35,810 units during the first six months of 2019. This represents a substantial increase of 70% compared to the registration levels of the first half of 2018 (21,062 units).
Most of the electric L-category vehicles registered in 2019 are mopeds (28,577 units), followed by motorcycles (5,812 units) and a much smaller number of quadricycles (about 1,421 units).

The largest European markets in terms of volume were France, where combined registrations of mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles totalled 8,723 units (+60.6% on a year-on-year basis), followed by Belgium (8,087 vehicles, +111.0%), the Netherlands (6,321 vehicles, +62.1%), Spain (4,052 vehicles, +35.8%) and Italy (2,426 vehicles, +86.2%).

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - June 2019 [pdf]

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - June 2019 [xls]

About ACEM

The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) represents manufacturers of mopeds, motorcycles, three-wheelers and quadricycles (L-category vehicles) in Europe.

ACEM members include 18 manufacturing companies: BMW Motorrad, Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), Ducati Motor holding, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, MV Agusta, Peugeot Scooters, Piaggio, Polaris Industries, Renault, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph Motorcycles and Yamaha.

ACEM also represents 18 motorcycle industry associations operating in 15 European countries.

Press contact

For further information or to receive future market updates, news or press releases please contact:
Ilaria Balloni. ACEM communications assistant
E.   
P. +32 22 30 97 32

Registrations of motorcycles in the EU increased in most EU countries during the first 3 months of 2019. According to the latest figures of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), registrations reached 244,991 units. This represents an increase of 19.2% compared to the same period of 2018.

With 54,826 units (a 18.7% increase on a year-on-year basis) Italy remains the largest European motorcycle market, followed by Germany (44,450 motorcycles, +23.3%), France (43,942 motorcycles, +20.0%), Spain (37,255 motorcycles, +20.5%) and the UK (25,913 motorcycles, +10.3%).

Moped registrations in the EU also increased by 30%

The European moped market reached 52,715 units during the first 3 months of 2019. This represents an increase of about 30.1% compared to the registration levels of the same period in 2018 (40,522 units). The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were France (17,997 units), Netherlands (13,040 units), Belgium (4,683 units), Spain (3,993 units) and Italy (3,846 units).

Registrations of electric vehicles up by 71% in the EU

Combined registrations of electric mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles reached 14,251 units during the first three months of 2019. This represents a substantial increase of 71.2% compared to the registration levels of the first three months of 2018 (8,326 units).

Most of the electric L-category vehicles registered in the first three months of 2019 are mopeds (11,258), followed by motorcycles (2,295 units). The largest European markets in terms of volume were France, where combined registrations of mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles totalled 4,407 units (+105% on a year-on-year basis), followed by Belgium (2 627 vehicles, +78.5%), Netherlands (2 598 vehicles, +52.6%), Spain (1,632 vehicles, +28%) and Italy (901 vehicles, +49,2%).

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Commenting on the latest figures, Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of ACEM, said:

“The increase in vehicle registrations reflects the overall improving economic conditions across Europe, particularly in the largest EU markets, as well as European citizens’ preference for an an enjoyable and convenient means of transport”.

“At the same time, given the seasonal nature of motorcycle and moped markets, we will need to wait for the registration figures of late July to assess whether 2019 has been a very good year for our industry”.

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - Q1 2019 [pdf]

ACEM - Statistical press release - Q1 2019 [xls]

Press contact

Ilaria Balloni
ACEM communications assistant
E.  
P. +32 (0)22 30 97 32