News

Today five new motorcycle training programmes, in Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Portugal, were awarded the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label, an initiative jointly led by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM) and the German Road Safety Council (DVR).

The awarded programmes are:

“Importance of Protective Equipment - Accident Risk Assessment - Riding Skills Development”, a programme offered by the Cyprus Motorcycles Federation

“Advice on Advanced Riding - E.Q.L.” a programme offered by the Hellenic Motorcycle Institute MOTOTHESIS

“Safe Driving Course” and “Advanced Safe Driving Course”, two programmes offered by the Italian Motorcyclists Federation (FMI)

“Ride safer - Motorcycle training”, a programme offered by the PRP (Prevenção Rodoviária Portuguesa), the Portuguese association for the prevention of road accidents

These training programmes have received the Provisional European Motorcycle Training Quality Label, which will be valid for a period of 12 months. This Label certifies that the above-mentioned training programmes are of high quality as well as road safety-oriented based on the programme screening and initial assessment. An on-site evaluation by DVR safety experts will take place as soon as the COVID-19 situation allows it.

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Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM), said:
“The Label is not only part of the motorcycle industry’s forward-looking safety strategy but also an excellent example of how cooperation between industry players, NGOs, motorcycle trainers and users’ organisations can deliver positive results in motorcycle safety. The European Motorcycle Training Quality Label has been strongly supported by the European Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean and the European Coordinator for Road Safety Matthew Baldwin.”

Julia Fohmann, Spokesperson of the German Road Safety Council (DVR), said:
“We are glad that new training programmes are joining the network of excellence of high-quality safety training providers in Europe. The European Motorcycle Training Quality Label aims to encourage riders to undergo voluntary safety training on a regular basis. This motivates us to continue working every day to make Europe’s roads safer”.

Damiano Zamana, Deputy CEO of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), said:
“The FIM considers that life-long training is essential to improve the safety of motorcyclists. Having certified programmes delivering high-quality, post-licence, training contents is one of the objectives of the FIM Strategy 2024. We are pleased to see that our members, in Italy and Cyprus, are actively delivering training programs. At the same time, in Portugal and Greece, the cooperation between the awardees and our members is an example of best practices in support of riders’ safety. The FIM will continue supporting high-quality training for all motorcyclists”.

Press contact

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

Documents available to download

Press release - Five motorcycle training programmes in Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Portugal receive the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label - EN [PDF]

Press release - Five motorcycle training programmes in Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Portugal receive the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label - EL [PDF]

Press release - Five motorcycle training programmes in Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Portugal receive the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label - IT [PDF]

Press release - Five motorcycle training programmes in Italy, Cyprus, Greece and Portugal receive the European Motorcycle Training Quality Label - PT [PDF]

Media

Example of motorcycle safety programme - HONDA Safety Institute [JPG]

Example of motorcycle safety programme - BMW [JPG]

Example of motorcycle safety programmes - "Ready to Ride" by VSV [JPG]

A new piece of research by Oxford Economics shows that the motorcycle sector in the EU and the UK supports about 389,000 jobs through different activities including the manufacturing of vehicles, parts and accessories, and personal protective equipment, as well as motorcycle-related activities.

The study has also found that just in 2019, the motorcycle sector contributed about € 21.4 billion of GDP across Europe. All in all, every € 1 of GDP created directly by motorcycle businesses supported a further € 1.80 of GDP in other industries, due to the various knock-on expenditure impacts.

In terms of tax revenue, the motorcycle sector and related activities generated about € 16.6 billion, making motorcycling an important contributor to public finances, particularly in large markets like Germany, France, Italy, UK and Spain.

Europe-based motorcycle companies export goods for about € 2.1 billion per year

The report also analyzed the role of the motorcycle industry in the area of international trade. EU and UK based motorcycle companies export every year about € 2.1 billion worth of vehicles, parts and components to non-European customers.

The key export markets included the US, Switzerland, Australia and Japan. However, as the study stresses, “European exporters face high import tariffs in China and Thailand as well as India”, all of which are major markets with significant growth potential for European motorcycle manufacturers.

Significant mobility, time savings and environmental benefits

The study prepared by Oxford Economics also examined the additional benefits offered by motorcycles to their users, and to the environment. A scenario analysis suggests that if 5% of those who commute by car across Europe (5.3 million commuters) switched to motorcycles, the aggregate time savings would be 21.2 million days per annum — worth € 3.3 billion to these users.

Motorcycles were also found to offer substantial cost savings due to lower fuel use and operating costs. On average, the cost of commuting by motorcycle (€ 545) was nearly one-third of what it would cost to use a car (€ 1,435) across a year.

The research confirmed that motorcycles have a smaller environmental footprint than four-wheelers, with the average powered-two wheeler in the European vehicle fleet emitting about 99 g CO2/km, less than half of the 210 g CO2/km emitted by the average car (petrol and diesel). Interestingly, motorcycles up to 250 cc were found to emit on average 62 g CO2/km. About 62% of Europe’s two-wheelers fall into this category.

The economic and social importance of motorcycle leisure, sports and events

The study also examined the economic importance of motorcycle-related events, i.e. motorcycle sports, motorcycle trade fairs and events organized by OEMs.

In total, these activities contributed about € 2.1 billion to Europe’s GDP and supported about 38,400 jobs and € 1.2 billion in tax payments. A large part of that impact happened in local communities that greatly benefited from international tourists attending motorcycle-related events.

The study found that about 5 million spectators attended major motorcycle sporting events in 2019, with MotoGP attracting about 1.8 million spectators to its 12 European races in that season. Furthermore, about 2.5 million people attended motorcycle trade fairs and manufacturers' promotional events the same year.

The impact of COVID-19 on motorcycle manufacturers’ activities

An additional annex extended the analysis into 2020, gauging the impact that the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic had on the motorcycle industry. Motorcycle manufacturing activity in Europe was interrupted in a substantial way at the height of the pandemic in March - April 2020, with production falling substantially across the continent, largely linked to the impact of national lockdowns.

Amongst the major motorcycle manufacturing companies, the interruption to factory work was significant, but work in the HQ functions, R&D and trading held up relatively well. Also, motorcycle companies responded to Covid in such a way as to ensure that they are in a good position for the future, by largely maintaining the volume of work (in terms of hours) undertaken on R&D and design, and putting in place the staff protocols and infrastructure necessary to support widespread homeworking.

Motorcycle companies tended to protect active staff headcount, with hours per head temporarily cut in preference to direct layoffs.

Quotes

Stefan Pierer, President of ACEM and CEO of KTM AG, said:

“Oxford Economics’ research demonstrates that the motorcycle sector makes a valuable economic and societal contribution to Europe’s economy and mobility”.

“In spite of recent challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic or a difficult international trade environment, our sector remains strong. The motorcycle industry will continue to play a positive role in terms of job creation, economic growth and urban and leisure mobility”.

Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of ACEM, said:

“There has never been a better time to provide a snapshot of the motorcycle industry and related sectors. This study provides a detailed picture of the benefits that today’s motorcycles bring today to their users, to the people involved in the motorcycle sector, and to the economy and society at large”.

“Looking ahead, we expect mobility in Europe to undergo a profound transformation process. Motorcycle manufacturers within ACEM are committed to address those challenges, and to bring to market vehicles enabling even more efficient and more sustainable urban and recreational mobility. This is part of the forward-looking vision of the sector, to the horizon 2030 and beyond”.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager

+32 496 52 65 17

Documents available to download

Report - Oxford Economics - The importance of motorcycles to Europe [PDF]

Infographic - Economic importance [PNG]

Infographic - Environmental performance [PNG]

Infographic - Motorcycle use [PNG]

Infographic - Motorcycle sports [PNG]

Media

 

ACEM (Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles – The Motorcycle Industry in Europe) and USMMA (United States Motorcycle Manufacturers Association) join the call on European authorities and the US Administration to agree, at next week’s Summit meeting on 15th June, to remove, as soon as possible, all tariffs on unrelated sectors impacted by the steel and aluminium dispute.

In a joint transatlantic industry statement, 113 associations have reiterated their call for the permanent removal of tariffs on sectors unrelated to the ongoing transatlantic trade disputes.

ACEM welcomed the positive joint announcement on 17th May 2021 of European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo of the start of discussions to address global steel and aluminium excess capacity. In particular, ACEM welcomed the suspension of the European Union’s additional 25% tariffs on US motorcycles, which were due to come into effect on 1st June 2021.

However, ACEM recalls that the motorcycle industry remains considerably hurt by the 25% rebalancing tariffs, which remain in place while negotiations are taking place.

ACEM therefore, calls upon European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of the United States, Joe Biden, to take the opportunity of the EU-US Summit meeting in Brussels on 15th June, to commit at the highest level, their willingness to resolve the steel and aluminium dispute in the shortest possible timing.

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“ACEM calls upon the Transatlantic Leadership to ensure that negotiations to tackle steel overcapacity concerns be concluded without delay and not to wait 6 months, during which time hundreds of millions of Euros of unrelated sectors’ money will be spent on unwarranted tariffs, instead of on investments and essential research and development for the rebuilding and greening of both EU and US economies”, said Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager

+32 496 52 65 17

Documents available to download

ACEM statement ahead of the EU-US Summit [PDF]

Joint statement - 113 U.S. and EU Organisations Urge EU and U.S. to Lift Retaliatory Tariffs on Products Unrelated to Transatlantic Trade Disputes [PDF]

ACEM welcomes today’s joint announcement by the EU and the US on addressing global steel and aluminium excess capacity and the decision by the EU to temporarily suspend, for six months, the doubling of tariffs on US-made motorcycles above 500cc, which were set to come into effect on 1 June 2021.

Despite this positive development, the EU’s Rebalancing Measures remain in place at 25%. This means US motorcycles still bear a 31% tariff, which has a considerable negative affect bilateral trade and on European motorcycle dealers and customers. Furthermore, the suspension of the additional 25% is a temporary measure which still threatens significant harm to the European motorcycle sector, if a resolution is not found in the next 6 months. Therefore, ACEM continues to call for the removal of motorcycles from the EU’s list of products impacted by rebalancing tariffs.

Motorcycles have no place in an unrelated trade dispute.

ACEM supports all EU and US efforts to urgently de-escalate this trade conflict, and to return to non-punitive tariff levels as soon as possible.

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager
 
+32 496 52 65 17

ACEM (Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles – The Motorcycle Industry in Europe) and USMMA (United States Motorcycle Manufacturers Association) join the call on European authorities and US Administration to solve their differences without unduly impacting motorcycles.

A Coalition of 88 European and American associations has written to European Commission President von der Leyen and United States President Biden, supporting a suspension of the retaliatory tariffs in application, within EU-US ongoing trade disputes, hitting unrelated sectors.

The appeal by industry is made once again to build on the positive momentum of the suspension of tariffs imposed in connection to the World Trade Organization (WTO) disputes concerning civil aircraft subsidies for four months, hoping such agreement can be extended and built upon. The call is also made to overcome differences within the steel and aluminium trade dispute, in anticipation of the 1 June deadline and the application of further EU retaliatory measures, to avoid yet more collateral damage on unrelated sectors. Ultimately, the Coalition wishes a return to a positive, reciprocally rewarding transatlantic relationship, supporting economic growth and benefiting producers and manufacturers, their distribution partners, importers and consumers, and all associated sectors.

ACEM and USMMA join the call, as the motorcycle sector has repeatedly been unduly targeted within the EU-US trade escalation, over the last few years. US motorcycles are heavily impacted by the EU rebalancing measures devised in response to the US decision to impose a 10% tariff on European aluminium products and a 25% tariff on European steel products, as of 1 June 2018. Under Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2018/886, a list of US products, including motorcycles with a cylinder capacity above 500cc, have faced additional duties since 1 June 2018, when entering the EU.

As from 1 June 2021, European authorities are expected to double these additional customs duties, which will impose a 50% tariff on US-made motorcycles above 500cc, pursuant to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/563 of the European Commission of 31 March 2021.

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“This development confirms the urgency to suspend all additional tariffs on unrelated sectors, to avoid damaging escalations. We call upon the European Commission and the new US Administration to restart a positive transatlantic trade dialogue. We continue to strongly support a return to reason and for both parties to find a solution”, said Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General.

Documents available to download

ACEM Press release - Transatlantic relationship: coalition of EU and US associations appeal to suspend retaliatory tariffs on unrelated sectors [PDF]

Coalition Press release - 88 European and American Organisations Urge EU and US to Remove Retaliatory Tariffs on Unrelated Products [PDF]

Coalition letter to President von der Leyen and President Biden [PDF]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager

+32 496 52 65 17

2020 was a difficult year for the motorcycle sector in Europe. The national lockdowns imposed to contain the Covid-19 pandemic in Spring, when the motorcycle market usually picks up, caused a sharp drop, or even a halt, of registrations. Logistic chains were also heavily disrupted, at all levels, for manufacturers and suppliers, impacting production.

In aggregate, the largest European markets for motorcycles and mopeds recovered after Spring, reaching an overall increase of 4% compared to 2019 data, although with different results across the countries. Some as the Netherlands (+30.3%) and Germany (+27%) registered substantial increases, while others such as Italy (-5.3%) and Spain (-8.8%) still lag behind 2019 figures. Generally speaking, the market progressively recovered in the second semester, although positive figures in late 2020 are also partly linked to pre-registrations performed by importers and dealers, due to the end of validity of Euro 4 approvals (31 December 2020), for production falling outside end of series provisions.

Looking at full-year 2020 results, a total of 883,102 motorcycles were registered in 2020 in the five largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK) . This represents a marginal increase of 1% compared to 2019 numbers.

The largest motorcycle markets in Europe in 2020 were: Germany (220,304 units), Italy (218,027 units) and France (191,231 units).

The largest European moped markets (i.e., Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) rose from 246,345 units in 2019 to 279,841 in 2020. This represents an increase of 13.6% on a year-on-year basis. The largest markets for mopeds in Europe were France (98,592 units), the Netherlands (84,732 units) and Germany (35,010 units).

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Commenting on the 2020 registration figures, ACEM Secretary General Antonio Perlot said:

“To a large extent market recovery was due to the renewed attractiveness and convenience of powered two-wheelers for urban and peri-urban commuting, within a sanitary context in which public transportation has not been deemed a safe option by many citizens. Also, with reduced opportunities for holidaying abroad, most consumers having had to delay their purchase in Spring still opted for a new motorcycle later in the year, for leisure activities such as touring closer to home”.

“All in all, the motorcycle sector seems to have coped well with a very difficult year. However, looking ahead, the jury is still out, as many questions remain regarding the overall effects of the ongoing pandemic, on the EU economy and on mobility.”.

Correction

A previous version of this article stated that a total of 923,002 motorcycles and a total of 287,096 mopeds were registered in the largest European markets during 2020.
The correct figure is 883,102 units for the motorcycle segment and 279,841 for the moped segment. This article was amended on 17/02/21.

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - December 2020 [PDF]

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - December 2020 [XLS]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager

+32 496 52 65 17

Today, 11 December 2020, the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC) launched the Basic Specification Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) for motorcycles. The Consortium published a set of documents addressing various topics related to the introduction of C-ITS for motorcycles, such as: triggering conditions, localisation accuracy, algorithms and communicated data, as well as rider interface and antenna performance.

This breakthrough result is the outcome of all the efforts made over the years by CMC members, who have been working intensively to achieve this goal.

The CMC has made significant progress in this area through several studies, the development and evaluation of prototype bikes and thanks to meetings and discussions with different major stakeholders.

About CMC and the importance of connectivity for motorcycle safety

The CMC was created in 2016, building on the ACEM Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems. Motorcycle manufacturers, suppliers, researchers and associations joined forces with the objective to make motorcycles part of the future connected mobility.

ACEM, which is a member, contributed to the achievement of one of the main goals of the Consortium: to define common ‘Basic Specifications C-ITS systems for motorcycles’ and have them ready for publication by the end of 2020.

C-ITS allows road vehicles to communicate with each other, with roadside infrastructure and with other road users. C-ITS has a high potential, especially for motorcycles, to prevent accidents.

CMC has been working on around 30 applications, in which connectivity would allow to warn drivers and riders of potentially dangerous situations.

The integration of motorcycles in the C-ITS ecosystem will bring significant safety benefits and will lead to better integration of motorcycles in the transport system.

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Claire Depré, Head of Unit Sustainable & Intelligent Transport, DG Mobility and Transport, EC has
congratulated CMC “for the work carried out, for bringing much more innovation and contributing to the safety of the overall transport system.”

For more information, please visit: https://www.cmc-info.net/.

Between January and September 2020, motorcycle registrations in the five largest European markets (i.e. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, i.e. about 80% of the EU + UK motorcycle market) reached 708,503 units. This volume of registrations represents a decrease of 3.3% in comparison to the first nine months of 2019.

The current registration trends in the motorcycle segment, however, show an improvement in comparison to the first six months of the year, when the motorcycle registrations in the main European markets had fallen on average by 17%. This was due to the paralysis of commercial activity, caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus (see the previous press releases here and here).

The moped segment looks in better shape, with registrations in the largest European markets (i.e. Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain) reaching a total of 205,688 units during the first nine months of 2020. This represents an increase of 6.4% in comparison to the same period of 2019.

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Commenting on the current situation of the sector, Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said: “The registration figures for the first 9 months of the year show that the sector is slowly starting to recover from the very difficult months of March and April 2020 that had put the sector under unprecedented financial stress. The situation remains delicate, and the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 outbreak is not over yet”.

“That said, there are reasons to be optimistic. The recent decision by the EU institutions to extend the cut-off deadline for selling Euro 4 models until 31 of December 2021, will certainly help the motorcycle industry to better cope with this crisis”.

“Also, the COVID-19 crisis creates opportunities for policy-makers to rethink about local transport policy. The crisis has clearly shown that overreliance on public transport can create vulnerabilities in cities' transport systems. A preferable better approach would be to find a balance between different transport modes. Better integration of two-wheelers in the transport mix, for example, can reduce the present risks of operating public transport networks at full capacity".

Note

The new "COVID-19 measure" (article 44a, EU Regulation 168/2013) will complement the current rules on End of Series (art. 44, EU Regulation 168/2013), which grant the possibility to register a limited amount of Euro 4 vehicles (up to 10% of past 2 years sales, per OEM type) until 31/12/2022. The agreement between the European Parliament and the Council is pending of final adoption and publication in the EU official journal.

Documents available to download

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - September 2020 [xls]

ACEM - Statistical press release - January - September 2020 - EN [pdf]

ACEM - Statistical releases - FAQ [pdf]

ACEM - Statistical releases - Glossary [pdf]

Press contact

Manuel Ordonez de Barraicua
ACEM communications manager

+32 496 52 65 17

On 22 September 2020, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) held its 30th General Assembly. The event was held online, due to the COVID-19 limitations applicable to large meetings.

The ACEM General Assembly approved the acceptance of Zero Motorcycles as a new guest member of the association. Zero Motorcycles is an American manufacturer of electric vehicles that produces high performance electric motorcycles. Since 2006, when the first prototypes were produced in Santa Cruz, California, Zero has rapidly grown into an internationally known motorcycle company.

Further to this, three trade associations representing the motorcycle sector at national level joined ACEM: the Associação Automóvel de Portugal (ACAP), the Hungarian Vehicle Importers Association (MGE) and the Association of Automobile Importers (SDA, Czech Republic).

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Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said: "I am delighted to welcome Zero Motorcycles, ACAP, MGE and SDA to the ACEM family, and look forward to start working with their representatives soon. With the addition of these new members, ACEM will now represent a total of 19 manufacturing companies and 20 national industry associations across Europe”.

Press contact

Ilaria Balloni. ACEM communications assistant
E.
M. +32 22 30 16 83

On Monday 21st September, a coalition of 40 industry organisations wrote a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calling for decisive action to solve implementation issues within the EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD), specifically the Substances of Concern in Products (SCIP)database.

The signatories representing a very significant part of the European Economy request urgent resolution of implementation issues in a database designed to support the circular economy as expressed in the European Green Deal. This “SCIP” database is required by Article 9.1 of the updated Waste Framework Directive.

The signatories of this letter ask President von der Leyen to take immediate action to:

1. Postpone the SCIP notification deadline of 5th January 2021 by at least 12 months after the database will be finalised;
2. Conduct a study on the usefulness, feasibility, proportionality and impact of the database, and;
3. Instruct the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to adapt the SCIP database according to the outcome of such study.

ECHA failed to finalize the database development to the required timescale of January 2020, preventing companies from developing, testing and adapting their own systems to meet the January 2021 notification deadline.

Signatories have serious concerns regarding the workability, proportionality and value of the SCIP database, expressed repeatedly for the last two years, but their concerns have not been resolved by the European Commission, nor by ECHA.

Contrary to the EU Better Regulation principles, Article 9.1 was added to the revised WFD during the final stage of the co-decision process without any prior stakeholder consultation or impact assessment. A proper impact study should help shape the way forward to deliver on the EU ambition for a circular European Economy.

Documents available to download

Press release - Industry letter to President von der Leyen “The notification deadline for the SCIP database must be postponed” [pdf]