7th September 2007

September 3rd, 2007

EU motorcyclists present their opinion on motorcycle safety to Members of the European Parliament
September 5th, Strasburg: FEMA will present its European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety at the 11th MEP Ride.

Motorcycling offers an inexpensive, environmentally friendly and effective means of transport. Hence, the number of motorcycles on European roads has more than doubled over the last two decades. However, while motorcycling presents a solution to many of today's mobility challenges, motorcycle safety is becoming an issue of concern for an ever-increasing number of stakeholders, who overlook the positive aspects motorcycling can bring to the transport mix.

Road safety is an important issue for all motorcyclists. FEMA - representing European Motorcyclists' Associations in Europe - wants to contribute to the motorcycle safety debate, and will be presenting the views of European motorcyclists with regards to acknowledged - and potential - motorcycle safety problems. The European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (EAMS) offers a compilation of motorcyclists' expertise, which takes into consideration the concerns and requirements of the end-users.

The United States and the United Kingdom have recently set up motorcycle strategies with the aim of finding the most appropriate solutions to improve motorcycle safety. These recent examples show that the best way forward is to involve all motorcycle safety stakeholders from Industry to End-users and from National Transport authorities to local road safety experts. FEMA believes that this approach should be encouraged in Europe.

FEMA's contribution to the road safety debate is a document of over 80-pages. The European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety will be presented at the MEP Ride , FEMA's annual motorcycle ride with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) which will start next Wednesday September 5th in front of the European Parliament in Strasburg.

The EAMS underlines that motorcycles and motorcyclists have different characteristics from other vehicles and their drivers, and identifies the specific needs of motorcyclists that must be addressed along with those of other road users. It is aimed at providing legislators, decision makers and all stakeholders dealing with motorcycle safety, a summary of why motorcycle accidents happen from a rider's perspective, as well as recommendations on how to improve motorcycle safety in some specific areas of concern.


More info on h ttp://www.mep-ride.eu/
Press Pack http://www.mep-ride.eu/index.php?p=press
This Press Release in PDF format: http://www.mep-ride.eu/invite/PR-20070831-MEPRide_final.pdf

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11th MEP Motorcycle Ride

Strasburg - September 5, 2007

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and EU Motorcyclists will meet and ride together through the splendid region of Strasbourg. For this occasion, FEMA will present its new “European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety” and discuss urban transport policies.

The Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) is proud to announce the launch of its 11th MEP Motorcycle Ride, which will take place this Wednesday 5th September 2007 in Strasbourg.

This annual ride with Members of the European Parliament is an important occasion for European Motorcyclists Associations from all over Europe, MEPs, Representatives from the European Commission and other stakeholders to meet and discuss important motorcycle issues.

FEMA will take this opportunity to present EU motorcyclists’ views on the European Commission’s Green Paper on Urban Transport - which will be presented in autumn - and the role Power Two Wheeler users can play in urban areas to address pollution, congestion, infrastructure and social inclusion. In close relation with mobility issues, motorcycle safety issues will also be discussed with the presentation of FEMA’s recently revised European Agenda for Motorcycle Safety.

This year’s MEP Ride is patronized by the following MEPs H. Markov (Germany - GUENGL), E. Lynne (UK - ALDE), L. Queiro (Portugal - EPP-ED) and I. Segelström (Sweden - PES). The Ride will start at 7:00pm in front of the doors of the European Parliament (EP) and will cover a distance of approximately 57km. The 145 participants - including nearly 30 MEPs from a wide range of political groups - will be welcomed at the Plobsheim’s Base Nautique, where a short presentation will be made and a diner offered. The event will close with a free-entrance party.

More info on <http://www.mep-ride.eu/>
Press Pack available on <http://www.mep-ride.eu/index.php?p=press> This Press Release in PDF format: http://www.mep-ride.eu/invite/PR-20070831-MEPRide_final.pdf

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Notes to editor:
- Contact, registration, information: Virginie Peters Tel +32 (0)2 736 9047 - Mobile + 32 (0)484 976 170 - Email virginie.fema@chello.be <virginie.fema@chello.be> - The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) is the European federation of national road rider organisations. FEMA represents, defends and promotes motorcycling and the interests of million powered two-wheeler users across Europe. Through its 23 national organisations from 17 countries, FEMA reaches over 300,000 dedicated motorcyclists representing all social groups. <http://www.fema.ridersrights.org>

June 18th 2007

PRESS RELEASE
2nd April 2007


Daytime Running Lights:
The two faces of the European Commission

The European Commission (EC) eventually managed to obtain a moratorium on DRL to be voted at the World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle (WP29). Unfortunately, the position and interests defended by EC representatives at the UNECE radically defer from what was initially announced to FEMA. The need to establish a dialogue and to adopt a more cautious approach, as officially stated by the DG TREN Road Safety Unit is once more being questioned.

Following the EC's consultation on Daytime Running Lights (DRL) closed on November 17th and FEMA interventions at the FIA seminar on DRL, motorcyclists' concerns regarding the EC's intention to introduce compulsory DRL for all vehicles throughout Europe seemed to have eventually found echo at the EC when the Head of the European Commission's Road Safety Unit, Dr Stefan Tostmann (DG TREN), announced at a meeting with FEMA representatives on 6th March that the Commission would call for a 6 month moratorium in the United Nations vehicle regulations harmonizing process.

A halt in the legislative process seemed necessary for several reasons. On the one hand, it would have left enough time for the Industry (ACEM) to present its first results on the motorbikes visibility study (1) and the possible lighting options to solve the problem. On the other hand, it would have been possible to better understand the criticisms expressed during the consultation in 2006 - mainly by vulnerable road users - and to address their worries.

Furthermore, Dr. Totsmann stated that the Commission would note introduce a measure that would benefit one category of road user to the disadvantage of any other group.

However, it seems that Commission (DG ENTR) representatives at UNECE did not view the moratorium in the same light. Last week, at the Working Party on Lightning and Light-signalling (GRE - a subgroup of WP29), Commission representative Wolfgang Schneider proved to be strongly in favour of mandatory Daytime Running Lights provisions. During an explosive discussion between GRE chairman -very pro-DRL- and FEMA Secretary General, Aline Delhaye, Mr. Schneider stepped in to support the chairman's views, underlying that possible side-effects on motorcyclists were unavoidable. In other words, both representatives seemed to find normal that the positive impact of DRL on car drivers' safety could mean more risks for motorcyclists!

Aline Delhaye said: “The DRL debate is monopolized by road safety and lighting experts focusing on car drivers' safety and sales results. However, all of them completely overlook the “safety-first principle” for other road user groups. The number of non senses I have heard in Geneva regarding motorcycling was simply amazing. We are now facing a situation in which everything seems obvious and we are looked upon as the ugly duckling. Nobody is prepared to listen to motorcyclists' (and other vulnerable road users') concerns although the latest Transport Research Laboratory report recently confirmed (2) the low quality of the pro-DRL studies used as reference and underlined several major motorcycle safety related aspects - such as accident at T-junction - which had not been investigated nor taken into account in the DRL debate.”

The precaution principle announced by DG TREN did obviously not reach the outside world; and certainly not Geneva!

END

Note to editors:

1. Etude ACEM sur la visibilité des moto - < http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-01/esv/esv19/05-0259-O.pdf >
2. The Transport Research Laboratory report on DRL: < http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/drls/daytimerunninglampsfinalreport >
3. FEMA detailed position on Daytime Running Lights can be found following this link: < http://www.fema.ridersrights.org/docs/positionpaper_drl_consultation_nov2006.pdf >


FEMA statement of position :

Because of the very different situations and conditions in the member states, with no existing viable alternative for motorcycle conspicuity, the recognized environmental cost, FEMA currently opposes the harmonization of DRL at EU level. DRL should be left to the appreciation of National governments, in accordance with motorcyclists and other Vulnerable Road Users' associations.

Based on all the above facts and figures, the Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) is very concerned by the European Commission's intention to introduce compulsory DRL for all vehicles in all countries. FEMA still believes that the measure will lead to a loss of conspicuity for motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users .

There are sufficient doubts concerning both the quality of some of the research and the absence of clear evidence demonstrating the benefits of compulsory DRL for all vehicles from countries where it has been introduced, to warrant its promotion as an issue for compulsory harmonisation.

While perhaps improving car drivers' safety, the measure will do so at the expense of Vulnerable Road Users (VRU), which include motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians, at a time when the EU is promoting the use of alternative means of transport, for mobility and environmental reasons. Conspicuity is a key issue for motorcyclists' safety. FEMA believes that the measure of harmonizing DRL at European level is being rushed through as, up to now, no alternative has proved to be efficient in terms of re-establishing motorcycle conspicuity. Imposing DRL at European level now would put VRU at much greater risk .

FEMA is also concerned that it will lead to a shift in the responsibility for taking appropriate action to minimise a hazardous situation, away from the car driver onto the motorcyclist, cyclist or pedestrian - this being in large part a consequence of the car driver believing that “I have my lights on so, therefore, I must have been seen by that motorcyclist/cyclist/pedestrian”.

This view is all the more important when the environmental cost of DRL for all vehicles is recognised. At a time when we are struggling with global warming, we believe that an energy expending measure such a DRL for all vehicles should only be introduced if it can be clearly demonstrated that its appreciable costs are appreciably outweighed by its benefits. We are of the opinion that this is not the case.

Because of the very different situations and conditions in the member states, with no existing viable alternative for motorcycle conspicuity, the recognized environmental cost, FEMA currently opposes the harmonization of DRL at EU level. DRL should be left to the appreciation of National governments, in accordance with motorcyclists and other Vulnerable Road Users' associations.


Contacts:
Aline Delhaye - Secrétaire Générale
Rue des Champs 62, 1040 Brussels, Belgium Phone +32 2 736 9047
Fax: +32 2 736 9401
Mobile +32 484 976 170
virginie.fema@chello.be

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FEMA - Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations
Rue des Champs 62, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 736 9047 / Fax: +32 (0)2 736 9401
http://www.fema.ridersrights.org

9th March 2007

New Campaigns Officer for FEMA

On 1st March 2007, the Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) welcomed a new Campaigns Officer, Virginie Peters - interviewed and selected by a small committee in January - has officially joined the Brussels-based FEMA office in order to support its activities and lobby work and to promote and defend motorcyclists' interests across Europe.

Virginie Peters has been attracted by motorcycling for many years. However, it is only in 2006 that she decided to buy her first motorbike, a Kawasaki Zephyr 550. Whether in the city or, ideally, on the roads to holiday, motorcycling has become her preferred mode of transport..

Virginie is half Belgian half Danish. She grew up in Brussels in an International environment before starting a degree in European studies and German at the University of Edinburgh. She then returned to the so-called "heart of Europe" in order to complete a Master in International Politics. During her studies, she had the opportunity to spend a year in Berlin as Erasmus student. She also travelled to several places around the world such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, Israel, or South Africa. Being used to meet people from different nationalities, she describes herself as highly sociable and diplomatic and able to adapt herself to any situation. Native French speaker, Virginie has an excellent knowledge of English, whether spoken or written. She is also fluent in German and has a good knowledge of Dutch and Danish.

Before enthusiastically joining FEMA, Virginie had been working for nearly two years at the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), an umbrella organisation of 200 associations in nearly 160 countries. Although the two working fields - diabetes on the one hand, motorbikes on the other - are completely different, parallels can nevertheless be made regarding the structures of both Federations and their commitment to political actions, raising public awareness, and lobby activities. Virginie's position as Media Relation and Communication Assistant at IDF has enabled her to acquire and improve several skills and qualities which will definitely be great assets at FEMA. The organisation of press events, coupled with permanent contact with member associations, corporate partners, and Government officials, has enabled her to develop strong advocacy and negotiation skills. She took part in several important promotional campaigns and lobbying activities at the European but also International level.

Virginie Peters is replacing Filippo Marino who has worked for FEMA since 2005..

END

Note to editors: Photographs are available on www.fema.ridersrights.org/virginie_peters

Contacts: Virginie Peters - Campaigns Officer
E-mail: virginie.fema@chello.be
Phone: +32 2 736 9047
Mobile: +32 2 484 976170

8th February 2007


FEMA welcomes new Member from Spain
Asociacion Mutua Motera - AMM Spain


FEMA is very pleased to welcome as full member the Spanish rider organisation Asociacion Mutua Motera (AMM), after the one-year granted observer status in the Federation. FEMA is now strong of 23 national riders' organisations coming from 18 countries across Europe.

AMM was created in 2002 with the main objectives of representing riders' interests, fulfilling the first successes in riders' interests activities related to road tolls and crash barriers, setting up a bike locks certification system, developing a "Motorcyclists General Mutuality" insurance run by and for motorcycle riders, and offering a range of services to their members. The organisations is also now editing a magazine called "Moteros"..

When applying for membership, the Spanish organisation underlined the reasons for becoming a FEMA affiliate, Spain having a large representation of motorcyclists in Europe, that will make FEMA stronger at EU level to the benefit of all European motorcyclists. AMM is pursuing its efforts to welcome more and more Spanish riders as members..

With its Spanish member, FEMA is now regrouping 23 national riders' organisations from 18 countries across Europe.

END

Note to editors:

For more information on AMM Spain, have a look at http://www.mutuamotera.com

PRESS RELEASE

20th November 2006


Third Driving Licence Directive: Responsible enough to vote, not enough to ride!
The 3rd Driving Licence Directive was adopted in Plenary and by the Council without any advantageous changes for motorcycling. The new driving licence scheme will restrict access to motorcycles without any safety reasons. FEMA is concerned by the EU Institutions and Member States' lack of knowledge and understanding over motorcycling issues.

On the 14th of December, the European Parliament adopted the Directive on Driving Licences without modifying the compromise reached between the Member States. The endorsement of the Compromise by the European Parliament was followed by the Council Of Ministers second reading, yesterday, which obviously did not bring about any changes.
Despite the Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) lobbying and the support of enlighten decision makers, the outcome of the vote was no real surprise as motorcycling took a back seat to other issues.
FEMA is totally unsatisfied by the motorcycle provisions included in the Directive as they are discriminatory to new and young riders and unjustifiably complex. Instead of improving safety, they will make access to motorcycles more difficult to enforce with an adverse effect on safety.
FEMA is concerned by the lack of knowledge and understanding showed by a majority of MEPs during the whole decision procedure.
FEMA - and its 22 national organizations representing motorcyclist citizens - would welcome that in future decision makers make the effort to fully understand the reality of motorcyclists' concerns before they vote on issues that impact motorcycling.
To this end, FEMA intends to launch an information campaign to include the impact of current legislation, key issues, reviewing information and best practices throughout Europe regarding motorcyclists and motorcycling. In return, FEMA would welcome the Institutions and all decision makers to take part in open dialogue to understand each others concerns.
FEMA is confident that the Institutions will finally recognise the benefits of motorcycling, listen to and take into account riders' opinion in order to avoid misconception, misunderstanding and ultimately, bad legislation for motorcycling.

END


Note to editors:

FEMA detailed position on the 3rd driving licence directive can be found following this link: http://www.fema.ridersrights.org/docs/FEMA%20DLD_july2006.pdf

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FEMA - Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations
Rue des Champs 62, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 736 9047 / Fax: +32 (0)2 736 9401
http://www.fema.ridersrights.org

6th September 2006

New General Secretary takes up office

The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) has a new General Secretary, Ms. Aline Delhaye. Ms. Delhaye will be responsible for the coordination of FEMA activities and lobby work, defending, representing and promoting European motorcyclists' interests in Brussels.

Representing and defending European motorcyclists in Brussels has never been an easy task. Since the 1980's, when motorcyclists were totally ignored in Brussels, the Federation has been able to participate to several major debates thanks to the work of Simon Milward, initially through the Federation of European Motorcyclists (FEM) and FEMA from its foundation (1998 to 2000), Bob Tomlins (2000-2002), and Antonio Perlot (2002-2006). Today, the Federation is well established in Brussels and being listened to, though this does not mean that motorcyclists are being heard: the 3 rd Driving Licence Directive, which will unfairly limit the access to motorcycles, as well as the White Paper on Transport Policy, which totally ignores the benefits of motorcycling, are just two examples of how motorcycling is being considered.

Ms. Delhaye has a clear opinion about motorcycling. “ Motorcycling is a means of transport such as cars or bicycles and should be treated equally. I personally make use of the three of them in addition to public transport depending on my needs. Accordingly, I just want to be considered as a citizen with full rights, regardless of which mode I use. But I feel this is not the case. Motorcyclists throughout Europe are too often unfairly excluded from transport policies while at the same time being singled out in the road safety debate .”

The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) warmly welcomes Ms. Delhaye within the Federation. The new General Secretary, the first woman to hold this position, took up her duties on September 1 st 2006. Ms. Delhaye is FEMA's 5 th General Secretary.

END

A brief biography of Aline Delhaye:

Aline Delhaye is Belgian. Her international background - she grew up in Africa and travelled throughout Canada, Spain and Russia during her studies - makes her feel more of a world citizen than merely Belgian. She holds a degree in translation studies and started a Masters in human resources 3 years ago. She is currently writing the final words of her thesis on “Communication amongst Federations”. She is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and understands quite a lot of Dutch, Italian, and Portuguese.

Aline Delhaye started working voluntarily as a ´lobbyist´ 10 years ago, representing the interests of the students from her university. Once active within the labour market, she defended students' interests and positions. At the same time, she worked part-time for a major telecommunications operator's representation office in Brussels. She ended the student representation experience when she started working for the motorcycle industry representation office (ACEM) two years ago as Communication Manager.

Pictures available on request, just by replying to  ( fema@chello.be )

New contacts from 1 st of September:

Aline Delhaye

General Secretary

FEMA – Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations

Rue des Champs, 62 – B1040 Bruxelles –

Phone +32 2 7369047, Fax +32 2 7369401, Mobile +32 495501555

aline.fema@chello.be

www.fema.ridersrights.org

22nd May 2006

**Calling for safer road engineering** **Thousands of lives and billions of Euros can be saved every year** European road safety targets set in 2001 will not be met unless road authorities rise up to the challenge of absorbing increasing road traffic while offering safer driving conditions to all road users. The European Commission's proposal to offer Member States a toolkit of safety management procedures is the right way to ensure Europe overcomes today's unacceptable patchwork of national standards resulting from decades of under-investment which needlessly put lives at risk.

As the European Commission itself recently recognised, "not enough progress has been made and more effort will be needed, at national and European level, to achieve the objective of halving the number of road deaths by 2010". Ongoing initiatives to improve driver behaviour and upgrade vehicle safety standards are encouraging and should be vigorously pursued. But what of safer road engineering?

Numerous deaths and serious injuries on our roads will be prevented if the European Union lives up to its political, moral and legal obligation of providing guidance to ensure safety is integrated in all phases of road planning, design, construction, operation & maintenance through cost-effective road management practices:

Road safety impact assessments, providing comparative safety scenarios at the planning stage, Road safety audits, as a systematic process for checking new road schemes prior to their opening, Road safety inspections, offering a periodical review of road networks in operation, Network safety management, to ensure high accident risk road sections are inventoried and eradicated. Europe has reached a crossroads as it considers new ways of tackling its unacceptably high levels of road deaths. Key decisions on how to build a new road and where to affect maintenance funds are all too often made without a clear understanding of their safety implications. All categories of road users - motorists, professional drivers, two-wheelers and pedestrians - stand to gain from safer road infrastructure. Above all, Europe's millions of road users have a right to know to what safety standards their road networks are operated and what action plans are being implemented to eradicate dangerous roads.

We the undersigned organisations call for the swift release of a Directive on Safe Road Management as a part of a new "safety deal" linking in a realistic way all the actors of the safety chain, the drivers, the vehicles, the roads, the policy makers and the citizens in their common effort to save thousands of needless casualties and billions of Euros every year.

**Signatory organisations**

FEMA - Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations
IRU - International Road Transport Union
EAPA - European Asphalt Pavement Association
ERF - European Union Road Federation
ASECAP - Association Européenne des Concessionnaires d'Autoroutes et d'Ouvrages à Péage
ACEM - Association des Constructeurs Européens de Motocycles
eurobitume - European Bitumen Association
CORTe - Confederation of Organisations in Road Transport Enforcement


FEMA - Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations
Rue des Champs 62, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 736 9047 / Fax: +32 (0)2 736 9401
FEMA website



INVITATION TO THE PRESS

Celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the "MEP Motorcycle Ride"

"Towards an improved mobility for Citizens The contribution of Motorcycles and Scooters"

Dinner, 19th June 2006, from 18.30 onwards

Autoworld Museum, Brussels

Every year, FEMA organises an event presenting the EU legislator with a message about the role of Motorcycles and Scooters in the transport system. This social event also seeks to raise the awareness about the needs of Citizens in areas related to mobility and safety, by providing the EU legislator with a "hands on" experience of motorcycling.
The European Union is currently addressing the mid-term review of the White Paper on Transport Policy, which enunciates the high level political objectives in transport from 2006 to 2010. To mark the 10th anniversary of the "MEP Motorcycle Ride", FEMA therefore wishes to contribute to this debate by promoting the socio-cultural image of motorcycles and scooters, focussing on mobility and leisure, safety and accessibility.

FEMA is pleased to invite you to a special event "Towards an improved mobility for Citizens - The contribution of Motorcycles and Scooters". The event will take place on the 19th June 2006 from 18.30 onwards at the prestigious Autoworld Museum in the Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels. A buffet dinner will be accompanied by the display of Motorcycles and Scooters as well as past and present pro-mobility material.

Harley-Davidson and Vespa, two of the most iconic brands with an image going beyond transport, support the event also with a souvenir for the guests. On the specific topic of the 3rd Directive on Driving Licences and accessibility to the vehicles, qualified instructors of the Motorcycle Council Belgium will perform the new driving licence practical test manoeuvres.

We hope that you will give us the pleasure of your compagny. Please confirm your attendance to FEMA before the 15th June by sending an e-mail to fema@chello.be or by faxing the present invitation, duly filled, at 02 736 9401.

Please download the registration form and poster of event here

Best regards,

Antonio Perlot

General Secretary, FEMA

PRESS RELEASE