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Green Paper On Urban Transport European Motorcyclists’ Contribution
30th April, 2007
FEMA position statement
European cities increasingly face problems caused by transport and traffic. Reducing congestion, pollution and accidents while at the same time increasing mobility has unquestionably become a common challenge to all major cities in Europe.
An integrated European approach on urban transport seems necessary in order to address the growing problems linked to urban traffic.
Hence, if motorcycles are properly taken into account, FEMA welcomes the development of a Green Paper on Urban Transport to assess potential European added value to action that is taken at the local level.
The European Commission clearly stated that the preparation of the Green Paper should be undertaken in an open and interactive process, involving different stakeholders.
Thus, the Green Paper needs to follow a comprehensive approach and to address the needs of ALL citizens and ALL transport modes including public transport, walking, cycling and motorcycling.
However, FEMA is concerned that motorcycling will once again be ignored in the transport debate. For instance, the 2001 White Paper on EU Transport Policy and its Mid-Term Review completely overlooked the benefits of motorcycling, which clearly offers solutions to problems associated with road transport.
FEMA believes that the focus should be on policy measures fully compatible with the real demand-oriented needs of European citizens and businesses.
Action is necessary to reorient the EU Common Transport Policy within the framework of a more systematic approach, without favouring arbitrarily one or the other transport mode, whilst at the same time applying realistic and economically viable principles, such as the integration of Powered Two Wheelers (PTW’s) in transport policy, particularly in urban areas.
It would be a mistake if urban transport policies focused only on public transport or non-motorized vehicles, neglecting other valuables alternatives to cars such as PTW’s.
FEMA believes that the preparation of the Green Paper is an opportunity to integrate PTW’s and recognize their role in urban centres.
Download the the FEMA document at http://tinyurl.com/ys2oya
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