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Review - General Secretary Report - February 2008
The start of a new year and one which I think will be a significant year for MAG.
Everything that we have undertaken last year from our core “business” of riders’ rights, both in the UK and Europe, to “deals” for members, the revamp of the logo, websites, new office staff, attendance at shows and events, all appears, in my eyes anyway, to be ready to burst out and unleashed for the new biking season.
The activists training weekends are coming up in February and March, the Stratford weekend being over subscribed, so if the activists and rep structure is enthusiastic and drive to recruit new members all the hard work mentioned above should come to fruition.
FEMA also seems to have a new freshness about it, celebrating 20 years of riders’ rights in Europe this year, new projects starting, new national organisations on board, and a new President, this year is “looking good”.
This freshness in FEMA did not happen overnight, over the last five years FEMA has been guided and steered rigourously by the out going President Kees Meijer to reach were it is today.
It has been said many times that the legislation we see introduced to the UK comes from Europe and because of this we need a strong FEMA. Legislation and issues that affect motorcycling not only come from the European Commission, the European Parliament or the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). More and more of these legislative issues, especially regarding road safety, hail from the UN (United Nations Road Safety Collaboration), collaborating with the World Health Organisation (WHO). Therefore any threats we face are not just at the European level they are on a global scale to harmonize legislation worldwide.
So although we need a strong FEMA, which is cooperating with international rider organisations, we need a strong MAG to make representation to UK government/legislative representatives, at all levels, before legislation arrives on these shores. We need to make sure that riders views are represented, so that the worst parts of proposed legislation, where possible is not implemented.
However not let’s forget that motorcycling is supposed to be fun and the most fun you can have with your clothes on must be MAG events and rallies. The Yorkshire lot always put on a good party and this year is no exception, they have launched the new Farmyard Party website www.farmyardparty.com which includes the new MAG Foundation fund raiser, “The Ganton Gathering”, along with the usual favourites, Into The valley and the Yorkshire Pudding.
As they say the heart and soul of rallying.
MAG Touring + Discounts + Website
The MAG Touring concept has been taken a stage further and now has it’s own website at http://benefits.mag-uk.org/index.html and a downloadable pdf with all the discounts included, the document is also “interactive” so links can be clicked on to take people straight to the discount they are interested in.
Two new MAG member discounts have been added, which are: Nutt Travel - Specialists in low cost ferry crossings throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe.
And replacing our previous travel insurance is a European - Worldwide Travel Insurance exclusive Offer for MAG Members from AIS Direct. With a link so that members can get their quotes and sign up online at www.magtravel.co.uk
We also added another web based dealer on the MAG member discounted dealer page, this is MotoBrio who sell high performance motorcycle clothing, parts and accessories.
These are all “affinity” packages, the member receives the discount and we have hopefully an attractive discount package for MAG members.
Also on the website you can now download a pdf with details of MAG products from iMAGe.
We even have Mr Mutchs books advertised on the MAG website with a donation to MAG for every copy sold and off course The Road is featured much better after some cajoling from Mr Mutch.
Of course this “commercial” aspect of the website is only one side and events and more importantly campaigns and news from MAG are featured prominently on the website.
After a “complaint” the front of the website was changed, removing the “dolly birds” and replacing the graphic with a female actually riding a bike, this picture was harder to source that you would imagine, as most had much more graphic positions and a state of undress that would…………………..well it would.
The picture in the middle of the website now revolves round to different images reflecting, hopefully all types of bikes, instead of just the single bloke smiling in front of a sunset.
Other banners and buttons where designed and placed on the MAG website.
Usual updates where completed for publishing Network on the web and Bikers Are Voters was updated to reflect the up coming Mayoral Elections in London.
FEMA (Federation Of European Motorcyclists Associations)
On February the 1st, 2nd and 3rd myself and Gerard Livett (AKA Uncle Sol) attended the Fema Executive Committee, Full Committee and an Info Session from ACEM, the motorcycle industry association in Europe, on a Machine Directive and Conspicuity.
The FEMA “weekend” was the associations AGM with Kees Meijer standing down as President and Hans Petter Strifeldt the former Chairman of the Norsk Motorcykkel Union (NMCU) (Norway) unanimously elected as the new President by webcam from a snow bound Norway.
A new logo for FEMA was agreed, this ties in with the FEMA 20th Anniversary celebrations this year and includes the signing of a new riders charter, with a suggestion by MAG UK for a grand European Tour for the Charter, FEMA’s five year strategy plan, the MEP Ride and MAG hosting the Spring meeting in Edinburgh.
The full details of the celebrations can be viewed at http://tinyurl.com/3aog24 there is a full history of FEMA which traces the evolution of the Federation and its relations with the European institutions in the 90s’, yes it is interesting.
Ending this section on a positive note other riders organisations have requested to join FEMA, which can only strengthen FEMA’s position across Europe, these include Romania, Italy, Czech Republic and Hungary.
My thanks to Sol for typing busily away through the weekend on his laptop/notebook which saves me having to decipher my scribbled notes.
Noise
FEMA agreed to participant in a European working group on motorcycle noise. The group consists of ACEM, which includes the support of some aftermarket exhaust manufacturers and FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme).
The aim of the group is to improve social acceptance of PTW through noise reduction.
The problem perceived that noise remains a problem for citizens and politicians.
The motorcycle Industry supports R41, UN regulation on noise, including getting Japan on board (currently has very low noise limits, below 80dB) which would lead in their opinion to a more realistic testing regime. Part of the danger is that the R41 working group is global, and there is a severe risk that the Japanese standard (which is is a lower decibel level) will become the norm throughout the world.
The testing regime would measure average, but not peak noise and would reduce the decibel level by using a different measurement but not in real terms.
Tower overall noise level will not reduce peak noise eg when a motorcycle is being used at high revs, the measurement calculates the average at a certain throttle opening.
The industry wants to revise approval process for after market manufacturers to make it fairer. Currently there is a distorted market. Industry wants drive-by test for all exhausts, and not a paper test (an end to the current system of engineering judgements). It would take away the ability to remove baffles.
The proposed system would not prohibit after market manufacturing, provided it meets all the legal requirements, including noise and other emissions. However this could result in an increase in price to the user with some of the smaller manufacturers going out of business.
EU and national authorities should support this issue with an enforcement of non-compliant exhausts and contribution to raising awareness among riders, many who believe that noise is fun, power and saves lives.
In the ensuing debate on whether to participate in the working group the FEMA President argues that the work we do in Europe needs to be combined with work that happens in Geneva. Noise is priority number one both in Geneva and Europe.
Some National Organisations argued that we should participate and try and mediate the debate towards our needs, and if not, we would be free to withdraw. FFMC (France) noted that the problem is not the 150 legal riders, but the one illegal rider.
The choice would be to participate in the working group or to set up our own group.
MAG UK has its own position on noise, and we asked the question, ‘what is in it for the members.’ We cannot support what appears to be an industry led initiative by the manufacturers for the manufacturers. The issue is about enforcing the present regulations not creating a raft of new ones and therefore MAG UK voted against participating in the working group.
Roadworthiness Testing – FEMA position
The European Union is merging various directives and amendments in order to form a single text and to harmonise the frequency of roadworthiness tests and the parts of motor vehicles which must be tested.
Out of 25 European Member States, 8 countries do not have a roadworthiness testing system for two-wheeled powered vehicles. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Malta, The Netherlands, Portugal. Data is lacking for Bulgaria and Cyprus.
There is no clear evidence that the implementation of mandatory periodical inspections of motorcycles significantly improves road safety or reduces pollution.
The benefits are actually limited and do not justify the implementation of a harmonised Road Worthiness Testing at EU level.
FEMA’s Position:
The need for a motorcycle to be in good condition and to comply with relevant technical regulations, so that it can be safely used on public roads, is not questioned. However, the need of adopting an EU harmonised inspection policy for motorcycles remains disputed. The Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) believes that the decision to implement periodical inspections for motorcycles should remain at national level to adapt to the specific needs of the different fleets.
FEMA strongly underlines that:
- There is no link between the technical condition of vehicles and accidents: technical failure is the primary cause of motorcycle accidents in only 0.7% of all cases. Periodical inspections would not produce additional safety benefits
- It is in the interests of the motorcyclist to reduce any possible risk of accident and hence to care for the good maintenance of his vehicle
- The limited amount of emissions produced by motorcycles compared to other motorised road users does not justify the inclusion of Powered Two-Wheelers in the Roadworthiness Directive.
- Methods to control emissions and fight against pollution already exist: Motorcycles have been subject to EU emissions limits since 1999 and now comply with the Euro 3 standards
- Motorcycles have major advantages compared to other motorised road transport means, especially on climate change, with less emission of greenhouse gas and lower fuel consumption. They should be regarded as a solution to several environmental issues faced by EU Member States, and not as a problem
- Technical inspection is not the right solution to tackle the noise issue
FEMA rejected any proposal to harmonise periodical inspection in Europe, believing that the decision to implement roadworthiness tests should remain at national level for national governments.
The full FEMA paper will be published shortly.
Projects – Working Groups
FEMA is now involved and accepted in several projects across Europe which gives FEMA the position to be in at the start of proposed or alleged motorcycling safety benefits, rather than reacting to negative safety benefits.
These include: Safe Rider project - To Be Safe - SmartRSS – This project is concerned with finding an emerging adsorbing crash barrier - NEMESIS Near Miss Accident Study
If you want detailed information on these projects please contact me
FEMA has also set up working groups to concentrate on pertinent issues:
Environment Working Group - to also work on the Noise issue and a Vehicle Modification working group.
UN work in Geneva
The representation at UN level has traditionally been completed by a representative from FEMA through the International Coalition which comprises of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), the Motorcycle Riders' Foundation (MRF) from the USA, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM)/ Commission For Mobility, Transport, Road Safety & Public Policy (CMT) and FEMA from Europe.
The work that is being done on behalf of the coalition is based on priorities and the representative at meeting at the moment is based in the USA. Because of costly and time-consuming travelling from the States FEMA are not represented at all the relevant meetings. The FEMA President remarked that it is becoming more and more clear that we do need to be there.
He further stated: “It seems the EU is opening up its directives to the UN/ECE. That means that the fights we thought we had won, could be necessary to fight again because of the UN proposing all the old stuff again we thought was buried. And this time the fight needs to be on a global level. So we need to be there to be able to see the battle coming and prepare to go to war.”
The proposal was to get directly involved again as FEMA and take on the representation again at this level.
The solution that the FEMA president preferred and proposed was to extend the mandate to a representative of one of the National Organisations to represent the International Coalition on behalf of FEMA. This solution has still to be presented to the coalition for agreement.
Info Session
The info session comprised of two topics Conspicuity and a Directive from Europe – The Machinery Directive. The presentations were given by Antonio Perlot from ACEM and previous General Secretary of FEMA.
Conspicuity Project
Bear in mind as you read this is the perspective of the motorcycle industry and is for information on how they see a solution for the apparent blindness of other vehicle drivers.
Both FEMA and MAG UK replied to the EU Commission consultation and MAG UK also wrote a paper on the issue, “How Close Is Too Close”. Links at the bottom of this section.
Motorcycle conspicuity in a changing environment.
ACEM view: The short-term solution is Automatic Headlights On
Medium term – research project
Long term – use of ITS / telematics
Motorcycles without a headlight are more vulnerable when other bikes have the headlight on – therefore in 2001 the industry took the position to prevent the rider forgetting to switch the headlight on and hardwired bikes - Automatic Headlights On (AHO). A position that MAG has constantly fought against.
Many car drivers take no action to avoid a collision with a motorcycle, and many see bikes either too late or not at all.
MAIDS study: Many collisions have a perception failure. Therefore, perception failure is a key to improving motorcycle safety.
The research project is to reduce motorcycle collisions in an environment when more and more cars have Daytime Running Lights (DRL).
The methodology used a driving simulator.
Scenarios:
3 left turns, 2 crossings, in a circuit.
The technology allows for the measurement of driver behaviour in scenarios with different lighting features on motorcycles.
Four lighting configuration on the motorcycle:
1.) 1 AHO (standard)
2.) 1 x Dedicated DRL (positioned within the headlamp)
3.) 2 x DRL
4.) 1 AHO & 2 x amber position lamps
Summary at this stage: No differences in treatments in detecting the vehicles. 1 & 4 configurations had lower probability of collision. However, amber position lights had no effect, therefore ACEM prefers option 1.
They will now do field tests to see what can be done to improve positions 2 and 3, maybe by using more powerful lights, changing the arrangements with the lights and so on.
So they want to come up with an engineering solution when, in my opinion, the problem lies elsewhere. From this research, it seems that the best solution is what we already have. But the industry wants to investigate whether there is a more effective technical solution. This would include dedicated lights (diode lights) with different configuration to give the motorcycle a lighting signal that is recognized by drivers as different from other vehicles.
MAG Response to EU Commission:
http://tinyurl.com/owop6
FEMA Response to EU Commission:
http://tinyurl.com/yz5dzy
MAG How Close Is Too Close:
http://tinyurl.com/2vcwbc
Machinery Directive
The second presentation was on a machinery directive. The main thrust of this directive is to stop the flood of “mini motos” and other mini bikes that are coming into Europe mainly from China. As you are aware we have had problems over the last two years with the illegal use of these machines on public roads and public parks etc. Solutions have ranged from front number plates for all “off road” bikes through bills in Parliament to recommendations from a parliamentary Select committee for compulsory registration scheme. This Transport committee used the issue to “attack” motorcycling on emissions, speed limiters for bikes etc.
So to try to keep things simple, motorcycles built for use on the road have to comply with legislation and various directives. Mini moto bikes are covered in this Machinery Drective Machinery Directive 98/37/EC and basically because they are marked “For Competition Use” and they only need to comply with this directive, which includes items such as lawn mowers. A revised Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC to be implemented in December 2009 is under review at present which will have a definition requirement for any machine marked for competition use only.
A definition of competition machines is being developed by “industry” and is independent of the European Union directive, they want to go beyond the Directive and is aimed at tacking the problem of mini-motos. To improve the safety of mini motos imported into Europe, stopping the import of these machines.
This definition will be regulated by motor sports federation the FIA www.fia.com Federation Internationale De L'automobile The definition of motorcycles for competition use will be “controlled” and listed by ACEM www.acem.eu the motorcycle industry in Europe and FIM Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme www.fim.ch
However although motorcycle manufacturers will be able to comply to the regulations for their competition bikes, there may be issues with home built competition bikes eg drag race bikes with custom made frames. There will, we assume, be a cost to register but hopefully this will get the politicians of our backs regarding more draconian or stupid legislation that will affect road going motorcycling.
Trevor Baird
General Secretary MAG UK
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