‘ recognise motorcycling’ s place within the overall transport system’
strategic goals and that better reflect the specific national road safety contexts. The motorcycle industry has also taken the lead on road safety campaigns and promoted pre- and post-license training among users. This effort has been instrumental in substantially reducing the number of fatal accidents involving PTW users in the EU. Although the decrease in the number of fatal accidents is encouraging, it should not be a reason for complacency. ACEM believes that the number of fatalities amongst powered two-wheeler users can, and must, be further reduced. The industry is also a firm supporter of the EU Commission’ s policy objective of halving the overall number of road deaths in the EU by 2020, which began in 2010. However, technology and innovation can only ever be one part of the integrated approach that is required to responsibly address the issue of road safety. A genuine integrated approach to road safety should also incorporate human behaviour and infrastructure.
Industry-led initiatives must be complemented by decisive public action. Decision makers should address strategic policy areas including enforcement of road traffic rules, riders’ behaviour on the road and infrastructure design and maintenance. These areas should be addressed through inclusive policy plans at local, regional and national levels. The most sustainable route to safer motorcycling lies within taking a comprehensive approach to safety policy and practice, based on a‘ shared responsibility’ approach and through exploring proper linkage with‘ command’ transport policy. Instead of public authorities approaching motorcycling issues via thinking such as“ what do we do about the motorcycle safety problem?”, a new approach should be pursued. This will be based around the attitude of:“ Motorcycling carries many socioeconomic benefits and is an opportunity to offer the public a further alternative to the car for commuting. What do we need to do to support motorcycling, decrease
casualties and reduce rider vulnerability?” In order to realise this and ensure that safety is managed with an even hand and on a level playing field, the first and most important step is to recognise motorcycling’ s place within society and the overall transport system. Indeed, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development( OECD) firmly stated this key point in their primary recommendations from the 2008 Lillehammer safety conference. Similar conclusions were reached at an event organised by the International Motorcycle Manufacturers’ Association during the International Transport Forum in May 2014.
The new ACEM“ Safe ride to the future” report sets out five primary analytics:
• An overview of the most significant industry-led initiatives in the field of road safety( e. g. key safety technology developments, advocacy actions,“ accidentology” research).
• A look into the future of motorcycling – exploring the industry’ s vision of intelligent transport systems and includes the memorandum of understanding agreed upon by ACEM members, which commits industry players to equip new vehicles with ITS features.
• An explanation as to why ACEM believes there is an urgent need for tailored policy interventions at the national level and outlines upcoming industry initiatives in this area.
• The previously mentioned European Training Quality Label, an initiative that aims at promoting high quality post-license training schemes.
• Finally, the report makes concrete policy recommendations to national and European decision-makers to improve road safety outcomes for motorcyclists across Europe.
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SAFETY IN NUMBERS
From 2000-2014 the number of fatal accidents involving PTWs in Europe declined by-44 percent from 7,612 to 4,262.
From 2010-2014 the number of PTW riders killed in Europe decreased from 5,276 to 4,262- a reduction of-19.2 percent.
Between 2010 and 2014 the“ motorcycle fleet” in Europe increased by + 5.9 percent.
Between 2010 and 2014 the number of fatal moped accidents in Europe went down by-36.2 percent.
March 2014 – ACEM members adopt the Memorandum of Understanding on Intelligent Transport Systems( ITS).
Manufacturers will offer at least one model with ITS as standard or optional equipment by 2020.
October 2015 – ACEM members( Honda, Yamaha and BMW) launch the Connected Motorcycle Consortium( CMC).
September 2016 – ACEM launches the European Training Quality Label.
In 2010 the EU Commission embarked on a policy to see the overall number of road deaths halved by 2020.
The motorcycle industry supports some 165,300 jobs in the EU and an aggregated turnover of € 27 billion.
The full document( 42 pages) is available as a PDF download at www. acem. eu
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