[/size]I've just found this on the interweb on BMF site it clarifies things a bit, i assume it relates to new bikes (ABS, emisions etc) feeling a bit better now. Still needs more clarification but there is mention of still being able to modify our bikes, how much is the questions any way unless the police are issued with full specs of all bikes i don't know how they will be able to enforce this.
[/size]I remember the leg protectors proposals of the 80s and how close it came to being implomented we can't just hope it will all be ok because it might not be.
Motorbikes need to be safer and greener, say
Internal Market Committee MEPs
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Committees: Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
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New rules to make motorbikes safer and more environmentally friendly got the
thumbs up from Parliament's Internal Market Committee on Monday, when it adopted
a report on a common system of type approval for powered two-wheel vehicles ranging
from mopeds to heavy motorcycles.
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The committee points out that Europe's cities would be much less congested and cleaner
if more two-wheeled vehicles were used. However, given that motorbikes, scooters and
mopeds currently account for 16 per cent of the deaths on Europe's road, even though they
only make up two per cent of traffic, they must be made safer.
"From today, riding a motorbike has become greener and safer", said Wim van de Camp
(EPP, NL), who is steering the legislation through Parliament. "These vehicles will increase
urban mobility, use less space, waste less energy and have a reduced level of emissions."
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Safer vehicles
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The committee says that under the new rules to be met by the motorcycle industry, anti-lock
braking systems (ABS) must be fitted to all bikes with engines above 51 cc. This is stricter
than the Commission's original proposal of mandatory ABS systems for bikes over 125 cc.
MEPs support new anti-tampering measures designed to make it impossible to increase the
speed of the vehicles by tampering with their powertrain, while ensuring that these measures
will not prevent bikers from modifying their vehicles in other ways. MEPs also welcome the
tougher rules on llghting in order to improve visibility
MEPs stress that manufacturers must provide unrestricted access to vehicle repair and
maintenance information for everyone, including independent dealers and repairers, to ensure
that the vehicles are maintained safely.
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Cleaner engines
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Two, three and four-wheel (L-category) vehicles emit a disproportionally high level of pollutants.
MEPs want to bring down these levels by extending the Euro 3 standards to mopeds
from 1 January 2016, with the more stringent Euro 4 and Euro 5 standards for heavy motorbikes
from 2016 and Euro 6 limits from 2020.
The committee is also calling on the Commission to carry out a comprehensive environmental
impact study by 1 January 2016 to evaluate the air quality and share of pollutants
contributed by L-category vehicles..
It welcomes the gradual introduction of increasingly advanced On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)
systems to monitor malfunctions and hence make information on emissions easily available
so that the vehicle can be repaired.
A total of around 30 million vehicles are included in the L-category which covers a wide range
of vehicles including motorbikes, scooters, mopeds, electric bicycles, all terrain vehicles and
quads.
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Press release
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20111205IPR33211 - 2/2
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Mr Van De Camp's draft report was adopted by 28 votes, with none against and three abstentions.
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Next steps
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The committee will now decide on whether to open negotiations with the Council with a view
to reaching agreement.at first reading on the new regulation harmonising conditions for the
approval of L-category vehicles.
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In the Chair: Committee Chair Malcolm Harbour (ECR, UK)
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Contact :
Rikke ULDALL
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BXL: (+32) 2 28 42976
STR: (+33) 3 881 72033
PORT: (+32) 498 98 32 57
EMAIL: [/font][/size]
imco-press@europarl.europa.eu