Europe - grrr!

[Kal]

We put up with brussels why???

This appeared in MCN, once again Brussels eurocrates are attempting to resrict motorcyles.

Hopefully not likely to succeed because of the Bundesbank's heavy interest in European Bike manufacturers.

Fight this Euro threat
MAG is calling on bike riders to lobby their MEPs, MPs and the Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling to head off a new set of stringent anti-motorcycle Euro regulations.
They fear the new rules are aimed at reducing the numbers of us coming into biking – because that’s an easy way of cutting accident rates.
The Motorcycle Action Group says this is a: “prime example of bewildering over-regulation in an effort to cut motorcycle accidents,” and points out that the European Commission has now set itself an accident reduction target of 50% in its 3rd Road Safety Action Plan.
A spokesman said: “By 2011 the cost of obtaining a motorcycle licence will be out of the reach of young riders and the contribution that motorcycles can make to the reduction of congestion and environmental protection will be reduced.”
See links, right, for more detail on the proposals.
MAG's Director Of Public Affairs Trevor Baird says, "The whole process of the directive can be seen as a philosophical approach that tougher testing and training will reduce accidents simply by reducing the numbers of motorcyclists."
He added: “We are approaching the stage where the motorcycle community may have to say to Europe "enough is enough", we will not compromise further on our position, and call for the removal of the motorcycle part of the directive.
“To put it bluntly those legislators and politicians who act on the European citizens' behalf must take note of the motorcycling community's concerns and recognise that they will be held accountable for their actions.

[oldnslo]

It's not particularly shocking--the accident/fatality rate here in the US is soaring, and I expect some radical legislation at some time in the future that will restrict motorcycling or even squeeze it out of existence as we know it today.

[TechTMW]

This is one reason why I love Italy.

Brussels and Rome can make all the rules they want.
No one here is going to follow them.

And the funny thing is - it works out perfectly well. There's a speed limit, and a Helmet law here - but you'd never guess that by looking. I love it

[cb360]

It's not particularly shocking--the accident/fatality rate here in the US is soaring, and I expect some radical legislation at some time in the future that will restrict motorcycling or even squeeze it out of existence as we know it today.

they ought to be going the other way. With our oil woes and the highways and parking lots the way they are they should be introducing legislation designed to ENCOURAGE safe motorcycling.

[TechTMW]

they ought to be going the other way. With our oil woes and the highways and parking lots the way they are they should be introducing legislation designed to ENCOURAGE safe motorcycling.

Our oil 'woes' are someone elses big gain. Do you really think the winners in this situation want their legislators to encourage people to be economical with their fuel usage?

And the worst part is people eat this stuff up man. They can't get enough of high gas prices. Complain and moan, as they drive their v8s to the McDonalds which is a block away from the house ... heheh.

And its all about safety remember. And you can really only be safe in a 6000lb monster vehicle which gets 15mpg. So if ya wanna be safe, bend over and pay the (fuel) price. AND STAY AWAY FROM THOSE DANGEROUS MOTORCYCLES!!!

[oldnslo]

The government ought to encourage motorcycles, but they don't and won't. Cars are the big deal, the higher horsepower, more gas-guzzling, the better, just like they always have been. Motorcycles have never enjoyed the acceptance as in other countries. Here they are not considered a transportation method, rather a toy, and the government, in its infinite wisdom, may one day notice there are a lot of people dying on bikes, and legislate them away, little by little, maybe not allowing them on certain hiways during evening hours, restrictions on size, noise, crash protection, even seatbelts or airbags, who the hell knows what they can come up with?
I'd like to be wrong about this, but we'll just have to wait and see.

[Wizzard]

As long as it doesn't happen before my check out time .