European Bike Industry Disaster

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Dima · #1 Unread post by **Dima** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 1:23 am

The contentios Third Directive Licensing law has been passed in the European parliament and is being labelled as the kiss of death for the bike industry. The nonsensical new legislation will force 17 years olds to ride 15bhp 125s until they are 19, when they will then be able to ride 47bho bikes for another two years before a full license can be gained. Direct access age shofts from 21 to 24. Craig Cary-Clinch of the Motorcycle Industry Association has called the news 'a disaster of the worst possible magnitude'".
Bike (English magazine). page 17.

Ain't that suck! Hopefully no effect will be on US!

Tarzan · #2 Unread post by **Tarzan** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:23 am

It doesn't sound much different from the UK at the moment. Personally I think it sounds quite sensible and might save a few more lives a year which in the long run will make biking more attractive to more people.

dieziege · #3 Unread post by **dieziege** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:36 am

Everything is a disaster.

Personally, I'd like to see *everyone* go through a period (probably sixteen through eighteen) where the only motor vehicle they are allowed is an under-15HP bike. That'd change some attitudes!

Tarzan · #4 Unread post by **Tarzan** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 7:08 am

I don't think that's a bad idea.

I do think that some form of motorcycle training should be compulsory for all who want to drive a car so that the half-wits in cages have a basic understanding of what a bike is about. I think that would make a reduction in the number of accidents involving bikes.

MetricRider · Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:42 am

Well, since it's an EU directive, it would be kinda hard for it to affect the US...

jstark47 · #6 Unread post by **jstark47** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:02 am

I don't understand how this would be the kiss of death for manufacturers who are savvy about bringing attractive smaller-engine bikes to the market? It might be a great opportunity for a smaller company to get the jump on the more established companies and gain market share.

47bhp (19 to 21 year olds) isn't so bad, either. A Ninja 250 doesn't have that much, and will go almost 100mph.

dieziege · #7 Unread post by **dieziege** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:18 am

MetricRider wrote:Well, since it's an EU directive, it would be kinda hard for it to affect the US...

If it caused Ducati to fold that would be an effect on the US. Indirect, but an effect. If it was used as a model for US laws that would be another indirect effect.

jmillheiser · Thu Jun 22, 2006 7:35 pm

dieziege wrote: If it caused Ducati to fold that would be an effect on the US. Indirect, but an effect. If it was used as a model for US laws that would be another indirect effect.

Newsflash: the vast majority of ducatis customer base is well above the age of 21. Most 17-20 year olds cant afford a ducati.

Mintbread · #9 Unread post by **Mintbread** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:35 pm

When those kids see the hoops they have to jump through for several years to even ride they may not bother.

That they can't afford them when they are 17-21 becomes irrellevant when at 40 they never even started riding in the first place. It is the same result for manufacturers either way.

"Won't somebody please think of the children!"

TechTMW · #10 Unread post by **TechTMW** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 10:16 pm

It won't hurt the industry. Well, not in Italy, anyway. The law won't be enforced. There's a gang of kids (7 - 12 yr olds) in my neigborhood who are constantly riding their vespas, and minibikes all over. (Including up my driveway!!) Biking is a way of life - not a "Luxury" like in NA. Currently, a 14 year old is allowed to ride a 50cc scooter or moped on city and residential roads, just not on the freeway.

These kids start riding shortly after they learn to walk. Laws like this aren't going to change anything.

and please don't forget that (most) european cultures embrace small-engined vehicles as legitimate transport. These are the people who invented 50cc and 125cc racing. Kids actually ENJOY riding thses small bikes - because there is a race culture behind these vehicles...

They'll adapt.

Now. Introduce a law like this in the USofA and watch all the numbskulls crawl out of the woodwork.