Minutes of a Motorcycle Addict

 The motorcycle industry is going head to head with their customers ? the riders ? in its efforts to «shape the future of motorcycling».

In December 2008 the European motorcycle industry association ACEM held its Fifth Annual Conference. Here the manufacturers ? which is everybody from Piaggio and Ducati to Harley-Davidson and Yamaha ? plegded their intentions to «shape the future of motorcycling» by introducing a series of measures intended to pave the way for more use of motorcycles. And they will try to do that by going against the interests of their customers.

Good measures

We can all agree that it's ok to support introduction of advance braking systems which are thought to include 75 percent of all new bikes by 2015, because failing to brake properly has shown to be a major factor in motorcycle accidents. It's good to support emission goals, which are set to be on par with cars by 2015, because it strengthen the already less negative impact motorcycles have on the environment compared to other means of personal transport. The industry even supports the riders with regard to improved training because trained riders are better riders. All these are issues that the riders themselves have asked for.

Downright idiotic measures

What riders didn't ask for, is mandatory periodic technical inspections on motorcycles. Some EU countries have them, some don't. The idea behind having mandatory vehicle inspections is to enhance vehicle safety. However, there has been no proof that periodic inspection has improved vehicle safety with regard to motorcycles. ACEM's own in-depth accident study, the MAIDS, shows that in only 0.7 percent of the investigated accidents did vehicle malfunction play a role. In Sweden, where they have had periodic inspections on motorcycles for many years, the inspectors find errors in very few bikes, and then chiefly small errors. In Norway there was a discussion a few years back if periodic inspections should be introduced even on bikes, but it was swiftly dismissed as the wrong medicine.

It doesn't work!

Motorcycles, even the old ones, are in good shape. Even if they may look tatty, the riders keep them technically sound. Why? Because a motorcycle in good working order better our survival chances in the traffic. Riders understand that. So you don't need periodic inspections if it doesn't enhance safety.

Trade-offs

So why does the motorcycle manufacturers want to make periodic inspection mandatory for motorcycles? They must believe that it will make the industry look good in the eyes of the policy makers in Brussels and thus giving them the benefits they are asking for in these days of economic turmoil: Tax cuts, economic aid, et cetera. Besides, this is a move that doesn't cost the industry one penny. The riders ? their customers ? will be the ones who must carry the cost of this meaningless suggestion. Furthermore, the "anti-tampering" measure they suggest, making it illegal to make alterations on the bike, is a downright hostile move against the riders. ACEM is touting this suggestion in all arenas where they meet policy makers, recently at the EU initiated «The Future of Transport» public consultation held in March.

Support your customer!

The industry is worried about the recent sales figures, showing a sharp decline in motorcycle sales. Does this mean that there are fewer riders around? No. We're still here. The sales figures just means that we'll keep our old motorcycle a couple of years more. Well maintaned, mind you. And to get motorcycle sales back on track perhaps the industry should start listening more attentively to the riders, and to support their customers instead of the policy makers?

It is namely the riders who shape the future of motorcycling.