Issued 3rd July 2006
Mid-term review of the White Paper on Transport Policy
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Issued 3rd July 2006
Mid-term review of the White Paper on Transport Policy |
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More pragmatism, but motorcycles still in the European
Commission’s “blind spot”
The European Commission’s mid-term review of the White Paper on Transport Policy
is more pragmatic, but once more forgets to take motorcycles into account
despite clear support from the European Parliament and requests from the
motorcycle users.
The European Commission published on the 22nd of June the mid-term review of the
White Paper on Transport Policy. In 2001, the White Paper had already identified
congestion on routes and in cities as main challenges for the EU, yet failing to
recognize the role played by motorcycles and scooters. In its 2003 resolution,
the European Parliament picked on this omission and supported “improved mobility
for motorcyclists”.
A few days before the release of the mid-term review, on the 19th of June, FEMA
organised in Brussels a special event called “Towards an improved mobility for
Citizens, The contribution of Motorcycles and Scooters”. Well attended by MEPs,
European Commission officials and other road stakeholders, the event highlighted
the positive role of motorcycles and scooters in the transport system and the
needs of citizens in areas related to mobility, safety and accessibility.
Several MEPs intervened during the event:
Mr. Paolo Costa MEP, Chairman of the Transport Committee of the European Parliament, underlined the importance of recognising in transport policy the contribution that motorcycles and scooters make, in particular in urban environments, in order to achieve a better mobility for all citizens.
Mrs. Ewa Hedkvist Petersen MEP, rapporteur for the mid-term review of the road safety action programme, supported that improvements in road safety could be reached through shared responsibility and better road infrastructure.
Mr. Helmuth Markov MEP, shadow rapporteur on the 3rd Driving Licence Directive, also brought his support calling for the recognition of the needs of motorcyclists in road safety and for a balanced and fair access to motorcycles and scooters, enabling them to fully play their role in the transport system.
Though welcoming the more pragmatic approach of the European Commission focussing on co-modality, and recognising the contribution of road transport and that mobility is an essential citizen right, FEMA is astounded to see that motorcycles and scooters, and their users, are once more completely overlooked in the mid-term review communication.
The European Commission failed to mention the
participation in the transport mix of motorcyclists in spite of the extensive
contribution of the motorcycle sector to the public consultation carried out by
DG TREN in late 2005.
Antonio Perlot, FEMA General Secretary, said: ”When it comes to EU Transport
Policy, whilst the ‘Transport toolbox’ rightly recognises cyclists and
pedestrians, it is surprising to see that motorcycles are still in the European
Commission’s ‘blind spot’. It is difficult to foresee meaningful improvements in
terms of congestion relief, mobility and road safety if these vehicles are not
properly acknowledged in transport policies across the EU. There are over
30.000.000 citizens daily using motorcycles and scooters as mobility ‘tools’.”
FEMA counts on the European Parliament to continue supporting an inclusive
approach to Transport Policy when it considers the mid-term review.
ENDS
Notes to the Reader:
The mid-term review Communication COM(2006) 314 final is available at Here
The FEMA response to the public consultation on the mid-term review is available at Here
With the support of Harley-Davidson, Vespa and the Motorcycle Council Belgium.
MEPs Mr. Costa, Mrs. Hedkvist Petersen, Mr. Markov, Mr. Bradbourn, Mr. Helmer, Mr Romagnoli, Mr Camre, Mr. Didziokas, Mrs. Lynne, Mr. Maldeikis, Mr. Masiel, Mrs. Miguelez Ramos and Assistants.
Pictures of the FEMA event “Towards an improved mobility for Citizens, The contribution of Motorcycles and Scooters” are available Here
Issued by
Christina Gesios
FEMA - Federation of European Motorcyclists
Associations
Rue des Champs 62, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 736 9047 / Fax: +32 (0)2 736 9401
www.fema.ridersrights.org
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