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Author: Wim Taal

Mandatory technical inspections of motorcycles do not save lives

In the European Commission's proposal to include all motorcycles in Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI), it says: "Testing the roadworthiness of motorcycles has clear benefits for road safety. This has also been demonstrated by the number of Member States that already include motorcycles in their roadworthiness testing systems." This is false. This

Draft report on technical inspections: ‘PTI for all motorcycles over 50 cc’

European Parliament rapporteur Jens Gieseke has published his draft report on the European Commission’s proposal to revise the Roadworthiness Package, which includes Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI). Gieseke wants all motorcycles over 50 cc to be tested, no exceptions. The full amendment reads: "Testing the roadworthiness of motorcycles has clear benefits for

UK minister: ‘More riders should achieve a full motorcycle licence’

The British government announced a consultation into reforms to the current motorcycle training, testing and licensing regime. This comes as part of a new Road Safety Strategy for the first time in more than a decade. The consultation is strongly welcomed by the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC), a coalition of

Interview with Rolf Frieling, chairman of Germany’s Biker Union

"Wir kämpfen für motorisierte Zweiradfahrer(innen) – auf der Straße und in der Politik" "We fight for powered two-wheel riders – on the road and in politics." Wim Taal, Generalsekretär der FEMA, interviewte Rolf 'Hilton' Frieling, den Vorsitzenden der deutschen Motorradfahrerorganisation Biker Union. Wim Taal, General Secretary of FEMA, interviewed Rolf 'Hilton' Frieling, Chairman

EU Council and Parliament: motorcycles must be part of new EU rules on recycling

EU Council and Parliament strike a deal on the rules for vehicle circularity and the management of end-of-life vehicles. The Council presidency and the European Parliament’s representatives reached a provisional agreement on the regulation concerning circularity requirements for vehicle design and the management of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). The new rules will

EU Council: ‘No mandatory inspections for motorcycles’

A great victory for European motorcyclists: European transport ministers set the Council’s position on the roadworthiness package, which puts forward an update of EU standards with regards to periodic roadworthiness tests, technical roadside inspections and registration of vehicle data. Thomas Danielsen, Danish Minister for Transport said: “I am pleased that we

‘Tesla’s self-driving technology has serious issues with detecting motorcycles’

Despite a number of crashes with motorcycles, Tesla wants to introduce Full Self-Driving (previously called 'autopilot') in Europe. Tesla has requested early access, pilot release programs or exemptions where possible. In a statement on X, Tesla now claims that the Dutch approval authority RDW will grant them an exemption for the feature.

Watch the video of our Mips webinar on helmet safety for motorcyclists

On 10 November 2025 we organised an open webinar with Mips, a global leader in helmet-based safety technology. The video of the event is now available. Mips specializes in helmet-based safety and is a market leader in this field. Based on an ingredient brand business model, the Mips® safety system is

Motorcycles should be recognised as a positive, sustainable mode of transport.

Craig Carey-Clinch (NMC): ”Ignoring motorcycles in the hope they’ll just go away is not a credible road safety policy.” At this year’s National Road Safety Conference in the United Kingdom, the National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) brought a bold message: it’s time for government and policymakers to stop seeing motorcycles as a

What we motorcyclists can do to improve our own safety

Road safety is not just about infrastructure, rules and regulations; it is also about the daily decisions, skills and attitudes of us, the riders. Improving motorcycle safety in Europe is often discussed in terms of what governments, authorities and manufacturers should do. Yet we motorcyclists also play a crucial role. A first

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