On Saturday 4 October 2025 the FEMA members held their Committee meeting an in a hotel near the Dutch Schiphol airport. Here is a short summary of that meeting.

Secretariat report
FEMA’s General Secretary gave a presentation of his activities over the last months and the meetings in which he represented FEMA. He gave an overview of the political issues on the EU-level, like the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELV) and the Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI).

End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELV)
Our main concern: without a clear differentiation of Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) by vehicle type, motorcycles may end up in non-specialised ATFs, where they are more likely to be shredded instead of dismantled. Some car-focused ATFs may not value specific motorcycle parts. The legislation aims to increase reuse of parts, but without differentiation the current market-driven reuse system could be undermined. Our position: Differentiate ATFs by vehicle type to ensure motorcycles are processed in specialised facilities, prevent unintended shredding of motorcycles by directing them away from non-specialised, car-focused ATFs, safeguard valuable motorcycle parts that are essential for rare bike restoration and motorsports, and support the legislation’s goal of reuse by protecting the current, successful market-driven system.

Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI)
Our main concern: from the evidence that is publicly available, there is very little proof that technical defects are a major cause of motorcycle accidents. Our position: mandatory periodical inspections would cost a lot and deliver little in terms of road safety. A fairer, more flexible system that fits each country’s situation makes much more sense. Let the Member State decide. Instead of creating unnecessary legislation, the EU should put its energy into real safety improvements for riders. Only evidence-based measures should be taken. As long as there is no proof of a robust benefit or safety gain, PTI should not be harmonised. The bottom line: across EU Member States, the available proof shows that technical faults are almost never the primary cause of motorcycle accidents (usually <1–2%). The overwhelming majority are due to rider/driver behaviour, and infrastructure.

Goodbye Hans Henrik Jørgensen
This weekend we said goodbye to our longest serving delegate, Hans Henrik Jørgensen, from DMC Denmark. He as been a delegate for EMA since 1992 and for FEMA since 1998, but he will now retire from the European work.

FIM Europe
Dimitri Margaritis presented FIM Europe. The mission of FIM Europe is to develop, promote and control all forms of motorcycling activities in Europe, acting in domains ranging from sport, tourism, leisure, environment, mobility, legislative road affairs, safety, and defend the rights and interests of motorcycle users. There is also focus on road safety and research that concerns all riders. FIM Europe and FEMA have joint position papers on political matters.

Moto Touring Croatia (MTC)
Petar Milic presented MTC, a new motorcyclists’ organisation from Croatia. MTC wants to promote touring and adventure, but also focus on road safety and rider advocacy. By taking part in the FEMA meeting, they hope to extend their network.

Norway trip
Norwegian riders organisation NMCU presented their Norway trip. The goal of the trip was to meet members of the NMCU around all Norway and show that the organisation cares for all the riders in all the different regions of the country. It was also the occasion to reactive districts and give a push to increase the number of members and to be a relevant organization for riders. The NMCU was also very active in their political work during the summer and fall. Many different questions and matters were reported. NMCU focusses on youth and meetings at schools in order to raise awareness among young people about the advantages of riding but also talk about road safety and safety for motorcyclists.

Written by Wim Taal & Dominique Faymonville

Top photograph by Wim Taal

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