Bob
22nd December 2010, 01:43
The European Union Commission has called for anti-lock braking systems (ABS) to become mandatory on new motorcycles with a displacement of more than 125cc from 2017.
The EU claims the system could save as many as 5,000 lives over a ten year period. Citing a 2009 study presented by Vägverket, the Swedish highways authority. According to Vägverket, 38% of all motorcycle accidents involving personal injury and 48% of all serious and fatal accidents could be prevented with the help of ABS.
As previously reported, the EU rejected a proposal from FEMA (The motorcyclist’s federation in Europe) to allow the addition of an Off-Switch for ABS systems on motorcycles. FEMA called for the addition, as ABS is not suitable for certain riding conditions, such as unpaved roads. The EU acknowledged this, but rejected the proposal as the number of citizens living in areas with a high percentage of unpaved roads is ‘negligible’.
The EU claims the system could save as many as 5,000 lives over a ten year period. Citing a 2009 study presented by Vägverket, the Swedish highways authority. According to Vägverket, 38% of all motorcycle accidents involving personal injury and 48% of all serious and fatal accidents could be prevented with the help of ABS.
As previously reported, the EU rejected a proposal from FEMA (The motorcyclist’s federation in Europe) to allow the addition of an Off-Switch for ABS systems on motorcycles. FEMA called for the addition, as ABS is not suitable for certain riding conditions, such as unpaved roads. The EU acknowledged this, but rejected the proposal as the number of citizens living in areas with a high percentage of unpaved roads is ‘negligible’.