Bob
2nd February 2012, 01:28
Given your ongoing campaign to end "cheesecutter" crash barriers being used, thought you might like to see what is happening - or not - in Europe:
MEPs have joined the campaign for biker-friendly guardrails. The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) were unable to agree a standard for barriers, instead adopting a ‘technical specification (TS) for "motorcycle road restraint systems which reduce the impact severity of motorcyclist collisions’. Techical specifications are non-binding, so member states can choose to ignore and adopt less effective standards.
Dutch MEP Corien Wortmann-Kool along with compatriot Wim van de Camp and Spanish MEP Inés Ayala Sender have thrown their support behind a EU standard being imposed.
Wortmann-Kool said “The Commission urgently needs to take prompt action and promote a European standard for guardreails which are safe also for motorcyclists. Every life counts!" She was supported by van de Camp, who added "I am a motorcyclist myself and I feel very uncomfortable in bends protected by guardrails smiling at me like a shark. We need a European standard for guardrails which takes the safety of motorcyclists into account."
FEMA is involved in a European Research project aimed at improving guardrails and hope that with additional pressure being brought to bear by MEPs their findings will be adopted.
MEPs have joined the campaign for biker-friendly guardrails. The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) were unable to agree a standard for barriers, instead adopting a ‘technical specification (TS) for "motorcycle road restraint systems which reduce the impact severity of motorcyclist collisions’. Techical specifications are non-binding, so member states can choose to ignore and adopt less effective standards.
Dutch MEP Corien Wortmann-Kool along with compatriot Wim van de Camp and Spanish MEP Inés Ayala Sender have thrown their support behind a EU standard being imposed.
Wortmann-Kool said “The Commission urgently needs to take prompt action and promote a European standard for guardreails which are safe also for motorcyclists. Every life counts!" She was supported by van de Camp, who added "I am a motorcyclist myself and I feel very uncomfortable in bends protected by guardrails smiling at me like a shark. We need a European standard for guardrails which takes the safety of motorcyclists into account."
FEMA is involved in a European Research project aimed at improving guardrails and hope that with additional pressure being brought to bear by MEPs their findings will be adopted.