Time to get off our collective Arse and do something before it is too l8

[Gas_Up_Lets_Go]

or maybe they think if biking has a safer image it'll attract more...

Thats the problem isn't it.

Modifications cover many things, not just performance increases. How many guys have extra lighting on the bike ? brake improvements ? Screens to suit the rider? Heated grips? Horn upgrades?

And what about luggage ? that's a modification, OK it's not airbox to exhaust, but they'll make such an ass of the wording it will be impossible to pick out what modifications are , or are not permitted.

Of course, it will take years to bring in, and can only be used on models going forward, so it won't have any impact on the bikes any of use ride today (or next year or the year after, possibly 10 yesr even).

I tell you, they'll make such a mess of it (if there is a European Parliment left in years to come !) it will be impossible to implement over Europe where you have such disparate regulations in various countries. It will only be pratical to use the lowest common denominator. The you get countries like France who just won't stand for it, and with the power of veto it will never get passed.

Greece, Portugal and if the reports are to believed Italy have little enough cash to pay the current bills, how would they manage to implement new tests?

Whilst this is concerning, I really don't think it will come to anything. the European Parliment has tried lots of stupid regulations and they are gathering dust somewhere now.

[Nomad]

The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing

John F Kennedy

[dusz]

A go slow ride in Brussels, may not have too much influence, it's already slooooow, especially if there is an EU summit taking place.
Although, back in March though there was a mass demonstration in Brussels where the demonstrators set off from 4 or 5 start points and had a very long thin straggly protest line that even though there were very few protesters took over 3 hours before the roads were getting back to normal (well normal for Brussels).
I work in an industry that has several European Directives impacting on it. The only thing that the Commission come up with is that "it is the same for everyone" so they cannot be a**sed about costs or infringement of human rights even though that is one of their laws too.
The only problem is, as already mentioned new European Directives and Regulations are only effective if Member States carry out surveillance. Unfortunately, even before the current economic climate took hold, there was very little surveillance to prevent non-EU manufacturers/importers dumping low priced non-conforming goods on the EU market - just go to EU Europa and look at the RAPEX notices for recalled goods and see where the majority of them come from.
Failing that the bike industry needs to lobby the MP's and MEP's to get this overturned (difficult once the Burghers of Brussels get their teeth into something.
What we need is another Guy Fawkes.

[scouse]

I have to say I kind of agree, a 'go a little bit slow on a very big road on Sunday' protest is a bit lame, will just piss off a few caravaners and will be forgotten about the next day.

I am very annoyed by the proposals of course, as far as I am concerned the government can require that I have a roadworty machine, insureance tax and have passed my test. Everything beyond that is up to me and they can keep their stupid noses out.

Petitions are also a bit of a loss, it's just one piece of paper no matter how many names are on it. I suspect that the more effective way to protest this is for each of us to write to our local MP and local MEP. Perhaps if MAG could provide a letter outlining the proposals and well thought out counter arguments this could easily be distributed on networks like this. We could then print off and post. A few thousand letters in the in tray are more effective than an email and I reckon I could run to a couple of stamps.

There will be some MAG members on here, what do you think of this? I am sure most people on this site also are signed up to other sites too, draft the letter, set it loose and in no time it'd be all over the net.

You have all you need for your letter above. Form letters are treated like petitions they get ignored and get binned - they started doing that several years ago. You have the facts outlined above so use them.

There are also several sites which allow you to email MEP's and MP's directly. If they detect too many similarities in e-mails they get binned as well.

So as the thread says get up off our collective arse and do something. You have the ammunition so use it.:woohoo:

[scouse]

or maybe they think if biking has a safer image it'll attract more...

Thats the problem isn't it.

Modifications cover many things, not just performance increases. How many guys have extra lighting on the bike ? brake improvements ? Screens to suit the rider? Heated grips? Horn upgrades?

And what about luggage ? that's a modification, OK it's not airbox to exhaust, but they'll make such an ass of the wording it will be impossible to pick out what modifications are , or are not permitted.

Of course, it will take years to bring in, and can only be used on models going forward, so it won't have any impact on the bikes any of use ride today (or next year or the year after, possibly 10 yesr even).

I tell you, they'll make such a mess of it (if there is a European Parliment left in years to come !) it will be impossible to implement over Europe where you have such disparate regulations in various countries. It will only be pratical to use the lowest common denominator. The you get countries like France who just won't stand for it, and with the power of veto it will never get passed.

Greece, Portugal and if the reports are to believed Italy have little enough cash to pay the current bills, how would they manage to implement new tests?

Whilst this is concerning, I really don't think it will come to anything. the European Parliment has tried lots of stupid regulations and they are gathering dust somewhere now.

They want this in place by 2015... there are a lot of big guns behind this and it is being railroaded through. Also regulations gathering dust in Brussels only do so as the noise AGAINST them threatened MEP's from being re-elected they never like to be seen to be backing unpopular regulations... they only kbnow that if you let them know. Ther UK MEP's have been universally unhelpful about this and the East Mids MEP who sits on the comittee has yet to answer any e-mails or letters and is refusing to speak to anyone from the Motorcycle community... so you think if you ignore it it will go away ? There are a lot of PRIVATE firms that will benefit from this legislation becoming law... a lot of money to be made from this EU wide by a small hand full of companies similar to TuV... :whistle:

[Gas_Up_Lets_Go]

They want this in place by 2015...

Want, and ability are two different things. Bureaucrats have many wants, but little ability.

so you think if you ignore it it will go away

do you actually think that deserves an answer ?

[scouse]

They want this in place by 2015...

Want, and ability are two different things. Bureaucrats have many wants, but little ability.

so you think if you ignore it it will go away

do you actually think that deserves an answer ?

When Brussells starts railroading things and giving specific dates... you can bet your bottom dollar it will happen unless enough noise is made to stop it. Last time they did was the Third Driving Licence directive... which comes into force in 2013.

And as regards the last question based on other things you have said... yeah, I think that does need an answer, as many people choose the "ostrich" route with EU legislation or just moan about it instead of attempting to stand up and say NO!

So are you all willing to just hope it goes away or are you willing to stand up and say NO ?

[Vindaloo]

The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing

John F Kennedy

Sorry ... sorry, the pedant in me made me post this:

Kennedy used the phrase but Edmund Burke is usually cited as the originator (and Kennedy attributed it to him).

There I said it, please don't hurt my karma! :blink:

---

By the way, as per my post on the other topic on this em, topic, I agree ... it's time we came together and said enough of this crap.

[Freeloadeur]

Hmm, a motorway protest, well that will cut out a whole load of motorbike and moped riders, I will write a letter instead as being a learner, I'm not allowed on the M-way.

[scouse]

Hmm, a motorway protest, well that will cut out a whole load of motorbike and moped riders, I will write a letter instead as being a learner, I'm not allowed on the M-way.

But you are allowed on dual carrigeways... and other main arterial routes...

http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum ... ember.html