Research shows overall safety improving in Europe for motorcyclsits

Research by European motorcycle body ACEM reveals that the number of powered two wheeler (PTW) rider fatalities has decreased by 27% in 10 years (2001-2010). ACEM performed an analysis of road safety statistics based on International Road Traffic Accident Data (IRTAD) data for the period 2001-2010. But despite this positive result the percentage of PTW rider fatalities has increased in the overall transport mix, due to a much greater reduction in fatalities amongst other road user groups. The research shows
May 1, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Improving safety has been seen in Europe for motorcyclists, with the improved Spanish barrier regulations being one notable development
Research by European motorcycle body ACEM reveals that the number of powered two wheeler (PTW) rider fatalities has decreased by 27% in 10 years (2001-2010). ACEM performed an analysis of road safety statistics based on International Road Traffic Accident Data (3444 IRTAD) data for the period 2001-2010. But despite this positive result the percentage of PTW rider fatalities has increased in the overall transport mix, due to a much greater reduction in fatalities amongst other road user groups. The research shows that in the 2001-2010 period, the number of PTW riders killed dropped by 27.3%. Specifically, the number of moped riders killed dropped 58.6% while the number of motorcyclists killed dropped 14.4%. This shows that safety for moped riders has been constantly improving but cannot be explained with the 6.5% reduction in the number of mopeds in use across Europe as a whole. In some countries, such as Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Slovenia and Sweden, moped use has been increasing while fatalities have dropped. With regard to motorcycles, there is still a disparity between EU Member States in terms of safety performance. Progress has been marked in some countries but others are improving at a slower rate. In some countries the number of motorcycle riders has increased and the reasons behind these differences are being further investigated. The numbers of motorcycles in use in Europe grew by 45% during 2001-2010, the biggest single growth for any vehicle type in Europe in the period. ACEM uses data from IRTAD because it contains exposure data for motorcycles and mopeds in use in each country.

At present there are some 33 million PTWs in use in Europe. But ACEM says that despite the large numbers of these vehicles in use, PTWs are often forgotten in mainstream EU policies. According to ACEM, this fails to acknowledge the benefits PTWs generate and may prevent their benefits with regard to transport mobility, as well as environmental and safety improvements, from being adequately developed.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ERF organises successful road safety event
    May 31, 2013
    ERF organises successful event on Roadside Safety in cooperation with Transport Research Board. On 11 April, more than 90 participants from different parts of the world gathered in Brussels to attend the 2nd European Workshop of the TRB’s AFB 20 (2) Subcommittee on Roadside Safety. Coordinated by the European Union Road Federation and held at the CEN premises, the event proved a huge success. According to Konstandinos Diamandouros, ERF Head of Office and coordinator of the event, the feedback received from
    Read More
  • Alcohol consumption car crash cause
    December 15, 2014
    A new report from insurance firm Allianz highlights the appalling risks to road users resulting from drink driving. "On a global level, every 10th fatal accident can be traced back to alcohol. Men are more likely to expose themselves to this danger, risking their lives with it," according to Christoph Lauterwasser, Head of the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT) in Munich. The fatality rates from road traffic crashes that have resulted from alcohol use have been investigated by the World Health Organisatio
    Read More
  • EU noise levels rising
    July 31, 2012
    The EU funded SILENCE project maps the transport causes and possible solutions for reducing noise, reports Alan Peterson With Europe's ever-increasing population growth, the issue of noise for its 100 million citizens is becoming a pressing problem. Over 25% are exposed to critical transport-related noise, according to research by the EU funded SILENCE project, which reported its findings in Germany in May. The purpose of SILENCE is to develop an integrated methodology and technology for the improved contro
    Read More
  • Success of toll road operators' conference
    July 12, 2012
    The 37th ASECAP Annual Study and Information Days held in Krakow, Poland, gathered some 300 road transport CEOs, experts and government decision-makers making the event "a huge success." Patrick Smith reports Toll road operators from across Europe have met to discuss the state of their businesses in the current economic climate and how to tackle it. Fabrizio Palenzona, the outgoing President of ASECAP (the European professional Association of Operators of Toll Road Infrastructures) and president of AISCAT (
    Read More

Highlighted Content