EU DRIVING LICENCE DIRECTIVE-RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO VOTE, NOT ENOUGH TO RIDE!
21 December 2006 - Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations

The 3rd Driving Licence Directive was adopted in Plenary and by the Council without any advantageous changes for motorcycling.

Third Driving Licence Directive: Responsible enough to vote, not enough to ride!

The new driving licence scheme will restrict access to motorcycles without any safety reasons. FEMA is concerned by the EU Institutions and Member States’ lack of knowledge and understanding over motorcycling issues.

On the 14th of December, the European Parliament adopted the Directive on Driving Licences without modifying the compromise reached between the Member States. The endorsement of the Compromise by the European Parliament was followed by the Council Of Ministers second reading, yesterday, which obviously did not bring about any changes.

Despite the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) lobbying and the support of enlighten decision makers, the outcome of the vote was no real surprise as motorcycling took a back seat to other issues.

FEMA is totally unsatisfied by the motorcycle provisions included in the Directive as they are discriminatory to new and young riders and unjustifiably complex. Instead of improving safety, they will make access to motorcycles more difficult to enforce with an adverse effect on safety.

FEMA is concerned by the lack of knowledge and understanding showed by a majority of MEPs during the whole decision procedure.

FEMA - and its 22 national organizations representing motorcyclist citizens - would welcome that in future decision makers make the effort to fully understand the reality of motorcyclists’ concerns before they vote on issues that impact motorcycling.
To this end, FEMA intends to launch an information campaign to include the impact of current legislation, key issues, reviewing information and best practices throughout Europe regarding motorcyclists and motorcycling. In return, FEMA would welcome the Institutions and all decision makers to take part in open dialogue to understand each others concerns.

FEMA is confident that the Institutions will finally recognise the benefits of motorcycling, listen to and take into account riders’ opinion in order to avoid misconception, misunderstanding and ultimately, bad legislation for motorcycling.

www.fema.ridersrights.org

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