Introduction
 

The purpose of this document
The motorcycling community has extensive, experience based, knowledge of why accidents happen. The motorcyclists and their organisations are in many ways the "real experts" on motorcycle safety. The purpose of this document is to give legislators and decision makers a brief summary of riders' analyses of why motorcycle accidents happen and recommendations on how to improve motorcycle safety in some selected areas of particular concern. This document may form the basis of further development.


What is FEMA?
The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) is the representative federation of powered two-wheeler users throughout Europe. FEMA represents the interests' of 22 citizens' national associations at the European Union and the Transport Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN-ECE). FEMA is taking an active part to the road safety debate in these arenas. The FEMA secretariat is based in Brussels, in the heart of the European Union. It employs three full time members of staff dedicated to safeguarding riders' interests. Within the framework of FEMA, experience based knowledge of motorcycle safety is refined and systematised. As opposed to some organisations and institutions keeping a high profile in the motorcycle safety debate, FEMA has no "hidden commercial agenda".

A brief introduction to motorcycling 
The number of motorcycles on European roads has more than doubled over the last two decades.
Motorcycling is no longer a "youth-phenomenon": The average age of the European motorcyclist is considerably higher than it was twenty years ago. 
People from all classes and professions have taken up motorcycling. Also, today more women are riding motorcycles than ever before.

Motorcycling offers two major advantages:

  1. It is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly and effective means of transport

  2. It is a meaningful leisure activity, improving the quality of life for millions of European citizens

Motorcycling has only one major disadvantage: high injury risk. However, in most European countries, the motorcycling community has, with few governmental incentives, reduced the accident involvement rate substantially over the last 20 years. With nearly 12 million motorcycle riders, the financial aspects of European motorcycling are considerable: Industry, jobs, tourism and tax revenues.

The "myth" describes the typical rider as an extreme individualist. The truth is, however, that most motorcyclists prefer the company of those who are like-minded: Riding together, meeting at roadside cafes, participating in the numberless motorcycling events taking place all over Europe. Many riders are members of motorcycle clubs, which often comprise the core of the national Riders' Rights organisations. The motorcycling community is probably better organised than any other group of road-users, interlinked in a worldwide social and political "Motorcycling Network". Within the motorcycling community there is strong sense of group-identity and solidarity: If a rider suffers a roadside engine failure, other riders always stop and offer assistance. If the motorcycling community is put under political pressure, motorcyclists will join forces and stand up and fight for their rights.
 
A brief introduction to motorcycles
Motorcycle use can be divided in three main categories: Commuting, leisure riding and a combination of the two. Different types of motorcycles are chosen by different groups of motorcyclists for different purposes:

Standard - Traditional motorcycles mainly designed as practical transportation. This category falls in the middle of the spectrum in most areas of ergonomics and performance, including power, handling and braking.

Cruiser  - Once dominated exclusively by Harley-Davidson, the cruiser category has now attracted competition from all major manufacturers. The profile is long with a low saddle hight. The emphasis is on appearance, style and sound, with less emphasis on performance.

Multi-Purpose - With long suspension travel, these machines are designed to be used both on asphalt and unmade roads. The category is groving more and more popular and are often called "adventure bikes", as they offer the comfort, luggage capacity and durability needed for long-distance touring.

Touring - Large, often very expensive motorcycles with luggage capacity and weather protection, designed to transport rider and passenger in comfort. Touring bikes are heavy with moderate power outputs. Their intended purpose is comfortable, long-distance travel.

Sport-Touring - These motorcycles combine the comfort and some of the luggage capacity of touring bikes with the responsive handling of sportbikes. Usually powerful with high-performance brakes. The ideal mission of a sport-touring machine is medium and long-distance travel via challenging roads.

Supersport - Styled and constructed in the manner of road-racing motorcycles with streamlined bodywork and forward-leaning riding position. The emphasis is on handling, acceleration, top speed, braking and cornering. Often lighter and more technologically advanced than other types of motorcycles, they are favoured for riding on twisting roads.

Scooters - These two-wheeled vehicles are often small, mostly low-power designs in moped and light motorcycle categories with small-diameter wheels suitable for use on surface streets in urban environments. Their appearance differs significantly from motorcycles because of their bodywork and the "step-through" frame design. Although less common, a new generation of super scooters with engine capacities of up to 650 cc is becoming increasingly prevalent. They combine the virtues of traditional scooters with a long distance capability.