A national approach to motorcycle safety

1. A national approach to motorcyclesafety Eric Thiollier FFMC General Delegate (France)

2. Introduction • Whatis the French ‘AngryMotorcyclists’ Federation ? • What are the expectations of the users ? • The situation of the French PTW debate

3. Whatis the FFMC? Thenational Federationof road riding PTW users, thatincludes : • 80 local branches throughout France • Assurance Mutuelle des Motards, an insurancecompanywith 200 000 users (1983) • Moto Magazine, the leadingconsumers’ interestorientedmotorcycle magazine with 130 000 buyersmonthly (1983) • Association pour la Formation Des Motards, a network of 35 qualitydrivingschools and advanced training for alreadyexperienced drivers (1985) • FFMC Loisirs, to teach teenagers the basics of riding techniques and attitudes (1985) • A number of commissions and working groups dealingwithseveral aspects of MCs (theft, legislation, road safety, etc…).• An expandingyoungriders road awareness program whichgot an official agreement from the Ministry of Education.

4. Users expectations • That the governmentgraspsa betterunderstandingof the growth and diversity of PTW users • Fewerpointlesslegislationsbased on prejudice • But legislationsthattakesPTW specificitiesintoaccount • Better training (DLD Directive, training curriculum) • Forgiving road infrastructures • Incentives to wear appropriateclothing

5. Understanding PTW Users • +60% PTW in 15 years in France • Average annual mileage unknown but growing • Market is 34% < 125 cm², 29% = 125 cm², 37% > 125 cm² • Average age is 38 years old, 25% female in 2009 • Commuting use for 50% of users • Vulnerable users (inexperience, lack of protection) • « Road Safety conscious » users (94% consider accident prevention as important or very important • Understanding PTW accidents is a key issue

6. Fewerpointlesslegislation • Front number plate ? • 100 hp limitation: the French cultural exception ? • Ban of open face helmets ? • Ban of filtering through trafficjams ? • MC tuning can send you to jail (car tuning will only get you a fine) • Useless RWT for 50 cm²

7. Bike-relevant improvement (letsdream !) • Filtering : a opportunity to be pragmatic ! • Better and more PTW parking space • Bikes in bus lanes : let’s experience ! • Incentives for greener PTWs • Communication that would not « point fingers »

8. Better training • Training must teach risk situations • Road safety education to start as early as possible • Road safety training as a continuous process • Sharing the road, PTW awareness for car drivers

9. Forgiving road infrastructure • Need to harmonize standards (roadside furniture) • Guardrails (the « safety » barrier ?) • Non slippery road surface • Appropriate speed bumps

10. Incentives to protection • Information & Communication campaigns • Incentives from insurance companies • Appropriate standards • There is room for fiscal incentives

11. The reality behind the talks • One year of discussions and MC legislation is once again introduced without previous consultation of users (RWT) • A general feeling of being side-tracked BUT • Improvements in the general RS communication about PTW accidents • Possible improvements of the driving license scheme through introduction of 3rd EU DLD • Better understanding of MC issues seems to emerge, but facts deny intentions

12. Conclusion What PTW users expect might differ with experts conclusions < “From a security point of view, this is the ideal motobike… especially if it’s electric.”

13. Thank you for your attention ! For more information www.ffmc.fr