motowebmaster

Motorcycle Industry reinforces advertising policy with road safety in mind

As the European Commission adopts the Road Safety Action Programme 2011-2020 putting focus on vulnerable road users, motorcycle manufacturers members of ACEM adopt more stringent rules in favour of safety-oriented communication

PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 20.7.2010 –ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry in Europe, today announced the reinforcement of its advertising policy detailing the commitment of ACEM Members to improve the road safety of motorcycle, scooter and moped riders. This set of guidelines outlines a common approach to socially responsible communication, which will be applied across the 27 Member States of the European Union where ACEM members operate.

ACEM broadly welcomes the European Commission’s Road Safety Action Programme 2011-2020 and the inclusion of motorcyclists amongst its strategic priorities. ACEM reiterates its commitment toward road safety, which stems from ACEM’s Road Safety Plan for Action built on the concept of shared responsibility and the integrated approach. As the European Commission acknowledges it, in-depth analysis shows that human factors play the most important role in traffic accidents.

The advertising policy adopted by the European Motorcycle Industry ensures that all promotion and advertisements for motorcycles, scooters and mopeds destined for use on public roads show the vehicle used in a safe and responsible manner, in order to positively influence the attitude of the rider, which is central in motorcycle safety.

Aggressive riding styles, and any depiction of unsafe behaviour on public roads will be banned from ACEM manufacturers’ PR campaigns. Next to encouraging safe and responsible behaviour these measures also aim at promoting safety enhancing features such as advanced braking systems.
In order to achieve efficient and consistent results across the market manufacturers will deploy training programmes for the effective uptake of this advertising policy throughout their dealer networks.

Stefan Pierer, ACEM President and CEO of Austrian manufacturer KTM Sport Motorcycles, stated: "Motorcycle Manufacturers can play a significant role in improving road safety through communication and marketing. The Motorcycle Industry has therefore agreed to strengthen its commitment toward road safety by following a common advertising policy, which sets clear rules to influence attitudes, change behaviours and thus contribute to make a difference in improving road safety on European roads.”

ACEM members first signed a similar commitment in 2006 under the European Road Safety Charter, a European endeavour to reduce road casualties by 50% by 2010. Following an integrated approach, other ACEM commitments to the European Road Safety Charter include the voluntary progressive installation of advanced braking systems on motorcycles and campaigns related to road infrastructure safety.

ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry in Europe, is the professional body representing the interests and combined skills of 12 powered two wheelers (PTWs) manufacturers producing a total of 26 motorcycle and moped brands, and 15 national associations out of 13 European countries, guaranteeing jobs to over 150.000 people. The aggregated turnover of the PTW sector (manufacturing, plus upstream and downstream activities) amounted to Euro 34 billion in 2006. Manufacturers alone account for Euro 7 billion. The members of ACEM are responsible for 90% of the production and up to 80% of the European powered two-wheeler (PTW) market.
More detailed comments on the EC Communication will be made after the summer break.

More information, statistics and policy statements at: http://www.acem.eu/

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Shawn
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The Prophet

This is unfortunately right in line with my earlier comments on another post about the irresponsible acts of the Cycle World Chief Editor, blathering on about how it's "OK" not to wear protective gear in an opening magazine column of a globally distrbuted, and formerly well respected periodical.

The main point is to always attempt to correctly influence new, or inexperienced riders, and to promote good, practical safety practices across the board in relation to riding.

As always, in the end it will be up to the individual, but in the same vein as cigarette, porn and booze advertising, there is no need to negatively intice new, young (or old) and inexperienced riders to behave dangerously.

Sadly, as usual, when individuals and corporations begion to behave like dipsticks, the Guv'mint needs to step in to create additional Legislation to control the situation.

Why does it seem like it's always 2% of the rider population (squids) that drive 98% of additional forced legislation and controls?

Once again, if an individual really wants to ride around without any protective, or safety gear... no problem... so be it. Just please don't lecture, or advise new riders (or anyone else) to do so, and pa-leeeze don't fabricate silly / lame facts and figures to validate your personal choice. We won't say anything if you don't!

Ride Safe!

Bob

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• A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. ~Lao Tzu
• Motorcyles are not my whole life, but they make my life whole. ` me

Speedtrip

Have to disagree with ya on that one Prophet. No reason for the knee jerk regulation that is typical of the nanny state regulators looking out for us poor dumb souls.

This law is forbidding the showing in an ad of a motorcycle going fast? Almost as dumb as our auto ads that have the lawyer disclaimer at the bottom "professional driver on a closed course". We have way to many lawyers with way to much time on their hands.

The Prophet

Misinterpreted!

I didn't say I was for it, or supported such legislation, I was merely stating what is currently happening... and possibly why. Please re-read!

Lawyers and spineless Public Servants (?) I fully agree, have done far more to ruin this country than anyone else.

All that said, it still remains soldily with us riders to behave - and ride - reasonably responsibly to help prevent / avoid such "nanny state" hand-holding. Folks can still have a TON of fun and enjoyment, without the dangerous show-off crap. No bait... no catch!

Example: Coming home from the airport last Friday night, there was a very young (like 18 yr old) guy on a sportbike weaving crazily through rush-hour traffic at (not exaggerating) around 100 mph. I cringed, waiting for the impact and/or blood spattering, followed by a two hour traffic delay to clean up the body... and bike, parts.

Question: Does anyone believe this style of riding is "positive" for motorcycling?

Next time you are "in line" crawling through a highway construction zone, inching slowly ahead in the traffic, think about the selfish jerk that has just sped past you, illegally (and death wishingly!) riding on the shoulder to pass everyone - he's definitely part of that 2%.

Note as well that many towns now have strict ordinances against "Loud Pipes" on motorcycles, further ruining the riding experiences for the remainder of riders who chose not to have straight pipes. We ALL have to stop at the road blocks and waste otherwise enjoyable riding time.



Dat's wha' I'm talkin' 'bout!

Ride Safe!

Bob

Jamie

Same BS here in Switz. A taxpayer-funded ad campaing currently going on. It shows a pic of a rider on a sport bike. Both his attire and posture suggest speed.

The caption says: "Public roads are no race tracks".

And... There are NO race tracks in Switz (banned since the Bern GP crash, in the late 40's).

Jamie

The Prophet

Here's some interesting reading on "Noise Legislation" not only being proposed, but actually in place as we speak in various US areas.

AMA model on-highway motorcycle sound legislation | Motorcycle News

As Speed and Jamie have so wisely pointed out, it gets silly when you see inane warnings on items, and time-consuming, expensive, and embarrassing new legislation are the result to control things that folks with minimal intelligence and basic common sense SHOULD be able to control themselves. In the end I would suggest that it is usually because two wrongs made a third wrong.

Theoretical example:

1.) TV commercial by major motorcycle brand shows a motorcyclist going fast.

2.) Citizen on that same bike goes fast, and crashes.

3.) Seeking "Something for nothing" , the citizen, driven by greed, hires an attorney to file a lawsuit against the Motorcycle Company for not warning him thoroughly about the consequences of going fast.

4.) Unscrupulous, greed driven attorney latches on to the idea, and is awarded a percentage of the "take", after convincing a spineless, myopic Judge.

5.) Warnings, signs, stickers, disclaimers begin to appear on all advertisements, and all over your shiney new bike.

6.) MSRP on all bikes goes up to cover these additional legal and advertising costs, a burden continually carried by all of us.

Win/win? Not quite.

Lose/Lose? Well, maybe for the majority of us, but not the lawyer and the "misinformed rider"!

Ride Safe (and sensible)!

Bob

Jamie

Well said. Noise regs aside, Triumph T' Bird's owners manual (just a fresh example amongst others, no doubt) ... ooops... "handbook" (I just started flipping through mine, 8 months after taking delivery of the suicidal or otherwise lethal device) is utterly depressing: a bloody warning notice and/or disclaimer or MORE on every page. Excerpts:

Lack of of (Triumph dealer-performed? ) maintenance can be conducive to "loss of control and accidents"... "the battery emits potentially explosive gases"... park your bike away from pedestrians and children as they could get "severe skin burns due to the hot engine and exhaust system"... "Always unlock the steering otherwise you won't be able to make turns and you'll have an accident"... " gas is highly inflammable"... etc.

Am sicked and tired of being nursed.

Being nursed actually turns me into a REBEL

Aye! Jamie

Speedtrip

I think you may be on to something here Jamie.

Seems that the more you try to make young men acceptable to society at large the more they act like 18-25 year olds. They have been almost castrated in todays society. There is no outlet for them besides war where they can be reckless, and young men will always be reckless ( I hope). You can never legislate away the human spirit, or stupidity (I hope).

The Prophet

I think you are BOTH onto something!

Actually, this very same current situation is what existed for "teen-age" individuals up until just after WWII.

Prior to that time, kids were expected to go straight from adolescence right into adulthood, and the concept of "teenagers" didn't even exist. Just after WWII, expendible cash was created with the post war economic boom, and kids began to have the free time - and money - to fuel the "teen-age" / Rock 'n Roll / Juvenile Delinquent / "Leader of the Pack" / Rebel w/o a Cause era...

Further education - College and University - in the mid '60's to early '70's - became more affordable, reachable, common and achievable to the masses, so the "Rebel" scenario began to morph strangely into "yuppie-ism", and the focus on materialism, acumulation of wealth, symbols of "success", etc... Arguably the direct "opposite" of what those same folks rebeled against in the 50's/60's. Watching old filmclips and documentaries from the "youth" rebellions of the '60's, then realising these very same folks are primarily what created the society we have today - is a real eye opener in how things tend to evolve. The "oppressed", once in full power, soon become worse than the original "oppressors"!

A gazillion "Baby Boomers" grew tired of the endless race to nowhere (someone in the universe will ALWAYS be richer than you, and have more possessions than you!), and thought maybe buying a cool bike - a lifelong dream for many - and "hittin' the open road" might help to travel "back to the roots". The plan has worked for some - but not all - and the rest is "as we know it today".

The "kids" we see nowadaze are more than likely the grandchildren of some of those very same 1950's "Rebels".

History repeating itself?
What goes 'round, comes 'round?
An unbroken circle?
Meet the new boss... same as the old boss?

As always, maybe the best plan might be the simplest: Lead by good example?

On a much more positive note - the "kids" nowadaze are leaps and bounds more technologically advanced than say we were back 'n the day. Question is though: Where are we headed to with all this techno knowledge? Gadgets? Telephones? Games? Cars that park themselves?

Or will there be someone to channel it all into something spectacular / life-changing?

It's high time for the "new" generation to rebel against the misguided and lost "Rebels" from the old generation!

Ride (and Rebel) Safe!

Bob

P.S.: Read 'em and weep!

Things People Said: Warning Labels

motowebmaster

I was waiting on my VFR to be serviced this morning and started a conversation with another rider who was waiting as well. He was getting a new tire on a 06 Gixxer750 he had just bought and mentioned that he wrecked his former Gixxer600 four times due to "stunting".

There's no disagreement on my part for doing what is necessary to enjoy your time on a bike, and the road, but I started sharing what I knew about closed tracks in Oklahoma. We need them in Arkansas as well, but our state doesn't have the average income necessary to support the business model.

During our time this morning, a $28k Harley slipped off it's centerstand and fell to the right - so even bikes in parking lots create significant property damage and anxiety