"From today, riding a motorbike has become greener and safer", said EPP Group Rapporteur Wim van de Camp MEP, after the vote on his Report 'Approval and market surveillance of two, three and four-wheel vehicles (L-category)' yesterday in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee of the European Parliament. The Report indicates the conditions that the motorcycle industry has to take into account to market their products on and off-road.

On safety measures, mandatory anti-lock braking systems are proposed for motorcycles from 51 cc. Wim van de Camp said: "17% of road casualties are motorcyclists, moped riders and scooter riders, while they only account for 2% of all traffic. The risk for younger people, who are usually the users of these vehicles, will be diminished. Also, the anti-tampering measures will be tightened to increase safety."

The level of emissions is often disproportionately high. "A clear signal for cleaner motors is appropriate", said Wim van de Camp. The Euro 4 Standard must be achieved by 2016. This will also positively affect durability. The proposed implementation of OBD (On Board Diagnostics) systems will also contribute to this."

Wim van de Camp continued: "Innovative and modern technical two, three and four-wheel vehicles will increase urban mobility. These vehicles use less space, waste less energy and have a reduced level of emissions."

Wim van de Camp also said that everyone must have equal access to the RMI (Repair and Maintenance Information) and at a reasonable price. This will be advantageous to all independent dealers and individual motorcyclists.

The next step will be a trilogue with the Council and the European Commission. The Report will be voted in the plenary session in Strasbourg, probably in Spring 2012.

(Translation from the original Dutch)

For further information:

Wim van de CAMP MEP, Tel: +32-2-2847298

Françoise Verburg-Petit, EPP Group Press and Communications Service, Tel: +32-495-208613

Notes to Editors:

The EPP Group is by far the largest political group in the European Parliament with 264 Members.