Anger greets failure to set standards for ‘biker-friendly’ guardrails

17 June 2009

Motorcyclists have attacked a European technical committee for delaying the adoption of a standard for ‘biker-friendly’ guardrails.

The European Committee for Standardisation’s (CEN’s) technical committee on road equipment did not consider a draft standard at its annual meeting in Berlin because too many comments were received, according to the Federation of European Motorcylists Associations (FEMA).

Aline Delhaye, the general secretary of FEMA, said: ‘I believe that some participants of the committee forget the reality behind the objective. The truth is that motorcyclists are being killed sliding on our roads.’

FEMA supports the draft standard as it is, and maintains that further technical improvements should be considered at a later stage. Having campaigned on the issue for 20 years, it vowed to push again at the next sub-committee meeting of CEN – responsible for developing European standards – in September.

Delhaye claimed: ‘FEMA wouldn’t have spent 20 years of energy and motorcyclists’ money if this was not a real issue.’

Register now for full access

Register just once to get unrestricted, real-time coverage of the issues and challenges facing UK transport and highways engineers.

Full website content includes the latest news, exclusive commentary from leading industry figures and detailed topical analysis of the highways, transportation, environment and place-shaping sectors. Use the link below to register your details for full, free access.

Already a registered? Login