Survey – The Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) has just launched a survey that asks riders for their opinions on statements regarding road closures & motorcycle noise. FEMA comment that in several European countries (like Germany and the Netherlands) more and more roads are closed for motorcycles, partly due to complaints about excessive motorcycle noise. Statement Opinion It makes sense that roads are closed for motorcyclists when excessive motorcycle noise leads to complaints. To prevent road closures for motorcyclists because of … [Read more...]
Emissions Targets – Really A Sound Issue
Europe - ACEM the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) has published a position paper on requirements to apply amendments to a European Regulation. The regulation is the Approval and market surveillance of two- or three-wheel vehicles and quadricycles regulations which we dealt with previously as Right To Ride EU . It was implemented in 2013 and referred to the type-approval of new motorcycles. Since then the European Commission (mainly through a stakeholder working group, Motor Cycle Working Group (MCWG), comprised of the motorcycle industry rider … [Read more...]
Helmets & Hearing Loss in Motorcyclists
Australia - An alarming number of long term motorcyclists suffer from hearing loss. If you know any motorcyclist who has been riding more than 20 years the chances are they don’t hear as well as they ought to. The culprit is the helmet. Helmets average around 93.5dB(A) at 100Km/hr. As speeds rise helmet noise can increase to 115dB or more. That’s like standing next to a Jumbo Jet engine! Cars interiors aren’t noisy so why are helmets? The average car interior is 85dB(A) at 100Km/hr and many cars would be less than this! Many experts agree that prolonged exposure to … [Read more...]