Should any car driver be allowed to ride a motorcycle?
FEMA are inviting motorcyclists to have their say on whether any car driver should also be allowed to ride motorcycles their same licence
THE Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) has opened a discussion via its website, asking motorcyclists to have their say on whether car drivers should be able to ride bikes on the same licence.
The survey, which can be found here, is asking whether or not we think that full car licence holders should be allowed to ride motorcycles up to 125cc without the need to change licenses or take any further training.
FEMA is asking the question as a response to most EU and EEC governments trying to force people onto public transport, a move it believes will not help all people from a range of urban, suburban and rural areas. For these riders, FEMA see the powered-two-wheeler as being the only answer to congestion and environmental concerns, with the move to allow car drivers to ride up to 125cc as an answer to this.
The move would be similar to the rule that allows drivers who passed their car driving practical test before February 2001 to ride a moped of not more than 50cc. Although the speed and power output provided by a top-spec 125cc A1 licence machine are considerably more.
The article accompanying the survey states: “The current focus of the European mobility strategies is on public transport, cycling and walking. However, public transport will never reach everywhere in urban areas and cycling, and walking is only possible for limited distances. There will always be a need for individual motorised personal transport. FEMA foresees a growing role for powered two-wheelers, especially motorcycles, instead of cars.
“In some European countries, car licence holders (B licence) are allowed to ride an A1 motorcycle, a motorcycle of 125cc. FEMA would like to know how you – the European motorcyclists – feel about this subject.”
For more information on the survey, head to: www.fema-online.eu
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
