EU Commission aims to improve road safety with ABS plans

Date: 13/12/2010

A plan by the European Commission intends to make the inclusion of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) mandatory for all motorcycles manufactured above 125 cc.

The European Union (EU) body has included the measure in its proposed new framework regulation for bikes, with plans to impose it from 2017.

Through the plans, which have been submitted to the EU Parliament, the EU executive expects to push down road fatalities involving bikes.

Applying to all larger models, the rule is now before EU politicians and ABS systems manufacturer Bosch, which has developed a dedicated ABS system for the mode of transportation, has claimed it could reduce the number of deaths on the region's roads.

The company pointed to figures showing there were 5,520 motorcycle-related deaths in 2008 within the EU, a total of 14 per cent of all road deaths.

In a statement, the firm highlighted the decline in fatalities involving cars in recent years, noting the risk of motorcyclists dying on highways is currently 18 times that of drivers.

Posted by Mary Treen