Easy Rider (or how 15 existing EU directives are being replaced with five regulations)

Riding on the crest of EU regulation

Motorbikes are going to have to meet tough new standards for safety and the environment under plans announced by the European Commission today.

Among the proposals is the requirement for bikes to have automatic braking systems.

And they will have to be fitted with equipment to turn the headlight on automatically whenever the bike is being ridden.

 

New limits for toxic emissions are also to be introduced under the proposals.

 

There is concern that while the number of accidents involving other means of private vehicles is slowly decreasing, there has been no significant fall in motorcycle crashes.

The move will also, hopefully, simplify legislation in this area. Currently there are 15 different EU directives governing safety and environmental standards. Under the proposals they would become five regulations.

Worth thinking about as you drive in the sunset tonight.

 

 

More of our money spent on adverts

Still waiting for compensation

Just as the British government slashes the amount it spends on information and advertising, the EU announces a two-year €1million (about £850,000) campaign putting up posters and handing out leaflets at railway stations and airports.  

The information blitz is to inform passengers of their rights and compensation arrangements if their trains or flights are delayed or cancelled or their luggage is lost - and it will be in all 23 official languages of the European Union.

We do have the EU to thank for a string of compensation rules over the past few years in air and train travel – with rules on sea and coach travel in the pipeline once everyone can agree – but, really, is this the right time to spend Europe’s hard-earned money on glossy brochures?

 

Johnny says: “The 7.32 EU train from Brussels is running late.” 

 

Coach companies forced to compensate passengers

Slow coaches

Bus and coach companies might soon have to offer hotel accommodation up to €120 (about £100) if passengers are delayed overnight.

This already is the case with airlines but coach firms are likely to have the foot the bill too now.

Travellers will also be able to claim back the cost of the ticket if they are delayed by more than two hours.

Johnny is used to just nibbling on Twiglets when he gets delayed but he welcomes the news that he soon might be given money to get a roof over his head for the night.

This won’t be introduced just yet though because governments believe the European Parliament’s plans go too far.

They don’t.