I was round my mates and stumbled across this in one off his biking mags. I know this is a car forum but with what they have drawn up I wonder how long it would be before they try and get this legislation for cars and other vehicles. They have already done it with HIDs (was a thread a while back about new testing regs) and also with HGV's, bodybuilders now have to have approval and go through Main Dealers (not sure if its come in yet) amongst other things. Which asks how long will it be before we can't do modifications on cars?? Here's a list of the main ones they are worrying about:
The 10 very real European issues that we still need to draw attention to are:
The Anti tampering Regulation: Specifically Article 18 which wants to stop all modifications to complete power train, from airbox to controlling the rear tyre profile.
Compulsory ABS. If we can’t stop this, we must get a switch so that we have an option in difficult conditions where ABS doesn’t function well.
Automatic headlights on
OBD. On Board Diagnostics so that easy roadside checks can be made of our emissions and so that constant readouts of engine performance can be obtained. Expensive, complicated and with the threat, rather like a tacho, of identifying past riding style…
RMI. Repair and Maintenance Information. Rather than keeping it hidden and available for huge expense, there is a chance that manufacturers will be forced to provide ECU codes etc for a fee. What that fee is remains to be seen.
The very worrying article 52: “If systems, components or seperate technical units on a list in a delegated act to this regulation, have a dual use, for vehicles intended exclusively for racing on roads and for vehicles intended for use on public roads, they may not be sold or offered for sale to consumers” So if your K&N filter can fit a CBR race bike and a CBR road bike, the best way to police that, is to make it illegal to sell the filter in Europe.The Delegated Acts are the most scary thing, as they are the lists and details drawn up by the unelected and we won’t get to see what they are including until after the Regulation has been passed!
In solidarity with the French we need to be drawing attention to their recent government proposal to ban all bikes over 7 years old from an urban area and to make the wearing of day-glo/ reflective clothing compulsory.
Full sleeve day-glo clothing for riders and passengers has been proposed in the Irish Parliament too.
All these issues lead to the same thing, that we must take the blame for the incompetence of other road users. And while the emergency stop has been removed as a compulsory element of the UK car driving test, we are jumping through hoops with ill-judged UK interpretations of EU licencing directives.
Another EU licencing Directive is on its way (3DLD) to step the bike licencing system still further and the DfT and DSA still haven’t sorted the consultation process, even though it is meant to be in law by now and enacted January 2013.
In the magazine it also said that any modification part could only be offered by, bought from and installed by by the manufacturer and would need listing on the Log Book. Also all works including servicing would need to be done by the Manufacturer aswell (sure there was a thread on this aswell).
It all goes to vote beginning of October
Some of the above I agree with, like lights being on all the time but others seem OTT but as I asked above, if any of this goes through on bikes, how long before us car owners and enthusiasts get this legislation??
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