As the European Commission adopts the Road Safety Action Programme 2011-2020 putting focus on vulnerable road users, motorcycle manufacturers members of ACEM adopt more stringent rules in favour of safety-oriented communication

ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry in Europe, today announced the reinforcement of its advertising policy detailing the commitment of ACEM Members to improve the road safety of motorcycle, scooter and moped riders. This set of guidelines outlines a common approach to socially responsible communication, which will be applied across the 27 Member States of the European Union where ACEM members operate.
ACEM broadly welcomes the European Commission’s Road Safety Action Programme 2011-2020 and the inclusion of motorcyclists amongst its strategic priorities. ACEM reiterates its commitment toward road safety, which stems from ACEM’s Road Safety Plan for Action built on the concept of shared responsibility and the integrated approach. As the European Commission acknowledges it, in-depth analysis shows that human factors play the most important role in traffic accidents.
The advertising policy adopted by the European Motorcycle Industry ensures that all promotion and advertisements for motorcycles, scooters and mopeds destined for use on public roads show the vehicle used in a safe and responsible manner, in order to positively influence the attitude of the rider, which is central in motorcycle safety.
Aggressive riding styles, and any depiction of unsafe behaviour on public roads will be banned from ACEM manufacturers’ PR campaigns. Next to encouraging safe and responsible behaviour these measures also aim at promoting safety enhancing features such as advanced braking systems.
In order to achieve efficient and consistent results across the market manufacturers will deploy training programmes for the effective uptake of this advertising policy throughout their dealer networks.

Stefan Pierer, ACEM President and CEO of Austrian manufacturer KTM Sport Motorcycles, stated: "Motorcycle Manufacturers can play a significant role in improving road safety through communication and marketing. The Motorcycle Industry has therefore agreed to strengthen its commitment toward road safety by following a common advertising policy, which sets clear rules to influence attitudes, change behaviours and thus contribute to make a difference in improving road safety on European roads.”
ACEM members first signed a similar commitment in 2006 under the European Road Safety Charter, a European endeavour to reduce road casualties by 50% by 2010. Following an integrated approach, other ACEM commitments to the European Road Safety Charter include the voluntary progressive installation of advanced braking systems on motorcycles and campaigns related to road infrastructure safety.
Download ACEM’s Advertising Policy
Download ACEM’s Road Safety Action Plan

Notes to editors:
ACEM, the Motorcycle Industry in Europe, is the professional body representing the interests and combined skills of 12 powered two wheelers (PTWs) manufacturers producing a total of 26 motorcycle and moped brands, and 15 national associations out of 13 European countries, guaranteeing jobs to over 150.000 people. The aggregated turnover of the PTW sector (manufacturing, plus upstream and downstream activities) amounted to Euro 34 billion in 2006. Manufacturers alone account for Euro 7 billion. The members of ACEM are responsible for 90% of the production and up to 80% of the European powered two-wheeler (PTW) market.
More detailed comments on the EC Communication will be made after the summer break.
More information, statistics and policy statements at: http://www.acem.eu/


Filippo Segato
Communications Officer
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