Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels1 / 39 Improving Infrastructure - an integrated Approach Dipl.-Phys. Rolf Frieling Biker Union e.V., Eschborn, Germany Cross-Sectoral Collaboration

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels2 / 39 Agenda 1.The Motorcycle Community in Germany 2.Motorcycle Safety in Germany 3. The Working Group “Motorcycle Accidents” 4.The German Leaflet “MVMot” 5.Conclusions and Recommendations

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels3 / 39 Powered Two Wheelers (PTW) in Germany app. 4,0 M. registered motorcycles app. 2,0 M. PTW with insurance plates  more than 5 M. riders (m/f) of mofas, mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, m/c sidecars, trikes and quads

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels4 / 39 The organised Rider’s Community in Germany Brand clubs (e.g. Harley Owners Group, local BMW clubs) Brand and model oriented “Stammtische” (e.g. BMW GS-Stammtische in many German cities) “Stammtische” open for all riders Rider’s Rights Organisations (RRO) M/C clubs with and without back patches (national und international back patch clubs, but also a large number of local family clubs)

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels5 / 39 Biker Union e.V. (1) Founded in 1986 App members nation-wide 11 regional offices and app. 65 “BU-Stammtische” as local contact points; represented in all federal states Biggest RRO in Germany Independent from political influence No commercial interests

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels6 / 39 Biker Union e. V. (2) Volunteer organisation with professional Back-Office Active partner within MID Motorrad Initiative Deutschland e.V., the co-ordination body of German RRO Member of FEMA, the European Federation of 25 national RROs Member of Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Motorrad (BAGMO), the “round table” of the German motorcycle community

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels7 / 39 Main Areas of Activities Representation of rider’s interests (e.g. lobbying; co- operation with authorities, institutions and different bodies; participation in the legislation process) Organisation of biker events Motorcycle safety Improvement of rider’s image Fight against discrimination

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels8 / 39 Our Slogan Fighting together for our rights, To preserve the fascination of motorcycling for the future Riding together, celebrating together,

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels9 / 39 Agenda 1.The Motorcycle Community in Germany 2.Motorcycle Safety in Germany 3. The Working Group “Motorcycle Accidents” 4.The German Leaflet “MVMot” 5.Conclusions and Recommendations

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels10 / 39 Development of Road Casualties

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels11 / 39 Motorcycle Parc Figures (registered Motorcycles only)

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels12 / 39 Conclusions The number of road casualties is decreasing The “risk of motorcycling” (casualties vs. circulating parc) is significantly decreasing The number of motorcycle casualties is also decreasing But...

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels13 / : every 9 th killed and every 10 th seriously injured … was a rider (m/f) Looking at absolute Figures 2006: every 6 th killed (793 / 5.091) and every 7 th seriously injured ( / ) ?

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels14 / Riders’ Age Number of Fatalities Age of Motorcycle Casualties

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels15 / 39 Built-up Areas Rural Roads Autobahn 7% 72% 21% Locality of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels16 / Bei Abkommensunfällen verunglücken 86% der Getöteten durch Aufprall auf Hindernisse im Seitenraum. 8% 14% 19% 59% 35% 29% 23% 14% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% TreeGuard RailOther ObstaclesNo Collision with Obstacles Driving Accidents with injured Persons Thereby fatally injured Motorcycle Accidents and Roadside Obstacles

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels17 / 39 Rider Vehicle Road (10 – 30%, MAIDS) A significant improvement of motorcycle safety needs an integrated approach ! Parameters to improve Motorcycle Safety

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels18 / 39 Agenda 1.The Motorcycle Community in Germany 2.Motorcycle Safety in Germany 3. The Working Group “Motorcycle Accidents” 4.The German Leaflet “MVMot” 5.Conclusions and Recommendations

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels19 / 39 The Working Group “Motorcycle Accidents” Established in 2003 by the German Road and Transportation Research Association (FGSV e.V.) Representatives from –Federal States Road Authorities, –Police, –Road Safety Institutions, –Universities, –Road Engineering Offices and –Riders Rights Organisations Mission: to develop “guidelines” to increase motorcycle safety by an improved road infrastructure in Germany

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels20 / Working Method Evaluation of studies and related documents Gathering of best practises at national and international level Preparation and analysis of accident statistics Development of a process to improve road infrastructure Preparation of the final document by a small team of editors

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels21 / The Results (1) “Leaflet to Improve Road Safety at Motorcycle Roads (MVMot)” Presented at a national conference in Oktober 2007 Implemented in most of the German Federal States by decree or formal instruction Promoted at regional conferences for road engineers and members of local road safety commissions

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels22 / The Results (2) Distributed by Biker Union to their regional and local representatives to support their road safety work Widely published through the Internet presence of the national road safety campaign “Runter vom Gas” Summarised in a brochure targeted at decision-makers in politics and public administrations to guarantee the appropriate attention and the necessary financial means (“MVMot light”)

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels23 / 39 Agenda 1.The Motorcycle Community in Germany 2.Motorcycle Safety in Germany 3. The Working Group “Motorcycle Accidents” 4.The German Leaflet “MVMot” 5.Conclusions and Recommendations

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels24 / 39 Main Focus of MVMot To avoid motorcycle accidents Rural roads with a high share of motorcycle traffic (so called “Motorcycle Roads”) To reduce the consequences of motorcycle accidents Roads with black spots especially for motorcycles The different needs of motorcyclists compared with car and truck drivers

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels25 / km 18 km 16 km A perfect “Motorcycle Road” Low traffic volume (app vehicles / 24h) Low proportion of heavy goods traffic (app. 5 %) Curves –26 Curves R < 80 m –54 Curves R between 80m and 180 m No villages in between Low mountain range (Nature Reserve “Pfälzer Wald”)

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels26 / “Process of Improvement” defined within MVMot

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels27 / Identification of Black Spots (Example: State of North Rhine-Westphalia) Road Network app km Autobahn app kmFederal Highways app kmRegional Roads (app kmDistrict Roads) Black Spots for motorcycles identified: app. 210 (2007)

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels28 / NK 1 NK 2 NK 3 NK 4 NK 5 NK 7 NK 6 Motorcycle Accidents Impact on Obstacle Guard RailPoleTreeOther Obstacle Turn Left / RightDriving AccidentStationaryLengthwise TrafficOther AccidentIntersection Type CasualtySeriously InjuredSlightly InjuredSignificance Classification of Accidents Road Detailed Investigation of Motorcycle Accidents

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels29 / > 50 cm Proposed Safety Measures (Examples) Double continuos lineLeft Turn with line-up range Guide posts concentrated Dispersed signs behind guard rail

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels30 / Proposed Safety Measures (Examples) Earth wall instead of guard railsObstructed view to be cleared Flexible pollards instead of metal signposts Flexible pollards instead of direction signs

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels31 / Motorcycle Accidents Motorcycle Accidents Control of Success (Example) Second guard rail - effective Junction rebuilt / second guard rail - effective Continuous line / second guard rail - effective Second Guard Rail - further Investigation necessary Guard rail poles with impact absorber- ineffective

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels32 / Advantages of the Leaflet MVMot Definition of a process to improve road infrastructure to be performed on a regular basis The need to control the success of every package of measures The close co-operation of experts with different backgrounds, different views and a broad spectrum of experience in the working group The integration of the riders’ perspective and their practical experience in a document covering road infrastructure issues

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels33 / 39 Agenda 1.The Motorcycle Community in Germany 2.Motorcycle Safety in Germany 3. The Working Group “Motorcycle Accidents” 4.The German Leaflet “MVMot” 5.Conclusions and Recommendations

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels34 / 39 Conclusions (1) PTW are one of the most fascinating means of transport of our time Awareness of risk and thinking ahead are the survival strategy of any PTW rider However, not every rider sticks to the rule “Don’t drive faster than your guardian angel is able to fly” PTW are not cars with two wheels and have special needs

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels35 / 39 Conclusions (2) A sustainable improvement of motorcycle safety needs an integrated approach and is a common responsibility Law enforcement measures have only limited effects to increase road safety; after a short period of time the accidents are taking place at neighbouring roads Forgiving roadsides especially in curves are an important step of that integrated approach

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels36 / 39 A sustainable improvement of road safety can only be achieved in close co-operation of all stakeholders ! Rider’s Rights Organisations must be integral part of these activities !

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels37 / 39 RRO are the experts in all PTW related issues We have direct access to the target group and communicate on peer-to-peer level We have a lot of experience to properly assess the effectiveness of road safety measures for PTW

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels38 / 39 Benefit from our experience; involve us in your projects at an early stage ! RRO took up their responsibility and are willing to play their part – despite limited resources in volunteer organisations

Biker Union e.V. Die Interessenvertretung für Biker, Rocker und Motorradfahrer st International Motorcyclists‘ Conference Brussels39 / 39 Thank you for your attention ! The leaflet “MVMot” could be downloaded from