Browsing: Law

Copenhagen has submitted a new proposal to introduce zero-emission zones for public consultation. The motorcycle organization Danske MotorCyklister is analyzing the plans in detail, as they could have a significant impact on motorcycle access to the capital.

After reviewing the previously withheld administrative files, the lawsuit against the partial motorcycle ban on the Sudelfeld route was significantly expanded. The documents now available cast a critical light on the actions of the Rosenheim district and raise doubts about transparency, proportionality, and proper administrative work.

The European Parliament is once again discussing mandatory general inspections for motorcycles. A current draft report goes significantly further than the previous proposal by the EU Commission.

France has classified excessive speeding as a criminal offense since the end of 2025. Anyone driving more than 50 km/h over the speed limit faces imprisonment, heavy fines, and other consequences.

The EU Council and EU Parliament have agreed on new guidelines for the circular economy for vehicles. For the first time, motorcycles will also be covered by the rules for end-of-life vehicles.

Starting in May 2026, numerous Austrian cities plan to introduce new access restrictions that will be monitored by cameras. The measures also apply to foreign vehicles and could prove costly for tourists.

The EU wanted to require older vehicles to undergo an annual roadworthiness test in the future. However, the member states have clearly rejected this plan, as the benefits for road safety appear doubtful and the additional costs would be considerable.

Tesla wants to introduce its Full Self-Driving system in Europe as quickly as possible, but serious accidents involving motorcycles are raising questions about safety. The Dutch registration authority RDW is demanding that the protection of motorcyclists be a priority—only then can approval be granted.

The Administrative Court of Hanover has provisionally confirmed the temporary driving ban for motorcycles on the K74 between Westendorf and Bernsen. The decision is based on a series of accidents which, according to the court, constitute a qualified hazard.

The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) is using the National Road Safety Conference in the United Kingdom to call for a fundamental change in transport policy. Instead of continuing to treat motorcycles as a nuisance, the NMC is campaigning for them to be accepted as an equal and sustainable part of the transport system.

In October 2025, motorcycle noise in the Danube Valley was once again the focus of political attention: the Petitions Committee of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament dealt with a petition calling for a ban on combustion engine motorcycles on State Road 277 between Fridingen an der Donau and Sigmaringen on Sundays and public holidays, as well as the targeted promotion of electric motorcycles. According to the petitioners, the aim was to reduce noise pollution for the local population and those seeking relaxation. However, I do not know exactly who submitted the petition, what demands it contained in detail, or how many people supported the cause, as I have not yet been able to find the petition.

By lowering the minimum age for 125cc motorcycles to 16 in 2021, Switzerland adopted an EU regulation. Since then, the number of serious accidents involving young motorcyclists has risen significantly. According to the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU), the number of serious accidents involving 16- and 17-year-olds has almost tripled. Last year, 156 young people between the ages of 15 and 17 were seriously injured in motorcycle accidents, six of whom died. The average number of seriously injured young people in the four years prior to the change in the law was significantly lower, as confirmed by the BFU. The advisory center had spoken out against lowering the age limit in advance and sees its fears confirmed by current developments.

In London, motorcyclists and drivers could face penalties in more areas of the city in the future if they attract attention with loud or aggressive driving. The Westminster City Council is currently considering extending an existing ban that has been in place in parts of the capital since 2021.

A recent discussion paper in the London City Council is causing unrest among motorcyclists. The initiative, presented by Green Party MP Caroline Russell, proposes to include motorcycles in the existing city toll (Central Congestion Charging Zone, CCCZ). Until now, motorcycles and mopeds have been exempt from this charge, as well as from penalties in the Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), provided they meet at least the Euro 3 emissions standard – which applies to most models built since 2007.

In recent weeks, various media outlets have reported that the Spanish traffic authority DGT is allegedly planning to make airbags mandatory for motorcyclists from 2026. In addition, claims have been circulating that similar regulations are already in force in France and Italy. However, these claims have been proven to be false.

The Vietnamese capital Hanoi is regularly listed among the cities with the worst air quality in the world. In addition to high levels of particulate matter pollution, the city’s rivers are also considered to be heavily polluted. To counteract this, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has announced a gradual ban on gasoline-powered motorcycles and mopeds in central urban areas.

More and more motorcyclists and drivers are documenting their trips with action cams or dash cams—whether for protection in the event of an accident or to capture special moments. However, what may seem normal in one country can quickly become expensive or even punishable in another. The publication of video recordings, for example after a vacation, carries additional risks. Portugal has recently tightened its regulations, but other countries are also taking a restrictive approach.

Since June 12, 2025, new, stricter regulations have been in force in Italy for the use of speed cameras, known as “Autovelox.” According to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, these measures are intended not only to increase road safety, but also to ensure greater transparency and fairness. The reform was preceded by a long-standing debate about questionable speed camera locations and ever-increasing fine revenues.

Greece is significantly tightening its road traffic regulations. With the aim of reducing the high number of traffic accidents, the Greek parliament has passed a comprehensive amendment. This affects both locals and tourists. Anyone who fails to comply with the new rules from 2025 onwards will face drastic fines and long driving bans. The measures include cell phone violations, speeding, drink driving, and parking motorhomes.

The British government is planning a far-reaching change to the legal requirements for the seizure and disposal of vehicles used for so-called “anti-social behavior”.  This regulation could have drastic consequences for motorcyclists in particular.  A public consultation will run from May 28, 2025, with the aim of obtaining opinions on shortening the deadlines for scrapping impounded vehicles by July 8, 2025.