ETRA eesv, Guinardstraat 32, Gent, BelgiumOn these pages you will find the latest news on everything that is going on within ETRA, within the European twowheel business and on all European affairs which concern European twowheel retailers. The news items are broken down into bicycle issues, PTW issues and common issues. “Older” news can be found in the archives.
ETRA publishes PRESTO Policy Guide for Electric Bicycles
Since its official start in June 2009, the Presto project[1] has made considerable progress. Today, the publication of the ETRA Policy Guide on electric bicycles marks another important step.
Presto consists of 3 main pillars: cycling infrastructure, cycling promotion and electric bicycles. Today, the consortium has completed a policy guide for each of these pillars. These guides are…read more
ETRA proposes new European regulations for electric bikes
On 30th September, ETRA has submitted to the European Commission a motivated proposal for changes in the regulations governing pedal assisted cycles, electric bikes and electric mopeds by today.
With a view to reaching an agreement on such a proposal, LEVA had called a meeting of companies in the electric bike industry on Friday 25 September in Las Vegas, whilst ETRA…read more
EP hears European Transport Commissioner-designate Siim Kallas, devoted cyclist
In his three-hour hearing before the European Parliament's Transport Committee, Commissioner-designate Siim Kallas set out his plans for a sustainable European transport policy that "truly benefits citizens and businesses". MEPs questioned him on the transport sector's greenhouse gas emissions, passenger rights, rail liberalisation and the use of "body-scanners" for airline security…read more
To be or not to be in the Machinery Directive, that is the question for the electric bike industry
Today, ETRA attended a meeting of the European Commission’s working group “Machinery” which had electric bicycles on the agenda. Just 21 days before the new Machinery Directive enters into force, the working group discussed whether the Directive also applies to electric pedal assisted bicycles with a motor output of maximum 250 W and assistance up to 25 km/h.
At the meeting, ETRA…read more
ETRA responds to ECF's position on EPAC regulations
In a press release published on ECF's website, the cyclists' organisation explictly joins the COLIBI and COLPED position in favour of keeping the current EPAC regulations.
In the following letter to the ECF President Manfred Neun and Secretary General Bernhard Ensink, ETRA clarifies the proposals for improving the regulations and invites ECF for a meeting to discuss the diverging…read more
Maurice Manders elected new ETRA President
The ETRA Committee has unanimously elected Maurice Manders ETRA’s 4th President in succession to Nigel Hill. Maurice Manders, aged 42, is the manager of BOVAG bicycle and motorcycle businesses. He took up this job in 2004 and was appointed to represent BOVAG in ETRA in 2005. In March 2006, he was elected Treasurer of the European trade association for bicycle, moped and motorcycle…read more
ETRA responds to COLIBI-COLIPED open letter on review electric bike regulations
COLIBI and COLIPED, the associations for European bicycle manufacturers, assemblers and parts and accessories' producers have sent ETRA an open letter on the organisation's lobby activities aimed at modifying the current regulations on electric power assisted cycles (EPACs) in Europe with interest. ETRA has responded with an open letter. You will find the correspondence in full…read more
Europe-China Standards Information Platform to facilitate access to China for SMEs
Brussels (19 October 2009) - The new Europe-China Standards Information Platform (CESIP) designed by the Sustainable Development Association (SDA) with the support of the European Commission and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was officially launched during a meeting held within the Brussels office of EFTA. Present were representatives from the European Commission DG Industry &…read more
E-bike industry decides to consult with European Commission on legislation
At a busy meeting that took place on 5 September at Eurobike, the first steps were made to lobby for better European regulations for 2 and 3-wheeled Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs). Some 70 delegates from about 50 companies attended the meeting.
The objective of the meeting organized by the European Twowheel Retailers’ Association (ETRA), in cooperation with the Light…read more
UEAPME presents MEPs with priorities for their first year
UEAPME sent this week a letter to members of the European Parliament’s Bureau and of several Committees to pre-sent them with a memorandum for their first year in office.
Entitled "Acting now to trigger a new start", the document is centred on three priorities: helping SMEs to survive the crisis and providing support for the economic recovery; providing SMEs with space to breathe and…read more