Modern Vespa

https://www.visordown.com/news/general/europe-proposes-slower-speed-limits-motorbikes-cars

(edited to remove political youtube link - jimc)

One always has to be wary of proposed motorbike legislation from non-riding bureaucrats, as has been said: "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions".

As far back as the 1970's, the American touring motorcycle magazine 'Road Rider' had a term for questionably well-meaning, but meddlesome government motorcycle law legislators as 'The Cocoon People'.

A bit of a non-related sidenote, I view Mr. Fillingham as the 'Robot' of Royal Enfield home maintenance videos, and was a great help when I had to do the initial 600 mile valve clearance check and adjustment on my Interceptor 650.

On a more serious note, I haven't confirmed it yet, but I have heard rumors that there is legislation proposed in my state of South Dakota that would ban the transportation of lengthy and/or large brass musical instruments on any motorized two wheel vehicle. I have attempted to contact my state representatives concerning this troubling matter, but have yet to receive a response.

You, sir, are the epitome of oppressed minority.

Setting up a GoFundMe now under the moniker AFUBIOM (Association for Fair Use of Brass Instruments On Motorcycles)

It's high time for justice to be served to these miscreants.

https://youtube.com/shorts/kwaXjtRybhI?si=rJLV4vZXYDZv-KaC

I agree!

My trombone is used only as a visual accessory when I ride with mine....of course, always riding solo, using both hands to blow my horn AND retain control of my GTS simultaneously goes well beyond my ability to multitask.

So, no Vespa Tuba choirs in the future for South Dakota?!

Maybe, if I could stumble across a fifty buck Tuba someplace, remember, I have a whopping $10.60 into my trombone.

Also, let's make sure we're not confusing the Tuba with the Sousaphone. The insane aerodynamics of a Sousaphone on a scooter would almost certainly lead to a very bad end for both rider, machine, and the huge-ass horn as well.

On the other hand, if the crash was properly video recorded, I could be a Youtube and Tik-Tok legend for decades and probably for generations to come as well, if I survived that is.

If you lived or didn't, still would be a legend. You would be a legend riding a Vespa with a sousaphone around you, fiberglass or brass, doesn't matter, legend. Do it with a concert tuba, still, pretty awesome. Do it while playing, that would be wicked!

Bonus..if you don't survive, you might be nominated for a Darwin Award

The Youtube guy states the proposal is from Karima Delli. She is indeed member of the European Parliament, for the French green party.
It is true that the greens regularly come up with this sort of proposals.

In the video the Youtube guy refers to a "proposed legislation document" from the EU-parliaments committee TRAN.

I was looking for that report or proposal in TRAN, but I cannot find it, nothing in that direction.

Then I checked everything that I could find on Delli's personal pages on the site of the EU-parliament, but nothing came up.

Then I checked what I could find at all on this proposal. I found an article on the British site of bmf, British Motorcyclists Federation: https://www.britishmotorcyclists.co.uk/european-licence-proposal-different-speed-limits-for-cars-and-motorcycles/

It is based on an article published by FEMA on the subject, FEMA: Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations. This is the article: https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/licence-proposals-under-fire/

And there I finally found a reference to that EU report.
This is the reference: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TRAN-PR-750248_EN.pdf

Reading it you will notice the original text is not there, it should be in the left column, but it contains mainly the amendments in the right column.

You guys know what an "amendment" means. Any member of parliament may suggest changes to the original text "to improve" it.

Almost all amendments are signed by "Or. en".
I have no idea if that refers to the same person.

Reading through the amendments you will find that this 90 rule for motorcycles and such is only in the amendments.

Anyway, in amendment 2 it goes totally wrong in his/hers amendment and proves the "amender" has no idea what he/she is talking about.

It says:"The efforts undertaken so far by public authorities have resulted in a
reduction of road fatalities from 51 400 in 2001 to 19 800 in 2021." It is EU data.

No, not at all, has nothing to do with public authorities. Has everything to do with EuroNCAP. EuroNCAP is a private initiative.

Most of road fatalities are drivers and passengers in cars.
And this car: the Renault Laguna 2001: https://www.euroncap.com/en/about-euro-ncap/timeline/a-first-5-star-car/
was the first car ever to meet a 5 star rating for occupants safety.

That car set the standard. Since then every new car generation from every car manufacturer improved its cars on safety to meet the EuroNCAP 5 star rating.
And today in Europe it is difficult to find a new car that does not meet that 5 star rating.

In the case of my unfortunate, and unquestionably novel demise as a result of a tuba-induced terminal tank-slapper whilst piloting my Vespa, I wonder how many people would say something about how, "At least he died doing something that he loved.....making a ridiculous spectacle of himself".

Only if you play the Gregson concerto, backed by a full wind band on Vespas!

What I'd really like to do is wear a white tuxedo and have someone similarly attired, ride sitting backwards on pillion, and be continuously playing the base line to Pachelbel's canon on my 1/2 size Cello.

Pure class.

Not quite as classy, but I've had my moments.

How many people remember when 750cc+ motorcycles were plagued with 85 mph max speedometers in an effort to slow riders down. My Spectre has such a device. Fortunately my GPS speedometer on the handlebar isn't limited like that.

I've never had a bike ever that reached 85mph because they've all been limited by the laws of physics.

I AM a "full wind band"....just ask my wife.

'Bada-Boom, pshhhhhhhh!'

Meh!

'classy' is highly subjective.

To some (U.S. mostly) it's a new shed with siding that matches the trailer house.

To others (me), it's sneakers that match the motorcycle.

I get a kick out of this threat. You good folks have kind of gone looney tunes.


Bob Copeland

What if your motorbike identifies as a car?

Watched any videos of our House of Representatives lately? We have no higher ground here. Decorum and common sense took a walk long ago.

Brother, if I see you riding that I am following you to a stop then picking your brain. You clearly have things figured out. I'm not saying that facetiously.

nope

There's a tuba on ebay for $1.25. You're welcome.

There are a bunch of cheap tubas on ebay. The shipping is expensive, though.

Someone is the master of packing. I thought I had it made when I had 9 bags of groceries on my scoot but I bow to good sir.