Passenger restraint devices on two-wheel vehicles

ACT

Directive 2009/79/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on passenger hand-holds on two-wheel motor vehicles (Codified version) (Text with EEA relevance).

SUMMARY

This Directive sets out requirements for passenger hand-holds for all types of two-wheel motor vehicles in Category L.

Types of vehicle concerned by the Directive

This Directive shall apply to:

• mopeds: two-wheel vehicles (Category L1e) with a maximum design speed not exceeding 45 km/h;
• motorcycles: two-wheel vehicles without sidecars (Category L3e) or with sidecars (Category L4e), with a cylinder capacity exceeding 50 cm3, for internal combustion engines, and/or the maximum design speed of which exceeds 45 km/h.

General prescriptions for passenger hand-holds

Two-wheel vehicles must be equipped with a passenger hand-hold system, composed of a strap or one or more hand-grips.

The strap must be fitted to the seat of the vehicle so that it may easily be used by the passenger. The strap and its attachment must withstand a vertical traction force of 2000 N with a maximum pressure of 2 MPa.

The hand-grip must be close to the saddle. Like the strap, it must withstand a vertical traction force of 2000 N with a maximum pressure of 2 MPa. If two handgrips are used, they must be fitted symmetrically.

Procedure for the granting of EC component type-approval

The manufacturer of the vehicle makes an application for EC type-approval to the type-approval authority of the Member State, using an information document.

The certificate of conformity is issued by the competent authority, which has a period of one month to inform the competent authorities of Member States.

In the event of non-compliance with the requirements of this Directive, Member States may refuse EC type-approval for any two-wheel motor vehicle for reasons relating to the passenger restraint device.

Context

This Directive repeals Directive 93/32/EC.

Last updated: 05.08.2010