92001E1759

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1759/01

by Brian Simpson (PSE) to the Commission

(15 June 2001)

Subject: Supplying lights as standard on new cycles

Will the Commission consider bringing forward legislation to make the fitting of front and rear lights on cycles compulsory at the time of manufacture in order to prevent accidents?

Answer given b Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(18 July 2001)

The Commission would like to inform the Honourable Member that no specific Community legislation covering the type approval of bicycles has yet been introduced. Nor are there any plans to introduce specific legislation at Community level.

The design and construction standard and the fitting of lighting and ensuing use requirement of such lighting fall within the legislative competence of the Member States.

However, the revised Directive on General Product Safety(1) provides for the use of voluntary standards as a means for ensuring effective and consistent application of the safety requirement. The Commission will examine, during the period for transposition of the revised directive, whether the issue of fitting lighting on new cycles could be dealt with by a standardisation mandate.

(1) Will be adopted in September 2001.