ECF at Toyota Stakeholder Dialogue in Brussels: ‘Optimize cars for cyclists’ safety by outer windscreen airbags!’
Brussels, 11th of May 2007
ECF Secretary General Dr. Bernhard Ensink presented at the Toyota Stakeholder Dialogue last month in Brussels a report on ‘Optimizing cars for bicyclists’ safety’. Based on a report the Dutch research Institute T.N.O. made on behalf of the Dutch ECF member organisation Fietsersbond Bernhard Ensink stated that collisions dynamics for car-bicyclist collision differ significantly from those of car-pedestrian. He criticized EuroNCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) which does restrict itself to pedestrians. Euro NCAP should be broadened to include bicycles. The report the ECF presented to the representatives of Toyota and the European Commission leads the Dutch Fietsersbond and the ECF to three recommendations:
•Build models with short and steep bonnets
•Implement protective features like outer windscreen airbags.
•Incorporate bicyclist’s safety in evaluation programs
Bernhard Ensink was pleased to hear from Toyota that they are seriously working on safer car fronts and hopes that Toyata will incorporate car-bicycle collisions in their research and developments.
The presentation of the ECF Secretary General was a ‘pre view’ of the presentation Dr. Theo Zeegers from the Dutch Cyclists’ Association (Fietsersbond) will give at the coming Velo-city 2007 bicycle planning conference in Munich (12th – 15th of June; www.velo-city2007.com ). His presentation will be discussed in the workshop ‘Traffic Safety’ on Wednesday 13th of June.
EU Commissioner Barrot visits the exhibition at the Toyota Stakeholder Dialogue - April 2007
