Crash regs reviewed for G-wiz class cars

Date: 09 May 2007

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Currently safety standards are set at European level by outdated regulations created to govern four-wheel motorcycles and not mainstream road vehicles.

Dr Ladyman said: "The safety regulations that govern this type of vehicle were designed at a time when it was thought they would cover four-wheel motorcycles and some small, specialised commercial vehicles - not city run-abouts that resemble small cars.

"But, given increasing environmental concerns, new vehicles that qualify as quadricycles have come to market and are becoming more popular for urban use. Therefore it is right that we should reconsider the regulations for this type of vehicle and whether safety regulations should be more stringent."

The next step for Dr Ladyman and the DfT will be further crash testing on a G-wiz competitor, before consultation with the European Commission and affected manufacturers.

G-wiz importer GoinGreen was quick to comment, welcoming measures to improve safety of quadricylces but viewed the proposed toughening of crash testing with caution, emphasising the Revo-built G-wiz "exemplary safety record" following over 20 million miles driven in London and worldwide.

A GoinGreen representative also hinted that any accident involved with one of its vehicle would be likely to be at low speed. A spokesman said: "The G-wiz is designed and used as a low-speed urban commuter vehicle. It meets all regulatory requirements and has received Full EU Type Approval. Actual data from the 750 G-wiz already on London's roads show that the average speed driven is 10mph."

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