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 From
the Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations
10th July 2002
6th Motorcycle Ride with Members of the European
Parliament
MEPs encourage the use of Powered Two-Wheelers
Despite the uncertain weather, several Members of the
European Parliament (MEPs) took part in the traditional
MEP Motorcycle Ride held on Wednesday 3rd July 2002,
departing from the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
This year, the event was supported by a cross-party
representation of MEPs and the High Patronage of Pat
Cox, President of the European Parliament.
This annual event, organised by the Federation of European
Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) and the Strasbourg
section of its French affiliate FFMC, is gaining more
and more success amongst the MEPs and Parliamentary
staff.
The theme of this year's MEP Motorcycle Ride was Urban
Mobility. In many European cities mobility is a growing
problem. FEMA wished to show to the Members of the European
elected body why so many people are turning to Powered
Two-Wheelers (PTWs), as a solution to improve their
mobility in congested towns. Therefore, FEMA is asking
PTWs to be properly considered in the White Paper on
the European Union Transport Policy for 2010.
Over 200 participants attended the event, including
several MEPs who took a bike or rode as passengers to
experience an enjoyable motorcycle ride through the
Alsacian region to Mont Sainte Odile, in the Vosges
mountains, where a dinner was offered to them, kindly
sponsored by Harley-Davidson.
The MEP Ride was supported by six motorcycling MEPs
as Patrons: Liz Lynne (ELDR, United Kingdom), Bernd
Lange (PSE, Germany), Carlos Bautista Ojeda (Greens/EFE,
Spain), Helmuth Markov (GUE/NGL, Germany), Karsten Knolle
(PPE, Germany) and Mogens Camre (UEN, Denmark). Other
MEPs participants included Anne-Karin Glase (Germany),
Ari Vatanen (Finland), Eluned Morgan (United Kingdom),
Marieke Sanders-Ten Holte (Netherlands), Hans Karlsson
(Sweden), Eryl McNally (United Kingdom), Dorette Corbeij
(Netherlands) and Bob van den Bos (Netherlands).
The riders present were FEMA national organisations
from Sweden (SMC), Greece (MOTOE), Netherlands (MAG),
Belgium (MAG), Denmark (DMC), United Kingdom (BMF and
MAG), and Germany (Biker Union and Kuhle Wampe). Again
this year, the International Historic Vehicle Organisation
(IHVO) and the Automobile Club of Germany (AVD) brought
their valuable support by offering passenger seats in
classic cars or minibus and on bikes.
Other organisations supporting the event were the International
Motorcycling Federation (FIM-CMT), the European Motorcycle
Manufacturers Association (ACEM) co-ordinating the loan
of motorcycles for the event. The Esperantist Motorcyclists'
Club (EMC) was also present.
Antonio Perlot, FEMA General Secretary, said: "The
MEP Motorcycle Ride has proved over the years to be
a good way of bringing together politicians and citizens.
Despite the rain on the way back, all participants really
enjoyed the experience.
This year's 6th edition was aimed at underlining the
contribution Powered Two-Wheelers can make to the relief
of traffic congestion and showing that motorcycles and
scooters are being used by millions of citizens in Europe
as an answer to mobility needs. An important result
of the MEP Ride is that FEMA and the six MEPs Patrons
of the Ride also discussed about starting informal regular
meetings in Brussels on issues of interest for riders."
FEMA would like to thank the following bike makes for
lending some of their models for the event: Harley-Davidson,
BMW, Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Piaggio. Our thanks go
also to Hein Gericke who provided the rain suits, and
Lazer who provided the helmets that are used by the
participants every year.
Christina Gesios
FEMA
Federation of European
Motorcyclists' Associations
Rue des Champs 62,
1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 (0)2 736 9047
Fax: +32 (0)2 736 9401
http://www.fema.ridersrights.org
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