In June of 2005, Tom Wild (then MRF-VP for Governmental Relations) submitted comments and recommendations to The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the US House of Representatives which was studying "Transportation Solutions in a Community Context".  Mr Wild, speaking on our behalf, declared the value of motorcycles as an integral component of the traffic in this nation (Motorcycles Rev The Future).  In his statement to the commission he identified three goals designed to bring motorcycles into the fold:

·       Boosting motorcycle rider skill training and motorist awareness of all road users;

·       Increasing motorcycling in America and better integrating the motorcycle in national and state planning; and

·       Bolstering the power and prerogatives of governors and state legislatures on transportation related matters.

For many years now, we've heard how "docile" European bikers are, and how non-confrontational they appear when responding to distasteful governmental controls over the conditions under which they ride.   Often when distastefull issues that infringe on our own freedoms arise (helmet laws/noise ordinances/pollution standards) we hear the perpetrators of these conditons say, "They have been doing it in Europe for years."  This declaration and attitude often leaves freedom loving Americans at odds with our European counterparts.  

On 04 September 2007, the FEMA (Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations) issued their demands to be included in the development of "The Green Plan on Urban Transport".  They have declared their intent to defend their position to the Members of the European Parlliament  through a protest run in  Straosburg on 05 September.

The Statement is posted below for your consideration:

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September 4th, 2007


Motorcycling, an alternative to increasing congestion problems in Europe
On September 5th, in Strasbourg, FEMA will remind Members of the European Parliament that motorcycling can provide solutions for Europe mobility challenges.

European cities increasingly face problems caused by transport and traffic. Reducing congestion and pollution while at the same time increasing mobility has become a common challenge to all major cities in Europe.
Motorcycling offers major advantages to the transport mix. It is an inexpensive, environmentally friendly and an effective mean of transport, especially in congested urban areas:
• Motorcycles occupy far less space on the road and do not contribute to traffic congestion. Motorcycling substantially increases vehicle capacity on congested urban roads;
• Motorcycles easily double-up in a lane or filter through congested areas. They contribute to alleviate gridlocks on high volume roads;
• In congested areas, motorcycles take approximately 16 to 48 % less time to cover the same urban trip as a car;
• Average motorcycles consume between 55% and 81% less fuel than cars on the same journey and require fewer resources to manufacture (1/7th)1.
• Three or more motorcycles can park in the same space normally used by a car.
• Motorcycles cause a fraction of the damage to roads compared to other motorised transport, and thus are responsible for only a tiny percentage of the maintenance costs.

Motorcycles also provide social integration by supplementing private and public transport, ensuring independence and mobility for all.

Therefore, FEMA strongly believes that the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament should make sure that the Green Paper on Urban Transport – which will be presented in autumn - fully takes motorcyclists and their needs into accounts. It would be a mistake if urban transport policies focused only on public transport or non motorized vehicles, neglecting other valuables alternatives to cars such as powered two wheelers. FEMA believes that the adoption of the Green Paper is an opportunity to integrate PTW’s and recognize their role in urban centres.

FEMA will defend its views to Members of the European Parliament at its annual MEP Ride next Wednesday September 5th in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.


More info on http://www.mep-ride.eu/
Press Pack http://www.mep-ride.eu/index.php?p=press
This Press Release in PDF format: http://www.mep-ride.eu/invite/PR-20070904-MEPRide_Mobility_final.pdf

END

Notes to editor:
- The MEP Ride will take place in Strasbourg on Wednesday September 5th. The Ride will start at 7:00pm.
- Contact, registration, information: Virginie Peters Tel +32 (0)2 736 9047 - Mobile + 32 (0)484 976 170 - Email virginie.fema@chello.be <virginie.fema@chello.be> - The Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) is the European federation of national road rider organisations. FEMA represents, defends and promotes motorcycling and the interests of million powered two-wheeler users across Europe. Through its 23 national organisations from 17 countries, FEMA reaches over 300,000 dedicated motorcyclists representing all social groups. http://www.fema.ridersrights.org


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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

I hope you will join with me, in support of our brothers and sisters across the seas in their fight for inclusion in the planning and implementation of traffic policies and practices developed to resolve European traffic concerns.

Keep The Faith!

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