On the left Anna Zee, President of FEMA, then Rolf Frieling, Biker Union, Germany, John Chatterton-Ross, FIM, Inés Ayala Sender, Member of the EU Parliament, Wim van de Camp, Member of the EU Parliament, Jan Breckwoldt, Suzuki Germany, Veronique Feypell de La Beaumelle, International Transport Forum, Steve Aeschlimann, FIM, Didier de Radiguès, former GP motorcycle racer, Jesper Christensen, FIM, Morten Hansen, Norwegian Motorcyclists Union, Silvio Manicardi, FIM Europe 2nd Deputy President.
Hosted by Wim van de Camp MEP and Inés Ayala Sender MEP the 2015 edition saw the launch of a new report by the International Transport Forum on motorcycle safety, on November 12th in Brussels.
Véronique Feypell de La Beaumelle outlined the process that led to this work starting at a motorcycling conference held in Norway back in 2008. The report is very positive towards motorcycling.
Jesper Christensen, FIM Director of the Public Affairs Commission, explained to guests that the ITF report has formed the basis of new discussions between FIM Europe and the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA). This has led to a new partnership between the two organisations.
From the European Commission Magda Kopczynska, Director from DG Move, with responsibility for innovation and sustainability in transport, also spoke to the guests. She stressed the importance of accommodating the needs of the 37 million riders of motorcycles, scooters and mopeds in the EU.
A lively question and answer session was opened by special guest former Grand Prix motorcyclist Didier de Radiguès. Also known today to Belgian motorcyclists as a commentator on MotoGP for Belgian television, Didier explained that he also owns two motorcycle schools, one in Belgium, the other in France, to also prepare young riders to the proper use of motorcycle in everyday traffic.
For 2015 Suzuki sponsored the event by providing the motorcycle for the photo call before the dinner.
FIM is grateful to Mr van de Camp and Madame Sender who took time away from their schedule to host the event, and welcome guests into the EU Parliament.
“Also this year FIM Europe took part to the FIM Dinner, which is an event with interesting meetings between the world of motorycling and institutions, and which allows a reciprocal, complete knowledge of many problems which have to faced by the PTW world”, stated Silvio Manicardi, FIM Europe 2nd Deputy President.
