A moment of the Conference with the opening by Prof. Gennaro Terracciano
On Saturday 30th July 2016, the beautiful green surroundings of the Arcinazzo Highlands, near Rome (Italy), hosted the first edition of the Conference “The highlands on bike”, dedicated to the moto-touring and to the ageless passion for the two wheels.
The event, organized by the Municipality of Arcinazzo Romano, in cooperation with the University of Studies of Rome “Foro Italico” and with FIM Europe, was patronized by the FIM – International Motorcycle Federation – and by FMI – Italian Motorcycling Federation.
The event was attended by professionals, amateurs, local motoclubs and curious people.
The purpose of the meeting was the candidature, presented by the Mayor of Arcinazzo Romano Mr. Giacomo Troja, of the Arcinazzo Highlands as site of important National and International moto-touring events.
Infact, this area has all that is necessary for this kind of events:
• It is near Rome but, at the same time, located in a decentralized area, characterized by beautiful nature and winding roads surrounded by green mountains and woods;
• It has areas for rafting and horseback riding;
• It provides archaeological sites dating back to Roman times (hunting manor of the Emperor Tiberius);
• It ensures receptivity at all levels, thanks to Fiuggi’s Terme just a few minutes away;
• The area is characterized by several typical local wine and food products
The leitmotiv of the day was surely the synergy and collaboration among the three present Federations (FIM, FIM Europe and FMI), concerning the moto-touring sector.
In the recent years, a sharp increase of moto-touring has been registered, both domestically and outside Europe; an increasing number of motorcyclists who decide, at any age, to practice moto-touring in a more and more responsible, organized way.
The role of the Motorcycling Institutions, at all levels, becomes therefore fundamental in order to fully satisfy the exigences of the bikers, granting therefore excellent services, logistics organization, safety and information.
It must be underlined as harmony and synergy shown by the representatives of the three Motorcycling Institutions involved, FIM, FIM Europe and FMI, together with the University of Rome “Foro Italico” represented by Pro-Rector Prof. Gennaro Terracciano, made clear that such Organizations are able to give precise answers to the moto-touring requests, at World, Continental, National and Regional level. This image of unity and cooperation makes these Motorcycling Institutions essential landmarks for motorcycling and for the local Communities. The collaboration with the Universities “raises the bar” by requesting a level of thematic presentation certainly more thorough and based on scientific evidences.
Damiano Zamana – FIM CTL Director
“It has been an important moment of confrontation where very important issues were treated, such as: the rediscovery of the territory and local traditions, the deepening of the “Senior Touring” and of all the prevention aspects that must be considered both by the young and the Over60 biker”.
Maurizio Simonetti – President of the FMI Lazio Committee
“It has been a very interesting Conference, promoting the beauty of this area as ideal for moto-touring. To increase the potential of the territory, also through an increase of the services offered to the traveler biker, favors the growth of touring and contributes to the recovery of the local economic”.
The presentation of Mario Alberto Traverso, President of the FMI Touring Commission
Mario Alberto Traverso – President of the FMI Touring Commission
“To compare different worlds united by the same passion is very important. It was not a self-referent meeting, but rather an occasion in which everyone has had the chance to present his own activities and especially to hear what are the issues in which sometimes you may incur. This is why FMI is certainly a reference Federation regarding moto-touring, both Nationally and Internationally. There are about 61.900 moto-tourists in Italy (including amateurs) and even 10.000 enrolled to FMI, who regularly practice touring activity on the two wheels”.
Gennaro Terracciano – Pro-Rector of the University of Studies of Rome “Foro Italico”
“The aim of this event has been to know the initiatives proposed by each of the three Federations (FIM-FIM Europe-FMI) for the moto-touring sector. Some of them can surely be combined with beautiful surroundings as the one of Arcinazzo Highlands, well suited to this kind of activities, offering not only the opportunity of striking moto-tours, but also to join them with culture, good food and relax. I have noticed the excellent balance among the different speakers and I have to say that the Conference was really very interesting. In fact there were well underlined all a series of dynamics involving the moto-touring activity; extremely important is surely the “medical” aspect, then passing the attention to the “juridical” one, but first of all the description of all opportunities that this sector can give to the local Communities.
It is very interesting to note that there is already a strong interest by the Federations about the rediscovery of places in addition to big cities, while presenting some logistical and organizational difficulties, but arousing great charm and curiosity to travellers. I wish to thank once again the University of Studies of Rome “Foro Italico” for having sponsored this initiative, as a sign of cooperation between Universities and Local Institutions and especially the Mayor of Arcinazzo Romano, Mr. Giacomo Troja, promoter of this event. Therefore, the hope is that in the future events like this of today, will become constant appointments for small Communities such as Arcinazzo’s”.
From the left: Maurizio Simonetti (FMI), Damiano Zamana (FIM) and Alessandro Sambuco (FIM Europe)
Alessandro Sambuco – FIM Europe Secretary General
“I cannot do other than underline, as done by my colleagues, the harmony existing among our Institutions. This results in more and more punchy actions on the territory. I must say that the synergy with the world of Universities makes us more credible and visible towards our social stakeholders. The hope is that our National Federations will feel themselves always more supported by FIM and FIM Europe, in order to create new opportunities of growth for the world of motorcycling”.
The poster of the Conference (in Italian)
