Motorcycle touring as an opportunity to discover the beauty, culture and value of territories with a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach.
Both events held in Rimini on 23-24 September in the framework of the Ride to FIM Awards – The future of Motorcycling, which focused on motorcycle touring, the resulting economic impact and sustainability, were attended by a wide range of high-profile stakeholders of the motorcycling world.
Friday's panel featured an opening address by Damiano Zamana, FIM deputy CEO. After extending greetings to those present on behalf of President Viegas, he pointed out, "Three billion of indirect economic impact in Italy gives the dimension of a sector that has great unexpressed potential, given that we are looking at 35 million motorcycles circulating in Europe. The Ride to FIM Awards programme now awaits the big event on 3 December in Rimini, which will see the celebration of all the crowned champions of the FIM-sanctioned World Championships. We started with MotoGP in Misano, with a workshop dedicated to the future of young riders. Here in Rimini, we are also looking to the future, under the banner of social, environmental and economic sustainability. We will then make a stop in November at the Ducati Museum in Bologna, a treasure trove of high technology and design talent”.
This event gathered exceptional speakers, including Giancarlo Strani, FMI Environmental Commission Coordinator, who ensures together with the environmental stewards that the sporting events comply with the Environmental Code.
Representatives of local institutions were also present: Jamil Sadegholvaad (Mayor of Rimini) Andrea Corsini (Councillor for Tourism of the Emilia-Romagna Region), Moreno Maresi (Councillor for Sport of the Municipality of Rimini) and Chiara Astolfi (Director of Visit Romagna).
All emphasized the potential of the region capable of hosting motorcycle tourism events in full compliance with sustainability, and of attracting European and international travellers, with an important economic impact, along with the enhancement of the scenic beauty that the region can offer.
They emphasized the sense of pride about Emilia-Romagna, a land that has always been linked to the passion for motorcycling, which will host in Rimini for the first time in Italy, the FIM Awards and the Delegates of all National Federations.
Andrea Guizzardi, Director of the Centre for Advanced Studies in Tourism of the University of Bologna (CAST), together with researcher Debora Casoli, presented “Project Mototurismo” a survey that questioned participants of events dedicated to motorcycle touring, yielding an important snapshot of two-wheeled touring and its potential.
“Our land is generous, with routes surrounded by nature” - said media bloggers Emilio Salvatori and Cristina Zoli - testimonials of Romagna Motorcycle, a route of more than 700 kilometres in the region with electric motorcycles.
The words of Lt. Col. Cosimo Chiumiento, commander of the Carabinieri Forestry Group in Rimini, were intended to emphasize the joint work done together with the FIM, with the analysis of emissions during track events and initiatives to offset them by planting trees.
Innovation, safety and environmental protection: the panel on Saturday 24 called the motorcycle industry together to give insights into the directions of motorcycle and accessory production and aimed at a sector that shows dynamism and growth, with attention to product sustainability along with the promotion of motorcycle touring.
Among those who contributed to the discussion were, Mirco Urbinati, head of Transitalia Marathon,
Roberto Vitali, Sales & Marketing representative of Benelli, Danilo Bernini of Pirelli Motor Business Unit, Director of the Italian Market, Antoine Beltramone, Head of Italia SW Motech, Fabio Mecella General Manager of Forma Boots, Angela and Martina Locatelli, from Airoh, Francesco Agnoletto, CEO of Motor Bike Expo.
Field experience was shared by Marcello Romano, off-road driving instructor, who reiterated the importance of knowing the correct riding settings in order to ensure rider safety. Silvia Giannetti, an amateur Dakar and off-road rider, diverted from her passion for motorcycle touring, which led her to compete in the Paris-Dakar, to a project to build schools in Peru for more than five thousand children.
Both panels were concluded by FMI Vice President Rocco Lopardo, who stressed the spirit of cohesion that drives the work on environmental issues, resulting from the commitment of many sports clubs and their passionate leaders.
Ride to FIM Awards events 2022
• 1 September, Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” – Workshop “How to be a professional rider”.
• 23-24 September, Rotonda Fellini, Rimini – Roundtable “The future: Motorcycle touring as an enabler of the Sustainable Development Goals”.
• 29 November, Museo Ducati Borgo Panigale, Bologna – Roundtable “The future: Sustainability and Motorcycling”
• 3 December, Teatro Galli, Rimini – Meet&Greet FIM World Champions.
FIM Communications