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FIM attends International Transport Forum 2023 Summit


The FIM attended the recent International Transport Forum 2023 Summit – the world’s largest gathering of transport ministers and the premier global transport policy event – in Leipzig, Germany, where the focus was on the role of transport as an enabler of economic growth that also drives environmental and social sustainability.

The FIM representatives met ministers from Brazil, Chile, Columbia, the UK, Germany, Kenya, Lithuania, Kenya and Sweden as well as senior public servants from many other countries. In addition, the use of electric motorcycles was promoted on the FIM’s exhibition stand with the latest models from Vmoto, Yamaha, Piaggio and BMW prominently displayed.

FIM President Jorge Viegas addressed the main hall on how motorcycles can help to reduce poverty and a panel discussion was also held with participants representing industry, new technology, national and local governments plus motorcycle sport and riders.

Jesper Christensen, Director of the FIM Mobility Commission, said: “As the global advocate for motorcycling, it was great to be here in Leipzig showing the contribution motorcycling is already making to urban mobility. We spoke to ministers of transport from different continents and made many connections to different charities and NGOs.

“Our display of urban electric two-wheelers was a hugely popular attraction and led to many positive discussions on key issues for motorcycling for the future. Hearing people like Karen Vancluysen from POLIS describe electric motorcycles as a ‘game changer’ for the role of motorcycles in urban mobility was a particular highlight.”

Jorge Viegas, FIM President, stated: “What can be more mobile than a motorcycle? I think we can be and we should be the solution for many, many cities in the world. In parts of the world where maybe two-thirds of the population live – Asia, Africa, Latin America – motorcycles are the solution for development because without this vehicle there is no mobility. Mobility means everything. You cannot sell, you cannot buy, you cannot work without a vehicle that can transport you and [the solution] is a motorcycle, the power of two wheels.

“All the manufacturers are investing a lot in energetic transition [and] there is not one single way to do this energetic transition. We are going into electric, but we are also talking about non-emission fuel or eco fuels. So there are two main roads to achieve this energetic transition and the FIM is very, very attentive to both.”

To watch an interview with Jorge Viegas on the subject of motorcycles as a solution for development click HERE

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