一種聚會，兩不相同

上週末在花蓮有場號稱五千輛的摩托車集結(全國重型機車花蓮大會師)，當日有不少新聞露出。有些同事甚至在本週一時問我說當天有沒有去。我笑笑便說，我這個號稱的騎士，現在連一台代步車都沒有，所以當然不會去了。

這場大會師結果如何，可以參考這兩個國內比較大的論壇：

* www.motoways.net
** 重機花蓮大會師相關討論
* www.moto-lines.com

如果你要問我有什麼看法，我只能說，今天收到了 FEMA(Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations)的來信。信中寫著一週前他們到歐盟議會(Strasbourg)的活動內容。

Issued 15th July 2005

9th Motorcycle Ride with the European Parliament

On Wednesday the 6th of July 2005, European motorcyclists met with their elected representatives at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to enjoy a motorcycle ride through the beautiful Alsacian region.

Organised each year by the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) and the Strasbourg section of its French affiliate FFMC since 1997, the MEP Motorcycle Ride has become a traditional event in the European Parliament calendar. FEMA national member organisations from all over Europe enjoyed this great opportunity to have closer contacts with their elected representatives at the European Parliament.

In spite of the threatening weather, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and assistants were welcomed by motorcyclists from all over Europe in front of the European Parliament, and had the opportunity to choose amongst a wide range of models, the scooter or motorcycle they wished to ride for the evening.

This year’s event was focussed on the Third Driving Licenses Directive and the Road Traffic Safety report, both currently being discussed within the European Parliament. MEPs Mr. Mathieu Grosch and Mr. Ari Vatanen, Rapporteurs for the two dossiers respectively, shared their views with the audience and the press during the Motorcycle Ride opening speeches. Furthermore, FEMA presented a document on guard rails and had on show two samples of guard rails fitted with a motorcycle-friendly device.

Around 19:30, the group of over 100 participants departed for a pleasantly sunny one-hour motorcycle ride to Plobsheim (South of Strasbourg), efficiently guided by the marshals of the local section of FEMA’s French affiliate FFMC. At destination, the group enjoyed a nice outdoor dinner, courtesy of Harley-Davidson Europe, main supporter of the event. During the meal, three H-D presents were raffled amongst the guests and all participants received motorcycle-minded souvenirs of the MEP Motorcycle Ride.

FEMA Secretary General Antonio Perlot said: “This 9t edition of the MEP Motorcycle Ride has proved once more to be a wonderful way for legislators and citizens to informally meet. FEMA is pleased to organise it, as it is a different way of talking about- and more importantly experiencing – motorcycling. The MEP Motorcycle Ride raises the legislators’ awareness about Powered Two-Wheelers, their congestion-relief advantages and their specific safety needs.".

FEMA wishes to thank all the supporters and participants of the event, particularly the MEPs Patrons of this year’s MEP Ride, Mr. Luis Queiro’, Mr. Peter Skinner, Mr. Luca Romagnoli, Mr. Patrick Louis, Mr. Helmuth Markov and Mr. Mogens Camre.

Our warm thanks go again to Harley-Davidson and to ACEM, The Motorcycle Industry in Europe, which, through its members, provided the motorcycles for the event. Further thanks go also to AVD for being present with an historic bus, as well as to Lazer and Hein Gericke for providing helmets and rain suits.

ENDS

Issued by Filippo Marino
Campaigns Officer – FEMA

所以我對於花蓮大會師的感想到底是什麼？落差太大，我真的根本不知道該如何表達意見。有時還甚至會自問自答說，「Road Safety」在台灣本來就該被犧牲。

Who cares? Huh?