FIM joins United Nations Road Safety Collaboration
On 16 April in Washington DC (USA), the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration members voted to accept the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) as a new member.
Established in 2004, the Collaboration is an informal consultative mechanism whose members are committed to road safety efforts, in particular implementing the recommendations of the World Report on road traffic injury prevention.
FIM Director of Public Affairs John Chatterton-Ross comments: “We have been active for some years now with the UN in Geneva. Adding this new dimension to our co-operation with the UN achieves a strategic goal for the FIM. I think the best example I can give is this. For years we have had an intense working relationship with the European Transport Safety Council which led to the publication of the ETSC report Vulnerable Riders in 2008.
I see this new co-operation arrangement as something that can assist our member federations in other parts of the world in a similar way, particularly in Africa, Asia and Latin America.”
Following the UN Road Safety Collaboration meetings in Washington, the UN General Assembly met in New York on 19 April and reaffirmed its commitment to keep road safety as an international priority.
The Assembly has asked the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki moon to report again to the sixty-eighth Session to ensure that this important issue is kept on the political agenda.
On the 19th April, John Chatterton-Ross, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme’s (FIM) director of public affairs, stopped by the AMA’s (American Motorcyclists Association) Washington office.
The AMA report that various issues were discussed affecting motorcyclists in Europe and the United States, stating that, “The AMA’s relationship with the FIM allows the AMA to better understand what may be on the horizon, so that we can better protect your (motorcyclists) freedom to ride safely.”
Right To Ride Comment
You may not think of the FIM as being involved in “Riders’ Rights” but here are a couple of statements from their website, “developing road-based motorcycling as a legitimate means of recreation and transport” – “The Public Affairs Commission (CAP) – It defends the rights of motorcyclists as citizens and consumers. The Commission deals with the safety of riders on the road. – Also the quality and safety of products used in motorcycling.”
FIM are also involved at UN level through attendance to United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) – World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) and the Working Party on Road Traffic Safety (WP.1).
Information
The UN estimates that currently some 1.3 million people are killed in road traffic collisions annually across the world.
The heaviest burden falls on countries defined as middle- and low-income by the UN.
United Nations Road Safety Collaboration: Click Here
About the FIM
The FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) founded in 1904, is the governing body for motorcycle sport and the global advocate for motorcycling.
The FIM is an independent association formed by 107 National Federations throughout the world.
It is recognised as the sole competent authority in motorcycle sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Among its 50 FIM World Championships the main events are MotoGP, Superbike, Endurance, Motocross, Supercross, Trial, Enduro, Cross-Country Rallies and Speedway.
Furthermore, the FIM is also active and involved in the following areas: public affairs, road safety, touring and protection of the environment.
The FIM was the first international sports federation to impose an Environmental Code in 1994.
For further information on the subject of these press releases contact: John.chatterton-ross@fim.ch
Original Sources: Click Here – Click Here
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