Members of the European Parliament’s Motorcycling MEP Club invited representatives of FEMA, FIM and ACEM for a motorcycle ride in the Strasbourg area and Germany’s Black Forest on 7 October 2026, bringing European motorcycling policy closer to the realities of the road.

Established on 1 July 2026, the Motorcycling MEP Club is a cross-party initiative within the European Parliament designed to strengthen dialogue between Members of the European Parliament and the motorcycling sector. Its work covers issues that directly affect riders, including vehicle requirements, licensing, infrastructure, emissions and the future of personal mobility.

FEMA, the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations, FIM, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, and ACEM, the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers, participate as official observers. Together the organisations bring complementary perspectives: the interests of everyday motorcyclists, the expertise and reach of the international motorcycle community, and the knowledge of the manufacturers who develop and produce motorcycles.

The event was an opportunity to connect political discussions in Brussels and Strasbourg with the practical experience of riding on real roads and offered the participating MEPs an opportunity to engage directly with representatives of the motorcycling community in this real-world setting. For the motorcycling community the priority is to ensure that the voices of everyday motorcyclists and riders’ organisations are heard in European policymaking. This includes advocating for motorcycle-friendly infrastructure, proportionate legislation and effective road safety measures grounded in evidence. ACEM’s, FEMA’s and FIM’s contributions help provide a broader understanding of motorcycling, from the people who ride to the vehicles they use and the environments in which they travel. The Motorcycling MEP Club provides a platform for these perspectives to be heard by policymakers across political groups.

A single ride cannot resolve every challenge facing European motorcycling; its value lies in creating opportunities for direct engagement, building mutual understanding and establishing relationships that can continue when legislation is discussed. For FEMA, this is an important part of effective European advocacy. Policymakers need access to practical experience and reliable evidence, while motorcyclists need opportunities to explain how political decisions affect their everyday mobility and freedom to ride. The ride through the Strasbourg area and the Black Forest was another opportunity to strengthen that connection.

The objective is clear: European motorcycling policy should be shaped through dialogue with the people who ride, the organisations that represent them and the industry that serves them. The Motorcycling MEP Club provides a framework for keeping that conversation going.

Germany’s Black Forest provides a distinctive setting for experiencing motorcycling. Its winding roads, changes in elevation and varied road environments attract a large number of motorcycling tourists. The Black Forest has become a focal point in the debate about motorcycling, road safety and noise pollution. Popular winding roads, particularly the B500, attract large numbers of motorcyclists, but also generate growing tensions with local residents and authorities. The main problems are serious motorcycle accidents, excessive speed, loud exhausts and disturbance to residents, especially during sunny weekends. Challenging road layouts, tight bends and changing road conditions add to the safety risks. In response, authorities have introduced seasonal speed limits, overtaking bans and motorcycle restrictions on selected roads. Further restrictions, including possible road closures, have also been discussed. There are alternatives to blanket motorcycle bans. Targeted speed enforcement, effective checks on illegal or excessively loud exhausts, improved road surfaces and safer road design can address specific risks. Better rider training, public-awareness campaigns and cooperation between motorcyclists, residents, police and local authorities can also contribute to solutions. The challenge is to distinguish between dangerous riding and motorcycling itself. Measures should be proportionate, evidence-based and evaluated against clear safety and noise-reduction objectives. The goal should be safer roads and less noise, not the exclusion of all motorcyclists because of the behaviour of a minority.

Thank you to Honda Motor Europe, Kawasaki Motors Europe and Harley-Davidson Motor Company for loaning the bikes. Also a very big thank you to Ricky (@rennleitung110 on Instagram) for leading the ride and explaining the current motorcycle issues in the Black Forest area.

This article is subject to FEMA’s copyright

Photographs courtesy of the office of Andreas Glück MEP