It’s time for the doors of the 2009 EICMA motorbike show to open to the public. After two days reserved for trade visitors and the media (which registered above expected visitor numbers), the motorbike show opens to the public from Thursday to Sunday, starting a celebration of everything on two wheels. This 67th edition of the show is packed with new products, new ideas and new forms of entertainment for motorbike lovers.
Wednesday was an important day for EICMA with the formal announcement of a joint venture between EICMA and China Chamber of Commerce for Motorcycle e Genertec International Advertising & Exhibition Ltd to organise EICMA China in Canton in April 2010.
“This agreement is very important because it represents the arrival of the biggest bike show in the world to the biggest bike market in the world: China,” EICMA president Guidalberto Guidi said. “Despite the economic crisis the numbers are clear: The Chinese market still consists of between 25 and 26 million pieces sold per year.”
“For the growing motorbike market in China, being able to work with EICMA is invaluable. It’ll create a great chance to create contacts and exchange experience,” Chang Bingnan of the China Chamber of Commerce said. The joint venture is supported by both the Italian and Chinese governments who are working ever closer with the motorbike sector to intensify relationships between producers and component manufacturers from the two countries. The joint venture was presented by Song Huiquin and Italian vice-minister Roberto Castelli who is creating numerous cooperation agreements.
“China represents a major slice of the future of the global economy and its importance can’t be ignored. At the same time Italy has excellent skills in the motorbike sector, both in technology and human resources. These can provide precious help to the Chinese sector,”, Castelli said.
Castelli also took part in the Safety Congress organized by the Italian Ania association. It focused on the problems of two-wheel road user –the major victims in road accidents. It emerged that statistically, Italian cities are the most dangerous urban areas on all of Europe and over 90,000 accidents involve motorbikes. Castelli is the Italian vice-minister for infrastructure and transport. He pointed out how road safety is a key priority for the current Italian government and that they are working on awareness campaigns, road safety systems and the safe working of motor vehicles. The Italian ANCMA two-wheel industrialists association has also created an awareness programme that will begin next spring. .