Motorcycling Australia PR:

One year on from the launch of its Environmental Code, Motorcycling Australia (MA) today celebrated World Environment with the support of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and industry representatives.

Held at Sol Green Reserve, guests took in displays from Honda, PS Importers, Zero Motorcycles Australia, Vectrix and the DSE and were able to have a chat with representatives about the latest green innovations in motorcycling.

MA’s CEO David White said that it was important for the motorcycling industry to play a leading role in protecting the environment to ensure the future of motorcycling both recreationally and competitively.

“Many things, like noise control, have already been introduced, and we’re trying to make sure that our events have a minimal impact on the environment,” White said.

“We encourage organisations that we deal with, individuals and participants, to be mindful of others, and that stretches beyond merely competition.

“Motorcycles have a big part to play in the solution to road congestion and we’ve got to look at alternative power sources, and this is also something that the FIM has been very pro-active in.

“MA is taking environmental issues very seriously and we want to be a leading body in Australia in dealing with these issues, which can at times be complex.

“However if we all do work together we will no doubt come up with solutions that are both workable and achievable for all the stakeholders.”

DSE Trail Bike Project Manager, Roger Pitt, said it was vital to raise awareness of the need to respect the environment when riding in the forests among trail bike riders.

“World Environment Day is an opportunity for us to think about the plan for the future,” Pitt said.

“As such the Victorian State Government is investing $5 million over a period of four years, to help bring recreational trail bike riding on public land onto an environmentally and socially sustainable footing.

“To be successful in this we need to work in close harmony and partnership with organisations like Motorcycling Australia and Motorcycling Victoria to help deliver a better way forward for responsible trail bike riding on public land.

“I’d like to thank the personnel at Motorcycling Australia for actively taking a lead in trying to improve awareness of the need to care for the environment and I wish both Motorcycling Australia and Motorcycling Victoria all the very best for the years ahead as we continue to work together to preserve the environment for future enjoyment and benefit for all of us.”

With a focus on steps taken to improve environmental awareness and protect the environment, MA’s inaugural Environmental Achievement Award was presented to Motorcycling Victoria (MV) for its efforts at the State Motorcycle Complex at Broadford.

MV’s President, Darryl Hiddle, was on hand to accept the award and was proud of the work that has been done at Broadford over the years.

“I’m rather pleased that we got this,” Hiddle said.

“At Broadford, back when we first got it, it was like a bald hill now there’d easily be 30,000 to 40,000 trees and over the years we’ve managed to reduce the mass of rubbish from the complex going to landfill by more than 65%.

“A lot of hard work from a lot of people has gone into the Complex and it is with great pleasure that I accept this award on behalf of all of them.”

One of the aims at the Broadford Complex is to plant 10 trees for every fallen one, along with continuing to work closely with and consult their local government and residents in the area.

MA would like to congratulate MV on its efforts and would like to encourage everyone involved in Motorcycling to consider how they can reduce their impact on the environment while still enjoying their favourite pastime.

More information about MA’s Environment Day celebrations and documents can be found at www.ma.org.au/environment.