Barcelona is one of the European cities with the greatest presence of motorcycles on the streets. There are currently around 350,000 motorbikes registered in the Catalan capital, a more than considerable figure for the voice of this group to be heard and taken into account and for the mayoral candidates to explain what they are proposals in relation to the role of this vehicle in urban and metropolitan mobility, if they have any. This is the purpose of the call by the association Motoristes per Barcelona, which has called the heads of the list of formations with municipal representation.
The success of this unique call (there is no record of any large European city in which a pre-election meeting has been organized to address this very specific issue) is guaranteed. So far, Motoristes per Barcelona, an organization chaired by Gregori Hidalgo and whose spokesperson is Jaime Alguersuari, legendary ex-pilot, editor and promoter of events linked to the world of motoring, has already received the confirmation of five candidates. It is the socialist Jaume Collboni; the representative of Junts and ex-mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Trias, and the number one Ciutadans (Anna Grau), the PP (Daniel Sirera) and Valents (Eva Parera).
The organizers are still waiting to hear the response to the invitation by the mayoress and head of the list of BComú, Ada Colau, and the republican Ernest Maragall to complete the poster of an event that will be held at the Eixample Teatre (Aragó, 140) on April 12 at 4:30 p.m.
At the event, a dozen men and women representing motorcycle users in Barcelona will speak in advance, who will briefly explain their personal experience. Subsequently, the candidates will explain their proposals around an essential aspect of urban mobility that, too often, has not been taken into account in the political debate and that has been relegated to minimal expression in the electoral programs of the formations .
The promoters of this initiative are fully convinced that motorists, due to the large number of Barcelona users of this vehicle in the city, will play a decisive role in the outcome of the elections. The convening association has carried out some polls among its members which indicate that a very high percentage of motorcycle users would certainly be willing to change the meaning of their vote depending on the proposals and the commitment that the leaders of the list are willing to take on.
Motorists for Barcelona is a vindictive movement, but it starts from a premise that, in its opinion, must govern mobility in the city: order and the defense of pedestrians.
In the event on April 12, which will be called Barcelona, the city of motorbikes, the mayors will not be asked predetermined questions, but the participants will be asked to be the ones to explain their vision of the role that must have in the mobility of the city and the corresponding solutions. With all certainty, aspects such as road safety and parking – increasingly complicated – will be discussed in this session which will be attended by between 150 and 200 motorists.
