GENERAL INFORMATION
What is FIAB?
Main issues and activities of FIAB
Statutes and Organization
What is FIAB?
The Italian Federation of Friends of the Bicycle is an environmental
organization which promotes
the use of the bicycle as an environmentally friendly
means of transport within an urban context. With the overall aim of improving
the quality of life in urban areas, the Federation
encourages the development of bicycle routes, limitation
of automobil traffic, combined bike+mass transit
solutions and more.
Activities include: bicycle rallies in both urban and
suburban contexts, along with day-trips, weekend
excursions, and longer bicycle tours.
FIAB publishes route maps and proposals for new bicycle
itineraries (see Bicycle Route of the Sun).
FIAB is an affiliate of the European
Cyclists' Federation
Main issues and activities of FIAB
Principally, FIAB operates at the local level with members promoting initiatives in their own cities.
Main activities at a national level are:
Train + Bike
FIAB has been working
for years to improve the availability of combined
transport (ie bike shipped on the same train as its
ownwer-passenger).
It organized a postcard campaign in 1987 which sent
thousands of messages to the Transport Ministry.
The last ten years have seen a progressive increase in
the availability of this service but much remains to be
accomplished.
Unfortunately, as of 1992, Italy remains the only
European nation where a cyclist is not able to ship
his/her bike as baggage.
Law proposals in favour of
bicycle mobility
In 1995 FIAB
presented a proposal which intended to reform policy
regarding bicycle mobility.
Prior legislation dealt with the question haphazardly (ie
the occasional funding of bike routes without regard to
necessary structural or cultural initiatives relative to
urban mobility).
The "Bicycle Mobility Promotion Law" would
provide that at least 3% of road constuction funding be
earmarked for promoting bicycle mobility. Moreover, the
Law would outline all of the relevant measures to be
taken to promote the use of the bicycle - both as a daily
commute vehicle and as a means of tourist travel.
In 1996, in the wake of a second postcard campaign, the
proposed law was introduced before the lower house of the
Parliament by 46 MPs of all political groups.
In 1997, the proposal, with significant modifications,
was discussed before the Transport Commission of the
House and in 1998 was finally converted into law by the
full Parliament.
The
original text of the proposal as written by FIAB , the
inititives undertaken to promote its passage and the
final approved version are available on the web pages in
Italian.
The Highway code
FIAB has long pursued
a policy of greater consideration for cyclists and
pedestrians under the protection of the Highway Ccde.
Since 1984, the Federation has presented a series of
proposals, contacted MPs and various experts from the
Public Works Ministry.
"Ospitabici"
Bicyclaguests - a system of hosting two-wheeled
travellers
Travelling by bicycle
is also a way to meet other people. Much like the SERVAS
programme (an international organization founded by
pacifists in 1947 to promote peace through hosting
travellers); this idea began as an initiative of some ECF
members in Europe to establish a network of bicycle
enthusists willing to host bike tourists in their homes.
In Italy FIAB has encouraged this activity under the nome
of "OSPITABICI".
Annual bicycle tourism meeting
FIAB trip and meeting calendar
Statutes and Organization
The FIAB statute grants the coordination of activities and representation of the Federation to the President and the National Council. The present members are:
Luigi Riccardi (Milano, President)
Andrea Astolfi (R. Emilia)
Antonio Dalla Venezia
(Mestre)
Manuela De Mattè (Trento)
Mimmo Fiorito (Napoli)
Stefano
Gerosa
(Verona)
Fabio Masotti (Siena)
Lello Sforza
(Bari)
The Secretary is in: Via Cesariano 11, 20154 Milano tel-fax 02 3313664.