Italian politicians, as also happens in other member countries of the European Union, have found in prohibition a legal weapon with which to establish almost any regulation even if it ends up harming certain sectors of society. The last of these ideas revolves around the Dolomites and their free movement for different activities.
The Dolomites bans organized motorsport events
According to the latest minutes issued by the Provincial Council of the area, the latter approved the new regulations for motorsport events organized on certain state and provincial roads under the jurisdiction of the Province. “The measure affects roads located in protected areas and in areas above 1,600 meters above sea level”.
As they have made known, applies exclusively to organized motorsport events and does not restrict private traffic. The Provincial Government admits in said document that the initiative is part of what they themselves call “South Tyrol Sustainability Strategy 2030 and South Tyrol Climate Plan 2040”. We already know that when hackneyed terms such as “Sustainability”, “Climate Plan” and other technicalities ecofriendly are in the same sentence, more than one (and two) will be clearly harmed.
Although these types of measures advocate for greater protection of natural areas, the reduction of environmental impact and the quality of life of the local population, it is not understandable that organized motorsport events are de facto eliminated. In any case, the promoters of this measure in the Dolomites affirm that the latter “they conflict with these objectives, since they generate additional impacts in terms of noise, emissions and traffic.”
Furthermore, the regulations apply not only to motorsport competitions, but to all motorsport events organized for entertainment purposes, regardless of the type of vehicle used (whether cars, motorcycles or tractors) and their respective propulsion systems. The document concludes by referring to the road sections that are directly affected by the standard.
These are mainly those “leading to Dolomite mountain passes, natural parks, the Stelvio National Park and protected areas, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Dolomites. It also applies to specially protected areas located above 1,600 meters above sea level, which enjoy enhanced protection under the provincial law “Territory and Landscape”” and they warn: “Failure to comply with these provisions will result in an administrative fine.”
The FMI disagrees with the norm
Complaints from different associations that are directly affected by this new regulation have not been long in coming. Even the Italian Motorcycle Federation (FMI) has taken a stand regarding this measure, in which its current president Giovanni Copiolihas made clear the entity’s position regarding this new scenario in the Dolomites: “I am amazed and perplexed by this resolution. In a province where our activities generate healthy tourism thanks to motorcyclists eager to explore the area.”
“We are now faced with a measure that blocks access to emblematic roads for two-wheeled fans. The FMI promotes sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism, and I firmly believe that motorcycle tourism drives the economic growth and visibility of these areas of our country. The regulations approved by the Regional Council limit our freedom, which is why I consider it an unfair imposition.”
He concludes by making it clear that “The FMI encourages all road users – both in the mountains and in other areas – to comply, but these measures do not promote adequate and truly sustainable mobility”. Without a doubt, the debate is served and will surely continue to cause reactions among those parties involved.
