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:
