This is disastrous! The motorcycle paradise in Europe can be found in the Dolomites  . In the winter, it's were most of the wintersport is done, but in the summer, it turns into a major motorcycle haven.
10,000's of motorcycle riders take pass by pass, twistie by twistie, hours on end. It's miles and miles of mouth watering curves. Almost all hotels, B&B's and restaurants convert into biker hangouts, and windfall for all the wintersport establishments. It brings a lot of money during the summer.
Now, the regional Trentino government is planning on banning all motorized vehicles from the high mountain passes. The only way to get there is by bus, or by hiking.
This will kill off a lot of income for the local restaurateurs and hotels, so they are up in arms. They are fighting the authorities, and the green groups responsible for driving this through.
Famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner said: “Let’s leave space to the cyclists and hikers, at least during the main daylight hours, from 9am to 3pm, for example, so that they can fully enjoy the natural beauty.”
Even that is a no go. Riding late afternoon when the light is almost gone and it gets cold is no fun. It also means you go to stay in your camping, B&B or hotel for the morning.... stupid.
Knowing how many motorcycle visit that area per day, it's pretty safe to say that this will not last. There is a lot of money involved, and eventually, the greens will loose out.... I hope. In the mean time, we'll be enjoying the French, Swiss, Austrian and German Alps.
Via: Two Wheels Blog
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