Thursday, March 9, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has

learned of the tragic death of Simon Milward, a leading motorcycle

rights advocate who traveled the world to raise funds for charity.

Milward, a native of the United Kingdom, died as a result of a

motorcycle crash in the west African country of Mali on March 4.

A former secretary general of the Federation of European Motorcyclists'

Association (FEMA), Milward helped organize European motorcyclists in

the 1990s.

"Simon was one of the men most responsible for taking the motorcycle

rights movement international," said AMA President Robert Rasor. "He

brought motorcyclist rights organizations from various countries

together and improved their lot in the European Union."

But Milward's advocacy work was just a prelude to a bigger adventure. On

January 1, 2000, he set off on a homemade motorcycle for an

around-the-world trip. He initially raised donations for Riders For

Health, a charity that uses motorcycles to bring health care to

residents of remote regions, and Doctors Without Borders.

In the United States, Milward joined with Rasor and other concerned

motorcyclists to form Motorcycle Outreach, which funneled donations to

motorcycle-related charities in other countries. Through Milward's

influence, organizations aimed at using motorcycles to provide health

care to poor populations in remote areas have been formed in countries

ranging from Indonesia to South Africa to Argentina.

"Simon had an enormous impact on the motorcycling community," said

Rasor. "He will be missed by motorcyclists everywhere."

On behalf of the AMA and American motorcyclists, Rasor offered

condolences to Milward's family and the many friends he made around the

world.

For more information, visit Simon Milward's website.

I'm almost certain this is the man and his bike that I meet in Sacramento, Ca a few years back, or so. He was in Old Town Sac with a map of his trip on a store front window, talking with people and collecting donations. My condolences.

Regards,

he came from near where i live, there have been many tributes and such in the local papers etc.

he had been touring for over 2 years i believe, all for charity too.

seemed like quite a guy.