We had a very interesting open forum on monday june 16 and yes as everyone expected Tokyo has been confirmed as the host for the 2009 Cycle Messenger World Championships.... The International Federation of Bike Messenger Associations reinstated most of its council members plus a few extras (me) and we talked about committing to the Global Alliance for Eco Mobility.... As we considered the pros and cons of being part of the "bigger picture" and involving ourselves in Cycling, Road Safety, Urban planning and environmental awareness it became very clear that Cycle Messengers have fresh, professional, important and original opinions as far as these topics are concerned..... The vote was enanomous we are now committed to being an active part of the global alliance for equal mobility.

http://www.ecomobility.org/news.php

If you read through the last link you may have already noticed that the Ifbma has already actively participated the launch of the Global Alliance for EcoMobility that took place in Bali, Indonesia, on 10 December 2007 on the occasion of the United Nations Climate Change Conference... Messengers have extremely original and valid opinions and we all agreed that OUR VOICE MUST BE HEARD....

..... And then we voted on where we wanted to host the 2010 Cycle Messenger World Championships.... The Bids came from Berlin (after a night on the Vodka) Hamburg (allegedly due to a rivalry with Berlin) and GUATEMALA!!! After a good presentation and reassurence from Nadir (who hosts a messenger event once a year in guatemala) it became clear that most people who were present at the open forum was more interested in being a part of the bigger picture than just taking the easy option of heading back to Europe.... So yep the majority of us voted for heading out of our comfort zone and taking our travelling circus to Guatemala for 2010.... It won't be easy but with out a doubt it'll be an experience to remember....