Press release: MCF – Motorcycle Importers Association
This year’s motorcycle policy debate will take place during Arendalsuka, on Monday, August 11 from 18:00 to 19:00 in the Samferdselsteltet at Arendalsuka under the auspices of Motorsykkelimportørenes Forening MCF and Norsk Motorcykkel Union, NMCU and a number of other players in MC-Norge. All the key players in the motorcycle industry are invited to be present in the hall. Jan Ove Ekeberg, motorcyclist, well-known author and former TV2 journalist is leading the debate and round table discussion at Arendalsuka.
Arrive in good time
We recommend meeting in good time from approx. 16.00 in front of the Samferdselsteltet, Rådhusgaten 2, Arendal. Here we will be many friends of the motorcycle cause who meet. Then we will start the event in the transport tent at 18.00 sharp and finishes at 18.00. 18.45/19.00.
This will be followed by the great transport debate, so there will be many exciting and important players in transport policy in the area at this time. Follow the event here on Facebook.
Yngvill H. Tellmann (60) who survived with a motorcycle airbag. You will meet her during the motorcycle political debate and roundtable discussion organized by MCF at Arendalsuka.
The most important motorcycle safety meeting of the year
– “We’ve invited the MC-dugnaden players and others who are important to the motorcycle cause in Norway to the panel,” says Arve Lønnum, secretary of the Motorcycle Importers’ Association, MCF. He will speak in connection with the meeting.
– It is important that the road authorities now follow up on the recommendations and knowledge we bring to the table, and highlight them in the motorcycle policy debate and roundtable discussion in Arendal,” says Arve Lønnum.
See also our press release of July 22 . There are also a number of interesting photos at the bottom of the message from Austria related to road marking and more.
Many important players present
– We can only give advice, it is the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the Directorate of Public Roads that must make the decisions,” emphasizes Arve Lønnum.
– We look forward to hearing State Secretary Tom Kalsås, Labour Party, Ministry of Transport and Communications’ assessment of whether our recommendations will be followed up and prioritized in the future.
– The same goes for Guro Ranes, Director of Traffic Safety at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, and senior advisor Lars-Inge Haslie, who is leading the motorcycle campaign organized by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. Haslie is a motorcyclist himself.
– “And of course from the many other important key people we are gathering in the Transport tent this afternoon,” says Lønnum. He himself has been central to the MC work since the late 1990s.
Road marking, guardrails – experiences from Austria and Scotland
– “Better road marking, safer guardrails and underrun protection, experiences with ellipses from Austria and road marking in Scotland and increased use of airbag vests on motorcycles are among the most important topics when motorcycle safety is raised to the top political level during Arendal Week,” says Per-Anton Vinje, Chairman of the Board of the Motorcycle Importers’ Association, MCF.
Everyone who is important to the MC cause is invited
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the Directorate of Public Roads, the police and the emergency services, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, members of the Transport and Communications Committee and other motorcycle enthusiasts in the Norwegian Parliament and government, NMCU – Norwegian Motorcycle Union, NMCF – Norwegian Motorcycle Dealers Association and Bikelife Norway, NAF MC – the motorcycle department of the Norwegian Automobile Association, WIMA Norway – women on motorcycles in Norway and part of the worldwide Women’s International Motorcycle Association, Kongelig Norsk Automobilklub – KNA (Royal Norwegian Automobile Club), Trygg Trafikk – professional body for traffic safety, rider development organizations and motorcycle clubs, Reitwagen.no, BIKE.no, Hubriding.no – På2hjul and other motorcycle clubs, as well as a number of other stakeholders have been invited.
Survived motorcycle accident with motorcycle airbag
In connection with the debate, you will also get to meet Yngvill H. Tellmann, who is a member of WIMA, ladies on motorcycles and who is convinced that the motorcycle airbag is absolutely central to her surviving a motorcycle accident before the summer holidays.
You will meet Yngvill H. Tellmann (60) in connection with MCF and NMCU and others who put MC on the agenda during Arendalsuka.
Yngvill’s story
On the last weekend in May, a group of 7 motorcyclists set off on a trip. The plan was simple: a good detour before 5 of them would continue on to Vålerbanen to participate in a safety course organized by WIMA – Women’s International Motorcycle Association. However, the trip took a dramatic turn on the way through Sweden.
Accident at 70 km/h
– I came over the top of a hill, followed by a left turn at around 70 km/h. Suddenly I found myself on gravel and on the side of the road. I lost control and we were thrown around and ended up in the ditch,” explains Yngvill H. Tellmann, who until now has wished to remain anonymous for the sake of her family and friends and because it took time to process this serious incident.
Coming forward for the first time
In connection with Arendalsuka, she has decided to come forward with her important motorcycle accident story.
After being thrown into the coal with her bike and slipping 20 meters off the road, she landed – with a large stone wedged between her ear and shoulder.
– That stone could have killed me. The first thing I thought when I realized I could move my arms and legs was: What if I didn’t have a motorcycle airbag vest with a neck collar? Says Yngvill H. Tellmann.
– You will meet her in connection with the motorcycle policy debate at Arendalsuka on Monday, August 11 at 7:00 pm. 18.00. You can meet her at Samferdselsteltet from kl. 16.00.
Ambulance personnel and police in Sweden had never seen a motorcycle airbag in use before. The same was true of the doctors at the emergency department in Trollhättan.
– They were simply impressed. The fact that I got away with two stitches in my leg was almost unbelievable. Now we encourage everyone to use the MC-Airbag,” says Yngvill H. Tellmann. As a surviving motorcyclist, she has now made it her mission to talk about airbag vests – at home and abroad.
– I ask most often:
– Have you considered an airbag vest?
– There are a frightening number of people who never have never heard of it. But when I tell them what happened to ME, they listen and ask questions.
– At least four people I’ve spoken to have bought a vest afterwards. Including 2 of those who were with the 7 of us on the trip who did not have an airbag on the fatal day.
– After witnessing the accident, they could not buy a motorcycle airbag with a neck collar fast enough, says Yngvill H. Tellmann.
She is clear in her conclusion:
I see an airbag vest as cheap life insurance. I could have ended up in a wheelchair – or worse.
I know that NOK 8-9,000 is a lot for many people, but like everything else, it’s a question of priorities, and for me it was an important consideration in terms of my own safety. It’s also a reassurance for those who love me that I wear a motorcycle airbag and good riding clothes.
I could have ended up in a wheelchair – or worse.
I attribute the fact that I’m still up and about to 17 liters of air in the vest and a neck collar that kept my head and neck stable against the helmet – and not least away from the “death stone”.
MCF demands political action
The Motorcycle Importers’ Association (MCF) and other organizations are traditionally looking forward to Arendalsuka. With more than 250,000 Norwegian motorcyclists, motorcycles are an important and growing segment in both the traffic and mobility discussion.
– We need to rethink road safety for motorcyclists. Better road markings, especially on bends, clearing of side terrain and the use of bottom rails under guardrails are concrete measures that save lives. In addition, airbag vests with neck collars must become the norm – not the exception,” says Arve Lønnum of MCF.
He points to examples from Austria and Germany, where motorcycle safety measures have had a major impact.
– “It’s not just about accidents, but about safer driving experiences and better public health,” Lønnum emphasizes.
Facts about the debate:
Motorcycle policy debate in Arendalsuka – 2025
Location: Samferdselsteltet, Rådhusgaten 2, Arendal
Time: 18.00 – 19.00 (Recommend attendance in good time at 17.30)
Chair: Jan Ove Ekeberg, motorcyclist, well-known author and former TV2 journalist talks briefly with Yngvill H. Tellmann (60) who survived with a motorcycle airbag.
Short introduction: Arve Lønnum, Secretary, Motorcycle Importers Association, MCF sets the scene.
Stakeholders: Transport politicians, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the police, motorcycle organizations and the road safety community
Topics: Motorcycles, modern road safety, zero vision, airbags, training and motorcycles as a modern mobility solution
Some links to interesting links at Austria’s Trygg Trafikk, KFV:
https://www.kfv.at/massnahmen-zeigen-wirkung-80-weniger-unfaelle-weitere-motorradunfallstellen-werden-entschaerft/
Motorcycle risk curves | Fahrschule Fürböck (fuerboeck.at)
Contact us
Arve Lønnum (901 18 900, al@adlo.no)
Secretary
Motorsykkelimportørenes Forening, MCF
Per Anton Vinje (901 39 454, per-anton.vinje@kellox.no)
Chairman of the Board
Motorsykkelimportørenes Forening, MCF
Arild Lind (900 76 407, arild@nmcu.org)
General Manager, Norwegian Motorcycle Union, NMCU
Bjørn Richard Johansen (47 800 100, brj@gknordic.com)
Press contact and political communications advisor / Geelmuyden Kiese
Motorsykkelimportørenes Forening, MCF
About Motorcycle Importers Association, MCF
MCF, Motorsykkelimportørenes Forening’s work leads to benefits for those who drive two-wheelers in Norway. The association organizes the largest importers of motorcycles, mopeds and scooters in Norway. MCF works together with public authorities, user organizations and other stakeholders to facilitate a better everyday life for motorcyclists. The association is also a co-organizer of the MC fair, which is held every other year. The association’s slogan is: MC – A rare combination of reason and joy. Importers of these brands are members: BMW, Daelim, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Husqvarna, Indian, Kawasaki, Keeway, KTM, Kymco, MV Agusta, Peugeot, Piaggio, Rieju, Slingshot, SMC, Suzuki, SYM, TGB, Triumph, and Yamaha.
More about MCF at www.mcf.no
Briefly about NMCU, Norwegian Motorcycle Union
The Norwegian Motorcycle Union, NMCU, is the interest organization for Norwegian street motorcyclists. NMCU was founded in 1972 and represents the voice of owners and riders of over 250,000 registered motorcycles in Norway. Together with Bikelife Norway, NMCU has approximately 40,000 motorcyclists as members and followers in Norway. NMCU is represented in the Motorcycle Council and the Motorcycle Alliance, and is a consultative body for ministries and directorates in matters relating to motorcycles. Internationally, NMCU is an active member of the Nordic Motorcycle Council (NMR) and the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA). Olea Anett Kvalsvik, Chair of the NMCU Executive Board and from Ålesund, is also a front figure for 40 million motorcyclists in Europe, having been elected President of the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) in February 2025. FEMA consists of 20 European motorcycle organizations.
