As of: February 7, 2024, 11:18 a.m
By: Josef Hornsteiner
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BMW1_0203.jpg © FOTOPRESS THOMAS SEHR
Berlin probably couldn't convince motorcycle enthusiasts.
The BMW Motorrad Days return to Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
A step that is met with a lot of approval.
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
- What a backwards role: for 18 years, the BMW Motorrad Days were an integral part of the event calendar in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
In some years they attracted over 40,000 visitors to the market town.
In 2020, however, the automobile and motorcycle manufacturer based in Munich decided to move the popular biker meeting to Berlin from 2021.
A decision that caused a lot of dissatisfaction in the scene.
Some of the reviews were devastating: in the cool atmosphere of a Berlin exhibition center, it seemed that not only the two-wheel fans were disappointed.
Apparently BMW too: because now, almost four years after the decision that horrified the market town, the popular meeting is returning to the district town.
From July 5th to 7th, 2024, the BMW Motorrad Days will “return to their roots,” says town hall spokeswoman Silvia reisen-Schropp.
The biker family is still welcome, “nothing has really changed over the years and it’s nice to see that the BMW motorcycle fans perhaps felt a little more comfortable in Garmisch-Partenkirchen than in Berlin,” writes the municipality in a press release.
The automobile giant's decision is met with great approval not only by First Mayor Elisabeth Koch (CSU), "but throughout the town," she assures.
“Many positive memories are brought back and people in Garmisch-Partenkirchen are simply looking forward to a colorful, happy and peaceful motorcycle festival.”
A lot of work now lies ahead of the market town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in order to be able to hold the meeting in five months
At the same time, Koch also knows that another major event of this magnitude, which has found its way onto the market calendar at such short notice, will be a real challenge and a Herculean task.
Not least because this summer is already very crowded with the visit of the Scottish national team as part of the European Football Championship and the Alpine region meeting of the mountain riflemen with around 14,000 participants.
Mayor Elisabeth Koch (CSU) is optimistic
That's why a lot of preparatory work is now necessary in order to be able to cope with the days in a good five months: approvals from the public order office are needed in no time, signage is needed, the construction and dismantling of the market's own infrastructure as well as the coordination of support from the team GaPa-Tourismus GmbH are necessary.
Nevertheless, Koch remains optimistic: “We have proven many times that we can host major events.
After all, we manage major international sporting events year after year, or even the occasional G7 summit.
That doesn’t scare us – quite the opposite.”
BMW wants to build on the success it had before moving to Berlin
Markus Flasch, head of BMW Motorrad, can also be quoted enthusiastically: “We are very pleased to be celebrating the BMW Motorrad Days 2024 together with our global community again in Garmisch-Partenkirchen,” he assures.
He wants to continue the “legendary format” in the style of previous events.
Especially in our “Year of the GS”, Garmisch-Partenkirchen “with its magnificent Alpine panorama and nearby dream passes is simply the perfect location for our world’s largest BMW Motorrad meeting”.