Góis Moto Club

Góis Moto Club was founded in February 1991 by some friends who were keen on motorbikes. After visiting several events, they decided to replicated it in Góis and create one of their one. It’s a non-profitable organisation, in fact, one of the most dynamic organisations in this village. There are 250 collaborators, but only 1 part-time worker.  The club mainly depends on volunteers who dedicate part of their time to this motorcycle passion.

An evidence of this club’s success is one of the members, Diogo Ventura, a 23 year old man. He grew up and spent his childhood in Góis, a place that inspired him, at the age of 10, to pursue a career in motorcycling. Since 2014, when he became a professional, he has already won two fifth and one seventh place in Enduro championships. This modality consists in motorcycle races through the mountains.

Fig 1. Diogo Ventura, national champion of Enduro

Many sportive activities take place in Góis Moto Club, essentially motorbike parades and the festival that is organised by the club every August. Góis Motorcycles Concentration is the second biggest event of this kind in Portugal, right after the one which takes place in Faro. That is because about 70% of Faro’s event participants are foreigners and there is an airport in the city which makes it easier for tourists to go there.  Nevertheless, about 30 000 people visit Góis in the third weekend of August, in order to participate in this extraordinary event. Trough this experience, motorcyclists are able to contact with pure nature by camping near the Ceira River. Moreover, participants are given the chance to attend concerts from Portuguese bands, such as UHF, Moon Spell and Xutos e Pontapés for only 25€ per person.

This event is extremely important to the local and regional economy. First of all, since the Club doesn’t provide meals to the participants, they are forced to consume in nearby restaurants which contributes to the rise of its profits. Then, the public services are also reinforced, for example the security and the health services. Finally, the money gathered, is partially used to develop the Club and the rest is donated to charities.

Fig 2. Motorcyclists can camping near the Ceira River.

However, there are also numerous negative impacts, mainly on the environment.  To begin with, there is lack of space for participants to camp which results on the overuse of natural resources.  Secondly, the noise of the 5000 motorcycles that arrive to Góis is tremendously prejudicial to its inhabitants. Furthermore, carbon dioxide emissions reach damaging levels for the atmosphere.  At last, there is a serious problem connected to the huge amount of waste that is accumulated during the weekend. Since there are so many people that take part in this event, it is hard to control the enormous volume of garbage.

Despite this, according to Nuno Bandeiras, a member of Góis Moto Club, the event can still grow and develop. Still, the camping area has only 3,5 hectares, so there needs to be more space for this concentration to be able to receive more participants.

All in all, Góis Moto Club is a project that still has a lot to achieve and potential to grow. Though, the club has to take into account the community well-being as well as promote a sustainable development that does not interfere with the environment natural dynamic.

Group 4