Did you know that there is a motorcycle club on the Arts et Métiers campus Arts et Métiers Paris, created by students in the Specialized Engineering Program? Meet a club of motorized two-wheel enthusiasts who want to combat common stereotypes about motorcycles, promote values of mutual aid, and participate in an ecological initiative.
A club based on exchanges
For Arthur Boyon and Romain Pérot: Co-founders of the club, (Industrial Engineering Specialization Program 2020-2023) and Alexis Miorcec de Kerdanet: current President of the club, (Industrial Engineering Specialization Program 2021-2024), the goal of Arts et Métiers is clear: "It's about sharing our vision of motorized two-wheelers (2RM) and each other's experiences in order to create mutual support and progress in our practice, because we are aware that most of us are inexperienced." The club's goal is to teach everyone the right reflexes and attitudes to help them be safer on the road. This also involves advice and feedback on equipment and accessories, with recommendations for good places to buy at low prices, but sometimes also a reminder of the legislation surrounding insurance and the highway code, and finally mutual assistance with the maintenance of our motorcycles and scooters, so that we can continue to ride safely: "Our engineering training and often technical backgrounds mean that we have a particularly good understanding of what we ride," says Romain.
Originating from an initial outing to the Fontainebleau forest organized by Arthur Boyon, Romain Pérot, and another classmate, the Mot'Arts et Métiers club was officially created in October 2021, with around ten official members. Today, it has 52 members, including 15 active participants.
However, the Mot'Arts et Métiers club is not just a group of motorcyclists: "They are people who are interested in motorcycles, people who are curious and want to know if motorcycling is really for them," explains Arthur Boyon. At the same time, motorcycle enthusiasts and/or those who have not yet been able to get their license are also part of the group. "Everyone has their own way of enjoying motorcycles, whether it's through vintage bikes, everyday commuting, off-roading, racing, mechanics, etc.," continues Romain.
Handover of the presidency in 2022 - Alexis, the President (left), and Arthur, the co-founder (right)
Various activities focused on solidarity and ecology
The club's most visible activities are the motorcycle rides organized throughout the year. These rides are open to all skill levels and allow participants to discover the Île-de-France region (Versailles, the Chevreuse Valley, Seine-et-Marne, the Fontainebleau Forest, the Vexin, the Vincennes Park, etc.). Safety and support for beginners are priorities (safe routes, warning of road hazards). An improvement in their riding is often noticed after each ride.
The club also acts as a mutual aid network, helping members deal with administrative, insurance, and even maintenance issues. Solidarity is part of the DNA of motorcyclists' values. The members of theArts et Métiers clubArts et Métiers their support and share their experiences with anyone who needs it. "There will always be someone to provide information or help," says Romain Pérot.
By providing information and raising awareness, the club is also promoting an eco-friendly approach. Motorized two-wheelers are not just for leisure; they are also a particularly efficient mode of transport for everyday journeys because they take up less space than cars. "As apprentices, we spend half our time at school and the other half at work. For example, to get to my job on the other side of the Paris region, I have to travel 130km round trip from my home. Rather than taking my car, which consumes 7L/100km, I ride a motorcycle that consumes 4.5L/100km: about 70L less gasoline per month! And if an affordable electric motorcycle existed for these journeys, that's what I would have chosen," comments Romain Pérot.
Any plans for the future?
The Mot'Arts et Métiers club wants to expand by offering new types of outings, such as a weekend on the Normandy coast, preparation for track driving to improve driving skills, and participation in awareness/advanced training courses delivered by the gendarmerie.
The organization of meetings and events for those who want to discover motorized two-wheelers as drivers, of course, but also as passengers during an outing is also planned. "Another objective is to extend activities to other campuses and organize joint events on mechanical or community-related topics with people from the 4L Trophy, for example," adds Alexis Miorcec de Kerdanet.
How about an anecdote? Romain Pérot recounts: "Last January, I used my car and a trailer to pick up a friend's motorcycle, which had suffered a serious mechanical problem, and bring it back to his home. Another member of the group is going to buy his motorcycle and repair it himself. The first guy was quickly able to get enough money to buy a cheaper vehicle, and the second guy is treating himself to a nice mechanical project. "
- TheArts et Métiers club, which will be present at the Arts et Métiers campus Open House on March 11, 2023, is affiliated with the Association des Ingénieurs Apprentis (AIA), allowing it to share event announcements through its channels. The club is open to the entireArts et Métiers student communityArts et Métiers regardless of their field of study) as well as to teachers, administrative staff, and alumni interested in the world of motorcycles.
