Prague motorcycle rally and concert revs up support for muscular dystrophy

An open-air concert and motorcycle rally take place tomorrow in support of people with muscular dystrophy. Czechia’s largest motorcycle charity event MDA Ride consists of a Parade Ride through Prague, as well as a concert in the area between the new and historical buildings of the National Museum at Wenceslas Square in Prague. Entry is free, but people can donate either at the event or online.

Events on Saturday start at 9:15 a.m. with opening remarks, the first bands, and a contest for the most beautiful motorcycle. A ride through the city takes place at 2 p.m. The music will continue at the square, culminating with AC/DC Bratislava, a cover band from Slovakia. They take to the stage at 3 p.m.

The event is open to anyone, with or without a motorcycle, who wants to support a good cause. The scenic parade ride through the streets of Prague will go past some of the city’s most famous landmarks. People with muscular dystrophy will join in with some riders in sidecars. Any make or model of motorcycle is welcome.

For those who want to see the rally, a map is available online. The riders will go up to nábřeží Kapitána Jaroše, along the waterfront into Malá Strana, and eventually as far south as Pražského povstání before returning to Wenceslas Square.

Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. The effects of the disease get worse over time. There is no cure, but there are treatments and therapies to help people cope with the disease.

This is the 15th year for the rally. Throughout its history, the project has raised over CZK 10 million to help individual people and fund hundreds of projects. The event’s first year in 2009 raised CZK 182,000, while last year’s rally raised CZK 1,036,800. “Back then (in 2009), no one expected that it would become the largest motorcycle charity event in Czechia,” the organizers said on the rally’s website. Online fundraisers were held during the pandemic years, as money was still urgently needed by people and their families.

The money goes to the Czech Muscular Dystrophy Association (AMD), Parent Project, Smart-Help, End Duchenne, and SMÁci, charities that are all involved in helping people with muscular dystrophy.

The Czech Muscular Dystrophy Association is the largest group dealing with the disease. Several other charities fill in specialized roles. Parent Project and End Duchenne, for example, focus on helping improve the lives of people with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD), two genetic disorders that affect children in particular. SMÁci helps people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and their families. SMA is another progressive genetic illness with no cure. Smart-Help organizes events for disabled children, youth, and their families.