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MRF Alerts

  • Will the Feds Ever Act on Autonomous Vehicles?

    08/02/2023 9:30 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    In 2017 and 2018, the House and Senate both attempted to pass legislation regarding the development and testing of autonomous vehicles (AVS). Those efforts failed to produce legislation, leaving the Department of Transportation and manufacturers to develop their own guidelines.

    For 6 years Congress has failed to act… we hope things are changing! Last week, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce held a hearing on this new technology. The hearing was titled: “Self-Driving Vehicle Legislative Framework: Enhancing Safety, Improving Lives and Mobility, and Beating China.”

    The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has long advocated for motorcyclists to be included in any legislation on this topic. We’ve worked with our champions on Capitol Hill to stress how important it is for self-driving cars to have the ability to read, react and respond to motorcyclists on the road. During the hearing, House Motorcycle Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Tim Walberg made a point of mentioning what he has heard from us.

    “Many in the motorcycle community are concerned that the technology is able to detect and protect motorcyclists on the road. We are very different from pedestrians and bicyclists because we are in and amongst traffic. It is a concern and I hope that we continue to address it.”

    As we know, no one is looking out for bikers, except bikers. Representative Walberg is a biker, so he gets it! Let’s keep fighting, educating, and making our priorities known.  If we don’t do it, who will?

    In just two months, members of the MRF will establish our legislative agenda for next year, at the Meeting of the Minds in Harrisburg, PA. If you’re curious what we want in the self-driving car space, here’s what we approved at the 2022 meeting.

    2023 MRF Legislative Agenda - Critical Priority:
    Advocate and monitor any legislation or regulations related to motorcycles concerning connected and autonomous vehicles (AV):

    • Endorse rulemaking to set new standards specific to seeing, detecting, and properly reacting to motorcycles.
    • Ensure motorcycles are part of all testing and development procedures.
    • Promote that any AV public user advisory committees should include a representative from the motorcycle community and a motorcycle manufacturer.
    • Require a public, easily accessible, and searchable database where consumers can look up important safety information such as the limitations and capabilities of different products offered by AV manufacturers or service providers.
    • Require that all AV manufacturers must submit safety evaluation reports to detail and make public how their vehicles identify motorcycles among other road users. Manufacturers must also include human error analysis in safety reports.
    • Require that all AV manufacturers must publicly report crash data share incidents between AVs and motorcycles just as they would incidents between AVs and other road users.
    • Protect the safety of motorcyclists with any rules or standards as it relates to electronic and cybersecurity systems including the clarification of rights of data ownership of any recorded data in the context of connected and autonomous vehicles.
    • Inclusion of motorcyclists’ perspectives in discussions regarding the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS).
    • Work to ensure motorcycles are a separate classification of vehicle and road user for purposes of regulation and testing of AVs.
    • Protect the set aside radio spectrums necessary for DSRC vehicle to vehicle communications.
    • Protect additional spectrum as needed for Vehicle to Everything technology (V2X).

    If you want to be involved, come to Harrisburg September 21st to 24th and have your voice heard! Click here to register.

  • MRF 2023 HOF Inductee Announcement

    07/31/2023 8:40 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Motorcycle Riders Foundation announces the 2023 Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame Inductees.

    The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to release the names of the 2023 class of Inductees to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame (MRF HOF). These will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Minds conference September 21-24, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

    This year’s MRF HOF Class of 2023 - Freedom Fighter Inductees are:

    • Jim “Legs” Korte
    • Mary K. Donnay

    Past Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame inductees are: Keith “Bandit” Ball, Mark Buckner, Wayne Curtin, Michael “Balls” Farabaugh, “Still” Ray Fitzgerald, Richard Gray, Bob Illingworth, Nathan “Buck” Kittredge, Ed Netterberg, Sherman Packard, Todd Vandermyde, Paul Vestal, Penny Walker, Ed Youngblood, Vince Consiglio, Fredric Harrell, Rodney Roberts, Simon Milward, JoAnne Packard, Karen Bolin, Lee Richardson, Jerry “JT” Thomas, Teresa Hepker, Dick "Slider" Gilmore, Charles Umbenhauer, Wanda Hummel-Shultz, "Biker" Jim Rhoades, Lee Ryan, Marc Falsetti, Gary Klinker, Charlie Williams, Dave Dwyer, "Radio" Bob Letourneau, "Farmer" John Eggers, Michael "Boz" Kerr, Butch Brown, Deb Butitta, Jim Dahling, Carol Downs, Jay Jackson, Gary Sellers and Kirk “Hardtail” Willard.

  • MEETING OF THE MINDS 2023 Listening, Making a Difference, and Moving Forward to Protect the Future of Motorcycling and Motorcyclists’ Rights!

    07/28/2023 2:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s annual Meeting of the Minds conference will reflect that the MRF listens to our members, partner state motorcyclists’ rights organizations, and motorcycle clubs. MRF members and the motorcycling world know that the MRF is making a difference and moving forward – on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures -- to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

    The Meeting of the Minds conference is where it all began and it’s where motorcyclists’ rights advocates come to experience tailormade workshops addressing issues facing motorcyclists today. It’s where motorcyclists’ rights advocates can get up-to-date information on issues relating to the attacks against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

    The success of this year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway was the result of what the MRF shared at the Meeting of the Minds. Keeping our members and partner SMROs informed and on point is what makes the Motorcycle Riders Foundation the foremost motorcyclists’ rights advocacy group in the nation.

    Listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling, this year’s Meeting of the Minds features sixteen workshops and ten new presenters, plus a host of new topics added to the mix!

    The Motorcycle Riders Foundation – presenters who live and breathe motorcyclists’ rights, topical workshops that have real-world applications for protecting the future of motorcycling – Bikers Inside the Beltway, the Meeting of the Minds – there’s no other place in the world that you can get this much information in such a short span of time!

    The MRF’s legislative agenda represents the collective interests of the nation’s owners of 8.6 million registered street motorcycles, and it is a direct result of the input provided by Meeting of the Minds attendees.

    The burden of keeping the voice of motorcycling heard before Congress, regulatory agencies, and state legislatures is shouldered by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and the five hundred activists who attend the Meeting of the Minds.

    Direct from Capitol Hill, meet William “Rocky” Fox, he will provide Meeting of the Minds attendees with an up-to-the-minute legislative briefing about what’s going on in Congress. Plus, he’ll share with you the importance of attending the workshops to prepare you for Bikers Inside the Beltway in 2024.

    Wondering about the future of the motorcycle industry and motorcyclists’ rights? Keith Ball of Bikernet.com has spent a lifetime monitoring the industry and bikers’ rights; he’ll moderate a panel of rights advocates and industry principals as they share their insights on The Future of Motorcycling -- The intentional phasing out of internal combustion engines and their fuel source.

    The Motorcycle Riders Foundation -- Bikers Inside the Beltway, Meeting of the Minds --listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling & motorcyclists’ rights!

    The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24, Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Use the QR codes below to register and make reservations or call 717-939-7841 and mention Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2023 Meeting of the Minds.

    Thank you for your support of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. We look forward to seeing you in Harrisburg at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Minds, September 21-24, 2023.

    Yours in Freedom,

    Fred

    Fredric Harrell

    MRF Director of Conferences & Events

    P.S. Hotel rooms are available and going fast, confirm your plans now, register with the MRF, and use the QR codes to make hotel reservations early for the Meeting of the Minds 2023. Thank you.

  • Congressional Committees Focused on MRF Priorities

    07/20/2023 9:19 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    In the last 10 days, two committees in the House of Representatives have turned their attention to separate issues facing bikers. On July 12th, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials held a markup on H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act. By a vote of 13 to 8, the bill was forwarded onto the full Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration. This is a critical step in the legislative process. If the full committee also advances the bill, we may see the entire House of Representatives vote on the bill by the end of 2023.

    Tuesday, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet held a hearing titled “Is There a Right to Repair?” Subcommittee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) stressed the need for federal guidelines on the right to repair. He pointed to several states that have their own laws on the topic, which has created a patchwork of differing rules. Without a federal standard, consumers, repair shops, and original equipment manufacturers are left to navigate a maze of regulations that vary across the country. The hearing was educational in nature, with law professors and CEOs answering questions from legislators about strategies and avenues to address this issue.

    Holding hearings and conducting markups are ways politicians signal what they are focused on, and what their priorities are for the future. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is pleased to see action on these two issues that impact motorcyclists. It also makes it the perfect time to tell Congress your thoughts on these issues!

    If you haven’t already, click here to ask your member of the House to cosponsor H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act.

    If you missed the call-to-action last week, you still have time to show your support for federal standards on the right to repair. Click here to ask your lawmaker to cosponsor H.R. 906 the Repair Act. 

  • How Cool Is This?

    07/17/2023 1:18 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    Congresswoman Susie Lee of Nevada was one of the 2022 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Legislators of the Year.

    Check out the video her office put together!

    Keep your eyes peeled for MRF Board Members giving her the MRF Legislator of the Year vest and hanging with bikers on the steps of the U.S. Capitol!

    The MRF remains “The Voice of the Street Rider in DC!”

    Ride Safe and Ride Free!

  • U.S. Senators Join the Fight

    07/14/2023 10:33 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    In late June, nine Senate Republicans, led by Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, introduced the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act (S. 2090). The bill would limit the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing Clean Air Act waivers for state policies seeking to ban or otherwise limit the sale of internal combustion engines. This legislation would preserve consumer choice and maintain competition in the automotive markets by ensuring Americans have access to reliable and affordable vehicles.

    In his press release, Senator Mullin said, “California’s waivers are not about clean energy, they are about control.”

    Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, a co-sponsor of the bill, stated, “Our legislation is all about protecting consumer choice and, ultimately, free market competition that drives down costs.”

    You may remember that in March, the House of Representatives introduced H.R. 1435, the House version of this same bill. In just four months, 85 Republican Representatives have joined as co-sponsors.

    Representative John Joyce of Pennsylvania, the lead sponsor of the House bill, said this, “Congress must act now to pass the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act and avoid forcing consumers to purchase electric vehicles that fail to meet their needs.”

    While it’s unfortunate that this has become a partisan issue, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is pleased to see lawmakers taking the threat to freedom of vehicle choice and the survival of the internal combustion engine seriously.

    Preservation of the internal combustion engine and ensuring availability of the fuel needed to run our bikes is a key part of the 2023 MRF legislative agenda. Our thanks to the following cosponsors of S. 2090

    • Sen. Markwayne Mullin (OK)
    • Sen. Roger Marshall (KS)
    • Sen. Pete Ricketts (NE)
    • Sen. Ted Cruz (TX)
    • Sen. John Barrasso (WY)
    • Sen. Kevin Cramer (ND)
    • Sen. Dan Sullivan (AK)
    • Sen. Roger Wicker (MS)
    • Sen. John Hoeven (ND)

    To see the list of the 85 House cosponsors, click here.

  • LISTENING, MAKING A DIFFERENCE, & MOVING FORWARD TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF MOTORCYCLING & MOTORCYCLISTS’ RIGHTS

    07/14/2023 8:50 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s annual Meeting of the Minds conference will reflect that the MRF listens to our members, partner state motorcyclists’ rights organizations, and motorcycle clubs. MRF members and the motorcycling world can see that the MRF is making a difference and moving forward – on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures -- to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

    The Meeting of the Minds conference is where it all began and it’s where motorcyclists’ rights advocates come to experience tailormade workshops addressing issues facing motorcyclists today. The Meeting of the Minds is where motorcyclists’ rights advocates can get up-to-date information on issues relating to the attacks against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

    The success of this year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway was a result of what the MRF shared at the Meeting of the Minds. Keeping our members and partner SMROs informed and on point is what makes the Motorcycle Riders Foundation the foremost motorcyclists’ rights advocacy group in the nation.

    Listening, making a difference, moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling, and motorcyclists’ rights -- this year’s Meeting of the Minds features sixteen workshops and ten new presenters, plus a stack of new topics added to the mix!

    The Motorcycle Riders Foundation – presenters who live and breathe motorcyclists’ rights, topical workshops that have real-world applications for protecting the future of motorcycling – Bikers Inside the Beltway, the Meeting of the Minds – there’s no other place in the world that you can get this much information in such a short span of time!

    If you haven’t already, get ready to meet Bob Stoner, a 27-year member of ABATE of Indiana. He’ll join MRF Vice President, Jay Jackson, to present 90 minutes that will help keep your SMRO on track -- SMRO Guidebook: A Cookbook for Your Organization.

    Whether you’re contemplating running for political office or supporting a motorcycle-friendly candidate, “think globally, act locally” puts the mission of protecting the future of motorcycling directly into the avenue of approach to motorcyclists’ rights advocacy. Traci Beaurivage and Imre Szauter present Beyond Legislative Lobbying and share their collective political experience with attendees in their workshop.

    The Motorcycle Riders Foundation -- Bikers Inside the Beltway, Meeting of the Minds --listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling & motorcyclists’ rights!

    The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24, Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. Use the QR codes below to register and make reservations or call 717-939-7841 and mention Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2023 Meeting of the Minds.

  • You gotta fight for your right to repair - SUPPORT H.R. 906!

    07/09/2023 10:30 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Do you enjoy working on your motorcycle? Do you want to guarantee access to the parts, tools and service information needed to modify, service and maintain your bike? If you answered yes to these questions, it’s time to contact your member of the House of Representatives and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 906, the “Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act” or the “REPAIR Act”.

    The REPAIR Act ensures that vehicle owners or repair shops are not denied access to the information, software or tools needed to work on vehicles. The proposed law also establishes rules regarding vehicle data access. This commonsense law will help preserve consumer choice and a fair marketplace.  

    As of July 1st, 32 members of the House of Representatives have signed on in support. That is twice as many as were on the bill before the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) held its Bikers Insider the Beltway event in May! The MRF is making a difference, let’s keep up the pressure! 

    Congress returns to Washington D.C. Tuesday, after a two-week break. That makes it the perfect time to contact your lawmaker and tell them you support H.R. 906.

    Click here to contact your member of Congress and make a difference in D.C.

  • Call for John “Farmer” Eggers Award Nominations

    07/08/2023 8:42 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Acting on a suggestion made in 1993, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Board of Directors created the John “Farmer” Eggers Award.  This award, the MRF’s most prized recognition, is given in the memory of the late motorcyclists’ rights activist John “Farmer” Eggers.  It is presented during the Annual MRF Meeting of the Minds Conference.

    The John “Farmer” Eggers Award is given to an individual who works behind the scenes on behalf of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation in the manner that “Farmer” did, and who has shown extraordinary dedication to the MRF.

    The only people who are not eligible for this award are current and past MRF Board members since “Farmer” never served on the MRF Board of Directors.  This does not exclude MRF State Representatives, MRF Assistant State Representatives, Assistants to the MRF Board of Directors, leaders of state motorcyclists’ rights organizations, or deserving individuals.

    Past recipients of the John “Farmer” Eggers Award are:
    Marc Falsetti of Indiana (1994), Ms. Lee Ryan of Ohio (1995), Sherman Packard of New Hampshire (1996), Tom Greenbank of Maryland (1997), “Maggot” Mike Williams of Colorado (1998), Ed Youngblood of the American Motorcyclist Association (1999), Joe “Puddy” Lloyd of Missouri (2000), Steve Rector of Iowa (2001), Craig Ashbaugh of Illinois (2002), “Still Ray” Fitzgerald of Arizona (2003), “Buzz” Ude of Ohio (2004), “Radio Bob” LeTourneau (2005), Boyd McFail of Alaska (2006), John Bolin of Washington (2007), Deb Craig of Colorado (2008), Michael “Fiz” Przybylo of Michigan (2009), “Chopper” Charlie Gilmore of Iowa (2010), Denny Lange of Illinois (2011), Bruce Downs of Colorado (2012), Ric “Doc” Jones of Illinois (2013), Marlene Bautch of Wisconsin (2014), Dick “Slider” Gilmore of Iowa (2015), Helen Wesson of Arkansas (2016), Tom “Jinx” Rahn of Michigan (2017), Jiggs Cressy of South Dakota (2018), Lane Triplett of Idaho (2019), and Mark Winslow of Iowa (2020), Soldiers for Jesus MC (2021), Ron Braaksma of Iowa (2022).

    Nominations must be submitted in writing clearly explaining the individual’s contributions to the MRF via e-mail at mrfoffice@mrf.org, attention MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, for Farmer Award Committee consideration no later than August 01, 2023.

    Note from the Farmer Award Committee: each year we receive several nominations for individuals who have made major contributions to the State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization or another worthy motorcycle organization or motorcycle club, however we remind you to please keep in mind this award is for individuals who work behind the scenes in extraordinary dedication on behalf of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation just as John “Farmer” Eggers did, thank you.

  • 2022 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Legislative Champions

    07/06/2023 11:36 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    Representative Susie Lee of Nevada and Representative Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin were recently honored as the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) 2022 Legislators of the Year. With bikers from around the country gathering in Washington, D.C. for Bikers Inside the Beltway, it was a great chance to thank our 2022 award winners.

    Representative Lee was instrumental in seeking answers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the profiling of bikers. Representative Gallagher was the lead sponsor of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) bill which was included in a larger transportation bill that officially reestablished the MAC.

    Both items championed by these two lawmakers are key parts of the MRF legislative agenda. Each lawmaker was presented with a customized leather vest and now joins an exclusive list of past MRF legislators of the year.

    Below is a list of previous legislators of the year.

    • Senator Ron Johnson (Wisconsin)
    • Senator John Thune (South Dakota)
    • Senator Joni Ernst (Iowa)
    • Senator Gary Peters (Michigan)
    • Congressman Tim Walberg (Michigan)
    • Congressman Michael Burgess (Texas)
    • Congressman Collin Peterson (Minnesota)
    • Congressman Troy Balderson (Ohio)
    • Congressman Darin LaHood (Illinois)

    Thank you to our current and past award winners. Your commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of bikers is greatly appreciated.

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