This week, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation participated in a reception for the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus. The event played host to several lawmakers, including the Co-Chairs of the House Motorcycle Caucus: Rep. Tim Walberg (Michigan), Rep. Troy Balderson (Ohio) and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin). The Chair of the Senate Motorcycle Caucus, Senator Gary Peters (Michigan) also attended. Additional legislators present included newly elected Representatives Dave Taylor (Ohio) and John McGuire (Virginia).

These two caucuses are made of legislators from both parties who have an interest in supporting motorcyclists and the motorcycling lifestyle. The event also included several Capitol Hill staffers and other motorcycling groups, including the American Motorcyclist Association, Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the Motorcycle Industry Council.

Growing these motorcycle-focused organizations is a priority for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. Events like this one and the annual “Ride to Work Day” on Capitol Hill are great ways to connect with elected officials and their staff in a less formal setting and build relationships that can help impact our legislative agenda. With your help, we can continue to grow these groups and spread the word about motorcycling priorities to the folks in our nation’s capital.

Secreatary Duffy Memo To Help Protect Internal Combustion Engine

Just hours after being confirmed as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Secretary Sean Duffy issued a memo phrased to protect the internal combustion engine. The memo directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to immediately review and reconsider all existing fuel economy standards for vehicles produced from the 2022 model year forward.

The memo states, “These fuel economy standards are set at such aggressive levels that automakers cannot, as a practical matter, satisfy the standards without rapidly shifting production away from internal combustion engine vehicles to alternative electric technologies.”

The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards under review were enacted during the previous administration.  CAFE standards are one of the three objectives being used in the effort to eliminate Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). The second objective is tailpipe emission standards issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many presume that the Trump Administration will order the EPA to conduct a similar review of those standards, which compel carmakers to sell more electric models. The final objective in the effort to eliminate ICE is the EPA’s waiver process, which allows California to enact its own rules under the Clean Air Act and is also under scrutiny.

Rewriting rules and regulations like the one mentioned will take time. Outside of actions by the executive branch, legislation and court cases may also shape the future of this debate. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation will remain engaged on this issue and fight to allow you to choose the type of engine you want in your vehicle.

Click Here To Read Memo: DUFFY MEMO

Hours after being sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump issued several executive orders. An executive order is a directive by the President of the United States that oversees operations within the federal government. They have significant influence over the internal process of government, deciding how and the extent to which they will enforce legislation. Executive orders remain in effect until rescinded, so they often only last for the term of the President that issues them.

One of the orders issued directs government officials to consider eliminating subsidies and other policies that favor electric vehicles. The order stopped short of explicitly calling for the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation to rework fuel economy and emissions regulations created during the Biden Administration.

However, this order does specifically call for terminating waivers that allow states to limit gas-powered car sales. It is a sign that policies enacted by the State of California and followed by other states may face pushback at the federal level. California’s withdrawal of a proposed electric motorcycle mandate late last year underscores the reality that the political landscape on this issue has changed.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation remains committed to protecting the internal combustion engine and freedom of choice for consumers when purchasing vehicles. While these executive orders are a step in the right direction, further legislative action or regulatory reform will be needed to ensure long-lasting effects. We will remain vigilant here in D.C., defending the internal combustion engine and your freedom of choice.

An important study was released last week by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) regarding high-visibility clothing. According to the IIHS, “clothing that makes pedestrians stand out to human drivers may make them invisible to automated crash prevention systems.” You read that right, test dummies wearing clothing with features like reflective strips were INVISIBLE to technology designed to prevent crashes.

While the tests were conducted using pedestrian test dummies, it’s not hard to extrapolate what these findings might mean to motorcyclists. Some bikers choose to wear high-visibility clothing in an attempt to make their presence on the road more pronounced. This study is extremely concerning and brings into question some basic assumptions about conspicuity.

Tests like these demonstrate how many factors and unknowns are involved in the deployment of technology aimed at aiding drivers. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has long professed the importance of fully testing any new technology before it is deployed on our roadways. This announcement from the IIHS is a good reminder that you should never assume others on the road can see you.

Read The IIHS Release Here

The changing landscape in Washington, D.C., will have a trickle-down impact on policies and regulations state governments implement. One area where we will likely see friction between the federal government and state governments will center on electric vehicles and the survival of the internal combustion engine.

A flash point in this area will be how and if states decide to link their policies to those enacted by the state of California. A recent story out of Oregon caught our attention and should serve as a warning about what may be coming down the road.

Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) announced it is pausing sales of internal combustion engines in Oregon. In their press release, DTNA cited uncertainty around Oregon’s Advanced Clean Truck rule. What’s troubling about the move is that DTNA is doing so because they believe Oregon is implementing parts of the new rule differently than how California has proceeded. This is important because federal law allows states like Oregon to copy California’s emissions rules. Yet, in this case, Oregon appears to be making its own emissions policies.

All those committed to preserving the internal combustion engine should understand how state and federal laws are evolving. If states like Oregon can create mandates, we could see an expanding battleground. A patchwork of laws and rules would create problems and confusion for manufacturers and consumers.

The fight to allow consumers options regarding their engine choice is heating up. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is engaged in this fight in D.C. and you must remain active back home.

Wednesday morning, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted California a requested waiver to implement new emissions standards on some vehicles. With this decision, California has the authority to activate its plan and phase out the sale of gas-powered cars and light-duty trucks in the state by 2035. 

This waiver had been awaiting approval since May 2023 but was signed off on just a month before President Biden leaves office. A Trump spokesperson said earlier this week that the president-elect has “a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, including stopping attacks on gas-powered cars.”

The incoming Trump Administration will have the power to revoke this new waiver. However, the process of doing so can be lengthy and ultimately could be overturned in future years by a different presidential administration.

Thankfully for motorcyclists, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) withdrew a similar plan that would require half of new motorcycles sold in the state to be electric in the next ten years. That motorcycle proposal would also have required a waiver. However, because of the timing of the California motorcycle plan, any waiver would have been considered by a Trump lead EPA.

A former CARB board member said of the decision to withdraw the motorcycle rules, “With the EPA waiver virtually guaranteed to be denied, pushing forward would have risked wasting political capital and alienating key stakeholders.”

The changing political landscape in Washington, D.C., is impacting a variety of issues that we as bikers care about. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation remains engaged and fighting for the policies that affect you as a motorcyclist.

This week, House Republicans selected Congressman Sam Graves of Missouri to lead the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Representative Graves is not new to the committee, he previously served 3 terms and 6 years as both the Chairman and Ranking Member of the committee.

However, Rep. Graves leading this committee for a 4th term and 2 more years is unique. House Republican rules normally limit leadership of committees to 3 terms and 6 years. Yet, Mr. Graves sought and was granted a “waiver” to extend his term. It is extremely rare for a waiver to be granted, signaling the importance Republicans in the House place on transportation policy.

For the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, (MRF) the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is critical. Along with counterparts in the U.S. Senate, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee plays a major role in shaping policy that impacts all bikers.  We will soon begin drafting a new “Highway Bill.” This bill is the best opportunity for bikers to shape policy that impacts us. The current highway bill will expire in 2026, so the next two years will be busy for transportation policy.

The MRF looks forward to working with Chairman Graves and all his colleagues. Regardless of who holds the reins of power in D.C., the MRF will ALWAYS be the voice of the street rider in our nation’s capital. 

Friday, in a dramatic move, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced they would not be proceeding with proposed standards requiring half of all new motorcycles sold in the state be electric within the next decade. In a statement, CARB said, “The proposed amendments to on-road motorcycles (ONMC) emission standards and test procedures and adoption of new provisions relating to ONMCs have been withdrawn.”

This is a major victory for those who believe consumers should be free to choose whatever engine type they want. This move to withdraw the proposed plan comes after two hearings, one in January and one in October on this topic were canceled.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased by CARB's decision to withdraw its plan to mandate the sale of electric motorcycles. MRF President, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard stated, “It’s nice to see policymakers admit a mistake and withdraw a plan that was flawed from the outset.” He also added a note of caution, “Let’s remember CARB reserves the right to adjust, amend and resubmit similar plans like this in the future. We won a battle, but the war rages on. We must stay vigilant, in defense of the internal combustion engine.”

Monday evening President-elect Donald Trump named former Congressman Sean Duffy as his nominee for the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Before resigning his seat in 2019, Representative Duffy was elected five (5) times to represent the 7th congressional district of Wisconsin.

Mr. Duffy will head a department that oversees agencies of critical importance to motorcyclists, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHA).

In the next two years, Congress must consider a new surface transportation authorization (AKA Highway Bill). Additionally, there remains the need for policymakers to balance new construction and maintenance priorities with the ever-dwindling dollars allocated for transportation projects.

Upon his confirmation, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) looks forward to working with the new Secretary on our legislative priorities. His long track record in Congress working with groups like the MRF and ABATE of Wisconsin will hopefully enlighten his decision-making on issues that impact the millions of bikers on the road.

This afternoon Senate Republicans elected Senator John Thune of South Dakota the new Senate Majority Leader. Senator Thune is the former Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2018 Legislative Champion of the Year. He has been a longtime advocate for many of our priorities and has a strong relationship with the bikers in South Dakota.
 
Senate Majority Leader is an extremely powerful position. The leader helps set the agenda and shape all policy debates in the U.S. Senate. The Republicans taking control of the Senate means the current Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York must step aside. This is also a dramatic change for Senate Republican leadership, as Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who previously led the Republican Senate is leaving his post in leadership after a record 18 years.
 
Congratulations to Senator Thune and motorcyclists in South Dakota! We look forward to working together to protect the rights of the millions of riders across this country.