Motorcycle Riders Foundation MRF Alerts

Return Of The MAC

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the reformation of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC). This comes a little over a month after board members received letters terminating their place on the MAC. While the designated membership categories for the Council remain the same as prescribed in federal law, the DOT has required that all 13 seats be refilled with new nominations.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is proud to announce that it will once again support MRF Vice President Jay Jackson for the seat reserved for a national motorcyclist foundation. Jay has been a tireless advocate for riders nationwide, as proven by his selection to serve on the MAC last year.

The MRF is disappointed that the DOT chose to reshuffle the Council and remove already seated members. Stability and continuity are vital to ensuring the MAC can effectively advise the DOT on issues impacting riders. While this decision is frustrating, the MRF is determined to fight for Jay’s reappointment and ensure the motorcyclist community continues to be represented by strong, experienced leadership.

The nomination process is moving more quickly than in past years, with an accelerated deadline of October 20th.The MRF will be working closely with our state partners and allies to secure the necessary letters of support to reinforce Jay’s candidacy.

The restoration of the MAC is a critical moment for all riders. With issues like infrastructure, roadway design, and autonomous vehicle technology on the horizon, it is essential that the motorcyclist community has a seat at the table. The MRF remains committed to ensuring your voice is heard in Washington, D.C., and we will fight to see Jay Jackson has a spot on this important council.

NHTSA Advances Rules For Autonomous Vehicles

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching three new rulemakings to modernize the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS).

According to Secretary Duffy, these changes are designed to “eliminate redundant requirements and bring us closer to a single national standard that spurs innovation and prioritizes safety.” NHTSA officials echoed this sentiment, stating that the current standards were written for human-driven vehicles and “need to be updated for autonomous vehicles.”

The three specific standards under review include:

Transmission shift position sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect
Windshield defrosting, defogging, wiping, and washing systems
Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment

While the MRF supports modernization where appropriate, we remain concerned about the rapid push to greenlight fully driverless vehicles, particularly when motorcycles and other road users are often excluded from the conversation. NHTSA’s Automated Vehicle Framework prioritizes “unleashing innovation” and “enabling commercial deployment,” but riders know all too well that safety must come first, not as an afterthought.

The push for automated driving systems comes as the auto industry itself is wrestling with challenges in both electric and autonomous vehicle markets. Tesla is now pivoting away from its original EV mission and placing its bets on AI-driven ventures like robotaxis.

Tesla and other companies have yet to prove that autonomous vehicles can operate safely and consistently in the real world, especially when it comes to detecting and responding to motorcycles.

The MRF has long warned that autonomous vehicle developers must demonstrate that their systems can safely interact with motorcyclists before deployment. A vehicle that fails to “see” a rider is not a safety innovation, it’s a deadly hazard.

As the rulemaking process moves forward, the MRF will remain engaged to ensure that riders are heard in Washington. The future of transportation should not come at the expense of motorcyclist safety.

We urge our members to stay alert, stay informed, and be ready to speak out. Innovation is welcome, but only when it comes with accountability.

FLASH ALERT - NHTSA Cancels MAC!

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

This afternoon, Jay Jackson, Motorcycle Riders Foundation Vice President and appointee to the U.S. Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC), was notified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that his appointment has been terminated. We are shocked and disappointed by this decision and are still gathering information. It appears the other appointees have received similar notifications.

The MAC was created by an act of Congress in November 2021. Yet despite a requirement in the law to establish the MAC within 90 days, it took until 2023 for the nomination process to begin. It wasn’t until the summer of 2024 that the members of the MAC were selected.

The inability of NHTSA to convene the 13-member board is a slap in the face to the nearly 10 million motorcyclists in this country. The mandate of the MAC was to advise the Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration regarding transportation safety issues of concern to motorcyclists, including — motorcycle and motorcyclist safety, barrier and road design, construction and maintenance practices, as well as the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.

MRF President, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, said of the decision, “This is a striking example of how the concerns of motorcyclists are ignored. If you aren’t upset, you aren’t paying attention.”

The MRF has already contacted members of Congress, including those on the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, to alert them of this unacceptable action by bureaucrats in D.C.

This fight is just beginning. Be alert for upcoming messages from the MRF on how you can voice your displeasure with actions that threaten the safety of bikers.

CLICK HERE TO SEE NHTSA LETTER TO JAY JACKSON

Florida Jury: Tesla Partially Liable

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 13:00:00 GMT

A Florida jury’s decision this month to hold Tesla partially liable for a fatal crash involving its Autopilot system has sent shockwaves through the auto industry. It also has motorcyclists’ rights groups reminding people of our concerns.

A jury found that Tesla bore partial responsibility for a 2019 crash in Key Largo, FL, that claimed the life of a woman and seriously injured her boyfriend. The driver had engaged Tesla’s Autopilot system and trusted that the car would see what the driver could not. It didn’t. The vehicle plowed into a parked car at over 60 miles per hour.

“I trusted the technology too much,” the driver told the court. “I believed that if the car saw something in front of it, it would provide a warning and apply the brakes.”

A jury agreed that it wasn’t just the driver at fault but also the automaker, for not designing limits on how the technology could be used and failing to adequately educate their customers.

This is an example of the public’s flawed understanding of what self-driving systems can do. As motorcyclists, we understand how important it is to ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings.

However, it is unfortunate that marketing around these vehicles and their systems often promises ease, comfort, and advanced safety. The reality has shown repeatedly that those promises can quickly become deadly illusions.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) have long pressed for stronger oversight, increased transparency and public awareness of what this technology can do and more importantly, what it cannot do.

Motorcyclists must be included in the development and testing of automated systems; we are road users too. All too often, we are treated as an afterthought.

Now more than ever, it is time to support groups like the MRF and NCOM, who are on the front lines of this battle.

FLASH ALERT - California Challenges Tesla

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is seeking a temporary suspension of Tesla’s manufacturing and sales licenses, accusing the company of misleading consumers by marketing its driver-assist systems (“Autopilot” and “Full Self Driving”) as capable of full autonomy. In reality, they remain Level 2 systems, requiring constant human oversight. While the suspension would be temporary, it would be a strong signal to other manufacturers about the need to more adequately inform drivers about the capabilities of the vehicles they operate.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has consistently raised similar concerns to federal policymakers on the issue. During a meeting with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year, MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard cited several examples of marketing by Tesla and other manufacturers that create a false sense of security when operating these vehicles. For motorcyclists sharing the roads, this translated into serious dangers.

An example of this occurred last year when Washington State Patrol confirmed that a Tesla, which hit and killed a motorcyclist near Seattle, was operating in “full self-driving mode” at the time of the crash. The MRF will monitor the action out in California and continue to voice our concerns here in Washington, D.C. about the deployment and marketing of this technology.

H.R. 1 - Motorcycle Tax Deductions - Passed In Final Bill (edit 7/21/25)

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The recently passed H.R. 1 legislation signed by the President includes a provision that will directly benefit those who purchase new motorcycles made or assembled in the United States. Interest paid on loans for qualifying new motorcycle purchases will now be tax-deductible.

Here are some important points to note. The deduction has a cap of $10,000 and the benefit phases out based on increasing income levels. The change creates an "above-the-line" deduction for vehicle loan interest, meaning it reduces your adjusted gross income before calculating your taxable income. The position of the deduction is important because it will be available to most taxpayers, even those who do not itemize deductions. The bill states that vehicles impacted must be “manufactured primarily for use on public streets, roads, and highways" and are "a car, minivan, van, sport utility vehicle, pickup truck, or motorcycle." This policy is temporary, with an expiration in 2028. If you are in the market for a new bike over the next three years, be sure to do some research to see if this new policy will benefit you.

There are diverse policy issues and priorities addressed in this bill. As the voice of the street rider in Washington, D.C., the Motorcycle Riders Foundation applauds the inclusion of this tax provision. Policies that foster the growth of motorcycling while supporting American manufacturing are something we can stand behind.

American Made/Assembled Motorcycles
Reporting 2025 Production

Full Production Motorcycles:
Buell Motorcycles
Harley Davidson Motorcycles
Indian Motorcycles
Zero Motorcycles

Bespoke/Boutique/Limited Production Motorcycles:
ARCH Motorcycle
Boss Hoss Cycles
Cleveland CycleWerks
Combat Motors Motorcycles
Curtiss Motorcycles
Janus Motorcycles
Lightning Motorcycles

**Examples not intended as fully comprehensive list

Fast-Tracking Autonomous Vehicles

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has growing concerns over recent actions by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to expedite the approval process for autonomous vehicles (AVs), particularly those lacking basic human driving controls such as steering wheels and brake pedals.

In a recent letter, NHTSA announced it will “streamline” the exemption process requiring manufacturers to seek federal approval before deploying self-driving vehicles. These standards have traditionally mandated that all vehicles include manual controls, which are a critical safeguard for human operation and accountability on public roads.

NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser stated that under this new policy, the agency “anticipates reaching decisions on most exemption requests within months rather than years.” This announcement may open the door to the widespread deployment of AVs without fully understanding or addressing the potential risks these vehicles pose to all road users, including motorcyclists.

The MRF has long advocated for the rights and safety of motorcyclists in an evolving transportation landscape. The MRF believes that rigorous testing and transparent data sharing are the best methods to ensure AV systems are capable of safely sharing the road with all roadway users.

We recognize the potential benefits of autonomous technology, but not at the expense of human lives. Motorcyclists cannot be an afterthought in the race toward automation. For the future of road safety and the preservation of motorcyclists’ rights, we must ensure that innovation proceeds responsibly and inclusively.

READ NHTSA LETTER HERE

H.R. 1 - Motorcycle Tax Deductions (edit 7/21/25)

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Monday, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) sent letters to leaders in the U.S. Senate supporting motorcycle ownership provisions in the House passed H.R. 1, better known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The letters were sent to Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota and Senate Finance Chairman Mike Crapo of Idaho.

The provisions make interest on loans used to purchase American-made personal vehicles, including motorcycles, tax-deductible. There is concern that this provision may be changed in the Senate, applying the tax deduction only to automobiles. This change would not allow those purchasing new, American-made motorcycles that same benefit.

The MRF believes that by making the interest on loans for American-made motorcycles deductible, more money will be put back in the pockets of U.S. middle-class riders while further strengthening U.S. manufacturing, U.S. dealers and after-market repair and mechanic shops, ensuring a solid, safe, and strong motorcycle industry.

Expanding opportunities for Americans to purchase motorcycles is a good thing! The MRF is proud to support the efforts of companies like the Harley-Davidson Motor Company as they seek to grow the community of riders.

CLICK HERE TO READ THUNE LETTER

Congressional Review Acts Signed!

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Thursday, President Trump signed three (3) pieces of legislation, H.J. Res 87, H.J. Res 88 and H.J. Res 89, which revoke waivers granted to the State of California, allowing it to set its own emissions standards. These resolutions were passed by the U.S. Congress in recent months and are a strong sign of the commitment by some in Washington D.C., to push back against the attack on the internal combustion engine.

Support for actions like this has been a key part of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) legislative agenda. During the recent Bikers Inside the Beltway event, MRF members spent time advocating for the passage of these bills in the U.S. Senate, where they had temporarily stalled after being passed by the U.S. House earlier in the year. Additionally, the MRF wishes to thank the thousands of you who answered recent online Calls to Action on this topic.

A process known as the Congressional Review Act was the mechanism by which these bills were passed. Because of the unique way they moved through Congress, opponents are already signaling their intent to file legal challenges. While this battle will now likely continue in the courts, it is nevertheless important to celebrate this victory for the survival of the internal combustion engine. The fight will go on… and the MRF will be here for that fight.

Congressional Ride To Work Day

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Monday, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) joined several other members of the Washington, D.C. motorcycling community to celebrate the annual “Ride to Work Day.” To kick off the evening, members of Congress rode to the U.S. Capitol to cast votes on several pieces of legislation before joining a larger ride to Mt. Vernon, home of our first president, George Washington.

2025 is the second year the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus has hosted the event, which is growing in popularity! This year, eight members of Congress attended the event, six of whom led the ride. We are most grateful to the United States Park Police, with a Motor Unit established in 1917, for escorting the ride. The MRF thanks Representatives Tim Walberg (MI), Don Bacon (NE), Troy Balderson (OH), Mike Bost (IL), Mike Collins (GA), Warren Davidson (OH), Claudia Tenney (NY) and Derrick Van Orden (WI) for joining the festivities.

The MRF joined with representatives from the American Motorcyclist Association, BMW, Buell Motorcycles, Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Indian Motorcycle for this fantastic event. Working with like-minded motorcycle organizations is important for achieving our legislative goals.

In the words of Congressional Motorcycle Caucus Chair Tim Walberg, “Today was a great day!” We at the MRF couldn’t agree more. Any day you can get on a motorcycle and ride with others who truly want to make things better for all riders is indeed a great day.

MRF Suggestion Letter To DOT

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In May, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as part of the Trump Administration’s executive order regarding efficiency and deregulation. Within the framework of the request, the MRF submitted comments on rules instituted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and fuel economy standards.

As you may remember, the attack on the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) is occurring in three ways. First through emissions regulations issued by the Environmental Protection Agency, second through the power of the California Air Resources Board and finally through increased fuel economy standards issued by NHSTA. Our comments in this submission related only to NHTSA’s new fuel standards as that is where the DOT’s jurisdiction exists.

We highlighted four concerns the MRF has with the new fuel economy standards which would threaten the Internal Combustion Engine, in an attempt to promote more electric vehicles.

Reduced availability of affordable support technologies and fuels for motorcycle riders
Distorted market dynamics and limited consumer choice
Decreased relevance and impact of the aftermarket parts industry
Rural motorcyclists will be disproportionately impacted due to insufficient infrastructure

We also offered three actions the DOT could take.

Repeal or rollback of the 53.5 mpg target
Consideration of non-EV pathways to efficiency that respect consumer diversity
Protections for ICE technology development that support the motorcycling community

These comments are another example of how the MRF is fighting to protect your rights and freedoms in a variety of different ways. No matter where the fight is, the MRF will be there. Stay vigilant.

CLICK HERE TO READ MRF LETTER TO DOT

MRF Legislative Champions

Fri, 30 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

As part of the Bikers Inside the Beltway event, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) presents Legislative Champion awards during the visit to Capitol Hill. While we present the awards at Bikers Inside the Beltway in May, the award honors legislators for their work in previous years. This year, the MRF honored Senator Todd Young of Indiana and Representative Jay Obernolte of California.

Senator Young is a longtime friend of the bikers in Indiana and was the keynote speaker at the 2020 Meeting of the Minds in Indianapolis. He serves on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and played a key role in the appointment of MRF Vice President Jay Jackson as a member of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council.

Representative Obernolte is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee where he is a leading voice in defense of the internal combustion engine. Despite being a lawmaker from California, Rep. Obernolte is a vocal critic of the excessive power the California Air Resources Board (CARB) yields on emissions policy. He recently joined the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus and we are grateful for this demonstration of his ongoing support of motorcyclists nationwide.

These two lawmakers are now the 13th and 14th to be so honored. All MRF Legislative Champions are presented with a leather vest by MRF leadership and constituents during the annual May visit. Thank you to Senator Young and Congressman Obernolte for their continued support of biker rights and their friendship with so many in the motorcycling community!

Past Legislative Champions:

Senator Joni Ernst (IA)
Senator Ron Johnson (WI)
Senator Gary Peters (MI)
Senator John Thune (SD)
Representative Troy Balderson (OH)
Representative Mike Bost (IL)
Representative Mike Burgess (TX)
Representative Mike Gallagher (WI)
Representative Darin LaHood (IL)
Representative Susie Lee (NV)
Representative Collin Peterson (MN)
Representative Tim Walberg (MI)

CALL TO ACTION: HR 3385 - Definition Of A Motorcycle

Fri, 23 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Last week, Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin introduced a bill that directs the Secretary of Transportation to update the nearly 60-year-old federal definition of a motorcycle. In recent years, a new type of vehicle has entered our roadways, commonly referred to as an autocycle. These autocycles are classified as motorcycles at the federal level but have little resemblance to a motorcycle and the operational characteristics are vastly different.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation believes this ambiguity about autocycles has created an unnecessary patchwork of rules and regulations regarding licensing, insurance, safety statistics, registration and training courses from state-to-state.

Updating the definition of a motorcycle has been on the MRF’s legislative agenda for several years. We are grateful that Rep. Van Orden has taken the first step to address this concern. H.R. 3385 will bring the federal definition of a motorcycle into the 21st century.

BILL TEXT

CALL TO ACTION

Bikers Take The Hill

Wed, 21 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

This week, bikers from across the nation descended on Capitol Hill. The 2025 Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) Bikers Inside the Beltway was the largest in the 16-year history of the event! Motorcyclists from 32 states made the trip to Washington, D.C., to advocate for issues that matter to the street rider.

The list of policy concerns was long! Issues include: The Right to Repair, Preserving the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), Profiling of Bikers, Autonomous Vehicles, Ethanol Mandates and the Definition of a Motorcycle.

All 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 Senators received an informational packet from the MRF for the third consecutive year. The packet explains who we are, what we’ve done, and what we want. From Alabama to Wyoming and all the states in between, the MRF knocked on doors and shared our legislative priorities.

The 200+ bikers who came to Washington, D.C., represented a diverse set of groups. State Motorcyclist Rights Organizations (SMRO), National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), Sustaining Clubs and the National Council of Clubs (NCOC) were all represented as part of the MRF event.

Showing up matters. While it is important that lawmakers hear from us, it is also important they see us. Every year, a buzz occurs on Capitol Hill when hundreds of bikers roam the halls of Congress. The visual of so many motorcyclists united for a common cause is a powerful part of the annual event.

While bikers were meeting with Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, he shared news regarding a key legislative priority for the MRF, Preserving the Internal Combustion Engine. That day, Leader Thune would announce, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, his intention to hold a vote on the repeal of waivers granted to the State of California, which allow the state to set their own emissions standards and mandate that nearly 2/3 of all new vehicles sold in the state be electric by the next decade.

The MRF is committed to being your voice in Washington, D.C. We have had a presence in town since 1986 and we are not going anywhere! We are and will remain, the voice of the street rider in our nation’s capital.

Thank you to all the motorcyclists who made the journey to D.C. It is never too early to start planning for the next installment of Bikers Inside the Beltway in May 2026.

Did you miss the event in D.C.? You can still help reach Congress by responding to our calls to action below!

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT OUR CALLS TO ACTION!

CALL TO ACTION: S 995 - The CARS Act (Senate Version)

Fri, 16 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Earlier this year, Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho introduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act (CARS Act). This bill is similar to legislation that Congressman Tim Walberg introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The focus of the bill is the protection of the internal combustion engine. It does this in two ways. First, the bill prohibits the use of authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations that mandate the use of any specific technology or regulations that limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine type. Second, the legislation requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update any regulations that result in the limited availability of new vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine.

The legislation would overturn a 2024 EPA rule, which currently would result in about 56% of new vehicles sold between 2030 and 2032 having to be electric.

Currently, the bill has 23 Senate cosponsors, but we need to improve that number! If you want to save the internal combustion engine, ask your Senator to cosponsor S. 995.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THIS CALL TO ACTION!

CALL TO ACTION: HR 2218 & S 1072 - The Stop CARB Acts

Fri, 09 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Recent actions in Washington D.C. have focused on rolling back regulations implemented by the State of California that would threaten the future of the internal combustion engine. The Clean Air Act, passed by Congress in 1970, created a process by which the State of California can seek a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enact its own emissions standards rather than follow federal standards. Additionally, other states are allowed to tie their emissions standards to those enacted by California.

Many in Congress think it is time for this special power California wields to end. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation agrees! In the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, bills were introduced that would eliminate the waiver process and prevent other states from adopting California standards.

Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah are leading the charge to prevent bureaucrats in Sacramento, CA from killing the internal combustion engine. If you agree it’s time for California to play by the same rules, tell your Representative and Senators to cosponsor “The Stop California from Advancing Regulatory Burden (Stop CARB) Acts” (H.R. 2218 & S. 1072).

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR CALL TO ACTION!

CALL TO ACTION: HJ Res 87 & HJ Res 88 - Congressional Review Act

Fri, 02 May 2025 17:00:00 GMT

This week, the House of Representatives passed two bills crafted to overturn regulations approved by the Biden Administration, allowing California to mandate more electric trucks and cars be sold in the state. The bills, H.J. Res 87 and H.J. Res 88, will help to protect the internal combustion engine, a top legislative priority for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. They received bipartisan support in the House of Representatives.

Now that the House has started the ball rolling, it is time for the U.S. Senate to act. This process is called the Congressional Review Act, which only requires a simple majority to pass the bill. The usual 60-vote filibuster threshold does not apply to these bills in the Senate.

Contact your U.S. Senator, tell them to protect the internal combustion engine.

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT CALL TO ACTION

US House Proclaims May Is Motorcycle Awareness Month

Fri, 02 May 2025 13:00:00 GMT

This week, the leadership of the House Motorcycle Caucus introduced H. Res 367, expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Rep. Tim Walberg (MI), the longtime chairman of the House Motorcycle Caucus was the lead sponsor for this bill.

Across the nation, cities and states are also introducing motorcycle awareness resolutions and decrees. H. Res 367 lists several reasons why May is important for motorcycling awareness. Perhaps the best section of the resolution is the line, “Motorcyclists have a right to the road and that all motorists should safely share the roadways.”

Those in the motorcyclists’ rights movement understand that the future of motorcycling is threatened. We thank the lawmakers who took the time to clearly point out that bikers have a right to use our nation's roadways!

Happy May, Ride Safe and Ride Free

UPDATE: NHTSA Loosens Autonomous Vehicle Safety Rules

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Thursday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that it is updating rules to allow domestically produced autonomous vehicles to qualify for exemptions from U.S. auto safety standards previously offered only to imports. NHTSA will continue to require car makers and other companies to report crashes involving self-driving systems while loosening some reporting requirements.

NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said of the move that NHTSA is “Actively engaged in developing a multi-faceted regulatory framework for vehicles with automated driving systems.”

It is still too early to know how these changes will impact motorcyclists. However, the move does signal a push by the Trump Administration to remove previous restrictions on self-driving vehicles. For the last decade, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has been raising concerns that this new technology may be unable to recognize and react to motorcyclists. Now more than ever, the MRF will remain vigilant, work with our partners on Capitol Hill and fight to protect the safety of everyone on our national roadways.

CALL TO ACTION: Support S 1379 - Getting Senate On REPAIR Act

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Earlier this month, two (2) members of the U.S. Senate introduced a new Right-to-Repair bill. This bill is similar to the House version, H.R. 1566 and has the same name, the "Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act’’ or simply the ‘‘REPAIR Act.’’ The Senate version of the REPAIR Act, S. 1379, was introduced by Senator Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico and Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri.

Senate bill S. 1379 represents the first time a Right-to-Repair bill of this nature is being introduced in the U.S. Senate. Previous versions of the REPAIR Act have passed the House of Representatives, but this action in the Senate clearly demonstrates the growing interest in Right-to-Repair legislation.

According to Senator Lujan, lead sponsor of the bill, “Giving vehicle owners, independent repair shops and aftermarket manufacturers access to vehicle repair and maintenance data is critical to improving repair options.” The Motorcycle Riders Foundation agrees and we hope other Senators support this effort.

To tell your U.S. Senators to support the REPAIR Act, CLICK HERE.

Deadline Tomorrow: Bikers Inside The Beltway

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Bikers Inside the Beltway – Making a Difference.

Legislative success for motorcyclists comes from attendance at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Bikers Inside the Beltway. Two of our top legislative successes came because motorcyclists’ rights advocates showed up at Bikers Inside the Beltway.

The Anti-Profiling Resolutions passed the House and Senate because the MRF took the attack against profiling directly to Capitol Hill. Right to Repair & Modify (HR 1566) now ranks near the top of the MRF’s legislative agenda for passage. Our voices are heard clearly at Bikers Inside the Beltway.

The MRF and attendees at Bikes Inside the Beltway visited the offices of all 535 members of Congress in 2023 and 2024. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation and Supporting State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organizations (SSMRO) are committed to protecting the future of motorcyclists’ rights.

Your commitment to defending your rights is critical to our past and future success. Event registration is free. Hotel rooms are limited at the MRF’s contracted rate, which expires tomorrow, April 22!

Bikers Inside the Beltway – You Can Make a Difference!

CALL TO ACTION: Support HR 1566 - REPAIR Act

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Should you have the choice of where to bring your motorcycle for repairs or to do the work yourself? Should you have access to the parts, tools and service information required to maintain, service and modify your bike? Do you want to control who may access the data from your motorcycle and its use? If you answered yes to these questions, it is time to contact your member of the House of Representatives and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 1566, the “Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act”, known as the “REPAIR Act."

The REPAIR Act ensures that vehicle owners or repair shops can access the information, software or tools needed to work on vehicles. This proposed commonsense law establishes rules regarding vehicle data access and will help preserve consumer choice and a fair marketplace.

A similar bill was introduced during the last session of Congress and cosponsored by 56 Representatives. We need to surpass that number during this session. Help us today!

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

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CALL TO ACTION

Mark Buckner: March 30, 1954 ~ March 15, 2025

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation and in fact, the entire motorcycling community worldwide, have lost a leader, a mentor and a friend. Mark Buckner ended a long and hard battle with cancer on March 15, 2025. This is perhaps the only battle he ever lost.

Mark served in countless capacities in the motorcyclists’ rights movement, including Executive Director of ABATE of Colorado, President of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and most recently as Executive Director for the MRF.

He has also been inducted into numerous halls of fame, among them, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame as a Freedom Fighter, the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame and Museum and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame.

He was a tenacious freedom fighter and pulled no punches. He didn’t have to agree with someone in order to be able to find a way to work with them. He was an incredible leader, mentor and friend for everyone on two wheels. He had many friends and colleagues across the country and around the world. Mark has ridden motorcycles in places many of us only dream of.

He was a wonderful recruiter of members and leadership into the biker rights movement. Many of today’s leaders can share experiences about being “Bucknered”.

His contributions and dedication have resulted in tremendous advances in motorcyclists’ rights and he will be greatly missed by all.

Ride in Peace Mark.

Reining In California

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In recent years, California has implemented policies that require rapid growth in market share for electric vehicles and threaten the survival of the internal combustion engine. These plans and others threatening older and classic cars have begun to face increased pushbacks in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento.

Lawmakers in Congress have set their sights on revoking many regulations approved at the end of the last presidential administration, some of which have allowed California to shape custom emission standards. Using the Congressional Review Act (CRA), Congress has the power to overturn rules and regulations issued by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if they fall within a specific “lookback window” for review. To do this requires a simple majority in both the House and Senate, so the Senate filibuster rule does not come into play.

While the CRA process deals with rolling back regulations already in place, there is growing talk of revoking the unique power the State of California wields to set its own standards to begin with. Increasingly, lawmakers are discussing options that would revoke the ability of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to seek waivers from the EPA permitting them to craft their own emission rules outside of federal guidelines. Revoking this waiver process would mean California must comply with the same rules as the other 49 states.

California state lawmakers are also looking at rolling back some of the state rules regarding emissions. Under current law, vehicles manufactured before 1976 are exempt from biennial smog checks. Cars at least 35 years old may also be exempt, provided they are insured as collector motor vehicles, comply with emissions standards for their time and pass a functional inspection of the fuel cap and a visual inspection for liquid fuel leaks. The proposed legislation would expand the exemption to all vehicles at least 35 years old, so long as they are insured as collector motor vehicles, no fuel cap or leak inspection required.

Senate Bill 712, as it is known, has gained some national headlines due to support from comedian Jay Leno, a lifelong car collector with a collection of more than 180 cars and 160 motorcycles. Leno said of this issue, "California’s smog check laws for classic cars need to be updated - they vary too much from state to state, and California’s rules don’t match up with neighboring ones."

There is no question the discussion surrounding the survival of the internal combustion engine is evolving. Both federal and state officials are starting to rethink the rapid electrification of our transportation network and the need to preserve the internal combustion engine. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is pleased to see the debate on this topic change and will fight for your right to ride whatever type of motorcycle you want.

CALL TO ACTION: Support HR 2165 - CARS Act of 2025

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Congress is currently on a one-week recess, but before they left town, Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan introduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act of 2025. This bill is similar to legislation Mr. Walberg introduced in 2023, which was passed by the U.S. House. The Senate failed to move on that bill, so it died at the end of the 118th Congress. U.S. Representatives Russ Fulcher of Idaho, Gus Bilirakis of Florida and Rick Allen of Georgia have joined Mr. Walberg as lead cosponsors for the 2025 bill.

This bill focuses on protecting the internal combustion engine. It does this in two ways. First, the bill prohibits using authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations that mandate the use of any specific technology or would limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on the vehicle’s engine type. Second, the legislation requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update any regulations that result in the limited availability of new vehicles based on the engine.

This legislation would overturn a 2024 EPA rule, which, if not revoked, would cause about 56% of new vehicles sold between 2030 and 2032 to require electric motors.

If you want to save the internal combustion engine, ask your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 2165.

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE IN CALL TO ACTION

NHTSA Administrator Selection

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 13:00:00 GMT

In February, President Trump nominated Jonathan Morrison as the next National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administrator. He previously served as the chief counsel at NHTSA during the first Trump administration. His resume includes time at Apple and with the California New Car Dealers Association.

As you know, NHTSA is a federal agency within the Department of Transportation responsible for setting and enforcing motor vehicle safety standards, conducting research and working with states to reduce deaths. However, you may not know that NHTSA has been without a permanent administrator since 2022. For the last few years, the agency has been led by an “acting administrator.” To be the official head of the agency requires a confirmation vote by the U.S. Senate. The failure to find a permanent Senate-confirmed leader for NHTSA has many frustrated in Washington, D.C.

If confirmed, Mr. Morrison will head an agency that recently reduced its workforce by 4% as part of broader federal efforts to eliminate probationary employees. During Senate confirmation hearings, he will likely face tough questions about autonomous vehicles, ongoing investigations into Tesla crashes and the rollback of fuel economy rules aimed at reducing the number of internal combustion engines on our roads.

We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation will track this potential leadership change at NHTSA and remain engaged with an agency that has sweeping authority over the issues that matter to bikers.

Congressional Motorcycle Caucus Reception

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 14:00:00 GMT

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.

Slowing The EV Train

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 14:00:00 GMT

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

Trump's Day-One Executive Orders - Includes ICE Pushback

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 14:00:00 GMT

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.

High-Visibility Clothing Invisible To Automated Cars

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 14:00:00 GMT

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

Oregon ICE Regulations

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:00:00 GMT

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.

California Receives 2023 EPA Waiver

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:00:00 GMT

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.

Graves Keeps Chair Of House Transportation And Infrastructure

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:00:00 GMT

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.

Breaking News: CARB Withdraws Motorcycle Plan

Fri, 06 Dec 2024 18:00:00 GMT

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.”

Transportation Secretary: Sean Duffy

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 14:00:00 GMT

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.

MRF Champ John Thune Elected Senate Majority Leader

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:00:00 GMT

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.

Breaking News: CARB Postpones AGAIN!

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 22:30:00 GMT

This afternoon, less than 90 minutes before a scheduled hearing, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced the postponement of that hearing. The public hearing was focused on an electric motorcycle initiative that would require half of new motorcycles sold in the state be electric in the next 10 years. Since the initial proposal was released, motorcycle manufacturers have consistently warned that they do not believe a market exists for electric motorcycles at these target levels.

You may remember that this is not the first time the intended hearing on this topic has been delayed. Earlier this year, in January, four days before an identical hearing, CARB announced a similar postponement. However, this delay occurring on the day of the hearing is an interesting turn of events.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has been and remains committed to protecting the internal combustion engine. We believe consumers should have the choice to buy bikes with their preferred engine type.

We will continue to monitor events out of California and will track any future hearings as they are announced.

Congress To NHTSA: Tesla Autopilot Is Alarming

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Last week, a dozen bipartisan members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to Sophie Shulman, the Acting Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) expressing concerns about Tesla’s Full Self-Driving and Autopilot software. The letter highlights concerns regarding “An alarming pattern of Teslas with Autopilot engaged causing fatal accidents with motorcyclists, bicyclists and stopped emergency vehicles.”

The lawmakers seek two remedies from NHTSA. First, improved crash reporting, including allowing other road users, such as motorcyclists, to report crashes to NHTSA. Second, enforcing restrictions on where and when autopilot systems can be activated.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) worked in conjunction with the Dawn Project on this letter from Congress. The Dawn Project’s mission is to make sure computers are safe for humanity, by making certain that safety-critical software systems never fail and are not hackable.

The MRF would like to thank our members who contacted their representatives about the letter. Additionally, we are grateful to Representative Anne McLane Kuster of New Hampshire who helped lead this effort as well as the additional 11 members of Congress whose signatures appear on the letter:

Rep. Julia Brownley (CA)
Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA)
Rep. Steve Cohen (TN)
Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI)
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA)
Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL)
Rep. Jared Huffman (CA)
Rep. Hank Johnson (GA)
Rep. Seth Moulton (MA)
Rep. Grace Napolitano (CA)
Rep. Chris Pappas (NH)

EVs Too Heavy For Guardrails

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Fears are increasing that guardrails and other safety features will not be able to withstand the increased weight of electric vehicles. Roadways have been designed to account for vehicles weighing 5,000 lbs. However, new electric vehicles can far exceed that weight.

Cody Stolle, a University of Nebraska associate professor studying guardrail performance, said, "Unfortunately, these guardrail systems, which have performed very well with gasoline vehicles historically, do not appear to be containing electric vehicles when impacting [in] similar types of conditions."

NHTSA To Investigate Tesla

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:00:00 GMT

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it would investigate Tesla’s Autopilot system. The research will examine whether the technology can detect and respond effectively to reduced visibility on roadways. NHTSA is concerned the technology is hampered by sun glare, fog and airborne dust. Four recent crashes have shined a light on this problem.

IIHS Study On Helmets

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Earlier today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a study claiming that since the mid-1970s more than 20,000 motorcyclists would have survived crashes had they been wearing a helmet. In total, the IIHS report says, 11% of motorcyclist fatalities over nearly 50 years would have been prevented by helmet usage.

While we understand and respect the mission of the IIHS to reduce traffic injuries, fatalities and property damage, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) finds it necessary to point out three principal tenets of our position on helmet usage. First, since our creation, the MRF remains steadfast in the belief that those who ride should decide. Fundamentally, we believe that each rider is in the best position to evaluate the choices they make when riding, which includes the choice to wear a helmet or not, as well as the type of helmet.

Second, the absence of a helmet mandate in the 33 states with freedom of choice does not force motorcyclists to ride helmetless. These choice states simply allow a rider to make their own decision. Thousands of riders in states that do not have helmet mandates ride with a helmet and we support their right to do so. Additionally, states with universal helmet laws do not claim 100% compliance.

Finally, a primary part of our legislative agenda and messaging is crash avoidance. A crash that does not happen is always safer than a crash that occurs. As such, focusing on avoiding or preventing a crash before it happens is far more valuable than making a crash “safer.” For this reason, the MRF has always supported rider training and motorcycle awareness as proactive measures.

This report demonstrates that motorcyclist fatalities are a growing concern for policymakers. While the MRF and IIHS view this topic differently, we will continue to work on areas where we find common ground.

CARB Reschedules Hearing

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:00:00 GMT

This week, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced the rescheduled date for a hearing regarding “On-Road Motorcycle Emission Standards and Test Procedures and Adoption of New On-Board Diagnostics and Zero-Emission Motorcycle Requirements.” As you may remember, the original hearing was planned for January 25, 2024 and was postponed less than a week before its scheduled date. The new hearing will be on Thursday, November 7, 2024.

The public hearing will focus on a plan requiring an increasing percentage of California on-road motorcycle sales to be zero-emission motorcycles (ZEM) beginning with the 2028 model year. The proposal aims to have half of all new on-road motorcycles sold be ZEM by 2035.

CARB requested public comments before the January hearing. Three dozen groups and individuals submitted formal comments on the proposed plan. Interestingly, despite the nearly 10-month delay in holding the hearing, the rescheduled hearing “Does not extend that 45-day public comment period. Comments submitted outside that comment period are considered untimely. CARB may, but is not required to, respond to untimely comments.”

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation submitted comments during the original public comment period. The MRF comments are viewable on the CARB website. The hearing will be open to the public, both in person and via ZOOM. Those in California can attend the event in person. We encourage all bikers who care about the future of the internal combustion engine and motorcycling to have their voices heard.

Automated Taxi Mayhem

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Two self-driving taxi companies embarrassingly made news this week. First, while Vice-President Kamala Harris was in San Francisco, her travel was interrupted when a Waymo robotaxi got stuck in the path of the Vice-Presidential motorcade while trying to make a turn. The driverless vehicle had to be manually moved by police to unblock the route. That story comes on the heels of reports from San Francisco that parking lots with off-duty Waymo vehicles become confused and start honking at one another. Nearby residents have complained about the driverless cars honking randomly at all hours of the day and night.

In more serious news, General Motors robotaxi company, Cruise, will undergo more stringent oversight and pay a fine to settle claims by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that it failed to disclose information about a crash involving one of its cars that struck and dragged a pedestrian last fall.

In October 2023, a Cruise robotaxi dragged a pedestrian nearly 20 feet before coming to a stop. The incident injured the pedestrian and resulted in a suspension of Cruise’s license to operate in California. The case prompted Cruise to recall its automated driving system. According to NHTSA, two reports Cruise provided about the event failed to disclose post-crash details and were incomplete.

Remember that all three of these stories involved vehicles with no driver behind the wheel! The Motorcycle Riders Foundation remains committed to spreading the word about the protection that all roadway users deserve from being test subjects for this new technology. If the Vice-President of the United States can have her path blocked by a driverless car, what chance does the average biker have out there?

IIHS Studies Distracted Driving

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:00:00 GMT

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released details of a recent study on driver behavior when using vehicles with levels of automation. The study, done in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab, should raise the eyebrows of those charged with establishing rules for this new technology (study linked below).

This initial statement from the IIHS encapsulates what many have witnessed on the road, “Drivers are more likely to multitask when using partial automation, and some manage to do so even while playing by the rules of the system's attention requirements.” The study points to how some drivers have “mastered” the ability to prevent warnings of inactivity and thus negate the intended safeguards.

The analysis included different vehicle types and driver groups, yet in every case, drivers engaged in distracting activities more often when using the technology than while driving without it. These results clearly indicate that drivers have a false sense of security when using automated driving features.

Drivers are responsible for their actions when behind the wheel. However, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) remains troubled by marketing campaigns and narratives that intentionally or unintentionally create an overconfidence in this technology. The MRF has and will continue to raise these concerns with lawmakers and policymakers in Congress and at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Distracted driving costs lives! If this new technology encourages increased distracted driving, that is unacceptable. The MRF agrees with IIHS Senior Research Scientist Alexandra Mueller, “Better safeguards are needed to ensure that the behavior change actually translates to more attentive driving."

IIHS Press Release

Internal Combustion - A Hot Topic

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Recently, at both the state and federal levels, lawmakers have been fighting against the effort to kill the internal combustion engine (ICE). This past Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J. Res 136. The vote was 215 in favor and 191 opposed. The resolution blocks an Environmental Protection Agency rule to more strictly regulate passenger vehicle tailpipe emissions and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.

Whether it be a call to action, discussing it at Bikers Inside the Beltway, or our D.C. team lobbying on this issue, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has pushed lawmakers for action on this and other legislation that would save ICE.

Congress can block rules and regulations from an agency such as NHTSA by passing a joint resolution of disapproval in both chambers, subject to a presidential veto. Once a rule is disapproved under this process, the agency cannot issue a similar regulation unless Congress passes a separate law allowing it. While the current U.S. Senate will likely not act on H.J. Res 136, one chamber of Congress continues to fight to save our ability to buy the engines we want.

Outside of D.C., the Ohio State Senate recently passed S.R. 155, their effort to go on the record and save the internal combustion engine. The resolution states: “To express support for consumer choice in the automotive marketplace and against government-preferred vehicle technology mandates that will harm Ohio's consumers by prematurely requiring the transition of the automotive fleet from internal combustion powered vehicles to all-electric vehicles.”

The Ohio Senate sent copies of the resolution to "the President of the United States, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, the Secretary of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Speaker and Clerk of the United States House of Representatives, the President Pro Tempore and Secretary of the United States Senate, the members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation, and the news media of Ohio.”

Actions like these in D.C., Ohio and other states demonstrate that lawmakers across the country are waking up on this topic. Luckily, the MRF never falls asleep on issues like this. Thank you for supporting the MRF and allowing us to be the watchdog for your rights.

TEXT OF US H.J. RES 136

TEXT OF OHIO S.R.155

MRF Says Protect Right To Repair

Fri, 06 Sep 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Congress has been on vacation for seven (7) weeks, but the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) never takes a vacation; we will not stop fighting for the rights of bikers.

This week, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, President of the MRF, sent a letter to the Chairwoman of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding “Right to Repair.” In the letter, the MRF requested that H.R. 906, known as the REPAIR ACT, move out of committee and be considered by the full House of Representatives (link to letter below).

In November 2023, the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce advanced the bill, yet eleven (11) months later, the bill remains stuck in limbo.

Our freedom to repair, modify and work on our bikes is a fundamental part of who we are as bikers. The MRF will not stop fighting for bikers, aftermarket parts dealers and the independent shops that support our lifestyles.

It is time Congress takes action!

MRF LETTER TO ENERGY & COMMERCE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Meeting of the Minds 2024 Registration Deadline Approaching

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:00:00 GMT

The September 4 deadline for Meeting of the Minds early registration, is fast approaching. If you have not registered, now is the time to do so.

MRF and ABATE of Kansas member, Tammy Railsback, sums up what the 40th anniversary of the Meeting of the Minds means: “Getting better with age as we embrace our future.”

And there are times when the future of motorcycling keeps many of us awake. Hence, a panel discussion on “What issues regarding the future of motorcycling keep you awake at night? And the solutions to put the nightmares to rest.”

Forty years ago, we came together for freedom, unity, and change to help build our SMROs into stronger grassroots motorcyclists’ rights advocacy groups. The 2024 Meeting of the Minds is that first meeting amped up with a super-charged agenda!

Here is a tentative listing of the workshops:

Legislative Strategies
First Timers
PAC 101 & how they work for motorcyclists' rights
Search & Seizure
Executive Director's Townhall
Team Building
Lobbying 101 -- the Fundamentals of Legislative Success
MRF Reps Meeting
Independent Motorcycle After-market Meeting
Sustaining Clubs Meeting
SMRO Chapter/Region Duties & Responsibilities

Social Media Hands-on That Works
Life on Gilligan’s Island: Recruiting, inspiring & retaining your SMRO’s cast of characters
Fundamentals of Being an MRF State Rep
Leadership Principals
MRF A&E
Policy Engage Overview -- Making it Work for You

And the workshops are only half of the show! Along with the panel discussion led by a hand-picked selection of motorcyclists’ rights and motorcycle industry influencers, there are General Session presentations with updates from Washington, D.C., SMRO updates, and even a look back to "Where it all Began."

As MRF President, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard puts it, "MRF Total Vigilance on The Hill depends on all of us."

Those of us who were at the first Meeting of the Minds may not have had a vision of forty years down the road. However, we may have realized that the future of motorcycling depends on what we are doing now. The MRF brings you the Meeting of the Minds because the future of motorcycling depends on what we do today. See you in St. Louis at the 40th Annual Meeting of the Minds!

DAVE CAZEL 1947-2024

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:00:00 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) recently lost a great champion. Dave Cazel passed away on July 28, 2024. Dave was unassuming and did most of his work “behind the scenes." He was not particularly flamboyant or outspoken. That was evident by his self-introduction as simply, “Cazel." Do not mistake his calm, professional and distinguished demeanor for a lack of passion. Dave would stand his ground on issues he felt strongly about and become quite assertive. There was no questioning his commitment and dedication to motorcyclists’ rights, specifically the MRF. As the MRF Treasurer, Dave revolutionized the organization’s accounting practices and reporting. Dave also took to heart the concept within the motorcyclists’ rights movement to find your own replacement. He did the MRF another solid in setting us up with Kris Cook to serve as treasurer and carry on what he had started. His predecessor, Frank Carbone, refers to Dave as “the best treasurer the MRF ever had.” Kris Cook, his successor, advises, “I wouldn’t have signed up for that responsibility, but I thought so much of him that when he put out the call I answered.” Anyone who knew him had nothing but good things to say about Dave personally and professionally. Our dear friend and colleague from Idaho will be greatly missed and his accomplishments and contributions are indeed a legacy to be proud of.

Ride in Peace Dave.

California Updates

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 13:00:00 GMT

In the last week, two legislative items from California caught our eye. Both issues could impact not only those who live, work or visit the Golden State, but could have lasting impacts across the nation.

First, as the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) reported earlier this year, lawmakers in Sacramento are considering legislation to require new vehicles sold in the state to have passive intelligent speed assistance systems installed. This system would alert the vehicle operator by visual and audio signals if they exceed ten (10) mph over posted speed limits. ABATE of California’s lobbyist firm, the Lombardo Group, met with the author of the bill and successfully negotiated an amendment to exclude motorcycles from the list of motor vehicles defined in California Vehicle Code Section 415. The battle lasted seven (7) months. They were additionally supported by the Modified Motorcycle Association of California, the California Motorcycle Dealers Association, the United Motor Vehicle Coalition of California, the Biker Rights Organization of California and other groups. The hard work on the bill, SB 961, resulted in an amended version with motorcycles stripped out of any mandate.

Secondly, another bill, SB 615 may impact the push towards electric vehicles (EV). The bill would make a battery or vehicle manufacturer responsible for collecting and repurposing batteries. Comments the MRF submitted in January to the California Air Resources Board addressed this issue. The MRF stated, “Disposal of these vehicles at end of life is very worrisome. The batteries needed to power them contain materials that are harmful to our soil and groundwater.”

Finally, a story this week out of California involving a Tesla Semi Rig crashing and catching fire is also making news. According to media reports, firefighters have had to rotate on and off the scene due to smoke coming from the wreckage, described by a California Highway Patrol official on the broadcast as “toxic.”

While the push to kill the internal combustion engine remains strong, perhaps some are starting to realize the obvious pitfalls of a push toward an all-electric vehicle marketplace.

Congratulations to the bikers in California who fought to exclude motorcycles from the speed restriction devices! We will continue to track their efforts on these two issues and any others that impact riders.

MRF Responds To NHTSA Survey

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Last week, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) submitted comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on a proposed survey of biker’s thoughts on motorcycle avoidance technology. The MRF submitted comments highlighting two areas of a proposed survey that we feel should not be ignored.

First, we pointed out that any survey should be designed in a way that does not skew the questions or responses in a way that favors one outcome over another. The way a question is phrased can shape the nature of the response. The MRF and our members want true and unbiased results from any federally funded study.

Secondly, the motorcycling community is not monolithic. As all members of the MRF know, we represent a diverse set of viewpoints, demographics, riding history and several other factors that make us unique! Creating a survey incorporating as many perspectives as possible is the best way to understand what the millions of bikers in this country believe.

Click the link below to read all the MRF's formal comments to this survey. As a reminder, these comments only pertain to the proposed survey. However, we know that any survey results will likely be used to promote future policies that impact all of us.

The MRF will stay vigilant here in D.C.

Thank you for empowering us to remain the voice of our nation's street riders.

Ride Safe and Ride Free.

MRF RESPONSE TO NHTSA

Joint Congressional Resolutions To Block CAFE

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Friday, Congressman Tim Walberg of Michigan, the Co-Chair of the House Motorcycle Caucus, introduced a bill aimed at stopping the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from enacting new rules on “Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks for Model Years 2027-2032 and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks and Vans for Model Years 2030-2035.” Rep. Walberg’s bill H.J. Res 199 currently has 64 cosponsors. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas also recently introduced a similar bill in the Senate, S.J. Res 104, with 29 Senators listed as cosponsors.

As it currently stands, the proposed rule would set the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to a level that is not attainable with liquid fuels alone. Despite Congress directing NHTSA not to consider electric vehicles (EV) in determining the maximum feasible standards, NHTSA includes EVs in their annual baseline. This standard will force manufacturers to transition away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to meet the new standards. This move by NHTSA, in conjunction with emissions rules the Environment Protection Agency is enacting, is a significant step towards eliminating ICE.

If you want to help Congressman Walberg and Senator Cruz save the internal combustion engine, click the link below to go to our Federal Legislative Issues page and ask your member of Congress and U.S. Senators to support the bills.

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

Congress Races To The Exits

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Last week, in a surprise move, the House of Representatives canceled their last planned week of work in D.C. for the end of July. Representatives returned home for the August break a week early. Their departure, followed by the Senate leaving this week, means lawmakers will spend more than 40 straight days away from D.C. Both chambers are scheduled to return on September 9th.

While Congress normally takes a month-long August break, this nearly 7-week break is especially long. It is yet another sign of the dysfunction in our nation’s capitol. Lawmakers have chosen to head home, rest, campaign, and escape the gridlock in the halls of Congress.

While Congress may be on vacation, that doesn’t mean the work stops for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) here in D.C. The MRF team in D.C. will use this time to meet with congressional staff, expand our network of allies, and begin preparing for Meeting of the Minds in September.

For those of you around the country, there is no better time than August to engage your elected officials! Representatives and Senators will be crisscrossing their states and congressional districts participating in official and political events. Find out their positions on our issues, introduce yourselves, and explain how the MRF represents you back in Washington, D.C. It’s often much easier to get an audience and have a frank conversation back home than in the shadow of the Capitol Dome. Let’s keep the pressure up, if we don’t do it, who will?

Ride Safe and Ride Free

MRF Roadshow Stops January 2024

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 22:07:11 GMT

2024 has seen no rest on the subjects of Right To Repair, Autonomous Vehicles, availability of E10 or any of the rest of the MRF's priority topics. So far this year, MRF officers have been to visit gatherings in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania and the Kansas Lobby Day. If you'd like MRF representatives to visit your state event, contact our office at mrfoffice@mrf.org

Another Shot Across the Internal Combustion Engine Bow

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 03:10:59 GMT

In April 2023, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to ban the sale of medium and heavy-duty diesel-powered vehicles in the state starting in 2036. As the MRF shared last year, the implications of this move by CARB are enormous. With California being the largest market for vehicles in the country, manufacturers are being forced to make decisions on the products they offer.

It now appears that the first domino may have fallen. In a recent memo to dealers, the Ford Motor Company announced the following policy for California, “Beginning January 1, 2024, Ford will not allow or recognize sales or delivery of 2025 Model Year diesel Medium Duty (F-650/F-750) units to customers who register their vehicles in the state.” You read that correctly. That is eleven years in advance of the directive from CARB that Ford is now forbidding its dealers from selling diesel-powered F-650/F-750 in the largest state in the Union.

This action by Ford may be the first in what will be a growing list of manufacturers who bend to the will of California regulators. Why can California do this? The Clean Air Act allows California to seek a waiver of the preemption that prohibits states from enacting emission standards for new motor vehicles.

We know that officials in California will not stop here. They already have banned the sale of gas-powered golf carts, lawnmowers, chainsaws, and generators. To make matters worse, more than a dozen other states link their emissions laws to California standards. That means that in some cases, 40% of vehicles on the road are subject to California standards regardless of whether the vehicle is registered in California.

The writing is on the wall. If we want to protect motorcycles and the internal combustion engines that power them, we must act now.

Recently the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1435 which would amend the Clean Air Act to prevent a ban on the sale of internal combustion engines (ICE), effectively trumping any state law that outlaws their sale.

The Senate now needs to act on its version of the bill. If you haven’t already, click here and ask your Senators to support S.2090 - Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2023. It may be the only way to stop the war on ICE that is being waged in the Golden State.

Is Your Representative in a Position to Help?

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 20:46:03 GMT

As early as this week, the House of Representatives Committee on Rules will meet to discuss the annual funding bill for the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). The Rules Committee is the last stop before bills go to the full floor for a vote. It provides all lawmakers the opportunity to submit amendments to a bill for the full House to consider.

This year, Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Representative Troy Balderson (R-OH) have submitted an amendment to the USDOT funding bill that states:

None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) for activities intended to encourage states to adopt legislation, regulations, policies, directives, or guidance to profile motorcycle riders, nor shall such funds be used by States to implement any activity with the primary intent of profiling motorcycle riders.

How can you help?

At this point, ONLY the thirteen (13) members of the Rules Committee have the power to approve the amendment. So, if one of the following thirteen (13) members is your Representative, pick up the phone and call your Representative. Ask them to “Vote yes, in the Rules Committee hearing on the Walberg/Balderson, Amendment #137 to H.R. 4820. Help protect bikers from being unfairly profiled!”

If you do not know the name of your Congressional Representative,
click here to find out.

If you do not know how to contact your Congressional Representative, call the main switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to the correct office.

Remember ONLY these thirteen (13) members have the power to move this amendment forward. If you can help, pick up the phone and make the call today!

Rep. Michael Burgess (R- TX)
Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK)
Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R - MN)
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)
Rep. Erin Houchin (R- IN)
Rep. Nicholas Langworthy (R - NY)
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM)
Rep. Tom Massie (R - KY)
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO)
Rep. Ralph Norman (R - SC)
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R- PA)
Rep. Chip Roy (R - TX)

California Suspends Self-Driving Car Company, Cruise

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 02:06:57 GMT

Tuesday, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) notified Cruise, a self-driving car subsidiary of General Motors, that the DMV is suspending Cruise’s autonomous vehicle deployment and driverless testing permits, effective immediately.

Since June 2022, Cruise has been offering commercial driverless car service, which means no driver behind the wheel. There have been reports of Cruise vehicles clustering at intersections, blocking traffic, and engaging in worrisome interactions with emergency vehicles.

In the release, the California DMV said, “The department’s autonomous vehicle regulations provide a framework to facilitate the safe testing and deployment of this technology on California public roads. When there is an unreasonable risk to public safety, the DMV can immediately suspend or revoke permits.”

The agency cited four reasons for the suspension.

– Based upon the performance of the vehicles, the Department determines the manufacturer’s vehicles are not safe for the public’s operation.

– The manufacturer misrepresented information related to safety of the autonomous technology of its vehicles.

– Any act or omission of the manufacturer, or one of its agents, employees, contractors, or designees which the department finds makes the conduct of autonomous vehicle testing on public roads by the manufacturer an unreasonable risk to the public.

– The department shall immediately suspend or revoke the Manufacturer’s Testing Permit or a Manufacturer’s Testing Permit – Driverless Vehicles if a manufacturer is engaging in a practice in such a manner that immediate suspension is required for the safety of persons on a public road.

This step by the State of California is dramatic for a state positioned at the forefront of deploying this recent technology. In the past week, federal regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into recent incidents involving Cruise vehicles. However, the action by regulators in California is a powerful move to push back against the deployment of these vehicles, which many believe are not yet ready for our nation’s roads.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is committed to collaborating with federal policymakers to ensure the detection of bikers by self-driving technology. The lack of action by officials in Washington, D.C. remains frustrating. However, we are pleased to see regulators in California taking a stand in the face of growing incidents with Cruise vehicles. We will continue to watch other states and hope they will also fill the void left by federal inaction.

BMW Issues Stop Sale Notice

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:09:54 GMT

Just yesterday, BMW directed its North American dealers to stop the sale of all new and used motorcycles. The directive only effects motorcycles using internal combustion engines. BMW electric motorcycles are not impacted by the order.

BMW stated that, “This temporary stop sale is not safety related and BMW owners may continue to ride their motorcycles as normal.” The fact that the order is not related to safety and does not impact electric motorcycles has led to much speculation. One possible reason for the move by BMW could be emissions related. The focus on both new and used motorcycles hints that is a long-standing issue BMW is trying to address.

It’s unclear how this order will impact BMW owners who may face recalls, or other maintenance situations. Regardless of the “temporary” status, being that this information focuses on “internal combustion engines” and offers electric motorcycles as a replacement, it certainly has our attention. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation will track this developing story and update you as the more information becomes available.

Last week was a busy week for the MRF “Road Show”…

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 21:00:00 GMT

Beginning in Ohio, President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard and Vice-President Jay Jackson attended the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the American Motorcyclist Association Museum. MRF State Rep Sherry Hill and folks from ABATE of Ohio set up a membership table at the AMA’s Bike Night on Saturday. AMA hosted a Road Captain training that was attended by ABATE of Arizona, ABATE of Indiana, ABATE of Michigan and ABATE of Ohio on Sunday.

This series of events also allowed facilitation of a meeting between the MRF President and representatives from the Federation Internationale De Motorcylisme (FIM) out of Switzerland and a member of the Board of Directors from the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) out of Belgium. The topics of concern were End of Life Directives related to motorcycles, European and United Nations activities surrounding internal combustion engines and electric vehicle mandates. We also discussed the issues surrounding motorcycle parts certification and availability of parts. The timing was ideal as it allows this information to be disseminated in real time at the Meeting of the Minds this week in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The State Motorcycle Safety Association (SMSA) held their annual Summit in Columbus, Ohio September 13th through 16th. State motorcycle rights organizations from Alaska, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and others were in attendance to learn the latest statistics, trends and issues related to motorcycle safety. MRF Vice President Jay Jackson presented “Promising Practices in Rider Training” as part of an alliance with six other states. The 2024 Summit will be held in Denver, Colorado.

The week ended with the MRF President and Russell Radke, the MRF Motorcycle Club Representative to the MRF Board, attending the National Council of Clubs meeting in Dayton, Ohio. The highlights were participating in an update of the Motorcycling Profiling Project which has played a very important role in our collective motorcycle anti-profiling successes. We also had an opportunity to share strategic updates on our legislative agenda and provide an update on the concerns we share regarding the future of motorcycling to a crowded room of motorcycle club members.

HR 1435 Passes the House

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 21:44:29 GMT

On Thursday, September 14^th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1435, the Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act, with a final vote of 222 to 190. H.R. 1435 would amend the Clean Air Act to prevent a ban on the sale of internal combustion engines, effectively trumping any state law that prohibits their sale. 214 Republicans were joined by eight Democrats in favor of the bill, while no Republicans voted against it.

The Republican majority in the House of Representatives has been pushing back on policies supported by the Biden Administration and Democratic state governments aimed at restricting the sale of internal combustion engines. As Thursday’s near party line vote demonstrates, this has become a highly partisan issue. The focus now turns to the Democrat controlled U.S. Senate. That chamber has a companion bill, S. 2090. That bill, with just 10 Senate cosponsors, faces an uphill battle.

Nevertheless, the action by the House today demonstrates that some lawmakers have heard the concerns of their constituents regarding the government-sponsored push towards electric vehicles.

If you haven’t already contacted your two U.S. Senators, click here, and ask them to cosponsor S.2090.

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION – MEETING OF THE MINDS 2023 – REAPING WHAT WE SOW

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 01:55:22 GMT

“You always reap what you sow; there is no shortcut.” – Stephen Covey

Thirty-nine years ago, at the first national gathering of motorcyclists’ rights activists in nearly ten years, we met searching for common ground. Metaphorically, the field was a cheap motel in St. Louis, Missouri, and we were not there to plant anything.

Yet, here we are, thirty-nine years later, and the crops of our labors and what was almost unintentionally sown have produced a cadre of motorcyclists’ rights advocates, one of the most successful years legislatively in motorcyclists’ rights history, and the nation’s foremost advocate for street-riding motorcyclists with full-time representation in Washington, D.C. – The Motorcycle Riders Foundation. There have been no shortcuts.

The MRF took no shortcuts and faced years of challenges that were met head-on. Year-after-year the MRF took the responsibility of bringing motorcyclists’ rights activists together for refresher courses in grassroots activism at the Annual Meeting of the Minds conference. With your ongoing commitment to motorcyclists’ rights, motorcyclists are reaping what the MRF has sowed.

That first meeting of the minds was one long general session. There were no smoke breaks—the room was a “smoke if you’ve got ‘em” free-for-all. No workshops or breakout sessions, no legislative agenda, and no commitment to take the first meeting beyond its termination. Little did we know that this group of biker/horticulturists of motorcyclists’ rights activism were cultivating the ground to plant the seeds to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights. Yet, we do not have the luxury of allowing the common ground we stand upon to lay fallow.

The MRF listens, makes a difference, and moves forward at the direction of members, SMRO and motorcycle club partners 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 success of this year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway was a result of what is taught at the Meeting of the Minds. Keeping our members and partner SMROs and motorcycle clubs informed and on point is what makes the Motorcycle Riders Foundation the nation’s leading motorcyclists’ rights advocacy group for on-street motorcyclists.

Reaping what we sow -- Bikers Inside the Beltway, Meeting of the Minds – the Motorcycle Riders Foundation –listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights!

The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24, Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111. 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.

Yours in Freedom,

Fred

Fredric Harrell

MRF Director of Conferences & Events

PS: A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania asked me to remind you while you’re packing for the trip, put on your old Donna Summer and Bee Gees records, find your disco shoes and Saturday Night Live clothes. They’re hosting a FUN Raiser for the MRFPAC, and it promises to be a disco-mania memory lane hoot!

Industry Veteran, Bob Kay, Leads Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 21:54:49 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has formed a council to review the challenges of independent motorcycle dealers and custom bike builders so they may be addressed by the MRF lobbyists in Washington, DC. “We are pleased to have Bob Kay lead the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council, stated Kirk ”Hardtail” Willard, Bob’s firsthand experience over 5 decades will be invaluable to focusing the efforts of our lobbyists.” The recent focus on internal combustion engines is threatening the future of independent motorcycle dealers and custom bike builders to provide alternative service centers as well as servicing older bikes and customization projects. Bob Kay said, “I am extremely proud of the team we put together to focus lobbyists on our right repair and modify with the input we receive from the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Network.” The Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council chaired by Bob Kay membership includes Keith Ball from Bikernet, Chris Callen from Cyclesource Magazine, Scott Hakins from S&S, Steve Broyles from Stevenson Cycles, John Jessup from Dream Rides, Jason Hallman from Cycle Stop USA and John O’Brien of Hardcore cycles.

Independent motorcycle dealers and custom bike builders wishing to join the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Network can contact Bob Kay at IMA19032023@gmail.com. Or go directly to the website at https://mrf.org/join/join-mrf-imac/

There is also a private Facebook group set up for discussion of these important topics at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2667411906733736/

And a public Instagram page dedicated to passing IMA news and events. https://www.instagram.com/i.m.a.network/

You can also support our lobbyists efforts by purchasing a Sustaining Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Annual Membership at https://mrf.org/join/join-mrf-imac/

About the Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

Right to Repair – You or the repair shop of your choice should have access to the tools, parts, and technology you need. However, manufacturers want to restrict your ability to service, maintain and repair your bike.

Right to Modify – The ability to modify and customize your bike is a fight the MRF has won before. In the 1990’s the MRF defeated a proposal that would have limited modification to “color and chrome.” We continue to fight for consumers rights to modify products they buy how they see fit.

Renewable Fuels – The availability of fuel for use in motorcycles is under attack. The MRF fights for the universal availability of approved fuel blends, containing no more than 10% ethanol by volume.

Internal Combustion Engines – Not only is the fuel we need under attack, but the engines that burn that fuel are being targeted. A push to ban the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines is happening right now! We believe Americans should have the right to choose what time of engine to buy not have the choice mandated by the government.

End of Life Directives – In Europe, “end of life directives” require vehicles over a certain age be turned in for destruction. Policy ideas that first appear in Europe have a history of popping up in the United States. The ability to own, collect, work on, and refurbish older motorcycles is a fundamental part of who we are as motorcyclists. The MRF will battle any end-of-life directives in the U.S.

Protect the Motorcycle Ecosystem– Independent shops and manufacturers are a critical part of the motorcycle ecosystem. They provide choice and competition in the marketplace. The MRF believes that to preserve the lifestyle and culture of motorcycling, independent shops and manufacturers must be protected.

Act Now... Congress Votes Thursday!

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 20:00:00 GMT

The House of Representatives has scheduled a vote Thursday on H.R. 1435, the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act.” H.R. 1435 would amend the Clean Air Act to prevent a ban on the sale of internal combustion engines, effectively trumping any state law that outlaws their sale.

Now is the time to have your voice heard! Let Congress know you support the right to choose the type of engine you buy. Click here to contact your Member of the House of Representatives and ask them to vote for H.R. 1435.

MEETING OF THE MINDS 2023 – TIME IS RUNNING OUT! – REGISTER NOW

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 02:59:01 GMT

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.

Time is running out -- Hotel rooms, at $109 nightly, are available and going fast. “Early bird” hotel reservation and Meeting of the Minds registration cut-off date is September 6. Use the QR codes below to make your reservations now. Time is running out!

Since June, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation has shared this series of “E-blast” with thousands of motorcyclists. During the series, the MRF has introduced workshop presenters and workshop topics. The 2023 Meeting of the Minds conference will reflect that the MRF listens to our members, partner state motorcyclists’ rights organizations, and motorcycle clubs. 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.

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

The Meeting of the Minds – presenters who live and breathe motorcyclists’ rights, topical workshops that have real-world applications for protecting the future of motorcycling –The Motorcycle Riders Foundation -- Since 1987 the MRF has been the only national motorcyclists’ rights organization dedicated to on-street riders with full-time representation in Washington, D.C.!

With more than a few hundred thousand hours of collective motorcyclists’ rights advocacy, some of the following names you’ll recognize, and some will be new to you. Regardless, this diverse assembly of freedom fighters will bring to the Meeting of the Minds new workshop topics and updates on topics that are cornerstones in the foundations of motorcyclists’ rights advocacy.

THE PRESENTERS: Dave Dwyer - Russell Radke - Kirk "Hardtail" Willard - William "Rocky" Fox - Ryan Hubbard - Kris Cook - Seven - Lane Triplett - Jay Jackson - Gary Goracke - Steve Panten - Jennifer Abraham - Eric Ross - Joy Mack - Chris "Clutch" Ward - Rick “Brick” Lindsey - Mark Buckner - Bob Stoner - Aaron Meyer - Sherman Packard - Angela Engel - Keith “Bandit” Ball - Bob Kay – Chris Callen - Ron Braaksma - Traci Beaurivage - Imre Szauter

The presentations and workshops are as diverse as the presenters--and just as important to promoting and protecting the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

THE PRESENTATIONS: Legislative Strategies - Building Effective Legislative/lobbying Efforts – First Timers – Keeping the Bridges Open Between Clubs & SMROs - Executive Directors Townhall - Leadership Principles - SMRO Guidebook: “A Cookbook for Your SMRO” - MRFPAC Update – Beyond Legislative Lobbying - The Future of Motorcycling: The intentional phasing out of internal combustion engines and their fuel source -- American Income Life (MRF benefit presentation) – MRF Sustaining Clubs Meeting - MRF Awareness & Education Update - Strategic Planning - The Power of Social Media: A Catalyst for Recruitment - Building Effective legislative/Lobbying Efforts – MRF Awards – and much, much more…

Yes, there’ll be plenty of time to renew old acquaintances and meet soon-to-be new friends. However, you will go home with a mind full of innovative ideas and a saddlebag full of informational handouts. You’ll wonder where the weekend went and will be disappointed that there wasn’t more time. This is what the Meeting of the Minds has always been about!

Meeting of the Minds – Bikers Inside the Beltway -- the Motorcycle Riders Foundation – listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling and 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.

Still need convincing that this is a “must attend” event for anyone serious about protecting the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights? At $109 a night, room rates at the Red Lion are hard to beat! But they’re going fast!

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.

Yours in Freedom,

Fred

Fredric Harrell

MRF Director of Conferences & Events

PS: Time is running out for “early bird” registration cut-off date Sept. 6. Hotel rooms are available and $109 per night, 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.

PPS: A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania asked me to remind you while you’re packing for the trip, put on your old Donna Summer and Bee Gees records, find your disco shoes and Saturday Night Live clothes. They’re hosting a FUN Raiser for the MRFPAC, and it promises to be a disco-mania memory lane hoot!

THE ROAD TO THE MEETING OF THE MINDS IS STILL CALLING YOU

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 01:58:41 GMT

Thank you. Your individual responses to the Eblast you received from the MRF around August 4 were encouraging. So encouraging in fact, that I was requested to pull together one more appeal for biker rights advocates in the Northeast to join your brothers and sisters and “get your motors runnin’!” and head down to Harrisburg and the Meeting of the Minds in September.

With someone from clean across country making such a production out of attending an event in Pennsylvania, you’re probably wondering what the fuss is all about. First, it’s about the MRF listening, making a difference, and 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; even if you spent an evening ‘surfin’ the net!’

If you haven’t already, get ready to meet Bob Stoner, a 27-year member of ABATE of Indiana. He’ll join Aaron Meyer 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!

I’m not the guy to tell you that the MRF has all the answers. However, I will tell you that Since 1987 the MRF has been the only national motorcyclists’ rights organization dedicated to on-street riders with full-time representation in Washington, D.C.! The MRF may not have all the answers, however you can take it to the bank that the information shared at the Meeting of the Minds will be useful to you and your SMRO!

One more time: Why attend the Meeting of the Minds? With the increasing attacks against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights – profiling, end of life directives for motorcycles, over-regulating the availability of fuel – the Meeting of the Minds offers sixteen workshops tailored to the motorcyclists’ rights activists. These workshops are presented by some of the nations’ most respected and knowledgeable freedom fighters. Plus, the information will serve you well before your legislators, state regulatory agencies, and members of Congress.

The successes of the Motorcycle Rides Foundation are hard won. They are won because freedom-loving riders like you help make the victories easier. Thanks for using the links below to register for the Meeting of the Minds and make your hotel reservations. See you in Harrisburg in September and enjoy the ride!

The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24. The Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111; at $109 nightly, there are rooms available, but they’re going fast. 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.

Yours in Freedom,

Fred

Fredric Harrell

MRF Director of Conferences & Events

PS: A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania asked me to remind you while you’re packing for the trip, put on your old Donna Summer or Bee Gee records and find your disco shoes and Saturday Night Live clothes. They’re hosting a FUN Raiser for the MRFPAC, and it promises to be a memory lane hoot!

MRF MEETING OF THE MINDS – RENEWED COMMITMENTS TO THE FUTURE OF MOTORCYCLING & MOTORCYCLISTS’ RIGHTS

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 03:16:48 GMT

As we approach another traditional American holiday, I am repeatedly drawn back to the collective words of the fifty-six lovers of freedom who put their lives and fortunes on the line when they signed the Declaration of Independence nearly 250 years ago. Barely one hundred miles away from where another group of freedom fighters will gather for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Annual Meeting of the Minds conference.

“We Mutually Pledge To Each Other Our Lives, Our Fortunes, And Our Sacred Honor.”

Fourteen words that cemented their commitment to freedom. In less time than it took to gather those fifty-six signatures, the MRF will kick off the 39^th Annual Meeting of the Minds and bring together the nation’s motorcyclists’ rights activists for an intense weekend of workshops, presentations, and renewed commitments to preserve and protect the future of motorcycling.

There will be no debate about the finer points of the Declaration of Independence. Instead, the MRF has a reputation for providing attendees with workshops and keynote speakers specifically tailored to motorcyclists’ rights advocacy--on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures.

Focused on protecting the future of motorcycling, this three-day assembly of bikers honors the spirit and tradition that our nation’s founders risked their lives and liberty laying the foundation for the freedoms we enjoy today through the motorcycles we ride.

Just as the founders of our nation experienced, the actions of a few dedicated freedom fighters are united to protect the freedoms of many. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation provides the Meeting of the Minds conference as a platform for motorcyclists’ rights activists of all levels and a venue to make new friends, renew old acquaintances and take home the tools needed to protect the future of motorcycling.

Never been to a Meeting of the Minds conference? We’ve got you covered. Meet Jennifer Abraham and Eric Ross. Their First Timers workshop was designed to make “first timers” and repeat attendees feel welcome and vitalized to stay involved in motorcyclists’ rights activism.

The MRF’s legislative agenda represents the collective interests of the nation’s owners of 8.6 million registered street motorcycles. The burden of keeping the voice of motorcycling heard before Congress, regulatory agencies, and state legislatures is shouldered by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, MRF sustaining state motorcyclists’ rights organizations, MRF sustaining motorcycle clubs, and the five hundred activists who attend the Meeting of the Minds and take the word back to their respective states.

None of us are pledging our lives, fortunes, or our sacred honors as those fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence did in August 1776. However, the MRF represents a committed cadre of dedicated motorcyclists’ rights activists and freedom fighters who understand that if we as motorcyclists do not stand together to support the efforts to protect the future of motorcycling, motorcycling has a bleak and limited future.

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

Bikers inside the Beltway, Meeting of the Minds – the Motorcycle Riders Foundation –listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling and 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.

Yours in Freedom,

Fred

Fredric Harrell

MRF Director of Conferences & Events

NHTSA Investigates Tesla Again...

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 10:00:00 GMT

In a letter made public this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is seeking answers from Tesla on the company's “Autopilot” system. The letter sent on July 26th states, “Recently, NHTSA became aware that Tesla has introduced an Autopilot configuration that, when enabled, allows drivers using Autopilot to operate their vehicles for extended periods without Autopilot prompting the driver to apply torque to the steering wheel.”

As the letter notes, the ramifications of this feature are worrisome. “Relaxation of controls designed to ensure that the driver remains engaged in the dynamic driving task could lead to greater driver inattention and failure of the driver to properly supervise Autopilot.”

It is unclear whether Tesla responded by the August 25th deadline noted in the correspondence. However, this action by NHTSA comes on the heels of several other investigations of Tesla. Most important for motorcyclists is the investigation, started nearly a year ago, concerning the deaths of three bikers in crashes involving Teslas believed to be in autopilot mode.

Stories like this one are why the Motorcycle Riders Foundation continues to press federal officials for safety standards on self-driving cars and how they interact with motorcyclists. As the summer riding season comes to a close, don’t forget the words of former NHTSA senior safety adviser, Missy Cummings, “It’s very dangerous for motorcycles to be around Teslas.”

To read the letter from NHTSA click here.

Ride Safe and Ride Free.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Meeting of the Minds Conference -- Moving Forward to Protect the Future of Motorcycling and Motorcyclists’ Rights!

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 09:30:00 GMT

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

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 success of this year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway was the result of what the MRF shares 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.

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 Meeting of the Minds–presenters who live and breathe motorcyclists’ rights, topical workshops that have real-world applications for protecting the future of motorcycling –The Motorcycle Riders Foundation--Since 1987 the MRF has been the only national motorcyclists’ rights organization dedicated to on-street riders with full-time representation in Washington, D.C.!

Motorcyclists’ rights and motorcycling safety have been interwoven since the time when motorcyclists’ rights advocates were accused of only caring about the modification of mandatory helmet laws. Dispelling those accusations, Ron Braaksma and Lane Trippet, representing MRF Awareness & Education, will present workshops on motorcycling safety and riding skills.

The burden of keeping the voice of motorcycling heard before Congress, regulatory agencies, and state legislatures is shouldered by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. The activists who attend the Meeting of the Minds conference take home a wealth of information to help strengthen the collective voices of all street riding motorcyclists.

Nearly fifty years ago, the burden of freedom was lifted in the quest to protect the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights when a biker from New Hampshire and his wife founded one of the nation’s first SMROs–NHMRO–New Hampshire Motorcyclists Rights Organization. Sherman Packard rose from “just another biker fighting for our rights” to become the New Hampshire Speaker of the House of Representative and the MRF is honored to have “Mr. Speaker” Sherman Packard sharing his years of experience as the 2023 Meeting of the Minds keynote speaker.

Bikers Inside the Beltway, Meeting of the Minds – the Motorcycle Riders Foundation – listening, making a difference, and moving forward to protect the future of motorcycling and 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.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Releases "simple steps"

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 02:23:04 GMT

Earlier today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a document highlighting what it sees as “simple steps” to reduce motorcyclist deaths. First and foremost, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is very concerned about the safety of bikers. 2021 saw 6,000 motorcyclists killed on our nation’s roadways, accounting for nearly 14% of all traffic fatalities.

While we don’t agree with all the positions of the IIHS, including their push for universal helmet laws, we do appreciate that they take a wider view of the issue. They point out the need for other people on the road to look for motorcycles and ensuring other vehicles properly judge their speed in relationship to motorcycles.

Additionally, the IIHS position of ensuring crash avoidance systems are designed to detect motorcycles is a good idea. Of course, that’s a good idea! That’s why the MRF is pressing Congress and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on this topic here in Washington, D.C.

All bikers should be happy to learn about a new technology focused on left turn assist. According to the IIHS, “Left turn assist, has the potential to address crashes in which another vehicle turns left in front of an oncoming motorcycle — the most common type of crash between a motorcycle and another vehicle.”

Another place where we find common ground, is understanding that crash avoidance is the best way to save lives. A crash that never happens is 100% better than a “safer crash.”

As the release notes, “Each one of the thousands of motorcyclists who die on U.S. roads every year is someone’s loved one.” The MRF has lost way too many members and friends because of crashes on our roads. Let’s work together and decrease fatalities.

To read the full release from IIHS click here.

The Fight Continues

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:02:02 GMT

For over a decade the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has been pushing the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on key priorities for motorcyclists. We’ve focused on the issues of autonomous vehicles, crash avoidance, and design and construction of our nation’s roads.

On the autonomous vehicle front, the MRF fought for inclusion of language in the 2018 Senate AV bill that required NHTSA to compel manufacturers to report on the self-driving cars ability to “sense motorcyclists in or crossing the path of travel through the automated driving system”

In 2020 and 2021 the MRF advocated for language in the House version of the Highway bill, which required that when USDOT conducts safety studies on autonomous vehicles, motorcycles must be considered as unique roadway users. Additionally, a planned working group on autonomous vehicles would have required inclusion of a motorcycle safety group as part of its membership.

Unfortunately, the dysfunction on Capitol Hill entangled these bills and they failed to meet approval by both chambers. But the MRF won’t take no for an answer so they took the fight on these issues to the executive branch. Just last month, MRF leadership met with half a dozen NHTSA officials on the importance including motorcycles in the autonomous vehicle regulations. On two different occasions MRF members have met with motorcycle specialists at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) about crash investigations and policies around fatalities involving motorcyclists. And just before Christmas last year, 27 members of Congress sent a letter at the request of the MRF to NHTSA that asked 5 key questions about its policies, regulations, and plans for incorporating motorcyclists in automated driving guidelines.

In both 2015 and 2021, the MRF fought for creation of, and then the renewal of, the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) at USDOT. This body is tasked with developing policies that make roadway design, construction, and maintenance practices that factor in motorcycle riders. The MRF anticipates having a seat when the new MAC is established.

We raise these issues because the journey is long, the fight is never over but the victories are critical. We thank you for your continued support of the MRF. We do what we do, and we fight for these issues, because you provide the resources, passion and resilience that fuels us.

If you are a rider and not currently a member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, follow this link to join us now.

As Always, Ride Safe and Ride Free

Louisiana Town Hall Meeting

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 16:18:11 GMT

On July 29, the Louisiana Confederation of Clubs and Independent Riders (COC&I) held a Biker Town Hall in lieu of its normal meeting in Alexandria. The guest speaker was Clay Higgins (R) U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 3rd congressional district. Jacque and I had the honor of being invited to represent and speak about the MRF and ABATE. MRF President Kirk "Hardtail" Willard was also in attendance.

We met up with Congressman Higgins at the Cajun Harley Davidson in Scott, just west of Lafayette and rode with his group of a dozen or so bikes to Alexandria. Jacque gave a briefing to a standing room only crowd about what A.B.A.T.E. is, what we do for the motorcycle community in Louisiana and our proposed legislative agenda for 2024. I told the story of how we came to be involved with the Town Hall by being in Congressman Higgins' D.C. office when Swamp, the COC&I Commander, called to speak with him about it. I then turned the mic over to Hardtail. He spoke to a very attentive group of bikers from across Louisiana about the dire situations for motorcyclists due to the push to get rid of combustion engines, the dangers of autonomous vehicles, the effect of using E15 gas in small engines, etc. Congressman Higgins took the floor and spoke of the precious rights afforded to all of us by the 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, and 5^th amendments of the Constitution and then took many questions from the audience.

The entire meeting can be viewed on the COC&I Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LouisianaCOC

Rick 'Brick' Lindsey

SSMRO Representative to the MRF Board

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation sees this as a very successful path towards engagement and education for the motorcycling community and encourages all States to put an event like this together.

Will you ask your Senators to protect the internal combustion engine?

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 14:38:14 GMT

Members of Congress are in the middle of a 6-week break away from Washington, D.C. While lawmakers won’t return until after Labor Day, their staff are still working on several policy issues.

Earlier this year, the Biden Administration rolled out plans to shift this country to a majority electric vehicle market over the next ten years. In June, Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma introduced S.2090, the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act.” The bill would amend the Clean Air Act to prevent a ban on the sale of internal combustion engines, effectively trumping any state law that outlaws their sale. S. 2090 is the Senate’s version of H.R. 1435, which recently passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

While the House version of the bill is moving, the Senate version of the bill still needs more cosponsors. Will you ask your two Senators to protect the internal combustion engine?

Click here to contact your Senators and ask them to support S. 2090.

BIKERS IN THE NORTHEAST -- ANOTHER IMPORTANT LINK IN PROTECTING MOTORCYCLISTS' RIGHTS

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 02:59:52 GMT

In the time it takes me to get to the Vegas airport, fly to Baltimore-Washington International, and get to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the Meeting of the Minds, bikers from Maine to Ohio and all points in between will have a good day’s ride to the conference and have time to spare!

Coordinating with this email, MRF Reps will be contacting you directly with a personal invitation to the 39^th Annual Meeting of the Minds conference. We look forward to seeing a large contingent of motorcyclists’ rights advocates from the Northeast.

Motorcyclists’ rights advocates seldom if ever get to choose the fights that we get thrown into. We do get to choose how we aggressively defend our rights and fight to protect the future of motorcycling. It’s great to have choices. Your choice to attend the Meeting of the Minds is appreciated and it’s an investment in protecting the future of motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights.

Plus, it’s a great ride in the fall weather of the Northeast. The Meeting of the Minds conference is a great place to re-acquaint yourself with old friends and make new friends. And take home the tools necessary to keep the next unforeseen attack against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights at bay.

Within a half-day’s ride – or less – from where you park your motorcycle, the MRF will present something to laugh about, something to inspire you, but most of all, we will present something that will metaphorically arm you to help you be an even more effective motorcyclists’ rights advocate.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was chosen for this year’s Meeting of the Minds because the MRF listens, and the Northeast is a vital component in the fight to protect motorcyclists’ rights. Plus, well over a million of the nation’s motorcycle riders live within an easy day’s ride of Harrisburg. Besides, with the MRF in town, there’s more to do in Harrisburg than visiting the Harley plant in York!

Why attend the Meeting of the Minds? With the increasing attacks against motorcycling and motorcyclists’ rights – profiling, end of life directives for motorcycles, over-regulating the availability of fuel – the Meeting of the Minds offers sixteen workshops tailored to the motorcyclists’ rights activists. These workshops are presented by some of the nations’ most respected and knowledgeable freedom fighters. Plus, the information will serve you well before your legislators, state regulatory agencies, and members of Congress.

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.

Will the Feds Ever Act on Autonomous Vehicles?

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 14:30:04 GMT

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 21^st to 24^th and have your voice heard! Click here to register.

MRF 2023 HOF Inductee Announcement

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:40:28 GMT

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!

Fri, 28 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT

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 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.

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

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 02:19:56 GMT

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?

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 18:18:48 GMT

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

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:33:04 GMT

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

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 13:50:39 GMT

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 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.

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!

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 03:30:27 GMT

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

Sat, 08 Jul 2023 13:42:35 GMT

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

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 16:36:05 GMT

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.

COMMON GOALS & MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING -- MOTORCYCLISTS’ RIGHTS ACTIVISTS MEET

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 15:27:57 GMT

Phoenix, Arizona – Eleven motorcyclists’ rights activists representing the National Coalition of Motorcyclists, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and four motorcycle clubs took time away from the NCOM annual convention to meet in a closed-door session to discuss differences and focus on common goals.

With a joint willingness to acknowledge a tumultuous past but not allow the past to detract from the need to work toward the commonalities of mutually recognized issues effecting the future of motorcycling, the goals were quickly acknowledged and unanimously agreed upon: Profiling, Right to Repair, Renewable Fuels, Autonomous Vehicles, Emission Regulations, Definition of a Motorcycle, Crash Avoidance, support of SB 202 Internal Combustion Bill of Rights were accepted from the MRF’s 2023 top legislative goals.

The issues that have historically divided NCOM and the MRF took more time to address. Once introductions were made, meeting moderator Kansas Tim, was clear with the direction the meeting needed to take during and after it adjourned.

The pace of the closed-door, limited attendance meeting was motivated by a newly elected NCOM board of directors, plus organizational leadership’s willingness to meet. Ground rules were quickly established when the moderator outlined a list of issues that suppressed trust and even prevented working together. Overcoming distrust was reviewed and addressed with mutual assurance that both MRF and NCOM would “pick up the phone” regularly instead of relying on emails and third-party communications.

An agreement to encourage organization liaisons to attend meetings of respective leadership boards was also agreed upon. Welcome invitations to the respective board meetings would be forthcoming.

Acknowledgement and attribution for an organization’s accomplishments provoked the most heated discussions. In a spirit of fostering a positive relationship between NCOM and the MRF, acknowledgement and attribution will continue to be a high-priority item for both NCOM and the MRF.

Ending the meeting between the National Coalition of Motorcyclists and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation with a photo op and a mutual commitment to work together, words taken from the NCOM event program summed up that commitment: “forging relationships and fostering communications to present a united front against our common enemies and in support of common ground.”

Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame Freedom Fighter

Sat, 17 Jun 2023 16:00:50 GMT

Motorcycle Riders Foundation board member Russell Radke is set to be inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame this August.

Russell is the International Vice President of Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club. He was also an active supporter of the Southern Nevada Confederation of Clubs and a committed member of the Nevada Association of Concerned Motorcyclists lobbying team and he has worked diligently with the National Council of Clubs. Russell’s commitment to motorcyclists’ rights has not wavered, he relentlessly encourages all motorcyclists to join the endeavor to protect their rights. Russell’s commitment, plus calm, and persistent way of encouraging involvement, has a way of bringing out commitment within others.

In 2014, Russell’s dedication to motorcyclists’ rights was recognized when he was elected to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s board of directors as the Representative for Motorcycle Clubs (“Club Dude”). With his persistent “encouragement” he has met with members of Congress and has repeatedly encouraged them to sign onto legislation that those with less determination would have given up on. Russell is a tenacious Freedom Fighter.

Through Russell Radke’s dedication to motorcyclists’ rights, the threat against something we love is lessened. Motorcycle clubs are more united with the goals of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and through it all, Russell remains a strong and respected member of his club and the motorcycling community. All along remaining true to his conscience and his family.

Congratulations Russell!

MEETING OF THE MINDS 2023 THE MRF LISTENS & MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 10:00:00 GMT

CORRECTION: The previous phone number for the Meeting of the Minds 2023 hotel was incorrect. Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused. THE CORRECT NUMBER: 717-939-7841

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation listens. Culminating 18 months of planning and fulfilment, the MRF ended Meeting of the Minds 2022 by reviewing input from over three hundred attendees.

Meeting of the Minds 2023 will reflect that the MRF listens and what we heard will make a difference in building the MRF and strong partner state motorcyclists’ rights organizations.

Bikers inside the Beltway 2023 was a total success because of the work the MRF does at the Meeting of the Minds addressing the needs of members and our partner SMROs. The feedback we received from MOTM 2022 put us on track with new workshops, more workshops, and new presenters with topical presentations.

This year, we added four workshops for a total of sixteen! Although some workshops are updates of annual presentations, we’ve added ten new presenters and a slew of new topics.

If you or your SMRO is social media challenged, meet Joy Mack. She’s a Twenty-First Century wizard who understands the challenges individuals and SMROs face when delving into social media. Her workshop --- The Power of Social Media: A Catalyst for Recruitment -- is tailored to putting the “social media challenged” into a comfort zone – and because we know her workshop will have high demand; we’re offering it twice!

Wondering why the MRF and our partner SMROs have such a high success rate on Capitol Hill and state legislatures? Meet Steve Panten, he and Dave Dwyer will provide attendees a few hundred ways on Building Effective Legislative Lobbying Efforts, another key to positive advocacy for motorcyclists’ rights.

Bikers inside the Beltway, Meeting of the Minds – the Motorcycle Riders Foundation --listening and making a difference.

The Meeting of the Minds – September 21-24, Red Lion Hotel, 4751 Lindie 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, Sept. 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.

“It’s very dangerous for motorcycles to be around Teslas”

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 01:40:33 GMT

Over the weekend a Washington Post story on Tesla’s Autopilot system made national news. The story included this quote from former National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) senior safety adviser, Missy Cummings, “It’s very dangerous for motorcycles to be around Teslas.”

According to the Post’s research, since 2021, there have 17 fatal crashes involving Teslas operating in Autopilot mode. Motorcycles were involved in four of the 17.

You may remember that NHTSA recently opened investigations into fatal crashes involving Tesla vehicles and motorcycles. One occurred in Utah, when a motorcyclist on Interstate 15 outside Salt Lake City, was struck from behind by a Tesla in Autopilot. “The driver of the Tesla did not see the motorcyclist and collided with the back of the motorcycle, which threw the rider from the bike,” the Utah Department of Public Safety said.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in May that Autopilot is not an appropriate name “When the fine print says you need to have your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times.”

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has been raising this issue with federal officials for years. Just last month, MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard and Vice President Jay Jackson, met with safety officials at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on this very topic. The two MRF leaders stressed the concerns of bikers about the deployment of this new technology. Additionally, in the coming weeks, MRF senior officials will meet with leaders at NHTSA to seek answers on this troubling report.

These meetings with Biden Administration officials come on the heels of the MRF’s Bikers Inside the Beltway (BITB) annual event. During BITB, riders from across the country met with Members of Congress seeking action on self-driving cars as they relate to motorcyclists.

The MRF has been, and will remain, vigilant on this subject that effects ALL motorcyclists. Increased media scrutiny, along with the thousands of voices demanding action, is turning the heat up. Let’s keep the pressure up and protect bikers on our nation’s roadways.

Link to full Washington Post article(fees may apply)

California Focusing on Motorcycle Emissions

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 12:30:00 GMT

On Wednesday, June 7th the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will be conducting a public workshop to discuss proposed changes to the On-Road Motorcycle (ONMC) emissions standard and test procedures.

As the background in the public notice states, “CARB has not proposed new standards for ONMCs since 1998. Since then, much has changed in the capabilities of emissions control technologies for ONMCs and similar categories of engines and vehicles. Further, other jurisdictions around the world have adopted more stringent emissions standards for ONMCs. These technical and regulatory developments have created an opportunity to reduce ONMC emissions quickly and cost-effectively in California.”

In advance of the hearing, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation submitted written comments about the proposed push to make electric motorcycles 50% of all motorcycle sales by 2035. With nearly 1 million registered motorcycles on the roads in California, any regulatory action in the Golden State will have major repercussions for the rest of the country.

If you’d like to watch the California hearing on June 7th click here to register.

To read the MRF’s comments to CARB click here.

Let Those Who Ride Decide – State #33

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 11:00:00 GMT

On June 1st, Nebraska governor Jim Pillen signed into law a motorcycle helmet modification bill, which allows riders to choose if they wear a helmet. Congratulations to the motorcyclists in Nebraska, ABATE of Nebraska and all the groups in Nebraska who for years fought to have helmet choice in the Cornhusker State.

Nebraska State Senator Ben Hansen originally introduced the language, which was included in a larger transportation bill that passed the legislature at the end of May. Effective January 1, 2024, an individual age 21 and older, who has completed a certified motorcycle safety course may now choose whether or not to wear a helmet, provided the rider uses protective eye equipment.

In 2020, Missouri passed a helmet choice bill leaving Nebraska as the sole state in the Midwest that required all riders to wear a helmet. With this new law, Nebraska now joins its neighboring states and becomes the 33rd state allowing helmet choice.

For 34 years riders in Nebraska have sought the freedom to decide whether to wear a helmet. This victory is a testament to the handiwork, determination and passion of all those involved. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has long championed the belief that “those who ride should decide.”

When hearing the news, MRF President, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard said, "Grass roots activism at its finest, it is encouraging to see that there are still politicians and bureaucrats in this great country of ours that bend to common sense and the will of the people. Given the nanny state of our society today, it is an outstanding achievement by ABATE of Nebraska and other involved motorcyclists in earning their freedom of choice."

This message from “Rouge,” State Coordinator for ABATE of Nebraska, Todd C. Miller should inspire us all. “It is hard to explain what this bill means to me. I was mentored and encouraged by so many. I am turning 60 and had the privilege to ride in this state prior to the mandatory helmet law enacted in 1989. Over the years, I have lost many friends, colleagues, brothers and freedom fighters who were on the frontlines of this fight. It is hard to encourage a group of young riders that have never ridden free in Nebraska, for us, that was anyone under the age of 50! So, in honor of all of those we have lost, I am very proud to say the next generation of riders will know what it means to ride free in this state. I pray they make memories, enjoy the ride here in Nebraska and become emboldened with the same desire I, and so many others, had to defend our rights in the years to come. We all know the fight is NOT over.

I would like to Honor my Board of Directors/State Officers both past and present for sticking with the plan… and making it happen. My legislative officers over the years who helped keep us focused and get us there one step at a time, including Charles Thomas, Scott Lucey, Gary Neeman and my current Legislative Representative Randy Geer. Last and certainly not least, my wife and State Membership Secretary, Sheri Miller for all the late nights, weekends, and continued support.

My list of outstanding contributors also includes Rick Backer, Jimmy Wray, Jodi Wessel, and Duane ‘Drano’ Goff, all of whom are no longer with us …”

Congratulations Nebraska!

Ride Safe and Ride Free!

California Unification Rally Draws 3,000 to State Capitol

Fri, 02 Jun 2023 12:42:28 GMT

On May 21,2023, over 3,000 motorcyclists gathered at the California State Capitol in Sacramento to talk biker’s rights, and to send a message to the state legislature that a change in how California deals with issues important to riders is needed. Speakers from the Modified Motorcycle Association (MMA) of California, ABATE of California, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), the National Council of Clubs (NCOC) and other groups took to the podium to stress the importance of all riders - as well as other consumer advocates including those in the automotive industry - coming together to present a unified front. Rally organizer and MRF State Representative ‘Chappy’ Patrick Carver and his team of volunteers did yeoman’s work in organizing the event. Chappy is also the President and lobbyist for the MMA of California and works closely with the MRF on legislative issues being addressed in Congress. Numerous long-time California activists, including ABATE lobbyists Jim Lombardo and Bobby T, ABATE officers David ‘D-Man’ Seiler, Chuck Pedersen, and MMA/ABATE Liaison Dave Battles were on hand as well.

For California riders, a major concern continues to be the issue of being unfairly profiled by law enforcement. Following a concerted, years-long effort by motorcycle clubs from around the country, the NCOC, the MRF, state motorcyclists’ rights organizations and thousands of independent riders, anti-profiling resolutions have now been passed in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives with bi-partisan support. On a local level, five states have passed standalone anti-profiling laws. California and other states are working to have similar legislation enacted.

Other topics of discussion at the rally included protecting the rights of consumers to repair their machines, the unrealistic rush to outlaw internal combustion engines in favor of electric vehicles, ongoing issues associated with unregulated self-driving autonomous vehicles, and the appropriate labeling and availability of E10 or lower petroleum fuels.

MRF Executive Director Mark Buckner addressed the rally, emphasizing the importance of the challenges and opportunities facing riders today. Buckner discussed MRF’s recent Bikers Inside the Beltway lobbying campaign in Washington, D.C., highlighting the issues discussed with members of Congress and their staff. Those issues included ongoing efforts to end unfair profiling; H.R. 906, the Repair Act, seeking to stop manufacturers from limiting the ability of consumers and independent shops to repair products; H.R, 1435, the Preserving Choices in Vehicle Purchases Act, seeking to amend the Clean Air Act to prevent a ban on internal combustion engines; ensuring that Congress and executive branch agencies including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provide appropriate oversight regarding self-driving vehicles; ensuring that consumers will continue to be able to purchase E10 and lower ethanol fuels at a reasonable price; and building strong, bi-partisan motorcycle caucuses made up of motorcycle-friendly legislators in Washington, D.C.

Overall, the California Unification Rally was a resounding success, with unity and opportunity the messages of the day.

Memorial Day

Sat, 27 May 2023 02:08:15 GMT

This Memorial Day weekend take a moment and remember the sacrifices made by many while fighting for the freedoms each of us enjoy everyday. In streets across our nation traditional motorcycle events honoring those lost in military service will be held. We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation are forever grateful to our brothers and sisters lost defending the freedoms we cherish.

As Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

As we spend time with family and friends, let’s all take a moment to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country FREE. We at the MRF wish you and yours a safe Memorial Day.

Baker’s Dozen Fight for Biker

Thu, 25 May 2023 17:23:00 GMT

On Tuesday, 13 members of the House of Representatives sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary of Pete Buttigieg seeking the formation of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC). As you may remember, the MAC was first established by Congress in 2015 and renewed with passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021.

Unfortunately, despite the requirement that the MAC be established within 90 days after the law is passed, DOT has failed to act. In the past, the MAC has provided a critical forum for policy makers, roadway engineers, and motorcyclists to discuss ways roadway and barrier design, construction and maintenance practices and intelligent transportation systems can better meet the safety needs of the nearly 9 million motorcyclists in this country.

One important part of the reestablished MAC, as outlined in the text of the law, is the expansion of membership seats. The inclusion of manufacturers, motorcyclist rights organizations and safety professionals will provide for a more expansive knowledge base and information sharing on the council. As prescribed in the law, the MAC will be required to submit biennial reports on their findings.

Establishment of the MAC was one of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s priorities during the recent Bikers Inside the Beltway event in D.C. Thank you to Rep. Gallagher for leading the letter and to the 12 other lawmakers listed below for supporting our efforts to seat the MAC.

Rep. Gallagher (WI)
Rep. Carsen (IN)
Rep. Finstad (MN)
Rep. Fitzgerald (WI)
Rep. Fitzpatrick (PA)
Rep. Grothman (WI)
Rep. Lee (NV)
Rep. Norman (SC)
Rep. Stauber (MN)
Rep. Steil (WI)
Rep. Tiffany (WI)
Rep. Van Orden (WI)
Rep. Wilson (SC)

To read the full text of the letter click here.

Bikers, Bikers Everywhere!

Sat, 20 May 2023 17:10:55 GMT

This week bikers from across the nation descended on Capitol Hill. The 2023 Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) Bikers Inside the Beltway was the largest event in the 14-year history of the event! Motorcyclists from 34 states made the trip to Washington, D.C. to advocate for issues that matter to the street rider.

The list of policy concerns was long! Issues include: right to repair, preserving the internal combustion engine, profiling of bikers, autonomous vehicles, ethanol mandates, the definition of a motorcycle, and the creation of a Motorcyclist Advisory Council within the Department of Transportation.

In just one day, all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 100 Senators received an informational packet from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) explaining who we are, what we’ve done, and what we want.

Working with our State Motorcyclist Rights Organization (SMRO) partners, sustaining clubs and the National Council of Clubs we earned many important victories. In 2022 we saw the passage of an anti-profiling resolution, answers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on autonomous vehicles, and language requiring a report from the Department of Transportation on policies related to the targeting of bikers.

Perhaps the best part about Bikers Inside the Beltway is the buzz that occurs on Capitol Hill when hundreds of bikers roam the halls on Congress. They not only hear us, but they see us!

The MRF is committed to being your voice in Washington, D.C. We’ve had a presence in town since 1986 and we won’t leave until the job is done! We are, and will remain, the voice of the street rider in our nation’s capital.

Thank you to all the motorcyclists that attended the event! It’s never too early to start making plans for the next installment of Bikers Inside the Beltway in May 2024.

Check out some of the pictures of your fellow riders fighting for your rights in the halls of Congress.

BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2023 – BUILDING TOWARD TOTAL SUCCESS!

Mon, 01 May 2023 11:00:00 GMT

Bikers inside the Beltway – “Building toward total success!”? The event is two weeks away and the claim is either arrogant or wishful thinking. It’s neither.

Since the late eighties, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and motorcyclists’ rights advocates have journeyed to Capitol Hill on behalf of the nation’s motorcyclists. Since 2009 and the inception of Bikers inside the Beltway, the journey matches the MRF’s immediate and long-term legislative goals.

With over one hundred registered attendees, the hotel is totally booked. Although rooms may be available at neighboring hotels, we can make no recommendations. Finding rooms on the Blue or Yellow Metro lines is possible on a first-come basis.

The event hotel (Embassy Suites at 1900 Diagonal, Old Town Alexandra) is on notice to expect more attendees than we’ve experienced at the past three Bikers inside the Beltway, and they are preparing for the MRF Board meeting (open to all) on May 15. Briefing packets and “leave-behinds” are being assembled for the 6:00 p.m. briefing on Monday evening.

Registration for Bikers inside the Beltway is free, and even if you are staying at another hotel, you are requested to register now to ensure we have your state’s leave-behind packet ready. Use the link or the QR code below for Bikers inside the Beltway registration.

To ensure that the mission of getting our message to Congress continues to be successful, it is not too late to act on the following:

· Make your appointments locally or in Washington.

· Familiarize yourself with the briefing points.

· Confirm your appointment locally or in Washington.

· Virtual or in person, make notes on your meeting.

· Share your meeting notes with the MRF.

The MRF’s victories, realized in the waning hours of the 117^th Congress in December, came to fruition because of dedicated freedom fighters and events like Bikers inside the Beltway. The MRF will continue to stand and hold common ground to oppose profiling, support the right to repair, support policies to protect motorcyclist from the perils of sharing the road with autonomous vehicles, and oppose the distribution of ethanol-15 without pump identifiers.

Bikers inside the Beltway -- an essential element of the MRF’s grassroots activism. Act now to attend the pre-event briefing and Q&A for visits to Congress, scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Monday, May 15. Again, briefing packets and “leave behinds” will be available during the briefing.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Bikers inside the Beltway — May 15 & 16, 2023.

Thank you for your commitment to the ongoing fight to promote and protect the rights of all motorcyclists.

Yours in Freedom,

Fredric Harrell

MRF Director of Conferences & Events

PS The event recap and de-briefing will take place at the Embassy Suites on Tuesday, May 16 from 6-8:00 p.m.

https://motorcycleridersfoundation.wildapricot.org/widget/event-5008758/Registration

EPA to Allow Summer Sales of E15

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 01:38:01 GMT

Friday, the Biden Administration issued an emergency waiver allowing for the sale of E15 from June 1st to September 15th. Restrictions on fuel volatility have limited the sale of E15 to the months outside of summer. This move by the Biden Administration is an attempt to appease lawmakers from corn producing states, who for years have lobbied for year-round use of the fuel. A similar emergency waiver was issued in 2022.

As always read your owner’s manual, know what you are putting in your bike, and be an educated consumer.

To read more about the decision click here.

End of the Road... Show

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 19:15:08 GMT

Heartland STEAM in Bismarck this weekend marks the unofficial conclusion of the 2023 MRF “Road Show”. Beginning in January MRF board members have traveled to 23 states to speak and present at SMRO events. We are honored to be invited to so many events, and we do our best to attend all of them.

Getting out into the states and meeting with bikers is a critical part of what MRF board members do. Listening to presentations and having one on one conversations with bikers helps the MRF shape our agenda. We are successful in D.C. because of these interactions.

After Heartland STEAM, we will pivot to our next big event, Bikers Inside the Beltway. This May we again plan to take our message to the halls of Congress and fight to protect the rights and freedoms of the street rider.

While this year’s road show is ending, we are already planning the 2024 version. If you’d like a representative of the MRF to visit your state event let us know!

Thank you for the hospitality you’ve shown us, and let’s continue to fight on!

As always Ride Safe and Ride Free!!!

H.R. 1435 the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 15:14:29 GMT

Across the country a battle is underway between those that want to end the availability of combustion engines, and those fighting to protect their survival. While states like California and Massachusetts are setting timelines for purchase bans on internal combustion engines, other states like New Hampshire and Wisconsin are pushing back.

The Biden Administration recently rolled out plans shifting this country to a majority electric vehicle market over the next ten years. Republicans in Congress have responded. In March, Rep. John Joyce of Pennsylvania introduced H.R. 1435 the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act.” H.R. 1435 would amend the Clean Air Act to prevent a ban on the sale of internal combustion engines, effectively trumping any state law that outlaws their sale.

Now is the time to have your voice heard. Let Congress know you support the right to choose the type of engine you buy.

Click here to contact your Member of the House of Representatives and ask them to support H.R. 1435.

BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2023 - STANDING ON & HOLDING COMMON GROUND

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 22:41:15 GMT

Bikers inside the Beltway – Since the late eighties, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and motorcyclists’ rights advocates have journeyed to Capitol Hill on behalf of the nation’s motorcyclists. Since 2009 and the inception of Bikers inside the Beltway, the journey matches the MFR’s immediate and long-range legislative goals.

Bikers inside the Beltway 2023 will not deviate from the MRF’s purpose – Standing on and holding common ground to protect the rights of all motorcyclists.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) response to the request from Congress, and initiated by the MRF, to provide the agency’s direction regarding protecting all highways users and especially motorcyclists from the perils of autonomous vehicles being driven without the driver’s full attention to traffic was less than stellar.

The words of former U.S. Representative David Price from North Carolina may well applyto the recent efforts of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation “... Understand that not every battle can be won on the first try and that politics is a matter of striking a balance between ... compromising and finding common ground where you can, and fighting where you must.”

The MRF found common ground among the nation’s state motorcyclist rights organizations, motorcycle club members, and all freedom loving motorcyclists who, as the Motorcycle Profiling Project demonstrates, are susceptible to being profiled while riding a motorcycle.

Although anti-profiling language was included in the mega funding legislation signed into law in December, the MRF will remain diligent in assisting SMROs pass anti-profiling legislation at the state level.

The MRF’s victories, realized in the waning hours of the 117^th Congress in December, drive home Congressman Price’s words, and demonstrate the positive results from standing on and holding common ground. Those victories came from the year-after-year vigilance of MRF members writing, calling, and meeting with members of Congress during the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s annual Bikers inside the Beltway.

Now is the time for you to make plans to attend Bikers inside the Beltway – May 15 & 16, 2023.

As in years past, Bikers inside the Beltway will be dual-faceted to accommodate in-person visits to Congress plus visits to local district offices.

To ensure that the mission of getting our message to Congress continues to be successful, please consider the following:

Make your appointments locally or in Washington.
Familiarize yourself with the briefing points.
Confirm your appointment locally or in Washington.
Virtual or in person, make notes on your meeting.
Share your meeting notes with the MRF.

In conjunction with Bikers inside the Beltway, a meeting of the MRF Board of Directors takes place on May 15 at the Embassy Suites, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, Virginia. Rooms are available through the hotel direct line 703-684-5900 and use reference code MRF.

Bikers inside the Beltway is an essential element of the MRF’s grassroots activism. Rooms are limited and the cut-off date is rapidly approaching. Act now to attend the pre-event briefing and Q&A for visits to Congress, scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 15. Briefing packets and “leave behinds” will be available during the briefing.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Bikers inside the Beltway — May 15 & 16, 2023.

PS Registration for Bikers inside the Beltway is free. However, we request that you register early to help us plan the event. Use the link or the QR code below for Bikers inside the Beltway registration. Thank you.

P.P.S. This year, more than any time before, one of the MRF’s top agenda items is to specifically thank supporters in Congress for helping foster our success in 2023.

https://motorcycleridersfoundation.wildapricot.org/widget/event-5008758/Registration

Biden’s Full Court Press on Electric Vehicles

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 03:19:00 GMT

Media reports have surfaced regarding a planned announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed to ensure that all-electric cars make up as much as 67 percent of new passenger vehicles sold in the country by 2032.

According to the New York Times, "The proposed rule would not mandate that electric vehicles make up a certain number or percentage of sales. Instead, it would require that automakers make sure the total number of vehicles they sell each year did not exceed a certain emissions limit. That limit would be so strict that it would force carmakers to ensure that two thirds of the vehicles they sold were all-electric by 2032."

In 2021 roughly 6% of vehicles sold were electric. Increasing that percentage by a multiple of 10 in less than a decade presents numerous challenges. Sourcing the materials to make the batteries, building an adequate number of charging stations and ensuring the electrical grid is safe and secure to meet the increased demands are all major issues.

This potential EPA announcement comes as states around the nation are tackling the issues very differently. While California has been at the forefront of the attacks on combustion engines, other states have sought to protect such engines. This week lawmakers in Wisconsin held hearings on legislation that would protect the combustion engine. The legislative analysis of Wisconsin S.B. 212/ A.B. 142 states, "Under this bill, no state agency and no local governmental unit may restrict the use or sale of motor vehicles based on the energy source used to power the motor vehicle, including use for propulsion or use for powering other functions of the motor vehicle."

The federal government is also split on the issue. While the Biden Administration is pushing for increased sales of electric vehicles, Republicans in Congress last month introduced H.R. 1435 the "Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act," that would amend the Clean Air Act to prevent the elimination of the sale of internal combustion engines.

The MRF’s 2023 legislative agenda states the MRF will, "Work to ensure the survival of internal combustion engines," to do that we will keep you posted on this situation as it develops and seek your help with an upcoming call to action.

Stay tuned…

Living Free… on the Road Show

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:30:00 GMT

The best state motto in the country is New Hampshire’s… Live Free or Die! Some people may disagree, but the state motto captures what we as bikers believe. We cherish our freedoms and we will fight to defend them!

Last week, the New Hampshire Motorcycle Riders Organization (NHMRO) hosted a dinner to celebrate legislative victories and reconnect with riders in the state. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) was honored to be invited and speak at the event. MRF D.C. lobbyist Rocky Fox made the journey to Manchester, NH, and was impressed by the passion and commitment of New England bikers.

The bikers in New Hampshire take the state motto seriously. For almost 50 years, NHMRO and motorcyclists in the Granite State have defended their freedoms and helped shape a path that benefits all bikers. The March dinner was about celebrating recent victories and reconnecting with riders in the state, encouraging them to remain engaged on important issues.

Last year New Hampshire became the 5th state to pass a motorcyclist profiling law! New Hampshire joins Washington, Maryland, Louisiana, and Idaho on the list of states that have changed laws and regulations regarding the profiling of motorcyclists.

Part of the success of NHMRO is due to its outstanding leadership team. Traci and Steve Beaueivage, Patti and Don Pike, Sherman Packard, Rick Daynard, Imre Szauter, and CJ Lynch have a long history of fighting for our rights as bikers. Whether it be helmet choice, supporting Laconia Motorcycle Week, or working on the profiling issue, NHMRO does it all!

The MRF thanks you for including us in your event and for your commitment to freedom.

All bikers agree we should Live Free or Die!

Major Car Maker Having Second Thoughts?

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 12:30:00 GMT

A letter released to the public on Thursday, from the Ford Motor Company to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding automated driving systems is eye opener. While not giving up on “self-driving cars” Ford appears to be dialing back their testing and investment.

In the letter, Ford formally withdraws a petition seeking U.S. regulatory approval to deploy up to 2,500 self-driving vehicles annually without required human controls like steering wheels. Ford states, “We believe the road to fully autonomous vehicles, at scale, with a profitable business model, will be a long one."

In December, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) worked with bipartisan lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to get answers from NHTSA about this new technology. The deployment of vehicles like the type mentioned in the Ford letter, are a major concern of motorcyclists. The MRF remains troubled by the rush to allow testing of these vehicles on public roads.

While the decision by Ford appears to be based on the economic reality surrounding this new technology, the MRF applauds any decision that pauses the deployment of this unproven technology on our nation’s roads.

To read the full letter click here.

Battle Lines Being Drawn

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 12:00:00 GMT

In August 2022 California Governor Gavin Newsom announced, and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved, an executive order requiring sales of all new passenger vehicles be zero-emission by 2035. While the California directive doesn’t include motorcycles yet, motorcyclist advocates in the Golden State have warned that motorcycles will be an obvious next target.

Unsurprisingly, other states quickly followed suit and enacted similar policies. Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland have all sought to put similar restrictions in place. In total 17 states have laws that bind their emissions regulations to those of California.

However, leaders in many states, including those that are obliged to follow California’s lead, are pushing back. In Colorado, the Energy Office said, “While the governor shares the goal of rapidly moving towards electric vehicles, he is skeptical about requiring 100% of cars sold to be electric by a certain date as technology is rapidly changing."

Virginia governor Glenn Youngkin was even more forceful, "I am already at work to prevent this ridiculous edict from being forced on Virginians. California’s out of touch laws have no place in our Commonwealth."

This month the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted down a bill that would have forced New Hampshire to match California’s emissions goals.

Congressional Republicans are also joining the fight against the California policies. Last week H.R. 1435 was introduced, titled the “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act.” H.R. 1435 would amend the Clean Air Act to prevent the elimination of the sale of internal combustion engines, effectively overruling California’s move. Within just a week, 66 cosponsors from 26 different states joined in support.

The movement isn’t contained to the United States. Last month, the European Parliament formally approved a law to effectively ban the sale of new gas and diesel powered vehicles in the European Union starting in 2035. But Europe, too, is seeing pushback. Farmers in the Netherlands have taken to the streets in protest of emissions regulations. Member nations of the EU are also expressing a desire to make changes to the newly enacted policy. Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia are discussing what changes they’d like to see to the European Union’s 2035 plan.

This issue is not new to the MRF. Our 2023 legislative agenda includes this priority: “Work against any efforts by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that endanger the future of motorcycling.”

We are ready for this fight and will work with partners across the country to defend the future of motorcycling and the lifestyle we cherish!

NHTSA Responds to Questions from Congress

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 01:04:37 GMT

Just before the end of 2022, Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan and 26 of his colleagues in Congress sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding recent crashes that involve motorcycles and cars believed to be in self-driving mode.

The response from government regulators has some key takeaways:

“NHTSA is actively working to educate consumers and the media that automated driving system (ADS) technologies are not self-driving technologies, and that drivers must always remain engaged in the driving task.”

“Crashes involving motorcycles account for less than 2 percent of all reported crashes involving ADS.”

“NHTSA is conducting research on how vehicles equipped with crash avoidance technologies react to motorcycles, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users in various scenarios.”

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is committed to aggressively working with lawmakers to address obvious safety gaps in the deployment of this new technology. While we appreciate that NHTSA is conducting research on this topic, on this topic, motorcyclists are not “vulnerable road users”, motorcyclists are simply road users.

Additionally, it’s unacceptable that consumers falsely believe this technology, deployed on our roads, allows them to sit back and relax while in the driver’s seat. The safety of the nearly 10 million bikers on our nation’s roadways requires that all roadway users act in a responsible manner.

To read the original letter sent to NHTSA click here

To read the response for NHTSA click here

As always Ride Safe and Ride Free.

Coalitions Rejuvenated

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 03:22:36 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) 2023 legislative agenda includes a diverse set of issues that strike at the core of who we are as bikers.

Historically, the MRF has fought many battles to defend individuals and the aftermarket motorcycle businesses’ rights to customize and repair motorcycles. Our successful defense against the EPA’s “Color and Chrome” only initiative and the regulations/enforcement related to it helped define the MRF and what we stand for to this day.

The MRF has long supported the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), which would ensure that modifying motor vehicles into racing vehicles used for competition would not violate the Clean Air Act. We anticipate an updated version of the RPM Act will be introduced this Spring. The MRF and our partners will work diligently for passage of this commonsense piece of legislation. Importantly, some of these parts and technology we are looking to protect are used in the EPA allowances for one-per-lifetime custom bikes and Tier 1 eligible motorcycles we fought for two decades ago.

The MRF agenda also strongly supports the desire to protect a consumer’s right to repair, and ownership of data related to their vehicles. A recently introduced bill, H.R. 906 The Repair Act, helps protect consumers ability to utilize independent repair shops and aftermarket parts to work on vehicles, including motorcycles.

These issues are becoming increasingly important and drawing the attention of the aftermarket industry and bike customizers. The EPA has restarted a campaign of increased enforcement and it is threatening shops and individuals with legal action.

MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard recently appeared on Cycle Source Magazines “Shop Talk” radio show to discuss these issues and this week traveled to Daytona Bike Week to join independent motorcycle shop owners and others in the aftermarket industry to discuss the many issues facing this industry. The meeting was hosted by Chris Callen of Cycle Source Magazine and moderated by industry icon Bob Kay. Hardtail had this to say about the meeting, “It was encouraging to see both the level of concern and willingness in this group to engage in our efforts and educate other players in the aftermarket industry.”

The MRF won’t tackle these challenges alone, we are aggressively looking to put back together our coalition that was so effective in past battles. In the past the coalition included, the aftermarket industry, media and print publications, other custom vehicle organizations, and other motorcyclists’ rights groups. Lastly, our Master Mechanic and technical expert Dave “Dad” Dwyer is looking to schedule a meeting with the EPA in Detroit to discuss our growing concerns.

These are challenging issues, but with your continued support and the help of other like-minded advocates we will fight to defend the rights and freedoms we cherish.

MRF and the Road to Zero Coalition

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 03:20:03 GMT

The Road to Zero Coalition, managed by the National Safety Council, held their Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. on February 28th. Their goal is to achieve zero deaths related to motor vehicle crashes.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation attended this activity to keep track of how motorcyclists may be impacted. Frankly, motorcycles don’t fit very well into their plan. Fortunately, at this year’s meeting, motorcycles were not really referenced. A lot of talk about Safe Systems. There was also discussion of motor carriers (big trucks) and “traffic violence”. Pedestrian fatalities have increased dramatically. All part of the “vulnerable road users” talk that we’re trying to stay out of.

The MRF will continue to have a presence at events such as this to ensure that the interests of motorcyclists are represented.

Continuing to Bridge the Gap

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 13:00:00 GMT

Almost a decade ago, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) began outreach to motorcycle clubs to find common ground on key legislative items. An MRF board seat, titled Director of Sustaining Member Motorcycle Clubs, was created and that seat is held by Russell Radke. Part of Russell’s mission is to educate the motorcycle club community on what the MRF is working on in D.C. and how our efforts impact all riders.

The National Council of Clubs (NCOC) has, for the past several years, invited the MRF to participate in its meetings to foster that dialogue. Last weekend, leaders of the MRF attended the February NCOC meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. The MRF was represented by Kirk “Hardtail” Willard (MRF President), Fred Harrell (Director of Conference & Events), Russell Radke (Director of Sustaining Member Motorcycle Clubs), Seven Cassel (Membership Director) and Rocky Fox (Government Relations). Also in attendance was ABATE of Wisconsin Legislative Director, Steve Panten.

Four different presentations involved an MRF or ABATE member sharing their views on motorcycling and legislative action. Hardtail gave a presentation on the “The Future of Motorcycling in America.” Rocky spoke on the MRF’s recent victories on profiling in D.C. Seven discussed how best to unite independents and MCs. Steve gave a case study on a recent summit held in Wisconsin between ABATE and motorcycle clubs in the state.

The weekend was filled with lively debate and great questions. The MRF thanks the NCOC and the club community for their hospitality and willingness to work together on issues we all care about.

Pressure Mounts on Federal Government to Act on Self-Driving Cars

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 02:55:24 GMT

Late last week it was announced that Tesla will recall 362,000 vehicles equipped with its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta software. This comes after U.S. regulators said on Thursday the driver assistance system did not adequately adhere to traffic safety laws and could cause crashes. The recall comes on the heels of a string of crashes last summer involving motorcyclists in Florida, Utah, and California.

In the announcement the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that the software reportedly may not respond sufficiently to posted speed limits and may cause cars to drive through intersections in an “unlawful or unpredictable manner.”

NHTSA noted that the software may cause Tesla owners to travel straight through an intersection in a turn-only lane, fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, or drive through a yellow light “without due caution.”

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has long been concerned about the deployment of these vehicles without proper testing. Additionally, it seems that consumers have a false sense of security when driving these vehicles, are not aware of what the vehicles true capabilities are, and don’t understand they must remain alert and engaged in the operation of the vehicle. Just two months ago the MRF worked with congressional leaders seeking answers from NHTSA about this new technology and how it interacts with motorcyclists. To read the December 2022 letter click here.

Pressure is also being applied by state motorcyclist rights organizations. ABATE of Wisconsin will be using their “Lobby Day” in Madison to take aim at rules and regulations on self-driving cars in their state. ABATE of Indiana and ABATE of Illinois remain focused on this battle in Indianapolis and Springfield. A growing number of other states are also taking up the battle to protect the safety of motorcylists as it relates to this new technology.

While the MRF and state groups remain vigilant in our fight to protect you as a biker, as always, you should remain alert of all other roadway users.

To read the official NHTSA recall notice click here.

Ride Safe and Ride Free!

MRF 2023 Road Show Continues...

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 03:04:22 GMT

On January 27th, MRF President Kirk "Hardtail" Willard, Executive Director Mark Buckner, and Assistant Executive Director Ryan Hubbard traveled to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to join MRF Rep's Representative Andy Kelly and Past Treasurer Frank Carbone in representing MRF at the 37th Annual ABATE of Pennsylvania Leadership and Legislative Seminar. Attendance was strong as motorcyclists from Maryland, New Jersey, and New York joined many members of ABATE of Pennsylvania for the weekend.

On Friday evening, Hardtail and Ryan joined AMA representative Tiffany Cipoletti, ABATE of PA's State Coordinator Eric Mershimer, Legislative Coordinator Ken Edwards, OSAL Director Bob LeGore, two legislators, an attorney, and a retired schoolteacher on a televised panel to discuss issues related to motorcycling. After the panel, fun was had at a fundraiser for ABATE of PA's BikePAC.

Saturday brought a variety of breakout sessions covering job duties and responsibilities for officers in the ABATE of PA organization. During one of the afternoon sessions, Andy and Ryan presented MRF's 2022 accomplishments and 2023 goals. As happens at every conference, many valuable conversations were held in the hallways between the sessions also. The seminar wrapped up on Saturday evening with an awards banquet and a rousing, motivational speech by Hardtail.

MRF thanks ABATE of Pennsylvania for the invitation and opportunity to participate in their L&L and looks forward to attending additional SMRO events around the country.

January 31st, found Rocky Fox in Kansas representing the MRF at Bikers Under The Dome, with ABATE of Kansas.

February 1st was Minnesota's Bikerday at the Capitol. Continue to follow along as the Road Show moves around the country, hope to see you at your next event.

MRF Road Show 2023

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:31:29 GMT

The start of a new year means many state motorcyclist rights organizations are holding their annual meetings. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is always honored to be invited to attend and present at these events across the country. This weekend representatives from the MRF were in Michigan and Kentucky discussing the MRF’s 2022 accomplishments in Washington, D.C. and our goals for 2023.

These meetings are a great opportunity to share with riders around the country some of the things we are working on. We discussed our victories on issues like motorcyclist profiling and autonomous vehicles as well as work we have ahead of us on things like the Motorcyclist Advisory Council. While many of the attendees at these events are MRF members some are not, so educating bikers about the MRF is an important part of these presentations.

In Lansing, Michigan the ABATE of Michigan event was joined by Congressman Tim Walberg. Congressman Walberg is the Co-Chair of the House Motorcycle Caucus, the 2017 MRF Legislative Champion of the Year and a longtime Michigan motorcyclist. These meetings are a great opportunity to share with riders around the country some of the things we are working on. We discussed our victories on issues like motorcyclist profiling and autonomous vehicles as well as work we have ahead of us on things like the Motorcyclist Advisory Council. While many of the attendees at these events are MRF members some are not, so educating bikers about the MRF is an important part of these presentations.

The KMA/KBA’s Freedom Fighter’s Forum in Bowling Green, Kentucky was attended by Congressman Brett Guthrie. Congressman Guthrie is a member of the powerful Energy and commerce Committee which has jurisdiction of important government agencies to motorcyclists like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition to Congressman Guthrie state officials were in attendance as well. The Kentucky Secretary of State, Attorney General, Auditor and half a dozen candidates for governor all made appearances. What an impressive collection of elected officials from the Bluegrass State!

In the coming weeks look for more alerts and photos of the “2023 MRF Road Show.” If we’re in your state make sure to come up and say hi, we love meeting MRF members!

2022 Ends With Multiple D.C. Victories for Bikers

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 18:11:43 GMT

2022 Ends With Multiple D.C. Victories for Bikers

In case you missed it, the last two weeks of 2022 saw multiple victories for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and all motorcyclists in this country. With the clock ticking down before the 117^th Congress adjourned, three major parts of the MRF legislative agenda were addressed by leaders in Washington, D.C.

December 16^th – Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan and 26 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding three recent fatal crashes between self-driving vehicles and motorcycles. The letter seeks answers about how self-driving cars interact with motorcycles and whether recent crashes are statistical outliers.
To read the full letter click here.
December 22^nd – Rep. Susie Lee of Nevada inserted committee report language into the year-end omnibus government funding bill released by the U.S. Senate and passed both chambers of Congress. The report language states “The Committee is concerned that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may be conducting activities that encourage states to adopt legislation, regulation, or other policies that unjustly profile motorcycle riders. The Committee directs NHTSA to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the extent to which the agency works with states on motorcycle passenger policies within 120 days of enactment of this Act.”
December 23^rd – Six years after it was first introduced the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. Res 366, the motorcyclist profiling resolution. The resolution “Promotes increased public awareness on the issue of motorcyclist profiling; encourages collaboration and communication with the motorcyclist community and law enforcement to engage in efforts to end motorcyclist profiling; and urges State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcyclist profiling in written policies and training materials.”
To read the full version of H. Res 366 click here.

These three victories in the span of just a few days reflects the hard work of MRF members and our allies over the course of 2022. The work done at events like Bikers Inside the Beltway and by state motorcyclist rights organizations throughout the year paved the way for these successes.

As we look towards 2023 more challenges remain. For example, the Motorcyclists Advisory Committee (MAC) has yet to be established despite legislation passed in 2021 that directs the Department of Transportation to seat the MAC. Follow up on issues like profiling and self-driving cars will be necessary as will action on other items in the robust 2023 MRF legislative agenda.

While we are excited by the end to a successful year in our nation’s capital, we know that staying engaged is the only way to protect the freedoms we cherish. Thank you for your continued support of the MRF. Without your time, energy, and passion the voice of the street rider would disappear from the halls of power in D.C.

Let’s keep the momentum going in 2023! Not yet a member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation? Click here to Join in the 2023 Freedom Fight.

Ride Safe and Ride Free

NHTSA Put on Notice Regarding the Profiling of Motorcyclist

Sat, 24 Dec 2022 05:00:25 GMT

This week, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives agreed to a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package that funds the federal government through September 2023 and avoids a government shutdown. Attached to that 4,155-page bill is a request by Congress to learn more about the profiling of motorcyclists.

Within the funding section for the Department of Transportation, language was included that states: The Committee is concerned that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may be conducting activities that encourage states to adopt legislation, regulation, or other policies that unjustly profile motorcycle riders. The Committee directs NHTSA to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the extent to which the agency works with states on motorcycle passenger policies within 120 days of enactment of this Act.

For years the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has worked to address the profiling of motorcyclists. We believe this action by Congress is an important step that will continue the dialogue on this topic. We cannot thank Rep. Susie Lee of Nevada enough for her leadership on this issue. Her willingness to seek answers from NHTSA is why this language was included in the final bill.

We hope that when NHTSA responds to the request from Congress, we will have more information to share with you.

Thank you for your continued support of biker rights and the MRF.

As always Ride Safe and Ride Free.

House Passes Motorcyclist Profiling Resolution!

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 18:21:53 GMT

In one of the final actions before the 117^th Congress dissolved the House of Representatives passed, H. Res 366, the motorcyclist profiling resolution.

The resolution, which was first introduced in 2016, failed to receive a vote on the House floor until today. In the six years since it was introduced motorcyclists have spent countless hours educating lawmakers and raising awareness on the issue of motorcyclist profiling.

The 2016 version of the resolution had just 18 cosponsors, but that number grew to 103 this month. These 103 cosponsors represented a diverse set of political beliefs and geographic interests, but all were committed to supporting bikers.

It has been a long journey to this point and many parties are responsible for this victory. Former Representative Reid Ribble of Wisconsin originally introduced the resolution and after his departure from Congress Representative Tim Walberg of Michigan picked up the baton. The Motorcycle Profiling Project provided important data that helped inform lawmakers about the extent of motorcyclist profiling. Motorcycle clubs and independent riders all invested time and resources in the battle on Capitol Hill. State motorcyclist rights organizations leveraged their relationships with home state lawmakers and increased cosponsor numbers dramatically. Most importantly all these groups remained committed and focused despite setbacks and disappointments.

With this action, the House joins the Senate, which passed a similar resolution in 2018 standing against motorcyclist profiling and asking for collaboration between law enforcement and bikers to prevent profiling. Additionally, six states, Washington, Maryland, Louisiana, Idaho, New Hampshire and Arizona all have state laws against the profiling of bikers.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation hopes that this demonstration of support from the United States Congress will provide other states a foundation to enact legislation.

To see a full version of H. Res 366 click here.

Your Action Matters! NHTSA Walberg Letter Sent

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 16:00:00 GMT

This week, thousands of American bikers contacted their elected officials to express concern about recent crashes involving motorcycles and cars believed to be in self-driving mode. Specifically, three crashes this summer, which occurred in California, Florida and Utah have been a major topic of conversation for the nearly 10 million motorcyclists in this country.

In response to outreach by constituents, Representative Tim Walberg of Michigan and 26 other members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) seeking answers. The letter, delivered to Acting Administrator Ann Carlson, asked five basic questions regarding self-driving technology and motorcycles.

It is the hope of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), our members and partners that answers to questions like, “Should motorcyclists take extra precautions when sharing the road with vehicles with self-driving technology?” will shed light on the capabilities of this new technology.

Click here to read the official letter.

American motorcyclists owe the following 27 Representatives, from 16 different states, our thanks. Their desire to seek answers and protect all roadway users makes all of us safer. Thank you for your leadership on this issue!

Rep. Troy Balderson – Ohio
Rep. Jack Bergman – Michigan
Rep. Mike Bost – Illinois
Rep. Cheri Busto – Illinois
Rep. Angie Craig – Minnesota
Rep. Rodney Davis – Illinois
Rep. Val Demings – Florida
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald – Wisconsin
Rep. Lois Frankel – Florida
Rep. Paul Gosar – Arizona
Rep Glenn Grothman – Wisconsin
Rep. Andy Harris – Maryland
Rep. Clay Higgins – Louisiana
Rep. Dusty Johnson – South Dakota
Rep. Ron Kind – Wisconsin
Rep. Ann Kuster – New Hampshire
Rep. Darin LaHood – Illinois
Rep. Doug Lamborn – Colorado
Rep. Brian Mast – Florida
Rep. Lisa McClain – Michigan
Rep. Mark Pocan – Wisconsin
Rep. Bill Posey – Florida
Rep. Pete Stauber – Minnesota
Rep. Glenn Thompson – Pennsylvania
Rep. Dina Titus – Nevada
Rep Tim Walberg – Michigan
Rep. Robert Wittman – Virginia

“The Motorcycle Industry’s Vision for Decarbonization"

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 16:07:26 GMT

Tuesday morning, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation attended a panel by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers. The discussion centered on “The Motorcycle Industry’s Vision for Decarbonization.” As in the United States, there is a growing movement to shift away from carbon-based fuel and toward decarbonization and elimination of emissions.

While motorcycle emissions account for less than 1% of all emissions in Europe, the motorcycle industry is taking a proactive approach to the future of fueling their transportation system. Regulators in Europe have already set 2035 as the deadline for the ban on the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines. So far, motorcycles have escaped such a ban, but there is little doubt they will come under the microscope of regulators soon.

European motorcycle manufacturers see the writing on the wall and are navigating a potentially complex set of rules and regulations. Two camps have formed within Europe on the topic, one camp focused on strict regulations including the banning of combustion engines and picking winners and losers for which technologies will replace what is on the road today. The second camp is focused on market-based solutions, allowing all technologies to compete, that in theory will lead to the most efficient and cost-effective technologies winning out. Some of the new technology being discussed includes electric bikes, swappable batteries, synthetic fuels, hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid powertrains.

There is also a fear in Europe that other regions of the world have already taken the lead in this technology and Europe is playing catch up. Specifically, the electric car industry and the success of brands like Tesla in the United States has Europeans concerned. European motorcycle firms want to be the leaders in the future of motorcycle technology. European advances in fueling and swappable battery projects could help solve the problem of range and lack of charging infrastructure that is the Achilles heel of electric transportation.

Why does this matter to bikers in America? Europe has over 40 manufacturing facilities and 35 research and development sites across the continent. They are taking a forward leaning approach and have stated their goal to be industry leaders. If Europe chooses a market-based approach and allows the development of a wide variety of technologies American manufactures may end of playing catch up.

While Europe and the United States have different views on many topics, it was great to hear the closing message from the panel in Europe. “Motorcycles are not part of the problem, they are part of the solution.” We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation couldn’t agree more.

There’s more than one way to have your voice heard!

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 13:00:00 GMT

There’s more than one way to have your voice heard!

Last Tuesday was election day, but our voices should be heard every day. In less than 50 days the 2022 Motorcycle Profiling Project annual survey closes. Have you filled out the survey?

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) relies on surveys like this to help back up our arguments in Washington D.C. Not only is this information useful in our nation’s capital but bikers have successfully used this data to change laws at the state level.

It takes less than 2 minutes and can help make the difference in the lives of all bikers.

Do you part, fill out the survey today before it’s too late!

Click here to take the survey

The Winds of Change...

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 15:00:00 GMT

While ballots are still being counted in many races, the results on the 2022 midterm elections will have major ramifications in Washington, D.C. As of Wednesday afternoon, control of both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives remains undecided.

What is clear is that there will be many new faces in the halls of Congress. Nearly 100 new lawmakers will be sworn in on January 3^rd when the 118^th Congress convenes. That means almost 20% of Congress will be new to the job come 2023. Almost every state will be sending at least one new elected official to our nation’s capital!

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is committed to working with all lawmakers regardless of party to achieve our policy goals. We can’t do that without the relationships that you as bikers have built back home. While we strive to introduce our organization to every lawmaker on Capitol Hill, we need your help!

Do you have a new Representative or Senator? Has that new lawmaker supported biker rights in the past? Have you worked with or met these incoming freshmen? Maybe they even own a motorcycle?!?!?

Let us know if bikers have any new friends or foes headed to Washington, D.C.

We want to hit the ground running in January and any intel or information you can help provide us is valuable!

2023 Federal Legislative Agenda

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:00:35 GMT

At the 2022 Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) 38th annual Meeting of the Minds Conference held in Des Moines, Iowa a legislative strategy session was hosted by the MRF’s Legislative Committee. The purpose of the session was to establish and prioritize the MRF’s 2023 Federal Legislative Agenda.

Legislative issues fall into one of three categories, high, medium and monitor. This list remains fluid and can be adapted depending on the issue and political environment.

Below is a brief description of the issues on the MRF’s 2023 agenda. The January 2023 issue of the American Biker Journal will have more detail on each of these legislative priorities. As a reminder, all MRF members receive a copy of the American Biker Journal with their membership.

If you aren’t a MRF member click here to join and support freedom and safety for street motorcyclists in Washington, D.C.

The 2023 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Legislative Priorities List

HIGH PRIORITY OBJECTIVES:

Profiling - Sustain lobbying efforts for the passage of resolutions or legislation that promotes awareness and prohibition of motorcyclist profiling.

Renewable Fuels - Advocate for targeted changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) including supporting the universal availability of approved fuel blends, containing no more than 10% ethanol by volume.

Autonomous Vehicles - Advocate and monitor any legislation or regulations related to motorcycles concerning connected and autonomous vehicles (AV):

Emission Regulations - Engage the EPA & Congress on any activity related to motorcycle emission regulations including efforts by California and other states that endangers the future of motorcycling

Definition of a Motorcycle - Seek a more appropriate and up to date federal definition of a motorcycle which reflects the current set of vehicles on the roads today.

Crash Avoidance - Promote the theme of crash avoidance versus safer crashing, urging NHTSA and the DOT to focus on crash prevention and rider education.

Helmet Laws - Oppose any mandatory federal helmet, apparel, or conspicuity standards

Black Box / Data Recording - Pursue legislative language that any collected or available vehicle data is the property of the consumer and in which the consumer has the choice to opt-in to having their personal data communicated to interested parties.

Internal Combustion Engines - Work to ensure the survival of internal combustion engines.

2023 MEDIUM PRIORITY OBJECTIVES:

Surface Transportation Reauthorization (Highway Bill) - Advocate and pursue legislative efforts related to the next highway bill reauthorization (expiring in 2026).

Roadway Design - Pursue safer roadway design strategies in federal infrastructure legislation or discussions.

Discriminatory Legislation - Oppose any motorcycling, motorcycle, or motorcyclist-based discriminatory legislation or rules proposed by the U.S. Congress or by any governmental agency.

Vulnerable Roadway User Terminology - Monitor and ensure that motorcycles and motorcyclists are a specific and unique category or classification.

Gang, Club and Other Language - Monitor and respond to federal legislative or regulatory activity concerning the usage of the terms gang, club, known associate, and associate when referring to motorcyclists.

Taxes - Encourage fair treatment of motorcyclists in any change to federal taxes related to transportation.

2023 MONITOR ITEMS:

Distracted Driving - Work to discourage any/all forms of distracted driving.

Sound Testing - Monitor any SAE Motorcycle Roadside Sound Testing or EPA action.

International Partnerships - Continue participation in motorcycle-related activity in the European Union, United Nations, and Canada informing the membership of key developments.

National Studies - Continue monitoring any national studies concerning motorcycles

Exhaust Systems - Monitor and vigorously oppose any federal standard proposing stamping and certifying of motorcycle exhaust systems.

Opponents - Monitor private and public organizations that oppose the legislative agenda or mission of the MRF.

Tolling - Monitor fair tolling concepts on federally funded roadways and projects supported by federal bonds and issues related to congestion tolling.

Lane Filtering and/or Lane Splitting - Monitor and support federal efforts to study and review the benefits and concerns of lane splitting and lane filtering.

Emissions - Monitor and report on any litigation related to motorcycle emissions violations.

Tariffs - Monitor any tariffs on imported motorcycles, parts, or apparel.

Incentives - Seek fair tax rebate and or credits for the purchase of electric motorcycles similar to those offered for electric automobiles.

Individuals Can Make a Difference!

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 02:34:24 GMT

Don’t fall into the trap of believing only high-powered lobbyists or big money donors can make a difference in D.C. The average biker can and has impacted policy in our nation’s capital.

A perfect example is the work of two motorcyclists in Nevada, Fred Harrell and Russell Radke. Both are long time biker rights advocates and understand the best way to get things done is to educate and develop relationships with their elected officials. Over the course of several years, they met with and befriended their local lawmaker, Congresswoman Susie Lee of Nevada. Sharing their experiences as motorcyclists and their concern regarding the profiling of bikers they sought solutions to help address the issue.

In response to the concerns of her constituents, and as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Lee advanced committee report language to a government funding bill that seeks answers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the issue of profiling. The language states:

“The Committee is concerned that NHTSA may be conducting activities that encourage states to adopt legislation, regulation, or other policies that unjustly profile motorcycle riders. The Committee directs NHTSA to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the extent to which the agency works with states on motorcycle passenger policies within 120 days of enactment of this Act.”

On behalf of the 70,000 riders in the Silver State and the 10 million bikers across this country, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, thanks Congresswoman Lee and her staff for meeting with, listening to and advocating for her constituents and the entire motorcycle community. Additional thanks to Russell and Fred for their tireless work to build and maintain these important relationships on Capitol Hill.

Motorcycle Fuel Debate in Europe

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 02:40:57 GMT

Wednesday morning, members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) leadership team attended a virtual seminar titled “Bridging the Gap to Climate Neutrality - The Case of eFuels for Motorcycles.” The event was hosted by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers and the eFuel Alliance of Europe.

The movement to end the use of fossil fuels in Europe has gained steam in recent years. As part of this plan the European Union has proposed that all new cars registered as of 2035 will be zero-emission. While motorcycles and other two wheeled vehicles are not yet included in this directive the writing is on the wall.

The eFuel Alliance and motorcycle manufacturers in Europe are seeking ways to end the use of fossil fuels while not fully embracing the electric motorcycle. Just like in the United States, motorcyclists and their allies remain skeptical of full electrification. Concerns regarding range, grid dependability and charging locations voiced by those in the U.S. are also concerns of Europeans. To push back against electric motorcycles and expand options for bikers, many believe the answer is the use of eFuels. eFuels are climate-neutral synthetic fuels produced from renewable energy sources, including solar, wind and hydrogen. However, the cost and production concerns of eFeuls remain to be fully flushed out.a

The motorcycle sector has a $20.5 billion impact on the european economy and is seen as key to many of the transportation problems facing Europe. Motorcycle tourism and events alone contribute over $2 billion to the economies of European countries. By including all two wheeled vehicles into the numbers Europe has nearly 40 million two wheeled vehicles on the roads. The appeal of this form of transportation is obvious. The cost to commute is 1/3 that of traditional cars and because of their smaller size help alleviate much of the congestion and space issues that older, crowded European cities face.

As MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard has repeatedly warned, “Policy ideas that first appear in Europe have a history of popping up in the United States.” Speaking on that topic Karl-Maria Grugl, a member of the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers said, “Europe is setting the scene for other regions of the world. We hope that other regions of the world follow the lead of Europe.”

The MRF has a long-standing partnership with the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Association (FEMA) and remains committed to addressing the challenges all bikers face together. We will monitor the fuel debate in Europe and prepare for its migration to the U.S.

To read more about eFuels in Europe click here.

Are you afraid of the dark?

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 19:00:00 GMT

With road fatalities increasing by 10.5% from 2020 to 2021, safety advocates are looking for causes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has begun a nighttime test of vehicles that use automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems to address the high percentage of pedestrian crashes that occur on dark roads.

“As we expected, most of these pedestrian AEB systems don’t work very well in the dark,” says IIHS President David Harkey. You heard that right, out of the 23 brands of mid-sized cars and trucks, only 4 scored the highest rating of “superior” by the IIHS. When the same testing was done in daylight, 19 of the 23 vehicles received the highest score.

While pedestrians are the focus of this study, motorcyclists are rightly concerned. All too often, motorists assume the technology in their cars is perfect and rely too heavily on it. This study shows that this new technology is far from flawless!

Motorcyclists are operating at higher rates of speed, with a different profile, and in closer proximity to other vehicles than pedestrians or other roadway users. If a car, with this new technology, can’t see a pedestrian walking across the street at night directly in front of them, can it see a biker in the lane next to them?

This is one of the many topics we will discuss at the MRF’s upcoming Meeting of the Minds in Des Moines, Iowa, September 21-25. To learn more about the MRF and the Meeting of the Minds click here.

To read about the IIHS study and see which vehicles were not up to the IIHS standards, click here.

We Told You So…

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 18:00:00 GMT

At last year’s MRF Meeting of the Minds in Atlanta, Georgia the fate of the internal combustion engine was discussed. In fact, at the urging of ABATE of Illinois, the following language was added to the MRF’s 2022 Legislative Priorities: “Work to ensure the survival of combustion engines. Including elimination of the California air quality waivers which threaten combustion engine production.”

In October of 2021 California Governor Gavin Newson signed a bill into law banning the sale of all off-road, gas-powered engines, including generators, lawn equipment, pressure washers, chainsaws, weed trimmers, and even golf carts.

And less than one year later we learn this, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that governs motor vehicle emissions for the state adopted new rules that will require 35% of the new cars sold in the state are electric or plug-in hybrids by 2026, with that percentage rising to 68% by 2030 and 100% by 2035.

That’s right gas burning cars will no longer be for sale in the country’s largest state in less than 15 years. Other states, including Massachusetts and Washington have already signaled that they would follow California’s lead.

What does the future of motorcycling look like?

Will the bike you are riding today be legal in a few years?

What will your kids or grandkids be riding… or will they even be allowed to own a motorcycle?

Your Freedom is under assault and without your help we can’t fight back!

Thank you to all the members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation for defending your Freedoms.

We need all street riders to join this fight, if you are not a member of the MRF click here to join.

Ride Safe and Ride Free!

To read more about the new rules in California click here.

Two Stories that Caught Our Eye

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

August in Washington, D.C. is normally a quiet time of year as lawmakers have left town and will not return until after Labor Day. Despite this, a few issues caught our eye that we wanted to make you aware of.

On August 11th Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) sent a joint letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on how the agency is working to address its report showing that Tesla vehicles were implicated in numerous crashes, including crashes involving serious injuries and five known deaths. As we mentioned last week, two fatal crashes between Tesla vehicles and bikers in California and Utah earlier this year have raised concerns at the MRF.

According to the letter, “Federal investigations and recent reporting have uncovered troubling safety issues associated with these systems, including but not limited to the following:

Driver Engagement– The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that Tesla’s Autopilot system does not effectively monitor driver engagement and respond to driver inattentiveness.

Erratic Driving – Reports have found that vehicles in Full Self Driving (FSD) mode have imperiled bicyclists and pedestrians, driven down tram tracks, and crashed into bollards.

Rolling Stops– Last year, Tesla issued a software update enabling FSD to make “rolling stops,” in which the vehicle fails to come to a complete stop at all-way stop intersections.

Passenger Play – Last year, Tesla introduced a new “Passenger Play” feature enabling occupants to play video games on the center console while the car is in motion, which could be used by the driver when the Autopilot feature is engaged.

Phantom Braking – In October 2021, Tesla recalled certain vehicles equipped with FSD software over issues with vehicle braking. 11 Vehicles equipped with this software were reportedly braking sharply in response to falsely detected road hazards.”

To read the full letter to NHTSA click here.

To read about the Utah crash click here.

To read more about the California crash click here.

The other major news this month was the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Included in the legislation was a 10-year tax credit worth up to $7,500 for the purchase of a new electric vehicle and a $4,000 tax credit for a used vehicle. The Department of Energy has released a list of nearly 30 vehicles that meet the requirements for the tax credit, however, clearly missing from the list are electric motorcycles. The tax credit only applies to four wheeled vehicles assembled in the United States.

Now there is no doubt that many of the 10 million bikers in this country have no interest in purchasing an electric motorcycle! If it doesn’t run on an internal combustion engine, they have no interest in riding it. Nevertheless, it’s concerning when the federal government crafts policy regarding our transportation system and omits motorcycles from that policy. While D.C. has ignored bikers, a handful of state governments have rightly included motorcycles in their state-run tax credit programs for electric vehicles.

Even with Congress on vacation until September, the MRF remains committed and vigilant in defending the rights and safety of all bikers.

Ride Safe and Ride Free.

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION -- MEETING OF THE MINDS 2022

Tue, 23 Aug 2022 09:00:00 GMT

“Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain.” – Iowa State Motto

In 1847, those words became part of the Iowa State Seal. They ring just as powerful today as they did 175 years ago. Certainly, they ring true for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and the 38^th Annual Meeting of the Minds.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation takes seriously the quest to protect the freedoms that motorcyclists sometimes take for granted. A lobbying team with a never-ending presence on Capitol Hill. A definitive commitment to grassroots activism with the MRF’s annual Bikers Inside the Beltway. And the annual Meeting of the Minds – nearly forty years of bringing bikers’ rights advocates together to enhance their organizational and legislative skills.

The 38th Annual Meeting of the Minds, scheduled for September 22-25 in Des Moines Iowa, will be a 3-day exercise in freedom enhancement. The event will demonstrate just how much the MRF and attendees prize liberty and the commitment to maintain our rights

Meet the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and the freedom fighters who are instrumental in the quest to protect motorcycling and maintain the freedoms we enjoy.

The Meeting of the Minds – renewing old friendships and making new ones. The Meeting of the Minds – three days of nuts-and-bolts workshops to augment the tools needed to promote and protect the rights of all motorcyclists. The Meeting of the Minds – more than a dozen presentations and workshops to build and strengthen individual’s and state motorcyclists’ rights organization’s commitment to protecting the freedoms motorcycling represents.

Workshops and presentations include but not limited to:

Up-to-the-minute Legislative Updates
Working with motorcycle clubs for the common goal of defending freedom
Aging demographics – what it means to motorcycling
Paying the price of freedom

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation lives and understands that freedom is about maintaining our rights and not just another word for nothing left to lose, understands Eternal Vigilance… and understands The Blessings of Freedom… and understands the commitments needed to protect rights, liberty, freedom, and our motorcycles from the pending siege from over-regulating and over-zealous bureaucracies. The MRF is committed to promote and defend the freedoms that all motorcyclists’ rights advocates understand.

The Meeting of the Minds – September 22-25, Marriott Downtown Des Moines, 700 Grand Avenue. Use this link to Book your group rate for Motorcycle Riders Foundation Annual Meeting 2022. Or call (888) 236-2427 and mention Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) when you make reservations. Use this link to register for the conference Meeting of the Minds 2022. Last Day to Book: Wednesday, September 7, 2022.

Thank you for your support of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and we look forward to seeing you in Des Moines for the 38^th Annual Meeting of the Minds.

House Motorcycle Caucus Grows by 39%!

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 10:30:00 GMT

It’s been one month since the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Bikers Inside the Beltway event and our efforts are paying off.

An updated membership list of the House Motorcycle Caucus was released last week and it shows substantial growth in the month since riders came to Capitol Hill. 11 new members joined the organization which previously had 28 members. The nearly 40% increase is a direct result of outreach by MRF members!

The caucus hosts educational seminars and press events that shine a light on the issues facing the motorcycle community. It’s also a great way for riders to know which lawmakers are true allies. The Senate has a similar caucus and we hope to see growth with that group when its roster is updated.

Below is a list of the 11 new members of the House Motorcycle Caucus:

    Representative Axne (Iowa)
    Representative Brooks (Alabama)
    Representative Brownley (California)
    Representative Budd (North Carolina)
    Representative Rodney Davis (Illinois)
    Representative Norman (South Carolina)
    Representative Obernolte (California)
    Representative Pappas (New Hampshire)
    Representative Scott Peters (California)
    Representative Stevens (Michigan)
    Representative Wild (Pennsylvania)

Additionally, the House profiling resolution (H. Res 366) passed the 100-cosponsor mark last week as 10 new lawmakers signed on since Bikers Inside the Beltway. Passing the 100 mark is a great benchmark that helps show Congressional leadership that the issue of profiling is a concern to lawmakers. A special shout out to the riders from Kansas who added three new members and now have all four Representatives from their state as cosponsors.

Below is a list of the 10 new H. Res 366 cosponsors:

    Representative Banks (Indiana)
    Representative Davids (Kanas)
    Representative Dean (Pennsylvania)
    Representative Estes (Kansas)
    Representative Hinson (Iowa)
    Representative LaTurner (Kansas)
    Representative Kustoff (Tennessee)
    Representative Obernolte (California)
    Representative Ryan (Ohio)
    Representative Titus (Nevada)

Thank you to those that help impact these numbers and thank you to all the riders who came to D.C. last month.

Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming calls to action on our legislative priorities. Answering calls to action is the easiest way to have your voice be heard in our nation’s capital.

International Motorcycling Advocate Deb Butitta Killed in Arizona Crash

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 12:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

June 4, 2022

International Motorcycling Advocate Deb Butitta Killed in Arizona Crash

It is with a heavy heart and a great sense of loss that the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) shares the passing of Deborah Butitta. Deb had been committed to serving and protecting motorcyclists’ rights at the state, federal and international levels during the last four decades. Deb was taken from us due to internal injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash after a truck turned left in front of her on June 3, 2022.

Deb was particularly active with ABATE of Arizona, holding many different offices through the years, and in 2001 was selected as the first designated lobbyist for the Arizona Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs (AZCMC). Deb was a member of many state motorcyclists’ rights organizations, including the MMA of Arizona. She also served on the MRF Board of Directors for many years and was instrumental in the formation of MRF A&E (Awareness and Education), a 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit organization created to assist the MRF in providing resources to promote motorcycle awareness and ‘share the road’ programs, along with all aspects of motorcycle safety education including rider training. A highly successful businesswoman in her own right, Deb was extremely well connected, not only in the motorcycling community and industry, but legislatively and in some very influential social circles as well. These relationships were of incredible value to the bikers of Arizona and the entire country.

Deb’s accolades and awards are many, including being inducted into the MRF Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Sturgis Hall of Fame and Museum in 2021. Deb is a past winner of the MRF President’s Cup (2003), the MRF Founder’s Award (2017), and the MRF Lifetime Achievement Award (2020). Among her many other duties, Deb served as the MRF’s State Representative for Arizona for 14 years. For several years now, the MRF has given the ‘Deborah Butitta Award’ to it’s highest performing State Representative in her honor.

A true leader, Deb had a profound influence on many of her fellow activists. Few people have dedicated so much of their life or contributed as much to motorcycling as Deb Butitta. Personally and professionally, her passing leaves a tremendous void in our “family”.

Feds Seek Comments on Motorcycle Study

Wed, 25 May 2022 09:00:00 GMT

The federal government plans on studying aspects of motorcycle safety and it is asking for your comments. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will begin collecting data from motorists in the states of Florida and Pennsylvania regarding “Driver Awareness of Motorcycles.”

Specifically, the survey data will be used to assist NHTSA in its ongoing responsibilities for: (a) Planning and designing research and program activities to improve motorcycle safety; (b) providing support to groups involved in developing and implementing motorcycle safety outreach programs and driver safety campaigns; and (c) identifying areas in driver awareness and knowledge that need attention. NHTSA will use the information to produce a technical report that presents the results of the study. The technical report will provide aggregate (summary) statistics and tables as well as the results of statistical analysis of the information, but it will not include any personally identifiable information (PII). The project data will serve as a resource for NHTSA and stakeholders to identify gaps in knowledge among the driving public. The technical report will be shared with State highway offices, local governments, and those who develop traffic safety communications that aim to improve motorcycle safety.

This collection supports NHTSA's efforts to increase motorcyclist safety by examining factors related to the interactions between motorcycles and other motorists and their vehicles. The information from this collection will assist NHTSA in (a) assessing the extent and limitations of motorist knowledge of safe behaviors toward motorcycles, and (b) identifying the issues to emphasize in traffic safety campaigns and driver education. The collected information will help identify the beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions underlying driving behaviors towards motorcycles and inform the development of countermeasures to improve the safety of interactions between motor vehicles, specifically, motorcycles, and other vehicle types (primarily passenger cars and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs)).

Click here to read the notice in the Federal Register and learn more about what the federal government plans to study.

Comments to NHTSA are due by June 6^th.

New Hampshire Passes "Prohibiting Motorcycle Profiling"

Mon, 23 May 2022 15:20:48 GMT

Friday, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed HB 1000, a bill titled “Prohibiting Motorcycle Profiling.” This bipartisan bill was sponsored by 10 different members of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and passed both chambers of the legislature by voice vote before ending up on the governor’s desk for his signature. New Hampshire now becomes the 5th state with a law regarding the profiling of bikers.

The new law states:

“No state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency shall engage in motorcycle profiling. Motorcycle profiling shall mean use of the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle-related paraphernalia as a basis for deciding to stop and question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search a person or vehicle under the United States Constitution or the New Hampshire constitution.”

The New Hampshire Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization (NHMRO), working in partnership with other individuals and groups, including the New Hampshire Motorcycle Task Force, fought for passage of this piece of legislation. Earlier in the year bikers testified before lawmakers about the need to address profiling and shared personal stories about how profiling had impacted them.

Congratulations to all those who worked so hard on this bill. Special thanks to Speaker of the New Hampshire House Sherm Packard, NHMRO President Traci Beaurivage and John from the Granite State Brotherhood MC for their dedication and hard work.

New Hampshire is living up to its famous state motto, “Live Free or Die!”

Bikers Inside the Beltway – Demand reaches room capacity! – Hotel booked up!

Tue, 10 May 2022 23:53:15 GMT

Bikers Inside the Beltway – “Let us refuse to be silent! Speaking freely is a decisive step forward on the road to freedom” -- Leyla Zana

“Speaking freely” since its first orchestrated visit with members of Congress in 1989, is exactly what the Motorcycle Riders Foundation does. And the results are evident in the MRF’s history of legislative accomplishments.

Participatory democracy is what the MRF is all about. Bikers Inside the Beltway is a 13-year exercise in participatory democracy. Biker’s Inside the Beltway is about making a difference. You still have time to make a difference and let your voice be heard when you attend Bikers Inside the Beltway on May 17!

Protecting the rights of motorcyclists is not just a collection of words in a press release any more than leaving your motorcycle parked in your garage is about riding.

Profiling, E-15 (ethanol fuel), autonomous vehicles, all part of the present and future of motorcycling. The MRF’s legislative agenda is a result of input from motorcyclists with the directions to take care of business on Capitol Hill. That’s what Bikers Inside the Beltway is all about.

The MRF understands motorcycling, motorcyclists’ rights, and what it takes to keep the siege against your rights, your freedom, your lifestyle, and yes, your motorcycle at bay. However, participatory democracy works best with participants. Your participation in Bikers Inside the Beltway is needed now.

Your visit to Congress does make a difference. In 2021, co-sponsors on MRF supported legislation rose over 20 percent during Bikers Inside the Beltway. Numbers make a difference. Currently, there are almost ninety co-sponsors on H. Res 366 – an anti-profiling resolution. By joining other freedom loving motorcyclists, you can help increase those co-sponsors and the resolution can move forward.

Day tripping to D.C.? Make plans to attend MRF Board of Directors meeting on May 16 and the debriefing/recap on May 17 at the Embassy Suites, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA 22314

Bikers Inside the Beltway 2022 – The Motorcycle Riders Foundation – “Let us refuse to be silent! Speaking freely is a decisive step forward on the road to freedom”

Yours in Freedom,

Fred

Fredric Harrell

“Speaking freely”

Mon, 09 May 2022 11:30:00 GMT

Bikers Inside the Beltway – “Let us refuse to be silent! Speaking freely is a decisive step forward on the road to freedom” -- Leyla Zana

Protecting the rights of motorcyclists is not just a collection of words in a press release any more than leaving your motorcycle parked in your garage is about riding.

Rooms are available until May 15. Call the hotel direct line 703-684-5900 and use reference code MRF. Also, make plans to attend the MRF Board of Directors meeting on May 16 at the Embassy Suites, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Bikers Inside the Beltway 2022 – The Motorcycle Riders Foundation – “Let us refuse to be silent! Speaking freely is a decisive step forward on the road to freedom”

Yours in Freedom,

Fred

Fredric Harrell

Dear colleague...

Fri, 06 May 2022 10:00:00 GMT

Dear colleague...

With just 10 days before Bikers Inside the Beltway, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is gearing up to take our message to Capitol Hill. Co-Chairman of the House Motorcycle Caucus, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), has already started greasing the wheels for our arrival. This week he sent a letter to all 434 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives asking for support on the issue of motorcyclist profiling.

Known as a “Dear Colleague Letter” this tactic allows lawmakers to contact each and every member of the House and ask for support. In this case Rep. Walberg is asking for his fellow Representatives to cosponsor H. Res 366. H. Res 366 is one of the major agenda items MRF members will be pushing when they meet with their elected officials in D.C. This action by Rep. Walberg means no congressional office can now honestly say, “I’ve never heard about this motorcyclist profiling issue.”

Thank you for your leadership, Representative Walberg!

Below is the full text of Rep. Walberg’s letter:

May 4, 2022

Dear colleague,

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. As the co-chair of the House Motorcycle Caucus, I am proud to represent the nearly 10 million motorcyclists in this country.

Motorcycles and motorcyclists not only represent an important part of our transportation network but are also an iconic part of the fabric of Americana. Over the years numerous motorcyclists have reached out to my office and others to discuss their concerns over the profiling of motorcyclists.

In response to these concerns, myself, Congressman Burgess (TX), Congresswoman Bustos (IL) and Congressman Pocan (WI) introduced H. Res. 366 a resolution that promotes awareness of motorcyclist profiling and encourages collaboration between the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling.

As of this week, 90 bipartisan members of the House have cosponsored the resolution including at least one member from 34 different states. In December of 2018, the U.S. Senate passed a nearly identical resolution on this topic. I am hopeful we in the House can do the same.

Please consider joining me and cosponsor H. Res. 366 and support the thousands of bikers back home in your district.

Sincerely,

Tim Walberg

Member of Congress

ACTION NEEDED -- FREEDOM'S VOICE BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2022

Tue, 03 May 2022 01:57:15 GMT

Bikers Inside the Beltway – The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has completed the preliminary work to pave the way to Washington, D.C., your attendance at Bikers Inside the Beltway will make a difference.

You still have time to take part in this exercise in participatory democracy. Half-a-world away, Ukrainians are not so blessed. They are defending their country from a despot hellbent on destroying the country and any semblance of democracy. Those freedom fighting Ukrainians would gladly trade places with any one of us if that’s all they had to do to preserve their country and freedom.

Is the MRF’s legislative agenda to support anti-profiling, renewable fuel education, and autonomous vehicle standards benchmarks to protect democracy? Compared to what the Ukrainians are doing to defend their democracy, hardly. However, the siege against your rights, your freedom, your lifestyle, and yes, your motorcycles is not going to go away because motorcyclists wish it so. Ukrainians do not have the luxury of traveling to their capitol in Kyiv. Attending Bikers Inside the Beltway and taking part in participatory democracy is still a luxury you should not take lightly.

“Let us refuse to be silent! Speaking freely is a decisive step forward on the road to freedom” – Leyla Zana

Remaining silent and not acting is an option that the MRF will not exercise, and neither should you. Since 1989, the MRF has brought over a thousand motorcyclists to Washington to meet with their members of Congress with the sole mission of promoting a legislative agenda that continues to successfully become law on behalf of all street riding motorcyclists.

Your personal visit to Congress does make a difference. In 2021, co-sponsors on MRF supported legislation rose over 20 percent during Bikers Inside the Beltway. Numbers make a difference. Currently, there are almost ninety co-sponsors on H. Res 366 – an anti-profiling resolution. By joining other freedom loving motorcyclists, you can help increase those co-sponsors and the resolution can move forward.

The MRF’s legislative agenda – beyond the three items listed below -- recommended and approved by SMRO leaders at the 2021 Meeting of the Minds, is not all-inclusive. Changing ethanol 15 to all-year availability demonstrates why the MRF’s legislative agenda is important:

Profiling: Sustain lobbying efforts for the passage of resolutions or legislation that promotes awareness and prohibition of motorcyclists profiling.

Renewable Fuels: Advocate for targeted changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Support the universal availability of approved fuel blends, containing no more than 10 percent ethanol by volume. Ensure that consumers are educated on proper fuel usage.

Autonomous Vehicles: Advocate and monitor any legislation or regulations related to motorcycles concerning connected and autonomous vehicles (AV) including endorsing rulemaking to set new standards specific to seeing, detecting, and properly reacting to motorcycles. Ensure motorcycles are part of all testing and development procedure.

Join us to ensure that the mission of getting our message to Congress does not fail, please consider the following:

Make your appointments locally or in Washington.
Familiarize yourself with the briefing points.
Confirm your appointment locally or in Washington.
Virtual or in person, make notes on your meeting.
Share your meeting notes with the MRF.

Numbers do make a difference toward accomplishing the legislative goals of the MRF. All 435 members of the House of Representatives are up for reelection. Thirty-four members of the Senate are up for election. Numbers do make a difference. Like it or not, legislators tend to listen better during election years.

Paving the way for the long haul is what the MRF does to ensure that the future of motorcycling survives. It is not too late to use that “paved way” to help the numbers make a difference.

Rooms are available until May 15, through the hotel direct line 703-684-5900 and use reference code MRF. And while you are there, make plans to attend a meeting of the MRF Board of Directors on May 16 at the Embassy Suites, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Bikers Inside the Beltway 2022 – The Motorcycle Riders Foundation – “Speaking freely is a decisive step forward on the road to freedom”

Yours in Freedom,

Fred

Fredric Harrell
DIRECTOR OF CONFERENCES & EVENTS

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month

Sun, 01 May 2022 11:00:00 GMT

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month

Sunday marks the start of May and the beginning of Motorcycle Awareness Month. Across the country, state and local governments are issuing proclamations raising awareness of motorcycle related issues. If your local government has taken action to promote motorcycle awareness, please share it with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). We love seeing how local bikers, working with elected officials, are spreading the word.

The MRF encourages all motorists to do their part to ensure our roads are safe for all users. All those on the road should look twice, maintain a safe distance and be vigilant when turning or changing lanes, so everyone gets home safety. Motorcycles play a critical part of our transportation network; let’s make sure all Americans think about the 10 million bikers on the road.

Across the country the weather is getting warmer, and bikers are out on the road. Enjoy the month of May and, as always, Ride Safe and Ride Free.

Not involved in a State Motorcycle Rights or the Motorcycle Riders Foundation yet - Join Today.

BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2022 -- Paving the Way & Rolling Toward Washington, D.C.

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 10:30:00 GMT

April 22, 2022

BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2022 -- Paving the Way & Rolling Toward Washington, D.C.

The groundwork to pave the metaphorical roads to Washington D.C. and Capitol Hill took time and commitments from freedom loving motorcyclists from throughout the country. Individual attendance to Bikers Inside the Beltway, less than a month away, makes a difference in accomplishing our legislative goals.

Yes, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is rolling toward Washington. Yes, since 2009 the MRF has hosted Bikers Inside the Beltway, a grassroots tradition orchestrated by SMROs that began with just as much determination but without a name in 1989.

The MRF has brought over a thousand motorcyclists to Washington to meet with their members of Congress with the sole mission of promoting a legislative agenda that continues to successfully become law on behalf of all street riding motorcyclists.

Those visits are effective. Members of Congress know that it is not easy for constituents to make the trip to Washington, D.C. And when constituents from a well-known organization such as the Motorcycle Riders Foundation venture to Washington to meet with their congressional delegation, members of Congress tend to listen.

Your personal visit to Congress does make a difference. Co-sponsors on legislation the MRF supported rose over 20 percent during Bikers Inside the Beltway in 2021. Numbers make a difference. Currently, there almost ninety co-sponsors on H. Res 366 – an anti-profiling resolution. By joining other freedom loving motorcyclists, you can help increase those co-sponsors so that those numbers make an even greater difference.

The MRF’s legislative agenda – beyond the three items listed below -- recommended and approved by SMRO leaders at the 2021 Meeting of the Minds, is not all-inclusive. News items during the past two weeks have repeatedly demonstrated why the following items are at the top of the MRF’s legislative agenda as we move toward Bikers Inside the Beltway:

Profiling: Sustain lobbying efforts for the passage of resolutions or legislation that promotes awareness and prohibition of motorcyclists profiling.

Renewable Fuels: Advocate for targeted changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Support the universal availability of approved fuel blends, containing no more than 10 percent ethanol by volume. Ensure that consumers are educated on proper fuel usage.

Autonomous Vehicles: Advocate and monitor any legislation or regulations related to motorcycles concerning connected and autonomous vehicles (AV) including endorsing rulemaking to set new standards specific to seeing, detecting, and properly reacting to motorcycles. Ensure motorcycles are part of all testing and development procedure.

The pandemic, and the events of January 6, 2021, did not deter the MRF. More than one-hundred motorcyclists attended the first in-person meeting in 2021 with members of Congress last May. The above items are the missing pieces of the 2021 infrastructure legislation, and they are driving the MRF’s need to return to Washington when Bikers Inside the Beltway meets on May 17.

Join us to ensure that the mission of getting our message to Congress does not fail, please consider the following:

Make your appointments locally or in Washington
Familiarize yourself with the briefing points
Confirm your appointment locally or in Washington
Virtual or in person, make notes on your meeting
Share your meeting notes with the MRF

Paving the way for the long haul is what the MRF does to ensure that the future of motorcycling survives. It is not too late to use that “paved way” to help the numbers make a difference.

Rooms are available through the hotel direct line 703-684-5900 and use reference code MRF. And while you are there, make plans to attend a meeting of the MRF Board of Directors on May 16 at the Embassy Suites, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Bikers Inside the Beltway 2022 – The Motorcycle Riders Foundation -- paving the way for the long haul and rolling toward Washington, D.C.!

Yours in Freedom,

Fred

Fredric Harrell

Self-Driving Cars

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:00:00 GMT

There is no doubt that next month during “Bikers Insider the Beltway” self-driving cars will be a major topic of discussion!

During every Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) presentation around the country, we lay out our agenda, which includes concerns over the deployment of self-driving or autonomous vehicles. One point that is hammered home is that these vehicles are on the roads right now and bikers should be aware of that fact. Most people understand this, but just in case, a recent story from San Francisco might open some eyes.

Last week a self-driving car was pulled over by police, and NO ONE WAS INSIDE. The vehicle was pulled over for operating without its headlights on, no doubt a safety concern. Yet after the police officer returned to his patrol car to confer with his partner, the self-driving car took off and fled before being pulled over again.

While it’s hard not to laugh at the idea of a car with no driver fleeing the police, it does raise a major issue the MRF has been worried about, the lack of oversight and rush to deploy this new technology without proper oversight. Specifically, the MRF has pressed lawmakers to require these auto manufacturers attest that their technology can read, respond, and react to all roadway users and more specifically that motorcyclists are accounted for.

Some in Washington D.C. seem to understand, Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently said about the deployment of this technology “We essentially have the Wild West on our roads right now.” Adding, “It is a disaster waiting to happen.”

To see the 2-minute video of the police interacting with a driverless car click here.

There is no doubt that next month during “Bikers Insider the Beltway” self-driving cars will be a major topic of discussion!

As always, Ride Safe and Ride Free.

MRF Flash Alert

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 00:15:23 GMT

Tuesday, at an event in Iowa, President Biden announced plans by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to temporarily lift the summer restrictions on the sale of gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15).

The decision will allow E15 to be sold between June 1 and September 15. Normally only a 10% ethanol blend can be sold during that period to reduce smog caused by the 15% blend’s higher volatility. This move by the administration is an attempt to bring down surging fuel prices. However, most estimates predict this change will result in a decrease of just 5 to 10 cents per gallon.

Citing the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the EPA is using its emergency exemption authority to make the policy change. The EPA says it will review the policy every 20 days and make adjustments if needed.

All motorcyclists should be educated on the proper fuel to use in their bikes. More ethanol in the marketplace may limit your fueling options. Be vigilant and as always ride safe and ride free.

Another Successful Heartland STEAM in the Books!

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:09:24 GMT

Another Successful Heartland STEAM in the Books!

Last weekend, ABATE of Illinois hosted the 32^nd Annual Heartland STEAM Convention in Springfield, Illinois. Riders from Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin gathered to share information about how state motorcycle rights organizations are tackling issues facing the motorcycle community. Heartland STEAM also serves as an important annual fundraising event for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

Originally ABATE of Illinois was scheduled to host STEAM in 2020, however, as with most things in 2020, things didn’t go according to plan! Nevertheless, ABATE of Illinois put on an excellent event this year. The weekend was a great opportunity for riders from different states to share their personal experiences working on motorcyclist issues at the state level. Topics included working with clubs, using modern media to activate your members and the history of the MRF. However, as we all know, more was learned after hours in the hospitality suite as riders shared their personal experiences, strengthening and building personal relationship, rider to rider.

The guest speaker at the Saturday evening banquet was Representative Darrin LaHood of Illinois. Rep. LaHood is a longtime friend of the ABATE of Illinois and a champion for biker rights in D.C. At the dinner, Rep. LaHood was presented with the MRF Legislative Champion of the year vest.

Just three days after Heartland STEAM ended, ABATE of Illinois got some more great news. Thanks to the efforts of ABATE of Illinois and their legislative team, the Illinois General Assembly advanced legislation bringing motorcycles to the forefront of the electric vehicle push in Illinois. To read the press release on the victory for ABATE of Illinois click here. Congratulations on a hard fought victory for the bikers in the Land of Lincoln.

Thank you again to all the Heartland STEAM attendees and thanks to ABATE of Illinois for hosting a great event. We can’t wait to be at STEAM 2023 in North Dakota!

Where Does Your State Rank?

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 13:00:00 GMT

Last month the Motorcycle Riders Foundation released our first call to action of 2022. The call to action was related to H. Res 366, the anti-motorcyclist profiling resolution in the House of Representatives. Since its release, over 1,600 bikers have taken a moment to click a few buttons and have their voice heard.

One great part about this call to action is that if your lawmaker has already been supportive of the resolution, they get a thank you email. While if your member of congress has yet to act, it explains the issues and asks for support.

We’ve seen great results from this effort. Since the beginning of February, 26 new representatives have signed on as cosponsors!

If there is one thing we know about bikers, they are a competitive bunch. So, to inspire even more engagement, here’s a list of the top 5 states who’ve taken the time to answer the call.

1.     Wisconsin – 176
2.     Michigan 155
3.     New York 136
4.     Texas – 124
5.     Arizona 118

The map also shows you how many bikers from each state have contacted their member of the House.

If you have already done the call to action, we thank you! But let’s keep the pressure up! You don’t need to do it again, but you can share the link below, forward this email and hit social media. Let’s get as many bikers as we can to take 2 minutes out of their day to spread the word on profiling.

If you want Washington D.C. to address the profiling of bikers click here.

As always, Ride Safe and Ride Free!

Transportation Funding Unlocked

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 13:00:00 GMT

Transportation Funding Unlocked

This week the House and Senate are tackling a self-imposed deadline to pass funding legislation before government departments and agencies run out of money. To avoid a government shutdown, a large omnibus spending bill is being voted on that will fund government operations through the end of September. Importantly for transportation related projects and programs, the omnibus bill unlocks billions of dollars in funding that Washington red tape has delayed.

Lawmakers and transportation officials have been warning for months that full implementation

of the $1.5 trillion infrastructure law, which was enacted in November, isn’t possible because government funding is constrained at 2021 levels. So, while the money is actually in the accounts and ready to be spent, transportation agencies are locked out of using a large percentage of the money until this second piece of legislation is enacted.

Only in Washington, D.C. does it take two bills, five months apart, to achieve your policy objectives!

Lawmakers Focus on Tesla

Recently Tesla has come under criticism for its Autopilot and Full-Self Driving (FSD) features, which critics say give the impression to drivers that the vehicles are capable of hands-off operation. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened two investigations into Tesla’s autopilot system and the automaker has launched nearly a dozen recalls in the U.S. Many of those recalls are related to over-the-air updates which allows Tesla to tweak and change its software remotely.

Last month, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sent a letter to Tesla seeking answers to a series of questions regarding its technology. Included in the letter were questions regarding safety programming, issues related to phantom braking and driver monitoring capabilities.

Tesla responded to the letter last week saying in part, “Tesla’s Autopilot and FSD Capability features enhance the ability of our customers to drive safer than the average driver in the U.S.,”

Senators Blumenthal and Markey seemed less than impressed with Tesla’s response to their questions. In a joint statement they said Tesla’s response was "just more evasion and deflection from Tesla. Despite its troubling safety track record and deadly crashes, the company seemingly wants to carry on with business as usual."

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has long been concerned that safety standards for self-driving and autonomous vehicle technology are inadequate. All motorcyclists should remember that these vehicles are on our roadways right now. Remain vigilant while riding, as the operators and perhaps even the manufacturers are not fully aware of what this technology can and cannot do.

To read the initial letter sent to Tesla click here.

Strength In Numbers

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 10:00:00 GMT

The street riders in this country are facing many challenges and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is working hard to fight for your rights. We need your help. There is strength in numbers and that is where YOU can help fight the fight. The MRF is focused on doubling our membership and we need your help. We are challenging ALL our members to sign up one new member so we can pack a bigger punch when we walk the halls of congress and fight for the rights of the street riders in this great country.

Our members are our strength, and we have all made the commitment to take our battle for freedom of the road to the Nation’s Capital and now we are asking you to please consider making the commitment to double our membership and double our strength. Sign up one new member today! mrf.org/join

Total Vigilance,

Todd Riba

MRF Member Representative

NHTSA Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2020

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 12:30:00 GMT

On Wednesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its Overview of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2020. This report provides a snapshot of crashes, fatalities, and injuries sustained on our nation’s roadways in 2020.

The statistics related to motorcyclists were troubling. In 2020, we saw an 11% increase in fatalities from the previous year. In 2019, 5,044 motorcyclists were killed on our roadways. In 2020 that number grew to 5,579. Thankfully, the number of injuries registered in the study dropped slightly from 83,814 in 2019 to 82,528 in 2020.

In total, 38,824 people died on U.S. roads in 2020. Motorcyclists made up 14% of that number. The loss of life is not contained to one area as motorcyclist fatalities in urban areas increased by 7.8 percent since 2019 and increased by 11 percent in rural areas.

What is perhaps most concerning is that total miles traveled by Americans dropped in 2020 by 11%, yet fatalities increased by 6.8%. Despite less miles being logged more people were killed. Obviously, 2020 was a unique year in which a global pandemic affected every facet of our lives. The data provided in this study can be useful but should be viewed with the understanding that 2020 was an unprecedented year.

Despite that, there is no question that reports like this will spur questions and ultimately action by policymakers in Washington, D.C. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is committed to ensuring motorcyclists have a voice when issues like safety are debated. Your support and commitment to giving the street rider a voice in our nation’s capital remains vital.

Thank you for supporting the MRF and as always Ride Safe and Ride Free.

To read more about the study and review risk factors and statistics regarding specific states you can click here to read the full report.

Threats from Europe

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 11:00:00 GMT

The last few months have seen troublesome news for the motorcyclist community in Europe. Yesterday, the website motorious.com reported on a new threat to motorcyclists in Paris, France. Officials there are taking aim at motorcycles and using sound pollution as the justification. According to the report, “Paris authorities have been experimenting with sound radars as a way to fight excessive noise pollution in the city. Such devices allow police to pinpoint which motorcycle is emitting more decibels than is allowed, then fine the rider.”

This news for Paris comes on the heels of a Politico report late last year, that the European Commission has plans to dramatically change emission requirements on vehicles. While motorcycles were not included in the initial blueprint, fears are high in Europe. A ban on internal combustion engines "Would be a disaster,” said Michael Lenzen of the German Motorcyclists' Association.

Don’t forget that in 2020, the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA), issued a warning about end-of-life vehicle directives. Such a policy would require the collection and destruction of motorcycles that have come to the end of their life. At the time, Wim Taal, FEMA’s communications officer said, “Inclusion of motorcycles in the scope of the directive could also mean a serious threat to historical motorcycles. These bikes are especially dependent upon available and affordable original spare parts to keep them in working order. And who wants to see old-timers disappear into state approved demolishing facilities?”

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is committed to working with and supporting our partners in Europe. As MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard has repeatedly warned, “Policy ideas that first appear in Europe have a history of popping up in the United States.” The MRF is dedicated to opposing policies that destroy the motorcycling lifestyle. Thank you for your continued support as we fight to maintain our rights and freedoms.

Do you really think it couldn’t happen here?

To read the motorious.com article click here.
To read the politico.com story click here.

National Roadway Safety Strategy Announced

Mon, 31 Jan 2022 12:30:00 GMT

Thursday afternoon, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced a new national road safety campaign. The plan, known as the “National Roadway Safety Strategy,” comes in response to increased year over year fatalities on our nation’s roadways. In 2020, an estimated 38,680 people died as a result of a motor vehicle crash. Of those, approximately 9% were motorcyclists’ fatalities.

What is most alarming about the increase in fatalities, is that the total number of miles traveled on our roads decreased during the pandemic. Americans traveled 13.2% less miles in 2020 than we did in 2019, but we saw a 7.2% increase in deaths.

The preliminary numbers for the first 6 months of 2021 are also troublesome. From January through the end of June 2021 an estimated 20,160 people died in crashes. That is the largest number of projected deaths in that time frame since 2006.

To combat this trend the plan outlines five key objectives:

Safer People: Encourage safe, responsible behavior by people who use our roads and create conditions that prioritize their ability to reach their destination unharmed.
Safer Roads: Design roadway environments to mitigate human mistakes and account for injury tolerances, to encourage safer behaviors, and to facilitate safe travel by the most users.
Safer Vehicles: Expand the availability of vehicle systems and features that help to prevent crashes and minimize the impact of crashes on both occupants and non-occupants.
Safer Speeds: Promote safer speeds in all roadway environments through a combination of thoughtful, context-appropriate roadway design, targeted education, and outreach campaigns, and enforcement.
Post-Crash Care: Enhance the survivability of crashes through expedient access to emergency medical care, while creating a safe working environment for vital first responders and preventing secondary crashes through robust traffic incident management practices.

The recently passed infrastructure bill has components and funding to help achieve some of these goals. For example, $14 billion in new funding was specifically allocated for road safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also announced plans this week to increase the data it collects on crashes. The agency wants to boost the number of crashes investigated and add additional studies that examine crashes involving medium-duty trucks, pedestrians, and workers who are hit on the road.

We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation are encouraged to see that the U.S. Department of Transportation is taking a complete view of traffic safety, incorporating multiple factors to make our roadways safer. We also remain committed to the theory of crash avoidance, as a crash that doesn’t happen is always safer than one that does.

To get more detail and read the 41 page report click here.

Welcome Aboard!

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Earlier this month the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Board of Directors (BOD) conducted the annual January meeting. The January meeting allows the BOD to review the work of the MRF over the past year and look forward to what lies ahead.

Two new members of the BOD were seated at the meeting, Eric Ross of Iowa, as a new MRF Reps Representative and Rick “Brick” Lindsay of Louisiana, as a new Sustaining State Motorcycle Rights Organization Representative. Additionally, during meetings last year, Gary Goracke of Minnesota, was added as the new Director of the State Representative Program and Andy Kelly of Pennsylvania, was added as a MRF Reps Representative. If you’d like to see a complete list of board members, with their titles and terms of service click here.

The end of 2021 and beginning of 2022 also saw the MRF renew and establish new contracts with six different vendors. JPK Services will once again provide office management and membership services, Husch Blackwell Strategies will operate our lobbying arm and Policy Engage will provide our legislative and outreach tracking tools. Additional contracts were agreed to for IT services, editing and publishing the American Biker Journal and a new dedicated social media director.

The January meeting is one of three annual meetings of the MRF BOD and is the only one held virtually. A second meeting occurs during May’s “Bikers Inside the Beltway” event in Washington, D.C. and the final meeting of the year is held during September’s “Meeting of the Minds” conference. All three meetings are open to MRF members and are great opportunities to understand how the MRF operates.

Thank you to our board members for their service to the MRF and their dedication to the rights of all motorcyclists.

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE STURGIS MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 19:31:07 GMT

January 18, 2022

For Immediate Release

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE STURGIS MOTORCYCLE HALL OF FAME

This week the Motorcycle Riders Foundation was notified by Emma Garvin, Executive Director of the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame, that the Motorcycle Riders Foundation will be inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2022 Inductees. The ceremony will take place in August during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

While there are a significant number of individual members associated with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation that have been inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame, it is noteworthy that our organization as a whole will now be included.
MRF Chairman and President, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, had this to say, “Our organization being inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame is an outstanding achievement that truly recognizes the impact the Motorcycle Riders Foundation has had on the National and International motorcyclists’ rights scene over the past four decades. It is truly a celebration of our Founding members and the contributions of each Sustaining Member Organization, Sustaining Motorcycle Club, and individual members since the beginning of this movement. For this recognition to happen in the spiritual center of motorcycling makes it even more special.”

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like to thank Gary Sellers and Jiggs Cressy along with all of you that sent in letters in support of our nomination.

Lawmakers Head to the Exits in 2022

Thu, 13 Jan 2022 03:05:52 GMT

Happy New Year! As is the case every two years, 2022 is an election year for much of Congress. All 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and 1/3 of the U.S. Senate are up for reelection in November. Add state and local elections to that and literally thousands of elections will take place this year.

What’s been interesting about this year’s congressional races is the number of lawmakers who are retiring, and not seeking reelection. While every year has a handful of retirements, 2022 might set a record! As of this week, 37 Representatives (26 Democrats and 11 Republicans) as well as 6 Senators (1 Democrat and 5 Republicans) have announced they will be stepping down at the end of the year.

The reasons for retirements vary, some are seeking higher office, others are fed up with Washington D.C. and others are simply avoiding potential election defeat. Regardless of the reason for these departures, it’s surprising that nearly 10% of lawmakers are headed for the exits.

There are two important things you as a Motorcycle Riders Foundation member should take away from these retirements. First, if your elected official is retiring, have they been supportive of MRF priorities in the past? In the final months of their time in D.C., many congressional offices will change their tune on issues and be more supportive of topics they avoided in the past. It doesn’t hurt to reach out again, and push for MRF priorities before the lawmakers are gone for good. Ask the MRF D.C. team if we can help!

Second, with so many vacancies around the country, it’s a great time to get to know new candidates. Getting in on the ground floor and building relationships early in the process is one of the best ways to impact change and support your fellow bikers. In 2020, bikers in Michigan developed an early relationship with a candidate for office months before the election. That candidate won and became a U.S. Representative! She still fondly remembers the support she received early on from riders in her district. So get involved early and introduce yourself to the new crop of leaders headed to D.C.

Below is the current list of lawmakers departing their current positions. This list will grow in the coming months, keep your eyes and ears opened and stay up to date on who represents you in D.C. Reach out to the MRF D.C. team if you have any questions about the changing make up of Congress.

Alabama: Brooks, Shelby
Arizona: Kirkpatrick
California: Bass, Lowenthal, Roybal-Allard, Speier
Colorado: Perlmutter
Florida: Crist, Demings, S. Murphy
Georgia: Hice
Illinois: Bustos, Kinzinger, Rush
Kentucky: Yarmuth
Maryland: Brown
Michigan: Lawrence
Missouri: Blunt, Hartzler, Long
New Jersey: Sires
New York: Reed, Suozzi, Zeldin,
North Carolina: Budd, Burr, Butterfield, Price,
Ohio: Gonzalez, Portman, Ryan
Oregon: DeFazio
Pennsylvania: Doyle, Lamb, Toomey
Texas: Brady, Gohmert, E.B. Johnson, Vela,
Vermont: Leahy, Welch
Wisconsin: Kind

2021 Mid-South M.I.L.E.

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:26:14 GMT

Late last month, over a hundred bikers gathered in Dallas, Texas for the 29^th annual Mid-South M.I.L.E. event. Like the Midwest’s Heartland STEAM event, the Mid-South M.I.L.E. brings together bikers from neighboring states to discuss legislative priorities, share ideas and build relationships. Representatives from Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas, all participated in the two-day event. The “M.I.L.E.” stands for “Motorcyclists Improving Legislative Effectiveness,” and there is no doubt that the program in Dallas lived up to its billing

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) was proud to present a federal legislative update, as well as share tips and tricks on effective lobbying strategies. Other topics by presenters included: Five Steps to Freedom, How to Ensure Success at the State Capitol, Preserving Evidence at the Scene of an Accident and Motorcycle MythBusters.

Without a doubt, the highlight of the weekend was the dinner banquet, were Congress Michael Burgess (R-TX), the Co-Chairman of the House Motorcycle Caucus, gave the keynote address. Congressman Burgess shared stories about his history in motorcycling and his efforts to combat profiling and the expansion of ethanol mandates. Congressman Burgess was the 2018 MRF Legislative Champion of the year and made sure to wear his award vest during his visit.

Like similar events, the Mid-South M.I.L.E. left bikers energized and motivated to continue the fight to defend our freedoms. Thanks to the organizers who invited the MRF to attend and the volunteers who put on a fantastic event. As you might guess, the hospitality room was Texas sized with great food and drink. And it’s true everything’s bigger in Texas!

We are counting down the days until the 30^th Mid-South M.I.L.E. in Kansas next year.

The MRF Salutes Our Veterans

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Happy Veterans Day to the millions of veterans across our nation. The motorcycling community is stronger because of the hundreds of thousands of riders who have served our country. Thank you for your service in defense of our liberties!

“Veterans know better than anyone else the price of freedom, for they’ve suffered the scars of war. We can offer them no better tribute than to protect what they have won for us.”

President Ronald Reagan

Highway Bill Passes… a Year Late

Sat, 06 Nov 2021 04:06:17 GMT

After a 13-month delay and enactment of three separate extensions, Congress finally passed a surface transportation reauthorization bill. This bill, sometimes called the highway bill or the infrastructure bill, has been a hotly debated topic in D.C. for several years. Once signed by the President, the bill will reauthorize many highway programs, provide funding for road and bridge construction and replace the previous highway bill passed in 2015, known as the FAST Act.

Just a week ago, Congress gave itself a third extension running into December. Yet election victories by Republican candidates, especially a win by the GOP in the Virginia governor’s race, seems to have spooked Democrats, and motivated passage of a bill that has been awaiting a vote since the summer.

For the last two years, the House of Representatives and Senate have battled over transportation priorities and funding levels. In both 2020 and 2021, the House of Representatives passed versions of their highway bill, only to be rebuffed by the Senate. Under pressure from President Biden, the Senate finally acted, passing in August a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill. This action by the Senate, effectively forced the House to accept the Senate version of the bill or continue to pass short term extensions of current law.

However, pressure from the left wing of the Democratic party delayed a vote on the Senate’s infrastructure bill until an unconnected piece of legislation, referred to as the “human infrastructure bill,” was agreed to. That bill, called “Build Back Better,” had an original price tag of $3.5 trillion and effectively held the infrastructure bill hostage. After months of debate, and Tuesday’s election results, House Democrats agreed to vote on a smaller Build Back Better bill later in the month, opening the door to a final vote on the infrastructure bill.

At 11:27pm Friday night, the House agreed to the Senate’s bill and passed a $1.2 trillion 5-year highway bill, known as the INVEST ACT. The final vote in the House was 228 to 206, with 13 Republicans voting in favor and 6 Democrats voting against.

While not a perfect bill, there are victories for bikers contained in the 2,740 pages of legislation.
First and foremost, the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) will be reestablished with this new law. The MAC is a forum, within the U.S. Department of Transportation, specifically focused on motorcycle issues. The council is required to provide biannual reports to Congress on three critical areas:

Motorcycle and motorcyclist safety;
Barrier and road design, construction and maintenance practices;
The architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.

Importantly, the new MAC will have expanded membership of 13 members, including one designated member from a “National Motorcyclist Foundation.”

Second, grant money allocated to states through the Section 405 funds, specifically dedicated to motorcycle safety, will be increased with this new law. In 2021, approximately $4.2 million dollars was distributed to states for motorcycle safety programs. With this new law, close to $5.1 million dollars will be set aside for grants related to motorcycle safety programs in 2022.

Last year 45 states applied for and were given money for the education and implementation of motorcycle safety programs. The five-year length of this bill will see those funds continue to grow year over year, providing important resources to states for safety training.

Finally, the bill leaves unchanged hard-fought provisions from past highway bills. These include the ban on using federal funds to create motorcycle only check points and a prohibition on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) actively lobbying state governments on pending legislation.

It is unfortunate that it took 13 months from the original expiration date of September 30, 2020, to finally pass a new highway bill. This bill does not meet all the needs of bikers, but it does take some positive steps to ensure motorcyclists remain part of the transportation network. With your help, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) will continue to fight for motorcyclists’ priorities left unaddressed in this bill. Issues related to the profiling of bikers, autonomous vehicles and ethanol regulations are just a few of the areas that this bill falls short on. The MRF is committed to these priorities and remains the voice of the street rider in Washington, D.C.

Same Old Story…

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 23:34:34 GMT

For the 3rd time in 13 months, Congress will extend the deadline to reauthorize highway funding programs. The original deadline of September 30, 2020 was extended for a full year last fall. Last month, Congress kicked the can down the road, giving itself a 1-month extension that expires on October 31st. Facing yet another self-imposed deadline, Thursday night, Congress gave itself ANOTHER extension, this time running through December 3rd, 2021. President Biden now must sign the bill before the first of November to avoid a lapse in funding.

Over 3,700 employees in the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration would be furloughed without these stop gap funding extensions. Passage of a long-term infrastructure and highway bill remains blocked because of an inter-party fight between progressive and moderate Democrats on a host of issues.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) believes long term and stable funding for our nation’s transportation and infrastructure programs should not be continually deferred. The MRF remains committed to seeking long term solutions that advance the priorities of the nearly 10 million bikers in this country.

Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 10:30:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

October 22, 2021

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation released an interactive website with data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). FARS, which became operational in 1975, containing data on a census of fatal traffic crashes within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To be included in FARS, a crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a traffic way customarily open to the public and must result in the death of a vehicle occupant or a nonoccupant within 30 days of the crash.

Fatal crash data for motorcyclists and passengers from the years 2010 to 2019 is included on this website.

Users of the website can sort the information on fatalities by a variety of categories, including:

State where the crash took place
Crash Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
Month of Crash
Time of Crash
Helmet Usage
Alcohol Usage
Age and Sex of Victims
Weather Conditions
Single Vehicle v Multi Vehicle

While this information can be useful in understanding when, why and where crashes are taking place, it’s important to note that this data includes not just traditional motorcycles but also mopeds, scooters, minibikes, and pocket bikes.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation believes crash avoidance is key component of rider safety. There are zero fatalities in crashes that never happen.

To see the website and view the decade’s long data click here.

Chainsaws, Golf Carts, Lawn Mowers... What's Next?

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 01:05:32 GMT

Over the weekend, California Governor Gavin Newson signed a bill into law banning the sale of all off-road, gas-powered engines, including generators, lawn equipment, pressure washers, chainsaws, weed trimmers, and even golf carts. Under the new law, these machines must be zero-emissions, meaning they will have to be either battery-powered or plug-in.

This law is particularly concerning because of the status California holds within the national economy. The population and market size that California commands often forces manufacturers to react by changing products nationwide, to conform to California standards. Additionally, states with like-minded legislatures often follow with similar laws and regulations of their own.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is concerned that this action by California, will begin a cascading effect that will eventually result in the demise of the internal combustion engine and the fuel supply tied to it. During the legislative agenda setting meeting, held at the 2021 Meeting of the Minds, in Atlanta, Georgia this very issue was debated. Working with our state partners, the MRF is currently evaluating how best to address these concerns. The final 2022 MRF Legislative Agenda will be made public in an upcoming American Biker Journal.

To read more on the bill click here.

Congress Kicks the Can... 30 day Highway Bill Extension Passes

Sat, 02 Oct 2021 16:30:00 GMT

With the failure of Congress to pass a new highway bill, by the September 30th deadline, nearly 3,700 United States Department of Transportation staffers were furloughed on Friday. Most of these workers belong to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Without dedicated funding to operate, those agency workers were forbidden from coming into work on October 1st. Operations in these agencies, related to safety and construction projects, were halted as a result.

On Friday evening, in an effort to end the closure of these agencies, Congress passed an extension of the recently expired FAST Act. The 30-day extension releases federal funds so workers at the FHWA and FTA can return to work for the month of October.

An interparty fight between progressive and moderate Democrats created a stalemate on infrastructure legislation and produced the need for an extension.

This is the second time the FAST Act has been extended in just over a year. The original 2015 bill, expired on September 30, 2020, but was given a full 1-year extension, creating the recently passed September 30, 2021, deadline.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) remains engaged with lawmakers on this important bill. The MRF continues to stress the need for action on the transportation policy priorities of the nearly 10 million bikers across the country. We will keep you updated as events warrant.

No Vote... Deadline Passes

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 02:30:00 GMT

Late Thursday night, Congress failed to pass a new Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act by the required deadline of September 30th. This piece of legislation, known sometimes as the highway bill, or simply the infrastructure bill, provides funding for numerous road building and safety programs.

With the deadline looming, and the House of Representatives divided, no formal vote was taken. As a result, at least temporarily, many federal transportation programs must be suspended until either an extension of the current law is enacted, or a new piece of legislation is passed.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has been focused on the highway bill for several years. The legislation provides an important opportunity to shape federal transportation policy and ensure motorcyclists are not forgotten by lawmakers in Washington, D.C. The MRF remains vigilant in advocating for the priorities of bikers and will alert you as things change in our nation’s capital.

HIGHWAY BILL MOVING FORWARD?

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 15:49:17 GMT

On September 30th, numerous highway funding programs will expire unless Congress acts. Currently, there are two separate and dramatically different highway bills in Congress. These bills go by many different names but are often referred to as infrastructure bills by the news media.

The first bill, passed by the House of Representatives in June with a price tag of $750 billion dollars includes six priorities of the MRF.

Continued ban on NHTSA lobbying in the states
32% Increase of Motorcycle Safety Training Funds
Reestablishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council at the Department of Transportation
Increased restrictions on motorcycle only check points and the profiling of bikers
Inclusion of the types of vehicles stopped to federally collected data on traffic stops
Inclusion of the ability to detect and respond to motorcycles as a requirement of autonomous vehicle studies

The Senate bill passed in August, with a cost of 1.2 trillion includes just three of those priorities.

Continued ban on NHTSA lobbying in the states
32% Increase of Motorcycle Safety Training Funds
Reestablishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council at the Department of Transportation

There are four potential outcomes. First, the Senate can pass the House bill. This is unlikely as Senators have been forceful in their desire to take the lead on infrastructure. Second, the two chambers can merge their bills together, finding common ground. This too is unlikely as it is time consuming, and the deadline is fast approaching. Third, the House can vote on the Senate bill. Speaker Pelosi has scheduled a vote for next week to try this path. However, members of her party have voiced their concerns over moving this piece of legislation until they get a larger 3.5 trillion-dollar bill focused on what many are calling “human infrastructure.” If that vote fails the fourth option comes into play, which is another extension of the current law for weeks, months or years.

The next few days will be critical in the fight to make bikers a priority in our transportation system. Stay tuned and we will update you as events unfold in Washington, D.C.

Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 10:30:00 GMT

This week Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Joe Manchin (D-WV) reintroduced the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2021. The bill, S. 2736, ensures that racing enthusiasts continue to have the ability to convert motor vehicles into vehicles used solely for competition. This bill also clarifies that it is legal under federal law to manufacture, sell, distribute, and install race parts that modify the emissions system of a motor vehicle that is used solely for racing.

The bill is in response to actions taken by the EPA in 2015. At that time, the EPA issued a proposed regulation that would prohibit the conversion of emissions-certified motor vehicles into vehicles used in motorsports competitions. The 2015 proposed regulation also prevented the sale or use of emissions-related race parts for those modified vehicles.

An important component of S. 2736 is that it helps protect the aftermarket parts industry. A robust and thriving aftermarket parts industry is vital to the motorcyclist community. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is part of a broad collation of groups working together in D.C. on this topic.

As you may remember, earlier this year the House of Representatives introduced a similar bill, H.R. 3281, that now has 101 cosponsors. To see if your member of the House is a cosponsor of the RPM Act, click here.

If you’d like to read more about the Senate bill, click here.

Look for further updates and calls to actions on this issue before the end of the year!

See you in Atlanta!

Next week is shaping up to be another great Meeting of the Minds! If you make it down to Atlanta, be sure to introduce yourself to our D.C. lobbyist, Rocky Fox. Rocky is always looking to learn about what you are working on back home.

An important part of Meeting of the Minds is making connections between our members around the country and back in D.C. If you have relationships with your hometown Senators or Congressman, make sure Rocky knows!

Let’s have a great few days down South!

MEETING OF THE MINDS 2021 – FREEDOM ISN’T CHEAP, FREE, OR EASY!!! THE PRICE IS ETERNAL VIGILANCE

Sat, 21 Aug 2021 11:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 21, 2021

Freedom -- promoting and protecting the rights of all motorcyclists – that’s what the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is all about.
Thirty-seven years ago, a handful of bikers’ rights advocates met in a cheap hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, and from that first Meeting of the Minds came a commitment to be eternally vigilant in protecting motorcycling and the freedoms that motorcycling represents.

That commitment is just as strong today as it was thirty-seven years ago. Freedom isn’t cheap, free, or easy; the price is eternal vigilance. And sometimes eternal vigilance isn’t enough...
Protecting freedom takes personal commitments to be eternally vigilant. Sometimes it takes out-of-pocket money and giving up a weekend to learn what’s needed to maintain eternal vigilance.

Do you know that just below corporate America, motorcyclists, and their businesses, are the largest contributors to charitable causes? Do you know that motorcyclists give more to charity than they give to protecting their own freedoms?

Protecting your rights, your motorcycle and your lifestyle is what the Meeting of the Minds is all about. Isn’t it time that you gave something to yourself and the future of motorcycling? For the first time ever, the MRF is bringing the Meeting of the Minds to Georgia; and Atlanta is one of the easiest cities in the world to get to.

Along with eternal vigilance comes individual commitments. The MRF, along with ABATE of Georgia, ABATE of South Carolina, and CBA/ABATE of North Carolina, and a few hundred of your freedom loving brothers and sisters are committed to bringing the components of the 37th Annual Meeting of the Minds together.

With increasing registrations, the MRF requested the JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead to increase the reserved block of rooms held for September 23-26, 2021. Yes, rooms are still available!

It’s time to give yourself something beyond a weekend on the couch or mowing grass that’ll be covered with snow in three months! You don’t have much time left to make your reservations and join freedom loving motorcyclists from around the country at the Meeting of the Minds.

Missed Daytona? Too much fun in Sturgis? Too early to plan for Laconia?
While 700,000 fun loving attendees partied it up in the Black Hills of South Dakota, 650 bikers, industry representatives, and freedom fighters joined together to recognize the hard work of individuals who have gone above and beyond just riding motorcycles. They met at the Sturgis Museum & Hall of Fame Breakfast to commemorate and honor men and women who have gone the extra mile to promote motorcycling and stand up for the freedoms we love and enjoy.

It’s time to give yourself something that keeps on giving — something beyond a week-long party, something that will be with you as you stand eternally vigilant in the quest to protect motorcycling and the freedoms it represents.
How about 48 hours of in-depth workshops that will help protect motorcyclists’ rights beyond any over-crowded event in Florida, South Dakota, or New Hampshire? Join a few hundred of new and old friends and have something to show for it beyond a thin wallet and a hangover!

The September 10 cut-off date is rapidly approaching, for hotel reservations call JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead @ 404-262-3344 and mention MRF. For Meeting of the Minds registration, use this link: Meeting of the Minds 2021

Registration includes all workshops, workshop materials, and Saturday banquet. Registration questions call the MRF at 202-546-0983, or email Fred Harrell at fred@mrf.org.

Based on the input we received after Meeting of the Minds 2020, the MRF has “up’d our game” and this year’s event promises to rival anything we’ve done in the past few years. Keynote speakers are being lined up. Workshops are being finalized, along with a stack of legislative updates.

Eternal vigilance turns our goals to legislative accomplishments on Capitol Hill. Those successes don’t happen just because a hundred bikers meet with members of Congress. In our world, successes happen because you’ve taken the time to educate yourself on the issues, attend workshops, and stay active on behalf of motorcyclists’ rights. You are a keystone in the quest to remain eternally vigilant.

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you in Atlanta at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference!!!
Yours in Freedom,
Fred

Fredric Harrell
Director, Conferences & Events
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

P.S. A 2021 Meeting of the Minds t-shirts go fast. To guarantee you’ll get your size, reserve your shirt now.

P.P.S. Getting to Atlanta early? Then make plans to attend the MRF Board Meeting on Thursday, September 23; it starts at 8:00 a.m.

Highway Bill Passes the U.S. Senate

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 03:33:52 GMT

Tuesday morning, the U.S. Senate passed a $1.2 trillion dollar highway bill by a vote of 69 to 30. The bill includes increased funding for roads, bridges, safety programs and of interest to motorcyclists, the reestablishment of the Motorcyclists Advisory Council (MAC) at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Despite the efforts of bipartisan Senators including, Tammy Baldwin (WI-D), Marsha Blackburn (TN-R), Joni Ernst (IA-R) and Ron Johnson (WI-R) the bill fails to match provisions for motorcyclists that the House of Representatives included in its version of highway bill. Nearly 500 amendments were offered to the Senate highway bill. In that group of amendments two focused on motorcyclists, one that expanded protections on the profiling of motorcyclists at check points, and one that included motorcyclists in studies of connected and autonomous vehicles. Frustratingly, these two amendments were not given a vote, as the Senate limited debate on amendments. Allowing only about 20 amendments of the 500 or so offered to be debated and voted on.

The Senate version of the highway bill now goes to the House of Representatives where Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has pledged to not bring the Senate highway bill up for a vote until the Senate passes a separate “reconciliation bill.” This bill includes $3.5 trillion in spending on sweeping programs to address climate change, health, education, and paid leave.

At this point, there are three possible outcomes to the highway bill. First, the House passes the Senate bill with no changes and the MAC is reestablished. Second, a conference committee is created where the Senate and the House merge their two bills into a new final bill. This opens the door not only for reestablishment of the MAC, but also inclusion of the check point profiling language and autonomous vehicle language from the House bill to be included in a final bill. Finally, with the September 30^th deadline fast approaching, Congress could kick the can once again, extending the current highway bill for weeks, months or years…

Regardless of the potential stalemate in Washington D.C., the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is committed to sustaining the fight for motorcyclist rights. We will not rest until our voices are heard and our priorities are included in laws that protect our rights and safety. We will continue to keep riders informed of the bill’s status and advise you if any calls to action are needed.

MRF 2021 HOF Inductee Announcement

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 03:28:49 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 6, 2021

MRF 2021 HOF Inductee Announcement

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation announces the 2021 Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame Inductees.

This year’s MRF HOF Class of 2021 - Freedom Fighter Inductees are:

Butch Brown
Deb Butitta
Jim Dahling
Carol Downs

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, and 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 and Michael "Boz" Kerr.

Congratulations to all from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Board of Directors.

What’s All This Talk About Infrastructure?

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 11:00:00 GMT

If you have turned on the news, you’ve heard that the U.S. Senate is working on a massive infrastructure bill. It’s a complicated topic so the Motorcycle Riders Foundation thought you might like a cheat sheet.

As you know, every 5 years Congress is required to pass a “Highway Bill” to reauthorize many of the programs at the U.S. Department of Transportation. The current law expires on September 30, 2021, and without a new bill or an extension, countless transportation projects will run out of money.

In June, the U.S. House of Representatives passed their version of the “Highway Bill,” called the INVEST ACT. The INVEST ACT has nearly $550 billion budgeted for infrastructure projects. The House passed a similar bill in 2020 that died in the Senate, forcing a 1-year extension of highway funding programs, leading to the current 2021 deadline.

The Senate, late Sunday night, motivated by President Biden’s call for massive infrastructure spending, released a 2,702 page “Highway Bill” negotiated by a group of 20 bipartisan senators. This is a “Highway Bill” on steroids, as it almost doubles the amount of money the House has authorized, with a price tag in the $1 TRILLION range. After hours of debate the Senate will likely pass their version of a “Highway Bill” in the next two weeks. Since both chambers of Congress must agree to a bill, next comes the game of chicken…

Members of the House were not included in the negotiations surrounding the Senate bill and are angry that in the past two years they have passed two separate highway bills while the Senate has sat on their hands. Add to that a desire by the far-left progressive wing of the House to pass 3.5 trillion in “Human Infrastructure” under something called a reconciliation bill and you have a mess of epic proportions. Left wing members of the House have threatened to hold the “Highway Bill” hostage until they get a vote on a reconciliation bill that will include a laundry list of progressive priorities.

Things are getting messy in D.C. There are three separate battles currently being waged. One battle is in the Senate, where conservative Republicans are opposed to efforts by moderates to pass the $1 trillion infrastructure deal, giving President Biden a victory. The second battle in the House, where progressive Democrats are unhappy with a highway bill that was negotiated without their input but with the input of Republican Senators. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is a battle between the House and the Senate about who should be driving the agenda and who’s priorities should take center stage.

One thing seems certain, the September 30th deadline will play a huge factor. All the members of the House left D.C. for their August recess last week and will not return until September. So regardless of what the Senate does, the House will not be around to act until after Labor Day. This fall is shaping up to be a confrontation not only between Republicans and Democrats but also between U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives. Stayed tuned!

FACT OR FICTION - HELMET USE:

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 11:00:00 GMT

On a nearly annual basis the media in this country is inspired to report stories about motorcycle fatalities on our nation’s roadways. Invariably, these stories paint motorcycle rider deaths as a product of irresponsible riders who live in states that have some level of helmet choice. Frequently they report statistics that prove their narrative but fail to paint a full and complete picture. The lens with which these stories are reported often takes the naïve view that crashes can be made “safer” if only bikers somehow followed government helmet mandates.

The only true solution to motorcycle safety and reducing fatalities are proactive measures, which prevent a collision from occurring at all, rather than reactive steps that may or may not offer some level of injury mitigation only after a crash has already taken place. Rider education, which prepares motorcyclists to interact with other roadway users by learning and practicing the skills necessary for hazard avoidance and developing a strategy to deal with real world traffic, is the primary component of a comprehensive motorcycle safety plan. Additionally, educating all motor vehicle operators to be alert and free of impairment as they share the road with others is critical in deterring crashes caused by inattention.

When coming across these stories keep in mind some facts that are omitted from their reports.

Fact: Over the last decade motorcycle related deaths have varied between years but for the most part remain flat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data from 2019 shows 5,014 deaths, a decrease from the 2008 5,307 deaths NTSHA recorded. In that same time period registered motorcycles increased from 7.7 million in 2008 to 8.7 million ten years later. In other words, there are a million more bikes on the road and there were 300 less deaths.

Fact: Twenty-nine percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2017 were riding without proper licensure at the time of the collision. A valid motorcycle license includes a rider having a valid driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement or possessing a motorcycle only license. Proper training and licensing are fundamental parts of motorcycle safety, taking unqualified riders off the road is a commonsense solution to lowering motorcycle fatalities.

Fact: The lack of a helmet mandate in the 31 states who have allowed freedom of choice does not prohibit someone from choosing to wear a helmet. In fact, a 2019 U.S. Department of Transportation audit showed that states without mandatory helmet laws still saw 56.5% of riders choose to wear a helmet.

Fact: A 2019 U.S. Department of Transportation Fatality Analysis Reporting System report showed that in crash study data, where helmet use was known, 36% of motorcyclists killed were not wearing a helmet. Conversely 61% of motorcycle fatalities involved a rider wearing a helmet. The remaining 3% had unknown usage. These numbers closely mirror NHTSA data on overall helmet usage which shows 64% of riders wearing helmets.

Fact: Despite the constant drum beat from safety advocates, the media and Washington D.C. bureaucrats about the ills of helmetless riders, state legislatures continue to trust the judgment of bikers. Just last year Missouri passed a modified helmet law allowing the choice to ride without a helmet to those who are qualified. In at least three other states, West Virginia, Maryland, and Nebraska there are active campaigns to change their helmet mandates and let those who ride decide.

Proposed Transportation Bill Amendment Fails.

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Late Monday night, three Congressional champions for motorcyclists’ rights asked Congress to add language to a massive spending bill that would help protect motorcyclists from profiling by law enforcement. The amendment to a Department of Transportation funding bill would have prohibited federal funds being used to “Encourage States to adopt legislation, regulations, policies, directives or guidance to profile motorcycle riders, nor shall such funds be used by States to implement any activity with the primary intent of profiling motorcycle riders.”

The amendment failed, as the House Parliamentarian ruled it “not in order,” citing a prohibition on policies proposals like this being attached to funding bills. Of the nearly 700 amendments submitted, almost 400 other amendments were handed the same fate. Frustratingly, the Rules Committee members were not even allowed to vote on these provisions.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is disappointed that a commonsense concept like the one offered today was blocked by an unelected bureaucrat. Nevertheless, we will remain vigilant in our fight against the profiling of bikers. We thank Representative Tim Walberg (Michigan), Representative Michael Burgess (Texas) and Representative Troy Balderson (Ohio) for drafting the amendment and seeking ways to combat the profiling of bikers in the country.

Additionally, the MRF would like to thank the other members of the House Rules Committee who expressed support for the amendment including Rep. Cole (Oklahoma), Rep. Reschenthaler (Pennsylvania) and Rep. Fischbach (Minnesota).

All bikers should thank their fellow riders from Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas who lobbied members of the committee to pass this amendment. Rest assured that the MRF will continue to fight in the halls of Congress until lawmakers act on this important issue.

MRF Flash Alert!

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:30:00 GMT

Next week the House of Representatives will vote on a bill to fund several transportation related agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), for fiscal year 2022. To ensure the federal government protects the rights of all motorcyclists, three members of the House of Representatives are offering an amendment to the transportation funding bill. Congressman Tim Walberg of Michigan, Congressman Troy Balderson of Ohio and Congressman Michael Burgess of Texas have submitted the following amendment to the House Rules Committees for consideration on Monday. The amendment states:

“None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for activities intended to encourage states to adopt legislation, regulations, policies, directives or guidance to profile motorcycle riders, nor shall such funds be used by States to implement any activity with the primary intent of profiling motorcycle riders.”

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is committed to pursuing all avenues to end biker profiling in this country. The MRF worked hand in hand with these Members of Congress on similar language in 2019 and again this year.

How can you help? This amendment is being considered by the House Rules Committee, a very small committee with only 13 members. If one of these 13 lawmakers is your Representative, please contact Rocky Fox, the MRF lobbyist in D.C., at wfox@hbstrategies.us to learn how you can help!

Chairman Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-OK)
Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-CA)
Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX)
Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO)
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA)
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN)
Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA)
Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY)
Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA)
Rep. Deborah K. Ross (D-NC)
Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO)

If you are unsure who your member of Congress is click here to find out.

To see the official version of amendment click here.

Ethanol in the Courts and in Congress

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 11:00:00 GMT

In the last few weeks, the ethanol industry has suffered two major court case defeats. Earlier this month, the D.C. Court of Appeals struck down the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule allowing for year-round sales of E15. In May 2019 the EPA issued a rule change ending a summer ban on the sale of E15 blend. Provisions of the Clean Air Act have prohibited the sale of certain fuels with a higher volatility from June 1 through Sept. 15, including E15. The court ruled that Congress did not intend to allow ethanol blends higher than 10% to be sold year-round and that the EPA overstepped its authority by implementing the change.

Not surprisingly, in response to the court ruling, a bipartisan group of lawmakers from major corn producing states introduced a bill Wednesday that aims to allow the year-round sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol. U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) and U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced bipartisan bills to permit the year-round sale of E15. The bill was cosponsored in the Senate by Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Tina Smith (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD). In the House Representatives, Cindy Axne (D-IA), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Dusty Johnson (R- SD) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) were all original cosponsors of the bill.

This legislation faces a tough road ahead in Congress with a diverse set of stakeholders and lawmakers opposed to increased ethanol mandates. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation applauds the court for striking down the year-round mandate and will work with like-minded groups to oppose legislation that would reopen the door to the year-round sale of E15.

To read what pro ethanol Senators are saying about their bill and the need for year-round E15 click here. To read what pro ethanol Representatives are saying on the topic click here.

Also in June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of a small Wyoming refinery that had previously been granted waivers from the EPA to comply with blending requirements of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The RFS, passed by Congress over a decade ago, recognized that small refiners face unique economic challenges to comply with ethanol blending requirements.

Congress delayed implementation of some requirements for small refiners and created a waiver process run by the EPA. During the Trump Administration the number of waivers given to refineries increased greatly and the ethanol industry sued to rescind some of the waivers. The decision by the Supreme Court last month opens the door for continued use of these waivers by refiners to avoid blending their fuel with ethanol.

Right to Repair

Thu, 15 Jul 2021 10:00:00 GMT

This month, as part of a massive roll out of over 70 Executive Orders, President Biden included a directive to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding “right to repair.” President Biden’s order encourages the FTC to “exercise statutory rulemaking authority, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, in areas such as:unfair anti-competitive restrictions on third-party repair or self-repair of items.”

The right to repair is a concept that allows consumers the power to repair products themselves or choose a third-party provider to make repairs, instead of going through the manufacturer. Consumer advocates and a variety of industries have long battled over the idea of right to repair. Industries traditionally opposed to right to repair include: the computer industry, appliance manufacturers, farm equipment companies and automakers.

This action by the Biden Administration comes on the heels of a bipartisan FTC report in May entitled “Nixing the Fix” that concluded “there is scant evidence to support manufacturers’ justifications for repair restrictions.” In support of the order the White House stated that companies’ restrictions on “the distribution of parts, diagnostics, and repair tools” makes repairs more expensive and time-consuming for the end user.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) believes that the ability of individuals and third-party vendors to replace and repair products is an important part of the motorcycle ecosystem. A vibrant after-market industry is critical to sustaining motorcycling in this country. The right to repair has been, and remains, a key part of the MRF legislative agenda. We applaud the efforts of the Biden Administration to protect consumers rights.

To read more about President Biden’s Executive Orders click here

To read about the Federal Trade Commission report on right to repair click here

MEETING OF THE MINDS 2021 -- Sixty days is cutting it close

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

July 14, 2021

MEETING OF THE MINDS 2021 -- Sixty days is cutting it close

September 10, 2021, the rapidly approaching cut-off date for hotel and registration for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s 37th Annual Meeting of the Minds conference is too close to put off any longer.

Think about the past sixty days… After nearly 18 months, the country was just starting to come out of its pandemic cocoon. The MRF was putting finishing touches on what turned out to be a very successful Bikers Inside the Beltway, you were watching the early sprouts from your gardening endeavors, taken your favorite ride for a longer ride than the winter allowed, and were thinking about a large get-together for Independence Day.

Now with just sixty days remaining before the registration cut-off, you’re cleaning up after your July 4th celebrations, thinking about a long weekend ride, or maybe even a ride to Sturgis. If you’re getting this electronically, then you don’t even have to get up off your chair to register. Use this link to register: Meeting of the Minds 2021

Based on the input we received after Meeting of the Minds 2020, the MRF has “up’d our game” and this year’s event promises to rival anything we’ve done in the past few years.

The Meeting of the Minds, with a little more than 48 hours for keynote speakers, dynamic presentations, and at least 12 workshops, will keep you busy from the time you check in until you’ve checked out. Plus, you’ll still be sorting through your notes and the material long after you’ve returned home!

Although we jam a lot into the Meeting of the Minds weekend, there’s always time for you to network with new and old friends. That’s an added benefit when 400 motorcyclists’ rights advocates are in the same place at once.

If you’ve been following the MRF’s successes in Washington, D.C., then you know that those successes don’t happen just because a hundred bikers meet with members of Congress. In our world, successes happen because you’ve taken the time to educate yourself on the issues, attend workshops and stay active on behalf of motorcyclists’ rights.

If our history repeats itself, we’ll have workshops with standing room only. We’ll have keynote speakers and presentations that will enlighten, entertain, and provoke you into even stronger commitments to the fight to protect motorcycling and the freedoms we enjoy.

Don’t cut it close. Follow these three steps and register today for the 37th Annual Meeting of the Minds.

Make your travel arrangements.
Make your hotel arrangements: J W Marriott Atlanta Buckhead 404-262-3344 & mention MRF. Cut-off is September 10, 2021.
Register for MOTM 2021 using this link: Meeting of the Minds 2021

Yeah, you still have a little time before the pre-registration cut-off for the37th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference!!! Registration includes all workshops, workshop materials, and Saturday banquet. Registration questions call the MRF at 202-546-0983, or email Fred Harrell at fred@mrf.org.

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you September 23-26, at the JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, for the 37thAnnual Meeting of the Minds Conference!!!

Yours in Freedom,

Fredric Harrell
Director, Conferences & Events
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

P.S. A 2021 Meeting of the Minds t-shirt on your list? They go fast at the conference; to guarantee you’ll get your size, reserve your shirt now.

P.P.S. Getting in early? Then make plans to attend the MRF Board Meeting on Thursday, September 23; it starts at 8:00 a.m.

Autonomous Vehicle Crash Data

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 11:00:00 GMT

This week the federal government took an important step in the oversight of autonomous vehicles on our nation’s roadways. Under an order issued Tuesday, manufacturers of autonomous vehicles must disclose data about crashes involving this new technology. The Motorcycle Riders Foundations applauds the Department of Transportation for implementing this commonsense policy which will protect all Americans.

As reported by Bloomberg news:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is ordering car manufacturers to disclose crashes involving automated driving systems as part of an effort to monitor safety of new technologies being used on the nation’s roads.

The agency announced Tuesday it is issuing an order requiring crash reporting from manufacturers and operators of vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, including those that can perform driver tasks such as steering, changing speeds and switching lanes.

NHTSA said the action would allow regulators “to collect information necessary for the agency to play its role in keeping Americans safe on the roadways, even as the technology deployed on the nation’s roads continues to evolve.”

“By mandating crash reporting, the agency will have access to critical data that will help quickly identify safety issues that could emerge in these automated systems,” Steven Cliff, NHTSA’s acting administrator, said in a statement. “In fact, gathering data will help instill public confidence that the federal government is closely overseeing the safety of automated vehicles.”

The reporting requirement applies to automated driver assist systems that meet SAE International’s Level 2 automation, the agency said. SAE International, which is an automotive engineering association, crafted self-driving definitions that were later adopted by NHTSA. They used to be named the Society of Automotive Engineers.

To read the official NHTSA release here.

Highway Bill Passes First Hurdle in the House

Fri, 11 Jun 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Legislation authorizing roughly $547 billion for highways and other surface transportation over five years advanced in a House panel, despite opposition from Republicans who objected to what they called Green New Deal climate initiatives.

The legislation (H.R. 3684) would authorize $343 billion for roads, bridges, and safety, $95 billion for passenger and freight rail, and $109 billion for transit. It aligns with many of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure priorities.

Working into the wee hours on amendments, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee adjourned early Thursday after approving the measure on a 38-26 vote. Only Republicans Brian Fitzpatrick (Pennsylvania) and Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (Puerto Rico) voted with Democrats in support of the bill.

Included in the bill were three motorcycle related priorities that also made it into the 2020 version of this same bill.

1) Expanded prohibition on motorcycle only check points, including prohibiting using the clothing or apparel of riders or their passengers to profile or target bikers.
2) Reestablishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council, which gives bikers a voice within the Federal Highway Administration. Included in the bill, a seat on the council is specifically designated for a “representative of a national motorcycle foundation.”
3) Inclusion of motorcycles as a specific category that autonomous vehicle studies must account for during the testing of this new technology. Additionally, a motorcyclist rights organization is assigned a seat on an autonomous vehicle working group at the U.S.

The House Ways and Means Committee now must take up the bill to determine the funding mechanism for the $547 billion the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee just authorized. The full House of Representatives is expected to vote on final passage in late June or early July.

Pet Projects Return

For the first time in a decade “earmarks” returned to the House of Representatives. An earmark is an allocation of government funds directed at specific recipients. These recipients are determined by Congress and it limits the discretion of the executive branch agencies in dispersing funds.

In other words, Congress specifically says which projects get money and how much. This is sometimes referred to as “bringing home the bacon” or “pork barrel spending.” Individual lawmakers steer federal money back to their districts for specific named projects. The highway bill was long a baston of earmarks with the 2005 version of the bill featured 5,671 of them.

However, famous earmarks like the “Bridge to Nowhere” lead to criticism of the process and eventually earmarks were banned in 2011.

Earlier this year, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced that starting this year House lawmakers would be able to request funds for specific projects in the next highway bill.

Proponents of earmarks have long argued they help “grease the wheels” in Congress enticing lawmakers to support legislation because they have skin in the game. They also argue as Rep. DeFazio said, “The discretion to fund projects should not be reserved for State or Federal bureaucrats,” adding “Elected representatives know the infrastructure needs of their district and should be allowed to identify projects and advocate on behalf of their constituents in legislation.”

However, concerns about corruption as well as wasteful and excessive spending have led many to resist the temptation of earmarks.

The bill passed this week by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure included 5.7 billion in earmarks dedicated to 1,473 local project requests by lawmakers. The bill includes 1,067 projects from Democrats, 403 from Republicans, and three bipartisan ones.

With many Republicans in the Senate opposed to earmarks it is unclear if a final highway bill will contain the nearly 1,500 projects that were included in the House bill.

2021 Highway Bill Unveiled

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 02:48:50 GMT

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure unveiled its 2021 highway bill, titled the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation (INVEST) in American Act. As you may remember, every five years Congress is required to reauthorize many of the highway related spending bills it passes. The current highway bill, known as the FAST Act, was given a one-year extension last year and is set to expire in September of 2021. The bill introduced Friday is a key component of the major infrastructure spending push the Biden Administration has made a top priority.

For the last two years, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and its members have diligently educated and lobbied lawmakers about the need to include motorcyclist specific priorities in a new highway bill. These grassroots efforts were given a boost with the inclusion of three major motorcyclist specific items in the bill. The Democrat lead bill includes the following provisions in its nearly 1,300 pages of text:

Expanded prohibition on motorcycle only check points, including prohibiting using the clothing or apparel of riders or their passengers to profile or target bikers.
Reestablishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council, which gives bikers a voice within the Federal Highway Administration. Included in the bill, a seat on the council is specifically designated for a “representative of a national motorcycle foundation.”
Inclusion of motorcycles as a specific category that autonomous vehicle studies must account for during the testing of this new technology. Additionally, a motorcyclist rights organization is assigned a seat on an autonomous vehicle working group at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The road ahead for a massive infrastructure plan remains uncertain. Negotiations between the House, Senate and White House will be contentious and as always political. However, what is certain is that the work of MRF members has ensured that motorcyclists are being heard in Washington, D.C. and as this newly released legislation shows they are being prioritized.

May 19, 2021 - Taking Back the Hill

Wed, 19 May 2021 14:00:00 GMT

For the last 15 months the halls of Congress have been silent. Health and safety restrictions have all but eliminated the normal atmosphere on Capitol Hill. However, this week things began to return to normal. Bikers from over 25 states made their way to Washington D.C. and spent Monday and Tuesday meeting in person and via zoom with lawmakers and their staff. In many cases MRF members were the FIRST in person guests many members of congress had hosted since March of last year!

Bikers advocated on issues related to profiling, autonomous vehicles, the highway bill, ethanol and a host of other items. The action wasn’t limited to D.C. as MRF members who couldn’t make the trip spent the last few days meeting with elected officials and staff back home. In the coming weeks the MRF will put out calls to action on many of the topics we covered this week. You can help move our agenda forward by responding to these calls to action and build off of the great work done in D.C. But for now, enjoy some of the pictures your fellow rides snapped while in out nation’s capital!

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is moving forward with Bikers Inside the Beltway

Thu, 06 May 2021 18:25:18 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is moving forward to make the 2021 Bikers Inside the Beltway our most effective event ever. Thank you for your commitment to the MRF’s mission. Thank you for making appointments with your members of Congress

Have you registered for Bikers Inside the Beltway? It’s free but time is running out! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Have you made your appointments to visit your members of Congress? Make your appointments now in your district or in Washington, D.C.
Have you made your hotel reservations? Final date for hotel registration, May 13, 2021: 703-684-5900 Embassy Suites by Hilton Alexandria, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

See links below for Position Papers to prepare for the event.

May 3, 2021 - House Resolution 366

Mon, 03 May 2021 10:00:00 GMT

Last Friday, champions of the motorcycling community in the House of Representatives introduced a resolution addressing motorcyclist profiling. The resolution H. Res. 366 has three key points:

(1) promoting increased public awareness on the issue of motorcyclist profiling;
(2) encouraging collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement to engage in efforts to end motorcycle profiling; and
(3) urging State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcyclist profiling in written policies and training materials.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) applauds Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI), Congressman Michael Burgess (R-TX), Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL), and Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI) for introducing this bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives.

During the 116th Congress, a record 138 Representatives cosponsored a similar resolution to the one introduced today yet it failed to reach the House floor for a vote. This came on the heels of the United States Senate unanimously passing a related resolution in 2018.

Legislative action against the profiling of motorcyclists is not limited to Washington, D.C. Across the country, state legislatures are considering measures aimed at combating the profiling of motorcyclists. The MRF is joined by the Motorcycle Profiling Project, state motorcyclist’ rights organization, motorcycle clubs and individual riders taking a stand on this issue.

With the U.S. Senate on record on the topic and state capitals around the nation taking action it is imperative the House of Representatives follow suit and pass H. Res 366.

President of the MRF, Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard, stated “We thank Representatives Walberg, Burgess, Bustos and Pocan for their leadership on this important issue. Motorcyclists in every state are impacted by profiling. This issue isn’t going away, and it’s well past time for the House of Representatives to go on the record about the need to end motorcyclist profiling.”

Motorcyclist Advisory Council Bill Introduced - March 26, 2021

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 12:30:00 GMT

Motorcyclist Advisory Council Bill Introduced
This week a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced H.R. 2141, the Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act. The Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) was first established by Congress in 2005 and reauthorized in 2015. The MAC is responsible for providing advice and recommendations concerning infrastructure issues related to motorcyclist safety including barrier design, road design, construction, maintenance practices and the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.
This is the second time that lawmakers have introduced a stand-alone bill to reauthorize the MAC. Last year the bill was turned into an amendment and added to the House passed highway bill. That amendment and this legislation make common sense changes to the MAC. Some of these changes include:

Reauthorizing the MAC for six years. This ensures that the MAC has an established timeline for its work.
Requiring that the MAC submit a biennial recommendations report. At a minimum three reports on motorcycle policy will now be required to be submitted to the Department of Transportation and Congress for review.
Clarifying the membership of the MAC. This bill sets aside specific seats on the 12-member board for motorcycle riders and advocates. For example, one seat is reserved for each of the following, a national motorcyclist foundation, a national motorcyclist association and a national motorcycle manufacturing association.

The MRF would like to thank lead sponsor Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-WI) and original cosponsors Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH), Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA), Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Congressman Don Young (R-AK) for their leadership on this important issue to motorcyclists.

MRF President, Kirk Willard said “The bill introduced by Rep. Gallagher ensures that the nearly 10 million bikers in America are included in the discussion surrounding our nation’s transportation network. No conversation about our roads, bridges or infrastructure is complete unless all roadway users have a voice.”

Click here to read the official press release from Congressman Gallagher.

Country Roads Take Me Home

Last weekend Doc D’Errico, MRF Director of State Representatives Program, traveled to Charleston, West Virginia to join bikers in the Mountain State in support of a helmet choice bill. Senate Bill 77, introduced in the West Virginia legislature, would allow adults over 21 years of age with a motorcycle license and two years of experience to choose whether or not they want to wear a helmet.

Over 100 bikers gathered on the steps of the West Virginia State Capitol to show support for the bill. Lead by ABATE of West Virginia State Director Lanty Hammons, numerous speakers talked about the need for West Virginia to join neighboring states like Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Ohio and allow freedom of choice.

Local news outlets covered the event, and you can see their reports by clicking here.

Thank you to the bikers in West Virginia for including the MRF in their fight and thank you to Doc D’Errico who traveled all the way from Massachusetts to join his fellow riders in this battle!

BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2021 FLEXIBLE & MOVING FORWARD

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 03:03:00 GMT

BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2021
FLEXIBLE & MOVING FORWARD

The pandemic and the events of January 6 brought changes to meetings with members of Congress and large gatherings. The MRF has restructured Bikers inside the Beltway to comply with pandemic mandates and directives for assemblies. The 2021 Bikers inside the Beltway will take place in Washington, D.C., May 18.

“It is our right to address Congress” said MRF President Kirk Willard. “While attendees will need to take a flexible approach to scheduling meetings with their members of Congress, Bikers Inside the Beltway will take place as scheduled.”

New security restrictions necessitate that visitors to Congress establish appointments before arriving in D.C. The MRF will provide members with contact information to begin the process of setting your D.C. agenda.

Flexibility with appointments and expectations is a must. Some congressional offices will welcome in person meetings within the Capitol Complex. Other offices may seek meetings outside the official government buildings. Still others may only do a meeting over the phone or via zoom.

Bikers inside the Beltway will be dual-faceted to accommodate in-person visits to Congress plus visits to local offices.

To ensure that the mission of getting our message to Congress does not fail, here are a few items to consider:

Once infrastructure funding legislation is assigned a Senate and House number, that information will be shared.

Make your appointments locally or in Washington.
Familiarize yourself with the briefing points.
Confirm your appointment locally or in Washington.
Virtual or in person, make notes on your meeting.
Share your meeting notes with the MRF.

Although bill numbers have not been assigned to the infrastructure funding legislation, Congress has classified it as a high priority. Language that the MRF amended into the 2020 highway funding legislation has not changed. The MRF’s 2021 High Priority Objectives are on track to be included in the upcoming highway funding legislation.

A meeting of the MRF Board of Directors will take place on May 17 at the Embassy Suites, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, VA 22314. Rooms are available through the hotel direct line 703-684-5900 and use reference code MRF when making reservations. Hotel cut-off date May 13. Updated Flyer here.

A pre-event briefing and Q&A for visits to Congress is at 7:00 p.m., May 17, and is required for all attendees. Briefing packets and “leave behinds” will be available during the briefing.

Make appointments with your members of Congress, attend the MRF board meeting, briefing session, and Bikers inside the Beltway. Bikers inside the Beltway 2021 – flexible and moving forward.

The MRF pushed back on EPA about Current Ethanol Labeling Requirements

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 12:00:00 GMT

This week the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) joined other national groups in pushing back on proposed rule changes to current ethanol labeling requirements. Representatives of manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers of boats, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, and outdoor power equipment made clear that elimination or changes to current E-15 labels at fuel pumps would cause irreparable harm to millions of consumers.

In a letter to the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Administrator Michael Regan, the group stated that, “The misfuelling of marine engines and vessels, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, and outdoor power equipment places significant burdens on both the American consumer and product manufacturers. The risk to consumers is that they will experience product damage, compromised performance and emissions requirements, economic loss, and fuel leaks resulting in unsafe products.”

As a reminder, in January the EPA proposed elimination of the current E15 label altogether or the significant changes listed below:

Removing the “Attention” stripe along the upper right corner of the label.
Removing the phrase “E15” from the label, while including the language “contains up to 15% percent ethanol”.
Revising the language “Use only in” to “Safe for use in”.
Revising the language “Don’t use in” to “Avoid use in”.
Revising the format of the word “prohibited” such that it is not in bold and italicized type.

The MRF has long advocated consumer education to combat the increased prevalence of E15 nationwide. The letter to EPA points out that a recent survey shows, “Three in five consumers mistakenly assume E15 is safe for all their products.” Additionally, consumers should be aware that many manufacturer warranties are voided if improper fuel is used.

The MRF thanks the diverse set of partners that have worked together on this issue. Other signatories of the letter include the American Motorcyclist Association, American Sportfishing Association, Boat Owners Association of the United States, Briggs & Stratton, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, Motorcycle Industry Council, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, Special Vehicle Institute of America and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association.

MRF President, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard said, “Whether it be the boat guys, the chainsaw guys or the flying cars guys, the MRF will work with almost anyone when our interests are aligned.”

To read the full letter to EPA click here.

February 26, 2021 - Bridging the Gap

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 12:30:00 GMT

Bridging the Gap

Last weekend members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) attended a meeting of the National Council of Clubs in Gulfport, Mississippi. The MRF was invited to the event, entitled “Bridging the Gap,” to discuss opportunities for the motorcycle club community to work in partnership with the MRF on national legislation. The MRF gave two presentations, the first on our 2021 legislative agenda and the second on the outlook for motorcycling going forward.

The MRF was represented by Kirk “Hardtail” Willard (MRF President), Jay Jackson (MRF Vice President), Fred Harrell (Director of Conference & Events), Todd Riba (MRF Members Representative), Russell Radke (Director of Sustaining Member Motorcycle Clubs) and Rocky Fox (Government Relations). The weekend in Gulfport was the culmination of years of work by the MRF and clubs to find common ground on issues of importance to all motorcyclists. Specifically, Russell Radke should be applauded for his efforts to help foster lines of communication and collaboration between clubs and independents. Russell has spent countless hours spreading the word about the MRF and this weekend was a product of his hard work.

Thank you to the National Council of Clubs for the invitation to Gulfport and thank you to all those who fight for bikers’ rights nationwide.

Helping in the States

As State Capitols around the country become busy with legislative activity numerous motorcycle specific bills are being considered. Recently ABATE of Maryland reached out to the MRF seeking testimony in support of a new helmet choice bill introduced in the Maryland State Senate.

The MRF submitted both written testimony and testified via Zoom in support of SB 712 - Vehicle Laws- Protective Headgear Requirement for Motorcycle Riders- Exception. MRF Vice President Jay Jackson spent Tuesday afternoon testifying before the Judicial Proceedings Committee.

We know that many other state motorcyclists’ rights organizations are addressing issues of importance in their state capitals. Whether it be another helmet law, as Nebraska is focused on or changes to ethanol as our friends in Iowa and Indiana are addressing, we at the MRF are committed to supporting the work at the state level. Let us know what you are working on back home so we can share with your fellow riders across the country.

To read the MRF testimony submitted to the Maryland State Senate click here.

February 12, 2021 Mr. Speaker...

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 12:30:00 GMT

Mr. Speaker…

Last month, Sherman “Sherm” Packard was elected Speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. Sherm has been a state legislator in New Hampshire since 1990 and a long-time champion for motorcyclists. In recognition of his longtime work on behalf of the New Hampshire Motorcyclist Rights Organization and all riders across the country Sherm was inducted into the MRF Hall of Fame in 2018.

MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, said “As one of the original motorcyclist rights activists in our movement and a MRF Hall of Famer, Lifetime Achievement honoree and John “Farmer” Eggers award recipient I cannot think of a better individual to represent New Hampshire and all motorcyclists than Sherm.”

Sherm isn’t heading just any legislative body either, he’s heading one with a massive number of members. The New Hampshire House of Representatives is the largest lower chamber in any statehouse with 400 elected members. It’s also the 4th largest legislative body in the English-speaking world! It falls behind only the House of Commons in the United Kingdom (650 members), the Lok Shabha of India (543 members) and the United States House of Representatives (435 members).

Jay Jackson, MRF Vice President added, “Sherm Packard was among the first in the motorcyclist rights community to become the ultimate grassroots lobbyist by getting elected to office. Now he has ascended to the highest position in the chamber, Speaker of the House. He is not merely a biker that got elected, he is a highly respected legislative leader that is also a biker. The people of New Hampshire, and motorcyclists nationwide, are truly blessed to have Sherm Packard representing them.”

Congratulations to Speaker Packard on this fantastic accomplishment!

New Members and Committees

With the election of nearly 70 new lawmakers in the Senate and the House, congressional committee membership is directly impacted. Not only are freshman members assigned to new committees, but current members can also jump to new committees. While numerous committees can impact our work in Washington a few specific ones are always at the forefront.

Below is a list of lawmakers that will be added to these important committees. They will join other elected officials who have previously served on the committees.

Take a look and see if your Representative or Senator is a new member of these committees.

House Energy and Commerce Committee – Jurisdiction over issues including autonomous vehicles and ethanol. New Committee Members:

Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND)
Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN)
Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)
Rep. John Curtis (R-UT)
Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL)
Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX)
Rep. John Joyce (R-PA)
Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-AZ)
Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL)
Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN)
Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-NY)
Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA)
Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA)

House Judiciary Committee – Jurisdiction over motorcyclist profiling resolution and potential police reform legislation. New Committee Members:

Rep. Cliff Bentz (OR)
Rep. Dan Bishop (NC)
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO)
Rep. Michelle Fischbach (MN)
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (WI)
Rep. Darrell Issa (CA)
Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-NY)
Rep. Thomas Massie (KY)
Rep. Burgess Owens (UT)
Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC)
Rep. Chip Roy (TX)
Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN)

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee – Jurisdiction over the 2021 highway bill. New Committee Members:

Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA)
Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux (D-GA)
Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL)
Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX)
Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA)
Rep. Kaiali’l Kahele (D-HI)
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC)
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY)
Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL)
Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA)
Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA)
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX)
Rep. Nikema Williams (D-GA)

Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee – Joint jurisdiction over the 2021 Highway bill and jurisdiction over autonomous vehicles. New Committee Members:

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D- CO)
Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, (D-NM)
Sen. Cynthia Lummis, (R-WY)
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA)

Senate Environment and Public Works – Joint jurisdiction over the 2021 highway bill and jurisdiction over ethanol issues. New Committee Members:

Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
Alex Padilla (D-CA)

Senate Judiciary Committee – Jurisdiction over potential police reform legislation. New Committee Members:

Alex Padilla (D-CA)
Jon Ossoff (D-GA)

February 5, 2021 - Automated Driving Systems (AKA Autonomous Vehicles)

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Automated Driving Systems (AKA Autonomous Vehicles)

Late last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a rulemaking process for developing a “Framework for Automated Driving System (ADS) Safety.” As part of the process public comments were solicited by NHTSA. This week the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) submitted a 6-page formal letter outlining our thoughts on the development, testing and deployment of ADS.

Building on past submissions to both Congress and the U.S. Department of Transportation, the MRF laid out important priorities that NHTSA should consider. Some of the main topics the MRF highlights include the need to account for the unique attributes and characteristics of motorcycles, cyber security concerns, liability provisions, the role of individual states, the need for public transparency, threats to the protected communication spectrum and the challenges of regulations keeping pace with this technology.

While ADS has promising potential, the devil will be in the details. How this technology is developed, tested and deployed will impact all Americans. We at the MRF will continue to fight to ensure motorcyclists are included in these discussions.

To read the full letter from the MRF to NHTSA click here.

SMRO Meetings Around the Country

January and February are traditionally the busy season for state motorcyclist rights organizations (SMRO) annual meetings. This year many of those meetings have been rescheduled, held virtually or have unfortunately been cancelled all together. While we know these are difficult times, the MRF remains committed to working with our state partners and participating in these events when possible.

In January, MRF Vice President Jay Jackson travelled to Bowling Green, Kentucky to attend the Kentucky Motorcycle Association/Kentucky Bikers Association Freedom Fighters Forum. Also, that month MRF lobbyist Rocky Fox traveled to Austin, Texas for Texas Bikers Legislative Weekend. This event was sponsored by the Texas Council of Clubs and Independents, Region 1 Texas Defenders and hosted at the Veterans Collective facility.

Both events included a number of speakers and elected officials discussing issues important to all motorcyclists. Elected officials from Kentucky included, Secretary of State Michael Adams, State Senator Jimmy Higdon, staff from U.S. Senator Rand Paul’s office and via video message Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Slider Gilmore from Iowa even made a presentation in Kentucky! The Texas event included a townhall style question and answer with State Senator Drew Springer. Texas also welcomed leaders in the motorcycle rights movement from California, Illinois, New Mexico, New York and Pennsylvania to Austin. Thank you again to the riders in Kentucky and Texas for including the MRF in these events and working hard to deliver results for riders in those states.

If your SMRO has hosted an event in 2021 please submit your pictures and details to communications@mrf.org so we can share them with your fellow riders across the country!

January 28, 2021 MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES HISTORIC FIRST

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 13:30:00 GMT

Atlanta, Georgia – The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, based in Washington, D.C., along with ABATE of Georgia, announced a historic first with the announcement that the organization’s annual Meeting of the Minds Conference will take place in Atlanta in September this year.

“The MRF has met several times in the Southeast. However, we have never had the opportunity to meet in Atlanta, and we’re looking forward to the occasion.” MRF Conferences and Events Director, Fredric Harrell announced at the organization’s 2020 annual conference in Indianapolis in September.

“ABATE of Georgia worked to meet the MRF’s conference guidelines and we’re reaching out to our neighboring state motorcyclists’ rights organizations for participation.” Donna Nunez, ABATE of Georgia Activities Director, said when the 2021 conference was announced.

This “historic first” will bring the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference to the JW Marriott Atlanta Buckhead Hotel, September 23-26 and will be the kick-off point for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s 2022 legislative agenda. Attendees are encouraged to make reservations as early as possible for this much-demanded conference.

Past keynote speakers at the annual event include, Keith “Bandit” Ball, former editor of Easyriders Magazine, Dave Zein, former Wisconsin State Senator, Paul Landers, Texas Freedom Fighter, Chopper & Slider Gilmore, Freedom Fighters & Motorcycling Safety Advocates, Mark Buckner, Former MRF President & current MRF Executive Director, among other notables who have added insight, levity and strong messages on freedom and individual rights to the MRFs annual conference. Conference agenda includes, but never limited to general sessions, 15 break-out sessions, safe riding demonstrations and awards banquet.

The first Meeting of the Minds Conference, held in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1985 witnessed barely 100 motorcyclists’ rights advocates and a very limited agenda. The Meeting of the Minds Conference has grown to over 500 participants from state motorcyclists’ rights advocacy groups in addition to representatives from Canada, the European Union, Australia and Liberia.

January 15, 2021 EPA Announces Rulemaking on Fuel Pump Labels

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 12:00:00 GMT

EPA Announces Rulemaking on Fuel Pump Labels

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a “Notice of Public Rulemaking” regarding labels on E15 fuel dispensers. In the notice, the EPA proposed two potential changes to the current fuel pump labels related to E15. The first is modification of the current label and the second is removal of the label altogether.

The modified label proposal contains these possible changes:

Removing the “Attention” stripe along the upper right corner of the label.

Removing the phrase “E15” from the label, while including the language “contains up to 15% percent ethanol”.

Revising the language “Use only in” to “Safe for use in”.

Revising the language “Don’t use in” to “Avoid use in”.

Revising the format of the word “prohibited” such that it is not in bold and italicized type.

The proposed total removal of the label would likely mean that Federal Trade Commission and the Clean Air Act regulations would have to be adjusted or accounted for.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is concerned that either of these proposals will lead more consumers choosing the incorrect fuel for their vehicles.

The MRF will submit comments to the EPA on our position in the next 90 days. Additionally, we will continue to advocate that Congress pass a law requiring strong labeling requirements. Consumers must know not only what they are putting in their vehicles, but also the potential harm different blends of fuel can do to their engines.

To read the full release from the EPA click here.

January 13, 2020 - AHAS Released their 2021 State Traffic Safety Rankings

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 13:00:00 GMT

This month, the Washington, D.C. based, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (AHAS) released their 2021 state traffic safety rankings(Report). The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is troubled that the methodology used in studying motorcycle safety takes the flawed view that safer crashes are better than no crashes.

The MRF has long believed that proper safety training of motorcyclists and education of other motorists is the most effective tool in protecting all roadway users. The MRF remains committed to working with our partners in the public and private sectors to ensure properly trained instructors impart skills that have a track record of creating safer riders.

Additionally, the AHAS report takes direct aim at the over 30 states that have freedom of choice helmet laws. Recent studies show the state with the highest motorcycle fatality rate (Mississippi) has a mandatory helmet law, while the state with the lowest fatality rate (Montana) does not require a helmet for those over 18 years old. In fact, the AHAS study shows that 61% of motorcyclists killed were wearing helmets at the time of the crash. It should also be noted that the absence of a requirement does not prohibit someone from choosing to wear a helmet. The MRF firmly believes that any attempt at a federal helmet mandate or blackmail techniques designed to coerce states into enacting a helmet law is unacceptable.

MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, put it simply, “Encroachment on our personal freedoms and attacks on individual state laws goes against the foundational principles of this country.” He added, “We all agree that deaths on our roadways are tragic but surrendering our freedoms in pursuit of safety is a dangerous path.”

January 8, 2021 - New Administration Names Transportation Secretary

Fri, 08 Jan 2021 11:00:00 GMT

Biden Picks Transportation Secretary

Last month President-elect Joe Biden selected former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a onetime Democratic primary rival, to lead the Transportation Department.

Mr. Buttigieg dropped out of the race in March and endorsed Mr. Biden along with other moderate Democrats. Leading the Transportation Department, Mr. Buttigieg is expected to play a prominent role in the incoming Biden administration's push to rebuild the nation's roads and bridges.

Mr. Biden campaigned on a $2 trillion plan to rebuild the nation's infrastructure, much of it related to transportation. Mr. Buttigieg would take over a department whose most critical functions are setting transportation regulations and distributing vast sums of money, mostly to states to fund their respective highway, road and transit systems. If confirmed by the Senate, he will begin his tenure, as pressure mounts for the Biden administration and Congress to reach a deal on paying for infrastructure spending. Congress faces a September deadline to reauthorize federal funding for highways, transit, rail, and safety programs. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle point to infrastructure spending as a way to stimulate the coronavirus-ravaged economy.

House of Representatives Fails to Pass Profiling Resolution

On January 3rd the 117th Congress was sworn in and all bills and resolutions not agreed to from 2019-2020 must be reintroduced. The MRF is disappointed that, despite over 130 bipartisan cosponsors, House leadership failed to bring this the motorcyclist profiling resolution, H. Res. 255, to the floor for a vote.

The issue of motorcyclist profiling continues to gain traction on Capitol Hill and the growth in cosponsors over the last 5-years is a testament to the work of individual MRF members and state motorcycle rights organizations. The first version of the resolution introduced during the 114th Congress had only 18 cosponsors. Two years later the version before the 115th Congress had 37 cosponsors while this version had 139 cosponsors. Additionally, the Highway Reauthorization bill that passed the House in July of 2020 included language that focused on motorcyclists profiling.

Despite this setback our champions on Capitol Hill remain in the fight. The leadership of the House Motorcycle Caucus has already reach out to the MRF about plans to reintroduce the profiling resolution in early 2021. The MRF remains committed to seeing the House of Representatives do what the Senate did in 2018, go on the record about the need to end motorcyclists profiling!

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org or call (202) 546-0983
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November 27, 2020 - FCC Spectrum Band Vote

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 16:00:00 GMT

RIDING FREE FROM DC:

Your Weekly Biker Bulletin from Inside the Beltway

Your Motorcycle Riders Foundation team in Washington, D.C. is pleased to provide our members with the latest information and updates on issues that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. Count on your MRF to keep you informed about a range of matters that are critical to the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle. Published weekly when the U.S. Congress is in session.

FCC Spectrum Band Vote

Last week the Federal Communications Commission voted 5-0 on a controversial measure that opens up spectrum band previously reserved solely for automakers. Spectrum is the range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used to transmit sound, data, and video across the country. For over 20 years a specific band of spectrum was reserved for automotive safety. The hope being that automakers would develop technology allowing cars to communicate with one another, thus creating safer roadways.

The fight surrounding the allocation of this spectrum pitted cable companies like Comcast on one side vs automakers and the U.S. Department of Transportation on the other.

U.S. House of Representatives Transportation Committee chairman, Peter DeFazio, called the decision “a gift to corporate interests at the expense of public safety,” adding it “will undermine decades of development and over a billion public dollars that the transportation community has invested in these technologies.”

During the legislative session at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Meeting of the Minds in September, ABATE of Illinois made a strong pitch to other state motorcycle rights organizations that this spectrum issue would impact the safety of motorcyclists nationwide. Following the lead of ABATE of Illinois, MRF membership voted unanimously to add the spectrum band issue to our list of “2021 High Priority Objectives.” The official stance of the MRF is to “Protect the set aside radio spectrums necessary for Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) vehicle to vehicle communications.”

We will continue to follow the issue and work with like-minded organizations to protect the safety of our roads. Thank you to ABATE of Illinois for their vigilance on this issue.

If you’d like to read the ABATE of Illinois statement on the topic click here.

Public Comments Sought on Autonomous Vehicles

As we at the MRF know, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has taken a voluntary approach to autonomous vehicles (AVs) without standards and regulations. This hands-off approach has worried motorcyclists, by allowing the private sector to deploy AVs with little or no oversight.

Last week NHTSA changed course slightly and asked for public input on a proposed regulation of autonomous vehicle sensors, how the vehicles detect other road users and infrastructure, how they plan routes and how they carry out that plan.

“This rulemaking will help address legitimate public concerns about safety, security and privacy without hampering innovation in the development of automated driving systems,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

Once the notice is printed in the Federal Register, the public will have 60 days to comment on proposed regulations. Before the deadline, the MRF will draft a response to NHTSA outlining the concerns of motorcyclists and now government agencies can ensure motorcyclists are accounted for in the development and deployment of this new technology.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Thu, 26 Nov 2020 15:06:58 GMT

November 26, 2020

Happy Thanksgiving

As has been the case with most holidays in 2020, things may look and feel differently this Thanksgiving. Whether you are celebrating with friends and family in person or virtually, we at the MRF wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. Now more than ever, it is important to reflect on the people and things that we are thankful for.

The MRF thanks you for your continued support and commitment to motorcycle rights.

“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.” — Tecumseh

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Announces Organizational Changes

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:00:00 GMT

November 24, 2020

For Immediate Release

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Announces Organizational Changes

The purpose of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is to be an independent, national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle. To accomplish this in the most fiscally responsible manner, the MRF has taken the following actions.

We have renewed our agreement with Husch Blackwell Strategies LLC for an additional year for them to act as our governmental affairs consultants. We will continue to be represented by registered lobbyist, William (Rocky) Fox.

We have also renewed our contract with JPK Services to provide administrative and office management services to the MRF.

We have entered into an agreement with DB Services to provide editorial oversight and publication services for the American Bikers Journal, our printed and electronic bi-monthly magazine.

Also, during our recent board meeting at Meeting of the Minds in Indianapolis the position of executive director of the MRF that was created by the Board in 2018 was filled. The Chairman of the Board Kirk Willard and MRF Vice President, Jay Jackson, recommended MRF Past President, Mark Buckner, be appointed to the position; the board unanimously agreed. Mark will focus on the MRF Corporate Strategic Plan, membership retention and growth, and the Corporation’s operational efficiencies. Additionally, the following MRF Officers were elected. Kirk “Hardtail” Willard to his 9th term as President and Board Chairman and Dave Cazel to his 2nd term as Treasurer. Additionally, former Treasurer, Frank Carbone, was ratified as an Ex-Officio member of the Board.

President, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard stated, “Each of these moves allows us to maintain an eagle eye focus on accomplishing the MRF Legislative Agenda while serving our constituency in the most financially sound way possible. Additionally, we are very enthused to have Mark return to the organization and lead the MRF Strategic Plans and our membership programs.”

November 20, 2020 - European Motorcyclists Face Threat to Ownership of Older Bikes

Fri, 20 Nov 2020 12:00:00 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has long partnered with the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) in the European Union. This week FEMA alerted the MRF to potential changes regarding end-of-life vehicle directives that could have a dramatic impact on European motorcyclists.

MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard stated, “Policy ideas that first appear in Europe have a history of popping up in the United States. The ability to own, collect, work on, and refurbish older motorcycles is a fundamental part of who we are as motorcyclists. We stand side by side with FEMA in their battle to protect motorcycle owners from changes to the end-of-life vehicle rules in Europe.”

Wim Taal, FEMA’s communications officer said, “Inclusion of motorcycles in the scope of the directive could also mean a serious threat to historical motorcycles. These bikes are especially dependent upon available and affordable original spare parts to keep them in working order. And who wants to see old-timers disappear into state approved demolishing facilities?”

Below is the full statement from FEMA and their response to the European Union on potential changes to European law.

Europe has rules in place for the collection and destruction of cars that have come to the end of their life. Motorcycles are exempt from these rules. That may change, if it’s up to the European Commission.

These rules are part of the End-of-life Vehicles Directive, aimed at the prevention of waste from vehicles that have come to the end of their life. The directive also tells Member States to set up systems for the collection and de-registration of all end-of life vehicles. The directive also pushes producers to manufacture new vehicles without hazardous substances (in particular lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium), thus promoting the reuse, recyclability and recovery of waste vehicles. The directive tells Member States to have all vehicles that have reached the end of their life ‘transferred to authorized treatment facilities’ to be demolished in an environmentally friendly way.

If motorcycles were to be included in the scope of the directive, that could mean the end of so-called home recycling. Recycling of motorcycles and motorcycle parts is an inherent part of motorcycle use. Home recycling, where you end the bike’s registration and take it apart for reuse of its parts, is a significant part of the motorcycle culture. Home recycling helps to keep bikes on the road with used spare parts, instead of using new parts that have to be produced from raw materials. As we did in the 1990s, FEMA still believes that the private reuse of motorcycle parts is one of the best ways to prevent waste and to prevent the unnecessary use of raw materials. This way, motorcyclists play their part in the circular economy as well as being environmentally friendly.

Luckily motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers are not included in the scope of the current directive, a position that was lobbied for by FEMA when the directive was written and adopted in the late 1990s.

The European Commission now plans to revise the End-of-life Vehicles Directive and asked for feedback (there will be a public consultation in the second quarter of 2021 and the Commission’s adoption of a revised directive is planned for the second quarter of 2022). As part of the revision of the directive, the European Commission wants to explore the need to have powered two-wheelers include in the scope.

FEMA responded to the European Commission’s request for feedback with the following statement and explains why in their view motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers should not be included in a new directive.

The Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) thanks the European Commission for the opportunity to give its vision on the revision of the End-of-life Vehicles Directive (2000/53/EC).

In FEMA’s view, the current Directive succeeded in preventing waste from vehicles, the reuse of parts from vehicles and improvement of the environmental performance of all economic operators involved in the life cycle of vehicles. We can also understand the need to extend the scope of the directive to other kinds of vehicles than cars.

However, extension of the working of the Directive to powered two-wheelers (PTWs) is less obvious because of the different nature of both use and build of PTWs. PTWs do not have a body like cars; they can have body parts attached to the frame, but this cannot be compared with the body of cars. Most PTWs spend the largest part of their live indoors and as a rule are used for far less kilometers than cars. Because of this, and because parts can easily be removed, PTWs seldomly reach the end of their life like other vehicles do.

Virtually all PTW parts can be reused, through a large network of specialized second-hand part suppliers throughout the European Union, or by users themselves who swap and change parts with other owners. Parts that are not reused are recycled through local recycling schemes or sent on by second-hand part shops. There is no evidence of PTWs being dumped beside the road or otherwise disposed of in an inappropriate manner. Inclusion of PTWs could even be contrary to the aim the directive, by causing a problem where none exists now. In particular, the certificate of destruction may prohibit users from dismantling their vehicles for the purpose of reusing components. Furthermore, the administrative requirement on specialized second-hand parts businesses, which are generally small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), could mean job losses.

An exception could be made for electric powered vehicles (EVs). The demolition of EVs is specialistic work that should not be done by unqualified people. To ensure that the demolition of PTWs with a combustion engine can still be done in-house by the owners themselves or by SMEs, and to ensure that demolition of electric PTWs is done by qualified specialists, FEMA suggests not to include PTWs in the End-of-life Vehicles Directive but to draw a separate Directive for powered two-wheelers and perhaps other L-category vehicles.

If the European Commission does propose to include motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers in an End-of-life Vehicles Directive, FEMA would ask the Commission to ensure that the possibility of controlled in-house demolition remains possible (as part of a circular economy), either by including it in the Directive, or by allowing Member States to make their own rules and regulations for in-house demolition.

If the European Commission does propose to include motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers in an End-of-life Vehicles Directive, FEMA would ask the Commission to ensure that historic PTWs or PTWs of value to collectors or intended for museums, kept in a proper and environmentally sound manner, either ready for use or stripped into parts, do not fall within the scope of this Directive.

November 19, 2020 - Picture Time!

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 13:42:15 GMT

RIDING FREE FROM DC:

Your Weekly Biker Bulletin from Inside the Beltway

Picture Time!

Over the last few weeks MRF members and SMROs have had the opportunity to meet and thank elected officials for their support of motorcyclists. Below are some pictures of MRF members with lawmakers. Remember if you or your SMRO meet with a lawmaker take a picture and send it to us. We love seeing bikers talking motorcycles and politics with members of Congress!Senator Joni Ernst attending Iowa STEAM after receiving her MRF Legislative Champion vest.Congressman Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin being presented an MRF PAC check from MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard.Congressman Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin being presented an MRF PAC check from MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard.

Congresswoman-Elect Lisa McClain with supporters from ABATE of Michigan.

Getting Organized

The current session of the 116th Congress expires at noon on January 3rd. On that day, the 117th Congress will be sworn in. While the current Congress still has a number of items to deal with, planning for the 117th Congress is already underway. Last week, newly elected members of Congress (A.K.A. Freshmen) traveled to Washington, D.C. for orientation.

Over the course of several days, incoming lawmakers will learn about the mechanics of being a Representative or Senator including office budgets, personnel regulations and travel limitations. Freshman lawmakers need to set up offices both in Washington D.C. and back in their home state. There is no automatic carryover of staff from one lawmaker to the next, so offices will need to hire a full complement of legislative aides.

For many new members, the most highly anticipated aspect of the next few weeks is the Congressional office lottery. Based on seniority, all members of Congress are offered the opportunity to move to new office space. The most coveted offices on Capitol Hill tend to have views of the Capitol Dome, extra square footage or historical significance. While senior lawmakers rarely move offices, less tenured lawmakers draw numbers to determine the pecking order to pick from newly open offices. Just remember if you came to Washington, D.C. for Bikers Inside the Beltway in the past, the next time you meet with that same lawmaker it might be in a totally new office or building!

The most important activity of the coming weeks will be election of congressional leadership by both parties and the announcement of committee chairmen, ranking members and committee membership. While there may be some minor changes to congressional leadership it appears the same “Big Four” will return to their leadership posts in 2021. Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the House), Kevin McCarthy (House Minority Leader), Mitch McConnell (Senate Republican Leader) and Chuck Schumer (Senate Democratic Leader) should all retain their leadership posts. If you’ve been following the news, you know that runoff elections in Georgia will decide which party has the majority in the Senate.

Additionally, in the next few weeks the chairmen and ranking members of all congressional committees will be selected. The membership and ratio of Republicans to Democrats on these committees will also be decided. Seniority will determine which lawmakers get the most sought-after committee assignments.

The MRF will continue to track who ends up where and be prepared to take our message to Capitol Hill when the 117th Congress begins early next year.

The MRF Salutes Our Veterans

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:00:00 GMT

The freedoms we as Americans cherish would not be possible without the men and women of our military. We as motorcyclists are fortunate that so many of our fellow riders are veterans. The motorcycle community is stronger because of the hundreds of thousands of riders who have served our country. We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation wish all veterans a happy Veterans Day. Thank you for your service in defense of our liberties!

“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.” - Abraham Lincoln

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

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November 6, 2020 - How the Motorcycle Community fares in the Election

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 14:00:00 GMT

RIDING FREE FROM DC:

Your Weekly Biker Bulletin from Inside the Beltway

As votes continue to be counted and races decided here is an update on how some of our champions and allies fared on election day.

MRF Legislative Champions:

Senator Ron Johnson (Wisconsin) – Not Up for reelection in 2020
Senator John Thune (South Dakota) – Not up for reelection in 2020
Senator Joni Ernst (Iowa) – Won reelection to new 6-year term
Senator Gary Peters (Michigan) – Won reelection to new 6-year term
Congressman Tim Walberg (Michigan)- Won reelection to new 2-year term
Congressman Michael Burgess (Texas) – Won reelection to new 2-year term
Congressman Collin Peterson (Minnesota) – Lost reelection
Congressman Troy Balderson (Ohio) – Won reelection to new 2-year term

All four co-chairs of the House and Senate Motorcycle Caucuses were successfully reelected. In the Senate the co-chairs are Senator Ernst and Senator Peters. The House co-chairs are Rep. Burgess and Rep. Walberg.

Congressman Peterson, a longtime friend and ally to the riders in Minnesota was defeated. He has served in Congress since 1991. We at the MRF wish him well and thank him for his countless years looking out the interests of all motorcyclists.

Benchmark

One of the important things the MRF has done over the last two years is drive cosponsors to H. Res 255 regarding profiling. Not only does adding cosponsors help in passing the resolution but it is a great way to build new relationships with lawmakers. Additionally, it raises the profile of the MRF on Capitol Hill and shows us which Congressional offices have an open mind to our concerns.

As of election day we have 139 cosponsors of the resolution. How many of those will return in January for the opening of the 117th Congress?

Returning Cosponsors: 124
Defeated Cosponsors: 5
Retiring or Ran for Other Office: 10

Remember, as more votes are counted these numbers could change slightly. Nevertheless, we should see nearly 120 lawmakers who supported one of our main priorities returning to the House of Representatives next year.

A MRF Member in Congress?

On Tuesday, Lisa McClain was elected to Congress to represent the 10th District of Michigan. A handful of riders in Michigan connected with Ms. McClain early in the year, supported her during the Republican Primary and attended her victory party this week. Not only did they talk to Ms. McClain about motorcycle issues, they convinced her to join the MRF! In October she became an official member of the MRF and in January she will become a U.S. Congresswoman! Congratulations to her and the folks in Michigan for their hard work.

2020 Legislators of the Year

Fri, 16 Oct 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Last month, at the 36th annual Meeting of the Minds in Indiana, Senator Gary Peters of Michigan and Representative Troy Balderson of Ohio were awarded the 2020 Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Legislator of the Year Award.

The Legislator of the Year Award annually recognizes lawmakers for their commitment to advancing policies that support motorcycle riders across the nation. This year, both honorees are avid motorcyclists and have spent numerous hours on their bikes sharing the roads with fellow bikers and constituents.

U.S. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan is a founding member of the Senate Motorcycle Caucus and leads the caucus as it’s co-chairman. In his role on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Senator Peters has consistently fought to protect the rights and freedoms of motorcyclists. Senator Peters has played a leading role on legislation regarding autonomous vehicles. In public statements, meetings and during committee hearings, Senator Peters has made it a point that motorcyclists need to be protected during the deployment of this new technology.

“I’m honored to receive this award. There is no better way to see Michigan’s gorgeous scenery than by motorcycle. Through riding across Michigan, I’ve met people from all walks of life and had the opportunity to form a bond through a mutual love of riding,” said Senator Peters. “I’ve been proud to work with ABATE over the years to ensure riders always have a seat at the table. I’ll continue fighting for motorcyclist safety and ensure that we can keep riding as technologies on the road adapt in the coming years.”

ABATE of Michigan President Vince Consiglio said, “ABATE is proud to have its members ride with Gary on his annual ride across Michigan – and I can say firsthand Gary handles his bike well!” MRF President Kirk Willard added, “Autonomous vehicles continue to be a growing concern for motorcyclists. We are fortunate to have a motorcyclist, like Senator Peters protecting our interests.”

Also honored as Legislator of the Year in the House of Representative was Congressman Troy Balderson. Congressman Balderson represents Ohio’s 12th district, is a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and was instrumental in adding motorcycle friendly amendments to the surface transportation reauthorization legislation passed by the House in 2020. As motorcyclist himself, Congressman Balderson has displayed a keen understanding of the unique role that motorcycles play in our transportation network.

Upon learning of his award, Congressman Balderson said, “I’m proud to be one of the few motorcycle riders in Congress, as I personally understand the needs of riders across the country, including the thousands who live in my district. I’m honored to be named the Champion Legislator of the Year by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation; I’ll never stop working for the needs of Ohio’s fellow riders.”

“Congressman Balderson has been a true champion for our nation’s motorcyclists,” said MRF President Willard. “His work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has been invaluable to the protection of the rights and freedoms of the more than 8 million riders nationwide. We are honored to present him with our Champion Legislator Award for 2020.”

Since 2017 an award has been presented to one member of the U.S. Senate and one member of the U.S. House. Both award winners are presented, by their state motorcycle rights organizations, with personalized leather motorcycle vests. Below is a list of past vest winners. Congratulations to this year’s winners and thank you to all past winners for their efforts on behalf of motorcyclists.

2017 – Sen. Ron Johnson (Wisconsin), Rep. Tim Walberg (Michigan)

2018 – Sen. John Thune (South Dakota), Rep. Michael Burgess (Texas)

2019 – Sen. Joni Ernst (Iowa), Rep. Collin Peterson (Minnesota)

2020 – Sen. Gary Peters (Michigan), Rep. Troy Balderson (Ohio)

Legislative Agenda set during Meeting of the Minds 2020

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 13:30:00 GMT

Legislative Agenda set during Meeting of the Minds 2020

One of the most important events at Meeting of the Minds is the legislative strategy session. Each year, during this session, state motorcycle rights groups develop the federal legislative priorities for the following year. Items are discussed, debated and eventually voted on, with each Sustaining State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization (SSMRO) having a voice and a vote. Legislative priorities are placed in one of three categories, “High,” “Medium” and “Monitor”. These priorities will serve as a roadmap, for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Washington D.C. team, as we focus on 2021.

While you can see the full detailed list of priorities in the next American Bikers’ Journal, below is brief preview of the “High” priority items approved during the session.

Profiling: Continue pursuit of the House anti-profiling resolution mirroring the Senate version that passed unanimously. Build momentum for inclusion of anti-profiling language in other legislation.
Renewable Fuels: Advocate for targeted changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
Autonomous Vehicles: Advocate and monitor any legislation or regulations related to motorcycles concerning connected and autonomous vehicles.
Emission Regulations: Engage the EPA & Congress on any activity related to motorcycle emission regulations.
Definition of a Motorcycle: Educate policymakers and advocate for change to current definition, that better reflects the current two- and three-wheel motorcycle landscape.
Crash Avoidance: Continue to promote the theme of crash avoidance versus safer crashing urging NHTSA and the DOT to focus on crash prevention and rider education.
Helmet Laws: Oppose any mandatory federal helmet, apparel or conspicuity standards.
Black Box: Pursue legislative language that any collected or available vehicle data is the property of the consumer and in which the consumer has the choice to opt-out of having their personal data communicated to interested parties.
Surface Transportation Reauthorization (Highway Bill): Advocate and pursue legislative efforts that impact motorcyclists in the Highway Bill, now set to expire in 2021.

Remember, as part of your MRF membership you receive an issue of each American Bikers’ Journal (ABJ). Not a Member of MRF? Click here and join today! The next ABJ is where you will find more details on these specific priorities, as well as the list of over a dozen other priorities in the “Medium” or “Monitor” categories.

Looks like 2021 will be a busy year!

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation - The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

Motorcyclist Profiling Pushed in the House

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 21:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

Friday August 21, 2020

Motorcyclist Profiling Pushed in the House

Today the Co-Chairmen of the House Motorcycle Caucus, Rep. Burgess (R-Texas) and Rep. Walberg (R-Michigan), released a letter they authored to Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader McCarthy asking for a vote on the House floor of H. Res 255, the motorcyclist profiling resolution. Joining Reps. Burgess and Walberg as signatories on the letters were Rep. Balderson (R-Ohio), Rep. Peterson (D-Minnesota) and Rep. Raskin (D-Maryland). These five bipartisan lawmakers should be commended for seeking a vote in the House of Representatives on this topic. The Senate passed an identical version of this resolution in 2018 and action by the House of Representatives in overdue.

Click here to view the letter

In the past three Congresses similar resolutions have been introduced in the House. In the 114th Congress H. Res 831 garnered 18 cosponsors, in the 115th Congress H. Res 318 had 37 cosponsors, and in the now H. Res 255 has 138 cosponsors and counting. This continued growth of cosponsors demonstrates that the issue of motorcyclists profiling is not going anywhere.

Put simply, 32% of House Members are cosponsors of this resolution. It is time for the House of Representatives to act! We, as motorcyclists, demand our concerns and grassroots work not be ignored. We have spent far too long fighting this battle to be ignored any longer.

A vital tool in driving awareness and education of the issue with lawmakers has been the Motorcycle Profiling Project (MPP). For over 5 years the MPP has sought to collect data on the profiling of motorcyclists and use that data as a tool to change public policy. The MPP has been at the forefront of the fight to pass state laws on profiling. Four states, Idaho, Maryland, Louisiana and Washington have all passed state laws to address the issue in part because of the efforts of the MPP.

This year the MPP hit a milestone with 10,000th respondent to its annual survey. We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) commend the MPP for achieving this milestone. We at the MRF have used the data provided by the MPP to educate lawmakers and make the case that profiling is real and happening in their home states. If you haven’t taken the MPP 2020 survey yet, please click here.

Thank you to these five Congressmen and the Motorcycle Profiling Project for leading the charge on this important topic. Now get to work Congress and pass this bipartisan resolution!

MRF 2020 HOF Inductee Announcement

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 19:00:00 GMT

MRF 2020 HOF Inductee Announcement

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation announces the 2020 Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame Inductees.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to release the names of the 2020 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 25-26, in Indianapolis, Indiana. To include deserving activists from the motorcyclists' rights community that have already been recognized elsewhere, the class of 2020 Legacy Inductees are:

Dick "Slider" Gilmore
Charles Umbenhauer

This year’s MRF HOF Class of 2020 - Freedom Fighter Inductees are:

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

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, and Teresa Hepker.

Congratulations to all from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Board of Directors.

Ride Free from D.C. Week of July 24, 2020

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:30:00 GMT

SMRO’s Hitting the Phones

In the Senate, our focus the last few weeks has been on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. This is the committee with jurisdiction over most of the motorcycle priorities we won in the House bill.

Over the last two weeks, nearly 1,000 MRF members, who live in one of 25 states with a Senator on the committee, have answered our call to action. To reinforce our message with these critical Senators, SMRO leaders in specific states and your D.C. team have done conference calls with Senate offices. Over the last two weeks, nine states have participated in a call with Senate staff, pressing them to include our hard-fought motorcycle provisions in a Senate bill.

Special thanks to leaders in Alaska, Massachusetts, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin for taking the time to join these phone calls and make the connection between the riders back home and the lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

In the coming weeks, we plan on having other states join in this process. We are already working out the details for calls with leaders in Arizona, Colorado, and Michigan.

We are fortunate to not only have great leaders in these states, but great leaders throughout the country. Having the ability to tap into this talent is vital to our collective success in Washington D.C.

MRF President and Vice President Score Cosponsors

While the last few months turned our focus to the highway bill in the House of Representatives, we haven’t forgotten other priorities like H. Res 255 regarding motorcyclists profiling.

Strict rules regarding how the House has operated since the middle of March made it difficult to add cosponsors to legislation. However, recently the House has relaxed some of its internal protocols, making it easier to add cosponsors.

Late last week, we added our first new cosponsors since right before the pandemic struck. It’s fitting that the two new cosponsors were direct results of the work done by MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard and Vice President Jay Jackson.

As you may remember, Hardtail drove Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-R) home from the airport after the two ended up on the same flight back from D.C. last month. Obviously, 3.5 hours in the car with Hardtail did the trick, and the Congressman became the 7th member of the Wisconsin delegation to sign onto the resolution.

In January, Jay Jackson attended an event in Kentucky with the riders of the Bluegrass State. In attendance was Congressman Brett Guthrie. The riders in Kentucky and Jay worked their magic, and the Congressman just joined H. Res 255 as a cosponsor.

With these two additions, we now have 139 cosponsors of H. Res 255 the motorcyclists profiling resolution.

Longtime MRF Office Manager passes

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Longtime MRF Office Manager passes

We were informed over the weekend by her husband Bob that Beverly Waters Garrett passed away in Annandale, Virginia.

Beverly was our Washington D.C. Office Manager from 1994-2004. She worked with four lobbyists in that time; Carol Simpson, Wayne Curtin, Steve Zimmer, and Tom Wyld.

She was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame at the same time as Tom Wyld in 2002.

Of learning of her passing MRF Board member then and now, Fredric Harrell, had this to say, "Bev was another one of those true believers who we were fortunate to have had with us in the early days. She was organized, understood our dedication-and egos-and was able to work with us when money was scarce, and she did her job through thick and thin. We were lucky."

Our Thoughts and Prayers are with Bev's family and friends.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & how’d it get started?

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 12:00:00 GMT

After the repeal of the federal mandatory helmet law in the mid 1970s, and a vein attempt to start a national bikers’ rights organization -- A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments – many fledging state motorcyclist rights organizations took the ABATE name but focused on the matter at hand – modifying state mandatory helmet laws.

By the mid 1980s, a handful of motorcyclists’ rights activists, led by Michael “Balls” Farabaugh from ABATE of Indiana, decided that it was time to hold a “meeting of the minds.” Joining Balls on the original Meeting of the Minds Steering Committee were Jim Baker - Utah, Bill Durning – California, Bill Gannon – Massachusetts, Clay Johnson - Iowa, Nancy Lewis - New York, Sundance Mitchell -Texas, Rob Rasor - Ohio, Lee Richardson - Georgia, Jim Rhoades - Michigan, Howard Segermark - Maryland, and Linda Stewart - Florida.

With backgrounds deeply entrenched in the early days of biker right and freedom rallies, these men and women knew there were others across the U.S. with similar backgrounds and they reached out to find us.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & how’d it get started?

It’s time to learn about the early days of the MRF and see how we have transcended egos, lack of funding, and a never-ending siege against our rights, our motorcycles and our lifestyles. We held true to our beliefs, compromised without surrendering our rights, and have endured 35 years! Use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020. Hotel info is on the same site.

Meet legendary freedom fighters like Mark Buckner & Charlie Umbenhaur and new activists like Rocky Fox and Cathy Brush. Meet the future of motorcyclists’ rights as you’re introduced to this year’s Young Activist.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & how’d it get started?

In the mid-eighties most of us were no older than this year’s Young Activists Award recipients and yet we were not daunted by a “bunch of old bikers.” We came together in a cheap hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, and built lasting friendships, began the framework for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and were undeterred by the naysayers.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & how’d it get started?

By 1989 we faced another federal mandatory helmet law. We faced a total ban on “super bikes”, a ban on motorcycles in HOV lanes… and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation was barley two years old! It may go against conventional wisdom, however, as it is sometimes said, “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend”

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & how’d it get started?

“The Legend”? The shirt off the back of an MRF board member auctioned to a lady from Arkansas for $1,500.00!! And… another $300.00 thrown in for good measure for the limited-edition tie from the MRF V.P. of Government Relations!!! Yeah, that’s the fact. “The Legend”? A silver ring -- the center of a live auction bidding frenzy by two MRF board members, and when it was discovered there were two rings, the bid losing board member ponied up and bought the second ring for the auction price – well over $500.00!!

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & how’d it get started?

The Meeting of the Minds has survived 35 years. It has survived disharmony in the ranks. It has survived a budget so thin it looked liked mayonnaise on white bread. And now… we’ve endured the lockdown. We social distanced. And the MRF has never forgotten why we were founded – to advocate and protect the rights of all motorcyclists.

The 2020 Meeting of the Minds provides you with the tools to help protect your rights, your motorcycle and your lifestyle!!! Use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020. Hotel info is on the same site.

See you in Indianapolis!!!

Ride Free Friday - Lets Talk Highway Bill

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 13:30:00 GMT

“Show Me State”

Earlier this week, Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed legislation that modifies the current helmet law in the “Show Me State.” The new law, which will go into effect August 28, 2020, allows motorcyclists to ride without helmets if they are 26 years of age or older and have medical insurance.

For almost 40 years the motorcyclists in Missouri have been fighting for this change to state law. Congratulations to the Freedom of Road Riders, ABATE for Missouri and all those who never quit in the fight to let those who ride, decide!

Job well done!

Highway Bill Recap:

Otto Von Bismarck famously said, “Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.”

While we appreciate the quote from the namesake of the North Dakota state capital, we thought you might enjoy some of the stats behind the House Highway Reauthorization Bill. The timeline below shows how the bill evolved and how answering “Calls to Action” can help impact a bill as it progresses through Congress.

June 3: First Draft of H.R. 2 Introduced

864 Pages
$494 Billion Allocated
One MRF priority included: 402 Motorcycle State Safety Fund increases
569 Emails from MRF Members asking for broad-based motorcycle provisions

June 20-21: Transportation Committee Markup of H.R. 2

317 Amendments Offered / 57 Amendments Passed
3 Motorcyclist Amendments Offered / 3 Motorcyclist Amendments Passed
Three MRF priorities added: profiling language, autonomous vehicle protections, adjustments to the Motorcycle Advisory Council
131 Emails from MRF members to Committee Members asking for support of our 3 amendments

June 29: Rules Committee Consideration of Additional Amendments to H.R. 2

388 Amendments Offered / 170 Amendments Passed
1 Motorcyclist Amendment Offered / 1 Motorcyclist Amendment Passed
One MRF priority added: profiling language regarding data collection on traffic stops
1,513 Emails from MRF members asking for passage of the bill

July 1: House of Representatives Passes H.R. 2 by a vote of 233 to 188

2,309 Total Pages
$1.5 Trillion Allocated
Five MRF Priorities Included in the Final Bill
2,213 Total Emails sent by MRF members during the process

While this massive and expensive piece of legislation will undoubtedly be adjusted during negotiations with the Senate, having these five MRF priorities in the House bill is a great first step. Thank you to all riders who answered the call to action!

So What’s Next?

The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee is drafting their version of the Highway Reauthorization. Last week, we asked you to reach out to your Senator on the committee to remind them of the priorities that are important to motorcyclists.

To date, 868 of you have answered our Call to Action. If you missed our email, click the link below if you live in one of the states highlighted above.

Take Action

Antique Motorcycle Resolution:

Late last week Congressmen Troy Balderson (O.H.), Michael Burgess (TX), and Tim Walberg (MI) introduced House Resolution 1041. The resolution calls for July 11, 2020, to be recognized as “Antique Motorcycle Enthusiast Day.” The resolution recognized the preservation, restoration, and operation of old-time motorcycles in the United States.

For over a century, motorcycles have been part of the fabric of the United States. The innovation, cultural significance and economic opportunities created by the motorcycle industry is something worth recognizing and preserving.

On July 11th, the American Motorcyclists Association hosted its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Night. This resolution is a fitting tribute to all motorcyclists who care about the history and preservation of motorcycling.

To read the full text of the resolution, click here.

Ride Free,

Your DC Team

Missouri Governor Signs HB1963T - Including Helmet Modification

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 17:30:00 GMT

This afternoon, Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed legislation that would modify the current helmet law in the “Show Me State.” The new law, which will go into effect August 28, 2020, allows motorcyclists to ride without helmets if they are 26 years of age or older and have medical insurance.

Freedom of Road Riders Legislative Coordinator Amy Allmon said “Persistence actually pays off, on Tuesday July 14th at 1:30pm Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed our helmet modification bill. Freedom of choice in Missouri!” When asked for a reaction, MRF Chairman of the board, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard had this to say, “The Motorcycle Riders Foundation celebrates today with the bikers of Missouri on their victory of freedom of choice. It's incredible to realize the State Motorcyclist Rights Organizations have spent nearly four decades pursuing their freedom. Given today’s political environment this is truly rarified air. Ride free Missouri.”

Congratulations to the Freedom of Road Riders, ABATE for Missouri and all those who never quit in the fight to let those who ride, decide!

What's this "Meeting of the Minds" & Who's Involved?

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 13:00:00 GMT

What's this "Meeting of the Minds" & Who's Involved?

Over 300 motorcyclists' rights advocates representing a varied collection or state motorcyclists' rights organizations; a dozen motorcyclists' rights advocates who specialize in motivation, lobbying, communication, and all the nuts & bolts needed to build, strengthen, and hold organizations together in the quest to protect motorcycling and the freedoms it represents.

These individuals are from our shared ranks. They have "been in the trenches" of their home state legislatures and Washington, D.C. They have well over 200 years of collective motorcyclists' rights advocacy experience between them and "quit" is not in their vocabulary! It's time you met this list of freedom fighters and use this link to register for the Meeting of the Minds 2020. Hotel info is on the same site.

What's this "Meeting of the Minds" & who's involved?

Meet Charles Umbenhaur-- Kickin Ass and Taking Names – Pennsylvania's 35-year winning quest for freedom of choice is the workshop title, and it could just as well be an underscore of Charlie's accomplishments on behalf of motorcyclists' rights advocacy. With over 40 years riding and almost the same amount advocating motorcyclists' rights in Pennsylvania, a charter member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, an inductee into two motorcycling halls of fame (Easyriders Hall of Fame, Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame); recipient of two Lifetime Achievement Awards (NCOM and AMA); plus numerous other awards and recognitions for his years of advocacy on behalf of freedom and motorcyclists' rights. Charles Umbenhaur's workshop, taken from the playbook of his experiences, can be applied to any legislation supported by our grassroots organizations.

What's this "Meeting of the Minds" & who's involved?

Meet Brian "Skinny Bob" Clifford – Riding since the 1990s, but new to motorcyclists' rights in 2015 when he joined ABATE of Georgia because he "found a cause that blended his passions and skill sets." Skinny used his acquired skills from his experience with Habitat for Humanity International and fighting for housing rights for the poor to fighting for bikers' rights. Currently, he works for a nonprofit supporting military and veteran families. His workshop – Media Madness: How to Survive these Wild Times, without exaggerating the comments from his 2019 presentation at the Meeting of the Minds, "…is essential to the movement's future." Attendees will leave his workshop with 2020 media techniques and how to adapt them to drive membership, message and mission. This workshop should be "mission critical" for your SMRO.

What's this "Meeting of the Minds" & who's involved?

Meet Rocky Fox – Do not be deterred by his "zero years riding experience." Instead, look at his ten-plus years of experience as a registered federal lobbyist, plus his experience as a former staff member on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and a member of every SMRO he's visited, and know that Rocky is the non-riding half of our D.C. lobbying team. You'll be "Finding Opportunities for Policy Wins During a Crazy Year" as he brings you a summary of the MRF's legislative accomplishments.

What's this "Meeting of the Minds" & who's involved?

Meet Cathy Brush – Six years riding, six-year member of A.B.A.T.E of Illinois, newsletter and public relations coordinator, among other local and state offices. VP Public Relations of her local chapter of Toastmaster International, Cathy will bring 30 years of customer service experience to her workshop on making good public relations better with a hit list of Do's & Don't for great Public Relations.

What's this "Meeting of the Minds" & who's involved?

Meet Ryan Hubbard – Navy Veteran, 45 years riding experience, and 19 years A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois membership holding a multitude of elected offices including State Coordinator. With ongoing and extensive Federal Election Commission training, Ryan Hubbard's workshop – Political Action Committee? Why the Hell does a Biker Need One? will provide attendees enough reasons to form a PAC that they will wonder how their SMRO survived without one.

What's this "Meeting of the Minds" & who's involved?

Meet Dave "Chubby" Charlebois – Member of ABATE of Wisconsin since 1998, holding a host of state offices, including Executive Director since 2012. His workshop -- With Freedom comes Responsibility – takes our quests for freedom beyond the flash of daily headlines and provides attendees not only food for thought, but direction as well.

What's this "Meeting of the Minds" & who's involved?

Meet Mark Buckner – Active in bikers' rights since the mid-80s including four years ABATE of Colorado State Coordinator, two years MRF Board of Directors and six years MRF President and member of three halls of fame (Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame, AMA Hall of Fame, and MRF Hall of Fame). Mark Buckner's extensive business background gives him more than "street cred" when it comes to working closely with the MRF helping to facilitate the organization's strategic planning goals. His Meeting of the Minds presentation provides attendees with the same information tailored to helping your SMRO become internally accountable with a strategic plan that works!

What's this "Meeting of the Minds" who's involved and why?

It's motorcyclists' rights advocates coming together to meet old friends, make new friends, and hone skills that may have gone soft during the lockdowns. It's brothers and sisters knowing freedom and wanting more information on how to protect their rights, their motorcycles, and their lifestyles. Now's the time to use this link and register for Meeting of the Minds 2020. Hotel info is on the same site.

That's what this Meeting of the Minds is all about. We endured the lockdown. We social distanced. And the MRF never forgot why we were founded – to advocate and protect the rights of all motorcyclists. The 2020 Meeting of the Minds provides you with the tools to help protect your rights, your motorcycle and your lifestyle!!! See you in Indianapolis!!!

Let Freedom Ring – Independence day 2020

Sat, 04 Jul 2020 17:18:41 GMT

Many of the traditions that we cherish surrounding the 4th of July will be missing this year. Whether it be a cancelled parade, fewer friends gathering for a BBQ or a postponed summer road trip, we know this Independence Day be will different for many of us.

As author William Faulkner said, “We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.”

While the events and surroundings this 4th may be different, we hope that no matter how you celebrate, you take time to reflect on the cherished freedoms we have in this country. We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation wish you a happy and safe Independence Day. Thank you for your support of the MRF and for your commitment to defending the rights of motorcyclists nationwide.

And as always, RIDE FREE

BIKERS WIN BIG IN THE HOUSE, PREPARING FOR SENATE VERSION

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 11:30:00 GMT

Today the full House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, INVEST in America Act (Moving Forward Act), also known as the highway bill. The bill is over 2,000 pages and includes five beneficial provisions for motorcyclists.

At every step along the way, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), our State Motorcyclist Rights Organizations (SMRO) partners, and individual members have fought for the inclusion of these policy changes. The original bill included an increase in motorcycle safety funding; however, this was the only specific mention of motorcycles or motorcyclists. During the Transportation Committee markup of the bill, protections related to profiling, autonomous vehicles and the Motorcyclist Advisory Council were added via amendment. Finally, during the final vote on the House floor, an additional amendment was added that helps collect data on motorcycle profiling.

With the passage of this bill in the House of Representatives, focus will now turn to the Senate. The Senate will likely roll out its own version of a “highway bill” in the coming weeks. The House and Senate will then have to negotiate and compromise to develop a bill that can pass both chambers and be signed into law. Remember, the current legislation expires on September 30, 2020, so Congress must act to ensure important transportation programs are funded.

After the final vote, MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard stated, “I am pleased that in this massive 2,300 page piece of legislation passed today, the rights and freedoms of motorcyclists were not ignored. Let’s now take the same enthusiasm and passion that won us these victories to the Senate. Our work is not done, we must remain vigilant in the defense of these hard fought priorities.”

We at the MRF will fight to ensure that these hard-fought victories in the House of Representatives are included in the Senate’s bill. Thank you to everyone who reached out to their Representative over the past few months. These victories for motorcyclists would be impossible without the grassroots efforts of our members. Let’s celebrate our successes and get to work on making sure the Senate follows suit.

Below is a brief recap of the five provisions that the House of Representatives has now passed and included in this major piece of legislation:

Profiling: An amendment by Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-R) during the committee process changes federal law to prevent state and local governments from using funds from the Department of Transportation to “profile and stop motorcycle operators or motorcycle passengers using as a factor the clothing or mode of transportation of such operators or passengers.”

A second amendment by Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-R) and Congressman Michael Burgess (TX-R) added the term “mode of transportation” to a newly created grant program for racial and ethnic profiling. The program allows states to use federal money to collect data on traffic stops. Originally the only information that states were required to record was the driver’s racial and ethnic makeup. With this added language, states will be required to collect the “mode of transportation” of the person being stopped as well. Motorcyclists will now be able to review state data on traffic stops and determine if motorcyclists are stopped disproportionally by law enforcement. This amendment was a joint effort by the Co-Chairmen of the House Motorcycle Caucus and was added just hours before the final bill was passed.

Motorcyclist Advisory Council: Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-R) used the committee amendment process to re-establish the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) and make needed changes. The MAC has existed for over a decade and allows federal policymakers, state highway officials, and motorcyclists to discuss the unique demands of riding a motorcycle and how roads, bridges, and other infrastructure can be built to better account for motorcyclists’ needs.

Congressman Gallagher’s addition to the bill creates dedicated seats at the table for motorcyclists’ rights groups and manufacturers. It also requires a report every two years to be made to the Secretary of Transportation and Congress.

Autonomous Vehicles: During the committee process, Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-R) won protections for motorcyclists in the rollout of autonomous vehicle technology. The bill now includes specific language requiring that when the Department of Transportation conducts safety studies on autonomous vehicles, motorcycles must be considered as unique roadway users. Additionally, a newly formed working group on autonomous vehicles must include a motorcyclist safety group as part of its membership. As with the MAC, motorcyclists need a seat at the table when our safety and freedoms are being debated.

Motorcyclist Safety Funds: The bill, as first introduced, would increase the 405 safety funds made available to states for motorcyclist safety by $1,473,285 for the next fiscal year with increases through 2025. This is an increase in the program of roughly 34% over current funding levels. Under this bill, the total amount available to states in the next fiscal year would be $5,761,785.

First visitors back to D.C.

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Visitors to DC

At the end of last week, Steve Panten, Legislative Director of ABATE of Wisconsin and Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, President of the MRF, made the trip out to DC to meet with members of the Wisconsin delegation. Having missed out on Bikers Inside the Beltway, this was a great opportunity to remind the folks on Capitol Hill about motorcycle priorities.

Capitol Hill still remains on lockdown with most offices working from home and strict restrictions on visitors into the Capitol Complex. Despite these challenges, Steve and Hardtail managed three in-person meetings with Wisconsin offices as well as three calls with staff.

ABATE of Wisconsin and the MRF met in person with Senator Ron Johnson’s Chief of Staff and conducted a phone call with Senator Tammy Baldwin’s staff. The purpose of these conversations was to press the Senate to include identical provisions in their Highway Bill as those that are included in the House version.

Phone calls with the staff of Congressmen Mike Gallagher and Mark Pocan focused on thanking the two offices for their help on motorcycle issues. Congressman Gallagher was the lead sponsor of the amendment to the highway bill that fixes the Motorcycle Advisory Council. Congressman Pocan has been an original cosponsor of our profiling resolution over the past 3 Congresses.

Our team also had an in-person meeting with Congressman Brian Steil to discuss issues facing motorcyclists in the state and the current political environment in Wisconsin. With strict restrictions in place on office meetings, this one took place at a coffee shop down the street from the Capitol.

Our final meeting was with Congressman Tom Tiffany. Congressman Tiffany was elected in a special election earlier in the month as was just sworn into office a few weeks back. This was the first in-person meeting his office has held in DC since he was elected. ABATE of Wisconsin has made a point of personally meeting all newly elected members of their delegation and this trip was made with the main objective of meeting the new Congressman.

MRF PAC Breakfast

On Friday morning, your MRF team attended a private breakfast with Congressman Troy Balderson of Ohio. As you may remember, Congressman Balderson was one of the lead champions of our motorcycle amendments to the highway bill. At breakfast, Hardtail presented the Congressman with a check from the MRF PAC. This check was a way to say thank you for his efforts to protect the rights of all motorcyclists.

For over an hour, we discussed all things motorcycles. The Congressman even knew which Harley shop Tiffany stopped at to find a replacement part while riding through Ohio two years ago. Thank you to everyone that contributes to the MRF PAC. The PAC allows us to support our champions on Capitol Hill and gives us a relaxed environment to share ideas and stories about motorcycles.

A Story for the Ages

As we were finishing our final meeting of the trip with Congressman Tom Tiffany, we discovered that he and Hardtail were on the same flight back to Minneapolis that evening. After realizing that they live relatively close to one another, the Congressman asked Hardtail, “Would you mind giving me a ride home from the airport?” Not one to miss an opportunity Hardtail quickly said, “Sure!”

So, after arriving in Minneapolis, your MRF President chauffeured a newly elected Congressman 3.5 hours home. The only stop along the way was at a Jimmy John’s to grab a sandwich for dinner. It is still unclear who paid the tab for the food.

Needless to say, after over 3 hours in a car with Hardtail, we’re confident that the newly elected Congressman is fully briefed on all our motorcycle priorities and should be an ally for years to come!

We are a little disappointed that Hardtail decided to take his SUV to the airport instead of one of his bikes. Strapping a Congressman onto the back of a Harley would have made for an even better story!

Ride Free,

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & Why?

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 12:30:00 GMT

Thirty-six years ago, in a two-star hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, a handful of bikers gathered to “just talk.” Many of the freedoms motorcyclists enjoy today can be attributed to that first “Meeting of the Minds.” Without fail, the MRF has taken the commitment to protect those freedoms beyond “just talk.”

Now’s the time to use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020. Hotel info is on the same site.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & why?

It wasn’t until the third Meeting of the Minds that the original steering committee insisted on providing attendees with “How to” workshops with the nuts and bolts content that is now standard fare at all Meeting of the Minds conferences.

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & why?

How about 12 workshops? How about giving attendees more tools to deal with the pressing issues affecting freedom and motorcyclists’ rights? Profiling of motorcyclists because of association? Ethanol 15? Driverless Cars? How to use the media and public relations for our purposes?

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & why?

When every group in Washington, D.C., has a PAC, how about a workshop titled POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE?  WHY THE HELL DOES A BIKER NEED ONE?And in less than two hours, you’ll see why every biker organization advocating motorcyclists’ rights needs a PAC and you’ll go home with the tools to help your SMRO form one!

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & why?

Freedom! It’s blasted at you from your TV and screamed at you from the morning paper. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, with the Meeting of the Minds Conference, takes freedom seriously and beyond the headline grabbers with a workshop “With Freedom comes Responsibility".

What’s this “Meeting of the Minds” & why?

It’s motorcyclists’ rights advocates coming together to meet old friends, make new friends, hone skills that may have gone soft during the lockdowns. It’s brothers and sisters knowing about freedom and wanting more information on how to protect their rights, their motorcycles, and their lifestyles. Now’s the time to use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020.

That’s what this Meeting of the Minds is all about. We endured the lockdown. We social distanced. And the MRF never forgot why we were founded – to advocate and protect the rights of all motorcyclists. The 2020 Meeting of the Minds provides you with the tools to protect the freedoms you enjoy and get beyond the lockdown; see you in Indianapolis!!!  

HOUSE TRANSPORTATION BILL PASSES OUT OF COMMITTEE

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 17:27:28 GMT

Yesterday was a GREAT day for the motorcycling community on Capitol Hill. The House Transportation and Infrastructure passed out of committee H.R. 2, the "Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America Act" or the "INVEST in America Act." This nearly 1,000-page bill includes four provisions that both protect motorcyclists and acknowledge our unique place in the transportation system. The legislation approved Thursday night would authorize highway, transit, and rail programs through fiscal year 2025.

Remember, this is just the first step in the Highway Bill Reauthorization process. The House of Representatives still need to take a final vote on the measure, and the Senate has yet to introduce their version of the bill. The House plans to bring this massive surface transportation bill to the floor for a vote on June 30, 2020. The deadline for Congress to act on a Highway Bill Reauthorization is September 30, 2020.

A special thanks to MRF members and SMRO’s who called and emailed their representatives to support these amendments. These victories in Washington D.C. would not be possible without the grassroots efforts of our members around the country. Your voices matter, and with your help, we can deliver more victories for motorcyclists.

The MRF would also like to thank our champions on the committee who worked during the hearing, and behind the scenes, to protect and advance the priorities of motorcyclists. While not an exhaustive list, the MRF would like to thank: Representatives Troy Balderson (OH-R), Sharice Davids (KS-D), Rodney Davis (IL-R), Pete DeFazio (OR-D), Mike Gallagher (WI-R), Sam Graves (MO-R), Jared Huffman (CA-D), Chris Pappas (NH-D), Donald Payne (NJ-D), Harley Rouda (CA-D), Pete Stauber (MN-R) and Don Young (AK-R).

Below is a brief summary of the bill and its amendments that address motorcyclists' issues.

Autonomous Vehicles - Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-R) introduced a two-part amendment focused on autonomous vehicles and motorcycles. The first part requires that when the Department of Transportation (DOT) conducts safety studies on autonomous vehicles, the unique profile and characteristics of motorcycles and riders must be included in any study.

The second part ensures that a motorcycle safety group is included in the DOT working group on autonomous vehicle deployment. Motorcyclists need a seat at the table, so that our voices are heard.

Speaking on the topic, Congressman Balderson said, “As a rider, I have a unique perspective on how transportation issues affect the everyday lives of Ohioans. Our nation’s roads get us to where we need to go each day, yet they are crumbling at our feet. We need to make sure a broad infrastructure package addresses these needs and works for all Americans—not just some of us.”

The Balderson Amendment #21 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY and is now part of the final bill.

Checkpoints / Profiling – The provisions passed in the "Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act" known as the "FAST Act" in 2015 regarding motorcycle-only checkpoints were not changed in this bill. This means that states and local governments will continue to be prohibited from using federal funds to establish motorcycle-only checkpoints. This federal provision complements the nearly 20 states who have outlawed motorcycle-only checkpoints.

In addition to retaining the prohibition on funding motorcycle-only checkpoints, Congressman Balderson offered an amendment that would prohibit using federal funds to profile and stop motorcycle operators or passengers using, as a factor, the apparel they are wearing or their mode of transportation. This amendment is consistent with our anti-profiling resolution and would be an acknowledgment by Congress that motorcyclists should not be profiled because of what they wear or ride.

The Balderson Amendment #25 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY and is now part of the final bill.

Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) - Congressman Mike Gallagher (WI-R) introduced an amendment that would reestablish the Motorcyclist Advisory Council and create dedicated seats at the table for motorcycle rights groups and manufacturers. The MAC has existed for over a decade and allows federal policymakers, state highway officials and motorcyclists to discuss the unique demands of riding a motorcycle and how roads, bridges and other infrastructure can be built to better account for motorcyclists needs.

While speaking on behalf of his amendment, Congressman Gallagher said, “My amendment reauthorizes an important advisory council at DOT for the motorcycle community. Motorcycle usage has increased 25% since 2012 with nearly 9 million registered vehicles on the road. With this many motorcycles on the road, it is vital that this industry has a direct line of communication to the regulators.”

The Gallagher Amendment #116 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY and is now part of the final bill.

Safety Funds – The bill passed today by the House Transportation Committee would increase funds made available to states for motorcycle safety by $1,488,285. This is an increase in the program of approximately 35% over current funding levels. Under this bill, the total amount available to states in the next fiscal year would be $5,776,785.

MRF Vice President Jay Jackson commented, “Now more than ever, state rider education programs need this assistance to continue to offer quality programs to train motorcyclists.”

While we at the MRF are happy to see Congress increase the funding for state motorcycle programs, the increase in these funds only allocates approximately $0.67 per motorcyclist in the country. This is a good first step, but motorcycle safety isn’t something we should skimp on.

UPDATE: ALL THREE AMENDMENTS PASS COMMITTEE

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 21:00:00 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to update our members that all three of our high priority motorcyclist amendments have just passed with unanimous consent after being placed in a bipartisan en bloc vote during this morning's hearing. After lengthy negotiations between both parties, each side agreed to put 18 amendments in a single en bloc vote to help speed up proceedings in the markup of H.R. 2, the INVEST in America Act.

The MRF wants to thank all of our members and partners for engaging with their member of Congress to ensure the priorities of motorcyclists were addressed during this process. We will send out a full release later today on the hearing but wanted to alert our members who have been following the hearing proceedings over the past two days.

UPDATE: T&I Committee Adjourns For The Night

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 01:00:00 GMT

UPDATE: We know it's getting late, but your MRF wanted to give you an update on today's Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee markup on H.R. 2, the INVEST in America Act. After 12 hours, the House T&I Committee has adjourned for the evening. The committee has addressed roughly 100 of the almost 300 amendments scheduled to be reviewed during today's hearing. The three motorcycle amendments that we are focused on have yet to be debated and will be on the agenda for tomorrow when the committee meets again at 9:30 a.m.

Today is an exciting day for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and the entire motorcycling community. At 10:00 a.m. today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will markup H.R. 2, the “Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America” Act (INVEST in America Act). Sometimes known as the Highway Bill or Transportation Bill, this piece of legislation must be reauthorized by Congress every four to six years. The current Highway Bill, “Fixing America’s Surface Transportation” Act, also known as the FAST Act, expires on September 30, 2020.

The “markup” of the INVEST in America Act, is a formal process of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This allows all of its 60 plus members to offer amendments and changes to the bill before it heads to the House floor for a final vote.

The Transportation Committee is the largest in Congress and usually a place where bipartisanship is the rule, not the exception. Unfortunately, as has been the case in Washington over the past few years, partisanship has infiltrated the Transportation Committee. The INVEST in America Act was written solely by the Democrats who have the majority control of the House of Representatives. This has led to an unusual situation. Today, almost 300 amendments will be considered by the committee. Most of these will be introduced by Republicans, who are using this as an opportunity to promote their policy priorities.

As you know, we at the MRF like to say: “We don’t vote Republican, We don’t vote Democrat, We vote motorcyclist.” As today unfolds, there are four key areas, we at the MRF will be watching:

Motorcyclist Safety Funds
Motorcyclist Advisory Council
Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Motorcycle-Only Check Points / Profiling

Here’s a brief outline of what may transpire over the next several hours in Washington DC.

Motorcyclist Safety Funds: The INVEST in America Act as introduced would increase funds made available to states for motorcyclist safety by $1,473,285. This is an increase in the program of roughly 34% over current funding levels. Under this bill, the total amount available to states in the next fiscal year would be $5,761,785. While we at the MRF are happy to see Congress increase the funding level for state motorcyclists safety programs, this new $5.7 million amount still only equates to approximately $0.67 per motorcycle in the country.

Motorcyclist Advisory Council: The MRF has advocated for Gallagher Amendment #116 introduced by Congressmen Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin. This amendment would re-establish the Motorcyclist Advisory Council and create dedicated seats at the table for motorcyclists’ rights groups and manufacturers. The MAC has existed for over a decade and allows federal policymakers, state highway officials, and motorcyclists to discuss the unique demands of riding a motorcycle and how roads, bridges, and other infrastructure can be built to better account for motorcyclists’ needs.

Autonomous Vehicle Technology: Congressman Troy Balderson of Ohio, a rider himself, will offer Balderson Amendment #21. This two-part amendment focuses on autonomous vehicles and motorcycles. The first part requires that when the Department of Transportation conducts safety studies on autonomous vehicles, motorcycles must be considered as unique roadway users. For example, autonomous vehicle technology must account for factors like lane splitting, something unique that is only relevant to motorcycles. The second part ensures that a motorcycle safety group is included in the Department of Transportation working group on autonomous vehicle deployment. Once again, motorcyclists need a seat at the table, so our voices are heard.

Check Points / Profiling: The provisions passed in the FAST Act of 2015 regarding motorcycle-only checkpoints were not changed in this bill. This means that states and local governments will continue to be prohibited from using federal funds to establish motorcycle-only checkpoints. This federal provision complements the nearly 20 states who have outlawed motorcycle-only checkpoints in their states.

In addition to retaining the prohibition on funding motorcycle-only checkpoints, Congressman Balderson will offer amendment #25 that would prohibit using federal funds to profile and stop motorcycle operators or passengers, using as a factor, the apparel they are wearing or their mode of transportation. This amendment is consistent with our profiling resolution and would be an acknowledgment by Congress that motorcyclists should not be profiled because of what they wear or ride.

This markup is just the first step in a long journey that still requires the Senate to act and the President’s signature. As the day progresses, we will provide short updates on what is going on and how our priorities are faring. If you wish to follow along with today’s markup, the hearing begins at 10:00 a.m. eastern, and you can watch the live stream here.

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Highway Bill Hearing

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 13:00:00 GMT

As you know, we at the MRF like to say: “We don’t vote Republican, We don’t vote Democrat, We vote motorcyclist.” As today unfolds, there are four key areas, we at the MRF will be watching:

Motorcyclist Safety Funds
Motorcyclist Advisory Council
Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Motorcycle-Only Check Points / Profiling

Here’s a brief outline of what may transpire over the next several hours in Washington DC.

Autonomous Vehicle Technology: Congressman Troy Balderson of Ohio, a rider himself, will offer Balderson Amendment #21. This two-part amendment focuses on autonomous vehicles and motorcycles. The first part requires that when the Department of Transportation conducts safety studies on autonomous vehicles, motorcycles must be considered as unique roadway users. For example, autonomous vehicle technology must account for factors like lane splitting, something unique that is only relevant to motorcycles. The second part ensures that a motorcycle safety group is included in the Department of Transportation working group on autonomous vehicle deployment. Once again, motorcyclists need a seat at the table, so our voices are heard.

House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Highway Bill Hearing

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 13:00:00 GMT

As you know, we at the MRF like to say: “We don’t vote Republican, We don’t vote Democrat, We vote motorcyclist.” As today unfolds, there are four key areas, we at the MRF will be watching:

Motorcyclist Safety Funds
Motorcyclist Advisory Council
Autonomous Vehicle Technology
Motorcycle-Only Check Points / Profiling

Here’s a brief outline of what may transpire over the next several hours in Washington DC.

Check Points / Profiling: The provisions passed in the FAST Act of 2015 regarding motorcycle-only checkpoints were not changed in this bill. This means that states and local governments will continue to be prohibited from using federal funds to establish motorcycle-only checkpoints. This federal provision complements the nearly 20 states who have outlawed motorcycle-only checkpoints in their states.

Ride Safe and Ride Free,

The D.C. Team

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Supports Ride to Work Day June 15, 2020

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 15:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This coming Monday will mark the 29th anniversary of Ride To Work Day, an annual event that promotes the motorcycle as an option for commuting to work. Since 1992, this event has been promoted by the Ride to Work organization with a goal of increasing public awareness of motorcyclists; promoting the use of motorcycles as a method of transportation; and increasing motorcycle safety.

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, an estimated 150,000 commuters ride their motorcycle to work. While this is a very minor portion of all commuters, figures show these numbers are on the rise. It may be surprising that the numbers are not higher given data that supports that traveling by motorcycle can shorten journey times by as much as 33 minutes of every hour for city travel. Additional benefits can include more parking options, fuel savings and the undeniable advantage of enjoying the environment and the open air preparing yourself for a long day of work, or better yet, decompressing post-work!

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation encourages its members and partners to participate in this year’s event on June 15th to help demonstrate support for riders across the nation and spur recognition that the use of motorcycles as an alternative to commuting can help alleviate traffic and parking congestion.

Another important message that the event sends is that, despite a sometimes less than flattering portrayal of motorcyclists by Hollywood and even the media and naysayers, motorcyclists are our neighbors, teachers, family, lawyers, servicemen and women and friends and they have a rightful place on our nation’s highways.

For more information, visit: http://www.ridetowork.org/

If you have photos of yourself participating in Ride to Work Day, send them to mrfoffice@mrf.org or text them to (202) 546-0983

Meeting of the Minds 2020 - It’s time to get beyond the “lockdown”

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 12:00:00 GMT

If you’re riding now, it’s because you’re as tired of the lockdown as the rest of the country, and riding is a 70 MPH exercise in “social distancing.”

Your rights as motorcyclists’ are just as important as your safety. While the world was on lockdown and “recommended social distancing,” the MRF never lost focus of the reason the organization exists – protecting the rights of all motorcyclists, even while Congress was closed.

Bikers Inside the Beltway was reluctantly canceled because Congress was closed to the public. With that, the MRF turned our focus to the Meeting of the Minds and protecting our rights beyond the lockdown. With twelve workshops, six major presentations, and a cadre of motorcyclists’ rights activists presenting, the 2020 Meeting of the Minds Conference is destined to be one of the most dynamic in recent memory. And it doesn’t stop there…

For the first time ever, event registration includes eight full meals -- not box lunches, eight full meals! The Waterfront Hotel is a class act and, for the past several years, has hosted ABATE of Indiana events. You’re going to get more than your money’s worth on the 36th Annual Meeting of the Minds!

The lockdown is lifted, and we’re moving beyond it. As you’ve seen or experienced, individual rights beyond the ones the MRF diligently fights for, have been under siege since March. With that, the MRF is expecting a record number of attendees at this year’s Meeting of the Minds, September 24-27. Get beyond the lockdown; make your reservations now!

Now’s the time to use this link and register for Meeting of the Minds 2020. The hotel information is on the same page.

We will endure beyond the lockdown. However, without exaggeration, your rights, your motorcycle, and your lifestyle are under siege. The 2020 Meeting of the Minds provides you with the tools to get beyond the lockdown; see you in Indianapolis!!!

U.S. House of Representatives Introduces Highway Reauthorization Legislation

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Today the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee released its Highway Reauthorization bill titled, “Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act.’’

The 864-page bill outlines the priorities of the Democratic majority in the House, focusing on everything from carbon emissions to road safety programs. The draft bill would authorize $319 billion for highways, $105 billion for transit, $5 billion for highway safety, $5 billion for motor carrier safety, and $60 billion for rail.

We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation are currently reviewing the text and changes to the current statute that would follow if this bill becomes law. The MRF is committed to protecting the rights of motorcyclists in any federal transportation legislation.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) focuses on a few key areas such as the protection of motorcyclists from law enforcement profiling, ensuring that motorcycle safety funds sent to states remain available, the continuation of a Federal Motorcyclist Advisory Council, protection of motorcycles during the deployment of autonomous vehicles, and a continued ban on lobbying by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. You can read our entire 2020 Legislative & Regulatory Priorities here.

A preliminary review of this bill indicates that some of these areas are addressed in the House bill. Where our priorities are not addressed, we will seek inclusion during the mark up of the bill through the amendment process. We will also continue to advocate that our priorities are included in any Senate transportation bill.

Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, President of the MRF, stated: “While I am pleased that Congress is beginning the process of a Highway Reauthorization bill, I am troubled by the fact this bill was written solely by one party. We, as motorcyclists, do not believe that the safety of riders is a partisan issue. We will continue to educate lawmakers about our priorities and will remain vigilant in defense of our freedoms and safety.”

For more information about the INVEST in America Act, you can click here.

This Memorial Day weekend is unlike any we have experienced

Mon, 25 May 2020 11:30:00 GMT

This Memorial Day weekend is unlike any we have experienced. Traditional motorcycle events honoring those lost in military service have been cancelled or postponed around the nation. We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation are forever grateful to our brothers and sisters lost defending the freedoms we cherish. These trying times are an important reminder that freedom isn’t free.

As Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”

As we try and return our lives to normal and spend time with family and friends, let’s all take a moment to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We at the MRF wish you and yours a safe and happy Memorial Day.

Ride Safe and Ride Free!

Motorcycle Safety Funds in Danger

Thu, 21 May 2020 13:00:00 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) was alerted by our contacts in the U.S. Senate regarding a proposed change to the dedicated 405 Motorcycle Safety funds in the National Priority Safety Programs that is authorized through the Highway Bill. The proposed change to this program would add another criteria for states to qualify for motorcycle safety funds. In order to qualify, states have to meet two of the six current criteria. In addition to the current criteria, the additional qualifying area would add a category for states that have a mandatory helmet law for anyone under the age of 18. While meeting the under 18 helmet law is not mandatory to receive these funds, we at the MRF oppose any such change. We cannot allow any amount of erosion of our rights on this issue. The MRF is adamantly opposed to any federal law that would require the use of a helmet, apparel or conspicuity standard.

We are actively monitoring this situation to make sure that this staff discussion does not find its way into any draft highway bill legislation. The back-door attempt to include language that leverages a state without a helmet law for those under 18 as one of the minimum criteria may encourage some states to change their current laws to make it easier to qualify for these federal funds. In 1975, Congress enacted a law forcing all states to enact a mandatory helmet in order to receive any federal transportation funds. The MRF and state motorcycle rights organizations around this country fought tirelessly during this time for the law to be overturned. Congress flip-flopped on the helmet law by striking down the 1975 law, then reinstating it in 1991. The MRF and the motorcycle rights organizations were finally successful in 1995 by overturning the federal mandatory helmet law.

We at the MRF have already communicated with our contact that we would be adamantly opposed to any changes to the language. This potential change could be viewed as an attempt to blackmail states into changing their current laws as a way to additionally qualify for these funds. While there is not any official draft in circulation for the next highway bill reauthorization, we will continue to remain on guard against attempts to add or implement such changes.

The motorcycle safety funds were first authorized in 2005 through the highway reauthorization known as SAFETEA-LU. The federal government began a dedicated state grants program in an attempt to reduce the number of single and multi-vehicle crashes involving motorcyclists. The program has continued to be authorized in the federal highway bill legislation and is currently still active in the current iteration known as the FAST ACT of 2015 which is set to expire in September 2020. Last week, we reported that NHTSA had released the fiscal year 2020 state grant totals for each of the National Priority Safety Programs. The $4.2 million motorcycle safety grant program was divided between forty-three states and Puerto Rico. In fact, the motorcycle safety grant program only makes up 1.5% of the appropriation for this program. With over 8.5 million registered motorcycles on our nation’s roadways, the federal government only spends on average $0.49 per motorcycle.

We will keep you posted on this and other topics as lawmakers continue the process of drafting a new transportation and infrastructure package in 2020.

Former Motorcycle Riders Foundation Vice President of Government Relations, Tom Wyld, passes away.

Thu, 14 May 2020 18:00:00 GMT

Thomas Wyld, retired U.S. Navy Commander, 71, passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Following his distinguished Navy career he became the Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the National Rifle Association, after which he joined the Motorcycle Riders Foundation as Vice President of Government Relations in our Washington D.C. Offices.

Tom was instrumental in our efforts to protect our right to modify motorcycles when the EPA rolled out their restrictive Tier 2 regulations that became known as the Color and Chrome Campaign. At this same time Tom was responsible for commissioning and overseeing the famed Vaughn Study. The MRF’s most significant legislative accomplishment concerning rider education was achieved during Wyld’s tenure. The Murkowski Amendment to the federal highway bill, which provides for financial incentives to state motorcycle safety programs, continues to this day, thanks to Tom’s efforts.

In discussing Tom's contributions with MRF Board Members who worked with him it was felt he brought a genuine technical acumen and professional congeniality to his position. He also coined our oft used tag line "Ride with the Leaders"

Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

Motorcycle Fatalities Decline for the Third Year

Fri, 08 May 2020 13:00:00 GMT

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released the “Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2019,” where the preliminary numbers show that motorcycle fatalities decreased 1% from 2018 to 2019. The early estimated from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows that 36,120 people died on our nation’s roadways in 2019. Overall, this represents a 1.2% decrease from 2018, while Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) increased by 0.9% during this time. Fatalities decreased in most major traffic safety categories: Drivers (down 3%), Passengers (down 4%), Motorcyclists (down 1%), Pedestrians (down 2%), and Pedalcyclists (down 3%). You can download NHTSA’s full Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2019 here.

“Safety is our top priority so this report that traffic fatalities appear to have decreased again for the third year is great news,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. The U.S. DOT and NHTSA remain committed to reducing motor vehicle fatalities. In February 2020, NHTSA released over $562 million in grants for highway safety programs that were appropriated through the current Highway Authorization, known as the FAST ACT, to the Offices of Highway Safety in all fifty states and U.S. territories.

“We know that most of the 36,560 roadway fatalities in 2018 related to behavioral issues such as speeding, alcohol and drug-impaired driving, distraction, motorcycle safety, and seat belt usage. The grants we’re announcing today will help our partners in state and local law enforcement and other transportation officials enforce their highway laws and educate the public so that our roads will be safer for everyone,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator James Owens. In the fiscal year 2020, NHTSA awarded $4.2 million in motorcycle safety grants to 43 states and one territory. You can see the full break down of what your state was awarded here.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is continuing to engage with Congress about the priorities of motorcyclists for the next Highway authorization. The FAST Act is set to expire in 146 days, and as of today, neither chamber of Congress has drafted legislation for the next five-year authorization. If you want to review any of our legislative priorities, you can read our 2020 legislative Agenda here (https://www.mrf.org/legislative-tools/).

May is Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Month - Riders and Motorists Can Work Together to Save Lives

Mon, 04 May 2020 13:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. — In order to reduce motorcycle crashes and save more lives, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) wants to remind all road users that May is Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2018, while motorcycles make up just 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States.

In 2018, 4,985 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes, which is a 4.7 percent decrease from 2017. The majority of these were not single-vehicle crashes but instead involved other vehicles on the road. More than 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in motor vehicle crashes.

MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard had this to say, "Motorcyclists must learn through training and experience the best way to stay safe on a motorcycle. Avid motorcyclists are cognizant of the skills required to avoid crashing and will practice and train accordingly. And even though we hone keen awareness skills, riding safe also demands that others we share the road with remain constantly aware of motorcyclists, this is aided by constant messaging by our motorcyclists rights organizations and various governmental and public service agencies. May is traditionally the month many riders are hitting the road after winter and other vehicle drivers must pay attention, hence the importance of May is Motorcycle Awareness month."

With thousands of deaths each year, motorcyclists are overrepresented in crashes and fatalities.

“Even the smallest momentary lapse in awareness by a motorist can result in the death of an unseen motorcyclist. Misunderstanding, misjudging, or overlooking a motorcycle can cost someone their life,” said MRF Director of Motorcycle Safety Jay Jackson. “We hope that shedding light on the issue during the month of May will help both motorists and motorcyclists begin to understand the driving behaviors that can help keep all of us safe.”

On average most motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes collided with another motor vehicle. Because they have a smaller profile and have greater maneuverability than cars and trucks, motorcycles can be difficult to see or spot on the roadway, and motorists have difficulty judging their distance and speed.

Motorists making left turns at intersections are one of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes, due to motorists’ difficulty judging the distance and speed of motorcycles.

A motorcyclist’s “braking” is not always obvious to motorists. Motorcycles decelerate faster than vehicles, so motorcyclists will often downshift instead of applying the brake, especially when driving around a curve. This means the brake lights will not be engaged to signal motorists of deceleration or an upcoming stop.

Drivers -- please follow these safety tips to be more aware of motorcycles and to help keep all on our roadways safe:

Slow down, assess your surroundings, and don’t rush when crossing intersections, entering the road from a parking lot or driveway, or turning left. Always give yourself enough time to thoroughly check for motorcyclists.

When turning left, ensure there is enough time and space for the motorcyclist to clear the roadway before you initiate the left turn.

Don’t follow motorcyclists too closely and allow sufficient braking cushion between your vehicle and the motorcycle in front of you to give your vehicle enough room to come to a complete stop without a collision. Remember, a motorcyclist’s brake lights might not always be engaged when a motorcycle decelerates.

Always double-check your blind spots when changing lanes or starting to enter or exiting the roadways. Adjust your rear- and side-view mirrors and use them properly.

Remember: May is Motorcyclist Safety and Awareness Month - Motorcyclists and Motorists Can Work Together to Save Lives.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Board of Directors has decided to cancel the 11th Annual Michael “Boz” Kerr Bikers Inside the Beltway

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 14:00:00 GMT

After careful consideration, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Board of Directors has decided to cancel the 11th Annual Michael “Boz” Kerr Bikers Inside the Beltway lobby day that was scheduled for May 19, 2020. We want to take a moment to thank our event sponsor Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorneys, our SMRO partners, members, and all of our event attendees for their continued support of our mission on Capitol Hill. While we may not be able to advocate our legislative priorities face-to-face on May 19th, we will be reaching out to you on how you can continue to engage with your elected representatives on the issues that are important to us.

We want to assure you that we are still hard at work advocating on your behalf, and we hope that you can continue to answer our Calls to Action in the coming weeks. While the whole country faces major changes, we are working to adapt as an organization to continue to serve you. Let’s take this time to make sure we in the motorcyclists’ rights movement can continue to be effective in navigating our new political landscape and how we conduct our business. Every organization is currently faced with the cancellation of events, and the loss of fundraising opportunities. The MRF greatly appreciates your financial support and the fact that you entrust us to be good stewards of your investment in freedom. We strongly encourage you to contribute to your state motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well.

At this time, we have decided that we will not be ordering any event t-shirts for this year’s event. If you have already pre-ordered a shirt, please reach out to the office at mrfoffice@mrf.org or (202) 546-0983 if you wish for us to issue a refund.

If you need to cancel your hotel reservations, you may do so by contacting the hotel where you booked your accommodations. The hotel may reach out to you directly with cancelation information. You need to confirm that your hotel reservation is canceled 24-hours before the start of your booking to ensure that you are not charged for your stay.

Clarion Inn Falls Church-Arlington – (703) 532-9000
Governors House Inn - (703) 532-8900

We are disappointed that we will not be together on May 19th to fill the halls of Congress with bikers as we have done over the past ten years. However, we encourage you to join us and your fellow freedom fighters in Indianapolis on September 24-27th for the 36th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference hosted by A.B.A.T.E. of Indiana. You can register for the conference and find more information by visiting www.mrf.org/events.

Weekly update - Idaho Makes 4

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 17:59:53 GMT

Last week, the Idaho House of Representatives joined their Senate colleagues by passing S. 1292, the motorcyclist profiling bill in the state. When the governor signs the bill, Idaho will officially become the 4th state in the nation with a law on the books regarding motorcyclist profiling.

The MRF wants to congratulate not only the riders in Idaho but the tireless advocates who have fought this battle for several years. After a razor-thin defeat in previous legislative years, the folks in Idaho never gave up and were rewarded with this monumental victory.

We would like to note that Idaho’s success demonstrates that this is a nonpartisan issue. Two states that are usually thought of as “Blue States” (Washington and Maryland) and two states traditionally thought of as “Red States” (Louisiana and Idaho) are now on the record on the topic.

Congratulations again on a hard-fought and well-deserved victory!

Click here to read a news story about the victory in Idaho.

You can read the Idaho profiling legislation here.

Momentum for Infrastructure Bills?

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), sending the massive stimulus legislation to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The $2 trillion coronavirus response bill is the third aid package from Congress is meant to keep businesses and individuals afloat during an unprecedented freeze on the majority of American life. For a variety of reasons, we believe there will likely be more stimulus legislation in the future, and infrastructure investment may be a central component of additional efforts to recover the economy and get people back to work.

Without a doubt, proposals for including sizable infrastructure spending in coronavirus response/economic stimulus bills will receive bipartisan support. There is a strong economic and fiscal basis for stimulus spending on roads, bridges, transit, etc. Infrastructure spending has a high multiplier effect, adding indirect economic value beyond the immediate investment in construction companies and related contractors or materials suppliers. A dollar spent on infrastructure can go further than many other forms of stimulus. State and local governments are also already facing declining revenues due to quarantines, diminished economic activity, and new public health expenditures. Many state constitutions prevent deficit spending, so absent new taxes – an unlikely scenario – they will be stymied in making new investments in stimulus-type programs, such as infrastructure, and may even have to curtail current road-building budgets.

Beyond the scope of infrastructure investment, funding will likely be front-loaded, rather than a typical year-over-year spread. The stimulus of 2009 focused on ‘shovel ready’ projects, which resulted in lots of repaving and maintenance versus large new projects, a similar focus on near-term efforts to quickly create jobs is foreseeable.

We at the MRF will continue to advocate for the priorities of motorcyclists in an infrastructure bill. We will also rely on you to help push your elected officials into remembering motorcyclists when passing these massive legislative packages.

Motorcycle Community Rallies to aid in COVID-19 Relief Around the World

As the COVID-19 National Emergency dominates your daily newsfeed, I wanted to take a moment to share a couple of positive stories of the motorcycle community stepping up to aid in relief efforts. The first story comes out of NYC were a group of riders started Masks for Docs to help get personal protection equipment (PPE) in the hands of our healthcare workers facing a critical supply shortage. You can read the full news story featured in Vice News here. The second article highlights motorcycle manufacturers and a tire manufacturer donating PPE’s, medical supplies, and ventilators to aid in the critical supply shortage. The story also features a few groups in other countries, helping those in quarantine by delivery prescriptions and meals to the elderly in their community. You can read more about those efforts by clicking here.

As schools around the country have shuttered, MRF Vice President Jay Jackson has been volunteering in his own local community in Indiana to hand out bagged meals for students. You can read that story here.

Bikers are some of the best people that I know. The D.C. team is hunkered down and working from home as Congress is closed to the public through March 31st. We will continue to review the massive legislation passed this week and plan to share more of the details with you next week.

COVID-19 Lobby Ban

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 16:00:00 GMT

As Congressional leaders seek to implement massive legislative initiatives in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, numerous policy changes are being considered. Some of these initiatives are unrelated to the underlying situation and are being put forward by both political parties.

One legislative proposal put forward by the U.S. House of Representatives, H.R.6379 - Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act, would ban lobbying by corporations that accept Federal aid in any stimulus legislation. You can read the legislative proposal in Section 407, CONDITIONS ON FEDERAL AID TO CORPORATIONS. We at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) believe that one of the most important rights guaranteed in the First Amendment is the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. The MRF prides itself on actively petitioning the government on motorcycle related issues and the curtailing of that right, even if not aimed at our organization, is troublesome. We understand that these are trying times, but any infringement on our fundamental Constitutional Rights is not the answer.

“While the MRF continues to monitor the ever-changing legislative initiatives out of both chambers, I want to let you know that we are still busy being a ‘watchdog’ on Capitol Hill,” stated MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard. “I want to reassure you that we will continue to navigate and execute our political mission with our long-standing ‘Total Vigilance’ in the coming days and weeks.”

We will continue to monitor the legislation as it moves through Congress and keep you updated as it pertains to anything motorcycle related or the operations of the MRF.

Bikers Inside the Beltway and COVID-19

Mon, 16 Mar 2020 13:00:00 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is continually monitoring the ever-changing situation with the outbreak of COVID-19 around the country. First and foremost, we care about everyone’s safety, and are closely monitoring the situation and guidance from the Federal Government and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to ensure we are giving you the most up-to-date information possible. Earlier today, the leadership of the MRF hosted a phone call to discuss the potential impacts of our lobby day, “Bikers Inside the Beltway,” which is slated to be held on Tuesday, May 19th in Washington, D.C. We have determined that we will proceed with lobbying on Capitol Hill as scheduled as we do not have any information that we will be prohibited from doing so at this time.

What we know right now?

As we reported in our “Riding Free from D.C.” weekly update, Congress decided to suspend any public access on Capitol Hill starting on March 12 through April 1, 2020. Over the weekend, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a recommendation that for the next 8 weeks, events with 50 people or more cancel or postpone in-person events. Bikers Inside the Beltway would be outside of that window of the CDC recommendation. If anything changes in Federal Guidance in the coming weeks, we will continue to update you with that information as we receive it.

Making Travel Arrangements

Last week, we received communication from our event host hotels, Clarion Inn and Governor’s House Inn, to ensure us that they are working hard to ensure our event is successful. If you have already booked a room directly through the hotel, they have a standard 24-hour notice cancellation policy. If you booked through a third-party travel vendor, we advise you to review your bookings policy if you need to modify your travel plans. While most attendees ride to D.C., we understand that some of our members need to fly to D.C. for the event. If you haven’t booked your travel, we strongly encourage you to book options with built-in flexibility like free cancellation, changes or consider travel insurance if it’s offered.

BITB 2020 deadline to register online, order an event t-shirt and book your hotel room at the group rate is Monday, April 27th. If we feel that we might have to postpone the event, we will decide by that date to give everyone adequate notice to alter their travel plans. For more information or to register for the event, please visit https://mrf.org/events/

Making Moves on Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 14:00:00 GMT

Making Moves on Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act

The MRF and our moto lobby friends are continuing to drive cosponsors to our bipartisan and bicameral MAC Reauthorization legislation. We are pleased that eight new cosponsors jumped on this week to stand with the motorcyclists around the country. H.R. 5234 added six new cosponsors and five new states this week, bringing the total to 20. While the Senate companion bill, S. 3249, picked up two more cosponsors and added one new state. It's worth noting that Wisconsin is the first state to secure both of their Senators on S. 3249.

H.R. 5234 Cosponsors

Original Cosponsors: Rep. Gallagher [R-WI-8], Rep. Pappas [D-NH-1], Rep. Rouda [D-CA-48] & Rep. Balderson [R-OH-12]

Rep. Davids [D-KS-3], Rep. Brownley [D-CA-26], Rep. Gibbs [R-OH-7], Rep. Grothman [R-WI-6], Rep. Lowenthal [D-CA-47], Rep. Rouzer [R-NC-7], Rep. Carbajal [D-CA-24], Rep. Sensenbrenner [R-WI-5], Rep. Huffman [D-CA-2], Rep. Young [R-AK-At Large]

New this week: Rep. Walberg [R-MI-7], Rep. Kind [D-WI-3], Rep. Burgess [R-TX-26], Rep. Bost [R-IL-12], Rep. Craig [D-MN-2], Rep. Lamborn [R-CO-5]

S. 3249 Cosponsors

Original Cosponsors: Sen. Johnson [R-WI] and Sen. Peters [D-MI]

Sen. Boozman [R-AR]

New this week: Sen. Shaheen [D-NH], Sen. Baldwin [D-WI]

I want to take a moment to share some preliminary results about the two MAC Calls to Action that we have been circulating. To date, 1,900 emails have been sent through our CQ Engage software to ask your elected officials to support this legislation. On the House side, Wisconsin leads the pack with the most letters sent, followed by Illinois and Texas. In the Senate, South Dakota is in the lead, followed by a tie between New York and Wisconsin. We appreciate everyone who has taken a few moments to contact their legislators on this issue, and we are more successful in meetings when they know that they have heard from you, their constituents on an issue. If you have not done so, you can use the links below. After you are done, be sure to share them with your SMRO friends or on social media.

MAC Call to Action Links

Ask your Senators to cosponsor S. 3249 here.

Ask your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 5234 here.

FAST Act Expires in 208 Days – Will there be a new Highway Bill in 2020?

Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law in 2015 provides long-term funding for surface transportation infrastructure planning and investment is set to expire at the end of September 2020. The FAST Act authorized $305 billion over fiscal years 2016 through 2020 for highway, highway and motor vehicle safety, public transportation, motor carrier safety, hazardous materials safety, rail, and research, technology, and statistics programs. Traditionally, the Highway Authorization tends to be one of the few things on Capitol Hill that is not a partisan issue. However, the feeling in D.C. that since 2020 is a Presidential election year that this Congress may kick the can down the road and pass an extension this year instead of passing a new law.

Regulatory News: Ethanol Consumer Education Stakeholders meet with EPA

Last Friday afternoon, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation joined the National Marine Manufacturers, BoatUS, Marine Retailers Association, Briggs and Stratton, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, American Motorcyclist Association, and the Motorcycle Industry Council for a meeting at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to discuss our concerns about inadequate E15 warning labels and lack of consumer education to prevent misfuelling at the pump.

The invitation to the EPA is a clear signal that the Administration is poised to take some future regulatory action surrounding bringing E15 to market. As you may remember, President Trump granted the EPA authority to allow the sale of E15 year-round. However, the EPA will need to address some current federal regulations surrounding fuel storage requirements and misfuelling mitigation plans. After sitting down with Anne Idsal, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) at the EPA, our consumer education stakeholders group is preparing for the EPA to open a potential rulemaking in the coming months that will allow us to address our concerns about the current E15 label.

During the last Congress, we threw our support behind Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act along with our consumer groups that are forbidden by federal law from using fuel with higher than 10% ethanol (E10). Understanding that higher blends of ethanol are not going anywhere, we joined forces to push consumer education and proper labeling about the dangers of misfuelling at the pump. Early last year, H.R. 1024 was introduced and has been slow to gain Congressional support. We support this legislation because it allows consumers to be educated on higher blends on ethanol to make their own choice about what t

A recent Harris Poll conducted by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) found consumers remain confused about the multiple fuel product offerings at the pump. The study, which has been conducted annually for seven years, shows a lack of education, inadequate labeling and dangerous marketing tactics around new fuel products, such as higher ethanol-blended gasoline unleaded 88, are likely causing consumers to misfuel.

The study found that nearly two in five Americans (37 percent, up from 33 percent in 2019, 31 percent in 2017 and 2016, and 30 percent in 2015) mistakenly believe that higher ethanol blends of gasoline are safe to use for any gasoline-powered lawn equipment or other small engine products, such as boats or snowmobiles. For more details on their results, you can read there press release from this poll by clicking here.

State News: A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa comes to Capitol Hill – Arizona & Louisiana State Legislation Calls to Action

This week, the MRF had the pleasure of accompanying five members of A.B.A.T.E. of IA as they pounded the halls of Congress, letting their elected officials know what issues are important to the riders in their state. Over a few days, the team from Iowa was able to hit their whole Congressional delegation and even meet with some of their Representatives and Senators face to face. Below, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) met with the A.B.A.T.E. of Iowa during their visit to D.C.

The MRF has been offering SMROs the option of utilizing our CQ software for their state legislative initiatives. Over the last year, a dozen states have decided to use the software to monitor legislation and to contact their politicians on the state level. As a lot of state legislative sessions have ended for the year, we have two states that have active Calls to Action in circulation for the riders in their state.

Attention Riders from Arizona & Louisiana

Arizona has a CTA for their Motorcycle Safety Fund. If you live in Arizona, you can click this link.

ABATE of Louisiana has four separate Calls to Action out for the riders in their state. The legislative session in Baton Rouge opens next week, and the motorcycle rights advocates are already letting the politicians know the issues they care about.

SB 52/HB 316, Vulnerable All Road Users Act (combined with HB 316)

HB 310, "Dead Red" Bill

HB 146, ABATE "Share the Road” License Plate

SB 50, Hands Free Electronic Devic

Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act Introduced in the Senate

Tue, 04 Feb 2020 18:33:44 GMT

Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act Introduced in the Senate

Yesterday, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced S. 3249, the Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act. The bipartisan legislation aims to define the membership seats of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC), ensure more national motorcycle organizations are represented and authorizes the council for six years.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) would like to thank the U.S. Senate for joining their colleagues in the House of Representatives for continuing to support the issues that are important to the motorcyclists of this country. The legislation is the companion bill to H.R. 5234 introduced in late November in the House of Representatives by Reps. Mike Gallagher (WI-R), Chris Pappas (NH-D), Harley Rouda (CA-D), and Troy Balderson (OH-R).

“It is critical that motorcyclists be considered in infrastructure planning,” said MRF Vice President Jay Jackson. “The Motorcyclist Advisory Council provides this forum. The MRF is excited to have the opportunity to present to the MAC, the issues of concern from riders across the country.”

This legislation clarifies the membership of the MAC which now will include five highway engineering experts from state or local governments, one state or local traffic safety engineer who is a motorcyclist, one roadway safety data expert on crash testing and analysis, and one representative from each of the following groups: a national association of state transportation officials, a national motorcyclist foundation, a national motorcyclist association, a national motorcycle manufacturing association, and a national safety organization.

“Wisconsin has a rich history with motorcycles and we know it’s crucial to get input from the motorcycle community about how to keep roads safe and enjoyable for all,” said Sen. Johnson. “Government needs to be responsive, efficient and effective. Making sure motorcyclists have a voice and a seat at the table is beneficial for everyone.”

The MAC will advise the Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration on transportation issues of concern to motorcyclists, including barrier design; road design, construction, and maintenance practices; and the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.

“There’s no better way to see all that Michigan has to offer than by riding a motorcycle,” said Senator Peters., co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Motorcycle Caucus. “As a motorcycle owner and rider, I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to better give riders and manufacturers a voice on decisions impacting them.”

Nominees Wanted for the 2020 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 18:31:52 GMT

Nominees Wanted for the 2020 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame (MRFHOF) was introduced at the Meeting of the Minds in Denver, Colorado. This institution was created to recognize individuals that have worked through the MRF to positively impact motorcycling. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is proud to announce that the nomination process for the next class of inductees into the MRFHOF is now open.

The nomination form and a timeline are posted on the MRF website at:

https://mrf.org/mrf-hall-of-fame/

Nomination applications are due to the Hall of Fame Committee by March 1^st, 2020 – please send completed forms to dawn@mrf.org

Past Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame inductees are: Keith "Bandit" Ball, Karen Bolin, Mark Buckner, Vince Consiglio, Wayne Curtin, Michael "Balls" Farabaugh, “Still” Ray Fitzgerald, Richard Gray, Fredric Harrell, Teresa Hepker, Bob Illingworth, Nathan "Buck" Kittredge, Simon Milward, Ed Netterberg, JoAnne Packard, Sherman Packard, Lee Richardson, Rodney Roberts, Jerry "JT" Thomas, Todd Vandermyde, Paul Vestal, Penny Walker, Ed Youngblood.

Mark Buckner Inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 18:29:17 GMT

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like to congratulate Mark Buckner, past president, longtime leader and MRF Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame member on his induction into the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Motorcycle Hall of Fame. On Friday December 6^th, during the 2019 AMA Legends & Champions Weekend.

Mark Buckner began his leadership in motorcyclists' rights advocacy in the late 1980s as the state coordinator for ABATE of Colorado. In 1992, Buckner joined the Motorcycle Riders Foundation board of directors, becoming MRF president and chairman two years later. During his tenure, the MRF implemented strategic planning processes which led to the organization's financial stability and significant growth.

Buckner continues to have a profound influence in the motorcyclists' rights community, giving seminars throughout the United States on strategic planning, organizational design and member effectiveness. Over the past 25 years, he has delivered more than 100 presentations around the country at state, regional, and national rights conferences.

In addition, Buckner has been a leader in promoting global harmonization of motorcyclists' rights organizations in the United States and has fostered working relationships within the European motorcyclists' rights community—bonds that remains strong to this day.

Rob Rasor, former AMA President introduced Mark to the attendees while Rick Gray past MRF VP and AMA Chairman of the Board accepted on Mark's behalf; several current and former MRF Board members were in attendance. Other inductees were Kurt Caselli, Ron Lechien, Wiltz Wagner and Dale Walksler.

Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, MRF Chairman of the Board had this to say, “We couldn't be more pleased to see Mark recognized by yet another motorcyclist Hall of Fame, without question the MRF has maintained our ability to deliver on our mission and vision due to Mark's timely leadership and unique skill-set. I suspect many SMRO's around the country could say the same.”

Congratulations Mark! A well-deserved honor for many years as a Motorcycling Rights Freedom Fighter.

HOUSE INTRODUCES MOTORCYCLIST ADVISORY COUNCIL REAUTHORIZATION ACT

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 19:11:39 GMT

For Immediate Release

November 21, 2019

HOUSE INTRODUCES MOTORCYCLIST ADVISORY COUNCIL REAUTHORIZATION ACT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressmen Mike Gallagher (R-WI) along with Reps. Chris Pappas (D-NH), Harley Rouda (D-CA), and Troy Balderson (R-OH) introduced bipartisan legislation, MotorcycIist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act. The bill reauthorizes the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) for six years and ensures national motorcycle organizations regain seats on the council.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), along with our partners ABATE of Wisconsin, ABATE of Ohio, Harley-Davidson, and American Motorcyclist Association, have been hard at work over the past month ensuring the future MAC membership is representative of the riding community. This legislation clarifies the membership of MAC which now will include five highway engineering experts from state or local governments, one state or local traffic safety engineer who is a motorcyclist, one roadway safety data expert on crash testing and analysis, and one representative from each of the following groups: a national association of state transportation officials, a national motorcyclist foundation, a national motorcyclist association, a national motorcycle manufacturing association, and a national safety organization.

“As the feds address the vast roadway infrastructure issues and emerging technologies surrounding vehicles and roads, there isn't a more appropriate time to re-establish the Motorcycle Advisory Council,” said Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, President of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. “It was originally and effectively designed to give motorcyclists a voice with regards to the unique challenges we face on two and three wheels when it comes to roadway design.”

The MRF is encouraged that this legislation will ensure that motorcyclists will continue to have an open dialogue with government officials about the unique characteristics and challenges that motorcyclists face when they are not adequately considered or accounted for as infrastructure programs are being discussed and implemented. We want to acknowledge and commend the relationships that our state motorcyclist rights organizations (SMROs), specifically ABATE of Wisconsin and ABATE of Ohio, established with their elected officials through attending events such as our annual lobby day, Bikers Inside the Beltway. This event, along with active engagement with members of Congress in their home districts, helps the MRF identify the champions of motorcycle issues and achieve our goals.

“We are pleased that our elected representatives from the state of Wisconsin continue to lead the charge in advocating on behalf of the motorcyclists in the country,” said Steve Panten, Legislative Director for ABATE of Wisconsin, Inc. “I am encouraged that years of building relationships, both in our State and by coming to Washington, D.C., every year, continues to elevate our issues on Capitol Hill. We urge other SMRO’s to take the opportunity to do the same.”

The MAC, initially authorized in the SAFETEA-LU in 2005, allotted four of the ten members to consist of representatives from the motorcycling community from various state and federal motorcycle associations. In the FAST Act of 2015, Congress re-established the Motorcyclist Advisory Council in the Highway Bill to advise the Federal Highway Administration on “issues of concern to motorcyclists.” However, the MRF was disappointed the re-established MAC only included one seat for a representative of a national motorcycle organization.

The Motorcyclist Advisory Council provides the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with expert first-hand knowledge of motorcycle issues. “Motorcycle registration is at an all-time high, but this increasing popularity has brought with it increasing risks, such as fatal accidents,” said Rep. Gallagher. “Motorcycles require specific – and in some cases different – requirements of roads, and we need an open dialogue between the motorcycle community, infrastructure experts, and the federal government to discuss these challenges.” The MAC serves as the only official forum for the motorcycle community to have an open dialogue with the federal government to discuss concerns with infrastructure design, issues with intelligent transportation systems, and other areas of safety affecting motorcycles on the road.

“With the number of motorcycles currently on the road, it is critical that the road designers and transportation engineers understand the way that motorcycles and motorcyclists interact with the roadways as well as other vehicles using those same roads,” said Ed Schetter, Executive Director for ABATE of Ohio, Inc. “Motorcyclists need to be present to help recognize those needs and ensure that motorcycles maintain their place on the road and can be safely operated into a future where technology is creating more and more challenges.”

Senate Hearing - Highly Automated Vehicles: Federal Perspectives on the Deployment of Safety Technology

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 19:00:20 GMT

For Immediate Release

November 20, 2019

Senate Hearing - Highly Automated Vehicles: Federal Perspectives on the Deployment of Safety Technology

Today the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing entitled Highly Automated Vehicles: Federal Perspectives on the Deployment of Safety Technology. This hearing comes on the heels of a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) board meeting yesterday regarding the investigation of a March 2018 crash of an Uber Autonomous Vehicle (AV) that resulted in the death of a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona.

The NTSB released some startling revelations in their investigation of the 2018 deadly crash. Among those that the software did not properly identify the victim as a pedestrian, it did not adequately assess safety risks and the operator of the vehicle was watching a TV show on her phone and was not watching the road. Additionally, the NTSB cited an “inadequate safety culture” at Uber.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) applauds the NTSB and the U.S. Senate for holding public hearings on AV technology and safety concerns. The MRF is committed to fighting for the safety of motorcyclists as this new technology is deployed on our nation’s roadways. While we are hopeful that this technology can reduce accidents on our nation’s roads, we agree with the statement of Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) when he said of AV technology “I think a healthy degree of skepticism is a good thing.”

During today’s Senate hearing, it was especially important that two U.S. Senators specifically addressed the concerns of motorcyclists during the hearing. In a question directed to Joel Szabat, Acting Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation Senator John Thune (R-SD) asked, “In developing a regulatory framework for AVs can you speak to how other roadways users such as motorcycles are considered?” The Assistant Secretary responded by saying “Motorcyclists are well incorporated in the development of policy in the department.”

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) echoed Senator Thune’s interest in motorcycles when he said, “I am avid motorcyclist. The number one reason for accidents is a car hitting a motorcyclist or a car pulling out in front of a motorcyclist.”

Other Senators include Sen. Cantwell (D-WA) raised concerns about the current deployment of AVs without minimum standards from the federal government, “We need some standards.” In response, Robert Sumwalt, Chairman of the NTSB agreed by saying that “Whatever is working now is not working as well as it should.” We at the MRF agree that minimum standards should be in place as this new technology becomes more and more prevalent on the roads we all share.

Chairman Sumwalt of the NTSB closed the hearing with this statement, “I think that AV technology holds great promise to improve safety, but it has to be done properly.” We at the MRF could not agree more.

MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard stated, "As a motorcyclist it offends me when bureaucrats are discussing various inevitable, emerging vehicle and advanced roadway technologies they default to classifying us as vulnerable and in need some sort of protection. I would rather and especially in the specific case of Autonomous Vehicles we be thoroughly considered and fully recognizable and therefore not needing extra protection. As with anything affecting motorcyclists this is another example where the Motorcycle Riders Foundation will demand we remain a significant part of the strategy for roadway users."

You can read the opening statements or watch the hearing by clicking the link below:
Highly Automated Vehicles: Federal Perspectives on the Deployment of Safety Technology

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

Celebration of Life - Jeffrey M. McCubbin

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 15:30:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

September 25th, 2019

Celebration of Life - Jeffrey M. McCubbin

Jeffrey M. McCubbin was born November 4, 1950, fourth child, to Max McCubbin and Muriel Burke McCubbin of Conrad, Iowa. He spent his formative years attending the Conrad schools where he was known to have driven his tractor to school. He worked the family farm with his brother Jay and his father until he married Lee Huff from Marshalltown in June of 1973. Together Jeff and Lee raised two daughters, Robin, and Rene in Forest City, Iowa, where they made their permanent home.

Jeff is survived by his siblings: Jean, Jay, Jane and Heidi, wife of 47 years Lee, and daughters Robin and Rene. He was blessed with 7 grandchildren and adored his two fur babies. He is remembered by many area motorcycle enthusiasts as their happy smiley Motorcycle Education Teacher. In his 30 years with Rider Ed. and ABATE of Iowa District 7, he held many leadership roles, established Freedom Park in Algona, and led his community in philanthropic efforts benefiting a variety of local individuals and agencies in need.

Jeff was an auto mechanic by trade and worked for ARA Vending, Winnebago Industries and finally fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting his own business, McCubbin Trophy & Engraving with wife, Lee. He enjoyed tinkering under the hood of a car, camping at Freedom Park with his many close friends, and opening up the throttle on his 1981 Sturgis Classic Double Belt Drive Harley Davidson. He also loved riding his tractor around his acreage, and the satisfaction of cracking open a cold beer. He was a colorful storyteller and famously recounted the night he unknowingly sat around the campfire with Willie G Davidson on one of his many trips to Sturgis.

Jeff's Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 28. "Jeff's Last Ride" will depart from the Forest City Rider Ed. Range, Winnebago Gate 1 parking lot at 1:00. The ride will complete at Freedom Park in Algona. His celebration begins at 2:00. All cars and motorcycles are welcome. Please direct memorial donations to Hospice of North Iowa or ABATE Dist. 7 Food Pantry.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

MRF Hall of Fame Inductee Announcement

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 17:30:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

September 24th, 2019

MRF HOF Inductees Announcement

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation announces the 2019 Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame Inductees.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to release the names of the 2019 class of Inductees to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame (MRF HOF). These were presented in Bloomington, Minnesota at the annual Meeting of the Minds conference. To recognize deserving activists from the motorcyclists' rights community that have already been recognized elsewhere, the class of 2019 Legacy Inductees are:

Fredric Harrell
Rodney Roberts
Simon Milward

This year’s MRF HOF Class of 2019 - Freedom Fighter Inductees are:

JoAnne Packard
Karen Bolin
Lee Richardson
Jerry “JT” Thomas
Teresa Hepker

Congratulations to our inductees from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

Auction Items - Meeting of the Minds 2019

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 15:00:00 GMT

August 27, 2019

Auction Items - Meeting of the Minds 2019

Hello Freedom Fighters,

Thanks to the generosity of MRF members, thousands of dollars have been raised for motorcyclists’ rights over the years because someone brought something unique or a one-off that had real value to the people bidding.

Last year in Denver, we saw a resurgence of the spirit that once again highlighted the auction as a capper to another great event. And that renewed spirit and enthusiasm came directly from MRF members who contributed value-laced items to the silent and live auctions.

Once again, as I did last year, I’m asking you to search your collections of unique motorcycle or freedom related items and bring them with you to Bloomington to help the MRF stay true to this year’s conference theme… Honor the Past, Protect the Future with your generosity.

In the few weeks remaining before you head to Minnesota, think about what you’d like to see at the silent and live auction. Ask yourself, “Would this be something that I’d like to own?” That should be the standard to your bottom line. If you haven’t thought about an auction item, you still have time to find something to represent your state and our lifestyle.

Your contributions helped bring back the days when spirited bidding rang across the room and spotters danced to keep track of the bidders. It was fun, entertaining and it all went to a worthy cause – funding the efforts to protect your rights.

With less than a month to go before we meet Bloomington, Minnesota, at the 35^th Annual Meeting of the Minds, we look forward to seeing you again. Thank you for your support of the MRF and your dedication to the rights of Motorcyclists.

Yours once again, in Freedom -- & fun!

Fredric Harrell
Director of Conferences & Events
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Time Is Running Out - Meeting of the Minds Register today!

Thu, 22 Aug 2019 15:45:00 GMT

August 22th, 2019

Time Is Running Out - Meeting of the Minds Register today!

You still have a little time before the pre-registration deadline ends for the 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference!!!

The deadline is TOMORROW August 23rd to take advantage of the MOTM pre-registration price of $80.00 for MRF members or $90.00 for non-MRF members. Use this link to register: Meeting of the Minds 2019

As the MRF makes final preparations to Honor the Past with an induction of Legacy Members into the MRF Hall of Fame and gear up to Protect the Future with two days of information filled workshops and presentations, you still have time to register for this premier event and secure your hotel room.

Up to the minute legislative updates, topical workshops to assist you in building your SMRO, plus several hundred new and old friends you’ll be glad to see!
Workshop & presentations including…

NHTSA – Protecting our Future from their Past
Shared Goals & Working Together – SMROs & Motorcycle Clubs
Membership Promotion, Retention, Growth & Volunteers
Old Media – New Media … – Dealing with print, electronic & social media successfully

With less than a month to go, the final touches are being put on the 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference, in Bloomington Minnesota. However, we don’t want you to miss it as we Honor the Past, Protect the Future and live up to meeting and exceeding the expectations of motorcyclists’ rights advocates from across the country.

After August 23rd, the event registration fee goes to $90.00 for members and $100.00 for non-members. And you’re not just getting a receipt for your efforts… You’ll get a few hundred years of experience from some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable motorcyclists’ rights advocates in the world!

The deadline to get the nightly room rate of $115.00 at the MOTM Conference hotel is September 4th. After that, rooms may be scarce. So, one more time… beat the deadlines and register for the 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference.
While it’s on your mind, call (952) 854-9000 and use this code to get the MRF room rate: Block code MOT MOTM2019

Thanks and we look forward to seeing you in September at the Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota, for the 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference!!!

Fredric Harrell
Director, Conferences & Events
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

For Immediate Release - MRF MOTM 2019 TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!!

Fri, 16 Aug 2019 18:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 16th, 2019

MRF MOTM 2019 TIME IS RUNNING OUT!!!

With just over a week to the pre-registration cut-off, time is running short to save money registering for The 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference!!!
As the MRF makes final preparations to Honor the Past with the induction of Legacy Members into the MRF Hall of Fame and gear up to Protect the Future with two days of information filled workshops and presentations, you still have time to register for this premier event and secure your hotel room.
Up to the minute legislative updates, topical workshops to assist you in building your SMRO, plus several hundred new and old friends you’ll be glad to see! Workshop & presentations including…

NHTSA – Protecting our Future from their Past
Shared Goals & Working Together – SMROs & Motorcycle Clubs
Membership Promotion, Retention, Growth & Volunteers
Old Media – New Media … – Dealing with print, electronic & social media successfully

And there’s more… Those listed workshops represent one-third of the time allocated for workshops. We’ve got eight more and only two days to deliver. However, those two days will be so jammed packed by the end of the Conference you’ll wonder where the time went and be asking for more.
The 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference is coming together as well as any smooth-running machine. We don’t want you to miss it as we Honor the Past, Protect the Future and live up to meeting and exceeding the expectations of motorcyclists’ rights advocates from across the country.
You have until August 23rd to take advantage of the MOTM pre-registration price of $80.00 for MRF members or $90.00 for non-MRF members.
Use this link to register: Meeting of the Minds 2019

After August 23rd, the event registration fee goes to $90.00 for members and $100.00 for non-members. And you’re not just getting a receipt for your efforts… You’ll get a few hundred years of experience from some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable motorcyclists’ rights advocates in the world!
The deadline to get the nightly room rate of $115.00 at the MOTM Conference hotel is September 4th. After that, rooms may be scarce. So, one more time… beat the deadlines and register for the 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference. While it’s on your mind, call (952) 854-9000 and use this code to get you’re the MRF room rate: Block code MOT LINK TO HOTEL MOTM2019

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you in September at the Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota, for the 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference!!!

Fredric Harrell
Director, Conferences & Events
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Meeting of the Minds Deadline is Approaching - Join Us in Minnesota

Tue, 13 Aug 2019 12:30:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 13th, 2019

Meeting of the Minds Deadline is Approaching - Join Us in Minnesota

Deadlines… We’ve all got them and when they’re missed, there’s usually hell to pay. To help you avoid having to pay hell, pay extra, or miss the deadline altogether, here are a couple of deadlines you need to make:

The 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference is coming together as well as any smooth-running machine. We don’t want you to miss it as we Honor the Past, Protect the Future and live up to meeting and exceeding the expectations of motorcyclists’ rights advocates from across the country.

You have until August 23rd to take advantage of the MOTM pre-registration price of $80.00 for MRF members or $90.00 for non-MRF members. After August 23rd, the event registration fee goes to $90.00 for members and $100.00 for non-members. And you’re not just getting a receipt for your efforts… The 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference attendees get…

A dozen topical workshops to choose from!
General sessions loaded with up-to-date information!
Enough take-home material that you’ll need an extra carry-on!
A banquet and ceremony that will make an event for the record books!
And… if that isn’t enough, attendees get to meet and re-acquaint themselves with a host of rights advocates and old friends.

So, don’t pay hell, meet the deadline and get registered for the 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference in Bloomington Minnesota September 19th-22nd. And while you’re at it…

The deadline to get the nightly room rate of $115.00 at the MOTM Conference hotel is September 4th. After that, you may be at the mercy of the availability of rooms and there may not be many available. So, one more time… don’t pay hell, meet the deadline and get registered for the 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference and get your hotel room. While it’s on your mind, call (952) 854-9000 and tell them you’re with the MRF.

Registration link here

Thanks and I look forward to seeing you in September at the Crowne Plaza Aire Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota, for the 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference!!!

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Honors Memorial Day

Sun, 26 May 2019 17:30:00 GMT

Honor Memorial Day
May 26, 2019

Memorial Day is the day we honor all the men and women that never made it home. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation appreciates the sacrifices that allow us the freedoms that we cherish today. Their sacrifices and victories are what helped make our country great.

Freedom is not free.

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” —
General George S. Patton

Dating back to the American Civil War when it was known as “Decoration Day,” the practice of placing flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers is not only done in remembrance of the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces, but also to honor the freedom in which they upheld.

Motorcycle Rights World Lost another Freedom Fighter

Fri, 24 May 2019 22:25:42 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 24, 2019

The Motorcycle Rights World Lost another Freedom Fighter

It is with great sadness that the Motorcycle Riders Foundation has learned of the passing of John Pierce. John was a dedicated freedom fighter, a Marine, husband, family man, mentor, brother, pilot, biker, former MRF Board Member, and he served in many capacities at the SMRO level. With John’s career background, he brought a new perspective and professionalism to the MRF and his SMRO’s. Having lived in several states he spread his knowledge and dedication around and left a lasting impact on several SMROs, as well as the MRF. From day one we all knew his heart, passion, and dedication.

The MRF would like to express our sincere and heartfelt condolences to John’s wife Chris and family and we offer our thoughts and prayers to all who were deeply touched by this great man.

Ride in Peace John

Another Successful Bikers Inside the Beltway

Fri, 24 May 2019 18:10:14 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 24, 2019

Another Successful Bikers Inside the Beltway

Bikers Take the Hill

This week was the 11th Annual Michael “Boz” Kerr Bikers Inside the Beltway event in Washington D.C. Nearly 150 bikers from 28 states made the journey to Washington D.C., to advocate for issues of importance to the motorcycle community. With kickstands up at 6:45am, an armada of bikes rolled down the streets of Washington to the doorstep of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Riders met with almost 300 Congressional offices to discuss issues like motorcycle profiling, autonomous vehicle technology, the definition of a motorcycle and consumer education surrounding ethanol. It goes without saying that when 100 plus bikers start roaming the halls of Congress people take notice. In fact, we were so visible that a Congressman started up a conversation with a few riders in an elevator and the next day signed on to our profiling resolution!

The MRF would like to thank all those that participated in the Bikers Inside the Beltway event. We know that coming to Washington requires time, money and effort on your behalf, but it is an invaluable way for us to advocate for our priorities. Included in the contingent were representatives from many State Motorcycle Rights Organizations (SMRO), the Confederation of Clubs, the National Coalition of Motorcyclists, the National Council of Clubs and the Motorcycle Profiling Project. Everyone coming together in Washington, to accomplish the shared goals. The D.C. team would not be successful without the grassroots effort of our members and partners.

Next week Congress is in recess for Memorial Day and most lawmakers will return home to their districts to meet with constituents. If you were unable to make it to Washington, next week is a great opportunity to stop by your Congressman’s local office to chat with them about the motorcycle community. Below is a link to the issue papers on topics we discussed in Washington. These one-page papers are a great way to educate lawmakers on issues of importance to motorcyclists. We need to keep up the pressure and make sure that our concerns are not forgotten. 2019 Bikers Inside the Beltway Talking Points

First Time Riders

While bikers from around the country were meeting with lawmakers, the MRF in connection with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and MRF Awareness & Education (MRF A&E), hosted an open house where Capitol Hill staff had the opportunity to “ride a motorcycle” inside a government building. The smart trainer provided by MRF A&E was a unique opportunity for Capitol Hill staffers to try their hand at riding a motorcycle. For many, this was their first experience to understand the skills required to operate a motorcycle.

The leadership of the MRF including President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard and Vice President Jay Jackson welcomed Michael Fox from the NTSB to the open house. Michael is the lead government investigator for all accidents involving motorcycles nationwide. Michael is a passionate motorcyclist who understands the balance between safety and personal freedom. Michael was excited to be part of Bikers Inside the Beltway and pledged to work with the MRF to find common ground on issues we can agree on.

Awards

Bikers Inside the Beltway was the perfect opportunity for the MRF to thank specific lawmakers who have been true champions for our movement. On Tuesday, Senator John Thune of South Dakota and Congressman Mike Burgess of Texas were presented with their MRF Legislator of the Year vests.

Senator Thune was the lead Republican in introducing the AV START Act – the first federal framework to mandate the regulation of automated vehicles. Prior to the bill’s introduction, his office worked directly with ABATE of South Dakota and the MRF to understand riders’ concerns on the issue and then included motorcycle-specific considerations in the bill.

Jiggs Cressy, Executive Director of ABATE of South Dakota presented Senator Thune with his vest and stated, "Senator Thune has not only been a close family friend but has also been a dedicated servant to South Dakota for many years. He has also been a supporter of the mission of ABATE of South Dakota, and the MRF. Senator Thune and his staff have always made time to listen to the concerns and opinions of motorcyclists from both South Dakota and across the country. I can't think of any Senator more deserving of this honor than Senator Thune."

At a ceremony in front of the U.S. Capitol with riders in attendance, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard presented Congressman Burgess with his legislator of the year vest. Congressman Burgess spoke about the formation of the House Motorcycle Caucus and his efforts over the last decade to fight for the rights of motorcyclists. Congressman Burgess was joined at the podium by Congressmen Tim Walberg of Michigan and Congressman Troy Balderson of Ohio. All three Congressman are riders, members of the House Motorcycle Caucus and passionate about protecting riders on and off the road.

For 30 minutes after the ceremony the three Congressmen chatted with riders from all over the country, sharing stories about their experiences and their efforts back home to fight for issues of importance to motorcyclists. The MRF thanks not only Senator Thune and Congressman Burgess but Congressman Walberg, Congressman Balderson and all the Members of Congress who took time this week to meet with and listen to riders.

Special Thanks

An event of this size requires hard work and long hours by board members, employees and volunteers. A few individuals went above and beyond, and we’d like to give them a special shout out.

Tiffany Cipoletti, MRF Director of Operations, not only spent hours scheduling meetings and drafting talking points but also spent nearly three full days navigating the bureaucratic maze that is the Washington D.C. Department of Parking. This effort allowed over 100 motorcycles to safely ride and park in our nation’s capital.

Dave Dwyer, SSMRO Representative to the MRF board and fellow ABATE of Wisconsin member ‘Seven’ lead the procession of motorcycles from the hotel in Virginia to the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

Fred Harrell, MRF Director of Conferences and Events, coordinated affordable hotel packages and meeting space for attendees. This is no easy feat in one of the most expensive metropolitan areas of our country.

Ron Braaksma from the MRF A&E, drove over 1,000 miles to Washington with a smart trainer hitched to his truck. The smart trainer gave congressional staff a small look into the skill set that is required to ride a motorcycle.

Finally, we would like to thank our SSMRO partners for supporting this event, the MRF and its board members who spent the days prior to the event in meetings and discussion groups working to keep the MRF a vibrant and relevant voice for motorcyclists.

Thank you to all for a great event and we hope to see even more riders in Washington D.C. next year!

April 12, 2019 - Letter sent to NHTSA Seeking Clarification on the Definition of a Motorcycle

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 17:07:32 GMT

For Immediate Release

April 12, 2019

Letter sent to NHTSA Seeking Clarification on the Definition of a Motorcycle

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like to thank Congressman Michael Burgess (TX) and Congressman Tim Walberg (MI) for a letter they sent this week to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) seeking clarification regarding the definition of a motorcycle. In addition to Congressman Burgess and Congressman Wahlberg, the following U.S. Representatives joined their colleagues in signing the letter: Congressman Troy Balderson (OH), Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO), Congressman Collin Peterson (MN), Congressman Steve Stivers (OH) and Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA). The current definition is decades old and so broad that new vehicles on our roadways, with numerous carlike features, are defined as motorcycles.

“As you know, NHTSA has long defined a motorcycle as a ‘motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.’ While this was a clear characterization for many years, the recent emergence of a new class of vehicle that has attributes of both automobiles and motorcycles has created confusion,” the members wrote. “We respectfully request a response that describes whether NHTSA believes the current federal definition of a motorcycle is appropriate and if not, what NHTSA is doing to address this issue.”

The ambiguity of the classification of these new vehicles as either motorcycles or autocycles has created a patchwork of rules and regulations at the state level for licensing, registration and insurance. The MRF believes that a review of this definition is needed and would help provide clarity to states when making decisions on how to appropriately regulate them. We thank these seven members of Congress for seeking clarification from NHTSA on this issue of importance to motorcyclists.

President of the MRF, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, stated “For three years our members have asked us to tackle the federal definition of a motorcycle. This letter is the first step in helping us understand the current thought process of NHTSA and hopefully opens up a dialogue on the topic. We thank this bipartisan group of Congressmen for their leadership on this issue.”

Link to the Letter:
https://burgess.house.gov/uploadedfiles/04112019_burgess__walberg_letter_to_nhtsa.pdf

April 4, 2019 - Vince Consiglio to join other Freedom Fighters in the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 19:24:42 GMT

For Immediate Release

April 4, 2019

Vince Consiglio to join other Freedom Fighters in the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like to Congratulate Vince Consiglio of Michigan on his nomination and soon to be induction into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame. Each year, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame recognizes individuals or groups who have made a long-term, positive impact on the motorcycling community.

Vince joined ABATE of Michigan in 1975, and almost immediately was elected to the Board of Directors. He had spent almost four decades fighting against the mandatory helmet law in his home state before the victory finally became a reality in 2012. Vince has been a Chief Instructor since 1980 and has managed rider training ever since. He is also the current President of ABATE of Michigan and has held that position for over two decades.

There is no one in the motorcyclists rights movement that has held the title of State President for 25 years, managed rider education for nearly 40 years all while battling a mandatory helmet law for nearly 40 years.

Vince is also a constant presence representing the motorcyclists of Michigan in our Nations’ Capitol working closely with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. ABATE of Michigan under Vince's leadership has fostered effective working relationships with numerous members of Congress. Many of the federal bills brought forth on behalf of the motorcyclists of this nation were sponsored and co-sponsored by members of Congress from Michigan who were designated as Legislative Champions by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

Vince has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation as well as having been inducted into the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame in 2018.

Other Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame 2019 Inductees are: Frank Fritz, Jill Parham, Ron Paugh, Danny Fitzmaurice, Ron Finch, Terry Rymer, Gloria Struck and Lonnie Isam Jr 'in memoriam'.

If you are planning on traveling to Sturgis for the 2019 Rally, consider joining the strong contingent of Motorcycle Rider Foundation members that will be in attendance at the Induction breakfast and ceremony on Wednesday August 7th at The Lodge at Deadwood.

Tickets are available here: https://www.sturgismuseum.com/hof

For Immediate Release - House of Representatives Introduced a Resolution Addressing Motorcyclist Profiling

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 19:23:50 GMT

For Immediate Release

March 26, 2019

House of Representatives Introduced a Resolution Addressing Motorcyclist Profiling

Today champions of the motorcyclist community in the House of Representatives introduced a resolution addressing motorcyclist profiling. The resolution (H. Res. 255) has three key points:

(1) promoting increased public awareness on the issue of motorcyclist profiling;
(2) encouraging collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement to engage in efforts to end motorcycle profiling; and
(3) urging State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcyclist profiling in written policies and training materials.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) applauds Congressman Walberg (R-MI), Congressman Peterson (D-MN), Congressman Burgess (R-TX) and Congressman Pocan (D-WI) for introducing this bipartisan resolution in the House of Representatives. These four Members of Congress introduced an identical bill in the last Congress which garnered 37 cosponsors but unfortunately failed to reach the House floor for a vote.

While the previous effort in the House failed, the United States Senate, in December 2018 passed an identical resolution regarding motorcyclist profiling. The MRF was proud to take a leading role in passing this Senate anti-profiling resolution. The United States Senate is now on record calling for the end of motorcyclist profiling.

The MRF is committed to working with the state motorcycle rights organizations (SMROs), coalitions, COC’s, the Motorcycle Profiling Project (MPP), the National Council of Clubs (NCOC), the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and independent riders to advance H. Res. 255.

President of the MRF, Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard, stated “We once again thank Congressmen Walberg, Peterson, Burgess and Pocan for their leadership on this important issue. Motorcyclists in every state are impacted by profiling and we appreciate these Congressmen bringing the issue before the House of Representatives.”

To ask your U.S. House of Representative to cosponsor H. Res. 255, please take action at the link below:

Take Action H.Res 255

For Immediate Release - Michael “Fiz” Przybylo of Michigan Passes Away

Fri, 22 Feb 2019 19:47:53 GMT

For Immediate Release

February 22, 2019

Michael “Fiz” Przybylo of Michigan Passes Away

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation was saddened to hear of the passing of Michael “Fiz” Przybylo.

Fiz was a Vietnam Vet serving in the Army and a long-time motorcycle rights freedom fighter. He served on the A.B.A.T.E of Michigan Board of Directors for 30 plus years and he was a long time MRF State Rep for Michigan. Fiz attended the MRF’s Meeting of The Minds conference for over two decades, his dedication, experience, and enthusiasm were an inspiration to all who attended. He owned a bike shop which allowed him to provide valuable insight and resources to the MRF during the Tier 1 and 2 and our custom bike exemption efforts during the EPA's misguided "Color and Chrome" initiative.

After so many years of dedication and enthusiastic support "Fiz" was awarded the MRF's highest award, the John "Farmer" Eggers award.

A.B.A.T.E of Michigan, the MRF, and the motorcyclist’s right community will miss him deeply.

Link to entire obituary:
https://www.santeiufuneralhome.com/obituary/michael-przybylo

Memorial visitation Saturday, March 2nd, 3 pm - 8 pm with Eulogies at 6 pm at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, Garden City, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to A.B.A.T.E of Michigan, P.O. Box 99, Constantine, MI 49042

February 11, 2019 - Nominees Wanted - Class of 2019 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame (MRFHOF)

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 11:28:43 GMT

For Immediate Release

Nominees Wanted - Class of 2019 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame (MRFHOF)

February 7, 2019

In September of 2018, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame (MRFHOF) was introduced at the Meeting of the Minds in Denver, Colorado. This institution was created to recognize individuals that have worked through the MRF to positively impact motorcycling.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is proud to announce that the nomination process for the next class of inductees into the MRFHOF is now open.

The nomination form and a timeline are posted on the MRF website at:

https://mrf.org/mrf-hall-of-fame/

December 11, 2018 Senate Profiling Resolution Passes Unanimously

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 03:41:40 GMT

For Immediate Release

December 11, 2018

Senate Profiling Resolution Passes Unanimously

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is proud to announce that the Motorcycle Profiling Resolution (S. Res. 154) passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous consent on Tuesday evening, December 11, 2018. Over the past few weeks, the MRF had many productive meetings on Capitol Hill to further our objective of promoting awareness of unfair profiling of motorcyclists across the country. Our resolution’s co-sponsor, Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), has played an integral role in ensuring that the issues of motorcyclists in this country were addressed in the U.S. Senate.

MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard said upon learning of the adoption of the resolution, “Passage of Senate Resolution 154 has been the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s number one legislative initiative in this current Congress. This act today by the Senate is very important, as it recognizes that the profiling of motorcyclists because of our mode of transportation or choice of attire is unacceptable. The personal relationships, the tens of thousands of contacts, the visits, and the highlighting of this issue as a top priority during the MRF’s Bikers Inside the Beltway speaks highly of our passion on this issue and demonstrates our ability as grassroots lobbyists to be effective on Capitol Hill.” Willard went on to say, “It is important to note that this cause united the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, our state motorcyclists’ rights organizations (SMROs), the National Council of Clubs (NCOC), the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) and the Motorcycle Profiling Project (MPP), all of which brought even greater attention to this critical issue. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like to thank our 2018 MRF Legislative Champion, Senator Ron Johnson, and his staff for the significant efforts they put into passing S. Res. 154.”

As you know, the MRF, along with the SMROs, the motorcycle club community, and with individual riders across this country have been advocating for a national solution to address motorcycle profiling. With the help of our champions on Capitol Hill, we have been able to advance our bipartisan and bicameral resolutions concerning the profiling of motorcyclists.

Russell Radke, MRF Sustaining Member Motorcycle Club Representative, said, “We are now one step closer to ending the attacks on our civil liberties from unconstitutional motorcyclist profiling.”
The MRF is encouraged that we have begun to address the concerns of the motorcycling community, but we still have more work to do on this issue. We encourage the U.S. House of Representatives to join its colleagues in the U.S. Senate and pass H. Res 318

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Membership Dues Update

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 11:05:48 GMT

October 15, 2018

Membership Dues Update

SMRO Executive Directors,

On May 20, 2019 some of the membership dues for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation will increase for the first time in many years. This decision was not made lightly. As we continue to fight for your right to ride, with new and emerging threats on the horizon, this action is necessary to ensure your MRF has the tools it needs to continue to be an aggressive advocate for riders across the United States.

Before this increase goes into effect, we are offering our most loyal members and supporters a chance to renew your membership at the current price. Whether you are an individual member or have a joint membership or a sustaining membership, we need your continued support. None of us can fight the enemy alone, but together we can make the difference and ensure that future generations can ride free while preserving our lifestyle.

Don’t miss the May 20 deadline and don’t wait! Renew or upgrade your membership today before the increase!

Membership Tier	Previous Price	New Price
Individual	$30	$35
Joint	$50	$60
3-Yr Individual	$80	$95
3-Yr Joint	$130	$140

Join the MRF today!

For Immediate Release - Trump Directs EPA to Allow Year-Round E-15 Gas Sales

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 11:04:16 GMT

For Immediate Release

October 11, 2018

Trump Directs EPA to Allow Year-Round E-15 Gas Sales

Ahead of a scheduled visit to Iowa on Tuesday, President Donald Trump granted the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to lift restrictions on higher blend of ethanol E-15 year-round. By lifting the restriction, the EPA will begin the arduous task of creating and seeking public comment on the new regulations going forward. The EPA anticipates the new rule making process will be completed by early June 2019 and would allow the sale of E-15 during summer of 2019. Currently, the sale of E-15 during the summer month’s is prohibited in some states due to the Clean Air Act.

“We want to get more fuel into the system,” Trump told reporters before boarding Marine One to travel to a rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa. “This is great for our farmers, and it's a promise I made during the campaign, and as you know I keep my promises.”

The expansion of the Renewable Fuel Standard has resulted in higher content of ethanol-blended gasoline at gas stations across America. These higher blends, like E-15 and E-85, have not been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use in small engines like those in motorcycles. This is due to concerns for potential damage to fuel lines, injectors, seals, gaskets, and valve seats, as well as to carburetors. As a result, many motorcycle manufacturers now include statements in the manual that any warranty would be voided if E-15 or higher is used.

What does this mean for our motorcycles? Well, we already know that EPA guidance on E-15 fuel prohibits the use in your motorcycle along with a host of other small engines. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation believes that, until higher blends of ethanol can be approved for use by both the EPA and motorcycle manufactures, the federal government must guarantee the availability of fuel blends containing no more than 10 percent ethanol (E-10) at gas stations around the country. The MRF fully intends to submit comment when it becomes available in the new rule making process in the coming months.

So, what can we do right now? You may remember over the summer the MRF teamed up with representatives from the marine, motorcycling and outdoor power equipment on Capitol Hill in conjunction with Congressional Motorcycle and Boating Caucuses to discuss concerns over higher ethanol blends and lack of consumer education about the associated risks with ethanol. In conjunction with this event, we kicked off our support for H.R. 5855, the Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of 2018. Authored by Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA) and Rep. Lois Frankel (D-FL), the legislation would require EPA to revise the labeling requirements at fuel pumps that dispense E-15 and conduct a consumer education about the risks of using it in vehicles and equipment that are prohibited from using E-15 (i.e. YOUR MOTORCYCLE).

You can follow the link below and ask your U.S. Representative to support H.R. 5855 and help protect consumers unknowingly using a fuel blend that will not only damage your motorcycle, and void your warranty but the EPA has decided is illegal to put in your motorcycle.

Support HR 5855 - My Motorcycle, My Choice

For Immediate Release - The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Releases its 2019 Legislative Agenda

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 07:58:31 GMT

For Immediate Release

September 28, 2018

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Releases its 2019 Legislative Agenda

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) released its 2019 Legislative Agenda to its partners and supporters. A direct result of the commentary and discussion from attendees at the Legislative Strategy Session held at the annual Meeting of the Minds, this exercise establishes the MRF’s Federal Legislative Agenda for the upcoming year.

“Our legislative agenda, which is determined by our members each year, ensures that the MRF is laser-focused on those issues important to motorcyclists nationwide,” said President Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard. “Our network of volunteers and staff are some of the most talented and influential in the world of motorcycle rights, and we look forward to working with the Administration and our Senate and House leaders in identifying legislation that will not only defend, but enhance the motorcycle lifestyle and community.”

The MRF’s legislative agenda showcases the diverse range of interests that the organization advocates on behalf of each year, with issues impacting independent riders, State Motorcycle Rights Organizations, motorcycle and riding clubs, the aftermarket industry and others in the community.

In addition, the Agenda prioritizes aggressive campaigns to combat government intrusion with a particular emphasis on motorcycle profiling, overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency, highly automated and connected vehicles, as well as new initiatives on the clarification of the ownership of vehicle data and information.
To learn more about the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and review the 2019 Legislative Agenda, click here: https://mrf.org/legislative-tools/

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Announces the 2018 Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame Inductees

Tue, 25 Sep 2018 15:53:27 GMT

For Immediate Release

September 25, 2018

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation announces the 2018 Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame Inductees

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to release the names of the class of 2018 Inductees to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame (MRF HOF). These were presented in Denver at the annual Meeting of the Minds conference.

To include deserving activists from the motorcyclists' rights community that have already been recognized elsewhere, the class of 2018 Legacy 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 and Ed Youngblood.

The first new inductee into the MRF HOF is President of ABATE of Michigan, Vince Consiglio.

Vince joined ABATE of Michigan in 1975, and almost immediately was elected to the Board of Directors. He had spent almost four decades fighting against the mandatory helmet law in his home state before the victory finally became a reality in 2012. Vince has been a Chief Instructor since 1980 and has managed rider training ever since. He is also the current President of ABATE of Michigan and has held that position for over two decades.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is proud to welcome this inaugural class and wishes to thank all the Freedom Fighters that work so hard to ensure that future generations can enjoy the freedom of the road through motorcycling.

For Immediate Release - Motorcycle Riders Foundation Announces Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:21:29 GMT

For Immediate Release

September 20, 2018

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Announces Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame

Motorcycling remains as one of the last true bastions of Freedom. The independence and exhilaration of being “in the wind” can only be understood and appreciated by those who experience it.

We all know that “freedom is not free”, and for six decades many people have worked tirelessly to insure the rights of motorcyclists. The patriots of the motorcyclists’ rights movement aren’t in the fight for fame or fortune, which is good, because neither tend to find them.

There are awards and even halls of fame for motorcycling, but those that work to preserve and protect our chosen lifestyle have often been overlooked in favor of racers and celebrities. We do not question that those folks are deserving of accolades, we are simply stating that the true Freedom Fighters have not received the recognition that they have earned.

To address this, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is proud to announce the creation of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame (MRF HOF). The permanent display will be housed with other MRF artifacts at the ABATE of Indiana State Office in Bargersville, Indiana.

The first inductee will be announced at the MRF Meeting of the Minds conference in Denver, Colorado on September 22, 2018.

Through the years, a number of people from the bikers’ rights community have been a part of various halls of fame and the MRF wishes to include them as well. The MRF HOF will announce a number of Legacy Inductees each year until those deserving recognition in the MRF HOF are featured here, in addition to their previous distinction.

The MRF wishes to thank our State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization (SMRO) partners and all of the people that work vigilantly to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling so that future generations can enjoy the freedom of the road.

For information contact the Motorcycle Riders Foundation at 202-546-0983 ormrfoffice@mrf.org

It's Not to late to join us for Meeting of the Minds

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 12:26:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

September 12, 2018

It's Not to late to join us for Meeting of the Minds

Meeting of the Minds 2018 is only one week away, and we hope that we will see you in Denver, CO.

If you are considering joining us and have not registered, you can still register online until Friday, September 14^th. After Friday, we can take care of your registration in person in Denver.

The details:

September 20-23^rd

Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec St., Denver, CO 80207

300 of your closest Freedom Fighters

Don’t miss out on our jam-packed agenda (MOTM Agenda)

Here’s what you need to do:

Pack your motorcycle.

Hit the open road.

Join us and other motorcycle rights activists from around the country in Denver, CO.

If you have any questions about Meeting of the Minds 2018, please feel free to reach to Fred Harrell at fred@mrf.org

Official Sponsors of Meeting of the Minds 2018

Passing of Auntie ABATE aka Marlene Bautch

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 11:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 30, 2018

Passing of Auntie ABATE aka Marlene Bautch

It is with great sadness that I must inform you that our "Auntie ABATE", Marlene Bautch has lost her battle with cancer.

Marlene helped guide the direction of ABATE of WI over the last twenty-five years by doing the jobs of Recording Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and Office Manager alongside of six different Executive Directors and twelve elections. Until earlier this year she had attended over three hundred consecutive board of directors meetings acting as Secretary.

Marlene's work extended far beyond her elected and appointed positions within ABATE of WI Inc. She was a staunch supporter of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and presented at dozens of workshops hosted by the organization nationally. Several years ago she was awarded the MRF's highest honor, The Farmer Award, for her work towards the success of the national motorcyclists' rights movement.

As "Auntie ABATE", Marlene sought to offer common sense advice about ABATE of WI and our issues through the words of a sweet old Polish auntie. Her adherence to the rules and bylaws of the organization may have ruffled a few feathers along the way but it also encouraged many regional leaders to work together to grow and make ABATE of WI the legislative powerhouse it is today.

Marlene's support and knowledge of the organization helped everyone she worked with to maximize their already defective "volunteer gene". Her tireless efforts towards the success of ABATE of WI will be greatly missed. It's going to take a lot of effort to fill her shoes.

As more information becomes available from her family, ABATE of WI will be sharing it with our great extended family. We offer condolences to her husband Twit and ask that you respect his privacy at this time.

We will all miss you Marlene.

Dave "Chubby" Charlebois
Executive Director
ABATE of WI Inc.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Announces Resignation of Vice-President of Government Affairs

Wed, 29 Aug 2018 20:00:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 29, 2018

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Announces

Resignation of Vice-President of Government Affairs

WASHINGTON, DC – Today the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) announced that Vice-President, Government Affairs & Public Relations Megan Ekstrom has resigned from her position effective October 9, 2018. The Board had appointed Ekstrom to the role in May 2016. During her tenure, she served as the chief association advocate on legislative and regulatory issues at the federal level that impacted motorcyclists’ rights and safety and played a primary role in promoting and expanding the MRF’s government and regulatory affairs missions.

“I was disappointed in learning of Megan’s departure, as I felt we have indeed made great progress since her coming aboard,” said Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, President and Chairman of the Board. “I genuinely wish her the best and am grateful for her service and assistance in finding a suitable replacement.”

Ekstrom has accepted a position in global government affairs for Procter and Gamble, a Fortune 50 company, where she will advocate in front of Congress on behalf of their consumer product line and international trade concerns.

“Leaving the MRF has been a truly difficult decision to make, however with the current staff and leadership within the Board of Directors and state partners, the organization is exceptionally well positioned strategically and is supported by a dedicated membership. I have no doubt that the MRF will continue to be a ‘force to be reckoned with’ in the future,” Ekstrom said of her departure.

A search committee to identify candidates will be formed in the coming days. The process will be expedited to ensure a smooth transition period between Ekstrom’s departure and the new hire’s start date.

MRF President Inducted into Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 14:27:29 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 16, 2018

MRF President Inducted into Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like to congratulate Chairman of the Board and President of the MRF, Kirk "Hardtail" Willard, on his induction into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame during the 78th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Willard was the recipient of the "Freedom Fighter Award" which recognizes individuals who have made a long-term, positive impact on the motorcycle rights community.

If you couldn't attend the Hall of Fame breakfast, you can watch his induction speech by clicking the link below.

MRF President Kirk Willard Inducted into Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame

For Immediate Release - New Marketing Campaign Launched in Conjunction with Sturgis Freedom Fighter Award

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 07:03:28 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 8, 2018

New Marketing Campaign Launched in Conjunction with Sturgis Freedom Fighter Award

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum will officially induct Kirk “Hardtail” Willard into the Hall of Fame. Willard, Chairman and President of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, will receive the coveted “Freedom Fighter” award and designation; a special category designated to honor those who have made an impact on motorcycle rights.

The ceremony will take place at The Lodge at Deadwood in South Dakota as a part of the 78th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally where dozens of Willard’s cohorts will be in attendance; including staff and fellow Board Members for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF).

In conjunction with the ceremony, the MRF will launch a new “for a limited time only” promotion and marketing campaign for new and prospective members attending Sturgis. “Through market research and member feedback, we learned that we had a great opportunity at Sturgis to communicate the importance of what this organization stands for,” said Megan Ekstrom, Vice-President of Government Affairs & Public Relations for the MRF. “Under Hardtail’s leadership we have doubled down on our efforts to improve the value of what we deliver to our membership, and we want to use this significant occasion to highlight that.”

Ekstrom also hinted at future membership benefits like roadside assistance; including 24-hour emergency tire changes, emergency fuel delivery and accident and collision towing. “In today’s world with more and more fuel stations carrying higher blends of ethanol, motorists texting while driving and not paying attention to riders, this is a necessary service for our members.”

Social media advertising, dozens of volunteers, a promotional video and a one-time discount for new members will complement an updated marketing brochure aggressively stating, “YOUR RIGHTS, YOUR LIFESTYLE, YOUR MOTORCYCLE: UNDER SIEGE.” The modernized and updated brochure will include a letter from Willard, highlight past accomplishments, and offer a plain and simple look and what the MRF does and why. “Our lifestyle as riders is threatened in a way it never has been,” said Willard. “Little by little, riders like you and I are slowly being relegated to history.”

Willard and the MRF refuse to let that happen under their watch, using the induction ceremony as the official launch for this aggressive “go forward” strategy. The bold move is signature to Willard’s style; where he is known as “Hardtail” in the motorcycle rights world. From the aftermarket industry and original equipment manufacturers to the motorcycle clubs and state motorcycle rights’ organizations, he is known as a force to be reckoned with. Logging thousands upon thousands of miles on his motorcycles, his objectives have always stayed pure; to promote and preserve motorcycle riders’ freedoms and lifestyles.

Tickets to the induction ceremony are sold out; however, Willard is scheduled to attend and speak at ABATE of South Dakota’s Annual Whitewood Social Hour on Thursday, August 9th at the Whitewood City Park near the Sturgis Rally. The event is free for MRF members and others involved in motorcycle rights.

Motorcycles, Boats, & Lawnmowers Ask for Help on Ethanol

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 16:24:19 GMT

For Immediate Release

July 29, 2018

Motorcycles, Boats, & Lawnmowers Ask for Help on Ethanol

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, representatives from the marine, motorcycling, and outdoor power equipment gathered on Capitol Hill to discuss concerns over ethanol-blended gasoline and a lack of consumer education and understanding of the risks associated with ethanol. Hosted by the Congressional Motorcycle and Boating Caucuses, the breakfast briefing featured a panel of industry representatives and welcomed congressional staff and policymakers to learn about the issue from those with direct experience.

Speaking on behalf of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation was Mike Sponseller, an avid motorcyclist, professional racer and part owner of a Washington, D.C. motorcycle shop. Sponseller explained to the audience why higher ethanol blended gasoline is such a concern for riders, showing images of corroded and damaged motorcycle engine parts including fuel injectors, tank liners, fuel lines and even showing a snapshot taken directly from a Harley-Davidson owner’s manual explaining the risks of using E15, E30 and E85.

He outlined riders concerns and the lack of consumer education that currently exists despite these types of fuel being federal prohibited for use in motorcycles. “The problem with E15 isn’t that motorcycles are unreliable, but it creates the perception that they are because of the damage it can cause. When in reality, it’s the fuel that we are being forced to use.”

Panelists agreed, citing their own industry examples of damage, lack of consumer education and misfuelling.

The event also touched on newly introduced legislation, H.R.5855, the Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act of 2018. Authored by Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) and U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel (D-Fl.), the legislation would require the EPA to revise the labeling requirements for fuel pumps that dispense E15 and conduct a consumer education campaign to inform the public about the risks of improper use of E15 and the vehicles and equipment that are prohibited from using E15.

In coordination with the panel, a letter was sent to all Members of the House and Senate signed by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the National Marine and Manufacturers Association, the American Highway Users Alliance and others conveying support for the legislation.

More information on the legislation can be found here:https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr5855

For Immediate Release - Monday June 18 is Ride to Work Day

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 09:20:48 GMT

For Immediate Release

June 15, 2018

Monday June 18 is Ride to Work Day

WASHINGTON, DC – This coming Monday will mark the 27th anniversary of “Ride to Work Day,” an annual event that promotes the motorcycle as an option for commuting to work. Since 1992, this event has been promoted by the Ride to Work organization with a goal of increasing public awareness of motorcyclists; promoting the use of motorcycles as a method of transportation; and increasing motorcycle safety.

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, an estimated 150,000 commuters ride their motorcycle to work. While this is a very minor portion of all commuters, figures show these numbers are on the rise. It may be surprising that the numbers are not higher given data that supports that traveling by motorcycle can shorten journey times by as much as 33 minutes of every hour for city travel. Additional benefits can include more parking options, fuel savings and the undeniable advantage of enjoying the environment and the open air preparing yourself for a long day of work, or better yet, decompressing post-work!

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation encourages its members and partners to participate in this year’s event on June 18th to help demonstrate support for riders across the nation and spur recognition that the use of motorcycles as an alternative to commuting can help alleviate traffic and parking congestion.

Another important message that the event sends is that, despite a sometimes less than flattering portrayal of motorcyclists by Hollywood and even the media and naysayers, motorcyclists are our neighbors, teachers, family, lawyers, servicemen and women and friends and they have a rightful place on our nation’s highways.

For more information, visit: http://www.ridetowork.org/

If you have photos of yourself participating in Ride to Work Day, send them to mrfoffice@mrf.org or text them to 202-546-0983

For Immediate Release - You Came, You Saw, You Conquered

Wed, 23 May 2018 11:29:05 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 23, 2018

10^th Annual Biker Lobby Day Brings Riders to Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week scores of riders from the motorcycle community traveled to Washington, D.C. to connect with elected officials from across the country in support of motorcyclists’ rights. Hosted by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the annual “Bikers Inside the Beltway” is the only advocacy day in the nation’s Capital hosted by riders, for riders.

Over 160 people participated in this year’s event; a 60% increase in the last two years. For many, it was their first time. “It was truly an honor to represent my Club,” said one attendee from a military motorcycle club, “[these are] such important issues that affect hundreds of thousands of riders,” he went on to say.

Thirty different states were represented in Washington, DC which resulted in direct contact with over 300 offices on Capitol Hill. Members of the MRF brought their bikes as well as their personal stories from back home to Capitol Hill and discussed issues critical to the 2018 legislative agenda. Among these included support for the anti-profiling measures in the House and Senate, concerns over ethanol and the lack of consumer education at the pump, as well as a push to bring the RPM Act and SELF-DRIVE Act to the floor for a vote.

Every meeting that was attended marked another critical step forward in building and maintaining relationships with congressional offices, and each meeting provided the opportunity to communicate directly with a wide array of lawmakers who are currently considering legislation that would affect the rights of motorcyclists.

Lawmakers and staff got a double dose of motorcycles on May 15; hosted in conjunction with Bikers Inside the Beltway was 2018’s first Congressional Motorcycle Caucus Event. Featuring rider education and training professional Stacey “Ax” Axmaker, a setup in the Rayburn House Office Building allowed attendees to experience a motorcycle ride via Virtual Reality Technology. Several elected officials participated along with dozens of staffers.

“This year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway was our most successful yet,” said Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, Chairman and President of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. “Attendance, preparation and participation was phenomenal. Our elected officials knew that the bikers had come to town and with few exceptions, we were welcomed as a key stakeholder on issues that affect transportation, the environment and the entire rider community. The impact of this day is felt long after the bikes roll out of town.”

For Immediate Release - Motorcycle Riders Foundation Releases Statement on Road to Zero Report

Wed, 09 May 2018 14:20:56 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 9, 2018

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Releases Statement on Road to Zero Report

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) released the following statement in response to a report issued by the Road to Zero Coalition which is managed by the National Safety Council. The report, A Road to Zero: A vision for achieving zero roadway deaths by 2050, was released in April and identifies policies and practices to achieve the very notable and worthy objective of attaining zero deaths in the United States in 30 years:

Motorcycling and the safety of riders who engage in this growing mode of transportation remains a key priority of the MRF, its Board of Directors and its network of 220,000 riders across the U.S. In fact, the MRF, either directly or through our member networks, have numerous initiatives geared towards rider safety touching on issues such as motorcycle awareness, rider education and training, impairment, as well as technological advancements for motorcycle and equipment manufacturers. Because the safety of the motorcycle community is so paramount to our organization, we commend the objective behind Road to Zero. As such, we have been present and an active participant in almost every Road to Zero Coalition meeting since the unveiling of the program in 2016. During these workshops we’ve offered the motorcyclist’s perspective on key issues areas, making recommendations and playing a proactive role in the dialogue.

Therefore, it is discouraging that the recently issued report reflects none of this input, instead emphasizing only one countermeasure in which to mitigate motorcycle fatalities. Consequently, the report fails to mention the presence and participation of our organization as well as other key motorcycle organizations, which collectively represent over half-a-million motorcyclists in the United States.

Within the report, the assessment on motorcycle fatalities again and again points to helmet laws as a proven countermeasure. However, there is the notable absence of mention of proactive measures, which prevent a collision from occurring at all. Reactive steps may or may not offer some level of injury mitigation only after a crash has already taken place. If the goal is to eliminate all traffic deaths by 2050, there should be an emphasis on crash prevention and not simply safer crashing. These potential steps can manifest in a variety of ways including initiatives on rider education and training for new and returning riders, motorcycle awareness education for other roadway users and a variety of others. In reviewing the report, the only proactive measures mentioned in regard to motorcycle fatalities are automatic emergency braking, self-balancing control mechanisms for motorcycles and a connected vehicle system. However, each of these presents its own set of concerns; a motorcycle coming to a halt could result in throwing an unprepared rider, the self-balancing technology is not yet available and there are numerous studies which indicate that motorcycles are not consistently identified by lane assist, collision warning, and emergency breaking systems as a part of a connected roadway system. While these are certainly areas that should be reviewed, discussed and improved, they are not yet tangible solutions and there is uncertainty that they may even come to fruition by 2050.

Instead, the MRF, despite not being recognized in the report, have communicated, collaborated and participated in the various meetings and workshops that have taken place over the last two years, highlighting and advocating for tangible and practical initiatives that can be deployed immediately to include proactive countermeasures to reduce or eliminate motorcycle fatalities.

The absence of any acknowledgement of these ideas and lack of recognition of participating motorcycle organizations that represent our nation’s riders have unfortunately contributed to a flawed report that is neither practical nor inclusive when it comes to motorcycle safety. If the objective of Road to Zero is to truly achieve zero roadway deaths by 2050, we encourage leadership behind the program to be inclusive of input and ideas from all roadway users and to consider discussing practical proactive measures for motorcyclists.

For Immediate Release Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard Recipient of Coveted Sturgis Freedom Fighter Award

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 16:07:14 GMT

For Immediate Release

April 6, 2018

Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard
Recipient of Coveted Sturgis Freedom Fighter Award

WASHINGTON, DC – The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame recently issued an announcement confirming the incoming class of the 2018 Hall of Fame-ers. Each year, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame recognizes individuals or groups who have made a long-term, positive impact on the motorcycle community. This year’s class is noteworthy and diverse featuring artisans and craftsmen, philanthropic organizations and several women; all who have made an impact in the world of motorcycling. However, this year, a special award category, designated as The Freedom Fighter Award, was identified. The recipient for 2018 is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard.

Hardtail, as he is known in the motorcycle rights world, is spoken upon with the highest regard from riders representing all walks of life. From the aftermarket industry and original equipment manufacturers to the motorcycle clubs and state motorcycle rights’ organizations, he is known as a force to be reckoned with. Logging thousands upon thousands of miles on his motorcycles, his objectives have always stayed pure; to promote and preserve motorcycle riders’ freedoms and lifestyle. He has done just this not only locally in his home state of Wisconsin, but nationally and internationally through his work with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

A Lengthy List of Accomplishments

His name is synonymous with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation; an organization of motorcycle rights activists directly responsible for the historic repeal of the federal government funding incentive for states to require a helmet to ride a motorcycle. Though Hardtail himself worked to steer the MRF and its supporters in their efforts to ban National Highway Traffic Safety Administration employees to lobby state governments to implement universal protective gear laws. He worked tirelessly throughout the years, refuting EPA’s “Color and Chrome” initiative which would only allow riders to make cosmetic changes to their bikes, but would affect their performance through emission control devices. Prior to his taking over as Chairman of the MRF Board of Directors, he helped voice support to establish (and eventually expand) the only national lobby and advocacy day for bikers in the nation’s Capital.

Known as “Bikers Inside the Beltway” Hardtail helped to augment this yearly gathering into a highly anticipated powerhouse of an event, attracting hundreds of bikers from across the country to Washington, D.C. to meet with their elected officials. In recent years, the event has expanded, bringing rider education and training tools directly to the Capitol for lawmakers and staff to experience as well as plans to collaborate with the House Motorcycle Caucus this year in an event to recognize May as Motorcycle Awareness Month.

In more recent years, Hardtail’s leadership and work on the federal highway transportation bill lead to provisions which ended all federal funding of motorcycle only checkpoints which had been used as a way to target those who ride under the guise of “compliance checks.” He was also one of the catalysts in resurrecting the Motorcyclist Advisory Council – a group of riders with a direct connection to the nation’s top highway safety professionals to advise them on issues of importance to motorcyclists. And under his direction in 2017, bipartisan and bicameral legislation was introduced, recognizing and condemning instances of motorcyclist profiling and encouraging states to take action.

Accolades Across Aisles

Those who know him often compare his leadership style to that of President Theodore Roosevelt’s mantra – to walk softly and carry a big stick. His tireless and relentless commitment to the motorcycle community has made an impression on his friends and colleagues including Dave Dwyer, who is a former Board Member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and active member of ABATE of Wisconsin; “I have traveled the country with Hardtail and I feel that there is nobody in the United States more deserving of inclusion in Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame than Kirk “Hardtail” Willard.”

And in Willard’s home state, the Executive Director of ABATE of Wisconsin Dave Charlebois said, "Not only has Hardtail given a significant amount of time and effort to the motorcycle rights movement at the local, state, and national levels, he has inspired and mentored leaders for decades and has selflessly ensured we remain strong and vigilant. I can think of no one more deserving of inclusion to the Sturgis Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame."

Even those not directly involved in the motorcycle rights world were aware of his affect on the motorcycle community. Former Member of Congress Reid Ribble, who represented the 8^th district of Wisconsin from 2011-2016 said, “No one could be surprised by the news that “Hardtail” has been selected for the Sturgis Freedom Fighter Award. He regularly visited me while I served in Congress and was among the most effective advocates for the motorcycling community that I ever worked with. He is a true champion of riders everywhere and this recognition is well deserved!”

Mr. Willard will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame at the 78th Sturgis Rally set for August 3-12, 2018. A breakfast and ceremony in honor of the inductees will take place at 9am on Wednesday, August 9. Tickets are available online at https://www.sturgismuseum.com/Hall-of-Fame-Banquet-Tickets or interested parties can be invited to sit at a table purchased by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and ABATE of Wisconsin in honor of Willard’s induction.

For Immediate Release - Motorcycle Riders Foundation Releases Statement on Fatality Involving Self-Driving Car

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 11:57:01 GMT

For Immediate Release

March 20, 2018

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Releases Statement on Fatality
Involving Self-Driving Car

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation released the following statement regarding the incident in Arizona where a woman was struck and killed by an Uber SUV that was in autonomous mode:

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation was disturbed and disheartened to hear the news of the tragedy in Arizona. It is incidents like these that must make regulators and policymakers ensure that before automated vehicles are ubiquitous on our nation’s highways, a strong federal law must contain protections for all roadway users including pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. Though we continue to remain optimistic that fully autonomous vehicles can help to reduce human errors that cause 94% of crashes, we continue to insist that the technology must be highly regulated and fully vetted with certifiable safety testing and evaluation.

# #

For interviews, contact:
Megan Ekstrom, Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Relations
202-725-5471
Megan@MRF.org

For Immediate Release - Motorcycle Riders Foundation Responds to NHTSA Document on Motorcycle Fatalities

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 09:24:51 GMT

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2018

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Responds to NHTSA Document
on Motorcycle Fatalities

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation released its latest iteration of “Fact or Fiction” a document that takes a closer look at a government fact sheet concerning motorcycle injuries and fatalities.

In February, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a Traffic Safety Facts document specific to motorcycles. The information is extrapolated from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) which is a census of fatal crashes in all 50 States. Though the information in the fact sheet is contained in a larger agency document, motorcycle-specific information is collated into its own publication.

After reviewing and analyzing the document, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) quickly issued a statement and updated its “Fact or Fiction” paper, reacting to the NHTSA publication. Since 2010, the group has made a conscious effort to understand, analyze and provide additional context to government-issued statistics. According to the MRF’s Director of Motorcycle Safety and Vice-President of the Board of Directors Jay Jackson, this effort helps set the record straight and gives the broader motorcycle community a better understanding of where potential concerns may be identified.

The latest iteration of Fact or Fiction drills down on the data itself, raising concerns that the statistics also include mopeds, scooters and off-road bikes and therefore is not necessarily indicative of a factual problem. Further, that data should not be used in any serious discussion on ways to reduce motorcycle traffic fatalities because its bringing in very different classes of motorbikes, some of which are not even used for street riding. Another interesting statement from the publication takes a deeper dive on alcohol impairment and motorcycles. Though NHTSA cites that 25% of motorcyclists were killed in a crash involving alcohol, it does not mention that in passenger vehicles this figure was 28% in comparison. By not including this, it suggests to the reader that impaired driving is unique to motorcycles when in fact, it’s a broader passenger vehicle problem.

When asked for comment, President and Chairman of the Board for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard explained, “We think its important for the public to understand the full context of these kinds of government publications. I view it as a knowledge versus wisdom argument: knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.”

The NHTSA publication can be viewed here:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812492

The MRF’s 2018 Fact or Fiction document can be viewed here along with previous iterations:

https://www.mrf.org/fact-or-fiction/

For Immediate Release - WHAT ABOUT US? Why the Bikers of America Cannot Continue to be Ignored or Forgotten

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 13:50:57 GMT

For Immediate Release

February 13, 2018

WHAT ABOUT US?
Why the Bikers of America Cannot Continue to be Ignored or Forgotten

I’ve held the position of Vice-President of Government Affairs for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation for roughly 18 months. And during those months I’ve sat in countless meetings, congressional hearings, public information sessions, symposiums, conferences and breakout sessions which have covered a gamut of issues that affect riders. Anything and everything from ethanol to self-driving cars to road design and infrastructure, I’ve sat, listened and taken detailed notes. However, during the last couple of months I’ve started to uncover

a deeper (and darker) underlying message in my meetings. I’m not one for conspiracy theories so I won’t suggest that my theory is the product of some sort of anti-motorcycle secret society, but what I am beginning to believe is that the future of riders – our future – is questionable.

I say this because as I’ve sat through these meetings and conference calls, my takeaway increasingly becomes that the U.S. population at large, just doesn’t give a shit about motorcycles. We’re ignored or perhaps forgotten. We’re relegated to the category of recreation. And dangerous recreation at that. We’re swept into the same column as shark cage diving, or bull running or cliff base jumping. And though I have no problem with any of those recreational activities, riding motorcycles is not the same. It’s not even CLOSE to the same! Though many of us ride for the fun and the thrill of it, our bikes also get us from place to place. Unlike swimming with the sharks or running with the bulls, riding a motorcycle is a form of transportation. Motorcycles get us to work, to the post office, to the dentist. So why, in America of all places, are we forced to say again and again and again, what about us?

There is surprisingly little research done about the benefits of riding motorcycles. And I am not talking about benefits to the rider. You ask any one of our MRF members and they’ll tell you that riding is cheaper than seeing a psychiatrist. So lets put that aside for a minute and talk about the benefits to society. In Europe several years ago, there was a study done to test mobility – that is moving from point A to point B. They looked at commuting routes from outside major cities and within major cities as well as rural areas over varying distances and compared the mobility of a motorcycle to that of a car. And out of the fourteen tests they conducted to measure mobility, the motorcycle won 85% of the time. So in other words, a motorcycle is more likely to get you to your destination faster (and not just because you’re speeding).

The impacts go on from there. Another study (also in Europe where motorcycles are better viewed and accepted as a legitimate form of transportation) showed the impact of what might happen if just 10% of cars were replaced by motorcycles. Time loss for all vehicles would decrease by 40%. That means a quicker commute for everyone whether they are on a motorcycle or not. And with less cars on the road and less sitting in traffic, that means an impact on emissions. Though I have not uncovered a comprehensive study on the specific issue of reduced emissions and motorcycle usage, a case study by Transport & Mobility Leuven (yep, Europe again) stated that, “New motorcycles emit fewer pollutants compared to average privat

e cars (less NOX, NO2, PM2.5 and EC, but more VOC). They also emit less CO2. Total external emission costs of new motorcycles are more than 20% lower than average private cars. On the section of motorway between Leuven and Brussels, total emission costs can be reduced by 6% if 10% of private cars are replaced by motorcycles.”

There are other benefits too. Things like fuel efficiency; most bikes get as many miles per gallon as a car if not much more. What about infrastructure? Right now, the Trump Administration is currently figuring out how to raise $200 billion to upgrade our nation’s infrastructure which is in dire shape in some parts of the country. What

may have helped our nations’ crumbing infrastructure? A motorcycle’s lighter touch could mean less wear and tear on a bridge or a road than a heavier, wider-set vehicle.

Given all the aforementioned benefits, you’d think I’d hear some praise from non-riders. Instead, I hear a lot about noise pollution. And that’s when they even talk about motorcycles. In many cases, they aren’t. Take the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA); when they put out their initial guidance on autonomous vehicles and potential policies and safety factors, motorcycles weren’t even mentioned. They revised the document a year later, and though they did mention motorcycles, it was in the context of what vehicles NHTSA has jurisdiction over. Where it was blindingly not was in the section that has to do with the ability of this technology to identify and respond to objects on the road. Interestingly, the guidance names cars, trucks, pedestrians, bicyclists and animals. But not motorcycles.

Another instance of riders being forgotten (or ignored)? The newly minted U.S. version of Vision Zero, called Road to Zero. It’s a program with an admirable goal – to completely eliminate deaths on our nation’s highways in 20 years. The program spends very little time or resources on motorcycle and related issues in every meeting I’ve attended. Even the logo can’t be bothered to contain a motorcycle rider.

It is estimated that there are more than 300 million powered two-wheelers in the world. These are substantial numbers, so when it comes being viewed as a legitimate form of transportation, why are riders having to fight for a seat at the table? And an even bigger question is how we can change this dynamic? I don’t have the answers, but I bet if enough of us put our heads together we can start to chip away at the problem targeting not just society as a whole, but the different segments that contribute to this pervasive problem. From policymakers to media to public interest groups and everyone in between, we need to make sure that riders everywhere, regardless of what patch you hold or bike you ride, deliver the message that motorcycles have a place in the future.

Megan Ekstrom

Vice-President of Government Affairs & Public Relations

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Lawmakers & Staff Gather to Discuss Self-Driving Cars & Motorcyclists’ Concerns

Fri, 09 Feb 2018 13:26:54 GMT

For Immediate Release

February 7, 2018

Let Me Break it Down for You: BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY

Hey, you, yeah, YOU reading this. Are you coming to Bikers Inside the Beltway on May 14 & 15? If not then you can skip this article, but you also should reevaluate your decision making because Bikers Inside the Beltway (aka BITB) is one the MRF’s best events and is a good time for all.

Okay, if you are still reading this and you are confirmed to attend BITB or thinking about attending then you are going to want to absorb the following. Even if you are a long-time attendee – there is some good stuff you need to know. I am going to offer you a roadmap of what to do and how to do it as you prepare for BITB. Play along….

1. Register to attend! WHEN? ASAP!!!!

There’s no cost to you, but you do need to let us know you are coming because we need to make sure we have enough materials/space/etc. You can register at https://mrf.org/events/ or by calling 202-546-0983

2. Book Your Hotel WHEN? By April 15

We have 2 options for you – The Best Western in Falls Church for $125/night OR the Governor’s House Inn at $89/night. They are across the street from each other and a quick ride into the Capitol. Also, we’ll hold our prep session here on Monday night, May 14.

3. SCHEDULE Appointments with your Elected Officials WHEN? Start on April 16!

Okay, guys – this is the most important one. No more “drop bys” which many groups have done in the past. They are nowhere near as effective as scheduling an in-person meeting with the Member of Congress or staffer. Don’t know how to go about doing that? We’ve got you covered, so NO EXCUSES. See more on this below….

Upon registering for the event (see item #1!) we will provide you with a list of contact information for your state’s delegation. It has very useful information like their phone number, email address, and location. USE THIS
Email the contact person for the office you want to meet with – don’t know what to say? Don’t worry, the contact information sheet incudes language you can simply COPY & PASTE into an email. Easy peasy.
Rather call instead? No problem. Call the phone number listed for the office you want to meet with and say, “I am going to be in Washington, DC on May 15 and would like to schedule a meeting with the Congressman (or Senator) related to motorcycling.” The receptionist will take it from there which may be sending an email (see above) or by connecting you to the SCHEUDLER (that’s basically the secretary) who will either give you a time for a meeting or connect you to the appropriate staff person. If they direct you to a staff meeting you’ll want to say: “If the Congressman (or Senator) is unavailable, I would be willing to meet with the staffer that handles transportation issues.” Then pick a time. Write it down. Carry on.
One helpful hint – try to group your meetings in the same building. For SENATORS, that’s going to be Russell, Hart or Dirksen. For REPRESENTATIVES that’s going to be Cannon, Longworth or Rayburn. If you try to group your meetings by building, its going to save you a LOT of walking
One more helpful hint – for those of you with large delegations for which you can’t possibly see all in one day, pick those Representatives where a constituent (that’s someone that lives in their district) will be present for the meeting. Still have time to see more folks? Ask me who you think you should make an appointment to see. I can steer you towards the Representatives or Senators where you’re more likely to make headway on the issues.

4. Find a Way to Get to Washington, D.C.

Fly, train, walk or RIDE – we need you here by Monday, May 14 at 7:00pm. We’ll gather together, go over the issues, provide you with handouts to distribute during your meetings and answer any questions. The early Tuesday morning, we’ll be KSU and headed to the Capitol.

This year we’re also hosting a “debrief” session at the local American Legion just a couple blocks from the Capitol. Starting at 3pm you can drop by, download on your meetings, have a drink and some food courtesy of our BITB sponsors and compare notes and any follow-up that’s necessary.

If you’ve got more questions just drop me a line….

Via email megan@mrf.org

Via landline 202-546-0983

Via text message 202-725-5471

SEE YOU IN WASHINGTON, D.C.!

-Megan Ekstrom,
Vice-President Government Affairs & Public Relations, Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Let Me Break it Down for You: BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY

Wed, 07 Feb 2018 09:21:48 GMT

For Immediate Release

February 7, 2018

Let Me Break it Down for You: BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY

1. Register to attend! WHEN? ASAP!!!!

2. Book Your Hotel WHEN? By April 15

3. SCHEDULE Appointments with your Elected Officials WHEN? Start on April 16!

Upon registering for the event (see item #1!) we will provide you with a list of contact information for your state’s delegation. It has very useful information like their phone number, email address, and location. USE THIS
Email the contact person for the office you want to meet with – don’t know what to say? Don’t worry, the contact information sheet incudes language you can simply COPY & PASTE into an email. Easy peasy.
Rather call instead? No problem. Call the phone number listed for the office you want to meet with and say, “I am going to be in Washington, DC on May 15 and would like to schedule a meeting with the Congressman (or Senator) related to motorcycling.” The receptionist will take it from there which may be sending an email (see above) or by connecting you to the SCHEUDLER (that’s basically the secretary) who will either give you a time for a meeting or connect you to the appropriate staff person. If they direct you to a staff meeting you’ll want to say: “If the Congressman (or Senator) is unavailable, I would be willing to meet with the staffer that handles transportation issues.” Then pick a time. Write it down. Carry on.
One helpful hint – try to group your meetings in the same building. For SENATORS, that’s going to be Russell, Hart or Dirksen. For REPRESENTATIVES that’s going to be Cannon, Longworth or Rayburn. If you try to group your meetings by building, its going to save you a LOT of walking
One more helpful hint – for those of you with large delegations for which you can’t possibly see all in one day, pick those Representatives where a constituent (that’s someone that lives in their district) will be present for the meeting. Still have time to see more folks? Ask me who you think you should make an appointment to see. I can steer you towards the Representatives or Senators where you’re more likely to make headway on the issues.

4. Find a Way to Get to Washington, D.C.

If you’ve got more questions just drop me a line….

Via email megan@mrf.org

Via landline 202-546-0983

Via text message 202-725-5471

SEE YOU IN WASHINGTON, D.C.!

-Megan Ekstrom,
Vice-President Government Affairs & Public Relations, Motorcycle Riders Foundation

CALL TO ACTION: National Profiling Survey

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 15:14:35 GMT

For Immediate Release

January 25, 2018

CALL TO ACTION, National Profiling Survey

Your MRF has been hard at work in Washington, DC shoring up support for bipartisan and bicameral legislation to address motorcycle profiling. H.Res.318 and S.Res.154 are pending before Congress and in need of additional supporters in order to move forward in the legislative process.

Like any credible, national organization we make our case for more supporters with cold, hard facts. To get these facts, we work closely with the Motorcycle Profiling Project who is collecting data to demonstrate where profiling is occurring in the country and if it is on the rise.

To help make sure the data we present to our lawmakers is as accurate as possible, I am asking you to take a few moments and fill out the survey which can be accessed by clicking on the link below. Its completely anonymous and its only 13 questions. YOUR VOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NMPS2018

On behalf of the entire MRF membership and its Board of Directors, thank you for your support on this issue.

RIDE FREE-

For Immediate Release - Motorcycle Riders Foundation Delivers Petition at First Meeting of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council, Asking to ‘Let Riders Speak’

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 18:19:38 GMT

For Immediate Release

December 6, 2017

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Delivers Petition at
First Meeting of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council, Asking to ‘Let Riders Speak’

WASHINGTON, DC – A petition containing over 5,000 signatures was delivered to the first meeting of the Federal Highway Administration’s Motorcyclist Advisory Council on Tuesday. The document was presented by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and demanded that the Council designate additional seats to represent the motorcycle rider community. Currently, the Council has 10 available seats; only one of which is filled by a motorcycle rider association representative.

Reauthorized in the latest highway bill in 2016, the Motorcyclist Advisory Council or ‘MAC’ was created to coordinate with and counsel the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on infrastructure and other issues that affect motorcyclists. It was originally conceptualized in 2005, and designed to allow the motorcycle community a dialogue with government officials; the only one of its kind. Previous iterations of the group also held 10 seats, however unlike the current parameters, 4 of the 10 council members included representatives from the motorcycling community from various state and federal motorcycle associations. When the MAC was reauthorized, the Federal Highway Administration eliminated all but one of these, only calling for 1 representative from the motorcycling community with the other 9 positions to be filled by experts in roadway data, design and engineering.

“We continue to be concerned that [the MAC], the ONLY group of its kind on a national scale, fails to include adequate representation of the nearly 8.5 million motorcycle riders on our nation’s roadways,” said Megan Ekstrom, Vice-President of Government Affairs for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation in prepared comments delivered at the meeting. “Only ONE out of TEN of these individuals can speak for the rider community at large and has the authority to do so and is here to serve that specific purpose. The MAC should have more of these,” Ekstrom went on to say.

Members of Congress also weighed in. The Senate issued a letter, led by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) asking for additional seats for motorcycle riders association. The letter, sent in February, included Senator John Thune (R-SD), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation which has jurisdiction over transportation-related matters.

The U.S. House of Representatives issued its own letter to Secretary Chao, outlining their own concerns and asking the Secretary of Transportation to allow the motorcycle community a strong voice on the Council. The letter stated, “It is critical to allow motorcyclists to have a strong voice on this Council. These are the individuals who have experience and can provide a motorcyclist’s insights on the challenges and benefits of our roadways. Depending on where they live, riders have unique experiences and are differently impacted by roadway and barrier design, and construction, among others.”

Seated in the audience of Tuesday’s meeting was Andy Kelly. Kelly, a rider for most of his life and a member of ABATE of Pennsylvania, which stands for “Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education” made the trip to Washington, DC to attend the meeting after signing the petition. A handful of other motorcycle riders representing various state and local rider associations were also in the audience, allowed to listen, but not officially weigh in on issues that affect them as riders.

“This is an example of government at its worst,” said Ekstrom. “The purpose of this group is to advise on issues important to motorcyclists, how can the MAC identify and prioritize these issues, without adequate rider representation?”

A copy of the petition and Ekstrom’s remarks are below.

P E T I T I O N

We Call on the Department of Transportation to Add Seats to the Motorcyclist Advisory Council for Motorcycle Riders’ Associations

In 2015, Congress re-established the Motorcyclist Advisory Council in the Highway Bill to advise the Federal Highway Administration on “issues of concern to motorcyclists.” This important group would serve as the ONLY official forum on a national scale for motorcyclists to have an open dialogue with the Government to discuss concerns like road and barrier design, the emergence of autonomous vehicles and other areas of the nation’s highways and infrastructure which impact motorcyclists in a unique way.

In 2017, an announcement was made naming 10 individuals to serve as appointees to the Council. Regrettably, all but one individual selected was represent the technical aspects of the Council, including engineering, construction and traffic safety systems as well as roadway data. Only one seat out of ten was designated for a national motorcycle riders’ association and speak for the 8.5 million motorcyclists in the U.S. And though 8 of the 10 appointees have their motorcycle endorsements, their intended purpose for participation on the Council is to represent the infrastructure and technical side of the conversation, not to advocate for riders. Nor do they have the authority to speak on behalf of riders at large, as would other motorcycle riders’ associations at the national and regional levels.

We, the below signed, call on the Secretary of Transportation to add 3 additional seats to the MAC; another seat for a national motorcycle rider’s association dedicated to on-street riders as well as at least two other seats for regional motorcycle riders’ associations.

Adding these three seats will ensure a balanced and fair composition to the Council and will adequately represent the voice and concerns of street motorcyclists across the nation.

#LetRidersSpeak

Prepared Remarks

By

Megan Ekstrom, Vice-President of Government Affairs

Motorcycle Riders Foundation

On 5^th of December 2017

At the Motorcyclist Advisory Council Meeting

My name is Megan Ekstrom and I am the Vice-President of Government Affairs for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation or MRF provides leadership for states’ and regional motorcycle riders associations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. Through our state partners and affiliates, we have a network of over 250,000 motorcycle riders representing all 50 states.

I’d like to start by thanking the Federal Highway Administration for allowing me to speak. As many in this room already know, the MRF has been critical of the parameters and the process for participation in the Motorcyclist Advisory Council - particularly with regard to the lack of representation for state and national motorcycle riders’ associations.

First, I want to be very clear that our grievances are in no way intended to be an attack or criticism of the 10 current appointees to the MAC. Each one of these individuals (several of which I know personally) bring important areas of expertise to the table. Whether that’s engineering or construction, safety or roadway data, each of their voices is critical to ensuring a successful MAC. I also recognize that the majority of the appointees are motorcycle riders themselves and can speak to their own individual riding experience.

While we recognize and appreciate this effort to be inclusive, we continue to be concerned that this important group, the ONLY one of its kind on a national scale, fails to include adequate representation of the nearly 8.5 million motorcycle riders on our nation’s roadways.

While the majority of MAC appointees have their motorcycle endorsement, only ONE out of TEN of these individuals can speak for the rider community at large and has the authority to do so and is here to serve that specific purpose

We believe the MAC should have more of these.

Associations have the ability to speak on behalf of a larger group of individuals, identifying common ground, areas of interest and prioritization of issues. They can point out different concerns in various parts of the country, geographically identifying where needs are most urgent based on feedback from their extensive member networks.

While the AMA can certainly help to fulfill that role, we are concerned that only one voice to speak on behalf of 8.5 million is enough.

I am not alone in voicing this concern – this year almost 40 members of congress from both the House and Senate, both Republican and Democrat, sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Chao laying out the concerns I have reiterated. Each of these letters stated that in order to facilitate a successful MAC, the Federal Highway Administration should allow more seats for designated motorcycle riders associations in order to ensure a productive dialogue.

I will submit these letters again for the record as well as a petition that I am bringing forth:

This petition signed by over 5,000 motorcycle riders in the U.S. calls on the Secretary to add 3 additional seats to the MAC: another seat for a national motorcycle rider’s association dedicated to on-street riders as well as at least two other seats for regional or state motorcycle riders’ associations. If these 3 seats are added, which is permitted under the discretion of the Secretary, it will result in a more robust conversation, ensuring that the purpose of the MAC, as written under the statute, is fulfilled as it was intended by Congress

Thank you for listening to our concerns - like everyone in this room, the MRF simply wants to ensure that the unique needs, experiences, and requirements of motorcyclists from across the U.S. are being considered and heard.

Targeted For Existing: Where Pop Culture Ends and Real Life Begins for America’s Bikers

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 16:29:14 GMT

Download the Printer Friendly Version Here

Targeted For Existing: Where Pop Culture Ends and Real Life Begins for America’s Bikers

By: Megan Ekstrom

When I first spoke with “Professor Blade” I noticed a subtle accent; “Former British Army” he informed me, though he now resides in the San Diego area. In addition to his accent, I noticed he was remarkably polite and articulate, which isn’t surprising given his career as a middle school teacher and college professor. What IS surprising however, is the fact that this man was recently arrested, charged with a felony and held on a $125k bail. So why was this man, former military and college educator without any criminal record arrested? He says he was profiled by California State police, simply because he was riding a motorcycle.

Though entertaining, bikers openly mock the hit TV show, “Sons of Anarchy” which portrays a fictional outlaw motorcycle club as murderers, rapists and drug addicts who all use excessive violence to get what they want. Unfortunately, for the 8 million Americans who ride, perception can be reality. Professor Blade and members of his motorcycle club “The Chosen Few” know this all too well. He says he and his fellow club members have been targeted by local law enforcement for years. “There’s a bar we all go to pretty regularly,” Professor Blade tells me. “The night I was arrested I was there for a party for a friend who is in the marines. When we arrived, I could see police staked out across the street from the bar, just watching and waiting.” Upon leaving the party he was pulled over the second he turned out of the parking lot on his motorcycle. The impetus for the stop? Loud pipes—a reason Professor Blade finds suspect given they were in close proximity to the Miramar Air Station. “It was so loud we couldn’t even hear the sound from the police dash camera. There is no way he heard my pipes which are in full compliance with California state law.” Ultimately, Professor Blade wasn’t cited for his pipes, but he was questioned about the leadership of his motorcycle club and then arrested for possession of brass knuckles and a deadly weapon. One of the “brass knuckles” that prompted his arrest? His wedding ring. The deadly weapon? A 24-inch decorative whip that was zip-tied to his handlebar on the throttle side. Police arrested him, confiscated his bike and a judge set his bail at $125,000.

It would be unfair to pin the perception of equating bikers to criminals solely on the show, Sons of Anarchy. There are legends and lore about bikers from movies to music and throughout American pop culture. The “bad boy” biker narrative has grown over time and though entertaining, it’s resulted in some real (and not so entertaining) consequences.

The Motorcycle Profiling Project (MPP) has been collecting research for two years capturing data and information from motorcyclists who feel they have been profiled by law enforcement for riding a motorcycle or wearing motorcycle-related attire. According to the Motorcycle Profiling Project, 28% of respondents felt they had been profiled. Though the data from 2016 is still being reviewed, early indications show that this number will grow exponentially. The state with the highest reported incidents of profiling? California—which is where Professor Blade was arrested.

Though incidents of profiling certainly are not limited to California. Every single state has reported instances of motorcycle profiling according to the MPP. And while California is the biggest offender, Texas, Florida, Arizona and Pennsylvania rank in the top five. The state at the bottom of the list with the lowest incidents of reporting? That would be Washington state which passed a law in 2009 requiring law enforcement trainees to undergo training specific to addressing motorcycle profiling and best practices when stopping a motorcyclist. According to the MPP which spearheaded the Washington law, it’s working. In fact, reported incidents of profiling have been reduced over 90%. Maryland passed a similar law in 2016 and several state legislatures will be considering similar bills in their next sessions. Even our federal lawmakers have shown an interest in the issue with the House and Senate each introducing legislation (S.Res.154, H.Res.318) addressing motorcycle profiling in May of this year pushed by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

No one should make the argument that criminal elements don’t exist in the motorcycle world. A quick google search turns up many reports of bikers arrested on drug charges and domestic violence among others. A 2015 report from the FBI on gangs identifies outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMG) as a concern stating that motorcyclists have evolved from “bar room brawlers” to “sophisticated criminals.” However, according to the report, when looking at gangs and gang members as a whole, 88% are attributed to street gangs, 9.5% to prison gangs and only 2.5% are attributed to motorcycle gangs. And yet, according to Vox Media, a recent survey showed that 14% of law enforcement officials identified motorcycle gangs first among the most problematic gangs in their jurisdictions; a figure that doesn’t add up when reviewing where motorcycle gangs actually fall on the spectrum.

Professor Blade, whose real name is Flavius A B Akerele III, ultimately plead to a misdemeanor for possession of the decorative whip that hung from his handlebar. But the consequences didn’t stop there. As a result of his misdemeanor, he has lost his right to own a gun for three years—a hefty price to pay for an enthusiast and someone professionally trained in firearms. And despite the felony charge being dropped, the pending charge affected his background check when he was exploring a new position with a community college. And just recently, he was pulled over yet again upon leaving the local Harley-Davidson dealership where he says that once again, police were set up watching who entered and exited on motorcycles.

So while the “bad boy biker” persona is iconic and the popular image of bikers as degenerates and hooligans makes for good TV, there are practical effects for your average motorcycle rider. When I ask Professor Blade what he wants others to know about his lifestyle and his story he tells me, “This is the kind of harassment I see on a daily basis. Bikers aren’t criminals. They are our country’s nurses, firefighters and teachers. We are being targeted for simply existing.”

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION - 2221 S. Clark St. Arlington VA 22202
www.mrf.org

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

For Immediate Release - Meeting of the Minds Agenda Released

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 19:23:55 GMT

For Immediate Release

September 14, 2017

Meeting of the Minds Agenda Released

It's that time of the year again! Meeting of the Minds is one week away. We are looking forward to a great conference where we will hear from many great speakers.

Online registration closes tonight at Midnight, there is still time to bring a friend.

If you are flying in for the conference please contact the Conference Director 24 hours in advance of your flight departure - jcannon@mrf.org. Shuttle service will be provided from the Newport News and Richmond International Airports.

Check out the Conference Agenda at - http://mrf.org/events/

We are excited to see in Williamsburg!

August 24, 2017 - For Immediate Release - MOTM Early Registration Deadline

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 13:39:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 24, 2017

Meeting of the Minds 2017 Early Registration Deadline Monday

Have you registered yet? Monday, August 28th is the early deadline to receive the early member registration rate of $80. We hope that you will join us Williamsburg, VA for the 2017 Meeting of the Minds Conference, September 21-24^th hosted by our partners, Virginia Bikers Association and Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists.

You can now pre-order your MOTM event t-shirt during registration but you must do so before the early registration deadline. This is a great way to be sure you get the shirt size and color that you need. Event shirts will be available at the conference, but we encourage you to pre-order to assure your choice. This year you can purchase a long sleeve shirt in gray or black for $25 or short sleeve shirt for $20 in the following colors: black, blue, gray or orange. Pre-ordered shirts can be picked up in the products room during the conference.

The MRF encourages you, if you have not done so already, to make your hotel arrangements by September 5th to receive the conference rate of $109. After that date, not only will the room rate go up, but room availability is not guaranteed at the host hotel. Reservations can be made at the Doubletree Williamsburg by calling (757) 220-2500.

We encourage you to register for the conference prior to August 28^th. Not only will you save $10.00 on your registration, you will greatly assist our hosts in planning for the event. The more accurate a number provided the easier it will be to assure they print conference workbooks for every attendee, not to mention stocking up on food and beverages for the Hospitality Room.

If you're flying in, then first off - my apologies. The Virginia SMRO’s will provide shuttle service from either Richmond or Newport News airports. We will have a dedicated phone number set up that I will publish once it’s arranged if need be you can reach out to me directly. If you have auction items or anything else to ship in ahead of time reach out to John Bilotta, John is the in-state coordinator, at johnblt357@gmail.com.

To register for this event, you can visit our website at www.mrf.org or by contacting the office at (202) 546-0983. You can also download registration form and mail them to: 2221 S. Clark St, Arlington, VA 22202. For more information about this conference, contact the Conference Director, Jim Cannon, by calling (804) 314-9071 or by e-mail at jcannon@mrf.org.

See you next month in Williamsburg!

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would also like to thank this year’s platinum conference sponsors.

Ride to Work Day Supported by Riders Across the Nation and Key Cities

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 18:55:43 GMT

For Immediate Release

June 19, 2016

Ride to Work Day Supported by Riders Across the Nation and Key Cities

WASHINGTON, DC – Today marks the 26^th anniversary of “Ride to Work Day,” an annual national event that promotes the motorcycle as viable alternative for commuting to work.

In many areas of the country, increased traffic and parking congestion problems are accompanied by deteriorating roads due to higher-than-ever numbers of cars on the road simply used for commuting short distances. For those who ride, using your motorcycle as an alternative to commute can help to alleviate traffic and congestion problems as well instill other public benefits.

According to the United States Census Bureau and the Department of Transportation, over eighty million cars and light trucks are used every day for commuting, and only about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. Additional data suggests that traveling by motorcycle can shorten journey times by as much as 33 minutes of every hour for city travel. This is in addition to more parking options, fuel savings and the undeniable advantage of enjoying the environment and your surroundings.

This year’s Ride to Work event recognizes our nation’s road warriors and sends a strong and united message that riding is a socially beneficial form of transportation which provides a broad range of other public benefits. Internationally this exercise is also gaining traction with dedicated Ride to Work Days in Russia, Turkey Puerto Rico, Mexico, Israel, Hungary, Great Britain, Germany, France, Ecuador, Canada and Brazil

Here in the U.S. cities can show their support by issuing proclamations stating the benefits of riding to work and encouraging motorcycles as a form of daily transportation. At the time of writing, this year’s cities include:

Lancaster, PA
Kyle, TX
Danville, VA
Waconia, MN
McGehee, AR

Since 1992, this event has been organized by the Ride to Work organization in an effort to increase public awareness of motorcyclists; promote the use of motorcycles as a method of transportation; and increase motorcycle safety.

For more information, visit: http://www.ridetowork.org/

BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY BRINGS HUNDREDS TO WASHINGTON

Wed, 31 May 2017 20:27:54 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 31, 2016

BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY BRINGS HUNDREDS TO WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, over 100 motorcyclists made the trek to Washington, DC to connect with elected officials from across the country in support of motorcyclists’ rights. Participants included Members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, State Motorcycle Rights Organizations (SMROs) and representatives from NCOM, as well as motorcycle clubs all across the country. More than 300 meetings with Members of Congress and their staff took place on May 23.

Dozens of motorcycles lined third Street in front of the U.S. Capitol as rights advocates prepared to discuss issues critical to the 2017 legislative agenda. Among these included supporting the RPM Act, ensuring motorcyclists had a voice within the emerging area of autonomous vehicles, and the reestablished Motorcycle Advisory Council, as well as recommendations concerning the definition of a motorcycle. Notably, participants asked their legislators to support and co-sponsor recently introduced legislative measures citing concerns over the profiling of motorcyclists (H.Res.318 and S.Res154).

Every meeting marked another critical step forward in building and maintaining relationships with congressional offices, and each meeting provided the opportunity to communicate directly with a wide array of lawmakers who are currently considering legislation that would affect the rights of motorcyclists. The event also helped to educate and raise awareness among elected officials about the challenges many motorcyclists face on our nation’s highways. This was demonstrated in an event held in Cannon House Office Building, which allowed Members of Congress and their staff to experience these challenges first hand by using a SMARTrainer which simulates some of the situations riders experience. The SMARTrainer event, sponsored by MRF Awareness & Education, was hosted by Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa and was widely-attended.

President of the Board of Directors for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard said, “This mobilization of riders from across our nation delivered crucial messages ensuring our voice is heard in Washington. With every Member of Congress representing hundreds of thousands of constituents, this event allows riders to deliver our message in person and hold our lawmakers accountable for protecting our right to ride.”

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983 You are receiving this message because you opted in at http://mrf.org/alerts/. ; If you choose to not receive these alerts moving forward, please click the unsubscribe button or contact the office at:MRFoffice@mrf.org

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2017 BITB – THANK YOU & ACTION ITEMS

Fri, 26 May 2017 20:26:37 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 26, 2017

2017 BITB – THANK YOU & ACTION ITEMS

To Everyone that Helped Make This Year’s BITB a Success-

WE DID IT! Many of you are still making the trek home from Washington, DC probably a little tired from all of the excitement and activity of our lobbying meetings this week. I can tell you without a doubt the day was a success. I know this because my inbox is already starting to get full with emails from staffers saying they met with a group of motorcyclists wanting to follow up on their discussions.

BUT OUR WORK IS NOT DONE YET. Though the day was a success – our work is far from over. We’ll need to follow up on our meetings and ensure that our elected officials come through on whatever promises they made during your meetings on Tuesday.

YOU CAN START RIGHT NOW. Please consider copying and pasting the below thank you note and emailing it to the staffer or office you met with. A thank you note is expected and will ensure that we stay on their radar. Hopefully the below will make it easy on you! Please utilize your state delegation contact sheets for the email addresses or the business cards you picked up in the meetings.

Last but not least – SEND YOUR PHOTOS! We’ll publish many of these in our reports as well as other outlets in the coming weeks and months. You can text pictures to (202) 546-0983 or email to mrfoffice@mrf.org

Thank you to everyone that make the trip to Washington. Our voices were heard! Let’s not lose this momentum!

-megan

SAMPLE TEXT TO EMAIL TO STAFFERS:

I want to thank you for taking the time to meet with me on Tuesday May 23^rd to discuss many of the issues that are important to our state as well as motorcyclists across the country. I enjoyed our conversation and am looking forward to working with you over the coming weeks to support the biker community.

As a reminder, we are asking that if your boss has not already done so, please sign on to our resolution that addresses the profiling of motorcyclists (H.Res.318 and S.Res.154).

ALSO, we want to increase supporters for the RPM Act (S.203 and H.R.350) and get this bill to the floor for a vote!

And as the discussion advances on things like autonomous vehicles, autocycles, ethanol and the Motorcyclist Advisory Council, we hope we can be included and have a seat at the table!

Lastly, I wanted to provide you with contact information for Megan Ekstrom with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. Megan is our eyes and ears in Washington and can provide you with any additional information you might need to ensure our meeting on Tuesday turns into action! Her email is MEGAN@mrf.org and her mobile number is 202-725-5471

Thank you again for your time. We hope we can count on your office for support!

Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill Introduced Addressing Motorcycle Profiling

Thu, 04 May 2017 18:48:50 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 4, 2017

Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill Introduced Addressing Motorcycle Profiling

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), Michael Burgess (R-Texas) and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) along with Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hamp.) jointly introduced a bipartisan and bicameral resolution concerning the profiling of motorcyclists.

The bill defines the practice of motorcycle profiling and expresses the sentiments of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives on the issue of motorcycle profiling. Additionally, the bill promotes increased public awareness on the issue and encourages collaboration, education and training for the motorcycle and law enforcement communities in order to end instances of profiling.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), which has been advocating for a national solution to address motorcycle profiling with the support of the Motorcycle Profiling Project, will work over the coming months with states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders to advance the measure.

President of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard, stated this with the bill’s release: “For too long motorcyclists have felt the effects of discrimination from law enforcement. Riding a motorcycle doesn’t make me suspect. We hope that, with this bill’s introduction, we can shine a national spotlight on this issue that affects every rider in every state, and helps put an end to this unconstitutional practice.”

CALL TO ACTION - A Message from MRF President, Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard

Mon, 20 Feb 2017 18:46:54 GMT

For Immediate Release

February 20, 2017

A Message from MRF President, Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard – CALL TO ACTION

As many of you know, last year the MRF assumed a new endeavor related to the unconstitutional practice of motorcycle profiling. After reports began to rise from our own membership citing instances where they felt singled out by law enforcement simply because of their appearance, apparel, or because they are simply riding a motorcycle, the MRF decided to take action.

Working with its partners within the Anti-Profiling Action Group, the MRF developed a strategy at the national level to help combat profiling, an issue that affects ALL riders and is unfortunately increasing. We know this to be true because of a survey put forth by the Motorcycle Profiling Project. In 2015, the survey found over 50% of riders across the U.S. reported being unjustifiably stopped by police at least once while riding their motorcycles. With a participation level of over 5,000 motorcyclists nation-wide, these facts and figures will help support and solidify our concerns over this issue when addressing lawmakers in Washington, D.C.

This year, the Motorcycle Profiling Project has launched another survey designed to reach an even broader audience. Like the previous survey, its results will be used as critical tools in the efforts to obtain legislative relief across the country.

I am asking you to take a few moments and fill out the survey, which can be accessed by clicking on the link below. It’s completely anonymous and it’s only 15 questions.
YOUR VOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE!

http://www.motorcycleprofilingproject.com/national-motorcycle-profling-survey/

On behalf of the entire MRF membership and its Board of Directors, thank you for your support on this issue.

RIDE FREE-

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Senate Joins House in Support of the RPM Act

Thu, 26 Jan 2017 18:48:44 GMT

For Immediate Release

January 26, 2017

Senate Joins House in Support of the RPM Act

WASHINGTON, DC – It was a one-two punch for motorcycle and race car enthusiasts during the month of January. Following the January 6^th introduction by the House of Representatives, the Senate released its version, (S.203) of the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2017 (RPM Act). Introduced by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), the bill already has a number of supporters from both political parties. Similarly, the House version (HR.350) has 73 supporters though this number grows by the day.

Like the version pending in the House, the Senate bill ensures that transforming motor vehicles, including motorcycles, into race cars or racing bikes used exclusively in competition does not violate the Clean Air Act. The issue came to a head when EPA officials insisted that they have the authority to regulate the racing industry according to the Clean Air Act. The RPM Act would clarify that the Clean Air Act does indeed allow motor vehicles, including motorcycles, to be converted into dedicated race vehicles without fear of EPA penalties or enforcement action.

Similar bills surfaced last year but ultimately fell short of passage before the 114^th Congress adjourned in December of 2016. Proponents of the amateur racing industry and others including the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, and the Specialty Equipment Market Association have included passage of the RPM Act as one of their key priorities in the 2017 legislative season. Both organizations among several others were listed as supporters on Senator Burr’s press release on S.203:

http://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/burr-introduces-bill-to-keep-epa-from-devastating-amateur-motorsports

“The Clean Air Act was never intended to allow the EPA to regulate race cars or motorcycles,” said Megan Ekstrom, Vice-President of Government Affairs for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. “This is, unfortunately, yet another example of an agency’s overreach.”

Over 200,000 letters were sent last year to Congress in support of passage of the RPM Act last year. The bills will now go through the legislative process in which many are hopeful the proposals will cross the finish line.

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983
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MARK YOUR CALENDERS – MAY 23rd IS BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY!

Tue, 24 Jan 2017 18:49:40 GMT

For Immediate Release

January 24, 2017

MARK YOUR CALENDERS – MAY 23^rd IS BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY!

Tuesday, May 23, 2017 is the 9^th Annual Michael ‘Boz’ Kerr Bikers Inside the Beltway event in Washington, DC! This is an amazing, once-a-year opportunity to have a lasting impact on Washington’s policymakers. Hosted by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, this is YOUR opportunity to inform, educate and encourage our legislators about the motorcycle community and the issues we care about.

Read below to get more information on what to expect and how to sign up or visit us at http://mrf.org/events/

Why Should I Attend?

Though it might be hard to believe that one trip to Washington, DC can have a lasting impact on our lawmakers, it’s a proven fact that it DOES make a difference. During 2016’s BITB event, the MRF network visited delegations from 25 states and held over 300 meetings to discuss our agenda, 100 of which were sit-down discussions that resulted in 79% of those legislators either supporting or co-sponsoring legislation we care about. Lobbying really does work!

Where Will I Stay?

The MRF has booked a room block at the Holiday Inn National Airport/Crystal City for a rate of $135 a night. Call 703-684-7200 to book. The hotel is metro accessible and a 5-minute walk to the MRF’s new offices in Crystal City and is 3 miles from our nation’s Capitol.

What’s the Schedule?

Plan to arrive to the hotel by late afternoon on Monday, May 22. The MRF will host a prep session that evening to go over expectations and provide a deep dive of the issues and will host a dinner immediately following. Kickstands up early Tuesday morning for the ride into Washington, DC followed by a full day of meetings with legislators and staff.

What Do You Need from Me to Sign Up?

Your commitment! Contact mrfoffice@mrf.org or call 202-546-0983 to register for this event. Though there is not a cost to attend, you will be expected to make appointments with your lawmakers, attend the prep session and report back on your meetings. This year we will also be asking for State Leads to help coordinate meetings and serve as the main point of contact for the MRF staff. If you are interested in attending BITB and serving as a lead, please let us know.

IN ORDER TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL LOBBY DAY, PLEASE SIGN UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT WILL CLOSE ON MAY 1^ST AFTER WHICH SPACE WILL NOT BE GUARANTEED.

SEE YOU IN WASHINGTON, DC!

Megan J. Ekstrom

Vice-President, Government Affairs & Public Relations
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983
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The RPM Act Surfaces Again in the 115th Congress

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 18:50:52 GMT

For Immediate Release

January 17, 2017

The RPM Act Surfaces Again in the 115^th Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – For the amateur racing industry, the year started out on a strong note. One of the first bills to be introduced in the newly indoctrinated 115^th session of Congress was the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2017 (RPM Act). U.S. Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC) reintroduced H.R. 350 which protects Americans’ right to modify street cars and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles and industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete.

The same measure was introduced during the last legislative session and though it ultimately didn’t see floor time, it had broad bipartisan support with over 100 supporters in the House of Representatives and dozens in the U.S. Senate. This year, H.R.350 started out with 61 cosponsors with those numbers already increasing as additional supporters begin to sign on.

Rep. McHenry released a statement with the introduction of the bill, “Last year, I was proud to lead the fight against the misguided EPA regulation targeting racing, but our work is not done,” said the Congressman. “In the coming months, I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and the new Administration to ensure the RPM Act becomes law."

The RPM Act came to fruition after the EPA proposed a rule to establish Phase 2 regulations for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2015. Within the 625-page rulemaking was one sentence that would have the effect of banning any conversion of street automobiles or motorcycles into racing vehicles. The language pertaining to race-modified street vehicles and motorcycles was included seemingly at random within a huge proposal having to do with cutting emissions from heavy- and medium-duty trucks. However, it would effectively outlaw part of the amateur car and motorcycle racing industry.

In April of 2016, the EPA announced that, under pressure from Congress, it would drop the language from its proposed regulations. However, despite the EPA’s announcement, spokespersons from the Agency are still stating that the clarification does not affect EPA's enforcement authority. This shows the clear intent of the EPA to attempt to overstep its bounds, as outlined by the Clean Air Act, in an effort to strip motorcyclists of the rights to modify their motorcycles as they see fit.

Supporters of the RPM Act will provide clarity to industry and enthusiasts that the Clean Air Act allows motor vehicles, including motorcycles, to be converted into dedicated race vehicles.

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983
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Federal Highway Administration Moves Forward with Motorcyclist Advisory Council: Motorcyclists Severely Underrepresented

Mon, 09 Jan 2017 18:52:04 GMT

For Immediate Release

January 9, 2017

Federal Highway Administration Moves Forward with Motorcyclist Advisory Council: Motorcyclists Severely Underrepresented

WASHINGTON, DC – Motorcyclists across the country were discouraged to find out that the Federal Highway Administration will only require one motorcyclist to serve on an Advisory Council supposedly dedicated to representing those who ride. The Motorcyclist Advisory Council, a newly reestablished group, is supposed to serve and advise the Federal Highway Administration on issues critical to motorcyclists across the nation. By design, the “MAC” would allow motorcyclists the opportunity to discuss how they are affected by roadway design, barriers, construction, and the emergence of intelligent transportation systems like driverless vehicles. However, according to a notice in the Federal Register, the Council is instead requiring participants with safety and engineering backgrounds and only indicating room for one representative from the motorcycling community.

The MAC of the Past
The original Motorcyclist Advisory Council was established in a 2005 highway bill. The 2005 law called for the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration to have a dialogue with the motorcycle community on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists. The Council had 10 members consisting of representatives from the motorcycling community as well as individuals with professional expertise in national motorcyclist safety. According to the 2005 law, four of the ten council members were to include members of the motorcycling community from various state and federal motorcycle associations. The other 6 members would serve to provide the necessary technical expertise related to roadway design, safety and other issues.

However, in 2009 the highway bill expired and along with it, so did the Council. Motorcyclists were disheartened – the MAC was the only official forum they had to express to authorities at the Department of Transportation the issues they faced on the road. That’s why when the Council was reestablished in 2016, it was viewed as a positive development to once again open a dialogue between government officials and motorcyclists across the nation.

A Short-Lived Celebration
Though motorcyclists applauded Congress for reestablishing the Council, this positivity was short-lived. This week, the Federal Highway Administration or FHWA, announced plans to officially open nominations for participants to serve on the newly reestablished Council. The Council would again consist of ten members, however unlike in 2005, only one representative from a motorcycle association will be required to serve. Many balked including Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard, President of the Board of Directors for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation:

“Despite our best efforts to ensure the motorcycle community had a seat at the table, the FHWA has dismissed our concerns and efforts instead emphasizing councilmembers with safety and engineering backgrounds without any experience actually riding a motorcycle. Including only one motorcyclist in this group is not only imbalanced, unfair and contrary to the mission of the MAC, but it defeats the entire purpose of the Council. The MAC was supposed to carry the voice of motorcyclists – having only one member as an actual motorcyclist will render this Council ineffective.”

Dozens of Members of Congress appeared to agree with Willard; over the summer a letter was sent to the FHWA encouraging them to adopt similar language as the 2005 MAC which included at least four motorcyclists in the panel of ten. It appears this letter was largely ignored by the Federal Highway Administration.

The FHWA remains supportive of the Council and its approach to its participants going forward indicating that technical expertise was necessary to ensure the MAC is able to fulfill its charter. The notice from the Agency also indicated that all meetings of the MAC would be public therefore allowing others to speak in support or against of the Council’s activities.

Nonetheless, the motorcycle community remains displeased. Lobbyist for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Megan Ekstrom said, “It’s unfortunate that the Federal Highway Administration is choosing to move forward with a Motorcyclist Advisory Council that will not be representative of actual motorcyclists. There are over 10 million bikers on the road in the U.S. and those numbers are increasing. This community is desperate to have a dialogue with the Administration and yet, their requests have fallen on deaf ears. This is a perfect example of the government ‘knowing what’s best’ for a diverse community with a unique set of needs. It’s a travesty that none of this will be represented in this so-called ‘Motorcyclist’ Advisory Council.”

Nominations to serve on the Council are due at the end of February. The notice from the Federal Highway Administration can be viewed here:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/01/09/2017-00125/motorcyclist-advisory-council-to-the-federal-highway-administration

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983
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The Road to Zero Initiative Advances in the U.S.; Motorcyclists Play an Important Role

Wed, 21 Dec 2016 18:53:21 GMT

For Immediate Release

December 21, 2016

The Road to Zero Initiative Advances in the U.S.;
Motorcyclists Play an Important Role

WASHINGTON, DC – In October, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) unveiled a new initiative dedicated to eliminating all traffic-related deaths in thirty years. “Road to Zero” is the concept that achieving zero traffic-related deaths is achievable through new policies and solutions. First initiated in Sweden in 1997 as “Vision Zero” the program has been adopted by many European. The U.S. version made progress last week with the holding of a symposium and invited speakers to discuss the challenges and choices with the concept. The event also offered participants the opportunity to partake in “breakout sessions” to discuss proposed actions on how to achieve the lofty goal.

The only entity representing the motorcycle community present at the symposium was the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Vice-President of Government Affairs, Megan Ekstrom. Ekstrom was invited to participate in one of the breakout sessions focused on how to create a safer environment for other roadway users with modes of transportation outside of traditional automobiles. Working directly with DoT officials, Ekstrom emphasized the need to prevent crashes rather than concepts focused on how to have “safer” crashes. Specifically, she addressed the need for additional training and awareness programs for other drivers teaching them strategies on how to be alert, identify, react and interact with motorcyclists on the road. She suggested that this could be achieved by targeting education towards new drivers on the road and even encompassed in driver education programs as well as included as part of the testing for drivers’ licensing requirements. These sorts of activities and strategies could help to make motorcyclists safer on the nation’s roadways and help contribute to achieving Road to Zero’s goals.

Other participants in the coalition emphasized alternative approaches; most centered around how to crash ‘safer’ rather than to avoid crashing. Dr. Grant Baldwin, Director of the Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spoke to participants touting the requirement of universal helmet laws as one of the Agency’s key recommendations in achieving zero traffic deaths.

As the Road to Zero initiative moves forward over the next few months, there will undoubtedly be opportunities to shape the program in different ways. For the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, their emphasis will be focused on how to prevent crashes between motorcycles and automobiles and measures that can be taken suggesting that education and awareness to prevent crashes is the preferred strategy for the motorcycle community.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted.Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://motorcycleridersfoundation.wildapricot.org/page-1654836 or call (202) 546-0983
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End of Year Review – Advocacy Accomplishments & Next Steps

Fri, 16 Dec 2016 18:55:00 GMT

For Immediate Release

December 16, 2016

End of Year Review – Advocacy Accomplishments & Next Steps

As we edge closer to the end of 2016 and begin to look towards 2017 and all that we want to achieve on behalf of bikers’ rights, it’s important to reflect on the successes we’ve achieved this year. Below is a partial list of some of the victories realized in the realm of motorcycle rights nationally in 2016. In addition to these “wins” there is also commentary about next steps and what we can expect to see in the future regarding each of these issues.

The Enactment of the FAST ACT - Major updates were included in the nation’s highway bill that took effect on January 1 of this year. Not only did the FAST Act address the nation’s surface transportation issues and specifically address challenges facing the U.S. transportation system, including improving safety, maintaining infrastructure condition, reducing traffic congestion, improving efficiency and reducing delays in project delivery, but the law allocated over $4 million dollars to go towards states programs addressing motorcyclist education, training and safety.

FUTURE ACTIVITY: The FAST Act will be in effect until 2020 and therefore conversations about the next highway bill won’t pick up speed until 2018. However, President-Elect Trump has committed to a multi-million-dollar infrastructure package calling for improvements to roads, bridges and airports. Undoubtedly, public safety advocates will try and use this package as a vehicle to insert language surrounding perceived safety issues potentially affecting bikers.

The Prohibition of Federal Funding for Motorcycle Checkpoints – Your MRF and its partners in Washington fought for years to attempt to end this often-used strategy by law enforcement that was employed to harass and conduct searches of motorcyclists. A section in the highway bill that went into effect in January helped to prohibit this practice by stating clearly that federal funds could not be used to conduct these checkpoints going forward.

FUTURE ACTIVITY: Your MRF will remain vigilant to ensure similar language is included in future iterations of highway bills. However, many states are now using non-federal funding to continue to conduct these checkpoints. If your organization is interested in passing a bill at the state level to end this practice, the MRF can help prepare you with talking points and suggested legislative language. In addition, if you think you have been the victim of a motorcycle checkpoint paid for by federal dollars, contact the MRF for help in pursuing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to ensure your rights are not being violated.

The Reestablishment of The Motorcyclist Advisory Council – Since 2009, bikers have lacked a formal mechanism to engage with officials within the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to discuss motorcycle-related issues. In 2016, with the enactment of the FAST Act, there was a provision that reestablished the Motorcyclist Advisory Council, ensuring bikers a seat at the table and a ‘direct connect’ to our nation’s top highway safety officials when it comes to issues like driverless cars, road barriers and general highway safety issues and how they impact motorcyclists.

FUTURE ACTIVITY: Though the Council has been directed to be reestablished, the formalized process for doing so has not yet been initiated. The FHWA is likely in 2017 to call for volunteers to serve on the Council and conduct its first meeting. Your MRF will be closely monitoring this process and work with its SMRO partners to ensure motorcycle rights’ advocates are included as a part of the Council.

The EPA Rescinds Its Regulation Affecting Racing Bikes and Racecars – In 2015, the EPA published a rule that would disallow individuals to modify their motorcycles or cars for track racing due to concerns over air emissions. After pressure from industry and Congress, in April of this year the EPA withdrew the section on modified racecars and racing bikes within the proposed regulation. Though work remains, this was a major victory over this ‘regulation happy’ agency.

FUTURE ACTIVITY: Despite withdrawing the critical section of the rule affecting racing bikes and racecars, the EPA has continued to verbally maintain that it is illegal to make emissions modifications needed to convert a street-legal car or motorcycle into a racecar used solely on the track. Consequently, any business that makes or supplies these parts or services to modify the emissions systems is subject to enforcement. As a result, the RPM Act was introduced that would provide clarity to industry and the racing community that the Clean Air Act DOES allow cars and motorcycles to be converted into dedicated race vehicles and that doing so is not “tampering.” Despite 148 co-sponsors in the House and 33 co-sponsors in the Senate, the RPM Act was not taken up for a vote in 2016. Bikers and the MRF are hopeful that, with a more industry-friendly EPA under President-Elect Trump, this issue will be swiftly dealt with and passage of the RPM Act will be realized next year.

Introduction of a Federal Bill to Address Motorcycle Profiling – Increasingly, bikers have voiced complaints over incidents where they have felt profiled or singled out by law enforcement because of their appearance, apparel, or because they are simply riding a motorcycle. This unjust and unlawful practice has led to activity at the state level, but in 2016 federal authorities took notice and introduced a bill addressing the issue and promoting public awareness and urging state law enforcement officials to condemn the practice in written policies and training materials. This was a major step in making this issue a national discussion.

FUTURE ACTIVITY: The MRF will be working with the 19 co-sponsors of the bill to quickly get another bill introduced in the 115^th Congress. As with all federal bills, on December 31, 2016 the congressional clock gets “reset” and all pending legislative proposals expire and therefore must be reintroduced. Your MRF is committed to getting the bill reintroduced in 2017 as well as introducing a companion bill in the Senate. However, we do anticipate obstacles as chatter from law enforcement in some states has already resulted in several Senators and Congressman withholding their support. The MRF will need help from you and our partners to ensure this bill goes ‘all the way’ in the 115^th Congress.

Conclusion

Despite all we have accomplished together in 2016, next year is sure to bring its own set of challenges as well as opportunities to advance the cause of biker rights. In addition to all of the commentary above, together we must remain diligent and steadfast on many, many other issues including the increasing amount of ethanol-blended gasoline at the pump and the effects on our engines, ensuring that fatality statistics are separated between motorcycles and other classes of vehicles such as autocycles, advancements in self-driving cars and effects on motorcyclists and our seemingly never-ending uphill battle to force policymakers to focus on education and crash avoidance instead of “safer” crashing.

Whatever the future brings, your MRF looks forward to maintaining its status as the ONLY national motorcycle rights organization dedicated to on-street riders and its reputation as the leading expert when it comes to bikers and the freedom to ride.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

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EPA Finalizes 2017 Volume Requirements for Ethanol

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 18:56:35 GMT

For Immediate Release

December 1, 2016

EPA Finalizes 2017 Volume Requirements for Ethanol

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the EPA quietly published the 2017 volume requirements and associated percentage standards under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program passed into law by Congress several years ago. The law requires oil companies to blend increasing volumes of renewable fuels like ethanol with gasoline and diesel. Under the law, the EPA has the authority to designate volume requirements,which according to the 2007 law passed by Congress must reach 36 billion gallons by the year 2022. However, the law does provide the EPA with some authority to lower the annual volumes as circumstances warrant.

The 2017 requirements were published just days before the Thanksgiving holiday. Every year, the EPA adjusts the amount of renewable fuel it requires oil refiners to pump into the nation’s gas supply. After initially signaling lower renewable fuel goals, the agency reversed course. According to the EPA Press Release, total renewable fuel volumes grew by 1.2 billion gallons from 2016 to 2017, a 6 percent increase. Ethanol enthusiasts were quick to praise the EPA. Senator Joni Ernst, a Republican from the corn-producing state of Iowa, released a statement saying this:

”I am pleased the EPA has finally listened to the American people as well as the comments my colleagues and I have pushed forward, and set the final volume requirements for conventional biofuels for 2017 at appropriate and congressionally approved levels. The RFS is critical in reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and provides consumers with choices at the pump. Most importantly, it spurs investment and research in renewable fuels and supports our rural economy in Iowa.”

Critics of the RFS program were not shy to voice their opinion on the EPA announcement. The American Petroleum Institute called the increase “irresponsible” and a bad deal for the American consumer and again called for repeal or significant reform. The American Petroleum Institute represents the oil and natural gas industry in Washington,DC.

The U.S. Congressional Energy and Commerce Committee which has jurisdiction over the issue released a statement signed by Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Energy and Power Subcommittee Vice Chairman Pete Olson (R-TX), and Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL). The statement indicated that they still believed the “right balance” needed to found on the issue of ethanol, but they praised EPA for meeting its statutory deadlines set forth in the 2007 law and vowed to continue to monitor the issue going forward.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)and other consumers of small-engine motors continue to have concerns about the effects of higher blends of ethanol in gasoline and the potential to cause severe damage to their bikes. The MRF is working with stakeholders on both sides of the ethanol debate to negotiate common sense alternatives that would allow the RFS program to continue while keeping in mind the interests of the American street biker.

The EPA press release can be found here:

https://www.epa.gov/renewable-fuel-standard-program/final-renewable-fuel-standards-2017-and-biomass-based-diesel-volume

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

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Motorcycle Riders Foundation Responds to NHTSA’s Proposed Policy on Autonomous Vehicles

Mon, 21 Nov 2016 18:57:40 GMT

For Immediate Release

November 21, 2016

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Responds to NHTSA’s
Proposed Policy on Autonomous Vehicles

WASHINGTON, DC –Today, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation filed official comments with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding a proposed policy and guidance surrounding automated vehicles or self-driving cars.Released in September, the long-awaited guidance from the Agency was a first step in attempting to regulate this burgeoning technology. The guidance included a model policy for states to better understand how such vehicles are tested and used on the road as well as a recommended 15-point safety assessment for manufacturers to follow to ensure autonomous vehicles are safely designed,developed, tested and deployed.

Generally,the guidance was accepted as a positive first step, but very quickly opposing sides materialized with differing views on non-mandatory guidelines versus regulations, the scope of the federal government and effect on preemption for those states that have already begun to address the vehicles in state law, and general concerns over how to ensure safety within a technology that is so rapidly evolving.

Representing the voice of the millions of street motorcyclists in the U.S., the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) thoroughly reviewed the proposed policies as well as attended Agency workshops, congressional hearings and other forums to better understand how this technology and these policies would consider and ensure the safety of motorcyclists on the road. The organization’s thoughts are captured in extensive comments filed with the Agency, which can be viewed by clicking on the below link: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=NHTSA-2016-0090-0001.

In short, the comments indicate that while the MRF recognizes the potential that these vehicles may offer in regards to improving road safety, other sections made clear that, “any guidelines, procedures, or regulations promulgated, are considerate and inclusive of all road users, specifically motorcyclists.” The comments centered around four main points including implementing an enforceable requirement for automakers to have robust testing when it comes to motorcycle recognition and responsiveness,ensuring that safeguards surrounding cyber security have strong standards,thoughts and considerations regarding liability in crashes with self-driving vehicles, and general concerns about the scope and enforceability of the policy as well as the need to define a clear role between states and the federal government.

With over 10 million registered motorcycles on the nation’s roads, the MRF insists that this group is an important stakeholder that is often overlooked when it comes to driverless vehicles. The MRF is working to ensure that bikers across the nation not be overlooked; they recently nominated a well-known motorcycle rights’ activist to serve on a newly established Council at the Department of Transportation that will help advise the Secretary of Transportation on this issue. There has been no indication yet that the nomination has been accepted,but the MRF insists that it will remain vigilant in ensuring bikers have a seat at the table when it comes to automated vehicles.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

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NHTSA, Congressional Committees Solicit Feedback & Examine Future of Autonomous Vehicles

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 18:59:04 GMT

For Immediate Release

November 15, 2016

NHTSA, Congressional Committees Solicit Feedback
& Examine Future of Autonomous Vehicles

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Congressional Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade examined the issue of self-driving vehicles. Members of the Committee used the hearing to explore the potential impact of automated vehicles on the nation’s roadways. Chairman Michael Burgess (R-TX) who chairs the Committee stated in his opening remarks that holding the hearing would allow Congress to better understand the safety and economic opportunities these vehicles present. The hearing was also used as a forum to discuss the Department of Transportation’s recently issued guidance on automated vehicles, which is currently under review.

Witnesses at the hearing spoke about the many positive attributes that self-driving vehicles hold including the future potential to eliminate human error from car crashes thus reducing the overall crash statistics in the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator Mark Rosekind was quick to point out that overall crash rates in 2016 were likely to increase by 10% and that typically, 94% of these are due to human error. There was hope by many on the Committee that this figure could be greatly reduced or eliminated with the eventual emergence of fully automated vehicles; still expected to be some years away.

However, detractors and safety advocates who also spoke as expert witnesses cautioned Congress and NHTSA not to rush forward with attempts to get fully automated vehicles on the road quickly. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) agreed, saying that while autonomous vehicles had the potential to be great for safety, they also had the potential to be a disaster. The outcome of which greatly depended on how these vehicles are regulated and guaranteed safe, she added.

Another area that was of focus during the hearing was the role of federal versus state authorities when it comes to regulating self-driving vehicles. Administrator Rosekind emphasized the language in the recently issued guidance which discouraged states from advancing on regulating these types of vehicles in a manner inconsistent with DoT and instead, encouraged states to focus on their role of licensing and liability. Members of Congress were quick to point out that a number of states including Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida and California were already making moves to attempt to regulate testing and deployment of autonomous vehicles despite NHTSA strongly discouraging this.

Regarding the issue of liability, there was wide-spread recognition that this is largely an area of the ‘unknown.’ NHTSA’s reaction to the concern over responsibility in crashes involving autonomous vehicles resulted in a recommendation that a Commission should be established to examine this issue specifically and work through some of the questions surrounding liability. The Commission would likely include a number of stakeholders including representatives from various State Departments of Motor Vehicles as well as state authorities.

NHTSA Solicits Feedback

Though not directly related, last week NHTSA held its first public workshop on the issue of automated vehicles, soliciting input from the public on the guidance document. At the beginning of the public meeting, NHTSA expressed its desire to continue with a series of meetings focused on some of the proactive approaches to regulating self-driving vehicles outlined in the guidance. For NHTSA, who was in ‘listen only’ mode, the forum allowed them to hear directly from manufacturers of automated vehicles, insurance representatives, public safety groups and other advocates, such as the Motorcycle Riders Foundation who submitted written comments. The feedback centered around challenges with the emergence of these vehicles, possible improvements to the guidance, as well as served as an opportunity to seek clarification on the framework laid out by NHSTA.

Generally speaking, similar to the Congressional hearing, automakers and manufacturers of autonomous vehicles encouraged NHSTA to move forward, clearing any obstacles to getting these vehicles on the road and cautioned NHTSA to not do anything that would delay technology development. Contrarily, public safety advocates like “Consumer Watchdog” urged caution and their comments argued for NHTSA to slow down and ensure robust and rigorous enforceable regulations surrounding these vehicles including performance standards and a premarket approval process.

As the issue of autonomous vehicles moves forward, the lines in the sand are beginning to be drawn between automakers and safety groups. It’s clear that government authorities like the Committee and NHSTA will be pulled in different directions as to how to grapple with this area of uncharted territory. The MRF has and will continue to remain vigilant offering suggestions for improvements ensuring that motorcycle safety is a priority as the government continues to grapple with how to deal with these types of vehicles.

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Motorcycle Riders Foundation Analyzes Election Outcomes; Plans for Road Ahead

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 19:00:40 GMT

For Immediate Release

November 10, 2016

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Analyzes Election Outcomes;
Plans for Road Ahead

WASHINGTON, DC – Eyes and ears all over the nation were glued to their televisions Tuesday as Americans watched, what was for some some, a shocking election outcome. Republican nominee Donald Trump, who many had written off, was elected President of the United States. The New York business mogul won 276 electoral college votes to best former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It was an incredibly close race – she is likely to win the popular vote when the final votes are counted – but ultimately Trump’s brazen and anti-establishment message resonated with many across the country.

Overall Republicans fared well in the election retaining their Senate and House majority. The GOP will now enter the next Congressional session with the benefit of a “trifecta;” control of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives. As with any change in Washington, this new order will impact the priorities of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF).

Next Steps
President-Elect Trump’s transition team will now circle the wagons to focus on a number of items including identifying and vetting a new Cabinet. Positions such as Secretary of Transportation, and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will determine the policies of the respective agencies which may or may not align with the priorities of the motorcycle community depending on the selections.

Congress will also need to shuffle a number of Committee Chairmanships due to term limits and other factors. For bikers, there are four key committees that have jurisdiction over issues affecting the right to ride; two in the House and two in the Senate. We expect to see changes in both leadership and makeup of these Committees, especially in the Senate. Again, with new Chairmanships come new agendas. Your MRF will be vigilant in taking any advantages that are presented in the 115^th Congress while mitigating potential threats.

Policy Priorities
The Trump Administration and Congress will each have their own set of initiatives that they will commit to working on in the first 100 days after the inauguration on January 20. The details of these will be worked out over the coming months, but rumors have already begun circulating on activities regarding an infrastructure bill, tax reform and repeal of ObamaCare. However, there are a number of issues specific to bikers that may also see congressional and White House activity including but not limited to the authority of the EPA, the amount of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply and toll roads as they relate to an infrastructure improvement plan.

A Friend in the White House
Also not lost on the biker community is the relationship and history between motorcycles and Vice-President-Elect Mike Pence. Pence, who most recently served as Governor of Indiana, is a motorcycle rider himself, participating in several “Ride with the Governor” events for charity in Indiana. As for Trump, he made a special trip to Washington, DC’s annual Rolling Thunder event which brings in bikers from all across the nation. Trump spoke to the audience of bikers at length last May.

Want to Know More?
For more details surrounding the impact of the 2016 elections including potential new congressional champions, speculation on Trump’s Cabinet Secretary picks and other “inside baseball” that impacts your right to ride, read the full MRF memo: 2016 Election Impact: A Roadmap for Going Forward by clicking on the attached PDF document or by contacting Megan Ekstrom megan@MRF.org

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted.Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://motorcycleridersfoundation.wildapricot.org/page-1654836 or call (202) 546-0983
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November 8, 2016 Remember Who's Boss

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 19:02:17 GMT

For Immediate Release

November 7, 2016

Remember Who's Boss

Tomorrow, Tuesday,November 8, remember who’s boss. YOU ARE THE BOSS. This is your chanceto make your voice heard. You get to decide among your fellow Americans who youlike, dislike and who you really wish would just get hit by a bus. But sadly,far too few people turn out to vote. I hear excuses like…

“I have to work.” FACT: allemployers must allow employees to vote, and in some states, they have to payyou for it: http://www.findlaw.com/voting-rights-law.html;or,
“My vote doesn’t count.” FACT: if your community is turning out well below otherneighborhoods, elected officials will pay less attention, make fewerappearances and fewer appeals to your neighborhood; or, in my opinion, theworst one:
“Congress doesn’t really affect my life.” FACT: YES, IT DOES!

There is not a single aspect of daily life that isn’t affected byCongress and often more directly by state and local government. The roadsyou drive on, the air you breathe, the water you drink, the food you eat, theschools that teach your children and grandchildren, and the freedom you enjoy –are all a function of government.

When I hear these excuses I’m reminded of the quote most attributed to President Lyndon B. Johnson: "A man without a vote is a man without protection."

Don’t go unprotected. Whether you are Democrat, Republican or Independent, get out there tomorrow and make your voice heard and remember, you are the boss.

Find your polling station here:

https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

Your Friend in Washington,

Megan Ekstrom
Vice-President of Government Affairs & Public Relations
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

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MRF Nominates Ric Mellon to Serve on Recently Formed Advisory Committee on Self-Driving Vehicles

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 18:11:24 GMT

For Immediate Release

November 3, 2016

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Nominates Ric Mellon to Serve on Recently Formed Advisory Committee on Self-Driving Vehicles

WASHINGTON, DC – In October, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a new federal Advisory Committee on Automation in Transportation. The primary purpose of the Committee, known as ACAT, will be to assess DoT’s current research, policy and regulatory abilities to advance the safe and effective use of autonomous vehicles. More specifically, the Committee will gather information and present recommendations to the Secretary on automated transit vehicle technologies, and other advanced technology deployment in the area of surface transportation.

Ric Mellon, an active member of both the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and ABATE of Wisconsin, has been nominated to serve on the Advisory Committee given his expertise in the area of motorcycle safety and information technology. Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard, President of the MRF, had this to say in his letter of endorsement, “[Ric] has a record of reliability in being able to speak to the impact that Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and autonomous vehicles will have on the almost 10 million registered motorcyclists on our nation’s roadways… Mellon can provide critical information, advice and recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation on the safety, societal, ethical and real-life impacts this emerging class of vehicles may impose on motorcyclists.”

Both federal and state lawmakers quickly followed suit drafting their own letters of recommendation for Mr. Mellon. Federal lawmaker Reid Ribble has drafted a letter of support along with Wisconsin State Senator Kathleen Vinehout. Senator Vinehout touted Mr. Mellon’s “depth of knowledge” and “leadership skills as Executive Director and Board Member of ABATE of Wisconsin”.

The MRF has been active in the ongoing discussions regarding autonomous vehicles and recently issued DoT guidelines. The organization is filing official comments with the agency by the November 21 deadline and also plans to participate in upcoming public meetings the Agency is holding on the issue. The MRF is focusing its comments around four key areas that may affect bikers; (1) the unique attributes of a motorcycle in relationship to autonomous vehicles, (2) the need for rigorous standards when it comes to cyber security, (3) the importance of establishing clear liability in future crashes involving driverless cars and lastly, (4) general concerns over the scope and enforceability of the recently issued DoT guidelines.

Nominations to the ACAT committee close this week and announcements of appointments should be determined in early 2017.

All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://motorcycleridersfoundation.wildapricot.org/page-1654836 or call (202) 546-0983
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More DoT Guidance Issued Relating to Cyber Security & Driverless Vehicles; Critics Voice Concerns

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 18:14:13 GMT

For Immediate Release

October 27, 2016

More DoT Guidance Issued Relating to Cyber Security & Driverless Vehicles; Critics Voice Concerns

WASHINGTON, DC – Despite the year winding down, the Obama Administration continues to be active on issues that affect bikers, particularly within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT). As part of their latest effort to keep up with rapidly developing car technology, this week the Agency issued proposed guidance for vehicle cybersecurity for automakers. This issue is closely related to the continued advancement of autonomous or “driverless” vehicles on the nation’s roadways. Motorcyclists have raised concerns that the technology and cybersecurity systems must have strong enough standards to ensure safety and security precautions and therefore eliminate any risks to motorcyclists who are likely to share the road with self-driving cars in the not so distance future.

According to the guidance issued this week, the Agency recommended that automakers and tech companies include multiple layers of protection in their designs and consider digital threats based on their level of risk. This is in an effort to address instances of hacking, an increasing concern not just limited to transportation. In recent weeks there was a massive internet outage experienced by many Americans caused by unknown hackers. The issue of the cybersecurity has also become a reoccurring theme in the U.S. elections; the Democratic National Committee was hacked by assailants likely in an effort to interfere with the upcoming election.

Clearly, the aforementioned instances demonstrate a vulnerability within the U.S. government’s ability to help protect against breaches and other security failures that can put motor vehicle safety at risk. As more and more automakers shift towards developing autonomous vehicles for use on the nation’s roadways, cybersecurity of these vehicles must be a key consideration for not just the drivers, but everyone on the road; including bikers.

Criticism of Voluntary Guidance

Though DoT Secretary Anthony Foxx says ensuring the cybersecurity and protection of autonomous vehicles is a “top priority” for the Agency, lawmakers have said the guidance is not enough and that more needs to be done.

Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut) and Ed Markey (Massachusetts) released a statement in response to Monday’s DoT announcement stating the following;

"If modern day cars are computers on wheels, we need mandatory standards, not voluntary guidance, to ensure that our vehicles cannot be hacked and lives and information put in danger."

Many motorcyclists would agree. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is currently in the process of filing official comments with the Agency reiterating this exact point. While emerging technology is generally positive, proper precautions and standards must be achieved in order to ensure the safety of all roadway users.

Activity Across the Pond

Lawmakers across the European Union have also started to discuss the issue of autonomous vehicles and have been working with industry on how to build better standards for cybersecurity. Car safety checks, brakes and seatbelts have been regulated for decades, but cybersecurity on entertainment systems or GPS navigation have not been regulated in either Europe nor in the U.S. Instead, the common practice has been to let automakers come up with their own solutions instead of imposing regulatory requirements.

As autonomous vehicle technology develops, cybersecurity related to the control of these vehicles must be carefully and closely regulated to ensure all roadway users are safe.

For more information on the guidance including a copy of the policy and instructions to file comments; click on the link below:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/About-NHTSA/Press-Releases/nhtsa_cybersecurity_best_practices_10242016

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Industry-Funded Publication Makes Claims About Effects of Helmet Law in Michigan; Fails to Connect the Data to the Claim

Fri, 14 Oct 2016 18:16:52 GMT

For Immediate Release

October 14, 2016

Industry-Funded Publication Makes Claims About Effects of Helmet Law in Michigan; Fails to Connect the Data to the Claim

WASHINGTON, DC – In the recently issued publication, “Status Report,” a concerning article appeared citing a rise in head injuries in Michigan and attributed this to the State’s 2012 repeal of its helmet law. Notably, the article is part of a publication created by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) which, according to their website, is wholly funded by insurance companies.

The article pointed out that trauma centers in the state have experienced an increase in head injuries and partnered with the University of Michigan Injury Center to analyze motorcycle crash deaths and head-injury data since the repeal. Its findings suggested a 14% increase in hospitalized trauma patients with a head injury. However, it was unclear in the article that the increase in head injuries was directly related to motorcycle crashes. And moreover, that those crashes included drivers who were not wearing helmets. This data would have been critical to prove the article’s legitimacy. Surprisingly, given the article’s clear and matter of fact headline, “Head Injuries Rise as Riders Ditch Helmets in Michigan,” the author fails to notate anywhere in the piece that the increase in head injuries in hospitals is directly attributed to motorcycle crashes and those that were not wearing helmets. For many, the article’s concluding claim could be considered irresponsible journalism given that they fail to attribute the data to the exact subject they discuss in the article.

Furthermore, halfway through the article, it states, “there was no significant increase in the motorcycle fatality rate state-wide.” This sentence alone debunks what the research set out to do which was prove that deaths attributed to motorcycle crashes increased due to the helmet law repeal. Clearly, the research did not support the author’s hypothesis.

Biased pieces like the one in the September issue of Status Report frustrate motorcycle experts in the state who spend their personal time and livelihoods promoting motorcycle safety and awareness programs. Often, these individuals try to direct the focus to motorcycle crash prevention rather than the concept that IIHS touts; safer crashing. According to a recently issued press release from ABATE of Michigan, the real concern for riders’ safety is unendorsed motorcyclists and cars violating motorcyclists’ right of way.

Jim Rhodes, Legislative Coordinator for ABATE of Michigan agrees, stating that his objective, “has and always will be to promote motorcycle safety and car driver awareness programs in Michigan.” In fact, according to Rhodes, the motorcycle rights’ organization in Michigan has helped to pass four separate bills in recent years aimed at addressing the issue of uninsured riders as well as motorcycle safety and awareness. Further, the organization has partnered with public and private schools to reach more than 80,000 new drivers about motorcycle awareness.

Many motorcycle enthusiasts will argue that it’s the activities like the ones being executed by ABATE of Michigan that make the real difference in motorcycle safety and a more accurate reason as to why motorcycle deaths in the state have not increased despite the repeal of the helmet law.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Department of Transportation Unveils ‘Road to Zero’ Sets Lofty Goal of Achieving Zero Traffic Deaths by 2030

Wed, 05 Oct 2016 18:18:06 GMT

For Immediate Release

October 5, 2016

Department of Transportation Unveils ‘Road to Zero’

Sets Lofty Goal of Achieving Zero Traffic Deaths by 2030

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, over 75 organizations dedicated to highway safety gathered to hear details about a new initiative from the Department of Transportation called, “Road to Zero.” Officials from the Department of Transportation (DoT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Safety Council unveiled details of the initiative touting its commitment to eliminate all traffic-related deaths by the year 2030.

Officials spoke about ‘losing ground’ when it comes to lowering death rates on the nation’s roadways and pointed to the recently published statistic of a 7.2% increase in traffic deaths in 2015 which accounted for over 35,000 lives lost. Even more troubling were preliminary numbers for the first half of 2016 which shows a potentially even greater increase, currently projected to be 10.4%. Note that these numbers are for all traffic related deaths; not just motorcyclists.

Specifics of the initiative were still in development with DoT authorities projecting a 12-18-month time frame for developing details of the long term plan. However, NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind laid out three areas that he expected the initiative to center around which included the following:

1. Proactive Vehicle Safety: Ensuring that DoT and automakers have the tools necessary to ensure vehicle safety such as the ability to issue recalls and proactive safety measures like automatic emergency braking and lane infiltration detection systems.

2. Focus on Automotive Vehicle Technology: This area would center around a framework for self-driving vehicles and vehicles with automated driving technology ensuring that the technology continues to advance in a way that will help to eliminate driver error resulting in “untold potential” in saving lives on the nation’s roadways.

3. New Solutions to Human Behavior: Referencing the statistic that 94% of crashes are due to driver error, the Road to Zero initiative would make this a key area of focus looking at concerns like distracted and drowsy driving as well as driving under the influence. According to officials, the key to making progress in these areas is to create a culture in the U.S. that engaging in these behaviors are unacceptable.

With the general parameters laid out, the conversation shifted to who and what groups would participate in developing the specifics of the long-term plan in achieving Road to Zero’s objectives. There is currently a steering committee of 12 groups which included auto and equipment manufacturers, researchers and other entities such as the Governors’ Institute for Highway Safety. In addition to the steering group, authorities proposed a role for all interested parties to play a role in the coalition which is likely to meet quarterly over the next 18 months. It was unclear if any motorcycle presence or viewpoints would be taken into consideration though generally the consensus was that DoT was interested in participation from all interested parties.

After the long-term plan is developed, additional activities will take place including funding for grants for organizations that aim to achieve the objectives laid out as well as a road map for policy, legislative and regulatory decision makers to incorporate into new or existing laws and regulations.

In addition to the steering committee and broader coalition, the point was made that Road to Zero would also engage with partners with similar objectives; namely Europe’s ‘Vision Zero’ embraced by some U.S. cities and states as well as ‘Towards Zero’ which employs similar objectives. It should be noted that when Europe’s own Vision Zero was introduced some years ago, motorcycles were a controversial subject with some suggesting that had no place in modern traffic systems.

Understanding that this initiative will be a major area of focus for regulators and policymakers over the next year, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) will continue to be engaged in the coalition ensuring that motorcycles, biker rights’ and a focus on motorcycle crash prevention remain a part of the dialogue as this initiative moves forward. In addition, the MRF will pay particularly close attention and seek unbiased answers as to how the initiatives under this program have played out in Europe and ensure these communications are made to policymakers in the U.S. as this program gets underway.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Federal Guidance Released on Autonomous Vehicles; Questions Remain About States’ Role

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 18:19:24 GMT

For Immediate Release

October 3, 2016

Federal Guidance Released on Autonomous Vehicles; Questions Remain About States’ Role

WASHINGTON, DC – Over the last several months, an influx of companies have announced plans to pursue the creation and manufacture of self-driving cars. GM, Daimler, Volvo, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Audi and BMW are only a fraction of global automakers that have already announced their intention to pursue technology making some vehicle models fully or partially autonomous. And as they often do, the federal government has had to play catch up in taking a position on this emerging technology and where they fit in to facilitate the entry of autonomous vehicles onto American roads.

Recently, the Department of Transportation gave good indication of where they stand with the issuance of federal guidelines released on September 20. The guidance included a 15-point safety assessment for automakers to design, develop and test self-driving cars. The framework also includes options for federal transportation regulators to authorize automated vehicles under existing law, as well as lists legislative or regulatory changes that could be needed "as the technology evolves and is deployed more widely." In addition, automakers will have to document to federal regulators how they're addressing ethical considerations like whether to program a car to hit another vehicle rather than a pedestrian.

Importantly, the policy did make clear that federal and state roles needed to be clearly defined and insisted that the goal was to avoid fifty individual state standards thus creating a “patchwork” of autonomous vehicle laws. Instead, the guidance suggested that the state’s role should focus more on traditional functions as they have in the past; specifically licensing and liability.

A number of states, however, have already begun taking steps to address the technology. According to the National Conference of State Legislators, Nevada was the first state to authorize the operation of autonomous vehicles in 2011. Since 2012, at least 34 states and D.C. have considered legislation related to autonomous vehicles. As more and more automakers announce intentions to also utilize the technology, the number of states pursuing legislation on the issue will likely grow.

Critics of the guidance say that the Department of Transportation (DoT) needs to establish formal and enforceable regulations governing self-driving vehicles. However, DoT countered saying that going through the traditional rulemaking process to establish federal regulations would not keep up with new technology and they needed to remain flexible to address new concerns as they emerge. Supporters of the guidance agreed, saying that the policy gives automakers the green light to be innovative, but still keeps safety at the forefront through its recommended safety assessment. In addition, DoT announced that it intends to update the policy each year in order for it to remain up-to-date and reflect the current technology and environment.

It appears through the issuance of guidance rather than regulations that the role of the federal government may lean heavily on oversight and enforcement. In fact, the guidance suggested that DoT may ask Congress for more oversight powers to achieve this. Just how and to what extent the federal government will be involved with this technology still very much remains to be seen. The question will be more closely examined over the course of the next few months with congressional hearings already in the works likely taking place during the lame duck session of Congress which kicks off after the general election in November.

Many people consider autonomous vehicles to be a significant part of the future of the automotive industry. For motorcycle riders, they too understand that self-driving vehicles will be on the road in the future, but have started to voice concerns from the perspective of concern for their safety. While not opposed to autonomous vehicles, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) maintains that federal authorities must require robust testing with regard to motorcycle recognition and responsiveness. Given their smaller profile on the road, it’s a valid concern for many bikers. In addition, the MRF insists DoT must ensure that electronic security systems have strong standards to ensure safety and security precautions eliminate risks to motorcyclists. In addition, clear liability of fault must be established when it comes to crashes, and in doing so, motorcyclists should not face unfair advantages.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation plans to file comments on the DoT guidance echoing their concerns voiced above.

To see the DoT announcement and review the federal guidance and fact sheets, click on the following link:

https://www.transportation.gov/AV

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

State Legislator in Fatal Motorcycle Crash; Details Raise Questions About Strategies to Address Motorcycle Safety

Fri, 16 Sep 2016 18:21:46 GMT

For Immediate Release

September 16, 2016

State Legislator in Fatal Motorcycle Crash;

Details Raise Questions About Strategies to Address Motorcycle Safety

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Pete Pettalia, a lawmaker who served in the Michigan State Legislature was fatally injured when a pickup truck turned directly into his lane. It is important to note that, Pettalia, was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.

State Representative Pettalia was an avid motorcyclist rights defender and advocate playing a key role in what would eventually become the repeal of the helmet law in Michigan state in 2012. News sources like CNN quickly tried to appeal to the irony that a critic of a universal helmet law was killed in a motorcycle accident. CNN’s headline read, “Lawmaker Who Opposed Universal Helmet Law Dies in Motorcycle Crash.” You would expect CNN to be more professional, the headline infers that the lack of a helmet was the reason for the fatality. This biased headline and notion is completely false as reports confirmed that the lawmaker was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident.

This particular occurrence is, very unfortunately, one that has been repeated in the past. Despite helmet use, drivers of the four-wheeled variety often fail to see motorcyclists for a multitude of reasons that can include distracted or reckless driving, or simply the failure to be aware of their surroundings. It is for reasons like what caused the crash involving Mr. Pettalia and others like him, that groups such as the Motorcycle Riders Foundation emphasize the concept of crash prevention rather than safer crashing. The reality is, even if riders choose to wear and helmet and all the protective gear available, it is often not enough to stand up to reckless and distracted driving by motorists who fail to adhere to the oft-repeated biker adage. “Look Twice, Save a Life.”

Biker Rights’ activists including SMROs (State Motorcyclist Rights Organizations) are doing their part to emphasize rider education for motorcyclists and driver awareness for the majority of the population behind the wheel. The battle is likely to mount, as referenced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recent Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) report which showed that crashes due to ‘human choice’ errors, specifically distracted driving, increased in 2015 by almost nine percent.

Though it’s not clear what caused the pickup truck driver to drive into Mr. Petallia’s lane, a safe assumption is that it could have been prevented and that, in this instance, a helmet did not make any difference in keeping the lawmaker safe. Yet, there are many, many groups across the nation that point to helmet use as the ‘cure all’ problems. However, the tragedy that occurred this week speaks to what many bikers have been saying for years; let’s work together on a meaningful campaign to enhance motorcycle safety to adopt a strategy that focuses on avoiding motorcycle crashes and not merely surviving them.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

2015 Motor Vehicle Crash Data Released; Increase in Motorcyclist Fatalities

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 17:53:17 GMT

For Immediate Release

September 1, 2016

2015 Motor Vehicle Crash Data Released; Increase in Motorcyclist Fatalities

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) released 2015 data concerning motor vehicle crashes and fatalities. This data also included information on motorcyclist fatalities. The data comes from NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) as well as the National Automotive Sampling System and General Estimates System. The information provides an overall measure of highway safety, and aids in guiding policy solutions for federal and state lawmakers as well as provides a basis to evaluate the effectiveness of motor vehicle safety standards and highway safety programs.

In 2015, the nation saw an overall upward trend in vehicle crashes and fatalities across all segments of the population. Overall, there was a 7.2 percent increase which is the largest percentage increase in almost 50 years. Increases in fatalities were seen in all types of vehicles and roadway users including SUVs, vans, trucks, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. Specifically, motorcyclists’ fatalities in 2015 had an increase of 8.3%, the largest since 2012.

There were other statistics, specific to motorcycles that are of note:

While the proportion of people killed ‘inside the vehicle’ (which includes drivers and passengers of cars, trucks, etc.) has declined by roughly 15% over the last decade, the proportion of people killed ‘outside the vehicle’ (which includes motorcyclists, pedestrians, etc.) has increased by roughly 15% over the last ten years.
There were increases in motorcyclist fatalities in every age group except those 19 and under which saw fewer fatalities in 2015 than in 2014.
Though not specific to motorcycles, the most common fatal crash type in 2015 was multi-vehicle rollovers.
Data showed that crashes due to ‘human choice’ specifically distracted driving, increased by almost 9%.
Other ‘human choice’ factors included alcohol impaired drivers in which fatalities increased overall by 3%.
Interestingly, there was a half percentage point drop in motorcyclists who had been involved in fatal crashes due to alcohol-impairment. This may suggest that some of the recent motorcycle and alcohol awareness programs could be starting to take effect.

The NHTSA release offered some possible explanation for the overall upward trend in fatal crashes. Specifically, it linked economic trends like a recovering economy and lower gas prices as reasons more people were on the road, likely due to work travel and increased recreational travel. Warmer weather and milder winters which some of the nation saw in 2015 were also contributing factors.

Though no specific policy solutions were offered with the NHTSA release, it was noted that, “in States without universal helmet laws, 58 percent of motorcyclists killed in 2015 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 8% in States with universal helmet laws.” This is likely an indicator that NHTSA will continue its position in viewing universal helmet laws as a solution for highway safety. This emphasizes ‘safer crashing’ rather than crash prevention; of which many motorcyclists find fault.

In response to the release of the data, The White House and Department of Transportation are issuing a call to action to involve a wide range of stakeholders in helping determine the causes of the increases seen in the 2015 crash and fatality data. NHTSA announced plans to share the information with its safety partners, state and local officials, technologists, data scientists, and policy experts. States and the nation as a whole are likely to see policy solutions offered and initiatives brokered over the following weeks and months as a result of the newly released data.

The motorcyclist community is also in the process of responding to the recently released data through reviewing and confirming the information and preparing to work with the federal agencies to ensure that policy solutions are achieved through the lens of crash avoidance and do not infringe upon their personal rights. These activities will complement the already existing efforts being achieved at the federal and state levels like emphasis on rider education, alcohol awareness programs, share the road initiatives, motorcyclist awareness programs and reduced distraction efforts.

The raw data can be accessed via NHTSA’s website: ftp://ftp.nhtsa.dot.gov/fars/2015/

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

UPDATE & CALL TO ACTION - Motorcycle Profiling

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 23:24:51 GMT

August 30, 2016

UPDATE & CALL TO ACTION - Motorcycle Profiling

Earlier this month you should have received an email from your MRF asking you to seek out your elected officials over the August break asking them to co-sponsor House Resolution 831; the bill that addresses motorcycle profiling.

We’ve had mild success in that we have received commitments from two (2) other members of Congress since then: Rep. Collin Peterson from Minnesota who will serve as our lead Democrat and Rep. John Kline, also from Minnesota. This brings our total of co-sponsors to FOUR – Reps. Ribble (Wisc.), Walberg (Mich.), Peterson (Minn.) and Kline (Minn).

Though this is a good start, it is far from what is needed to advance this measure.

This week is the last week your elected officials are in their home and district offices. It offers you the opportunity to meet with them personally and shore up support for the measure when Congress reconvenes Tuesday, September 6.

I urge you to contact your Member of Congress THIS WEEK and ask them to co-sponsor H.Res.831. To help you in your discussion, below are talking points:

Motorcycle Profiling-Talking Points

If you need assistance contacting your Member of Congress, please contact me directly at megan@mrf.org and I will get you set up ASAP.

Thank you for your support!

Megan Ekstrom

Vice President, Government Relations & Public Affairs

Motorcycle Riders Foundation

1325 G Street N.W. Suite 500

Washington, DC 20005

Email: megan@mrf.org

Phone: (202) 725-5471

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Government Study Announced on Motorcycle Conspicuity

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 23:22:59 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 30, 2016

Government Study Announced on Motorcycle Conspicuity

WASHINGTON, DC – The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) held its annual meeting this week in Seattle, WA. The theme for this year’s event emphasized the importance of safe driving behavior in an era of rapid technological advancement. More than 500 state highway safety officials and advocates were in attendance including government officials from the Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as well as representatives from State Motorcycle Rights’ Organizations and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

During the course of the conference, plans regarding an upcoming motorcycle study, funded by money in the highway bill passed by Congress late last year, were announced. Though in the early planning stages, the study is aiming to address motorcycle crash prevention. This is a pivot from previous positions from government officials whose sole focus appeared to be geared towards “safer crashing” through the practice of universal helmet laws.

Though details of the upcoming study remain limited, it appears that it will examine the impact of high-visibility clothing and effects on motorcycle crashes. The project is in the solicitation process but the details suggest a hypothesis aiming to prove high visibility clothing can prevent motorcycle accidents. Details including available data, the entities or contractors conducting the study and when the study will be released will be available in the coming months. Depending on the outcome and findings of the study, legislative and regulatory activity by states and the federal government could follow.

UPDATE & CALL TO ACTION - Motorcycle Profiling

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 19:01:42 GMT

August 30, 2016

UPDATE & CALL TO ACTION - Motorcycle Profiling

Though this is a good start, it is far from what is needed to advance this measure.

I urge you to contact your Member of Congress THIS WEEK and ask them to co-sponsor H.Res.831. To help you in your discussion, below are talking points:

Motorcycle Profiling-Talking Points

If you need assistance contacting your Member of Congress, please contact me directly at megan@mrf.org and I will get you set up ASAP.

Thank you for your support!

Megan Ekstrom

Vice President, Government Relations & Public Affairs

Motorcycle Riders Foundation

1325 G Street N.W. Suite 500

Washington, DC 20005

Email: megan@mrf.org

Phone: (202) 725-5471

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Government Study Announced on Motorcycle Conspicuity

Tue, 30 Aug 2016 17:51:23 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 30, 2016

Government Study Announced on Motorcycle Conspicuity

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

The RFS Standard and the Next President

Fri, 19 Aug 2016 19:00:02 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 19, 2016

The RFS Standard and the Next President

WASHINGTON, DC– Over the past several years, motorcyclists have shown an increasing interest in the politics surrounding ethanol, and more specifically, the Renewable Fuel Standard. Congress adopted the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2005 and expanded it in 2007. The program requires oil companies to blend increasing volumes of renewable fuels like ethanol with gasoline and diesel, culminating with 36 billion gallons in 2022.

Ultimately, the effects of the mandatory increase in renewable fuels will be seen at the pump. Critics of the RFS are concerned that they will be forced to use higher ethanol-blended gasoline like E15 in their bikes. And their concern is valid. There is reason to believe that ethanol can impact smaller engines like those used in motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles and power equipment among others. Higher levels of ethanol put into a small engine, can make it run at higher temperature. Further, because ethanol is an alcohol, it attracts water. When you have water that comes into an engine, the potential of corrosion can occur.

Needless to say, motorcyclists are concerned. But so are many others. Because there is so much controversy over the ethanol mandate, we have seen Congress introduce dozens of measures that both support and criticize the current mandate. However, as the legislative year winds down, it is looking less and less likely that any of these proposals will be passed into law. As an effect, both ethanol proponents and critics are looking at the issue through the lens of a possible Trump Administration or Clinton Administration. Rhetoric on the issue between the two candidates can give some indication of where they might fall on the contentious issue of ethanol.

At an event hosted by the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Trump clearly stated to the room of ethanol supporters that he supported higher blends of ethanol and that the EPA should follow through on the ethanol mandates set forth by Congress. Though he made his position crystal clear, it’s important to remember the setting for the speech and also that the speech was made just days before the Iowa caucus; a critical state during primary season. Although since then and more recently, Mr. Trump has been quoted as saying that ethanol is, “the key to complete American energy Independence,” even meeting with major ethanol producers.

For former Senator Clinton, she made waves recently, when it was reported that that the Clinton campaign had discussed the Renewable Fuel Standard with Mary Nichols, chairman of the California Air Resources Board, a noted critic of the ethanol standard, and potential Clinton EPA chief. Though when asked, a Clinton spokesperson rejected the notion that Mrs. Clinton would repeal the RFS. It also should be noted that in May, Mrs. Clinton wrote an op-ed for an Iowa publication where she indicated that she supported the ethanol mandate but there was room for improvement.

Given the controversy surrounding the issue, it’s likely that both candidates will be asked for their positions during the presidential debates leading up to the November elections. Both those who support and those who oppose the ethanol mandates are likely to be listening with baited breath in an attempt to predict what the future holds for ethanol in America.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

MOTM Registration Deadline is Rapidly Approaching

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 18:58:43 GMT


MOTM Early Registration Deadline is Rapidly Approaching

Washington, DC - Have you registered yet? The early registration deadline is only one week away. You must pre-register by August 22^nd to receive the early member registration rate of $80. We hope that you will join us in Oklahoma City, OK for the 2016 Meeting of the Minds conference, September 22-25^th hosted by our partners, ABATE of Oklahoma.

We encourage you to register prior to August 22, 2016. Not only will you save $10.00 on your registration, you will greatly assist our hosts in planning for the event. The more accurate a number provided the easier it will be to assure they print conference workbooks for every attendee, not to mention stocking up on food and beverages for the Hospitality Room.

You can now pre-order your MOTM event t-shirt during registration but you must do so before Friday, August 26th. This is a great way to be sure you get the shirt size and color that you need. Event shirts will be available at the conference, but we encourage you to pre-order to assure your choice. This year you can purchase a long sleeve shirt in either gray or black or short sleeve shirts in the following colors: black, blue, gray or yellow. Pre-ordered shirts can be picked up in the products room during the conference. If you have already registered and would like to pre-order an event shirt, please call the MRF office at (202) 546-0983 before August 26, 2016.

The MRF encourages you, if you have not done so already, to make your hotel arrangements by August 22nd to receive the conference rate of $99 (breakfast included). After that date, not only will the room rate go up, but room availability is not guaranteed at the host hotel. Reservations can be made at the Tower Hotel Oklahoma City by calling (405) 842-6633.

The Friday Night Fundraiser will be hosted by ABATE of Oklahoma. Join us for some painting and wine with the Tipsy Artist http://www.tipsyartist.com/. If you want to participate in this fundraiser, please consider signing up online at www.mrf.org/events. Anyone is welcome to participate on the day of the event but we are hoping to have an idea of how many to plan for.

To view the agenda or to register for this event, you can visit our website at www.mrf.org or by contacting the office at (202) 546-0983. You can also download registration forms and mail them to: 1325 G Street N.W. Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20005. For more information about this conference, contact the Conference Director, Jim Cannon, by calling (804) 314-9071 or by e-mail at jcannon@mrf.org.

See you next month in Oklahoma City!

MRF’s Jay Jackson Elected to Serve on Executive Committee for State Motorcycle Safety Administrators Association

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 18:57:29 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 11, 2016

MRF’s Jay Jackson Elected to Serve on Executive Committee for State Motorcycle Safety Administrators Association

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, the State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA) announced the results of its recent elections. Notably, Jay Jackson, Vice-President of the Board of Directors for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, was elected to serve on the SMSA Executive Committee as the Individual Members’ Representative.

The SMSA is an Association representing State Motorcycle Safety Administrators from across the country. The purpose of the group includes goals to influence national policy and standards affecting motorcyclists, provide guidance on state policies or standards, as well as allow for communication, collaboration and partnerships between Motorcycle Safety Administrators across the U.S. The SMSA’s recent elections resulted in a number of new appointees to the Executive Committee which leads the organization. Jay Jackson is one of those recently elected.

“The SMSA really can serve a valuable purpose,” stated Jackson who indicated his excitement about rider education programs. “The previous and incoming Executive Committees members are dynamic individuals and have the enthusiasm to make things happen,” he went on to say.

According to Jackson’s SMSA nominee biography, he became a certified motorcycle instructor in 1986 and a decade later became State Director of the Motorcycle Safety Division for ABATE of Indiana where he is still working today. Under his leadership, ABATE of Indiana’s rider education program expanded exponentially and he started to develop an extensive network of motorcycle safety professionals. In 2000, Jackson received his designation as a Chief Instructor by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. He has conducted and assisted in numerous training courses across several states.

As the Individual Members Representative to the SMSA Executive Committee, Jackson is hopeful he can help “cross pollinate” in getting motorcycle rights enthusiasts and motorcycle safety administrators to work together. Given his extensive background in motorcycle rights, his work with the MRF and ABATE of Indiana, and his strong interest and success in rider training and education programs, Jackson may be just the guy to do the job.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Driverless Car Manufacturers Await Guidance from Agency, Motorcyclists Raise Concerns, Questions

Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:56:11 GMT

For Immediate Release

August 5, 2016

Driverless Car Manufacturers Await Guidance from Agency, Motorcyclists Raise Concerns, Questions

WASHINGTON, DC – Over the last several months, we’ve seen more and more companies announce plans to pursue the creation and manufacture of self-driving cars. Tesla has already been successful, announcing their intention to have an autonomous vehicle ready by 2018 for consumer purchase. Google’s prototype currently has a fleet of 58 self-driving vehicles being tested on public streets in California, Washington, Texas and Arizona. GM, Daimler, Volvo, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Audi and BMW have also announced plans to pursue the technology. As with most new technologies, the federal government has to play catch-up to this evolving area as it relates to rules and regulations.

This was made apparent when last month, a Tesla Model S on auto-pilot caused a fatal crash in Florida. Though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation on the incident, NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind indicated that the recent controversy around the crash would not deter the agency from embracing self-driving cars as part of the future of safety on the nation's roads. However, the question remains as to what criteria must be established to ensure that driverless cars are safe for consumers. The Department of Transportation (DoT) has indicated that this guidance is likely to be issued sometime this summer. DoT Secretary Anthony Foxx has stated that this will come in the form of federal government guidelines for self-driving vehicles. Critics concerned over the technology have reacted negatively to this announcement, stating that guidelines are only voluntary and that enforceable standards must be established.

For some motorcyclists, there is the hope that a rise in driverless cars could eliminate many of those crashes caused by human error in car versus motorcycle accidents. However, others have expressed concerns over whether motorcyclists on the road can be accounted for by the autonomous technology, given their smaller dimensions. At a recent DoT symposium, staff from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation raised the question to the agency. The spokesperson indicated that motorcycles would absolutely need to be accounted for when developing requirements for self-driving vehicles, given their smaller size on the road.

Other motorcyclists fear a far-worst case scenario, if driverless cars prove successful on the road and significantly lower accident rates, is there a possibility where ALL vehicles on the road are required to have this technology? Would this result in opening up a world of self-driving motorcycles? Though far from likely, these are examples of the many questions being raised. Answers to these questions will largely be dependent on time and the success or failure of this new technology.

CALL TO ACTION - Motorcycle Profiling

Tue, 02 Aug 2016 18:54:09 GMT

August 2, 2016

CALL TO ACTION - Motorcycle Profiling

Congressional summer recess is upon us!

Now through September 5th, the U.S. Senate and House have adjourned and completed their commitments to the political conventions. They are at work in their home states and districts — making now the perfect time to schedule a meeting with your elected official! Establishing and maintaining relationships with your elected officials and their staff in your home state is an important and effective way to further our mission, especially as we need their support on a pending measure!

In July, Reps. Reid Ribble (Wisc.) and Tim Walberg introduced House Resolution 831. This measure is the first step in addressing concerns over motorcycle profiling across America by defining the issue and encouraging education and collaboration between law enforcement and the motorcyclist community. Now is the time to ask your elected officials to consider adding their name as a co-sponsor to H.Res.831!

To help you in your meetings, you can find approved talking points by clicking on the link below. It contains all the pertinent information you will need when speaking with your elected official or their staff.

Motorcycle Profiling-Talking Points

If you need ANY assistance getting in touch with your elected official, please contact me directly and I can provide phone numbers, email addresses and any other information you might need to conduct your outreach.

Thank you for your support and keep me informed as to your progress!

Megan Ekstrom

Vice President, Government Relations & Public Affairs

Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Email: megan@mrf.org

Phone: (202) 725-5471

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Vision Zero & The Motorcyclist

Fri, 22 Jul 2016 18:52:59 GMT

For Immediate Release

July 22, 2016

Vision Zero & The Motorcyclist

WASHINGTON, DC– In the late nineties, Europeans saw a flurry of activity surrounding a new concept referred to as “Vision Zero,” which was intended to achieve a highway system with no (or ‘zero’) fatalities or serious injuries. While the objective behind the concept is certainly admirable, how that has manifested varies from the extreme to the sensible approach. And, with more and more U.S. cities following Europe’s lead by adopting their own versions of “Vision Zero,” the motorcycle community is paying close attention to what the practical effects of this concept could mean for them.

Founded on a Simple Principal

Guided by the principal that nothing (not money, convenience, or some would argue freedom of choice) can be put before health and safety, Sweden was the first country to adopt the concept into their law. Other countries quickly followed suit including the Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. While the concept of ‘zero deaths or serious injuries’ remains the objective, it can be implemented in a number of different ways. Sweden focused on reduced speed limits while the Netherlands attempted to put a greater area of separation between automobiles and pedestrians or cyclists. In addition, an emphasis on the design of roads was central to many of the countries implementing new initiatives under the Vision Zero umbrella.

Not So Simple Impact on Motorcyclists

For motorcyclists in the countries embracing Vision Zero, there were pros and cons to the governments’ execution efforts. In the ‘pro’ column, there was wide consensus that pavement conditions on roadways should be suitable so that bikers could avoid changes in friction including addressing cracks, rough spots, potholes, gravel, etc. The motorcycle community in Europe also voiced opinions over guardrail design and placement and its impact on safety.

However, for all motorcyclists, a very prominent checkmark in the ‘minus’ column related to the sentiment expressed by Cales Tingvall, then Director of the Swedish National Road Administration. Tingvall, one of the original creators of Vision Zero, directly addressed motorcycles as they related to the success of the initiative stating that, “We must prevent the recruiting of new motorcyclists. In long-term thinking, I regret to say that motorcycles must go.” Though he later recanted, he went on to make other statements suggesting that motorcycles and Vision Zero could never find a real consensus. Understandably, sentiments like those voiced by one of the key drivers of Vision Zero resulted in serious concern about the future of motorcycling in cities and countries adopting this initiative.

Further, during the initial concept building phase for Vision Zero, motorcyclists across Europe, represented by the Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) worked to ensure that motorcyclists were not restricted nor discriminated against. Alongside FEMA were representatives from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and other motorcycle rights groups and associations including the broader International Motorcyclist Cooperation Group. The parties worked together to ensure anti-motorcyclist rhetoric was minimized as well worked to defeat a recommendation to remove powered two-wheelers from some traffic patterns, as this had been suggested in previous conversations surrounding Vision Zero.

Despite the positive work done on behalf of motorcyclist rights’ groups during the initial Vision Zero planning period, many of the concerns about motorcycle discrimination remain.

Jumping the Pond

It wasn’t long before proponents of Vision Zero began pushing the initiative in the U.S. In 2014 and 2015, twelve U.S. cities announced their own adaptation of Vision Zero using Sweden as the model.

From Los Angeles to New York City and cities in between like Austin and Ft. Lauderdale, initiatives started being announced. While some focused on pedestrian safety and others took a softer approach, other cities, like Seattle for instance, set lofty goals stating that they would achieve Vision Zero by 2030 and take whatever precautions necessary in order to attain the objective.

At the time of this writing, it is unclear what, if any, role motorcyclists have in some of the new initiatives popping up in the U.S. Though draconian statements like those spoken by Cales Tingvall have not been repeated yet, some in the motorcycling community that have been following the issue are starting to express apprehension over the growing number of Vision Zero cities and what that might mean for universal helmet laws, high visibility attire and the future of motorcycling itself.

Presidential Candidate Donald Trump Names Motorcyclist Governor Mike Pence as Running Mate

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 15:55:50 GMT

For Immediate Release

July 15, 2016

Presidential Candidate Donald Trump Names
Motorcyclist Governor Mike Pence as Running Mate

WASHINGTON, DC– Speculation on who would be Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s possible Vice-President pick grew to a fever pitch this week. All eyes were on Indiana when candidate Donald Trump made a pair of visits to the Hoosier state earlier in the week. The first was a standard fundraiser but the second event was a rally where inquiring minds waited for a possible announcement of Trump’s Vice-Presidential pick. They were rewarded on Friday when it was announced via twitter that Governor Mike Pence would indeed round out the Republican presidential ticket. Speculation on Governor Pence as a running mate grew as rumors of a series of private meeting between the Governor and Trump persisted over the last several days.

Perhaps one of the groups most excited about the announcement are motorcyclists from the state. During his tenure in office, Governor Pence has been a supporter of motorcycle rights, working directly with ABATE of Indiana (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) and receiving a personalized basic rider training course arranged by the group’s Executive Director, Jay Jackson. “I think Governor Pence saw the strong connection his predecessor, former Governor Mitch Daniels, had with the motorcycling community. He saw the value in engaging this group because they are politically active, passionate about their cause and most importantly, they show up to vote!” Jackson stated.

Governor Pence rides on a bike several times a year participating in the Ride with the Governor event which brings awareness to motorcycle safety in the Hoosier State and raises funds for the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund. He also has participated in other charity rides as well as served as an escort to bikers passing through the state on their way to the nation’s capital for the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally in Washington, D.C. First Lady Karen Pence has also started to show an interest in riding, indicating a desire to ride with her husband in upcoming events.

Though what will ultimately happen in November with the Presidential Election is anybody’s guess. National polls change almost daily sometimes showing Hillary Clinton in the lead and sometimes Donald Trump. Nonetheless, some motorcyclists from the state are excited about the possibility of a motorcycle rights supporter as Vice-President. “Who knows?” Jackson said, “Maybe this time next year we’ll hold the nation’s first ever ‘Ride with the Vice-President’ event.”

Congressional Proposal Introduced Concerning Motorcycle Profiling

Fri, 15 Jul 2016 03:12:26 GMT

For Immediate Release

July 14, 2016

Congressional Proposal Introduced Concerning Motorcycle Profiling

WASHINGTON, DC– This week, Representatives Reid Ribble (R-Wisc.) and Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) jointly introduced a resolution concerning the profiling of motorcyclists. H.Res.831, formally titled, “Promoting awareness of motorcycle profiling and encourage collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling” was introduced and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

The bill defines the practice of motorcycle profiling and cites states which have addressed the issue at the local level. As with all simple resolutions, it expresses the sentiments of a chamber on a particular issue. In the case of H.Res.831, it also promotes increased public awareness on the issue and encourages collaboration, education and training for the motorcycle and law enforcement communities in order to end instances of profiling.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, who have been advocating for a national solution to address concerns over profiling, will work over the coming months with states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders to advance the measure.

The bill can be found by clicking on the link below:

https://www.congress.gov/114/bills/hres831/BILLS-114hres831ih.pdf

June’s Supreme Court Decision & Motorcycle Profiling

Thu, 07 Jul 2016 03:08:56 GMT

For Immediate Release

July 6, 2016

June’s Supreme Court Decision & Motorcycle Profiling

WASHINGTON, DC– As many Americans are recovering from 4^th of July festivities – unpacking their picnic baskets, traveling back home after a long weekend, or putting their red, white and blue away until Labor Day. So it’s ironic that a week prior to the day that millions of Americans celebrated their freedom and independence, the Supreme Court made a major ruling that affects your Fourth Amendment rights as an American.

In late June, the Supreme Court finished out its current term by making rulings on a number of major cases. Though arguably, access to abortions generated the most media coverage, another decision was made that didn’t generate much media attention, but affects Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures and probable cause. Specifically, the decision in the Utah v. Strieff case could impact the issue of profiling in America.

An Anonymous Tip

In 2006 in Utah, a white male who left someone’s home and was walking to his car in a parking lot was stopped by law enforcement and told to remain there. The detective wanted to know what was going on inside the house after receiving an anonymous tip. While Strieff waited, the officer discovered that Strieff had an outstanding arrest warrant for a traffic violation. As a result, Strieff was searched and drug paraphernalia was discovered in his pockets. Strieff was then charged with drug-related offenses. The problem with this scenario is that Strieff was stopped without reasonable suspicion. And according to the constitution, when police illegally stop an individual on the street without reasonable suspicion, any fruits of that stop—such as the discovery of illegal drugs—may not be used in court, because the stop was “unreasonable seizure” under the Fourth Amendment.

However, the Supreme Court ruled 5-3 that the evidence obtained during the event in Utah could be used in court. Again, up until this case, law enforcement had to cite a reason for stopping the person. To detain someone, you had to have reasonable suspicion that a crime was being committed or was about to be committed. That fell aside with this decision, because the court found that if an officer illegally stops an individual then discovers an arrest warrant—even for an incredibly minor crime, like a traffic violation—the stop is then legitimized, and any evidence seized can be used in court.

Connection to Motorcycle Profiling

This should raise red flags for some in the motorcycle community who have already begun to voice concerns about being at greater risk of being stopped arbitrarily by law enforcement. The issue of profiling and motorcyclists has started to gain traction after a law in Maryland was passed in May addressing the issue. Washington passed a similar bill in 2011.

How the Supreme Court’s decision will play out has yet to be determined, but it certainly sparks questions about the Fourth Amendment going forward.

You can read the Supreme Court Decision here:

http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/15pdf/14-1373_83i7.pdf

The ‘Connected’ Motorcycle & its Place in Future Technology

Fri, 01 Jul 2016 03:01:50 GMT

For Immediate Release

June 30, 2016

The ‘Connected’ Motorcycle & its Place in Future Technology

WASHINGTON, DC – As cities around the nation continue to experience increases in commute times, accidents, and fatalities, we are seeing more policymakers turn to technology as a potential solution. Over the next thirty years, America’s population is projected to grow by 70 million people. What that does to congestion alone has many in Washington considering the potential impacts of a fully integrated transportation infrastructure to solve transportation problems and improve public transit in the long run. One sect of the population not immediately thought of, but is undoubtedly effected is motorcyclists.

In December 2015, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation launched the Smart City Challenge—a national competition to implement bold, data-driven ideas that demonstrate the use of advanced data and intelligent transportation systems technologies. Almost 80 cities responded and drafted plans detailing holistic visions as to how technology can help city residents get from place to place more easily and with less traffic. The prize for the best blueprint went to Columbus, OH who won a $40-million-dollar grant from the Department of Transportation. However, absent from Ohio’s plans was anything addressing motorcyclists. In reviewing the seven finalist cities for the initiative, it appears that none of these addressed motorcyclists and their role on the road. Bicyclists and mass transit including busses, shuttles and trolleys, self-driving cars, and new traffic-related applications for smartphones were all included in potential city plans and yet none of the finalists considered motorcycles in their campaigns.

Interestingly, across the pond in Europe, at the Intelligent Transportation Systems World Congress that took place in France last year, the European motorcycle industry took a major step towards connecting technology and motorcyclists when three major motorcycle manufacturers announced the launch of a Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC), to further the development of Cooperative-Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) applications in motorized two-wheelers. Representatives from BMW Motorrad, Honda, and Yamaha all participated in Europe’s new consortium believing it would accelerate the development of connected motorcycles and scooters helping to address traffic and safety in years to come.

Though in the U.S. there are individual programs and initiatives addressing technology and motorcycles, there are few and far between and are typically found at universities. It’s unclear to what degree U.S. domestic motorcycle manufacturers are involved with these projects. Nor is it clear whether the U.S. Department of Transportation intends to prioritize or even view motorcyclists as a player in achieving a fully integrated transportation infrastructure. With motorcycle ridership increasing (growing from 3,826,373 in 1997 to 8,404,687 in 2013), it’s a community that cannot, and should not, be ignored.

ABATE OF MICHIGAN SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT

Tue, 21 Jun 2016 18:50:59 GMT

For Immediate Release

June 21, 2016

Facts Instead of Fiction on Michigan's Helmet Law Modification

In recent weeks, many advocates of mandatory helmet laws have attacked Michigan’s ADULT CHOICE motorcycle helmet law passed in 2012. In these “reports” the claim is that 40% of riders in fatal crashes were not wearing helmets which means 60% of riders were wearing helmets. More riders died wearing a helmet than without.

The real problem is UNENDORSED MOTORCYCLE RIDERS.

Every year since 1989 (a total of 26 years) when Michigan started keeping track of this data, 40% OR MORE of the motorcycle riders did not have a motorcycle endorsement and, were thus, riding illegally. In 2013 and 2015 that number reached 57% or nearly 3 out of 5 riders involved in fatal accidents, according to Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP).

ABATE of Michigan President Vince Consiglio stated, “With the extended riding season and the outrageously high number of unlicensed riders, it is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. Why are motorcycle riders allowed to get insurance without an endorsement?”

Additional claims are taken out of context and show a lack of integrity in their reporting. The claim that there was a 23% increase in motorcycle fatalities from 2014 to 2015 is misleading since they do not state that 2014 had the lowest number of motorcycle fatalities in ten years while 2015 had the highest number. The helmet law faction claims “The very low figure in 2014 appears to be an anomaly.” Thus the truth, buried in their report is that 2015 was normal.

ABATE Statistician, Vince Piacenti, finds this “cherry-picking” of data to falsely represent motorcycle safety records to be unprofessional. He added, “Comparing a high year with a low year is not statistically valid.”

The objective of ABATE of Michigan has and will always be to promote motorcycle safety and car driver awareness programs in Michigan. Legislative Coordinator Jim Rhoades said, “ABATE has initiated and helped pass four separate bills in the last four years aimed at the issue of unendorsed riders and motorcycle safety and awareness. The helmet law question is an adult freedom issue.”

The insurance industry continually hammers motorcycle riders on Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA) coverage which ALL motorcycle riders are required to pay for. The fact is that motorcycle riders are NOT covered in a catastrophic accident unless the incident involves an auto or truck. There is no coverage in a single vehicle accident, if another motorcycle is involved, or if a cyclist hits a deer or other animal.

Motorcyclists represent approximately 5% of the catastrophic costs to the insurance industry while injured pedestrians and bicyclists use more than three times for medical costs and do not pay anything into the MCCA.

ABATE of Michigan, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rights and promoting the safe operating practices of all Michigan motorcyclists.

ABATE has partnered with public schools and private drivers schools to teach more than 80,000 new drivers about motorcycle awareness, using resources donated by ABATE members.

###

Contact:
Vince Consiglio
President, ABATE of Michigan
(248) 672-0957

Jim Rhoades
Legislative Director, ABATE of Michigan
(734) 578-6144

http://www.abateofmichigan.org/

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Members of Congress Call on DoT to Include MRF & SMRO Participation on the Newly Reestablished Motorcyclist Advisory Council

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 18:36:56 GMT

For Immediate Release

June 17, 2016

Members of Congress Call on DoT to Include MRF & SMRO Participation on the Newly Reestablished Motorcyclist Advisory Council

WASHINGTON, DC– This week, twenty elected officials from eleven different states issued a letter addressed to the Federal Highway Administration housed under the Department of Transportation. The letter, which had both republican and democratic signatures, addressed a section of the highway bill that would reestablish the Motorcyclist Advisory Council which would counsel the Administrator of U.S. Department of Transportation on infrastructure issues that could affect motorcyclists. The highway bill, also known as the FAST Act, was signed into law by the President earlier this year.

Specifically, the letter called on the Federal Highway Administration to ensure that the, “Motorcyclist Advisory Council include participants from the full spectrum of available experts and stakeholders of different organizations.” The letter went on to suggest explicitly which participants should be involved and calling on the Administration to include, “one member recommended by a national motorcycle riders foundation” and “two members of State motorcyclists’ organizations.”

As implementation of the FAST Act begins, the Federal Highway Administration is likely to go through a process to establish a charter for the Motorcyclist Advisory Council. Congressional letters like the one sent yesterday can play a critical role in the decision making behind determining the specifics of the Council.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

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Link to Letter Below:

Ribble Pocan Letter Re Motorcyclist Advisory Council.pdf

The MRF Supports Ride to Work Day

Tue, 14 Jun 2016 18:50:03 GMT

For Immediate Release

June 14, 2016

The MRF Supports Ride to Work Day

WASHINGTON, DC– Next Monday will mark the 25^th anniversary of “Ride to Work Day,” an annual event that promotes the motorcycle as an option for commuting to work. Since 1992, this event has been organized by the Ride to Work organization aiming to increase public awareness of motorcyclists; promote the use of motorcycles as a method of transportation; and increase motorcycle safety.

According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, an estimated 150,000 (approximately) commuters ride their motorcycle to work. This is a very minor portion of all commuters, though figures show these numbers are on the rise. It may be surprising that the numbers are not higher given data that supports that traveling by motorcycle can shorten journey times by as much as 33 minutes of every hour for city travel. Additional benefits can include more parking options, fuel savings and the undeniable advantage of enjoying the environment and the open air preparing yourself for a long day of work, or better yet, decompressing post-work!

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation encourages its members and partners to participate in this year’s event on June 20^th to help demonstrate just how many motorcyclists are on the road and that the use of motorcycles as an alternative to commuting can help alleviate traffic and parking congestion.

Another important message that the event sends is that, despite a sometimes less than flattering portrayal of motorcyclists by Hollywood and even the media and naysayers, motorcyclists are our neighbors, doctors, family, lawyers and friends and they deserve to have their voices heard.

For more information, visit: http://www.ridetowork.org/

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY TESTIFIES ON HIGHWAY BILL IMPLEMENTATION

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 01:45:47 GMT

For Immediate Release

June 8, 2016

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY TESTIFIES ON HIGHWAY BILL IMPLEMENTATION

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senator John Thune (R-SD), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation convened a hearing concerning the implementation of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act or FAST Act. The FAST Act is a bi-partisan five-year reauthorization of surface transportation agencies and programs and contains several provisions affecting motorcycle riders.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx testified before the committee and provided an update regarding where the Department of Transportation and its reporting agencies, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHA), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stood on implementing the FAST Act.

Primarily, Secretary Foxx was questioned on issues that have made national news as of late including long lines at airports and a consideration to privatize air traffic controllers. Safety was also a key topic during the hearing, but was limited to the safety needs of commercial vehicles and widespread concerns surrounding NHTSA’s management of safety recalls.

Though issues related to motorcycles were not specifically addressed in today’s hearing, they do remain a key component of the FAST Act and are referenced in provisions related to the stopping of federal funding for motorcycle checkpoints and the reestablishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council which aims to coordinate with and counsel the Administrator of U.S. Department of Transportation on infrastructure issues that could affect motorcyclists. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) continues to closely monitor the implementation of these provisions working with stakeholders to ensure the interests of motorcyclists are represented.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY TESTIFIES ON HIGHWAY BILL IMPLEMENTATION

Wed, 08 Jun 2016 18:49:04 GMT

For Immediate Release

June 8, 2016

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY TESTIFIES ON HIGHWAY BILL IMPLEMENTATION

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

U.S. Department of Transportation Reminds People to ‘Share the Road’

Fri, 03 Jun 2016 18:48:16 GMT

For Immediate Release

June 3, 2016

U.S. Department of Transportation Reminds People to ‘Share the Road’

WASHINGTON, DC – Though this week marked the end of May’s “Motorcycle Awareness Month” the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Assistant Secretary Greg Winfree reminded everyone to keep an eye out for motorcyclists.

Assistant Secretary Winfree, himself a motorcyclist, was the author of a recent bulletin posted by the Department of Transportation’s Research and Technology office. The bulletin, available by clicking here reminds all road users to share the road and be alert. Though Winfree does mention the recent Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) report, he acknowledges that the numbers showing an increase in motorcyclist fatalities in 2015 are preliminary.

Importantly, Winfree himself makes no mention of a universal helmet law as a solution despite the GHSA’s report repeated insistence. Instead, Winfree points to the importance of having concrete data to help inform and shape critical safety priorities.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) agrees on the importance of having concrete data which is why ensuring that the statistics compiled by Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and used by the GHSA and are actually capturing motorcycles and not other vehicles such as the newly emerging class of autocycles. Reasons like this are why the MRF and its partners are advocating for the Department of Transportation to ensure the federal definition of a motorcycle is narrowed to guarantee that any collected data is accurate. Accurate data helps lead to responsible strategies rather than blanket solutions that focuses solely on surviving motorcycle crashes rather than avoiding them.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

GHSA REPORT ADVOCATES FOR UNIVERSAL HELMET LAW…AGAIN

Thu, 26 May 2016 16:39:42 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 25, 2016

GHSA REPORT ADVOCATES FOR UNIVERSAL HELMET LAW…AGAIN

WASHINGTON, DC– Last week, the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released its preliminary data and findings regarding motorcycle fatalities in 2015. The GHSA represents the state and territorial highway safety offices that implement programs to address highway safety. Although GHSA’s primary mission is to improve traffic safety, their latest report appears to be more focused on thinly veiled demands for nationwide universal helmet laws despite their failure to provide real data demonstrating the effectiveness of such laws.

While the report highlights that the preliminary data suggests a 10% increase in motorcycle fatalities in 2015, it fails to connect the presence or lack of universal helmet laws to the projected increase. In fact, there are a number of other factors that may explain the projected increase, including the climate, education and experience of the motorists involved, and the inclusion of faulty data in the making of this report.

Climate Affects

In 2015 many parts of the country enjoyed a longer riding season than in previous years. Warmer and dryer weather leads to additional time and riding hours on the road. While the report does address this possible explanation, it does not conclude that it has the same influence as the absence of a universal helmet laws.

Education & Experience

Another issue that GHSA barley addresses is the consideration of education and experience. For example, one of the most populace states that experienced a decrease in motorcycle related fatalities was California. While the state has not had any changes to their helmet law, the state did engage in a motorcycle awareness campaign for motorists. This suggests that perhaps other factors, such as motorist education and awareness initiatives, impact fatalities. Further, the report identifies a connection between riding experience and increases in fatalities. It states that roughly 25% of all motorcycle fatalities are the result of invalid motorcycle licensure. These statistics underscore the belief long held by the Motorcycle Rider’s Foundation that training and education is a crucial component to motorcycle safety.

Flawed Data

Perhaps one of the biggest questions raised from reading the report is the data itself and specifically, what “counts” as a motorcycle. According to federal statute, a motorcycle is defined as, “a motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.” With the rise of autocycles, a new class of vehicle that has attributes of both a car and motorcycle, it raises the question if this type of vehicle was included in the data supporting the statistics in the GHSA report. As this type of vehicle continues to emerge as a form of transportation, it will be critical that they are addressed independently, and not unfairly categorized with motorcycles or any other form as transportation so as not to skew the data. It is not clear from the report that this consideration is given.

Failure to Connect the Projected Increase to the Lack of Universal Helmet Laws

Despite the report’s effort to relate the projected increase in motorcycle fatalities to the lack of universal helmet laws, it fails to provide any data suggesting a connection between those who were wearing helmets versus those who were not wearing helmets when the fatality occurred. Of the nineteen states that currently have a universal helmet law in place; twelve experienced an increase in motorcycle fatalities between 2014 and 2015. Of the sixteen states that saw a decrease in motorcycle fatalities in 2015, only six have a universal helmet law. The other ten either allow adults to make their own choice or have no law at all.

The report also suggests that the increase in motorcycle fatalities in Michigan is due to the state’s modification of its helmet law in 2012, which allowed adult riders to choose whether to wear a helmet. The report suggests that the 2015 increase in motorcycle fatalities in Michigan is due to fewer riders wearing a motorcycle helmet but have not provided any data to support this claim. However, the report fails to explain the 18.8% decrease in motorcycle fatalities between 2013 and 2014. According to the National Highway Transportation & Safety Administration (NHTSA), Michigan motorcycle fatalities dropped from 138 to 112 in 2014 despite the change to the state’s motorcycle helmet law.

In conclusion, despite its best efforts, the GHSA report fails to make any connection between the rise in motorcycle fatalities in 2015 and the implementation of universal helmet laws. It is unfortunate that entities such as the GHSA continue to hold such a myopic view when it comes to motorcycle safety. The Motorcycle Rider’s Foundation encourages the GHSA and other groups interested in a meaningful campaign to enhance motorcycle safety to adopt a strategy that focuses on avoiding motorcycle crashes and not merely surviving them.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Full Report Can be Found here:

http://www.ghsa.org/files/pubs/spotlights/motorcycles_2015.pdf

MARYLAND BECOMES SECOND STATE TO PASS MOTORCYCLIST ANTI-PROFILING LAW

Tue, 24 May 2016 19:46:02 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 24, 2016

MARYLAND BECOMES SECOND STATE TO PASS MOTORCYCLIST ANTI-PROFILING LAW

WASHINGTON, DC – The motorcyclists of Maryland counted a major victory last week when Governor Larry Hogan signed a bill into law that would expressly prohibit the profiling of motorcyclists within the state. At the signing ceremony were members of ABATE of Maryland, the Maryland Confederation of Clubs, and Motorcycle Riders Foundation. The teamwork, cooperation and hard work by these organizations ensured swift passage of the measure.

"The unanimous passage of this legislation through both chambers is a direct result of well thought out strategic positioning, thorough lobbying and a truly unified motorcycle community,” stated Bill “Colt” Kaitz from the Maryland Confederation of Clubs and Co-Founder of the Motorcycle Profiling Project. “We had tremendous support in both chambers and all committees. Our community hopes that this will serve as an example to any state with well documented profiling incidents that with a unified community and intelligent, concentrated effort, this legislation is possible and stands to better the lives of all motorcyclists."

Maryland is now the second state to pass a motorcycle anti-profiling law. Washington state passed related legislation in 2011. Similar activities and advocacy efforts are underway in several other states across the U.S. Federally, the issue has been gaining traction due to the recent Michael ‘Boz’ Kerr Bikers Inside the Beltway event where it was raised before elected officials in Washington, D.C. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation and affiliated individuals and organizations will continue to mount pressure to ensure that unjust motorcycle discrimination is not tolerated.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

THE ETHANOL ISSUE – CONGRESSIONAL ACTIVITY AND STRIKING A BALANCE

Thu, 19 May 2016 18:46:53 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 19, 2016

THE ETHANOL ISSUE – CONGRESSIONAL ACTIVITY AND STRIKING A BALANCE

WASHINGTON, DC – There is no shortage of legislative proposals addressing ethanol blends in the nation’s capital. So far in the 114^th Congress alone, there have been 16 different measures that would address the use of ethanol blends in fuel. Last week’s activity added one more to the tally, the “Food and Fuel Consumer Protection Act of 2016” H.R.5180.

Introduced by Congressman Bill Flores from Texas, the proposal would institute a cap on the ethanol content in fuel. Presumably, the bill would stop what many are concerned about; an uncomfortable creep towards a higher content of ethanol in gasoline, which could have the effect of voiding many motorcycle warranties. However, it is unclear what the proposal’s chances of passage are, especially given a number of other pending measures that aim to do the exact opposite (see the REFUEL Act, H.R. 4773). What is certain, is that the issue of ethanol in fuel is controversial and will not be easily solved.

The position of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), instead of being "pro" or "anti" ethanol, has been one of concern about the effect of higher ethanol content in fuel. The MRF seeks to strike a balance between the various opposing federal bills; instead calling for a policy that emphasizes research on ethanol blends. Encouraging new research, specifically targeted towards motorcycle engines as well as the effect on internal combustion, could help alleviate the concerns of motorcycle riders, as well as motorcycle manufacturers.

Current discussions taking place in the halls of Congress can be used as an opportunity to learn more about the short and long term effects of ethanol on small motors, as well as open a dialogue with the manufacturers of motorcycles, to better understand their concerns in using a higher ethanol content in motorcycle fuel systems.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION HOLDS SUCCESSFUL WASHINGTON, DC ADVOCACY DAY

Wed, 18 May 2016 02:45:20 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 17, 2016

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION HOLDS SUCCESSFUL WASHINGTON, DC ADVOCACY DAY

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week over 100 members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) made the trip to Washington, DC to connect with elected officials from across the country in support of motorcyclists’ rights. Twenty-four states were represented this year and more than 300 meetings with members of Congress and their staff took place over the course of May 10th, 11th, and 12th.

Members of the MRF brought their bikes, as well as their personal stories from back home, to Capitol Hill and discussed issues critical to the 2016 MRF's legislative agenda. Among these included opposing the REFUEL Act; supporting the Motorsports Act, as well as recommendations of the charter for the newly re-established Motorcycle Advisory Council. In addition, legislators heard about updating the definition of a motorcycle, as well as concerns over the profiling of motorcyclists.

Every meeting attended by MRF members marked another critical step forward in building and maintaining relationships with congressional offices. Each meeting provided the opportunity to communicate directly with a wide array of lawmakers who are currently considering legislation that would affect the rights of motorcyclists. The MRF staff in Washington, DC will begin the process of follow-up with many of the offices that were targeted. However, it is imperative that local groups and clubs continue to advocate in your home states to ensure that progress continues. As constituents, the visits in the home district are extremely impactful. The talking points used on Capitol Hill can be found on the MRF website.

A genuine thank you goes out to everyone who participated in this year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway event!

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle, and works in conjunction with its member partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

2016 Legislative Agenda BITB6.pdf

2016 BITB TALKINGPOINTS FINAL5-11.pdf

MRF 2016 BITB National Motorcycle Profiling Act Draft 2016 final.pdf

MRF_FactOrFiction2015.pdf

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION APPOINTS MEGAN EKSTROM AS VICE-PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS & PUBLIC RELATIONS

Fri, 13 May 2016 12:53:02 GMT

For Immediate Release

May 12, 2016

MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION APPOINTS MEGAN EKSTROM AS
VICE-PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS & PUBLIC RELATIONS

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation announced the hiring of Megan Ekstrom as Vice-President of Governmental Affairs & Public Relations effective immediately. Ekstrom comes to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) from the International Fragrance Association where she served as the head of government affairs.

“After a rigorous search process with a number of promising candidates, Megan established herself as the clear leader. Her professional background includes work in both the public and private sectors, as well as a unique skill set that will deliver value in continuing to develop the MRF as a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle,” said Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard, President of the MRF Board of Directors.

A native of Arizona, Megan has resided in Washington, DC for almost 15 years, getting her start working in Congress as well as several prominent government and public affairs firms whose clients included national trade associations and other transportation related clients. For the last 4 years Megan directed the advocacy program and activities for the International Fragrance Association advising them on legislative and regulatory activity for issues affecting the environment, international trade and transport as well as occupational health and safety. Complimenting her Capitol Hill and policy background. Megan is also active with a number of influential organizations in Washington, DC including Women in Government Relations. Last year Megan was also nominated for an Excellence in Advocacy Award.

“We are excited to put Megan’s energy and passion for advocacy and building out a Washington presence to use for the MRF and its members. Her past experience and skill set will be extremely beneficial to the MRF as she oversees our relationships with key government officials, agencies and allied trade associations,” said Willard.

About Motorcycle Riders Foundation

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organizations (SMROs) to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.

Bikers Inside the Beltway is Around the Corner

Fri, 06 May 2016 22:30:47 GMT

May 6, 2016

Bikers Inside the Beltway is Around the Corner

In less than a week, riders from around the country will be traveling to Washington D.C. for Bikers Inside the Beltway on May 12, 2016. This will be the 8th Annual Michael “Boz” Kerr Bikers Inside The Beltway, National Lobby Day. Free motorcycle parking has been secured by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation just steps from the U.S. Capitol Building. An event prep session has been planned for the evening before lobby day. Please plan on attending to receive your lobbying packets, review material in packets, and prepare for the day ahead.

If you have not already contacted the MRF Office and are planning on attending, have not registered and will need lobby packets before Wednesday prep session, please contact the office 202.546.0983.

Wednesday May 11, 2016 - Event Prep Session - 7pm - 9pm
The Governor House Inn
6650 Arlington Boulevard
Falls Church, VA 22042
Phone: (703) 532-8900

The Prep Session will be an opportunity to review and discuss the talking points, to get all attendees up to speed and on the same page. It will also be a good opportunity for new attendees to get information and have any questions they may have answered. Please plan on attending.

Thursday May 12, 2016 - Bikers Inside The Beltway

7am Sharp
Kickstands up at 7am. A group ride will be lead by ABATE of Wisconsin. For ease of entering the boulevard as a group, the Motorcycles will gather in the parking lot of the Best Western Falls Church (across the street from The Governor House Inn)
Best Western Falls Church - 6633 Arlington Blvd - Falls Church, VA 22042

8am - 5pm
The MRF has secured free parking from 8am until 5pm just steps from the U.S. Capitol and the House and Senate office buildings. The exact location of the parking is on 3rd street SW and NW between Madison and Jefferson drives. A map can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/motorcycleparking

3pm - ???
An informal debrief session will held at the American Legion - Kenneth H Nash Post #8, beginning at 3pm
Address: 224 D St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Phone: (202) 543-9163

We look forward to seeing everyone next week - Ride With The Leaders™

Proposed Expansion of E15 Fuels Could Endanger Motorcyclists

Mon, 25 Apr 2016 18:45:43 GMT

April 25, 2016

For Immediate Release

Proposed Expansion of E15 Fuels Could Endanger Motorcyclists

In March 2016 a bill was introduced in Congress that would provide grants for developing the infrastructure to deliver fuel containing more than 10 percent ethanol.

Introduced by U.S. Rep David Loebsack (D-Iowa), the Renewable Fuel Utilization, Expansion, and Leadership Act (H.R. 4673, otherwise known as the “REFUEL Act”) would provide federal grants for the purchase and installation of equipment (pumps, storage tanks, pipes, etc.) specifically for “dispensing fuel containing covered renewable or alternative energy.” This equipment would be key in expanding the availability of E15 fuel, a blend of gasoline that includes up to 15 percent ethanol.

In cooperation with our Sustaining State Motorcycle Rights Organizations, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) opposes the implementation of any fuel blend that contains anything higher than a 10 percent ethanol content without further research on the effects of these blends on motorcycle engines.

To date, none of the motorcycles in use in the United States are certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to operate on fuel containing more than 10 percent ethanol, and use of E15 fuels in motorcycles may damage fuel systems and void manufacturers’ warranties.

Because this bill directly violates the Agricultural Act of 2014 (also known as the FARM Bill) that prohibited funding for special ethanol blender pumps, and because E15 fuels can damage motorcycles, the MRF encourages you to contact you U.S. Representative and ask him or her to oppose H.R. 4673.

Modified Motorcycles Potentially Under Attack

Fri, 22 Apr 2016 00:47:52 GMT

For Immediate Release

April 21, 2016

Modified Motorcycles Potentially Under Attack

Members of both Houses of Congress have introduced proposed legislation that would protect the rights of Americans to modify their vehicles for racing purposes. Dubbed the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016 (RPM Act, H.R. 4715 and S. 2659), this legislation would ensure that converting any motor vehicle (including street motorcycles) into a competition-only vehicle remains legal.

This proposed legislation became necessary after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under the guise of maintaining emissions as outlined by the Clean Air Act, announced plans to regulate the conversion of street motorcycles and other motor vehicles into race vehicles. This attempt is reminiscent of the EPA's efforts back in 2003 to regulate motorcycling through another unrelated proposed regulation aimed at heavy equipment, steam engines and diesel engines that would have prohibited owners from changing anything on their motorcycles except for paint color or chrome.

Through the Color and Chrome initiative, the MRF was successful in separating motorcycles from the EPA’s regulations and created exemptions to protect the custom and aftermarket industries and our lifestyle.

On April 15, 2016, the EPA announced that, under pressure from Congress, it would drop the language from its proposed regulations; nevertheless, it shows the clear intent of the EPA to attempt to overstep its bounds, as outlined by the Clean Air Act, in an effort to strip motorcyclists of the rights to modify their motorcycles as they see fit.

The MRF urges its members to contact their U.S. Representative and Senator and ask them to support H.R. 4715/S. 2659, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016, so that the EPA makes no further attempts to erode motorcyclists’ rights.

Federal Funds Available for Distracted Driving Programs

Thu, 14 Apr 2016 02:10:06 GMT

Federal Funds Available for Distracted Driving Programs
April 13, 2016

Did you know that funds are available from the federal government for states that enact distracted driving legislation? The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) wants you to know that H.R. 22, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (otherwise known as the FAST Act), authorizes funds for highway safety programs that include distracted driving initiatives.

Section 2005, Article 4 of the bill specifically provides funding for distracted driving legislation, stating, “In each fiscal year, 8.5 percent of the funds provided under this section shall be allocated among States that adopt and implement effective laws to reduce distracted driving.”

While there is specific language that spells out the details of eligibility, in general, states that are interested in applying for these grant monies need to: make distracted driving awareness a part of the driver’s license examination; pass legislation making it illegal to text while driving; and pass legislation that prohibits drivers under the age of 18 (or on a learner’s permit) from using a wireless communications device while driving.

These grant funds can be used in a variety of ways, including public advertising campaigns that explain the dangers of texting while driving, traffic signs that warn motorists about distracted driving laws, or for the costs related to enforcing distracted driving laws.

Too often state legislatures are reluctant to pass new legislation if there is a perceived cost, and these grant funds help offset any costs states would incur by passing distracted driving legislation.

If your state is considering or currently debating distracted driving legislation, the MRF encourages you to make the appropriate legislators aware of these grant funds, as their availability can help sway a legislature towards passage of such laws that ultimately protect not just motorcyclists but all roadway users.

Read the full text of the FAST Act here:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/22/text#toc-H193364E12BE847F39AF58BF007E245F4

Motorcyclists Unite on Anti-Profiling Bill Language

Tue, 29 Mar 2016 03:25:13 GMT

Motorcyclists Unite on Anti-Profiling Bill Language

Consistent with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) 2016 Legislative Agenda as voted on by its Sustaining State Motorcyclists Rights Organizations, the MRF has aligned with other national motorcyclists’ rights organizations on proposed federal anti-profiling language. (The full version of the language can be read in a link below.)

The MRF recognizes the importance to all motorcyclists of this much-needed language, and we applaud the hard work of organizations that are addressing this issue legislatively on the state level. The time has come, however, to address profiling on a national level. There is a public misconception that profiling is strictly an issue that affects only motorcycle clubs; in reality, nothing could be further from the truth, as profiling injustices continue to happen across the country to all types of motorcyclists. This issue is a matter of civil liberties, and now is the time to roll up the sleeves and get to work.

To that end, at the most recent Anti-Profiling Action Group meeting in Las Vegas, ranking members from many motorcycling organizations all agreed to support anti-profiling language, including James “Doc” Reichenbach II, Chairman of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), Frank Ernst, Chairman of the NCOM Legislative Task Force, and David “Double D” Devereaux, representing the Council of Clubs and author of this anti-profiling language. Other members of the Anti-Profiling Action Group include the Committee Lead Russell Radke, MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, Committee Secretary Shelly Holcomb, MRF PAC Treasurer Lenny Holcomb, and nationally known motorcyclists’ advocate Dick “Slider” Gilmore.

As the true “boots on the ground” of motorcycling rights, the MRF is asking each of you to reach out to your federal legislators and ask them to support anti-profiling language. Time is of the essence—we need to know who will support us and who will not by May 1, two weeks prior to our “Bikers Inside the Beltway” national biker lobby day on May 12, 2016.

Please send all responses from your legislators—both those that are in favor and those that are against—to Russell Radke at Russell@MRF.org. Russell will then forward all the compiled information to the MRF’s analyst to compile into a list of talking points for the MRF’s national biker lobby day known as Bikers Inside the Beltway to be held in Washington D.C. on May 12th.

Anti-Profiling Victory at the State Level

Maryland recently passed an Anti-Profiling bill through both the House and Senate. Public Safety-Motorcycle Profiling-Training passed the Senate with a 47-0 vote and the House of Delegates with a 136-0 vote. Maryland would be the second state in the union joining Washington to pass an Anti-Profiling bill after a procedural vote across both bodies and a signature by the Governor.

National Motorcycle Profiling Act Draft 2016

27th Annual Heartland Steam is Fast Approaching, Register Now!

Thu, 24 Mar 2016 03:03:29 GMT

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	27^thAnnual Heartland Steam is Fast Approaching, Register Now!
	February 23, 2016

Heartland S.T.E.A.M. is fast approaching, and with just a little more than a week left to receive discounted registration, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) encourages all motorcyclists to join with members of motorcycle rights groups from South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa in attending this important event.

Held on April 1 – 3, Heartland S.T.E.A.M. is hosted this year by A.B.A.T.E. of South Dakota and is the premiere motorcycling rights conference in the Midwest. Heartland S.T.E.A.M.—an acronym for Seminar To Educate And Motivate—is a weekend-long event whose purpose is to help educate officers and all members of state motorcycle rights organizations (SMROs) and encourage discussion on political issues pertaining to motorcycle rights. It’s the perfect forum for exchanging ideas and strategies for defending and maintaining grass-roots motorcycling rights.

Heartland S.T.E.A.M. is open to all motorcyclists, and all profits support the MRF in its mission to defend motorcycling rights on a national level. Until March 1, registration is $50; after then, registration increases to $60.

For complete details and registration, visit the Heartland S.T.E.A.M. registration page at http://www.mrf.org/heartlandsteam.php

Report of Motorcycle Curfew Completely False

Sat, 12 Mar 2016 18:19:04 GMT

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	Report of Motorcycle Curfew Completely False
	March 13, 2016

A recent report of a supposed curfew enacted by a number of states against motorcyclists has been making the rounds lately, and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation wishes to squelch this nasty little rumor before it gets a life of its own.

It appears that this false story has gained the interest of a lot of people, as many search engines are currently bringing up "motorcycle curfew" as soon as you enter the word motorcycle—it’s what the social media experts refer to as “trending.”

It pains the MRF to dignify this ridiculous story with a response; however, we appreciate motorcyclists’ rights advocates paying attention when things like this come up and want to make sure accurate information is available. To be as clear as possible, there is no curfew being put into effect, and the story is completely false.

The reasons that make the adoption of a curfew by a supposed eleven states absurd are far too numerous to address here, and this complete work of fiction is nothing more than an a bad attempt to either create momentum for some other cause or to serve as a distraction to true freedom fighters.

Keep up the good work, it looks like we've got somebody worried.

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