MRF ALERTS

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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.