MRF Alerts

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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/

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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-

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.

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.

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.