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.

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.

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?

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

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

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

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!

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.

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.

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