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  • How Cool Is This?

    07/17/2023 1:18 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
    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

    07/14/2023 10:33 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    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

    07/14/2023 8:50 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    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 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.

    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.

    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!

    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!

    07/09/2023 10:30 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    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

    07/08/2023 8:42 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    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

    07/06/2023 11:36 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    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

    06/21/2023 10:27 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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

    06/17/2023 11:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)


    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.

    06/14/2023 5:00 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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”

    06/12/2023 8:40 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    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)