American Motorcyclist Association supports National Historic Vehicle Register Act
Bill would create registry at Library of Congress to preserve records, history, culture
PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association supports a federal bill that would create a national register to preserve the records of historic vehicles, including motorcycles, that have made a significant impact on U.S. history and culture.
The National Historic Vehicle Register Act (S. 966), introduced by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), would require the U.S. Department of the Interior to establish a register housed in the Library of Congress to preserve examples of American history and engineering innovation by documenting historically significant automobiles, motorcycles, trucks, and commercial vehicles.
“As a long-time motorcyclist, Sen. Peters knows there are few things better than the freedom of two wheels on the open road,” said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. “Whether traveling cross country or just across town, motorcycles are a part of America’s transportation culture.
“The American Motorcyclist Association thanks Sens. Peters and Portman for their leadership on this important issue, and we are pleased to support the National Historic Vehicle Register Act to help highlight America’s motorcycling history,” Allard said.
The Historic Vehicle Association has been working with the Interior Department on the register proposal since 2013, and the American Motorcyclist Association has been providing support.
The Historic Vehicle Association has documented 18 historic vehicles through the Interior Department’s Historic American Engineering Record. The record recognizes a broad range of historical engineering-related sites and structures, including bridges, ships and roads.
The National Historic Vehicle Register Act would create a standalone register to preserve the records of historically significant vehicles that would include short narratives, photographs and engineering drawings of each vehicle. To be eligible for the register, vehicles must be connected to a significant person or event in American history, have a unique design or be a rare model.
The bill has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.
Not a member? Join the AMA today: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/join