Motorcycle Rights

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION PETITION CALLS FOR RETURN OF LANE-SPLITTING GUIDELINES TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT WEBSITES, OFFICES

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association initiated a petition drive today to convince the California Office of Administrative Law to allow state agencies to once again disseminate important information on safely and responsibly executing the motorcycling technique called lane splitting. The online petition can be found here: https://cqrcengage.com/amacycle/app/sign-petition?1&engagementId=55066. A recent Office of Administrative Law order resulted in the California Highway Patrol, the Department of Motor Vehicles and other agencies removing CHP lane-splitting guidelines from their websites and ridding their offices of pamphlets, fliers and other documents that contained the safety information. "Removal of the DMV brochures is a big…
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LONE COMPLAINT FORCES CHP TO REMOVE LANE-SPLITTING GUIDELINES FROM WEBSITE

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A single complaint from a Sacramento man has forced the California Highway Patrol and other state government agencies to remove information from their websites that was intended to help motorcyclists safely execute the allowed lane-splitting maneuver. Kenneth Mandler, a longtime state employee who now conducts training sessions on how to get a state job, petitioned the California Office of Administrative Law in 2013, claiming the CHP created an "underground regulation" by formulating and distributing guidelines for safe lane splitting. Lane splitting, also called lane filtering, is the practice of riding a motorcycle or scooter between lanes of…
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FAULTY COMPARISONS PLAGUE CDC TASK FORCE PUSH FOR UNIVERSAL HELMET LAWS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A new recommendation for universal motorcycle helmet laws by a task force of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is based on faulty reasoning, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. The Community Preventive Services Task Force asserts that universal motorcycle helmet laws will reduce the rate of motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes. The recommendation is based on studies of U.S. states and foreign countries that require all riders to wear helmets, those that require only minors to wear helmets and those that have no helmet requirement. "Researchers examined evidence from the United States and other high-income…
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HERTZ PROVIDES RENTAL CAR DISCOUNTS TO AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION MEMBERS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Now, for those times when two wheels aren't enough, American Motorcyclist Association members can save on Hertz vehicle rentals, thanks to a new member-benefit package. "Whether it's a business trip, a need to accommodate several passengers or just those times the cargo capacity of a bike won't do, a car or SUV can come in handy," said AMA Vice President of Operations Jeff Massey. "Now, thanks to a new benefit package we've negotiated with Hertz, AMA members can get short- or long-term rentals for less." The AMA member discount program offers year-round savings of up to 25…
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FIFTY-FIVE U.S. LAWMAKERS SIGN ON TO END MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Fifty congressmen and five senators have signed on to sponsor or cosponsor bills that would end federal funding for motorcycle-only checkpoints, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. During the past two years, federal, state and local governments spent more than a half million dollars on motorcycle-only checkpoints. The AMA believes that money could have been better spent on programs to curb distracted driving or expand rider education programs. "The AMA is grateful for these legislators, who understand that the rights of motorcyclists are the same as the rights of every other U.S. citizen," said Wayne Allard, AMA vice…
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FEDERAL TASK FORCE PREPARING RECOMMENDATION FOR MANDATORY MOTORCYCLE HELMET LAWS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A federal task force is poised to recommend that all states have mandatory helmet laws for all motorcyclists, which the task force says would reduce injuries and deaths as well as result in economic benefits, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. The AMA has repeatedly expressed its belief that motorcyclists would be best served if regulators and legislators focus on programs to prevent motorcycle crashes from occurring in the first place. The AMA also said that any economic benefits would be insignificant since health care costs related to motorcycle crashes are miniscule in the context of total health…
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U.S. AGENCY ADMITS DEMAND FOR ETHANOL-GASOLINE FUEL NOT AS HIGH AS ANTICIPATED

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said that demand for ethanol-related fuel probably isn't enough to meet the requirements of federal law and changes may need to be made next year, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. In a regulatory announcement released Aug. 6, "EPA Finalizes Renewable Fuel Standards," the EPA said that for 2014 "the ability of the market to consume ethanol in higher blends such as E85 is highly constrained as a result of infrastructure- and market-related factors. EPA does not currently foresee a scenario in which the market could consume enough ethanol sold in blends…
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MOTORCYCLISTS RALLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SEEKING INDEPENDENT TESTING OF E15 FUEL BLEND

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Motorcyclists and federal lawmakers spoke out about their concerns over E15 fuel in a rally at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, June 19. The riders gathered to urge their senators and representatives to call for independent testing of the E15 ethanol fuel blend in motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle engines before it is allowed for sale at retail gas stations. The riders attending the American Motorcyclist Association's "E15: Fuel for Thought" event represented the millions of Americans who are fearful about the high potential for inadvertent misfueling with E15 and the subsequent engine damage that could occur…
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AMA BOARD CHAIR, U.S. LAWMAKERS TO SPEAK AT E15 FUEL FOR THOUGHT LOBBY DAY IN WASHINGTON, DC

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- American Motorcyclist Association Chair Maggie McNally and several U.S. lawmakers are scheduled to speak at the AMA E15 Fuel for Thought Lobby Day on Wednesday, June 19, at the nation's capital. The AMA is inviting all motorcyclists to take part in the Washington, D.C., event to help educate lawmakers about the need to research the possible harmful effects of E15 fuel on motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle engines. E15 is a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved its use in 2001-and-newer light-duty vehicles, which…
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MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS GETS ATTENTION ON CAPITOL HILL

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The importance of drivers watching for motorcycles, and motorcyclists riding safely, got some much-needed attention in Washington, D.C., on May 22. U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), co-chairman of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, made a statement for the record noting May is Motorcycle Awareness Month and stressed the importance of motorcycle safety. "Drivers' failure to see motorcycles is one of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes, and the prevalence of distracted and inattentive driving poses a significant threat to motorcycle riders," Griffin said. "I urge vehicle drivers to check mirrors and blind spots and actively look for…
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BILL TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA’S JOHNSON VALLEY FROM TAKEOVER ADVANCES IN U.S. HOUSE

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A bill to block a U.S. Marine Corps takeover of California's Johnson Valley off-highway vehicle recreation area was approved by the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources on May 15, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. The bill, H.R. 1676, introduced by Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.), now goes to the full House for consideration. The measure would designate Johnson Valley as a national off-highway vehicle recreation area, protecting it from a takeover, but would authorize limited military use of the area. Several years ago, the U.S. Department of the Navy began the formal process to take over…
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U.S. LAWMAKER INTRODUCES BILL TO STOP FUNDING FOR MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A U.S. lawmaker has introduced a bill to not only end funding for motorcycle-only checkpoints but also to put more emphasis on motorcycle safety programs, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.   On May 7, U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) introduced H.R. 1861 to prohibit the U.S. Transportation Department from providing funds to state and local authorities for motorcycle-only checkpoints. The bill, called the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act, also has language to force U.S. transportation officials to focus motorcycle safety efforts on crash prevention programs rather than national helmet mandates. "Current law states that highway safety plans…
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MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS URGED BY AMA IN MAY

  Motorcycle Awareness Month begins May 1   PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The month of May is Motorcycle Awareness Month -- one of the most important months of the year for the safety of all road users and especially motorcyclists, according to the American Motorcyclist Association. The AMA is the largest motorcycling rights and event-sanctioning organization in North America. "Motorcycle Awareness Month serves as a seasonal reminder to all road users to look around, check their mirrors and consciously look for motorcycles," said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. "Motorcyclists are now getting out on the road in greater numbers across…
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KEY U.S. LAWMAKER OPPOSES NAVY TAKEOVER OF CALIFORNIA’S JOHNSON VALLEY RIDING AREA

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- In a blow to U.S. Navy efforts to expand a military base into the popular Johnson Valley off-highway vehicle riding area in Southern California, a key federal lawmaker is offering a proposal to block the effort, the American Motorcyclist Association reports. The Department of the Navy wants to expand a Marine Corps base at Twentynine Palms, Calif., into Johnson Valley. But U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-Calif.), who represents the area, said on April 19 that he would offer a proposal to designate Johnson Valley as a national off-highway vehicle recreation area, protecting it from a Navy…
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EVERY DAY IS EARTH DAY FOR MOTORCYCLISTS

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- As conservation takes center stage on April 22, 2013 for Earth Day, the American Motorcyclist Association salutes motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders nationwide who do volunteer work on public land. The AMA also salutes street riders, noting there are many environmental benefits to commuting and traveling on a motorcycle or scooter. "For motorcyclists, every day is Earth Day," said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. "Off-highway riders enjoy the outdoors and respect the land, sometimes even carrying out other people's trash from remote areas. Street riders -- whether on a motorcycle or a scooter -- have…
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E15 FUEL SAFETY IS THE THEME OF AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION’S FREEDOM FRIDAY, APRIL 19

  PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A "Fuel for Thought" lobbying day to educate federal lawmakers about the need for independent research into the possible harmful effects of E15 fuel on motorcycle engines is the focus of the American Motorcyclist Association's "Freedom Friday" on April 19.   The AMA "Fuel for Thought" lobbying day will be held Wednesday, June 19, in Washington, D.C. E15 is a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hasn't approved its use in motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles. The EPA has approved its use in 2001-and-new light-duty vehicles,…
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