MRF News Release – US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations
Email: jeff@mrf.org

30 January, 2009

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation reports on the jurisdiction, agenda and
member makeup of the US House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

This Committee has many scopes of interest including waterways and marine
affairs, postal buildings, and the US Capitol grounds and building, but
most importantly to motorcyclists are the areas listed below.

   1. Constructions or maintenance of roads and post roads;
   2. Related transportation regulatory agencies (except the
Transportation Security Administration);
   3. Roads and the safety thereof; how does this differ from #1? Could be
clearer.
   4. Transportation, including civil aviation, railroads, water
transportation, transportation safety (except automobile safety and
transportation security functions of the Department of Homeland
Security), transportation infrastructure, transportation labor, and
railroad retirement and unemployment (except revenue measures related
thereto).

Also of great importance is that this is the committee that will draft the
next version of the highway bill. This is the bill that has fueled
motorcycle safety funding, the creation of the Federal Highway Motorcycle
Advisory Council and the NHTSA lobby ban. On the other side, this bill has
also been used as a vehicle for mandatory state helmet laws by withholding
highway construction funds where states did not have mandatory helmet laws
in place.

The current (111th) Congress will begin to address this massive piece of
legislation, and it is imperative that the Motorcycle Riders Foundation
have the support of the State Motorcycle Rights Organizations and their
members as we begin to work with the Congress. Below is a list of current
committee members; should you see someone on this list from your state,
expect to be contacted by the MRF as we move forward working with the
Congress on creating a motorcyclist friendly highway bill.

James L. Oberstar, Minnesota, Chairman
        Democrats

    * Nick J. Rahall, II, West Virginia
    * Peter A. DeFazio, Oregon
    * Jerry F. Costello, Illinois
    * Eleanor Holmes Norton, District of Columbia
    * Jerrold Nadler, New York
    * Corrine Brown, Florida
    * Bob Filner, California
    * Eddie Bernice Johnson, Texas
    * Gene Taylor, Mississippi
    * Elijah E. Cummings, Maryland
    * Ellen O. Tauscher, California
    * Leonard L. Boswell, Iowa
    * Tim Holden, Pennsylvania
    * Brian Baird, Washington
    * Rick Larsen, Washington
    * Michael E. Capuano, Massachusetts
    * Timothy H. Bishop, New York
    * Michael H. Michaud, Maine
    * Russ Carnahan, Missouri
    * Grace F. Napolitano, California
    * Daniel Lipinski, Illinois
    * Mazie K. Hirono, Hawaii
    * Jason Altmire, Pennsylvania
    * Timothy J. Walz, Minnesota
    * Heath Shuler, North Carolina
    * Michael A. Arcuri, New York
    * Harry E. Mitchell, Arizona
    * Christopher P. Carney, Pennsylvania
    * John J. Hall, New York
    * Steve Kagen, Wisconsin
    * Steve Cohen, Tennessee
    * Laura Richardson, California
    * Albio Sires, New Jersey
    * Donna F. Edwards, Maryland
    * Solomon P. Ortiz, Texas
    * Phil Hare, Illinois
    * John A. Boccieri, Ohio
    * Mark H. Schauer, Michigan
    * Betsy Markey, Colorado
    * Parker Griffith, Alabama
    * Michael E. McMahon, New York
    * Thomas S.P. Perriello, Virginia
    * Dina Titus, Nevada
    * Harry Teague, New Mexico

        Republicans

    * John L. Mica, Florida, Ranking Republican Member
    * Don Young, Alaska
    * Thomas E. Petri, Wisconsin
    * Howard Coble, North Carolina
    * John J. Duncan, Jr., Tennessee
    * Vernon J. Ehlers, Michigan
    * Frank A. LoBiondo, New Jersey
    * Jerry Moran, Kansas
    * Gary G. Miller, California
    * Henry E. Brown, South Carolina
    * Timothy V. Johnson, Illinois
    * Todd Russell Platts, Pennsylvania
    * Sam Graves, Missouri
    * Bill Shuster, Pennsylvania
    * John Boozman, Arkansas
    * Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia
    * Jim Gerlach, Pennsylvania
    * Mario Diaz-Balart,Florida
    * Charles W. Dent, Pennsylvania
    * Connie Mack, Florida
    * Lynn A. Westmoreland, Georgia
    * Jean Schmidt, Ohio
    * Candice S. Miller, Michigan
    * Mary Fallin, Oklahoma
    * Vern Buchanan, Florida
    * Robert E. Latta, Ohio
    * Brett Guthrie, Kentucky
    * Anh "Joseph" Cao, Louisiana
    * Aaron Schock, Illinois
    * Pete Olson, Tex

Corrections:

In a previous release Steve Garets was incorrectly identified as a faculty
member of the University of Oregon. Garets is a staff member of Oregon
State. Our apologies for confusing the OSU Beavers with the U of O Ducks.

In the same release the NHTSA quarterly meeting was summarized. In that
summary was a list of meeting attendees. Mistakenly left off that list was
ASMI or Accident Scene Management Inc., who has been sending a
representative to the quarterly motorcycle safety meeting. To learn more
about them visit http://www.accidentscene.org/

Suzuki Motorcycle Recall

NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 09V022

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s): SUZUKI / GSX-R1000 2005-2006 Manufacturer: AMERICAN SUZUKI MOTOR CORP. Mfr’s Report Date: JAN 09, 2009 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V022000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

Potential Number of Units Affected: 26082

Summary: AMERICAN SUZUKI (SUZUKI) IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN INVOLVING 26,082 MY 2005-2006 GSX-R1000 MOTORCYCLES. CRACKING OR BREAKAGE OF THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME CAN OCCUR IN CERTAIN EXTREME SITUATIONS WHERE UNUSUALLY HIGH STRESS IS PLACED ON THE FRAME. REPEATED HARD LANDINGS FROM HAZARDOUS MANEUVERS SUCH AS EXTREME OR EXTENDED WHEELIES OR OTHER STUNTS MAY GENERATE SUFFICIENT STRESS TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM.

Consequence: IF THE FRAME BECOMES BROKEN DURING EXTREME USE, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRAME FOR CRACKS. IF NO CRACKS ARE FOUND, A FRAME REINFORCEMENT BRACE WILL BE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME USING BOLTS AND EPOXY ADHESIVE. SHOULD CRACKS BE FOUND DURING THE INSPECTION, THE FRAME WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW FRAME THAT HAS THE REINFORCEMENT BRACE INSTALLED. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON JANUARY 21, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-714-572-1490.

Notes: SUZUKI CAMPAIGN NO. 2A08. THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, SUZUKI HAS INFORMED NHTSA THAT IT WILL PROVIDE THE MODIFICATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE FREE OF CHARGE.

MRF Leaders Report 09- #2

For Immediate Release

21 January 2009

Contact: Michael "Boz" Kerr, Vice President, MRF
Email: boz@mrf.org

MRF ASKS FOR SUPPORT OF RAY LAHOOD

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like to encourage its members, the
motorcycling community and all concerned Americans to join us in support
of Ray LaHood, the designated nominee for Secretary of Transportation.  We
ask that you join us in our efforts of supporting this nomination by
calling your own United States Senator and ask them to vote YES to confirm
the nomination of Mr. LaHood.

Ray LaHood served in the Congress from 1995 until 2008 as the
representative from the 18th District of Illinois.  His record on
motorcycle issues during his tenure was outstanding.  ABATE of Illinois
considered him to be one of their best friends and allies in Congress.  He
has even been named a MRF Champion of Motorcycle Rights & Safety in the
past.

He has consistently supported legislation that would close the HIPAA
insurance discrimination loophole that could deny motorcyclists insurance
payments.  He stood fast against efforts that would punish states for
keeping helmet use voluntary.  While serving on the House Committee of
Transportation and Infrastructure, he was key in seeing that language
allowing motorcycle access to all highways that were constructed or
maintained using federal funds was included in the interstate funding act.

When calling you Senators it may be worth mentioning that Ray LaHood:

* Consistently worked in a bi-partisan manner while serving in congress.
* Is respected for his fairness by Democrats and Republicans alike.
* Is well versed on transportation issues (having served on the
Transportation and Infrastructure committee during the authorization of
TEA21).
* Has good relations with both organized labor and the business community.
* Having served a diverse congressional district, Mr. LaHood understand
the transportation concerns of Americans living in urban, sub-urban, small
and medium sized town and rural areas.

Please call (or e-mail) your United States Senators today and ask them to
confirm Ray LaHood as Secretary of Transportation.  A vote on his
confirmation by the Senate will imminent in the coming days following his
confirmation hearing today with Commerce Committee.

You can find Senate contact information on the web at: www.senate.gov or
by calling (202) 224-3121.

MRF Leaders Report 09-#1

For Immediate Release

20 January 2009

Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations (MRF)
Email: jeff@mrf.org

Washington Update

The National Academies Transportation Research Board (TRB) held its annual
meeting in Washington DC recently.  The annual meeting is attended by tens
of thousands of transportation experts in every field imaginable and the
300-page itinerary is a testament to the robust nature of the meeting and
the TRB itself.

Of note to motorcyclists were several sessions aimed at specific areas of
motorcycle safety and research as well as a meeting of ANF-30, the
Motorcycle and Moped Committee of the TRB. The committee, chaired by Steve
Garets from the University of Oregon, had perhaps its most packed agenda
of the past few years, and the TRB meeting in general had more
motorcycle-specific sessions as well. The current Vice President of
Government Relations for the MRF has a seat on the ANF-30 committee.

The first session was a "human factor" workshop aimed at generating
research ideas to the scientific and university community. Some topics
mentioned were the aging community and motorcycling, eye tracking
research, conspicuity, anti-lock brakes and exposure.

The committee meeting was a diverse group with representatives from Canada
and as far away as Australia, as well as I industry, government agencies
and law enforcement. The committee agreed that it makes sense to join up
with the roadside barrier committee next year to explore how to make
barriers more motorcycle-friendly, considering that motorcyclists make up
42% of all fatal guardrail collisions.

The Motorcycle Industry Council gave a glimpse into the owner survey they
conduct every five years and some interesting insights were shared. Some
of which are; the median age of a motorcycle owner has risen from 32 in
1990 to 42 in 2008, the average income of motorcycle owners continues to
be above the national average, 29% more woman owners than in 2003 and
perhaps the most staggering was that women purchased 39% of all new units
in 2008. The full report will be available to MIC members shortly.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave a brief, but predictable
report on their studies that explore ABS systems (they work!) and one that
explores the "damageability" of specific motorcycles. Clearly tired of
paying expensive repairs for damage that is the same no matter if involved
in a high speed motorcycle crash or just tipping while parked. This study
will undoubtedly rate motorcycles on their sturdiness so expect to pay
more for your insurance depending where your bike rates on this
forth-coming list.

Another session of presentations gave some interesting insight into what
is happening in Australia, mainly the differences between the US riding
community and the Aussies. A quick breakdown of some key categories of
fatal crashes:

Category        USA             Australia
No Helmet       42%             10%
Speeding        58%             37%
No License      25%             20%
Alcohol         27%             38%

A presentation on the effectiveness of Rider Education proved, well,
nothing. The results were inconclusive if rider education was effective.
This was not an actual study but rather a review of already published
literature. Some interesting points were made, both for rider ed and
against it. Some argue that those who take a rider ed course are
predetermined to be safer and ride with more caution resulting in less
crashes of trained riders. Another view was that those who take rider ed
are not as good naturally at motorcycling and therefore will result in
more crashed of trained riders.

On another note this was the last meeting of ANF-30 that will be presided
over by Steve Garets. Garets has received a promotion of sorts to serve on
the TRB's System User Groups Executive Board. Garets will now make his
wealth of motorcycle knowledge available to the TRB Executive Board and no
longer be confined to the restraints of ANF-30. Congratulations to Steve
on this high honor.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA held a meeting on the heels of the TRB meeting while the
transportation community was in DC. The regularly scheduled meeting was
attended by all of the usual suspects : SMSA, MIC, MRF, AMA, and the TRB
folks. Some noteworthy news from the meeting about the much anticipated
crash study was shared. The pilot study to the full study has begun and
has already investigated 12 motorcycle crashes in the first month. The
pilot has a charter of 37 crashes or 3 months, whichever comes first. The
pilot study is crucial because it will give a sense of the cost to
investigate each crash which will be used to determine the cost of the
full study. Some say that the full study could come with a price tag of $9
million - that is $6 million more than originally estimated. The pilot is
being run by NHTSA and the full study will be run by FHWA.

Recall alerts
NHTSA has launched a new website where you can subscribe to vehicle
specific recall alerts. You can subscribe to the motorcycle alerts and
every time a recall is issued, the Feds will email you. Visit
www.nhtsa.gov for more info.

Fair Trade
You may recall reading in a previous report that the United States Trade
Representative (USTR) was considering doubling the price of European
motorcycles imported into the USA in order to retaliate against the
European Communities ban on importing US beef products. The MRF is pleased
to announce that the office of the USTR has dropped motorcycles from the
items subject to the price hike.

Son turned 40

We went to Gardner KS last August to torture my son on turning 40. My daughter in law posted this picture on her facebook page this week. I hadn’t seen it till then and its the best picture of us since the one where we took a ride on the 84 Venture Royale on January 1, 2000, which I had to paste as we took turns taking the pictures of each other. Thanks Lisa for the picture!

MRF (Motorcycle Riders Foundation) News Release

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

For Immediate Release

19 January 2009

Contact: Jeff Hennie,
Vice President of Government Relations (MRF)
Email: jeff@mrf.org

ABATE of New York Opposes New York City Int. No. 416-A

FROM: Timothy D. Werder, ABATE of New York State President
DATE: January 10, 2009

Following a December 29th meeting with New York City Council Member Alan
Gerson (1st District) to discuss proposed Local Law Int. No. 416-A, which
he sponsored, ABATE of New York, Inc. reiterates its strong opposition to
this legislation, however well intended, that will potentially make
unavailable non-stock exhaust systems that conform to current sound level
standards, due to cost & availability issues, and production &
equipment-related concerns.

There is the severe potential of wide-ranging negative results of this
legislation passing.

If a motorcycle owner is fearful that a stock or stock equivalent exhaust
will be unavailable in the future, then the owner is more likely to remove
and store the stock exhaust for future use. A chosen replacement exhaust
may meet legislated sound levels, but not be legal due to stamping
requirements.

Also, there are a number of motorcycles for which stock replacement and
stock equivalent exhausts are already not available. Owners of many of
those motorcycles must seek out exhaust systems from custom manufacturers,
many of whom are not large enough to be able to afford EPA certification.
Additionally, examples are readily available of current, stock vehicles
that do not meet the stamping requirement sitting on showroom floors and
in owner’s garages. These vehicles have not been modified in any way, meet
the current legislated sound levels, and are being legally operated on the
highways.

Lastly, ABATE of New York, Inc. vehemently opposes the discriminatory
tactic of targeting only motorcyclists when there are numerous other
sound-level violators on the streets.

It is far better to enforce the existing sound level requirements
across-the-board, than to pass this onerous legislation.

ABATE of New York was established in 1974, and incorporated in 1991 as a
501c4 not-for-profit corporation representing the rights of all New York
State motorcyclists.

For further information, contact ABATE of New York, Inc. at the above
address, or:
Susan Long, Public Relations Officer 585-255-0103 or
George Gorman, State Legislative Officer 585-293-2086

Day of Change?

Just sitting here watching the TV at 10:38 AM CST, the inauguration. I think many people may be surprised that any change is going to take a while to see. Unlike Randy Marsh, of the South Park show, It won’t happen overnight. There’s too many things wrong.

AMA News & Notes- Feb 09

To see all the News & Notes text click on this: AMA News

The AMA will celebrate its 85th anniversary year in 2009 with a number of activities and events, culminating with AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, July 24-26, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, the proceeds of which benefit the AMA’s Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, has grown to become America’s grandest celebration of motorcycling heritage, and features numerous activities inspired by all eras. In addition to activities tied to the AMA’s 85th anniversary, the weekend will be loaded with highlights, including the world’s largest motorcycle swap meet, demo rides of current production bikes, motorcycling seminars, bike shows, stunt shows, the new product Manufacturers’ Midway, club corrals that feature both marque and regional clubs, and guided rides through the rolling Ohio countryside.

Yamaha Motorcycle Recall- Jan 14, 2009

Please click on the following NHTSA Campaign ID links to view the recall information.

NHTSA Campaign ID Number : 09V002
MAKE / MODEL YEARS :

YAMAHA / 2006-2009

SUBJECT : IGNITION SWITCH

YAMAHA IS RECALLING 9,300 MY 2006-2009 FJR1300 MOTORCYCLES. THE INTERNAL SWITCH WIRING COULD BECOME DISCONNECTED. IF THIS OCCURS ELECTRICAL CURRENT FLOW WILL BE STOPPED AND THE ENGINE COULD STALL.

Thank you,

Recalls Subscription Team
Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

Negligent Vehicular Homicide Bill- IL Legislature

Illinois 96th Legislature now in session and filing BILLS

If you want to see some I have reviewed and think noteworthy click HERE

One bill I find maybe of interest is this one. It is too late to help the Justice for several bikers in the area killed by teenage drivers, but we have to get something that fits the crime of careless killing of another human with a 2 ton tank. This would make the inattentive drivers responsible for their murder of someone by vehicle:

HB0073-NEGLIGENT VEH HOMICIDE,DRIVING- Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall immediately revoke the license, permit, or driving privileges of any driver upon receiving a report of the driver’s conviction of negligent vehicular homicide or aggravated negligent driving. Creates the offense of aggravated negligent driving. Provides that a person commits the offense if the person’s negligent operation of a motor vehicle is the proximate cause of a motor vehicle accident that results in a type A injury to another or property damage of another in excess of $1,500. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of negligent vehicular homicide. Provides that a person commits the offense if the person’s negligent operation of a motor vehicle is the proximate cause of the death of another person. Provides that a violation is a Class 4 felony.
House Sponsors
Rep. William B. Black – John D’Amico