MOTORCYCLE CRASH CAUSATION STUDY UPDATE

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

09NR34 – MRF News Release – MOTORCYCLE CRASH CAUSATION STUDY UPDATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 October 2009

Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF V.P. of Government Relations

MOTORCYCLE CRASH CAUSATION STUDY UPDATE

As promised, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is closely following the progress of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) ongoing motorcycle crash causation study. Vehicle fatalities fell last year, while motorcycle fatalities rose. We all know that a large factor in the increase was the record motorcycle registrations and motorcycle sales, but no one is certain why a lot of motorcycle accidents occur. The last crash study done for motorcycles was in the 1970s, and so much has changed since then that the motorcycle safety community has aggressively pushed for a more up-to-date, relevant study.

“Having a better understanding of what causes these crashes will help us improve roadway safety for everyone,” said FHWA Administrator Mendez. “Keeping people safe on America’s roads is Secretary LaHood’s top priority at the Department of Transportation.”

The motorcycle crash causation study will be the federal government’s first major in-depth analysis of motorcycle safety in nearly three decades. A provision in the “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” (SAFETEA-LU) requires the study, which will be conducted by the FHWA in partnership with Oklahoma State University (OSU).

OSU houses one of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 10 National University Transportation Centers, and it receives federal grants to conduct transportation research. One of the holdups of the study was that OSU was required to secure funds to match the $3 million provided by the Feds. OSU did not have an extra $3 million, so a waiver was granted allowing the study to move forward with a smaller budget. The study won’t be as large as the original concept, but the MRF has been assured it will be rigorous and scientific.

Researchers will evaluate data from hundreds of motorcycle crashes to help identify common factors – including road configurations, environmental conditions and rider experience. The study’s focus is to look at how these factors may be affected by countermeasures that, if effectively implemented, will prevent motorcycle crashes or lessen the harm when they occur.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a pilot study to develop the protocols for the full-scale causation research. NHTSA also was responsible for the earlier motorcycle causation study, which was completed in 1981.

Between 1997 and 2008, motorcycle rider fatalities increased from 2,116 to 5,290 – a 150 percent jump, according to U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System. In 2008 alone, deaths due to motorcycle crashes rose by an estimated 2.2 percent while all other vehicle classes saw reductions in fatalities.

Results of the current study are still 3-4 years away.

DISTRACTED DRIVING SUMMIT

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 09NR33 – MRF News Release – DISTRACTED DRIVING SUMMIT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5 October 2009 Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF V.P. of Government Relations

DISTRACTED DRIVING SUMMIT

Distraction: The performance degradation of a primary task upon introduction of a secondary act.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood convened an important two-day meeting in Washington DC last week to shine a light on the increasing incidents and opportunities to be distracted while operating a car or public transportation vehicle. Naturally, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) was represented at that meeting.

With the amount of distraction from increased use of cell phones (some with full keyboards), GPS systems, DVD players and the vast array of other complex video displays at an all-time high, it should not come as a surprise that the opportunity for an operator of any vehicle to become distracted has risen significantly in just the past few years.

Distracted driving is certainly not a new issue. One could argue that the minute someone in Detroit came up with the idea to put lighters and ashtrays in cars, or when a little company called Motorola produced the first in-car audio entertainment device, or when Ray Kroc sold his first burger out of the window of his restaurant, distracted driving was born.

What’s truly startling is the dramatic rise in the amount of “texting” people are doing behind the wheel. Some stats say sending and receiving text messages while driving is up 500 percent in just the past two years. Because of the complexities involved with typing on a handheld keyboard, some experts refer to texting while driving as the perfect storm for disaster.

The two-day meeting brought together experts of all types including auto manufacturers, cell phone providers, government officials, state legislators, behavioral experts and even a rocket scientist from NASA who specializes in the distraction of pilots under heavy cognitive load. Cognitive load is the amount of brain power you use to complete a task, relative to the complexity of the task, or as we learned, thinking about or talking about anything overly emotional. The other forms of distraction are visual (eyes off the road) or manual (hands off the wheel).

We know that distraction is a problem for all road users, and particulary motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users, but what can we do about it? Ray LaHood said it best when he opened the meeting with the statement, “You cannot legislate behavior.” Eighteen states and DC have enacted texting-while-driving bans. While this is a good start, it’s sort of missing the mark. Banning texting may remove one part of the equation, but that means it’s still ok to eat a burrito, watch a movie, paint your nails, pick something up off the passenger side floor, or talk on a hands-free cell phone, all while checking out your hair in the flip-down vanity mirror. Any ban at the state level should be against all forms of distracted driving, not just a few specific forms.

THERE OUGHTA BE A LAW

Senator Chuck Schumer from NY and Amy Klobuchar from MN both made an appearance at the event to plug some legislation they both support. Their bill, inappropriately called the Alert Drivers Act, would force states to pass texting bans or forfeit a whopping 25% of their road money. The feds have a long history of using this sort of “carrot and stick” approach to forcing states to enact legislation, and it’s problematic for a variety of reasons.

The MRF simply cannot support the bills (S. 1536 and HR 3535) to force states to pass texting bans for the simple reason that this is the same method that is used to force states to pass helmet laws, and blackmailing the states to enact legislation that they may or may not want should be strongly discouraged.

The two-day meeting is certainly a good start to the conversation about distracted driving, but far too much focus was given to texting instead of keeping all distractions on the table. We at the MRF hope that discussion continues, and we look forward to working with the powers that be to put distracted driving on the decline.

KILTS VS BIBS – ROUND FOUR!

I have to hand it to the Bibs this year. Those old guys spent the summer working out or something because they dragged us Kilts up and down the tug-o-war arena. After suffering devastating losses two years in row, the Bibs came back en force. Although league officials are murmuring about a possible violation in tug-o-war rules by the suspendered bikers, we won’t let that tarnish an otherwise flawless victory. So that leaves it all tied up for the ropers, 2 for the Bibs and 2 for the Kilts. Rumor is the Kilts are embarking on a vision quest sometime in the off-season to soothe the soul and re-emerge next fall in Peoria, IL for MOTM and the fifth show down. Don’t miss round 5, the Thunder-Dome!

Look Twice – Save a Life

U-Tube video presents a “You didn’t see me” message

Black Nail Brigade Ride & Protest Oct 8th

October 8, 2009- Wauconda, Illinois Black Nail Brigade Awareness Ride & Protest
Meeting Point: 7AM to 8AM, behind Wauconda IL Walgreens in empty parking lot (west of rte 12/176 intersection). Awareness Ride: 8AM to 9AM. Proceed to crash site at Rte 12 & Old McHeny Rd. North on Midlothian Rd, Peterson Rd, Rte 45, Rte 120, to courthouse. Lake County Couthouse (Waukegan, IL) & Arraignment: 9AM to 12PM. We will circle the courthouse several times before parking. Park in spots on N County St or MLK Jr Ave (bring quarters). Please feel free to join us at the courthouse if you can’t make the ride. http://www.blacknailbrigade.org/ Please email greg at greg@blacknailbrigade.org if you can join us.

MRF News Release – CPSC LEAD ISSUE UPDATE

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

09NR32 – MRF News Release – CPSC LEAD ISSUE UPDATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
21 September 2009

Contact: Jeff Hennie, MRF V.P. of Government Relations

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC) LEAD ISSUE UPDATE

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has learned that the Consumer Product Safety Commission Improvement Act (CPSCIA) received some attention in a House hearing recently. The Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection held a hearing titled, “Consumer Product Safety Commission Oversight: Current Issues and a Vision for the Future.” The hearing had one invited witness, newly seated CPSC Chair Inez Tenenbaum. Tenenbaum touched on a lot of issues with the CPSCIA, including the issue of lead in youth motorcycles and ATVs. The bulk of Tenenbaum’s remarks were focused on reform, the need for more resources and the Commission’s work on the Chinese dry wall issue.

For those not familiar, the CSPSIA set allowable maximums of the lead content in items marketed to 13 year olds and younger. This was a knee jerk reaction to the high quantity in toys manufactured in China. What happened as a result of this action was an enormous storm of problems with everything from children’s books to youth off-road dirt bike boots and helmets. Because of the arbitrary nature of this law, many items were banned as a result of its vagueness, an inactive Congress, and an understaffed CPSC. The CPSC did vote to issue a two-year stay of enforcement of the ban at the request of industry, but it is still technically illegal to sell the small vehicles. Tenenbaum takes the helm of the Commission at what is arguably worst time for the CPSC.

To address the specific concerns with lead in children’s toys, with particular attention to youth ATVs and motorcycles, the CPSC is holding a summit at the end of October in trips paid for by toy manufacturers. We hope that the summit will produce reasonable, realistic rules for the sale of these youth products. There is legislation currently in Congress to overturn the ban of these sales. Denny Rehbert (R-MT) introduced HR 1587 earlier this year. Call your Congressperson and ask them to co-sponsor this bill.

OTHER CPSC NEWS

Former Congresswoman Annie Northrup (R-KY) represented Kentucky’s 3rd District from 1997-2007 and served on the Appropriations Committee. She founded the House Reading Caucus and also drafted legislation that created the National Reading Panel, which helped determine which federally-funded reading programs were most effective. She was also a strong advocate for motorcyclist during her time in the House. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell recently nominated her for the CPSC.

Lastly, not without controversy, a recent Washington Post story reported that employees at the CPSC accepted dozens of trips paid for by toy and children’s furniture manufacturers that the agency regulates.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I want to ride a Harley through downtown New Delhi!” Tim Roehmer, newly seated Ambassador to the Republic of India.

Missouri Legislature Passes Helmet Modification Bill

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

4 May 2009

Consistent with the established policy of the Motorcycle Riders
Foundation, this information is being forwarded at the request of Freedom
of Road Riders, Inc. Missouri Executive Officer.

=========================================

Contact:
Mark Chapman,
Chairman, Freedom of Road Riders®,Inc., chairman@forr.net

Legislative News and Call to Action

This is the bill we are trying to make into law. Currently it is on the
Governor of Missouri's desk awaiting his signature if he signs it that
would be fantastic but if he ignores it, it will still become law. If he
vetoes it we are done till next year.

SCS/SB 202 - This act provides that operating a motorcycle, in and of
itself, shall not be considered evidence of comparative negligence. The
act also provides that when investigating an accident or settling an
automobile insurance policy claim, no insurer, agent, producer, or claims
adjuster of an insurer shall assign a percentage of fault to a party based
upon the sole fact that the party was operating a motorcycle in an
otherwise legal manner. This provision is similar to SB 505 (2007).

This act also exempts persons 21 years of age or older from wearing
protective headgear except when operating or riding motorcycles or
motortricycles upon interstate highways. The motorcycle helmet exemption
expires on August 28, 2014 (Section 302.020).

The opposition to SB 202 has started, I received word today that the
opposition is asking for people to contact the Governor and ask for him to
veto SB202.

If you want our comparative fault and helmet mod bill to become law NOW is
the time to take action.

Here is what I would like for you to do:

Contact the Governor and Lieutenant Governor using the links below.

You, your friends and neighbors should to go to
www.governor.mo.gov/constituents/  for the Governor and
www.ltgov.mo.gov/question.htm for the Lieutenant Governor.

Fill out the form the subject would be legislation.

Then simply ask for SB202 to become law.

That is all there is to it, I did it and it took about 2 minutes.

As always thanks for your support,

Mark Chapman,
Central Committee Chairman: Freedom of Road Riders, Inc.

MRF Announces “Bikers Inside the Beltway” Event

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

5 May 2009

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

MRF Bikers Inside the Beltway 2009 Event Details

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is holding its inaugural ride to
the Nation’s Capitol for Motorcycle Awareness Month. Known as "Bikers
Inside the Beltway," the event will be dedicated to its creator, the
recently departed MRF Vice President and long-time motorcyclists' rights
legend Michael "Boz" Kerr.

The MRF is encouraging bikers nationwide to ride their motorcycles to
Washington DC for this historic event. We have reserved secure parking for
motorcycles adjacent to the U.S. Capitol; this location should make for an
impressive display of bikes.

We have invited all members of Congress to attend the event, but if you
are planning to be here you should let your U.S. Senators and
Representative know, and ask them to step outside for a photo op with you
and a backdrop of motorcycles.  The MRF's DC staff will help coordinate
any details and answer any questions you may have about arranging meetings
with your members of Congress.

What:  Motorcycle Riders Foundation "Bikers Inside the Beltway" National
Motorcycle Awareness Month Ride and Lobby Day

When:  May 14, 2009, 9:00 am - 2:30 pm

Where:  Reserved motorcycle parking is along the 0-100 block of 3rd Street
SW, only steps from the U.S. Capitol.  A Washington DC map will be posted
on the MRF website, or you can use this link for the map and directions:

MAP IT

Due to the popularity of this event, the MRF obtained additional parking. 
We will meet at the 3rd street parking location at 9:00 am and walk one
block to the staging area on the Capitol grounds where a smaller number of
bikes will be parked.

Please contact jeff@mrf.org or call 202-546-0983 if you are planning to
ride your motorcycle to this historic event, or if you have any questions
about the event itself or local accommodations.

MRF Meets with Sec. of Transportation LaHood

MRF 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

27 April 2009

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

MRF MEETS WITH U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION RAY LAHOOD

On Thursday, April 23, 2009, Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)
Vice President of Government Relations Jeff Hennie, along with
ABATE of Illinois Legislative Coordinator Bob Ward and ABATE
of Illinois Board Member Rick Olsen, sat down with newly seated
Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to discuss the U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation (USDOT) and its role with the motorcycle
community.

Secretary LaHood previously served in the U.S. House of Represent-
atives, where he was a strong champion of motorcycling on many
fronts.  He is a past recipient of the MRF's highest congressional
honor, the MRF Champion award.  The award is given to members
of the U.S. Congress who display extreme dedication to motorcyclists.
So it comes as no surprise that he pledged to continue that role in his
new position.

Discussion topics during the MRF and ABATE of Illinois' meeting
with Secretary LaHood included the recent National Transportation
Safety Board's activities lobbying state committees for helmet laws,
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's quarterly
meetings and 2010 funds, and the Federal Highway Administration's
Motorcycle Advisory Council.  The Secretary promised an open-door
policy for motorcyclists and invited us to contact him with any issues
with which he might be helpful.

We at the MRF look forward to working closely with Secretary
LaHood, and wish him the very best as he takes on the challenging
role of overseeing our nation's entire transportation system.

Technical Correction

Last week the MRF sent out a report about the Consumer Product
Safety Commission and the stay of enforcement offered to the
manufacturers and retailers of youth ATVs and motorcycles.
That 2 year stay will actually not begin until the commissioners
cast another ballot vote in favor of the stay. What that means is that
at this point it is still illegal to sell the youth ATVs and motorcycles
under US law. It is expected that the staff will follow the commissioner
recommendations to grant the stay and that the vote will occur in the
coming weeks.

MRF News- CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION UPDATE

MRF 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

23 April 2009

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

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION UPDATE

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has learned that the Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted last Friday, April 17, 2009, on the
issue of banning sales of youth ATVs and motorcycles because of lead
levels.  The CPSC voted to keep the ban in place; however, they did issue
a two-year stay of enforcement of the ban.  This stay of enforcement will
allow manufacturers and retailers of youth ATVs and motorcycles to
continue building and selling these items.  It also gives the industry two
years to comply with the new law and if, for some reason, it is
technologically infeasible to manufacture a certain part with less lead
than allowed by law, the industry will have a chance to make an argument
to the CSPC.

The two-member CPSC board decided unanimously.  Both the acting
Chairperson Nancy Nord and Commissioner Thomas Moore voted to deny the
petition from industry to completely overturn the ban; however, both cited
safety as the reason for their votes to issue the two-year stay.  Nord and
Moore both claim, "A bigger safety concern than lead exposure is that the
elimination of youth ATV sales will likely increase the number of adult
ATVs purchased to be used by younger children, therefore increasing risk
of injury and death."  Industry has 45 days to apply for the stay.

You can read the decision letter of the CPSC here:
http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/ballot/ballot09/atvexclusion.pdf

Legislation does currently exist that would force the CPSC to exempt all
youth ATVs and motorcycles.  Denny Rehberg (R-MT) has introduced HR 1587,
and the bill has 35 co-sponsors to date. The MRF encourages you to ask
your Member of the US House to co-sponsor this important legislation.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

The MRF is collecting any public service announcements or other
advertising media your group has put together or uses with regard to
motorcycling.  The goal is to establish a clearinghouse in the MRF DC
office of the most effective motorcycling messages used today.  Please
send all forms of media electronically to the MRF office at
mrfoffice@mrf.org, including stickers, billboard images, radio, video,
virtual or otherwise.  Call the MRF DC office at 202-546-0983 if you have
questions.

ABATE of IL and MRF Mourn Death of Boz Kerr

For Immediate Release

20 April 2009

Contact: Kirk "Hardtail" Willard, MRF President
Email: hardtail@mrf.org

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Vice President
Michael "Boz" Kerr Passes Away

Early this morning we received the most sad
and unfortunate news that Michael "Boz" Kerr
passed away peacefully in his sleep overnight.
He had just returned from a very successful
Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)
Beast of the East Motorcycle Rights Conference.
 At the time of his passing "Boz" was the current
Vice President of the MRF and Chairman of the
Legislative Committee.  Prior to his being elected
Vice President he served as an MRF Board Member
 in the capacity of MRF PAC Chairman. "Boz" was
instrumental in setting up the stand alone MRF
Awareness and Education Organization (MRFA&E)
and was the driving force behind the  upcoming
National Motorcycle Awareness day in Washington D.C.,
known as "Bikers Inside the Beltway".

"Boz" was also a past President of the Chicago Chapter
of ABATE of Illinois and recently retired as Chairman
of ABATE of Illinois FEDPAC.  In the past year he was
awarded the MRF Presidents Cup of Distinction and
ABATE of Illinois' highest honor, the Rich Neb Award.

"Boz" was the finest political operative I have ever
had the privilege to work with and his concern and
passion for motorcycle rights and his genuineness
will be greatly missed by the MRF and the entire
motorcycling rights community.  We have certainly
lost one of the great ones in our movement.  Words
cannot express the amount of sadness and the profound
impact that losing another one of our own will have.
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife and family,
his ABATE family, and his MRF family", said MRF
President Kirk "Hardtail" Willard.

"Boz" was well known for his speeches, such as the
"Greatest Generation", "Mr. Jones", and most recently
"Making Thunderbirds; long, low, lean, and fast".
Godspeed brother, you will be missed.

Details of the services can be found on the Chicago
Chapter's website at www.chicagoabate.com