DaveInDaytona
03-04-2004, 12:14 PM
April 2004
AMA Government Relations News & Notes is a monthly service compiled and edited by the AMA Government Relations Staff to keep motorcyclists informed of happenings around the world. We welcome your news & views. Please submit all material to Terry Lee Cook, Government Relations Specialist, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147; fax 614-856-1920 or e-mail to tcook@ama-cycle.org.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced Justice for All, a new nationwide initiative that will focus on inadequate sentencing of car drivers who seriously injure or kill motorcyclists.
Justice for All will advocate legislation establishing tougher penalties when traffic offenses or criminal actions by other motorists result in a motorcyclists death or serious injury, a move that also would benefit other vulnerable road users such as bicyclists and pedestrians. The program will include cooperation with state and local motorcycling organizations, efforts by AMA Community Councils, and a variety of opportunities for individual motorcyclists and other concerned citizens to become involved.
Justice for All also will feature events that coincide with the 2004 Black Hills Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.
More details about Justice for All will be announced soon on the AMAs website, AMADirectlink.com, and in American Motorcyclist magazine.
US Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth has identified unmanaged recreation, especially the undesirable impacts from off-highway vehicles (OHVs), as one of the key threats facing the Nations Forests and grasslands today.
Concerns have been expressed over the number of unplanned roads and trails, erosion, lack of quality OHV recreation opportunities, water degradation and habitat destruction from OHV activity. In response to this issue Chief Bosworth has chartered two National Teams to develop contemporary policy and tools to address this issue effectively at the field level.
The current focus is on expediting the transitioning of the agency towards a policy of designated routes for OHVs. The policy being developed would require OHVs to stay on designated roads, trails, and specifically defined use areas.
The policy development is focusing on three key issues: moving the agency to a system of designated routes for OHV activity to minimize or eliminate the impacts from current unmanaged use, generally prohibiting cross-country travel by OHVs, and completing OHV designation decisions at the field level.
The OHV Implementation Team will develop and provide tools, techniques and best practices associated with managing OHVs provide a good opportunity to explore public lands.
Over the last 30 years use has gone from about 5 million riders to about 36 million in 2000. The soaring use of OHVs on public lands has meant that even the smallest amount of use off of planned Forest roads and trails has created considerable impacts to the environment.
Improved OHV management on National Forest system lands will allow the Forest Service to ensure it provides the public with high-quality motorized recreation opportunity without compromising basic forest resources. (US Forest Service)
Oregon Motorcyclists can now use three headlights on their motorcycles whereas in the past, two was the maximum allowed. They will also be able to use auxiliary lights, either fog lights or driving lights, at all times if the auxiliary lights are no brighter than the headlight and the auxiliary lights are aimed correctly. All other vehicles in Oregon must turn off their auxiliary lights during times when the law requires drivers to dim their high beam headlights. Finally Oregon riders may use an intermittent pulsing or flashing brake light, as long as the flashing does not interfere with the rear turn signal function. With the help of legislators that are motorcyclists themselves, these new options were passed and signed by Governor Kulongoski.
Tennessee Senate Bill 2282, introduced by Senator Tommy Kilby (D- Morgan County), the "Tennessee Volunteer Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act" provides for state registration ($10 per year) for persons possessing a valid combination hunting and fishing license, hunting license, or sportsman license. The funds received under this legislation will be used exclusively for the purpose of funding the operation and management of the off-highway volunteer motor vehicle program.
Washington, DC City Council has approved the Distracted Driving Act of 2003 by a 13-1 vote. Any distracted behavior by drivers, including cell phone use, will be prohibited, effective July 1, 2004. First time offenders will receive warnings; subsequent offenses will be subject to a $100 fine per violation. The law specifically exempts police and emergency medical technicians during an incident.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation says it will develop legislation to require ATVs to display a motorcycle-style registration plate. The Bureau claims that a visible ATV-registration number is necessary to identify ATV-mounted trespassers who damage farmlands. Once a bill has been introduced it will be posted to the Rights page of www.AMADirectLink.com.
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has signed legislation that provides exception that no protective head gear be required if a motorcyclist is participating in a properly permitted public parade and is 18 years or older.
Bay State riders grateful for this action should contact the Governor's office and let him know you appreciate his signing this bill at; Governor Mitt Romney, State House, Office of the Governor, Room 360, Boston, MA 02133, Phone: 617-725-4005 or by email: GOffice@state.ma.us. While you are expressing your gratitude drop in a line to support passage of Senate Bill 1363, which modifies the helmet law in favor of full choice.
Vermont drivers who operate their vehicles without insurance or accumulate sufficient points to warrant a driver license or operating privilege suspension may face an additional one-year suspension if a death or serious bodily injury is involved. House Bill 496, prefiled by Representative Mary Morrissey (R Bennington), seeks to hold motor vehicle operators more accountable for their actions. You can show your support for H-496 by writing the Honorable Mary Morrissey, 228 Dewey Street, Bennington, VT 05201, sending e-mail to mmorrissey@leg.state.vt.us, calling 802-442-2092, or composing and sending a letter of support in the StateWatch section on the Rights page at www.AMADirectlink.com.
The British Motorcyclists Federation, Land Access and Recreation Association, Trail Riders Fellowship and United Kingdom (UK) Trail Riders have joined forces to fight proposals by the Government to ban off-highway motorcycles from 6,000 miles of the UK's green lanes.
The threat to one of the fastest growing areas of biking comes from a government consultation paper, Use of mechanically propelled vehicles on Rights of Way, issued by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael.
The ancient rights-of-way that trail riders legally ride on at present were originally established to provide travel on open countryside and on footpaths and bridleways and give them an alternative place to go. But the trails will become off-limits if this proposal does become law.
This proposal is part of the fallout from the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 the Act that introduced the right to roam for hikers across thousands of square miles of private land and is largely driven by a vocal and influential minority that wants motorcycles and cars out of their countryside completely.
England and Wales have around 120,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways where motorcyclists cannot go. There are around 5,000 additional miles of minor, unsealed vehicular road and, of course, walkers, cyclists and riders also enjoy much of this. (MCN.com)
New York riders need to express or renew their commitment to right-of-way legislation by contacting your Assemblymember in support of A-8095 and S-2178, both currently in the Assembly Transportation Committee. By clicking on the AMA StateWatch selection of the Rights page at www.AMADirectlink.com you can send a letter in support of these bills.
The 2004 edition of the Pocket Guide to Transportation has been released by the Department of Transportations Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). This, the seventh edition, provides a wide range of information related to transportation in the United States including the infrastructure, safety and security, mobility, and economic impact.
Copies of the new addition are available free from BTS by phone 202-366-3282 or e-mail orders@bts-gov. The guide is also available on www.bts.gov.
Many State Legislators and the US Congress are reviewing legislation that recognizes May 2004 as Motorcycle Awareness and You Month. These include Georgia (HR 1101, SR 673), Massachusetts (HB 1202), North Carolina ( HB 54), New Jersey (AJR 63, SCR 76), Oklahoma (SJR 50) and United States Senate Resolution 168 to create the National Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month. For more information go to www.AMADirectlink.com.
AirWear, Ltd. (www.airvest.com ) has contracted with Direct Impact Inc. (www.dirimpact.com ) to market and provide distribution for its AirVest(TM) products, AirWear's patented line of inflatable motorcycle safety vests that protect a rider's upper body and vital organs in the event of a crash.
They cite the latest available figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), that crashes involving motorcycles account for 7.6 percent of total traffic fatalities on America's roadways. In addition, motorcyclists are about 26 times as likely to die in a crash as someone riding in a passenger car, and are 5 times as likely to be injured and "Personal protection is the best weapon against injury when a crash does occur," in their sales pitch.
Mississippi House Bill 807, introduced by Representative Jamie R. Franks, Jr. (D- Lee, Itawamba, Tishomingo) and Charles Jim Beckett (R- Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall, Yalobusha), along with Senate Bill 2013, sponsored by Senator Bob M. Dearing (D-Natchez) will establish the Motorcycle Safety and Operator Training Program.
Magnolia State riders will be levied an additional annual $5.00 fee on each motorcycle and additional $1.00 for a temporary motorcycle operator's permit, and/or renewing a motorcycle endorsement to be deposited into the Motorcycle Safety Operator Training Fund.
The program also includes activities to increase motorcyclists' alcohol and drug effects awareness, motorcycle driver improvement efforts, program promotion activities, and other efforts to enhance motorcycle safety through education, including enhancement of public awareness of motorcycles.
Applicants for a motorcycle endorsement or a restricted motorcycle operator's license would be exempt from the licensing knowledge test and skill test if they present satisfactory evidence of successful completion of an approved rider training course which includes a similar test of both knowledge and skill.
The efforts of Washington organizations, including the Northwest Motorcycle Association, Northwest Quad Association, Skagit Motorcycle Club and the Timber Tamers 4WD Club, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has lead to the limited re-opening of Walker Valley OHV Area.
The trail system was closed to all ORV use on November 1, 2002. Re-opening was originally scheduled for April 1, 2003. Through cooperative efforts of user groups and the DNR, a limited number of trails will be returned to use early. About half of the trails will remain closed to either protect resources or allow for on-going logging activities. Many of the trails closed for resource protection will be opened for use on April 1, 2003.
Missouri House of Representatives Transportation Committee, on a vote of 19 yes and 1 present, have passed HB 1080 (Motorcyclists Matter legislation know as Clutch's Law). They also voted in favor of both helmet modification bills, HB 1109 (13 to 7) and 770 (14 to 6) and asked that they be combined on the House floor.
This comes only days after hearing testimony from the Missouri Safety Center, Missouri Safety Council, Freedom Of Road Riders, Inc. of Missouri, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and the American Motorcyclist Association.
British motorcycle commuters around London are calling on their government to publicly recognize the benefits of traffic congestion relief from motorcycles. A year after local authorities began charging tolls, yet exempting motorcycles, for those entering central London the streets are safer.
Despite a 20 percent increase in motorcycle traffic in the city there has been a 15 percent fall in motorcycle casualties. Yet motorcycle sales are up 20 percent in London. All while the average speed of traffic in central London has risen by 15 percent. (MCN.com)
AMA Government Relations News & Notes is a monthly service compiled and edited by the AMA Government Relations Staff to keep motorcyclists informed of happenings around the world. We welcome your news & views. Please submit all material to Terry Lee Cook, Government Relations Specialist, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147; fax 614-856-1920 or e-mail to tcook@ama-cycle.org.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced Justice for All, a new nationwide initiative that will focus on inadequate sentencing of car drivers who seriously injure or kill motorcyclists.
Justice for All will advocate legislation establishing tougher penalties when traffic offenses or criminal actions by other motorists result in a motorcyclists death or serious injury, a move that also would benefit other vulnerable road users such as bicyclists and pedestrians. The program will include cooperation with state and local motorcycling organizations, efforts by AMA Community Councils, and a variety of opportunities for individual motorcyclists and other concerned citizens to become involved.
Justice for All also will feature events that coincide with the 2004 Black Hills Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota.
More details about Justice for All will be announced soon on the AMAs website, AMADirectlink.com, and in American Motorcyclist magazine.
US Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth has identified unmanaged recreation, especially the undesirable impacts from off-highway vehicles (OHVs), as one of the key threats facing the Nations Forests and grasslands today.
Concerns have been expressed over the number of unplanned roads and trails, erosion, lack of quality OHV recreation opportunities, water degradation and habitat destruction from OHV activity. In response to this issue Chief Bosworth has chartered two National Teams to develop contemporary policy and tools to address this issue effectively at the field level.
The current focus is on expediting the transitioning of the agency towards a policy of designated routes for OHVs. The policy being developed would require OHVs to stay on designated roads, trails, and specifically defined use areas.
The policy development is focusing on three key issues: moving the agency to a system of designated routes for OHV activity to minimize or eliminate the impacts from current unmanaged use, generally prohibiting cross-country travel by OHVs, and completing OHV designation decisions at the field level.
The OHV Implementation Team will develop and provide tools, techniques and best practices associated with managing OHVs provide a good opportunity to explore public lands.
Over the last 30 years use has gone from about 5 million riders to about 36 million in 2000. The soaring use of OHVs on public lands has meant that even the smallest amount of use off of planned Forest roads and trails has created considerable impacts to the environment.
Improved OHV management on National Forest system lands will allow the Forest Service to ensure it provides the public with high-quality motorized recreation opportunity without compromising basic forest resources. (US Forest Service)
Oregon Motorcyclists can now use three headlights on their motorcycles whereas in the past, two was the maximum allowed. They will also be able to use auxiliary lights, either fog lights or driving lights, at all times if the auxiliary lights are no brighter than the headlight and the auxiliary lights are aimed correctly. All other vehicles in Oregon must turn off their auxiliary lights during times when the law requires drivers to dim their high beam headlights. Finally Oregon riders may use an intermittent pulsing or flashing brake light, as long as the flashing does not interfere with the rear turn signal function. With the help of legislators that are motorcyclists themselves, these new options were passed and signed by Governor Kulongoski.
Tennessee Senate Bill 2282, introduced by Senator Tommy Kilby (D- Morgan County), the "Tennessee Volunteer Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Act" provides for state registration ($10 per year) for persons possessing a valid combination hunting and fishing license, hunting license, or sportsman license. The funds received under this legislation will be used exclusively for the purpose of funding the operation and management of the off-highway volunteer motor vehicle program.
Washington, DC City Council has approved the Distracted Driving Act of 2003 by a 13-1 vote. Any distracted behavior by drivers, including cell phone use, will be prohibited, effective July 1, 2004. First time offenders will receive warnings; subsequent offenses will be subject to a $100 fine per violation. The law specifically exempts police and emergency medical technicians during an incident.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation says it will develop legislation to require ATVs to display a motorcycle-style registration plate. The Bureau claims that a visible ATV-registration number is necessary to identify ATV-mounted trespassers who damage farmlands. Once a bill has been introduced it will be posted to the Rights page of www.AMADirectLink.com.
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has signed legislation that provides exception that no protective head gear be required if a motorcyclist is participating in a properly permitted public parade and is 18 years or older.
Bay State riders grateful for this action should contact the Governor's office and let him know you appreciate his signing this bill at; Governor Mitt Romney, State House, Office of the Governor, Room 360, Boston, MA 02133, Phone: 617-725-4005 or by email: GOffice@state.ma.us. While you are expressing your gratitude drop in a line to support passage of Senate Bill 1363, which modifies the helmet law in favor of full choice.
Vermont drivers who operate their vehicles without insurance or accumulate sufficient points to warrant a driver license or operating privilege suspension may face an additional one-year suspension if a death or serious bodily injury is involved. House Bill 496, prefiled by Representative Mary Morrissey (R Bennington), seeks to hold motor vehicle operators more accountable for their actions. You can show your support for H-496 by writing the Honorable Mary Morrissey, 228 Dewey Street, Bennington, VT 05201, sending e-mail to mmorrissey@leg.state.vt.us, calling 802-442-2092, or composing and sending a letter of support in the StateWatch section on the Rights page at www.AMADirectlink.com.
The British Motorcyclists Federation, Land Access and Recreation Association, Trail Riders Fellowship and United Kingdom (UK) Trail Riders have joined forces to fight proposals by the Government to ban off-highway motorcycles from 6,000 miles of the UK's green lanes.
The threat to one of the fastest growing areas of biking comes from a government consultation paper, Use of mechanically propelled vehicles on Rights of Way, issued by Rural Affairs Minister Alun Michael.
The ancient rights-of-way that trail riders legally ride on at present were originally established to provide travel on open countryside and on footpaths and bridleways and give them an alternative place to go. But the trails will become off-limits if this proposal does become law.
This proposal is part of the fallout from the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 the Act that introduced the right to roam for hikers across thousands of square miles of private land and is largely driven by a vocal and influential minority that wants motorcycles and cars out of their countryside completely.
England and Wales have around 120,000 miles of footpaths and bridleways where motorcyclists cannot go. There are around 5,000 additional miles of minor, unsealed vehicular road and, of course, walkers, cyclists and riders also enjoy much of this. (MCN.com)
New York riders need to express or renew their commitment to right-of-way legislation by contacting your Assemblymember in support of A-8095 and S-2178, both currently in the Assembly Transportation Committee. By clicking on the AMA StateWatch selection of the Rights page at www.AMADirectlink.com you can send a letter in support of these bills.
The 2004 edition of the Pocket Guide to Transportation has been released by the Department of Transportations Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). This, the seventh edition, provides a wide range of information related to transportation in the United States including the infrastructure, safety and security, mobility, and economic impact.
Copies of the new addition are available free from BTS by phone 202-366-3282 or e-mail orders@bts-gov. The guide is also available on www.bts.gov.
Many State Legislators and the US Congress are reviewing legislation that recognizes May 2004 as Motorcycle Awareness and You Month. These include Georgia (HR 1101, SR 673), Massachusetts (HB 1202), North Carolina ( HB 54), New Jersey (AJR 63, SCR 76), Oklahoma (SJR 50) and United States Senate Resolution 168 to create the National Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Month. For more information go to www.AMADirectlink.com.
AirWear, Ltd. (www.airvest.com ) has contracted with Direct Impact Inc. (www.dirimpact.com ) to market and provide distribution for its AirVest(TM) products, AirWear's patented line of inflatable motorcycle safety vests that protect a rider's upper body and vital organs in the event of a crash.
They cite the latest available figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), that crashes involving motorcycles account for 7.6 percent of total traffic fatalities on America's roadways. In addition, motorcyclists are about 26 times as likely to die in a crash as someone riding in a passenger car, and are 5 times as likely to be injured and "Personal protection is the best weapon against injury when a crash does occur," in their sales pitch.
Mississippi House Bill 807, introduced by Representative Jamie R. Franks, Jr. (D- Lee, Itawamba, Tishomingo) and Charles Jim Beckett (R- Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall, Yalobusha), along with Senate Bill 2013, sponsored by Senator Bob M. Dearing (D-Natchez) will establish the Motorcycle Safety and Operator Training Program.
Magnolia State riders will be levied an additional annual $5.00 fee on each motorcycle and additional $1.00 for a temporary motorcycle operator's permit, and/or renewing a motorcycle endorsement to be deposited into the Motorcycle Safety Operator Training Fund.
The program also includes activities to increase motorcyclists' alcohol and drug effects awareness, motorcycle driver improvement efforts, program promotion activities, and other efforts to enhance motorcycle safety through education, including enhancement of public awareness of motorcycles.
Applicants for a motorcycle endorsement or a restricted motorcycle operator's license would be exempt from the licensing knowledge test and skill test if they present satisfactory evidence of successful completion of an approved rider training course which includes a similar test of both knowledge and skill.
The efforts of Washington organizations, including the Northwest Motorcycle Association, Northwest Quad Association, Skagit Motorcycle Club and the Timber Tamers 4WD Club, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has lead to the limited re-opening of Walker Valley OHV Area.
The trail system was closed to all ORV use on November 1, 2002. Re-opening was originally scheduled for April 1, 2003. Through cooperative efforts of user groups and the DNR, a limited number of trails will be returned to use early. About half of the trails will remain closed to either protect resources or allow for on-going logging activities. Many of the trails closed for resource protection will be opened for use on April 1, 2003.
Missouri House of Representatives Transportation Committee, on a vote of 19 yes and 1 present, have passed HB 1080 (Motorcyclists Matter legislation know as Clutch's Law). They also voted in favor of both helmet modification bills, HB 1109 (13 to 7) and 770 (14 to 6) and asked that they be combined on the House floor.
This comes only days after hearing testimony from the Missouri Safety Center, Missouri Safety Council, Freedom Of Road Riders, Inc. of Missouri, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and the American Motorcyclist Association.
British motorcycle commuters around London are calling on their government to publicly recognize the benefits of traffic congestion relief from motorcycles. A year after local authorities began charging tolls, yet exempting motorcycles, for those entering central London the streets are safer.
Despite a 20 percent increase in motorcycle traffic in the city there has been a 15 percent fall in motorcycle casualties. Yet motorcycle sales are up 20 percent in London. All while the average speed of traffic in central London has risen by 15 percent. (MCN.com)