News & Notes
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.
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The US Congress has included funding for a motorcycle study in the transportation bill. The new, scientific study of the causes of motorcycle crashes will be conducted for the first time in more than two decades, thanks to years of work by the AMA Government Relations Department, AMA members, and the thousands of motorcycling activists across the country who contacted their Representatives and Senators.
Funding for the study was included in the huge transportation bill approved by both houses of Congress. The bill now goes to President Bush, who is expected to sign it.
The transportation bill provides nearly $3 million to pay for a study of motorcycle crashes. The bill specifies that the funding will go to the Oklahoma Transportation Center, an independent and respected research center located at Oklahoma State University.
After years of declines, motorcycle fatalities have begun to increase in recent years. There's been a lot of speculation about why, but not much unbiased research. This study will help us understand the true causes of motorcycle crashes and find ways to prevent crashes and save lives.
The new study will be the first comprehensive look at motorcycle crashes in this country since the groundbreaking research done in the late 1970s, commonly referred to as the Hurt study, for lead researcher Harry Hurt. Many of the lessons learned from the Hurt study are still valuable, but because of the huge changes in traffic density, vehicle technology, driver distractions and other factors, the AMA has long called for a new study to provide reliable, updated information.
Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), introduced the motorcycle-study language into the bill. On the Senate side, a key player in moving the bill to passage and working out differences between the House and Senate versions was Senator James Inhofe, (R-OK), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Off-highway riders also get something from the transportation bill, which covers spending through 2009. The measure provides $370 million from gasoline taxes to fund the Recreational Trails Program.
The bill also preserves two other rules important to many motorcyclists: Motorcycles will continue to be allowed to use High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes; and local governments will continue to be prohibited from excluding motorcycles on roads maintained in part with federal funds. The bill also calls for motorcycles to be included in research on Intelligent Transportation systems, which would introduce more automation to US highways.
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Illinois Governor Blagojevich signed PA94-0329. Formerly HB1471 the legislation adds penalties for different aspects of DUI. The new law provides that a person who drives while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or intoxicating compounds is guilty of aggravated DUI if he or she had no valid driver's license or was not covered by liability insurance. It also provides that the person's vehicle is subject to seizure and forfeiture.
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The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is monitoring a fatal crash in Pennsylvania, which injured several participants in the Chris Jones Benefit Bike Run and killed one rider. A Pennsylvania man crossed the center line and crashed into a charity ride that was being escorted by police, according to authorities.
The fatal crash occurred on Route 309 near Drums, Pennsylvania. William Delaney, 41, of Plymouth, Pennsylvania was killed, and his wife was hospitalized in critical condition. Other riders were injured. A report in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader said Jeffrey M. Borrin, 23, the driver of the SUV, was driving with a suspended license and was awaiting sentencing on a previous drunk driving charge.
The AMA Government Relations Department will continue to monitor the case. Also, read about the AMA's Justice for All campaign, which seeks to establish appropriate penalties for drivers who kill or injure motorcyclists or other roadway users.
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A new federal report on off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation in the United States shows popularity of motorized recreation among diverse ethnic communities. The study, published by the USDA Forest Service’s Southern Research Station, shows OHV use is widely recognized now as one of the fastest growing outdoor activities.
The report was prepared for the Forest Service in relation to a National OHV policy initiative expected to be finalized in August 2005. The policy will direct forests to designate roads, trails and areas available for OHV use. The source of the data is the National Survey on Recreation and Environment (NSRE). NSRE is a collaborative project between the Forest Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the University of Georgia and the University of Tennessee.
The study showed the proportion of people age 16 and older who said they participated in OHV recreation increased from 16.8 percent in 1999-2000 to 23.8 percent in 2003-2004. It also shows that Hispanic participation grew at the fastest percentage rate, more than doubling between 1999 and 2004. The African-American participation growth rate also outpaced that of Whites, growing 50 percent compared to 36 percent for Whites. The report can be found at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/OHV_final_report.pdf
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The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted the World Motorcycle Test Cycle (WMTC) as a GTR (Global Technical Regulation), subject to approval by the signatories of the United Nations Global Harmonization agreement.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) notes that the GTR proposes the test procedure without limits. In other words, it proposes to standardize the test procedure, but does not impact the emission limits set by each country. As the AMA understands it, if adopted as written, the EPA would be required to restate current HC, NOx, and CO tail pipe emissions limits in terms of the new test procedure, but not change the limits themselves. The EPA will initiate a rulemaking process next year for US approval and the AMA will be watching for any changes.
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Texas has become the 19th state in the nation to have an off-highway vehicle program to create and maintain riding areas and trails. That's thanks to the hard work of AMA Community Council leader Carol Smith, the Motorcycle Industry Council and others.
The new program, which takes effect September 1, will use money from a fee for OHV decals, and fines assessed against OHV users who violate OHV laws, to acquire, construct, develop and maintain riding areas and trails.
Smith, director of the AMA Community Council-Texas Hill Country, joined forces with AMA Government Relations Department staff in Pickerington, Ohio, and the Motorcycle Industry Council to make the program a reality.
AMA Legislative Affairs Specialist Royce Wood said Richard Hardy, the local lobbyist for the Motorcycle Industry Council, did a good job guiding the legislation through the Texas Legislature. Smith was instrumental in testifying and letting lawmakers know how important an OHV program is not only for OHV enthusiasts, but for the Texas economy.
If you would like to work on trails issues in your state, the easiest way is through an AMA Community Council, which is a group of local AMA activists. For information on AMA Community Councils, contact AMA Grassroots Manager Terry Lee Cook at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1288; by e-mail at tcook@ama-cycle.org; or by mail at 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43068.
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Australian motorcycle operator permits should be given only to people who are already licensed to drive a car, according to a new study that recommends a radical overhaul of motorcycle licensing laws.
The study, by researchers at Monash University's Accident Research Centre, finds that regulations for motorcyclists are inconsistent across Australia and do not meet the highest international standards. It also recommends that motorcycle licenses should be regarded as separate and higher-class qualifications than car licenses, and that they be made more expensive to obtain.
The recommendations were greeted angrily by the Australian Motorcycle Riders Association (MRA) labeling the proposals as a joke.
The study looked at motorcycle licensing and testing systems across Australia and compared them with best-practice systems overseas. It found that motorcycle riding required a far higher level of skill than driving a car, and that the risk of crashing was much higher for learner riders than for those learning to drive a car.
The report also recommends that engine size restrictions, now in place in Victoria, should be replaced with power-to-weight ratio restrictions. But the MRA said that skills and road rules testing should be made more comprehensive in order to tackle the crash rate for learner riders. The study recommends that governments ban novice riders from carrying passengers and insist on a zero blood alcohol limit for motorcycle novices - both measures that have already been introduced in Victoria but not in other states. (The Age)
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The US Forest Service has just released a major study on OHV recreation called Off Highway Vehicle Recreation in the United States, Regions and States.
OHV enthusiasts will find this to be a very good resource for OHV data. To access this report, go to: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/OHV_final_report.pdf.
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British motorists are being urged to look out for motorcyclists as part of a new road safety campaign to reduce the number of motorcycle casualties on South Gloucestershire’s roads.
Temporary road signs displaying the campaign web address ‘ www.smidsy.co.uk ’ and other messages will be going up at motorcycle accident hotspots to remind drivers to look out for motorcyclists.
The Planning, Transportation and Strategic Environment Commission claims that “Too many motorcyclists are being injured in road accidents in South Gloucestershire – and our statistics show that a significant number are happening because drivers are failing to see motorcyclists – particularly at intersections. This kind of accident is known as a ‘smidsy’ accident – which stands for ‘Sorry Mate, I Didn’t See You!’, and the campaign is trying to target these accidents in particular.”
The campaign encourages drivers to log onto a website to find out more information about motorcycling accidents and also gained the approval of the British Motorcycling Federation. (BMF)
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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has placed a Notice of Seasonal Closure of Public Lands at the Serpentine Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), located in the southern portion of San Benito County and Western Fresno County, California, to all types of motorized and non-motorized recreation use.
The restrictions are scheduled through October 15, 2005. This seasonal closure is needed to ensure visitor safety and protect public land users from potential health risks associated with naturally occurring asbestos found within the closure area. The BLM may also implement a visitor use permit system to
control public access during the period October 16-June 1. A permit system will provide an opportunity to educate the public on the risks related to recreation use in areas of naturally occurring asbestos.
During the closure period, the area will be clearly posted. Closure signs are posted at main entry points to all locations affected by this Notice. Maps of the area are posted with this notice at key locations that provide access into the closure areas, and may be obtained with further information at the Hollister Field Office, 20 Hamilton Court, Hollister, California 95023. Violations of this closure are punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 12 months.
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Motorcyclists might not be the only ones wearing helmets on our nations roadways if amateur inventor, and full-time Houston attorney, Michael Fleming is successful. Fleming has filed a patent application for a new safety device for kids called the Automobile Helmet. Fleming cities government statistics that 2,500 children are killed and 294,000 injured annually in vehicle accidents for the need of this helmet.
But being produced and being worn are two different things. Based on age and weight, kids move from infant to child safety to booster seats, which are required by law until age 8.
And how do parents who refuse to use seats belts persuade kids to not only belt up, but helmet up as well? Fleming thinks he has the answer: loading the helmet with electronics. "By building a helmet that allows a child to listen to music, watch a DVD movie or play a handheld game, I'm hoping they'll want to wear a helmet without complaint," Mr. Fleming said. (Chicago Tribune)
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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, Grassroots Manager,
13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147; fax 614-856-1920 or e-mail to tcook@ama-cycle.org.
Copyright 2005, American Motorcyclist Association
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