News Release

MRF E-MAIL NEWS
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
P.O. Box 1808
Washington, DC 20013-1808
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: JD DePaolantonio, MRF Director of Communications and Information jd@mrf.org (e-mail)

#06LR01 - MRF LEADERS' REPORT - Ride With The Leaders - January 9, 2006

TO: The Leaders of the American Motorcyclists' Rights Movement

FROM: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President - Government Relations

SUBJECT: January 2006 Leaders Report

Federal Motorcycle Advisory Council to be formed: DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS JANUARY 23, 2006.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is proud to report the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) has announced the Motorcyclist Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administrator (FHWA) will be formed pursuant to the language in the most recent highway bill (Public Law 109-59).

The purpose of the council is to serve in an advisory role to the FHWA of the importance of considering the small signature of motorcycles when designing roads, bridges and barriers. We know motorcycles behave differently than four-wheeled vehicles and often that fact is not taken into consideration when engineering our nation's road and highway system. The MRF plans to change that and will through the Motorcycle Advisory Council.

The Council is a result of a two-fold legislative initiative spearheaded by the MRF and its members alone. It will be comprised of no more than ten members, each representing a different facet of the motorcycle safety community.

The other item of the MRF legislative agenda for the highway bill is also included. A $25 million dollar grant program for motorcycle safety and only motorcycle safety. For more info on this facet of the official legislative plan, point your browser at www.mrf.org

The qualifiers for each specific member of the Motorcycle Advisory Council are:

1. One representative of a national motorcycle riders' foundation.
2. One representative of a national motorcycle association.
3. One representative of the state motorcycle safety administrators.
4. Two representatives of a state motorcycle rights organization.
5. One representative of a highway builder organization.
6. One representative from the national traffic safety system industry.
7. One representative of a national highway safety organization.
8. One or two traffic system engineers or state transportation department officials who ride motorcycles.

The US DOT has declared January 23rd, 2006 will be the official cut-off for the submission of nominations and comments related to this important council. The MRF is asking you to submit your comments endorsing the council along with your specific, qualified nominations for seats.

The quickest and easiest way to submit your written comments about the advisory council is through the US DOT document management website:

1. Go to http://dms.dot.gov/submit
2. If you're not registered on the site, complete the standard contact information forms
3. Assign yourself a username and password
4. The Docket Number for this case is FHWA Docket number FHWA-2005- 23112
5. Submit the appropriate comments and nominations.

For assistance with your submission of comments or nominations please to contact the MRF DC office at 202-546-0983 or email at jeff@mrf.org. Remember, it is crucial your submissions and comments be submitted prior to the January 23rd. 2006 deadline.

(c)All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists' rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists' rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early 1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom.

The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists' rights organizations and the very founders of the American riders' rights movement among its leading members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists' rights organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.

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