April 2006
********************
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Government Relations team met with federal Environmental Protection Agency officials in February to discuss motorcycle-emissions regulations. AMA Vice President for Government Relations Edward Moreland, AMA Washington Legislative Assistant Peter Nonis and AMA Legislative Affairs Specialist Imre Szauter met with EPA technical officials at the agency’s headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan seeking clarification on current EPA regulations related to "kit" and "custom" motorcycles.
Kit bikes are motorcycles typically built by individuals using off-the-shelf components, while custom bikes are generally show bikes built by a business and sold to a customer.
Under the regulations, a person is allowed only one kit motorcycle in their lifetime that is exempt from meeting EPA emissions requirements. For custom motorcycles, a builder may create and sell up to 24 bikes a year that don't meet EPA emissions requirements, but those machines must be labeled as exempt and are show bikes that only rarely may be ridden.
Before the EPA adopted these new rules in 2004, it was illegal for anyone to ride any street motorcycle built in 1980 or later that didn't meet EPA emissions requirements.
The EPA rules adopted in 2004 require new road motorcycles sold nationwide beginning with the 2006 model year to meet strict emissions standards adopted earlier by California. The EPA adopted the same standards but with a two-year delay, meaning the first phase took effect this year, and the second phase will take effect in 2010.
When the EPA issued its final rules, the provisions related to kit and custom bikes were new, which the AMA notes also has led to the confusion surrounding them. All major motorcycle manufacturers’ streetbikes meet federal 2006 emissions standards, and several manufacturers’ products already meet the 2010 standards.
The AMA actively voiced motorcyclists' concerns to the EPA from 2001 through 2004 as the federal agency worked to put together the new EPA emissions requirements. The AMA will continue to voice motorcyclists concerns to the EPA, and seek clarification on the rules.
Virginia motorcyclists will be required to wear helmets for at least another year because the House, by a 57-42 vote, defeated legislation that would have given riders 21 and older the option not to wear helmets. The sponsor of HB1400 – Del. Bill Janis, R-Henrico – argued, “The law today is a one-size-fits-all rule that doesn’t allow adults to decide what’s in their best interest when they get on a motorcycle.”
Opponents countered that the measure would lead to deaths, severe head injuries, and higher insurance rates and medical costs. Lobbyists representing doctors, insurance companies and the American Automobile Association urged defeat of the bill. (Virginian Pilot)
US Representative John Boehner (R-Ohio), who was recently elected by his Republican colleagues as the new House Majority Leader, is on the American Motorcyclist Association's (AMA) Motorcycling's Friends in Congress list.
The list includes members of Congress who have supported motorcyclist-friendly legislation. Boehner has supported AMA-sponsored health insurance legislation in the past, and his new post presents new opportunities for passage of HR 2793, the HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act, in the U.S. House this year.
Boehner, who replaced acting Majority Leader Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), will be the Republicans’ permanent replacement for former Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-Texas).
The AMA looks forward to working with Majority Leader Boehner and his staff to get HR 2793, the HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act, signed into law this Congress.
To see if your representative is a friend of motorcycling, see the Motorcycling's friends in Congress list in the Rights section of www.AMADirectlink.com. If you find them there please take a moment to send them a note of thanks. If you fail to see them on the list send a polite note to them asking them why.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking nominations to fill several positions on their Resource Advisory Councils (RAC) throughout California. A RAC is a citizen's panel which advises the BLM on the stewardship of federal public lands.
RAC membership is divided into specific categories and off-highway vehicle interests would naturally fit into Category One. This category includes holders of federal livestock grazing permits, timber industry interests, mineral and energy interests, transportation and rights-of-way interests, off-highway vehicle users, and commercial recreation interests. Category two includes wild horse and burro interest groups, history and archaeology interests, environmental groups or dispersed recreation interests. Category three includes the public-at-large, elected officials, the academic sector, tribal interests, and state agencies responsible for natural resource management.
The AMA/ATVA encourages riders to get involved in the RAC for their area. Each nomination must include the name of the nominee, work and home addresses and telephone numbers, a biographical sketch including the nominee's work, applicable outside interests, and public service records. The nominations must also include letters of reference from represented interests, organizations, or elected officials.
The council usually meets quarterly, with field tours a part of most meetings. Members normally serve three-year terms without salary, but are reimbursed for expenses.
The Central California RAC is seeking to fill four, 3-year term positions. The central California council works closely with BLM managers in Bakersfield, Folsom, Bishop and Hollister. The Northwest Council, which works closely with BLM managers in Arcata, Redding and Ukiah, has four openings. The Northeast Council, which works closely with BLM managers in Alturas, Cedarville and Susanville, has five, full-term openings and one unexpired term vacancy.
The nomination period closes for each on Friday, March 24, 2006. Anyone interested in applying can get a nomination form by logging on to http://www.blm.gov/ca/news/rac.html and clicking on the "nomination packet" link at the bottom of the page. Forms also are available by contacting the BLM Field Office near you or for more information, contact BLM Public Affairs Officer Jeff Fontana at (530) 252-5332, or by email at jfontana@ca.blm.gov.
New York’s proposed state budget includes a new ATV Trail Program. The ATV Trail Fund (92-o Fund) was established in the 2005 State Budget —in which the registration fee was increased from $10 to $25/yr and Point-of-sale registration became mandatory with $2.5 million revenue expected for the fiscal year.
Empire State riders are encouraged to contact their representatives to the State Assembly and Senate to voice their support for this item in the budget. Your personal contacts for the Assembly and Senate can be located on the Statewatch section of www.AMADirectlink.com.
Tennessee Senate Bill 3032, introduced by Senator Thelma Harper (D–Nashville, 19), would amend Tennessee Code to allow no motorcycle operator to carry a passenger on a motorcycle who is less than the age of nine (9) years.
Volunteer State riders should immediately contact their Senator’s office in Nashville and politely let them know that it should be the parents, not the state, who decide when their children ride motorcycles.
The status of this bill, as well as most motorcycle-related legislation throughout the country can be viewed by accessing StateWatch on the American Motorcyclist Association’s (AMA) Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectLink.com. This service is available to all riders thanks to those who join the AMA.
Union, Kentucky ATV riders have some new regulations to follow joining thousands of others motorcycle and ATV riders who face restrictive local ordinances. The Union City Commission recently approved an ordinance for ATVs, ending months of deliberations on the matter. Residents must register the vehicle with the city clerk and pay a $10 fee.
Also, under the ordinance vehicles can't be used before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m., on any parcel of real estate consisting of less than five acres, without the muffler system provided by the vehicle's manufacturer, or at any speed in excess of the minimum speed required to maintain the vehicle's forward motion on private property while it's within 500 feet of any dwelling on a parcel other than the land upon which the vehicle is being operated on.
An ATV can be used for such work as snow removal and yard work on parcels less than five acres with speeds not exceeding seven mph. Violators face a fine of no more than $250.
Sadly a lot of riders, many of them not members of AMA, ATVA, or any organization, want quick fixes but they don’t want to do anything to help themselves. There is no universal “quick-fix” formula. Grassroots political action is the most effective approach to this sort of thing. That is why the AMA continually encourages our members to get involved in the process through the Community Council network of volunteers.
AMA Community Councils work closely with the AMA Government Relations Department and serve as the first line of both offense and defense when local issues arise. Local, state and even national issues are much easier to handle if we are organized for action ahead of time and do not wait for the officials to completely shut down the area. For more information got to www.AMADirectlink.com and click on the Community Council link or contact the AMA at 614-856-1900 extension 1288.
North Carolina drivers will pay 2.5 percent less for auto insurance starting in May under a rate-setting order signed by Insurance Commissioner Jim Long. The order also cuts motorcycle liability rates by 6 percent.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently published their "Amendments to Highway Safety Program Guidelines" [Docket No. NHTSA-2005-23090], which issues a public request for comments (RFC) on six proposed amendments, includes significant changes to Motorcycle Safety Guideline No. 3.
The open comment period, which is currently set to close on March 27, which gives motorcyclists' rights advocates a narrow but crucial window of opportunity to voice your opinion on the proposed changes. You can submit comments in writing to: Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590 or by logging onto the DOT Docket Management System website http://dms.dot.gov/submit/.
Federation of European Motorcyclists' Associations (FEMA) General Secretary Antonio Perlot announced his decision to resign from the position of General Secretary. Perlot held this position since July 2002. He will continue in his present position until July and contribute to the selection of his replacement. A job advertisement is posted on the FEMA website www.fema.ridersrights.org.
Sunshine State road riders are invited to gather in Monticello, Florida at the KOA to make the 20 mile escorted ride into Tallahassee for the 11th Annual Freedom Rights Rally on April 10th, 2006. The ride leaves at 9 a.m. and ends at the Capitol with a moving flag ceremony followed by meetings with legislators. Free weekend camping is provided at the KOA for participants. For additional information contact ABATE of Florida, Inc. at 386-943-9610.
Missouri House Bill 1641, introduced by Representative Kate Meiners (D-Kansas City, 46), would make it illegal for any motorcycle operator to carry a passenger on a motorcycle any person who is less than the age of eight (8) years.
Show Me State riders should immediately contact their Senator’s office in Jefferson City and politely let them know that it should be the parents, not the state, who decide when their children ride motorcycles.
The status of this bill, as well as most motorcycle-related legislation throughout the country can be viewed by accessing StateWatch on the American Motorcyclist Association’s (AMA) Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectLink.com.
The Clear Creek Management Area (CCMA), managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), has been under attack for several years by anti-access groups seeking to close one of the most popular off-road riding areas in Central California. In November 2004 those groups filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking the closure of the area and challenging the BLM’s management of the CCMA.
This effort by motorized recreation interests representing the Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club, the American Motorcyclist Association District 36, the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, the California Off Road Vehicle Association, the Off Road Business Association and the BlueRibbon Coalition seeks to intervene in this case to help to protect public access.
The lawsuit remains pending, and opponents to vehicle access have filed numerous motions seeking immediate judicial imposition of travel restrictions, none of which have been granted. Until an upcoming hearing on all pending motions in the lawsuit, travel in the CCMA will be limited to about 270 miles of designated trails and 480 acres of designated barrens.
********************
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 2005-2006, American Motorcyclist Association
Back
to Main Page
©I.M.R.A., Inc 2006