Archive for the ‘Motorcycle Riders Foundation’ Category

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More Threats To Motorcycling

Thursday, May 28th, 2026


You ride this, I’ll ride that.

I’ll pick up again on this list of “10 Biggest Threats To Motorcycling” that the AMA printed in its latest issue of American Motorcyclist.

Right To Repair
The third on the list is right to repair. The problem is that as vehicles of all kinds get more complex, the manufacturers are not excited about sharing their proprietary tech that is needed for someone else to fix them. They’d rather you had no option but to take your bike or car to the dealer.

As they put it, “Right to Repair is the idea that a consumer has the right to choose their preferred service and repair provider (including themselves and independent shops); this also means that manufacturers are required to make the parts and needed information available to the public for a fair and reasonable price.”

For example, what if the nearest dealer is 150 miles away, while you’ve got a good independent shop right down the street?

The AMA and other groups are promoting–with growing momentum–federal legislation to require that this be an option. Meanwhile, 20 plus states have passed their won Right to Repair legislation.

Land Access
This next item is perhaps the most contentious of the bunch, with some riders on one side of the argument and others on the other side. Motorized access to public lands is not something everyone wants to see. A lot of hikers strongly resent sharing a trail with someone on a motorcycle.

But motorcyclists are citizens and pay taxes, too, so you can’t rightfully close off all public land to all motorized traffic. It’s all about striking an equitable balance. It also helps to have separate hiking and biking trails.

The fix for the problem, the article says, is this:

“A wider recognition and understanding of the benefits that off-highway motorcycles have on the local economy, coupled with volunteer trail maintenance efforts spearheaded by these users, goes a long way in preventing potential closures from being proposed. Responsible trail use and partnerships with other users are important.
“When land-access issues do arise, it is important to be organized and engaged with the land managing agency. The AMA encourages alternative sites to be identified and made available if a recreational area is closed for an extended period of time.”

Keep this in mind because the next item on the list refers directly back to this.

Biker Quote for Today

100 reasons not to date a biker: 47. Spring fever starts in November.

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Threats To Motorcycling

Thursday, May 21st, 2026


Racing will always involve a certain amount of risk.

American Motorcyclist, the publication of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), has a cover article in the latest issue about the “10 Biggest Threats To Motorcycling.” For those of you who are not AMA members I figured it might be worthwhile to discuss these 10 threats. I’ll spread this out over several posts because otherwise this could get extremely long.

Autonomous Vehicles
The first is autonomous vehicles. If you get the publications of the AMA or the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) you know both organizations have focused a lot on these self-driving cars. Nobody is opposed to them. Come the day when the technology is really well honed and the systems can flawlessly recognize a motorcycle and other smaller objects then they will almost certainly lead to safer roads for everyone.

The point is simply that that is not where the equipment is yet. And the folks who are out there every day defending our rights and safety on the road are adamant that–as we all should be–that before these vehicles are allowed out there they must meet exacting standards. As it is, there have already been fatalities of motorcyclists hit by self-driving cars.

The article sums it up saying, “The AMA has been outspoken about the dangers of AVs for the last decade and has called for sufficient testing and regulation. The technology needs to be proven to detect all road users–including motorcycles–in all situations before being allowed on the road. Once the technology is proven to be reliable, AVs will be beneficial to the safety and well-being of motorcyclists. The AMA will continue to be in favor of regulations that hold the manufacturers of these technologies accountable and protect motorcyclists.”

Insurance Issues
There are very real risks associated with riding motorcycles. We all know this and we accept it. But we also all need insurance for when things go badly. And when the costs of lawsuits outweigh the potential income from insuring motorcycle events, guess what the insurance company is going to do: your event is not going to happen.

That’s where the concept of inherent risk comes in. I wrote about this a little while ago. The idea is that we need state legislatures to pass legislation that protects land and facility owners and event organizers from lawsuits based on injuries that are not caused by deficiencies of the facility. Basically, “it was your fault you crashed so don’t go suing the track for your screw-up.”

Arkansas and Texas have already passed this legislation and momentum is building in other states. Nothing will kill motorcycle racing faster than the inability of tracks to operate. The time for this legislation is now.

OK, that gets the ball rolling. I’ll follow up with the other eight, not necessarily in an unbroken series of posts. Heck, I want to write about riding motorcycles, too, though with the rain and freezing weather we’ve had lately it’s been a while since I’ve been able to get out. Warmer weather is in the forecast.

Biker Quote for Today

Trucks never slow down in the rain. The best time to pass trucks is when you’re going uphill.

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MRF Goes A Little Off The Deep End, IMO

Sunday, June 8th, 2025

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is to the national scene what the state-level ABATEs are to the state scenes. A motorcycle rights organization working to protect our rights and shape legislation in ways beneficial to, or at least not detrimental to, riding motorcycles.

 The MRF logo

I generally tend to support what the MRF works for but in the most recent case I personally feel the group has gone a bit off the deep end. Specifically, in a letter to Sean Duffy, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, it said:

The MRF strongly opposes the Biden Administration’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards finalized in June 2024, which require automakers’ new vehicle fleets to reach an average of 53.5 miles per gallon by model year 2032.

Now wait. The CAFE standards relate only to cars. What does this have to do with motorcycles?

OK, the letter continues and explains the concern:

The CAFE standards drive automakers to increase production of electric vehicles and phase out
internal combustion (ICE) engines. As these manufacturers pivot resources toward electric
vehicle (EV) compliance, we expect reduced investment and innovation in ICE technology, which
powers most motorcycles. This shift could lead to:
• Reduced availability of affordable support technologies and fuels for motorcycle riders
• Distorted market dynamics and limited consumer choice
• Decreased relevance and impact of the aftermarket parts industry
• Rural motorcyclists being disproportionately impacted due to insufficient infrastructure

Yeah, OK, so you’re saying let’s nullify technological advancements for cars in order to insure that motorcycles won’t be orphaned. Guys, that’s a really weak argument. First off, there are a gazillion cars pumping out megatons of air pollution while there are–to be generous–significantly fewer motorcycles. Gosh, I don’t know. I kind of like breathing clean air and while theoretically the technological advancement of motorcycles might be negatively impacted, I really don’t believe it will grind to a halt.

I also don’t understand what they’re saying about rural motorcyclists being disproportionately impacted. I guess the build-out of charging stations in rural areas will be slower than in metro areas but at the same time I suspect the phasing out of the gasoline supply industry will also be slower in rural areas, especially as long as farmers use gas- or diesel-powered farm implements.

Nope. This is a case where I definitely break with the MRF. You guys do good work but we all screw up some times.

Biker Quote for Today

Anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing. — Hunter S. Thompson

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What Is A Motorcycle? And Other Issues

Thursday, June 10th, 2021

Doesn’t matter what you ride, this legislation affects us all.

As the Motorcycle Riders Foundation presses its legislative agenda again this year in Washington, DC, one issue is a call for clarity: What is a motorcycle?

It used to be easy to answer that question. In fact, it was defined in law way back in 1967: a motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with ground.

But now with these things becoming known as autocycles (think Polaris Slingshot) it gets stickier. And the problem is that requirements for motorcycle safety are not the same as requirements for autocycles. The MRF wants a new definition: a motor vehicle, as was originally manufactured, with motive power,having a seat or saddle requiring the rider to sit astride, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, steering controlled by handlebars, acceleration and braking controlled by handlebar and foot controls and capable of reaching speeds in excess of 30 mph.

Let’s face it, these autocycles are more accurately described as three-wheeled cars, not three-wheeled motorcycles. We have actual three-wheeled motorcycles. Let’s keep them well sorted for the sake of statistics and safety.

Anti-profiling is another recurring concern. If the police want to stop all motorists and check for license and insurance, go ahead. But do not single out motorcyclists and ignore everyone else. The Senate previously passed a resolution opposing this but it didn’t make it through the House. This year it looks like the House may be ready to sign on, too. Good.

We all know that self-driving cars are coming. What we want to be sure of is that their sensors are good enough to detect smaller forms, such as motorcycles, and respond appropriately. The MRF position states: The Motorcycle Riders Foundation maintains that federal authorities must require robust testing of manufacturers of automated driving systems, guaranteeing they have accounted for motorcycle recognition and responsiveness. Any new legislation by this Congress,in either the House or the Senate,should specifically ensure that motorcycles are considered in the bill language. The MRF continues to meet with House Energy and Commerce Committee staff as well as Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee staff to ensure motorcycles are considered in any legislation surrounding this new technology.

As federal mandates continue to promote plant-based ethanol in gasoline it continues to be necessary to do all possible to ensure that people don’t put the stuff in engines that are not designed to handle it. The MRF position: The Motorcycle Riders Foundation supports an educational campaign and warning label that will alert consumers further education on their part may be needed. By encouraging consumers to check their owner’s manual consumers, Americans will have the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions about the fuel they put in their engines. An educated consumer is empowered to make the right decision for their specific circumstances.

And lastly, the most minor of the MRF issues, is to urge members of Congress to join their body’s motorcycle caucus. This is where motorcycles get a real focus and ideas can spill out of there to fill in gaps in other legislation. Hey, we vote and we pay taxes–don’t give us short shrift.

Biker Quote for Today

A guy letting a girl ride his bike is like saying ‘I love you.’

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MRF Continues To Press On Key Issues

Monday, June 7th, 2021

Congress is in session and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation continues to press on motorcycle-focused issues that have arisen over the years. Shaping and passing legislation is not a one-shot effort, it requires tireless, persistent, sustained effort to finally get an idea enacted into law.

MRF logoEach year the MRF organizes an event called Bikers in the Beltway, where organizations and individuals make an effort to speak with senators and congressmen and women to promote this legislation and to educate these elected officials about the issues. This year and last the effort was less in person than usual and more virtual. But it was done, and that was in early May.

The number one priority for the MRF this year has been the once-every-five-years highway bill. The group’s position states: The highway bill is a vital part of our transportation policy making system. The opportunity to dramatically impact our surface transportation system comes around only once every five years. Using this legislative vehicle to include important motorcycle specific priorities is a must. The House wisely included many of these provisions during committee markup in 2020. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is encouraged by the work of the House in 2020 and seeks continued support for motorcyclists in any permanent bill.

The priorities in the bill are:
• Preserving the Motorcycle Education & Awareness Program Grant Funding. (Sec. 3001)
• Preserving the ban on federal funding for motorcycle only checkpoints.(Sec. 3011)
• Preserving the Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) to advise the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration).(Sec. 3013)
• Preserving language that collects motorcyclist profiling data.(Sec. 3505)
• Preserving mandate that autonomous vehicles must detect and respond to motorcycles.(Sec. 5304)
• Preserving the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Lobbying Ban and expand to other federal agencies.
• Preserving the language that motorcycles are not considered single-occupancy vehicles for HOV lane access.
• Ensure that motorcycles are not banned from federally funded roads.

Some of these issues are obvious. Motorcycles not banned from federally funded roads? Well, duh. Why is it even necessary to state that explicitly in law?

Others not so much. Preserve the NHTSA lobbying ban? I’ll go into details on some of these in my next couple posts.

Meanwhile, if you care about your rights and safety as a motorcyclist you might consider supporting at least one of the several groups working for all of us at both the federal and state levels.

Biker Quote for Today

Oh, my lifestyle offends you? Go hold your breath till I give a damn.

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MRF Agenda Looks Much The Same

Monday, October 12th, 2020

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) released its legislative agenda for the coming year and it looks much like last year’s agenda. That’s how these things work: You chip away year after year until you finally reach your objective. There are few easy fixes.

MRF logoThe MRF, just to recap, is the national motorcyclist rights organization that works in Washington, DC, with Congress on issues of importance nationally to riders. Meanwhile, all the local and state ABATEs provide the same function on the state levels.

Here’s the MRF agenda. I’ll add a few notes on some of them.

  • Profiling: Continue pursuit of the House anti-profiling resolution mirroring the Senate version that passed unanimously. Build momentum for inclusion of anti-profiling language in other legislation. (This is to halt the practice of law enforcement agencies setting up checkpoints solely for motorcyclists; if you want to stop all motorists and check for valid licenses, etc., that’s fine, but not just motorcyclists.)
  • Renewable Fuels: Advocate for targeted changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). (This is aimed at protecting motorcycle engines from the negative effects of too-high ethanol content in gas.)
  • Autonomous Vehicles: Advocate and monitor any legislation or regulations related to motorcycles concerning connected and autonomous vehicles. (Make sure autonomous vehicles see and recognize motorcycles.)
  • Emission Regulations: Engage the EPA & Congress on any activity related to motorcycle emission regulations.
  • Definition of a Motorcycle: Educate policymakers and advocate for change to current definition, that better reflects the current two- and three-wheel motorcycle landscape. (Ensure that regulations affecting motorcycles are based on statistics truly related to motorcycles, i.e., two-wheeled vehicles primarily, and treat three- and four-wheel vehicles as a different class of vehicle.)
  • Crash Avoidance: Continue to promote the theme of crash avoidance versus safer crashing urging NHTSA and the DOT to focus on crash prevention and rider education.
  • Helmet Laws: Oppose any mandatory federal helmet, apparel or conspicuity standards.
  • Black Box: Pursue legislative language that any collected or available vehicle data is the property of the consumer and in which the consumer has the choice to opt-out of having their personal data communicated to interested parties.
  • Surface Transportation Reauthorization (Highway Bill): Advocate and pursue legislative efforts that impact motorcyclists in the Highway Bill, now set to expire in 2021.

Seriously, I wouldn’t expect many of these items to be checked off a done a year from now but if the MRF was not there doing its work it is easily imaginable that these situations could get worse. At the very least, preventing backsliding is itself a worthwhile objective.

Biker Quote for Today

So when push comes to shove, get the Harley revved up, the moon can eclipse even the sun. — Lou Reed

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