| MRF E-MAIL NEWS
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
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) October 26, 2005 #05NR28 - BikePAC of Oregon Press Release The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is issuing the following release at
the request of BikePAC of Oregon. BikePAC of Oregon news release -- Motorcycle Safety Foundation asks to
have its course certified in Oregon Bike PAC of Oregon PAC 00019 Friday, October 21, MSF’s Oregon lobbyist formally presented a report asking
MSF’s Beginning Rider Course (BRC) motorcycle training program to be
certified by ODOT. This manuscript is a self-critique by MSF evaluating their
program against Team Oregon. Team Oregon is currently the only state
approved rider training which can grant DMV skills test waivers for getting
driver’s license motorcycle endorsements. MSF is asking to be able to issue
DMV test waivers as well.BikePAC received a copy of this book and it is currently under review. According to Ken Ray, Executive Director of BikePAC, there will be more detailed information in the future about the contents. Ken does believe there are several items in this document that bear some initial scrutiny. For example under section IV, Comparing BRC to Team Oregon, MSF believes that an acceptable training motorcycle for a first-time rider is one that is 500cc and 30 inches high at the seat. Also the MSF document has quite a bit of condemnation of Team Oregon and the methodology of Oregon’s study which evaluated rider training in the state. A National research group affiliated with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently declared Team Oregon as having the highest national ranking in promising practices in motorcycle safety and rider training. BikePAC therefore finds MSF’s criticism out of place in a document purported to be an objective side-by-side evaluation. However, the proposal must be examined at face value and objectively assessed. BikePAC has full confidence that the Governor’s Advisory Board on Motorcycle safety will evaluate this proposal thoroughly. As BikePAC’s primary desire is for the most effective rider training to be in place in Oregon, we welcome a fair, thorough and objective appraisal. It was made clear that there will be an opportunity for public input and the views of all of us will be taken into account. It will be crucial for every rider in Oregon to stay on top of this issue. Motorcyclists in Oregon created the Oregon motorcycle safety program from scratch some 20 years ago and we are all the caretakers of it for the future. For more information, contact: Ken Ray Executive Director 503 351 8193
www.bikepac.com <<30>> To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit http://www.mrf.org/subscribe.php Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or
call 1-202-546-0983 Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences.Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration information. Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist Scholarship fund
today. For complete details, visit http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php. Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by visiting
http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and
non-MRF members. (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. MRF E-MAIL NEWS
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
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) October 14, 2005 #05NR27 - A.B.A.T.E. of Mississippi Press Release The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is issuing the following release at the
request of A.B.A.T.E. of Mississippi. A.B.A.T.E. of Mississippi Katrina Relief Fund
October 13, 2005 A.B.A.T.E. of Mississippi would like to thank the many organizations and individuals from around the country that have so generously donated money and clothes to the Katrina Relief effort that we have going in Mississippi. This relief effort will be an ongoing issue for many months to come. The massive destruction of the Mississippi Gulf Coast area cannot be described in any amount of pictures and newscasts.
The real tragedy is the loss of people’s history and family treasures, not to mentions their homes and possessions. At least two meeting will be held in November to discuss how to distribute the money and other donations to our coastal brother and sisters. Although we are going to help as many members of the motorcycle community as we can, we will first focus on our A.B.A.T.E. members, then members of the COC that A.B.A.T.E. of MS is connected with. After that we will help as many other as we can. We have realized that we cannot help every biker in Mississippi that was affected by the Katrina, but even if we only help a few, that is a few more than would have been helped. Our first task is to locate the affected, as they have been displaced to who knows where. But thanks to the help from so many, we will be able to help those we can find. A.B.A.T.E. of Mississippi would like to thank each and every one of the organizations and individuals that have shown what the motorcycling community is about. WE as a community are of one mind, and that is the biker lifestyle. We stick together and put our hand out to any and all bikers that have tragedy strike them in whatever form.
I have been riding for 36 years and I have never been in a better community than
that of motorcycling. Thank you all,
Preacher
Legislative Affairs Officer
A.B.A.T.E. Of MS <<30>> To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit http://www.mrf.org/subscribe.php Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or
call 1-202-546-0983 Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration
information. Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist Scholarship fund
today. For complete details, visit http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php. Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by visiting
http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and non-MRF members. (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 is 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.
MRF LEADERS' REPORT
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
jeff@mrf.org (e-mail)
http://www.mrf.org (website) #05LR06 - MRF LEADERS' REPORT - Ride With The Leaders - October 14, 2005 TO: The Leaders of the American Motorcyclists' Rights Movement FROM: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President - Government Relations SUBJECT: October Leaders Report “That’s the night the lights went out in Georgia” or was it Little Rock? Let me just say maybe it was the fact it was my second Meeting of the Minds or maybe it was because the air conditioning wasn’t working at the auction or maybe it was because Hairy George gave me a dress. Whatever it was, this year Little Rock did exactly that, it rocked. This year the MRF turned 21 years old and had a party with lots of things to celebrate. I know I am not the only one that way; you could see it on almost every face. Thanks to everyone from ABATE of Arkansas for your hard work and thank you to those who came out to make this year a great one. Mark your calendars for the next MOTM in Indianapolis, Indiana September 21st through September 24th, 2006. What did you do for your twenty-second birthday? The View from the Hill With the highway bill (HR 3) done and out of the way the MRF agenda has turned to shepherding the motorcycle safety grant program and advisory council into operation. There has been a lot of talk lately about how we will pay for the devastation in the Gulf Coast Region and some talk has mentioned gutting the highway bill to free up some extra
cash. I can tell that if that does happen (though I doubt it will), it will not affect any of the grant money whatsoever. The twenty- five million dollars set aside for motorcycle rider
education and awareness programs will stay put. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to release the
details of how the states can apply to the program. When they do, the MRF will
immediately let you know. So get to work with your state program administrator and
start identifying where to spend the money. If we do not spend the money this time
around, prior to the close of 2009, it won’t be there next time Congress drafts a highway bill. Contact the MRF DC office with any questions you have about the newly available funds, which were supported by and solely lobbied for by the MRF, its members, and the
supporting State Motorcycle Rights Organizations (SMROs). Speaking of NHTSA NHTSA held its second motorcycle safety network meeting a few weeks back. The meetings
are organized by NHTSA and generally attended by a host of government folks as well as
AMA, MRF, SMSA, MSF, Harley Davidson, Honda and Kawasaki. The meetings are
conducted quarterly at NHTSA headquarters. This most recent meeting started off on the
issue of impaired riding and how to address the motorcyclists who are continuing to drink
and ride. The fact is alcohol continues to be a major factor in the rise of motorcycle crash
fatalities and the government is paying close attention. The discussion largely focused on
education and awareness campaigns to instill fear in motorcyclists should they get caught
and lose their motorcycle or be subject to some other punishment. This must become a
priority for motorcyclists everywhere. If as a community we do nothing, the government
will do it for us and I can tell you one thing, you will not like it. The meeting continued discussing the Florida and Louisiana helmet studies. At this point
NHTSA indicated after the Louisiana study is completed, they would not be doing helmet
studies for a while. Then NHTSA presented a study they had done on traditional braking versus Antilock Braking
Systems (ABS). They concluded the more technically advanced ABS is more reliable and
perform better than traditional brakes over a wider range of weather, load and handling
conditions. Thank the good folks at NHTSA for figuring that one out for us. Honda presented photos of a new option package for the Goldwing, the navigation and airbag
combined option. Honda seems confident this will be a popular item with its customers. Why is
the navigation system only offered with the airbag option? I guess so you can tell where you are if you crash. Overall, I am encouraged by NHTSA’s efforts to address the growing problem of motorcycle
fatalities and their engagement with the motorcycle community directly. Next meeting is in January. Stay tuned.Dealership Service only? A bill (HR 2048) has been introduced in the US House of Representatives that would penalize any motor vehicle manufacturers who forces owners of their motor vehicle products to rely on the dealership for maintenance and upkeep. In order to generate greater revenue, some motor vehicle manufacturers are intentionally designing vehicles to prohibit maintenance providers outside of the dealership network.
No matter if you are in your driveway or at the corner wrench’s shop, to be able perform certain aspects of maintenance in any manner at all was questionable. HR 2048, otherwise
known as the “Right to Repair Act of 2005”, puts penalties in place for any motor vehicle manufacturer who fails to provide proper training, diagnostic tools and any other special advice or tools to the owner of the motor vehicle or to a motor vehicle owner’s approved mechanic. The legislation clearly states “the ability to diagnose, service and repair a motor vehicle in a timely, reliable and affordable manner is essential to the safety and well-being
of motor vehicle consumers in the United States”. HR 2048 was introduced by Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) on May 3, 2005 and already has over
50 bi-partisan co-sponsors. No Senate counterpart has been introduced yet. The MRF will keep you informed on the movement of this legislation. The Energy H.O.G.? The US Department of Energy (DOE) recently unveiled it newest attempt to solve the nation’s energy problem. While it’s true that our nation is struggling with arguably the worst energy crisis since 1970, DOE had a chance to seriously address the problem. Instead they came up
with a PR campaign to educate the youth of America. In order to reach the youngsters, DOE came up with a cartoon “spokes villain” the kids could observe wasting energy. Bring in the Energy Hog, a big, goateed, mohawked, pierced, leather jacketed pig of a fellow,
standing on his hind hoofs. I know what you are thinking, “Wait…I know that guy!” The answe
r is you probably do or someone who resembles him, minus the hoofs I hope. The MRF felt the
Secretary of Energy should be informed we felt by using an obviously “biker” image to portray the wasteful scoundrel was in bad taste considering the gas efficiency of the majority motorcycles when compared to other vehicles on the highway, not to mention the depiction it is just simply rude. We haven’t received a response yet but will make it public when we do. If you ask me it should have been the “soccer mom sport utility stuck in traffic energy hog”. (No offense Mom!) You can witness this particular waste of federal money at its own website complete with video game. at: http://www.energyhog.org/ Spring is on the way
Soon the holidays will be on us and after a three month self-induced turkey- triptophane binge,
it will be time to come to Washington DC to lobby your Congressional delegation. Don’t wait until
you are getting the bike ready for the summer to start planning. The time to organize is now.
Some states have already begun to book their trips. I know it may seem early but spring will be
here before you know it and that’s when it is the best time to let your elected officials what you
want from them. Take a look at your calendar for February, March, April and May 2006. Please call the MRF DC office once you have several potential dates so we can look at the
congressional calendar for the second session of the 109th Congress and figure out the
most effective dates to visit DC. Please direct any travel or logistic questions to me in the
DC office as well. Of course it would be ideal if every state could send a group to the Capitol hopefully, someday that
will be the case. This year the MRF is doing things a little differently asking the home states of the ten
members of the House and Senate who won the MRF Champion award for 2005 to consider sending
a group for the explicit purpose of hand delivering the award to their member of Congress. The list of
the 2005 MRF Champions states includes: Alaska, Ohio, Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, Texas,
and Oklahoma. If your SMRO is represented by one of those states, please consider coming to DC if
you aren’t already. Also, the other forty-two states should seriously consider a trip to Washington in 2006. It will be a
great year to come, thank our supporters for everything they did in 2005 and question the folks who
tried to stand in our way and lost. Keep riding -Jeff Hennie <<30>> To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit http://www.mrf.org/subscribe.php Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or
call 1-202-546-0983 Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences.
Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration information. Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist Scholarship fund today.
For complete details, visit http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php. Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by
visiting http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to
MRF members and non-MRF members. (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
aug 16 MRF E-MAIL NEWS
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carol Downs, MRF Events & Conferences
downs@mrf.org (e-mail) August 16, 2005 #05NR22 - MRF Meeting of the Minds Overflows into Second Hotel Due to overwhelming registrations for this year's Meeting of the Minds,
the host hotel has sold out of rooms for the conference. If you have not
yet made your reservations for Meeting of the Minds in North Little Rock,
you will now need to use our overflow hotel, The Clarion Hotel. They will
honor the room rate for MRF Conference attendees. Be sure to mention
you are with the MRF. The reservation number is 501-374-9000. The
Wyndham and Clarion will be offering free shuttle service for conference
attendees between hotels. I also don't want you to forget to send in your conference registration. You
can register with a credit card on-line at http://www.mrf.org or by calling the
MRF office at 202-546-0983. You may also mail your registration to the MRF
office at 236 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Suite 510, Washington, DC 20002.
Conference registration is $70.00 for members and $80.00 for non-MRF
members. I really encourage your attendance this year. We have
outstanding workshops and very informative general sessions planned
for this conference. It has come to the attention of the MRF, some U.S. mail is being returned to
the sender from the old PO Box address with a "no forwarding address"
stamp. If you or a MRF member in your state, or SMRO mailed anything to
the old PO Box, (such as conference registrations) and you get them
returned, please resend to:
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE #510
Washington, D.C. 20002
<<30>> To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list,
visit http://www.mrf.org/subscribe.php Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF
at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983 Registration is easy and secure for the MRF Meeting of the Minds
conference. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for
further details and registration information. Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by visiting
http://www.mrf.org/join.php The program is available to MRF members
and non-MRF members. (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.
SONS OF LIBERTY RIDERS E-NEWS ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents:
--------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. What's in the SAFETEA-LU for Motorcycles?
2. Oregon ROW that will make you go mmmm
3. Car helmets for kids may save lives
4. HI, Were from NHTSA and were here to help you
5. Hero n Dork
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1. What's in the SAFETEA-LU for Motorcycles?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
I found a good copy of the final transportation bill on Thomas and
have broke out the sections pertaining to motorcycling in the bill to
send out to our legislative committee and others here at home and
thought it should be posted here also to help all understand what is
in this bill exactly. Two more sections in separate e-mails to follow.
Jim
SEC. 1914. MOTORCYCLIST ADVISORY COUNCIL.
(a) In General- The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the
Federal Highway Administration, in consultation with the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and
the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, shall
appoint a Motorcyclist Advisory Council to coordinate with and advise
the Administrator on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists,
including--
(1) barrier design;
(2) road design, construction, and maintenance practices; and
(3) the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system
technologies.
(b) Composition- The Council shall consist of not more than 10 members
of the motorcycling community with professional expertise in national
motorcyclist safety advocacy, including--
(1) at least--
(A) one member recommended by a national motorcyclist association;
(B) one member recommended by a national motorcycle riders foundation;
(C) one representative of the National Association of State Motorcycle
Safety Administrators;
(D) two members of State motorcyclists' organizations;
(E) one member recommended by a national organization that represents
the builders of highway infrastructure;
(F) one member recommended by a national association that represents
the traffic safety systems industry; and
(G) one member of a national safety organization; and
(2) at least one, and not more than two, motorcyclists who are traffic
system design engineers or State transportation department officials. SEC. 2010. MOTORCYCLIST SAFETY.
(a) Authority To Make Grants- Subject to the requirements of this
section, the Secretary
(b) Maintenance of Effort- No grant may be made to a State under this
section
in a fiscal year unless the State enters into such agreements with the
Secretary as the Secretary may require to ensure that the State will maintain its
aggregate expenditures from all the other sources for motorcyclist safety
training programs and motorcyclist awareness programs at or above the
average level of such expenditures in its 2 fiscal years preceding the date
of enactment of this Act.
(c) Allocation- The amount of a grant made to a State for a fiscal year under
this section may not be less than $100,000 and may not exceed 25 percent
of the amount apportioned to the State for fiscal year 2003 under section 402
of title 23, United States Code.
(d) Grant Eligibility-
(1) IN GENERAL- A State becomes eligible for a grant under this section by
adopting or demonstrating to the satisfaction of the Secretary--
(A) for the first fiscal year for which the State will receive a grant under this section,
at least 1 of the 6 criteria listed in paragraph (2); and
(B) for the second, third, and fourth fiscal years for which the State will receive a
grant under this section, at least 2 of the 6 criteria listed in paragraph (2).
(2) CRITERIA- The criteria for eligibility for a grant under this section are the following:
(A) MOTORCYCLE RIDER TRAINING COURSES- An effective motorcycle rider
training course that is offered throughout the State, provides a formal program
of instruction in accident avoidance and other safety-oriented operational skills
to motorcyclists and that may include innovative training opportunities to meet
unique regional needs.
(B) MOTORCYCLISTS AWARENESS PROGRAM- An effective statewide
program to enhance motorist awareness of the presence of motorcyclists
on or near roadways and safe driving practices that avoid injuries to motorcyclists.
(C) REDUCTION OF FATALITIES AND CRASHES INVOLVING MOTORCYCLES
- A reduction for the preceding calendar year in the number of motorcycle
fatalities and the rate of motor vehicle crashes involving motorcycles in the
State (expressed as a function of 10,000 motorcycle registrations).
(D) IMPAIRED DRIVING PROGRAM- Implementation of a statewide program
to reduce impaired driving, including specific measures to reduce impaired
motorcycle operation.
(E) REDUCTION OF FATALITIES AND ACCIDENTS INVOLVING
IMPAIRED MOTORCYCLISTS- A reduction for the preceding calendar
year in the number of fatalities and the rate of reported crashes involving
alcohol- or drug-impaired motorcycle operators (expressed as a function
of 10,000 motorcycle registrations).
(F) FEES COLLECTED FROM MOTORCYCLISTS- All fees collected
by the State from motorcyclists for the purposes of funding motorcycle
training and safety programs will be used for motorcycle training
and safety programs.
(e) Eligible Uses-
(1) IN GENERAL- A State may use funds from a grant under this
section only for motorcyclist safety training and motorcyclist
awareness programs, including--
(A) improvements to motorcyclist safety training curricula;
(B) improvements in program delivery of motorcycle training to both
urban and rural areas, including--
(i) procurement or repair of practice motorcycles;
(ii) instructional materials;
(iii) mobile training units; and
(iv) leasing or purchasing facilities for closed-course motorcycle skill training;
(C) measures designed to increase the recruitment or retention of
motorcyclist safety training instructors; and
(D) public awareness, public service announcements, and other
outreach programs to enhance driver awareness of motorcyclists,
such as the `share-the-road' safety messages developed under subsection (g).
(2) SUBALLOCATIONS OF FUNDS- An agency of a State that
receives a grant under this section may suballocate funds from
the grant to a nonprofit organization incorporated in that State to
carry out under this section.
(f) Definitions- In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1) MOTORCYCLIST SAFETY TRAINING- The term `motorcyclist
safety training' means a formal program of instruction that is
approved for use in a State by the designated State authority
having jurisdiction over motorcyclist safety issues, which may
include the State motorcycle safety administrator or a motorcycle
advisory council appointed by the Governor of the State.
(2) MOTORCYCLIST AWARENESS- The term `motorcyclist
awareness' means individual or collective awareness of--
(A) the presence of motorcycles on or near roadways; and
(B) safe driving practices that avoid injury to motorcyclists.
(3) MOTORCYCLIST AWARENESS PROGRAM- The term `motorcyclist
awareness program' means an informational or public awareness
program designed to enhance motorcyclist awareness that is
developed by or in coordination with the designated State authority
having jurisdiction over motorcyclist safety issues, which may include
the State motorcycle safety administrator or a motorcycle advisory
council appointed by the Governor of the State.
(4) STATE- The term `State' has the same meaning such term has
in section 101(a) of title 23, United States Code.
(g) Share-the-Road Model Language- Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the
Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
shall develop and provide to the States model language for use in
traffic safety education courses, driver's manuals, and other driver's
training materials instructing the drivers of motor vehicles on the
importance of sharing the roads safely with motorcyclists. SEC. 5511. MOTORCYCLE CRASH CAUSATION STUDY GRANTS.
(a) Grants- The Secretary shall provide grants to the Oklahoma
Transportation Center for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive,
in-depth motorcycle crash causation study that employs the common
international methodology for in-depth motorcycle accident investigation
of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
(b) Funding- Of the amounts made available under section 5101(a)(1)
of this Act, $1,408,000 for each of fiscal years 2006 and 2007 shall be
available to carry out this section.
James A. (Jim) West
Chairman
ABATEPAC (A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education Political Action Committee)
601 Highland Acres Road
Marshalltown, IA 50158
westjim@mchsi.com --------------------------------------------------------------
2. Oregon ROW that will make you go mmmm
--------------------------------------------------------------
Just received this from a friend in Oregon.... she was leading a group
of 14 women to the coast, the local Women in the Wind chapter out of
Medford area. Hwy 42 is a two-lane scenic by-way, w/ occasional
turnouts and passing lanes. It seems the group came upon a pickup
hauling a trailer of hay... doing 45 in a 55 zone. First sign of a passing
lane, the first group of the 14 moved to pass... the pickup, w/ 3 'cowboys'
inside, speeds up till the riders have to notch it up to 70-75 just to pass
before the lane runs out. This was done repeatedly until the last group
of three women were trying to pass (mind you, the truck continued to
slow to 45, then speed up at the passing lane).. now they're doing 80
just to pass, as they're committed (and w/ the trailer, there's no way to
get back behind the truck in time) as the lane is running out and an
oncoming car approaches from around the bend. The two women
managed to slip in front of the pickup in time, but the third couldn't,
had to make a sharp jump back into the lane to avoid a head-on, lost
control (most likely on road gravel after some investigation) and lost it
on the shoulder/embankment. Landed face down w/ her brand new
bike on top of her (after the bike did an end-over). Miraculously, no
broken bones or road rash (had helmet, leathers). The pick-up finally managed to pull over quite a ways up the road, but
told the cops that the women were passing illegally. And now this, from Teri: --------------------------------
Now I'm angry . I just found the Oregon State Police accident notice from
the Roseburg newspaper . it reads
4:04 pm - Rollover accident on Highway 42 at Milepost 63 in Tenmile. Driver
was cited for unsafe passing and was treated and released for minor injuries
at Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg. The driver hit an embankment after
trying to make a pass in a 2005 Harley Davidson and flipped the vehicle.
This stinks .
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3. Car helmets for kids may save lives
--------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/
073005dnbushelmets.21afbf19.html Car helmets for kids may save lives 08:45 PM CDT on Friday, July 29, 2005
Chicago Tribune
Michael Fleming, amateur inventor and full-time Houston attorney, has filed
a patent application for a new safety device for kids.
It's called the Automobile Helmet. "The time has come for a helmet that
protects children in autos," Mr. Fleming said. Actually the time is overdue. "Too many children are killed in car crashes from head injuries and too
many who survive face a future filled with head injuries," Mr. Fleming
said, citing government statistics that 2,500 children are killed and
294,000 injured annually in vehicle accidents. "A protective helmet must be produced to confront this problem," he said. But being produced and being worn are two different things. Based on age and weight, kids move from
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