CONGRESSIONAL VISITS

The last two weeks of July are always the busiest of the legislative year, and even more so when there’s a newly seated President. Nevertheless, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) was proud to work with two different state motorcyclists’ rights groups visiting DC - Freedom of Road Riders (FORR) from Missouri and Kentucky Motorcycle Association, Kentucky Biker Association (KMA-KBA) respectively.

We had two successful weeks with several high-level meetings, including a sit down with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) in his prestigious capitol leadership office. Both groups were returning, coincidentally, after a decade plus break. So it was even more impressive to see the great respect and admiration the congressional delegations had for the groups. Just goes to show that staying involved and active with your politicians when they are back home for breaks pays off.

MY MAN MITCH

It’s not a secret that Indianapolis is a breeding ground for fans of motor sports and all things fast, and one of those fans happens to be Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. For those unfamiliar with him, Governor Daniels’ state is currently one of only three in the country that is in the fiscal black. So not only is he working miracles in the state capitol, but he also finds time to ride his Harley Fat Boy. Now that’s my kind of governor! In a recent interview before a ride with 500 of his closest friends, Daniels flatly denied that a helmet law would reduce fatalities, stating that the emphasis should be on training and awareness. My man Mitch! http://www.mymanmitch.com/index.asp http://www.in.gov/gov/

THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS?

New York City (NYC) has always been known as place that generates 24-hour background noise. Between the police sirens, the honk-happy cabbies, and general street corner mischief, it’s impossible to find total silence out of doors in the Big Apple. When you live in NYC you learn to deal with it. However, one NYC council member doesn’t want to deal with it; instead he wants to achieve something he calls “silent night,” and he is starting with motorcycles. As previously reported by the MRF, NYC Council Member Alan Gerson introduced a bill that would fine any “stopped, standing, or parked motorcycle” that does not have the EPA stamp on the exhaust pipe. Bill 416-A was originally introduced in January, but Councilman Gerson held it back because of the community outcry over the bill. His newest version of the bill does not include the language about permanent forfeiture of the bike that was included in the original bill, but the fines are steep - up to $3500 for a third offense. At their request, the MRF is working with the NYC motorcycle community to see that this bill does not become law. Fortunately, inside sources with the NYC Mayor’s office also indicate that he has no intention of signing the bill. The MRF will continue to keep you updated on this situation. You can visit Councilman Gerson’s website at http://council.nyc.gov/d1/html/members/home.shtml

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© 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.