AMA News & Notes - November 2009‏

AMA News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Government Relations Department. Designed to inform motorcyclists of rights-related issues and events around the world, AMA News & Notes welcomes your input. Suggestions and contributions can be sent to AMA Legislative Assistant Sheila Andrews by e-mail at sandrews@ama-cycle.org.

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            Federal government gives go-ahead on first major motorcycle crash causation study in 28 years. Supplemented by donations from AMA and six state safety programs, a significant new motorcycle crash causation study will soon get under way at Oklahoma State University (OSU). Formally announced by the Federal Highway Administration on Oct. 5, the study will give motorcyclists and others concerned with highway safety a fuller picture of how motorcycles fit into today's traffic mix, a better understanding of what causes motorcycle crashes, and insights into the best strategies to prevent these crashes. To read the announcement, visit: http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1392.

            U.S. lawmakers conduct hearing that considers banning motorized vehicles from more than 9 million acres in Utah. Recently the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands, chaired by Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), held a hearing to consider H.R. 1925, the America's Red Rock Wilderness Act of 2009. The proposal would close off 9.4 million acres of Utah's public land to motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and bicycles, and would even limit some horseback riding. Popular off-highway vehicle riding areas included in the legislation are Moab, the San Rafael Swell and Chimney Rock, among others. To view a video of the hearing, please go to http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=27&extmode=view&extid=292. To view AMA's press release regarding the hearing on H.R. 1925, visit http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1375

            AMA drafts model on-highway motorcycle sound legislation. The AMA has developed new model legislation for use by cities seeking a simple, consistent and economical way to deal with sound complaints related to on-highway motorcycles within the larger context of excessive sound from all sources.

            The model legislation offers an objective method for municipal jurisdictions to evaluate motorcycle sound through science-based measurement. It's based on the Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) new J2825 standard, "Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles." The AMA produced similar model legislation for off-highway motorcycles several years ago.

            Source:http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1366

            AMA unveils 'Think. Ride.' public service announcement campaign.The AMA announced a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign called "Think. Ride." that encourages both on-road and off-road motorcyclists and ATV riders to think before they ride. The responsible-use messages feature actor and AMA Board of Directors member Perry King. The first phase of "Think. Ride." is a series of short videos that encourages proper safety gear and safe, responsible riding practices, and discourages impaired riding and excessive exhaust sound. Another video tells car and truck drivers to watch out for motorcyclists on the road. The PSA videos are available online at http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/resources.asp.

            U.S. DOT Distracted Driving Summit held in Washington, DC. Over 300 attendees listened to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood open and close the two-day summit with warnings on the dangers of distracted driving, particularly texting while operating a motor vehicle. Six panel discussions focused on definitions and data, research, technology, legislation, regulation and enforcement, youth programs, and public awareness and education. Included in the summit were presentations by several members of Congress. Archived versions of the entire web broadcasts and proceedings are available at http://www.rita.dot.gov/distracted_driving_summit.

            National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) employees allegedly involved in illegal lobbying efforts. In a recently released report, investigators with the U.S. Department of the Interior's Office of Inspector General (OIG) uncovered alleged wrongdoing in the relationships between certain NLCS employees of the Bureau of Land Management and anti-access groups.

E-mails and other documents show extensive coordination between top NLCS officials and environmental lobbyists, said Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT), the top Republican on the National Parks, Forests and Public Lands Subcommittee.

            The main groups involved appear to be the Wilderness Society and the National Wildlife Federation, a House GOP aide said. At some point NLCS officials had weekly meetings with these and other groups, often at the Wilderness Society's office, to coordinate lobbying strategy and messaging, the aide said. E-mails indicate that NLCS officials also requested the anti-access groups to write budget language, the aide added. E-mails also mention coordinating lobbying efforts, setting up NLCS events, sending out draft memorandums for each other to review and preparing for congressional hearing. All this seems to have occurred despite a federal law that specifically prohibits federal employees from using appropriated funds or their official positions to lobby Congress.

            To read the full OIG report, visit: http://www.doioig.gov/upload/NLCSBishop-ROI-redacted-092909-FINAL-online%20copy.pdf.

            Webinar available on public land access advocacy rights: The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC) is pleased to announce the schedule of the fourth and final module of their Public Land Advocacy webinar series on October 6,14 and 22. This four-part series is designed to assist government agency personnel, off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, and other interested parties with creating and maintaining sustainable OHV trails.

            Due to funding provided by the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association as well as the Yamaha OHV Access Initiative Program, this webinar series is free to participants.

            The fourth module is entitled, Making It Work. This module ties together the previous modules and gives concrete examples of where the principles taught in the other three modules are working. It also helps enthusiasts work with their land managers and helps move everyone forward toward sustainable OHV trail systems while working within the processes.

            For more information or to register, visit http://www.nohvcc.org/education/webinars.asp.

            Beginning October 1, 2009, the AMA will accept applications from qualified non-profit (501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4)), motorcycle-related organizations for grants to promote motorcycle safety and awareness education. The deadline for submission of an application is December 31, 2009.

            On March 1, 2010, the AMA will award five $1,000 Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Education Grants to selected organizations, based on the merits of their current program to raise motorcycle safety and awareness through educational programs in schools, businesses and community centers and at motorcycle-related events.

            To request more details and a grant application, contact Imre Szauter, government affairs manager, at (614) 856-1900 x1125 or via email to iszauter@ama-cycle.org.

            Sparks, Nevada: Radio listeners across Nevada and the eastern sierra of California will soon hear new one-minute spots urging OHV enthusiasts to "stay on trails," and to "use your power responsibly." This radio ad campaign is the third phase of the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management's OHV public information project: a dedicated website, www.nevada-ohv.org, which provides important interagency OHV information from where to ride to safety tips, and four posted billboards placed in western and northern California, were launched in early August.

            To learn more about this release contact the Forest Public Affairs Officer, Christie Kalkowski, at 775-355-5311, or visit the interagency OHV website at www.nevada-ohv.org or the Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf.

            U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio has weighed in on the Umpqua National Forest Travel Management Plan.DeFazio (D-OR) sent a letter to the Forest Supervisor on September 30, 2009 in support of continued off-highway vehicle access and expressing concerns for the proposed Umpqua National Forest Travel Management plan and how it will impact motorized recreational opportunities. To view a PDF version of the letter, visit http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/legisltn/documents/Letter_to_Cliff_Dils_re-UNF_travel_management_09-30-2009.pdf

            Arizona: The operator of Arizona Motorsports Park, a racetrack located west of Litchfield Park, has won the right to resume operations at that facility. The Arizona Court of Appeals has turned thumbs down on efforts to keep the track closed because of noise complaints by unhappy neighbors. In a unanimous decision, the court overturned a January 2004 vote by the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors that put the track out of business.

            During a public meeting in June 2005, neighbors complained to Litchfield Park officials that the track was too noisy while it was operating. Track supporters countered that the neighbors apparently were able to distinguish the sound of cars using the track from the thunderous roar of F-16 fighter jets taking off and landing at nearby Luke Air Force Base.

            Source: http://www.westvalleyview.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=35311

            Colorado: As reported in the October edition of American Motorcyclist, Gov. Bill Ritter intends to propose a new plan for the management of Colorado's "roadless" areas. The Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition (COHVCO) is defending the existing plan. In an action alert COHVCO Chairman Glenn Graham noted that the current plan was developed with significant public input and with the support of a Task Force created by the state legislature. Graham states, "Not only is access to over 4 million acres of Forest Service Roadless Areas at stake, many critical economic uses are being targeted despite the recommendations of the Task Force." For more information visit www.cohvco.org.

            Hawaii: The Kauai Police Department Patrol Services Bureau has designated October as "Noise Prohibition Awareness Month." A department spokesman said, "We want to call attention to the fact that excessive noise can be a hazard to public health and safety, and there

are laws that address this issue." In particular, the department sought to remind the public that state law prohibits the modification of motorcycle exhaust systems in a "manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the motor..."

            Source:  http://www.kauai.gov/Portals/0/Mayor/PIO/NR09-28-09-B.pdf 

            Idaho: Gov. Butch Otter has indicated no objections to a joint legislative committee's decision to hold off for another year - until July 1, 2011 - a plan to shift gas tax funding away from the state parks department and the Idaho State Police. The shift was a key part of a session-ending deal between the governor and state lawmakers and happened after Otter failed, for a second year running, to persuade lawmakers to raise the gas tax and vehicle registration fees to fund more roadwork. A task force looking into the issue held its organizational meeting in August and their second meeting on October 8.

            Source: http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/boise/2009/sep/30/otter-ok-year-delay-gas-tax-funding-shift

            Oregon: House Bill 2370, sponsored by Rep. Dave Hunt (D-Milwaukee) and recently Signed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski, requires motor vehicle insurers to provide a reduction in premium charges for three years for coverage of a motorcycle if the principal operator of a covered motorcycle has completed a motorcycle rider education course.

            Pennsylvania: Senate Resolution 153, which would request that the U.S. Congress amend the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to exclude dirtbikes, ATVs and snowmobiles, has passed out of the Senate Environmental Resources Committee. The resolution, introduced by Sen. John Wozniak (D-Johnstown), will now go before the full Senate. To support S.R. 153 use the "Rights" page of www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com to contact your senator.

            Washington State: Washington Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance (WOHVA) files lawsuit to block transfer of OHV funds to State Parks. WOHVA has teamed up with the Northwest Motorcycle Association to file a lawsuit against the state of Washington to block the transfer of over 9.5 million dollars in funds from the Non-highway and Off-road Vehicle Activities (NOVA) account to State Parks. This past spring the Legislature passed House Bill 1244, which transferred the money out of the NOVA account. The account monies come from the gas tax paid by off-highway vehicle users and the license tab fees on off-highway vehicles.

            In 1972 the OHV community supported passage of legislation that waived their right to a direct refund of the taxes they paid for ORV fuel in exchanged for having those same funds "refunded" into a dedicated account to promote and protect their sport. Later on, their ORV license tab money was added to this account as well. The NOVA program was established to administer these funds.

Source: http://www.wohva.org