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March 2008
Dear News &
Notes Subscribers:
In December, 2007, AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman wrote a letter
to AMA members describing changes underway at the Association. It
first appeared on the AMA's website and subsequently in the February
issue of American Motorcyclist. We have updated the article so that
it addresses all motorcyclists and we are sharing it with you so
that you have a clear understanding of how the AMA is changing to
better serve motorcyclists everywhere. Please feel free to reprint
or distribute this article to your readers. Thank you.
Putting AMA Members First
By AMA
President and CEO Rob Dingman.
When I became the AMA President and CEO, I launched a
wide-ranging effort to rededicate the Association to its core
mission: to promote the motorcycling lifestyle and protect its
future. Over the years, the AMA's core mission had become diluted
because we had taken on more than we could reasonably accomplish.
Some of the most acute criticisms came from our loyal members.
Amateur and professional racers were frustrated by our inability to
effectively market and promote our racing series. Rights advocates
told us we needed to have a firmer grasp on the regulatory and
legislative threats to motorcycling. Off-road and street riders
pointed out that our member benefits and services were average at
best. In our effort to be all things, we had strayed from our duty
to put our members first.
In September 2007, we laid out a new vision-and a new way of
thinking-to the AMA Board of Directors. With their full support, we
unveiled our plans to AMA staff and published an open letter which
was picked up by many media outlets. In it, we explained our primary
objectives, including our decision to get out of the racing
promotions business.
This new direction for AMA racing is a significant change for
the Association, but it is just the first step in our
reorganization. By partnering with professional racing promoters who
can elevate motorcycle competition in America, we serve the best
interests of our members who race. More importantly, it allows the
AMA to focus more attention and resources on its core mission as we
retool to provide better member services.
As the premier motorcycling organization in the United States,
it's helpful to step back and look at who the AMA represents.
Collectively, we embody a broad spectrum of brands, motorcycle
styles, ages, ethnicities and occupations. We are a cultural
cross-section of America, each of us sharing a passion for life that
we proudly display through our love of riding. While we are fiercely
independent, we are also responsible citizens who care deeply for
our neighbors and our communities.
We are blessed to live in a country where the available riding
experiences are unparalleled. Off-road or on-road, on the track or
on the street, America's motorcyclists enjoy some of the most
spectacular riding opportunities imaginable. Yet hardly a day passes
when our right to ride is not challenged. Off-road areas and
motocross parks are threatened with closures. Insurance companies
reduce or eliminate our medical coverage. Law enforcement agencies
selectively administer the rules of the road. Legislatures impose
unreasonable mandates.
Thanks to the vigilance of our members, the AMA has fended off
many of these threats. However, we must place more resources on the
ground in Washington and in state capitals to better anticipate
these conflicts and proactively work with regulators and legislators
to ensure that the long-term interests of motorcyclists are
advanced.
The AMA must focus on the needs of our members in other areas as
well. Motorcycling has enjoyed unprecedented growth in the last 20
years, and there are an estimated six million riders in America. To
increase the AMA membership, we must significantly improve the
number and quality of our member benefits. Discounts on
accommodations, travel and emergency services, roadside support and
more must lead the industry in value. Our member outreach and
communications must also be world-class. American Motorcyclist,
your magazine, must showcase our diverse and talented members and
convey the excitement and variety of motorcycling. Our website and
electronic communications must be inviting, easy to access and
updated with timely and useful information.
As President and CEO, I am committed to leading the AMA in the
only way I know how: with integrity, hard work, determination and an
unwavering focus on where we need to go. I expect the same of our
staff. The AMA will work like never before to provide the best
service and support possible. Our job will not be done until every
member tells us that their AMA membership is worth far more than
what they paid for it.
Every two
years American Trails presents the National Trails Awards
to recognize the tremendous contributions of volunteers,
professionals, businesses, and other leaders who are working to
create a national system of trails for all Americans. Two new awards
will be presented at the 19th National Trails Symposium for Best
Trails State Award and Community Service Award, among the 12 other
categories. Nominations should cover accomplishments during the
period of June 1, 2006 - May 31, 2008. The deadline for nominations
is May 31, 2008. For additional information or to download the
nomination form go to
www.AmericanTrails.org.
Nebraska
lawmakers narrowly rejected an attempt to weaken the state's
mandatory motorcycle helmet law. Lawmakers voted 25-23 against
advancing Legislative Bill 253, which would have allowed people age
21 and older to ride motorcycles and go without helmets as long as
they wore eye protection and had taken a safety course. State law
currently requires all riders to wear helmets.
The bill's sponsor, State Sen. Kent Rogert of Tekamah, said he
doesn't expect the issue will come up again this year but that
motorcyclists will continue pressing for change in the future.
The American
Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Colorado Off Highway
Vehicle Coalition is supporting state legislation that would lower
the legal sound limit for off highway motorcycles, ATVs and
snowmobiles. Senate bill 63 was introduced by Senator Josh Penry
(R-Grand Junction) and has been referred to the Senate Committee on
Transportation. The text of this bill is available on the Rapid
Response page of
www.AMADirectLink.com.
Georgia
legislation introduced by Representative Bill Hembree
(R-Douglasville), would allow riders who complete a motorcycle
safety course to be eligible for a premium reduction in their motor
vehicle insurance. House Bill 992 would provide another incentive to
take a course through the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program
www.dds.ga.gov/Training/motor/index.aspx.
Indiana
has three bills introduced in the Indiana General Assembly which
would revise or eliminate the $10 fee owners pay into the spinal
cord and brain injury fund for each motorcycle registration.
Inserted into the budget bill last session, the $10 fee has been
controversial because it applies only to motorcycle registrations.
House Bill 1295, House Bill 1318, and Senate Bill 320 should be of
interest to all on-highway motorcyclists and can be found on
www.AMADirectlink.com
under the Statewatch section.
Missouri
House Bill 1388, sponsored by Representative Stanley Cox (R-District
118), would prohibit children ten years of age or younger from
riding as a passenger on any motorcycle or motortricycle. Use the
AMA Rapid Response Center on www.AMADirectlink.com to let your state
representative know that responsible parents and guardians, not the
government, know best at what age their children are capable of
riding on a motorcycle.
New Jersey
Assembly bill 823, introduced by Assemblyman Reed Gusciora
(D-Princeton), would make numerous changes to state law regarding
off-highway motorcycles, ATVs and snowmobiles. Chief among these
changes are registration requirements for dirtbikes, the display of
an identification number and the creation of an off-road vehicle
fund for "education and enforcement purposes."
The bill also creates severe new penalties for illegally riding
an OHV on public lands. AB 823 is identical to legislation that
received a lot of attention, but nevertheless died, in the last
legislative session. The bill text is available in the Rapid
Response Center of
www.AMADirectLink.com.
Mississippi
has two motorcyclist-friendly bills sponsored by Senator Bob M.
Dearing (D-Natchez) that would benefit all riders in the state.
Senate Bill 2083 would increase penalties for vehicle operators
convicted of a failure to stop or yield the right-of-way that
results in injury or death, while Senate Bill 2088 would establish a
motorcycle operator safety program. Contact Sen. Dearing to say
"thanks," then contact your senator in support of both bills. Visit
the Mississippi StateWatch area in
www.AMADirectlink.com
and send a support message to your state senator today.
Virginia
will remain one of only two states in the nation where it is illegal
for motorcyclists to ride side by side in a lane. House Bill 48
aimed to make it legal for motorcyclists to ride abreast in a single
lane but was defeated in a 9-9 vote by the Transportation committee.
Vermont is the only other state where riding two abreast in a
lane is illegal. The penalty in Vermont is a traffic infraction. In
Virginia, it is a misdemeanor carrying harsh penalties.
Those who opposed the bill cited safety concerns and unclear
language as reasons for voting against the measure while others
argue that since Virginia police often ride side by side when
escorting processions and motorcades, motorcyclists also should be
permitted to ride two abreast.
Oklahoma
House Bill 3241, sponsored by Representative Skye McNiel (R-29),
would require detectors for certain traffic-actuated signals to
recognize the presence of motorcycles. For years, riders have
complained of being stranded at intersections controlled by
traffic-actuated signals that don't detect their motorcycles.
Contact your state representative in support of HB 3241 by using the
AMA Rapid Response Center at
www.AMADirectlink.com.
Virginia
House bill 460, introduced by Delegate Donald Merricks (R-Danville),
would restrict riders between the ages of 12 and 16 to dirtbikes
that don't exceed 90cc displacement. Youngsters under 12 would be
restricted to machines displacing 70cc or less. The bill has been
referred to the House Committee on Transportation. More information
is available in the Rapid Response Center on
www.AMADirectLink.com.
West
Virginia House Bill 2834, sponsored by Delegate Kenneth
Tucker (D-Moundsville), would permit motorcycle helmet choice for
adults who have a motorcycle license or endorsement for at least two
years. The legislation would also increase the motorcycle safety and
education committee to eight members.
Oregon's
Department of Transportation (ODOT) has released a report on a pilot
program that examined the feasibility of replacing the gas tax with
a fee based on miles driven in Oregon and collected at fueling
stations. The pilot program also explores the feasibility of using
this system to collect congestion charges.
ODOT launched a 12-month pilot program in April 2006 designed to
test the technological and administrative feasibility of this
concept. The program included 285 volunteer vehicles, 299 motorists,
and two service stations in Portland. The 101 page report can be
found at
www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/RUFPP/docs/RUFPP_finalreport.pdf.
A US Forest
Service (USFS) Appeal Deciding Officer reversed a decision
on January 10th that would have closed over 14 miles of historic
off-highway vehicle (OHV) motorized trails in a Northern California
Forest. This decision was in response to appeals filed by the
BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) and Del Norte County to the Smith River
National Recreation Area (NRA) Road Management and Route Designation
Project on the Six Rivers National Forest.
In early November, the County and BRC filed appeals based on
concerns that the Six Rivers National Forest's Decision Notice and
FONSI approving Alternative 2, as modified, would close many
important motorized trails to local users. BRC believed the Ranger
District had misinterpreted the 2001 Clinton Roadless Rule as
prohibiting the designation of motorized trails in roadless areas.
Currently, the 19 National Forests in California are in various
stages of route designation as required by the nationwide Forest
Service Travel Management Rule. The NRA's process was one of the
first projects completed where a final decision notice had been
issued.
Arizona
State Parks is now accepting applications for those wanting to take
part in the new Arizona Off-Highway Vehicle Ambassador Program. This
program partners with public land managers, county sheriff's
offices, and local OHV clubs to form "A partnership of agencies and
volunteers dedicated to enhancing and conserving motorized
recreation opportunities in Arizona".
Ambassadors regularly participate in public relations at staging
areas, site cleanups, and trail monitoring patrols. Ambassadors
serve as point of contact for OHV users while portraying a
responsible riding land ethic.
For more information go
http://www.azstateparks.gov/partnerships/ohv/OHVindex.html and
click on the Ambassador graphic.
Colorado's
El Paso County Commissioners are proposing that the Corral Bluffs
area along Highway 94 east of Colorado Springs become a proposed
county-owned but privately managed motorcycle park.
El Paso County Commissioner Jim Bensberg, an avid motorcyclist,
champion of the park, and former AMA government relations staff,
said the park is the right idea at the right time in the right
location and has submitted an application for a $320,000 state OHV
grant that would partially pay for the parkland.
The 522 acres, owned by longtime developers the Case family, are
under contract with the county for a tentative purchase price of
$750,000. About 20 miles of single-track dirt trails designed by a
professional consultant and constructed to minimize erosion would be
part of the park as well as planned nature areas, hiking trails, and
family picnic areas. Fees have yet to be set, but county officials
envision riders paying a daily or yearly fee.
For more information contact AMA Western States Representative
Nick Haris at
nharis@ama-cycle.org.
The Bureau
of Land Management (BLM) Hollister Field Office recently
signed a memorandum of understanding with three local motorcycle
shops to assist BLM with selling season passes to the Clear Creek
Management Area. BLM's Hollister field management is excited about
the new partnership to the popular off-highway recreation area.
Additional motorcycle shops in Coalinga and Fresno will be added to
the partnership in the near future. Beginning December 17, users can
purchase a season pass from Hollister Honda, Pinit Motorsports in
Salinas, Zoom Cycle in Santa Clara, the Hollister Field Office or at
the Clear Creek Management Area on weekends.
The BLM will begin charging fees at Clear Creek on January 1,
2008. Visitors can either purchase a season pass for the calendar
year or a weekly pass good from Wednesday through Tuesday regardless
of the day of purchase. The season pass will cost $80 for a primary
vehicle and up to two OHVs. Additional OHVs can be added to the
season pass for $20 per vehicle. The weekly pass will cost $5 for
the primary vehicle and $10 per OHV. Season passes are also
available at the BLM - Hollister Field Office, Monday through
Friday, from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.
The fees collected will be used to maintain existing facilities,
develop additional services, provide for law enforcement and help
protect sensitive resources in the area. For more information,
contact Lesly Smith at (831) 630-5015 or call the office at
831-630-5000.
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. |