Stuff from the News

By John DelSanto

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation has learned from a source at the US Department of Transportation that they have funded the motorcycle only roadside checkpoints.
NHTSA decided to fund the program despite being asked by Congress not to fund the program until the merits were explained. In a letter sent by James Sensenbrenner, along with ten other Members of the House of Representatives last month, Sensenbrenner and his colleagues specifically asked NHTSA to respond to the letter before funding the program, they did not. These checkpoints will follow the example of those started by New York State where police set up operation outside of motorcycle events, and stopped motorcyclists as they entered and exited and gave safety lectures on equipment maintenance, safe driving, and drinking and riding.
The recipient of the money for the demo project was the Georgia Department of Public Safety, which oversees the day-to-day operation of the Georgia State Patrol. The Georgia State Patrol will conduct a series of roadside motorcycle safety checks in accordance with what was outlined in the Request for Applications. The amount of NHTSA funding is $70,000.00.
"Not only is this an injustice to the motorcyclists of America its a complete waste of taxpayer money." said Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs for the MRF.
The MRF will keep you informed on this issue and any actions you can take to defend your freedoms, at stake in Washington.

Designated Motorcycle Parking – Recommendation made to the ABATE Board of Directors propose a bill that requires all new construction planning/re-striping of state, county and public parking to include
motorcycle parking.
To:
Federal action to allow more ethanol in gasoline could damage motorcycles

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to allow the ethanol portion of blended gasoline to be increased from the current 10 percent to 15 percent for certain vehicles, which could pose a danger for motorcycles, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

On Oct. 13, the EPA announced approval of a waiver for E15. Under the decision, E15 is now approved for use in model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. It isn't approved for use in any other gasoline-fueled engines. To see the EPA news release, go to http://tinyurl.com/US-EPA-E15.

"The AMA supports the use of cleaner-burning fuels, but we are concerned that gasoline containing more than 10 percent ethanol could result in premature engine damage or failure while a motorcycle is being ridden," said Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager. "We're also concerned about any degradation in performance, fuel economy and rideability that may result from the long-term use of blended fuels with greater than 10 percent ethanol."

The EPA, in allowing more ethanol in gas, specifically said that its decision covers model year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks, and no other vehicles at this time, including motorcycles.
"Motorcycle manufacturers only certify their machines to run on gasoline or a blend with up to 10 percent ethanol, which is known as E10," Szauter said. "So using the 15 percent blend in a motorcycle could void the bike's warranty."
For more than three years the AMA has been on the record opposing increases in the ethanol level allowed in gasoline until studies show that an increase won't damage motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) engines, and won't make motorcycles emit more nitrogen oxides than are allowed by the EPA.

"The message we want to deliver today is that once E15 gas is offered for sale, there are a variety of reasons not to put it in your motorcycle gas tank," Szauter said. "In fact, the EPA even says you aren't allowed to put E15 in your bike."

John Del Santo
( 619 ) 223-0421