AMA News & Notes - October 2011

OFF THE WIRE
October 2011

AMA News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Government Relations Department. Designed to inform motorcyclists about rights-related issues and events around the world, AMA News & Notes welcomes your input. Suggestions and editorial contributions can be sent to AMA Western States Representative Nick Haris by email at nharis@ama-cycle.org. 
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            Utilize AMA public service announcements (PSA) featuring AMA Board member and actor Perry King. The print, video and audio PSAs are available free to the media and the public to distribute and promote. The PSAs address impaired riding, excessive motorcycle exhaust sound, the importance of the proper safety gear, and responsible and safe off- highway riding. They also deliver an important message to drivers to watch for motorcyclists on the road. To access the PSA messages, visit: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/Resources/PublicServiceAnnouncements.aspx.


            Washington, D.C.: In a victory for families who enjoy responsible motorized recreation, President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill to allow the sale of kids' off-highway vehicles (OHVs) to continue. H.R. 2715 cleared the House by a 421-2 vote on Aug. 1, just before lawmakers went into their summer recess, and earned Senate approval by unanimous consent the same day. The measure exempts kids' OHVs from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, known as the lead law.
            The CPSIA, which went into effect on Feb. 10, 2009, banned the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under, including kids' dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles, that contained more than a specified amount of lead in any accessible part.
            The new law, introduced by Reps. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) and G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.),
is a significant victory that resulted from nearly three years of intensive efforts by the AMA and its partner organization, the All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA). Other significant efforts included those by industry trade groups, the motorcycle enthusiast and trade media and millions of individual advocates of responsible OHV recreation nationwide.
            The AMA magnified these efforts through its "Kids Just Want to Ride" campaign, and the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb in May 2011. To read more about what the AMA did in its efforts to exempt kids' OHVs from the CPSIA, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/KeepKidMotorcyclesAndATVsLegal.aspx.

            
            Dover, Del.: A new Delaware law establishes vehicular assault in the third degree as a crime and strengthens criminal penalties for vehicular assault in the second degree, vehicular homicide in the second degree, vehicular homicide in the first degree and criminally negligent homicide. The new law also gives sentencing courts wide latitude in crafting appropriate sentences for those who cause injury and death on Delaware roads. Gov. Jack Markell signed House Bill 174, sponsored by Rep. Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington South), on Aug. 3 to create the new law.

            Meanwhile, Markell on July 14 vetoed House Bill 95, sponsored by Rep. Michael Mulrooney (D-Pennwood), which would have eliminated the requirement that a person must have a safety helmet in their possession while operating, or riding on, a motorcycle. The governor’s veto message is available here.


            Springfield, Ill.: Gov. Pat Quinn wants motorcyclists and others stuck at red traffic signals to wait two minutes before going through the light. He made the proposal in an amendatory veto of House Bill 2860. The version of the bill that cleared the full legislature would have allowed motorcyclists to pass through the red light “after a reasonable period of time.” Lawmakers must now decide whether they agree with the proposal.
            Source and full story: www.sj-r.com/state/x1698393066/Quinn-changes-language-in-motorcycle-bill


            Farmington, N.M.: There is still time if you want to comment on the Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment and associated Environmental Assessment for the Glade Run Recreation Area. The Farmington Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has moved the comment deadline in its scoping process to Sept. 30. The agency is using the scoping process to try to get a handle on what issues to explore and what alternatives to develop for consider. Officials want to know what users would like to see in the area and why. Meetings and locations will be announced in local media and on the BLM Farmington Field Office website.
            Source and full story: www.nmohva.org/main/index.php


            Pickerington, Ohio: The on- and off-highway motorcycle sound resources page has been revamped on the AMA’s website. This includes information about Sound Advice, a document that addresses the excessive motorcycle sound issue, a video explanation of how to sound test a motorcycle, model legislation and more.
            Since its inception in 1924, the AMA has maintained a position of strong opposition to excessive motorcycle sound. The AMA has funded information and public relations campaigns in support of quieter motorcycle use, and was the world’s first motorsports sanctioning body to regulate and reduce the sound level of racing vehicles.
            Source and full story: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Rights/SoundAdvice.aspx


            Bend, Ore.: The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland are making changes to motor vehicle use rules on local Forest Service managed lands. Cross-country travel won’t be allowed except in designated areas. Also, camp sites must be within 300 feet of a road to use a motorized vehicle to get to them, and vehicles can’t park closer than 30 feet to any wetland, stream or water body at dispersed campsites. The new rules are expected to be in place in early November. Be sure to get Motor Vehicle Use maps that show where motorized vehicles are allowed from the forest and grasslands officials.
            Source and full story: www.ktvz.com/news/29020157/detail.html


            Salt Lake City, Utah: Davis County officials may take over management of the Jordan River Off-Highway Vehicle Park from the Utah Division of State Park. About half the park has already been transferred to Salt Lake County to be developed as part of a soccer complex. Some 150 acres of park land is being used by motorcyclists, but its unknown whether that will continue. The riding area includes four separate tracks and is open from early April to mid-October.
            Source and full story: www.standard.net/stories/2011/08/22/davis-county-looks-managing-jordan-river-ohv-park


            Morgantown, W.Va.: Student motorcyclists at West Virginia University have earned a victory following their protest of the high cost of new motorcycle parking permits. The university imposed a $162 fee but reduced it to $100 following the protest. Students had also complained that the permits only allowed parking at either the Evansdale or downtown school campus. Thanks to the students’ efforts, the permits now are good for parking at either campus.
            Source and full story: www.dailymail.com/ap/ApTopStories/201108310577
 

            Fond du Lac, Wis.: The Wisconsin Off-Highway Vehicle Association (WOHVA) has a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, which formalizes their cooperative efforts. In a news release, the association said that the MOU will allow it to continue working with the U.S. Forest Service to “provide quality riding experiences for WOHVA members and other parties searching for safe, resource friendly areas to drive 4x4 vehicles and off-highway motorcycles in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.”
            Source and full story: http://www.wohva.com/


            Vancouver, British Columbia: Motorcycle and scooter riders in Vancouver want free parking like electric-vehicle riders receive. Currently, electric scooters park for free, but riders of gas-powered motorcycles and scooters must pay.The city hopes to create 200 scooter and motorcycle parking spots by the end of the year, with the majority of them already created. 
            Source and full story: www.vancourier.com/Motorcycle+lobby+pushes+free+parking/5331988/story.html

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 Nick Haris, AMA Western States Representative, 101 Constitution Ave., NW Suite 800W, Washington, DC 20001; fax (202) 742-4304 or e-mail to nharis@ama-cycle.org.