Bikers Of America, Know Your Rights!: USA - Motorcycle Only Checkpoints

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Motorcycle Only Checkpoints

The American Motorcyclist Association began tracking motorcycle-only checkpoints when they first appeared in New York in 2007. In 2011, using funds provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the state of Georgia conducted roadside motorcycle-only checkpoints as thousands of motorcyclists rode through the state on their way to Daytona Beach, Fla., for Bike Week, March 4-13. Another motorcycle-only checkpoint was conducted in northern Virginia during one of the nation's most visible motorcycle rallies -- Rolling Thunder -- over the 2011 Memorial Day weekend. Motorcycle-only checkpoints were also conducted in Utah when thousands of riders attended a world-class roadracing event.

Four states have since outlawed the practice -- California, Missouri, North Carolina, Virginia. Illinois and New Hampshire have prohibited the use of federal dollars for MOCs. Eleven states -- Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming -- have prohibited checkpoints by statute and/or judicial action.
See below for information on what AMA members have done so far on this issue.

Mar. 5, 2014-The AMA issued an alert titled U.S. Senators introduce legislation to end federal funding of motorcycle-only checkpoints
Mar. 5, 2014-U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced S. 2078, the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act.
Jan. 27, 2014-The AMA issued an alert titled House panel held hearing on highway safety grants, motorcycle-only checkpoints
Jan. 9, 2014-Federal lawmaker requests information on checkpoints
Jan. 9, 2014-Blog post: Motorcycle only checkpoints-a threat to motorcycling
Sept. 10, 2013-The AMA begins meeting with Senate offices to discuss Senate companion to H.R. 1861, the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act.
Aug. 5, 2013-Blog post: How much do motorcycle-only checkpoints cost you, the taxpayer?
July 15, 2013-The AMA sent Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon a thank you letter for signing SB-282 into law.
June 27, 2013-Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon signed SB-282 into law. The bill contains a provision that bans motorcycle-only checkpoints.
May 10, 2013-Blog post: Is progress being made to end motorcycle-only checkpoints?
May 8, 2013-The AMA issued an alert to urge support for H.R. 1861, the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act.
April 17, 2013-The AMA issued an alert to urge support for U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner's Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act.
July 16, 2012-The AMA sent California Gov. Jerry Brown a thank you letter for signing Assembly Bill 1047 into law.
July 16, 2012-California Gov. Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill 1047 into law. The bill prohibits motorcycle-only checkpoints.
July 6, 2012-Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signs House Bill 930 into law, banning any Illinois law enforcement agency from accepting federal funds for motorcycle-only checkpoints.
July 2012-American Motorcyclist magazine reports in StateWatch column on California Assembly Bill 1047 and Missouri Senate Bill 897 (page 17).
July 2012-AMA News & Notes article reports on Illinois House Bill 930, passed by both House and Senate, and sent to Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn for consideration.
June 12, 2012-AMA testifies in support of California Assembly Bill 1047 at Senate Transportation Committee hearing in Sacramento.
June 11, 2012-The AMA sent thank you letters to every U.S. representative who signed onto the Sensenbrenner/Petri letter addressed to the leadership of the House-Senate Surface Transportation Reauthorization Conference Committee in support of including H.R. 904 in the conference report.
June 11, 2012-The AMA sent a thank you letter addressed to U.S. Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and Tom Petri (R-Wis.) for taking the lead on a letter addressed to the leadership of the House-Senate Surface Transportation Reauthorization Conference Committee in support of including H.R. 904 in the conference report.
June 2012-American Motorcyclist magazine reports in StateWatch column on Illinois House Bill 930 and Missouri Senate Bill 897 (page 19).
June 2012-AMA News & Notes article reports on Missouri Senate Bill 897, passed by the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on April 30.
May 29, 2012-The AMA sent a communication to every U.S. representative in support of U.S. Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and Tom Petri’s (R-Wis.) congressional letter addressed to the House-Senate Highway Conference Committee urging them to include H.R. 904 in the conference report.
May 29, 2012-AMA Action Alert: Lawmaker urges committee leadership to include language to prohibit funds for motorcycle-only checkpoints in transportation bill.
May 2012-American Motorcyclist magazine reports on passage of Virginia House Bill 187 (page 18).
May 2012-AMA News & Notes article reports on California Assembly Bill 1047.
April 30, 2010-AMA California Action Alert: Help stop motorcycle-only checkpoints in California!
April 26, 2012-AMA Action Alert: Support language to prohibit the funding of discriminatory motorcycle-only checkpoints in final transportation bill.
April 26, 2012-The AMA sent a letter addressed to the House conference committee conferees dealing with transportation issues urging them to include the motorcycle-only prohibition language in the highway conference report.
April 25, 2012-The AMA sent a letter addressed to the Senate conference committee conferees dealing with transportation issues urging them to include the motorcycle-only prohibition language in the highway conference report.
April 25, 2012-AMA letter of support for California Assembly Bill 1047 sent to Senate Transportation and Housing committees.
April 24, 2012-AMA Missouri Action Alert: Motorcycle-only checkpoint legislation scheduled for April 25 hearing.
April 2012-AMA News & Notes article reports on Missouri Senate Bill 897, passed by the Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on April 30.
March 9, 2012-AMA Action Alert: Georgia may utilize federal grant for motorcycle-only checkpoints during Daytona Bike Week again.
March 7, 2012-AMA New Jersey Alert: Bills introduced to end motorcycle-only checkpoints.
March 7, 2012-The ABATE of the Garden State and the AMA sent a joint letter of support addressed to the state Sen. Jeff Van Drew for sponsoring Senate Bill 1685. The bill would prohibit motorcycle-only checkpoints in New Jersey.
March 7, 2012-The ABATE of the Garden State and the AMA sent a joint letter of support addressed to the state Reps. Nelson Albano and Matthew Milam for sponsoring Assembly Bill 508. The bill would prohibit motorcycle-only checkpoints in New Jersey.
March 2, 2012-AMA Virginia Action Alert: Governor signs bill to end motorcycle-only checkpoints.
March 2, 2012-The AMA sends a thank you letter addressed to Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell for signing House Bill 187 into law. The law prohibits motorcycle-only checkpoints in the commonwealth.
Feb. 28, 2012-Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell signed House Bill 187 into law, which prohibits motorcycle-only checkpoints. The law takes effect July 1.
Feb. 13, 2012-AMA Virginia Action Alert: Bill to end motorcycle-only checkpoints heads to governor for signature.
Feb. 8, 2012-AMA Virginia Action Alert: Senate committee passes bill to end motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Feb. 1, 2012-AMA Virginia Action Alert: State Senate considers bill to end motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Feb. 2012- AMA News & Notes article reports on Assembly Bill 1047, legislation to prohibit any California law enforcement agency from using grant money received for a motorcycle safety program funds from being used for motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Jan. 31, 2012-AMA Virginia Action Alert: Assembly passes bill to end motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Jan. 30, 2012-AMA Virginia Action Alert: Assembly to vote on bill to end motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Jan. 27, 2012-AMA Virginia Action Alert: Assembly to vote on bill to end motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Jan. 16, 2012-The AMA sends a letter of support addressed to Virginia state Rep. Todd Gilbert for sponsoring House Bill 187. The bill would prohibit motorcycle-only checkpoints in Virginia.
Jan. 16, 2012-AMA Virginia Action Alert: Bill introduced to end motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Jan. 3, 2012-AMA letter of support for California Assembly Bill 1047 sent to Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (bills author/sponsor).
Sept. 2011-American Motorcyclist magazine reports in StateWatch column on North Carolina House Bill 381 (page 16).
Aug. 2, 2011-Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell responds to the AMA’s letter, dated May 31, 2011, regarding the motorcycle-only checkpoint implemented during the annual Rolling Thunder event.
Aug. 2011-American Motorcyclist magazine reports in StateWatch column on New Hampshire House Bill 148 (page 17).
Aug. 2011-AMA News & Notes article reports that North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue signed House Bill 381, legislation that prohibits law enforcement agencies from establishing patterns of vehicle stops at checking stations based on a particular type of vehicle, into law on June 23.
Aug. 2011-AMA News & Notes article reports on Virginia House Bill 187, legislation that would prohibit motorcycle-only checkpoints.
July 2011-AMA News & Notes article reports that New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch signed House Bill 148, legislation that would prohibit any New Hampshire law enforcement agency from accepting federal funding to establish motorcycle-only checkpoints, into law on May 20. The law took effect July 15, 2011.
June 22, 2011-Arlington county police chief responds to AMA member regarding motorcycle-only checkpoint during the annual Rolling Thunder event.
June 13, 2011-AMA Action Alert: Support federal legislation to prohibit the funding of discriminatory motorcycle-only checkpoints.
June 2011-American Motorcyclist magazine reports in StateWatch column on North Carolina House Bill 381 (page 18).
May 31, 2011-AMA Virginia Action Alert: County implements motorcycle-only checkpoint during Rolling Thunder.
May 31, 2011-The AMA sent a letter addressed to Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell regarding the implementation of a motorcycle-only checkpoint during the annual Rolling Thunder event.
May 28, 2011-The Arlington County Police Department of the Commonwealth of Virginia implemented a motorcycle-only checkpoint during the annual Rolling Thunder.
May 25, 2011-Lawmakers sent letter addressed to the leadership of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of including H.R. 904 in the Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill.
May 2011-American Motorcyclist magazine publishes article, “Lawmakers Target Motorcycle-Only Traffic Checkpoints” in the Rights section (page 16).
May 2011-American Motorcyclist magazine reports in StateWatch column on New Hampshire House Bill 148 (page 17).
May 2011-AMA News & Notes article reports on North Carolina House Bill 381, legislation that prohibits law enforcement agencies from establishing patterns of vehicle stops at checking stations based on a particular type of vehicle.
April 2011-AMA News & Notes article reports on New Hampshire House Bill 148.
March 9, 2011-The Georgia State Patrol implemented a motorcycle-only checkpoint during Daytona Bike Week.
March 3, 2011-AMA Action Alert: Federal bill introduced to prohibit funding discriminatory motorcycle-only checkpoints.
March 3, 2011-The AMA sent a letter addressed to U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) thanking him for introducing H.R. 904. The bill would prohibit federal funds for the implementation of motorcycle-only checkpoints.
March 2011-AMA News & Notes article reports on New Hampshire House Bill 148, legislation that would prohibit any New Hampshire law enforcement agency from accepting federal funding to establish motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Feb. 28, 2011-The AMA sent a letter addressed to the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce to inform them of the possible motorcycle-only checkpoint in the state of Georgia and the effect on local businesses.
Feb. 22, 2011-AMA Georgia Action Alert: State of Georgia may utilize federal grant for motorcycle-only checkpoints during Daytona Bike Week.
Feb. 15, 2011-The AMA sent a letter to Gov. Nathan Deal of Georgia requesting he suspend the implementation of the federal grant until questions raised by the motorcycling community are addressed.
Nov. 17, 2010-AMA Action Alert: Administrator Strickland responds to AMA's letter regarding grant program to fund motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Nov. 15, 2010-NHTSA Administrator Strickland responds to the AMA’s letter, dated Aug. 9, 2010, on the use of motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Oct. 26, 2010-The AMA sent a letter addressed to the Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue requesting he suspend the implementation of the federal grant until questions raised by the motorcycling community are addressed.
Oct. 21, 2010-AMA Georgia Action Alert: The state of Georgia is the only recipient to receive grant to conduct motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Oct. 19, 2010-AMA Action Alert: Update: Congressional letter aims to suspend NHTSA program to fund discriminatory motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Sept. 30, 2010-AMA Action Alert: Congress members urge U.S. transportation secretary to suspend funding for motorcycle-only law enforcement checkpoints.
Sept. 27, 2010-AMA Action Alert: Sept.29 deadline for representatives to sign congressional letter to suspend motorcycle-only checkpoints.
Aug. 13, 2010-AMA Action Alert: AMA seeks suspension of grant program that targets motorcyclists with checkpoints.
Aug. 9, 2010-The AMA sent a letter addressed to NHTSA Administrator David Strickland urging him to suspend a grant program until questions about the use of motorcycle-only checkpoints have been addressed.
July 13, 2010-The NHTSA posts a grant notice for states seeking federal funds to implement motorcycle-only checkpoints.
June 9, 2010-The Utah Highway Patrol responds to the AMA’s communication regarding our concerns with the May 30, 2010, motorcycle-only checkpoint.
June 8, 2010-The AMA communicates with the Utah Highway Patrol regarding a motorcycle-only checkpoint near the Miller Motorsports Park on May 30, 2010.