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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
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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
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