First-year delegate, Thomas “Tag” Greason (R-eastern Loudoun), has introduced legislation in Virginia’s General Assembly that would allow those riding two-wheeled vehicles to pass through red traffic lights.

Greason said the idea for the bill arose in December after noticing that large amounts of snow piled at intersections prevented vehicles from triggering sensors that activate green traffic signals. Seeing this, he figured the issue likely posed even more of a hassle for smaller vehicles, like motorcycles. Then, over casual conversation with another delegate, he learned that South Carolina recently enacted a law that allowed motorcyclists to treat red lights like stop signs. So why not in Virginia, he thought.

Read the Full Story here…

“Any person who violates this subsection shall be subject to a civil penalty of $25 to be paid into the state treasury and credited to the Literary Fund, and no court costs shall be assessed.”

Take Care – Ride FREE

This would allow a rider to proceed through a red traffic light after coming to a complete stop and waiting 120 seconds.
HB752
Traffic lights; allows motorcycle, etc., to proceed through intersections showing steady red signal.

This changes Virginia’s helmet law to include those mini-scooters, pocket bikes, and what not.
HB395
Motorcycles; helmet use. Removes exception that allows operators and passengers riding on motorcycles with wheels of eight inches or less to ride without wearing a helmet.

Not specifically motorcycle related, but this is one that we have tried to change in years past to make it legal for 2 motorcycles to ride side by side.
HB163
Vehicles driving abreast. Provides that the prohibition on vehicles driving abreast does not apply to vehicles lawfully overtaking and passing vehicles traveling in the same direction.

BAD! – Loud Pipes Save Lives!!! HB579
Mufflers on motorcycles. Provides that motorcycles shall use a muffler system in good working order that meets federal standards.

I am sure this one comes from one of the talking points from last couple years two abreast bills with us saying LEOs regularly ride two abreast.
SB321
Motorcycles driving two abreast; law-enforcement officers. Allows law-enforcement officers on official duty to drive motorcycles two abreast in a single lane.

Here is a link to the motorcycle search results… (May or may not work) There are a few others with the mention of motorcycle in them, but the bills are not specifically motorcycle related.

Anyone know of anything else going on or any other bills that we, as motorcycle riders, may be interested in?

Forbes commented, “While motorcycling is fun recreation and affordable transportation, it is important to remain focused on safety. The Motorcycle Safety Caucus encourages motorcyclists to get trained and licensed, obey traffic laws, avoid mixing riding with alcohol and wear proper, motorcycle-specific safety gear, but it doesn’t stop with riders. The Caucus serves to also remind other motorists that motorcyclists use the roads as well, and to remember to look for motorcycles particularly when turning or changing lanes.”

Read the rest of the story here…

Come join us for a 2 days of education, camaraderie and freedom of speech for the 2010 Virginia Motorcycle Lobby Day! January 17th we will meet at noon to go over the current legislation in Virginia’s General Assembly that will have an effect on Motorcyclists in the Commonwealth. After an afternoon of work we will spend the evening dining on some of the best BBQ to be had in Virginia, and chase it with the beverage of your choice.

Monday we roll out at 8:00 am for the Capitol where we meet with our elected representatives to share our opinions on the proposed legislation. This is followed up by a free lunch provided by Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group.

For further information contact ; Jim Cannon
(804)353-3971, Jim@vcomonline.org, or visit the website vcomonline.org

Polls are open till 7:00 PM. Make sure you get to the poll and vote!

Take Care – Ride FREE!

Even if you aren’t able to vote for any of the candidates listed, you can help us work on their behalf and encourage others to vote for them.

The incumbents have made a poor showing when voting on motorcycle-related issues and now its time to give them a negative vote.

Help put up some signs, make some calls or hand out some campaign material. Let them know that you are an involved biker and are willing to do something to help.

House District 64, incumbent William K. Barlow;
Surry, Smithfield, Windsor, Jamestown, Isle of Wight
CANDIDATE STAN CLARK, www.stanclark2009.com, 757-399-6868

House District 87, incumbent Paula Miller;
Norfolk
CANDIDATE JOHN AMIRAL, Assistant Marcus Calabrese 757-663-8720

House District 89, incumbent Kenneth Alexander;
Norfolk
CANDIDATE ANTHONY TRIPLIN, www.vote4trip.com, 757-237-1101

House District 90, incumbent Algie T. Howell;
Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach
CANDIDATE JASON CALL, vote4call.org, 757-403-2331

House District 93, incumbent Phillip Hamilton;
Newport News, Williamsburg
CANDIDATE ROBIN ABBOTT, Field Director Corinna King-Brown,
ckingbrown@gmail.com, 618-830-7868

House District 94, incumbent Glenn Oder;
Newport News
CANDIDATE GARY WEST, Manager Jonas Courey,
manager@garywestfordelegate.com, 706-409-2945

For more information, please visit the “Bikers for Bill Sponsors” website at B4BS.net and sign-up for the Legislative Alerts. Don’t be irritated if you have received duplicate mailings of this information. Just be proud that you’re “in the loop” of so many mailing lists and have been selected to receive this. If you are a federal employee this mailing does not violate the Hatch Act.

John Bilotta
Assistant Director
Virginia Cruisers Chapter
ABATE of Virginia
abateregion3@yahoo.com
o/~o

BETHESDA, Md., June 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Motorcycle Riders Foundation strongly supports the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) and urges Congress to swiftly pass the legislation in order to safeguard individual vehicle ownership rights today and in the future.

“We have formally committed our support to the Right to Repair Act because we believe that consumers are entitled to the right to choose how their motorcycle, car or other type of vehicle is maintained or upgraded. The point of Right to Repair is to protect the freedom of American consumers to choose how they take care of their vehicles, be it in their driveway or at a trusted repair facility, and to ensure that they have access to all the information required to complete service and repairs,” said Jeff Hennie, vice president of government relations for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act was introduced into the 111th Congress by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA) to offer protections for vehicle owners by making it illegal for vehicle manufacturers to withhold information necessary to diagnose, service or repair motor vehicles.

“Vehicles, including motorcycles, are becoming increasingly complex with the addition of more and more computer technology, and that is only going to increase in the future. Ready access to accurate service and repair information from the manufacturers is essential to the safety and well-being of the entire American motoring public,” continued Hennie.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation encourages its members and all motorists to visit www.righttorepair.org to send a letter to each of their congressional representatives, urging them to support the Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) by adding their names to the growing list of co-sponsors.

About the Motorcycle Riders Foundation:

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists’ rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. As the first motorcyclists’ rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, MRF is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. MRF established MRFPAC in the early 1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom. For more information, visit www.mrf.org.

About Right to Repair:

The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, which was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA), would require vehicle manufacturers to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide to their franchised dealer networks. The legislation further provides vehicle manufacturers with strong protections for their trade secrets unless that information is provided to the franchised dealers. The bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing the bill’s requirements. For more information about the Right to Repair Act, visit www.righttorepair.org.

Website: http://www.mrf.org Website: http://www.righttorepair.org/