A Beverly Hills, California state senator has introduced legislation that would require motorcycles to participate in the state’s vehicle “smog check” program. The program was designed to service cars and because of that motorcycles were exempt “until the Department of Consumer Affairs implements test procedures applicable to motorcycles” according to standing state California state law. Senator Fran Pavely (D) is the main sponsor of the bill which would require all motorcycles beginning with model year 2000 to be tested starting in 2012.

This bill is problematic for a number of reasons. First off, it provides for no funding for the development of testing procedures. Secondly, no funding for the accommodation of the new 1.2 million motorcycles at the check stations. This will result in a financial burden for the California government at a time when every penny is already spoken for.

In the MRF’s view, the California state legislature should reconsider this motion. When the funding is available, it would then seem more feasible to invest in proper investigatory programs to best determine how to test motorcycles or if it is even necessary.

Read the bill here:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/sen/sb_0401-0450/sb_435_bill_20090226_introduced.html

President Obama Announces DOT Official.

Barack Obama has announced that he plans to nominate Roy Kienitz for Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, Department of Transportation

BIO
Roy Kienitz is currently the Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Rendell. Roy has been a leader on Gov. Rendell’s staff for Transportation, Alternative Energy, and Environment initiatives since 2003. Prior to his time in Pennsylvania, Kienitz served as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning. Kienitz has also served as the Executive Director to the Surface Transportation Policy Project where he was a strong advocate for innovation in transportation policy.

Kienitz’s prior experience also includes working for Former Senator Moynihan as Chief of Staff and the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee.

Originally from California, Kienitz earned his bachelor’s degree in Aquatic Biology from the University of California in 1983.

Upon close examination of Kienitz some conflicting ideologies emerge. Kienitz worked for Senator Daniel Monyihan in the late eighties and early nineties as the chief of staff for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. That committee, at that time, was responsible for writing the surface transportation authorization bill (ISTEA) that included the penalties on states that did not have mandatory helmet laws. Kienitz was instrumental at the senior staff level in putting those penalties in
place.

However, Kienitz’s most recent post with Governor Rendell puts him in place at the same time ABATE of PA was modifying the state helmet law. ABATE of PA has never heard from him or anything that he did to stop the new law from going into effect.

Which Kienitz will end up in DC to report to DOT Secretary LaHood? That remains to be seen.

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Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983

Sign up today for the MRF’s new roadside assistance program by visiting
http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and non-MRF members.

(c)All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists’ rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists’ rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early
1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom.

The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists’ rights organizations and the very founders of the American riders’ rights movement among its leading members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists’ rights organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as
well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.

Thousands of powersports dealers were told to halt sales of vehicles designed for children 12 and younger because of new lead restrictions in an act of Congress that took effect Feb. 10.

Even used vehicle sales are banned by law passed in response to lead found in toys imported from China.

“We’re out of business as far as the youth market goes,” says Rick Rizzon, owner of Rizzon Cycle in Middlesex, N.J. “It’s crazy.”

With the motor vehicle industry already hurting from recession, he said the ban means a 20% drop in sales of youth off-road motorcycles and the parts business for bikes already sold.

Read the Full Story here…

Information from the AMA on the Law can be found here.

Technically, the new helmet law — which requires helmets and eye protection for riders and drivers of mopeds — went into effect Aug. 12, after Blacksburg Town Council approved it on a unanimous vote. But for the next few weeks, police will focus on education instead of punishment.

Read the Full Story here…

That might seem like a silly question, except in Virginia a new law blurs the distinction.

If you go more than 35 mph on a moped or scooter, it’s now considered a motorcycle.

That means you’ll have to have a motorcycle license, insurance and additional certification.

Read the Full Story here…

Money from the permit will help pay for crucial services, and strengthen law enforcement and safety efforts, according to House Bill 4749, which has already passed both chambers with overwhelming support.

Read the full story here…