Registration opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 9:45 a.m. The escorted ride starts at 10 a.m. sharp, rain or shine!

More info at Richmond Ride for Kids

We keep hoping that we can announce the date, but with the clock ticking it is time to offer an explanation.

Since the new Congress went into session, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation has been working with United States Representative Judy Biggert (R – Il) and her staff to secure a site on the Capitol grounds for our event.

Due to unannounced changes in the rules to hold such an event (made by the Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi), which went into effect this year, we have had to negotiate with officials of the Capitol. Because of the huge workload that occurs when a new Congress begins, our request was delayed. This is something that is entirely beyond our control.

Because of the rule changes, in all likelihood there will be some adjustments to be made on our part. We just can’t say exactly what at the present time.

In the last several weeks – working with the Sergeant of Arms of the House of Representatives – a spot in the Capitol complex came into consideration. While smaller than we would like, we have made a request to obtain it. That request is currently under review.  We are just waiting for confirmation from that office and we will announce the date. We have
every reason to believe that we will receive official confirmation soon.

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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

(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.

House Bill 1873, sponsored by Del. John Cosgrove (R-Chesapeake), would authorize the holder of a Virginia driver’s license who is a member, the spouse of a member, or a dependent of a member of the United States Armed Services to be issued a motorcycle endorsement by mail if the holder successfully completed a basic motorcycle rider course approved by the United States Armed Services and is stationed outside the Commonwealth of Virginia. [AMA SUPPORTS this bill]

House Bill 1906, sponsored by Del. Ward Armstrong (D-Martinsville), would permit motorcycles to be equipped with a brake light that varies in brightness for not more than five seconds upon applications of the brake(s). [AMA SUPPORTS this bill]

Senate Bill 115, sponsored by Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville), would classify as a Class 1 misdemeanor any traffic signal violation that is the sole and proximate cause of death of another person. [AMA SUPPORTS this bill]

Senate Bill 556, sponsored by Sen. Mark Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg), would provide for a reckless driving conviction of a vehicle operator found guilty of certain right-of-way violations that result in death to another person. [AMA SUPPORTS this bill]

You can check the status and read the text of these bills at http://leg1.state.va.us.

Use the AMA “Issues and Legislation” area at http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp to learn who your elected officials are, then contact them to make your concerns known about the legislation above.  Click on the “StateWatch” link to stay informed of legislation that could impact your right to ride.  By entering your Zip +4 Code in the box provided, you’re just a few steps away from the contact information you need.  Make a call, send a letter or email message, and/or visit your elected officials so they know your ride, you vote, and you care.

The MRF sought to meet with the leadership of the RNC after a succession of appointees of President Bush took positions that the MRF and many in the motorcycling community felt were against their best interests. Those appointees happened to be prominent Republicans in their own right.

The MRF is seeking a clarification on the Republican Party’s position on the doctrine of Federalism. The MRF will be asking whether this administration and/or future Republican presidential administrations will
adhere to the longstanding GOP policy of the federal government not interfering with state issues.

The MRF has also been in touch with the Democratic National Committee and would hope to meet with them as well. A meeting with the campaign staff of the presumptive Presidential nominee of the Democratic Party is also being sought by the MRF.

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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

Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds
conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for
further details and registration information.

Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF’s Young Activist
Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit
http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php.

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.

It helps if the roads have great scenery and no cops, and smooth pavement is always a plus. Ideally, the curves go on for miles and miles, but even a short stretch of twisties can be exhilarating…

Check out these great stretches of roads from around the country and add your favorite.

Know of a great ride here in VA? Post it in the comments.

Washington, D.C.—Friday marks the official start of summer, and millions of Americans will hit the roads to head to their summer vacations. Unfortunately, for too many motorcyclists, this may also mark the beginning of another deadly summer. The Governors Highway Safety Association’s (GHSA) new report, Survey of the States: Motorcycle Safety Programs, examines the dramatic increase in motorcycle rider deaths and looks at programs states have undertaken to keep motorcyclists safe.

In the report, Survey of the States: Motorcycle Safety Programs, GHSA notes that motorcycle fatalities in 2006 increased for the ninth straight year—more than doubling from 2,110 in 1997 to 4,810 in 2006. In fact, GHSA’s analysis of federal data shows that motorcycle fatalities increased in 27 states and Puerto Rico between 2005 and 2006. In 2006, 67 percent of all motorcycle fatalities occurred in 15 states. Also noteworthy is the fact that in 2004, 2005 and 2006 nearly one third of all fatalities occurred in California, Texas and Florida alone.

In 2007, GHSA asked state highway safety agencies to complete a survey detailing motorcycle safety activities designed to mitigate or reverse the annual increase in motorcycle crashes. Fifty states plus the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico completed surveys. The report found that:

* A patchwork of helmet laws, scant enforcement and a lack of helmet promotion exist despite clear evidence that proper helmet use saves lives. Twenty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have universal motorcycle helmet laws. Twenty-seven states and Guam have laws that cover certain riders, and three states have no motorcycle helmet laws. In states with partial laws or without helmet laws, most riders who died were not wearing helmets. Only nine states and Puerto Rico indicated special efforts to help law enforcement identify helmets that don’t meet safety standards. Although it is widely accepted that proper helmet use dramatically reduces the likelihood of a fatality in a crash, only 17 states reported special efforts to promote the benefits of helmet use and other protective gear.

* An explosion in motorcycle ownership has left states with training and education shortfalls. Motorcycle sales almost quadrupled from 1997 to 2006, from 356,000 to almost 1.1 million. As a result, 29 states and D.C. indicated they have capacity problems with delays ranging from one day to 12 weeks for training classes. Only three states, Florida, Maine and Rhode Island require rider education for all riders, regardless of age.

* Motorcycle licensing requirements vary widely. Across the country, the minimum age for a motorcycle license/endorsement ranges from 14 to 18. Unlike automobile drivers, motorcyclists in at least 33 states may have licensing tests waived for completion of a rider training course.

* Many motorcyclists drive without valid licenses. In 2006, 25 percent of operators in fatal motorcycle crashes did not have a valid motorcycle license, compared to 13 percent of drivers of passenger vehicles.

* Road construction issues are addressed in only a few states. Although motorcycle riders and their passengers are vulnerable to hazardous road conditions, only 21 states and Puerto Rico currently consider motorcycle issues in road construction projects.

* Funding shortfalls are commonplace. Only 24 states reported that user fees alone support their motorcycle safety/education efforts. In 18 states, programs are supported by a combination of one or more of the following: user fees, dedicated state funding and federal grants. Three states only use federal money.

According to GHSA Chairman Christopher J. Murphy, “This report is the most complete effort to date that examines how states are dealing with the problem of motorcycle safety. Clearly, more work must be done.” Murphy adds that the timing of the report is key given that Congress will be soon be reauthorizing surface transportation programs, including those funding motorcycle safety. “We know that we need more funding and also greater flexibility with those funds to promote countermeasures that clearly work, such as helmet use.”

Murphy also says this report serves as a reminder to share the road, particularly as we start the summer driving season. “While the large majority of motorcycle crashes are single vehicle, other vehicles are a factor in 40 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes, so this is an issue that impacts us all.” Tips for sharing the road with motorcycles are available online at: www.ghsa.org/html/publications/survey/tips.html.

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Survey of the States: Motorcycle Safety Programs is available online at www.ghsa.org. State-by-state responses are included. A limited number of print copies are available by e-mailing Jonathan Adkins (jadkins@ghsa.org).

All Motorcyclists – Please click here to participate in the survey.

I lost track of how many times my dad introduced me like this to fellow motorcyclists. Then, he invariably would add, “And she rode 500 miles her first day. She’d never been on the bike more than an hour.”

If only I’d known years ago that’s all it took to make my dad proud.

Read the Full Story here…