Press Releases, News & Notes
June, 1997

INSURANCE COALITION LOBBIES CONGRESS ON ISTEA

the eve of a Senate Environment and Public Works hearing on ISTEA reauthorization and just weeks before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was vote on highway funding legislation, a coalition of insurance and safety groups led by Joan Claybrook and the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety held a press conference Washington, DC to call upon Congress to re-enact some of the "safety" laws which re repealed by ISTEA in 1995 While motorcycle helmets were mentioned at the press conference and in their report, there is no mention of helmet laws in their proposals ISTEA reconsideration. Instead, the Advocates focused on combating drunk and aggressive driving, lowering blood alcohol content (BAC) to .08%, enforcing seat belt laws, calling for greater truck safety by freezing weight and limiting hours truckers can have, and developing a state-of-the-art airbag system While the Clinton Administration s submitted to Congress its draft of the ISTEA reauthonzation bill, which contains reference to motorcycle helmets, the proposal left the door open for additional safety measures to be considered.

BAN MOTORCYCLE PASSENGERS UNDER 16?

Massachusetts House Bill 2764, currently under consideration in the Joint Committee on public Safety would seek to prohibit any person under the age of 18 from riding as a passenger on a motorcycle. The committee voted to hold the bill in a study committee to look into the issue more closely and to determine if there is support for such legislation. Stay tuned, and keep those pencils sharpened.

NCOM LTF WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

National Coalition of Motorcyclists Legislative Task Force welcomed three new members at their NCOM LIF Legislative Strategy Meeting held during the 12th Annual NCOM Convention in Richmond, VA. They are: Karen Bolin of ABATE of Washington; Gene Shafer, M U.; and Sputnik, founder of the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association and architect of the recent helmet repeal in Texas. Also confirmed at this year's meeting ~s West Virginia Delegate Greg Butcher, who in his freshman year introduced a near successful helmet modification bill in the West Virginia House of Delegates. The NCOM legislative Task Force is available to NCOM member groups to help lobby, testify or assist in organizing support/opposition for state motorcycle legislation. Other members the NCOM Legislative Task Force are: Chairman Butch Harbaugh, ABATE of Oregon Bike PAC; John "Butch" Olson, ABATE of North Dakota; Jesse McDugald, ABATE of North Carolina; New Mexico State Representative Rick Miera; Wisconsin State Senator Dave Zien, Brent Garnia, ABATE of New York; United States Senator Ben Nightdress Campbell; South Dakota State Representative Jim Punt; and Bill Bis, AIM/NCOM.

PARLIAMENT APPROVES EUROPEAN MULTI-DIRECTIVE

The much anticipated motorcycle "multi-directive" was approved by the European Parliament on April 23rd, and received mixed reactions from rider groups overseas. Riders condemned lowering the noise limits to 80 decibels from an agreed upon 82 decibels, through improved testing procedures actually allow roughly 81.5 decibels as previously measured. Riders groups also were concerned with the inclusion of sheer bolts as an anti-tampering device to prevent motorcyclists from modifying their bikes, but compromised by only including mopeds and small scooters which are generally ridden by younger riders with new licenses European riders succeeded in removing brand stipulations for placement tires and they continue to push for Denmark and Spain to allow registration and use of bikes with trailers. Riders have also been assured that they will be consulted regarding any future motorcycle regulations.