AMERICAN BIKERS

JOURNALThe Motorcycle Riders Foundation Reports Returns to its Roots - American Bikers Journal VOL. 25, NO. 1 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 IN THIS ISSUE WHY I SAY, WHY 3

MRF 2019 YEAR END RECAP 4

BUCKNER INDUCTED INTO AMA HALL OF FAME 8

MRF EXECUTES STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT 9

25 YEARS: BACK TO THE FUTURE 10

BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2020 13

IS YOUR MOTORCYCLE GETTING SMARTER? 14

MRFPAC NEWS 18

MRF ELECTION NEWS 19

AROUND THE STATES 20

MOTORCYCLIST UNITE 28

HEARTLAND STEAM 2020 30

MRF BOARD OF DIRECTORS 31

COVER IMAGE: Thank you to Jiggs Cressy, Steve Rhode and Big Dave Monroe for providing the awesome snow covered photos.

This newsletter is the official publication of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, PO Box 255, Highland, IL 62249; phone: (202) 546-0983. All rights reserved. Portions may be reprinted with proper attribution. The American Bikers Journal is published six times a year and distributed nationwide. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of the authors, and do not necessarily represent those of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, its officers or representatives. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation will not knowingly contract with or do business with any entity that discriminates against motorcyclists in any way, shape or form.

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Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 WHY I SAY, WHY Kirk Willard MRF President

You know, in society, there is an interesting behavior that genuinely affects the biker’s rights world. Those of us that routinely exercise our freedom and individuality on a motorcycle tend to stick to ourselves. We don’t feel like we need a great deal of intervention from the outside world and especially not from the government. We aren’t natural joiners beyond our small circles, and we don’t need to be. You know the slogan you used to see on many t-shirts, “If I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand.” Well, I don’t ever recall trying to explain. Again, I had enough people around me that did understand to fulfill all my gregarious needs. It is who we are but ultimately not the ideal formula for building volunteer grassroots activist organizations that have to play well with others to be successful. We certainly aren’t unique in this regard. Many people who tend to be involved in things where it requires a great deal of passion and act on that passion carry these same tendencies, and they too are under attack daily. I have always found it a mix between baffling and incomprehensible when someone takes up a cause with a crazed zeal to restrict or take something away from someone doing what they don’t even themselves do. I immediately think of throwing a leg over a bike or various other outdoor activities I am heavily involved in. I often say to myself, “What gives them the right to fight to take away something we have that they don’t?” Therefore requiring us to fight to protect it because we do it and understand why we do it. Well, that’s the catch, we fight to give them that right, I don’t see it working any other way in a free country. Of course, one problem is there are less of us that fight out of love for something than those that zealously and jealously fight out of spite to take it away, again something they don’t even do. That’s WHY I say, WHY. Over the past three decades, my experience in the MRF, ABATE, and many other grassroots organizations (including being President of non-motorcycle organizations) lead me to the conclusion that it is indeed fear, spite, jealousy, misplaced or lack of understanding. Increasingly a troubling area, to get attention, which eventually leads to corrupt money. Most ANTI-groups I come up against don’t even want to win the fight because then their source of income, notoriety, and endless fundraising goes away. So, as we know, the only way to combat this uneducated crazy is with a more deep-rooted passion, and battle more aggressively than someone that doesn’t even involve themselves in the activity they struggle against. We have also learned to do it from the inside with significant education behind the causes we take up. Hard to replace an honest, educated, passionate person trying to protect something they love. So, while the political arena is beyond dysfunctional, media’s incredible bias, society seemingly having zero tolerance for anyone that doesn’t think exactly the way they do and significantly decreasing independent thought happening. I remain optimistic in ym belief that honesty, sincerity, education, in and around a passion for something I love to do and that is woven into my very being will win the day. High time we spend some energy with like-minded individuals believing this is the case and we will continue to prevail. Motorcycle Riders Foundation 3 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 MRF 2019 Year End Recap

LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES Consumer Protection and Fuel Transparency Act – H.R. 1024 In February, Congressman Scott Austin of Georgia introduced H.R. 1024. This leg- islation seeks an educational campaign about E-15 and new labeling at fuel pumps warning consumers to check their owner’s manual when using E-15 fuel. This simple educational campaign and warning label will alert consumers that fur- ther education on their part may be needed. By encouraging consumers to check their owner’s manual, consumers will have the necessary knowledge to make in- formed decisions about the fuel they put in their engines. The MRF believes that an educated consumer is empowered to make the right decision for their specific circumstances. This is another example of the MRF working with likeminded groups, with common interests to impact legislation. As you can imagine, motorcycles are not the only engines affected by ethanol. The MRF has been in contact with the Marine Retail- ers Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Specialty Equipment Market Association, Briggs & Stratton, American Sportfishing Association, Boat US, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, American Highway Users Alliance and the snowmobile industry in hopes of raising awareness about the impact of ethanol on engines. This legislation currently has bipartisan 19 cosponsors. Motorcycle Profiling – H. Re.s 255 In March, Congressman Tim Walberg of Michigan introduced H. Res. 255, the mo- torcyclist profiling resolution in the House of Representatives. This resolution is identical to the Senate version lead by Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin that passed in December 2018. In an attempt to shine a light on the issue and earn passage in the House of Rep- resentatives, the MRF has committed to driving cosponsors to the resolution. The MRF DC team, in coordination with SMRO’s and individual MRF members, have un- dertaken a wide-reaching education campaign aimed at lawmakers and their staffs. This “full-court press” has resulted in over 120 bipartisan Members of Congress joining the resolution in just eight months. These members represent 42 different states and American Samoa. The previous two previous versions of this resolution from 114th and 115th Congress had 18 and 37 cosponsors, respectively. We hope that this dramatic growth in cosponsors over the last four years will demonstrate to Congressional leadership that motorcyclists and their elected offi- cials are serious about the issue of profiling and passage of H. esR 255 should be a priority in 2020.

Definition of a Motorcycle In April, Members of the House Motorcycle Caucus lead by Congressman Michael Buress of Texas sent a bipartisan letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Ad- ministration (NHTSA) asking for a review of the current definition of a motorcycle.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 4 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020

As many of you know, the current definition of a motorcycle (listed below) is over 40 years old and extremely broad. Motorcycle means a motor vehicle with motive power having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in con- tact with the ground. The current definition means that so-called “autocycles” are technically motorcy- cles under the current federal law. This has created a patchwork set of laws sur- rounding motorcycles and autocycles at the state level. We thank the 7 Congress- men who signed the letter seeking information on the topic from NHTSA and will continue to look for ways to find a more common-sense definition of a motorcycle. Autonomous Vehicle Technology In August, the MRF was invited by Senate and House staff to discuss potential au- tonomous vehicle (AV) legislation. In cooperation with the American Motorcyclists Association and Harley-Davidson, the MRF submitted a written proposal listing the priorities for motorcyclists in any autonomous vehicle legislation. In the previous Congress, only the Senate version of this legislation specifically named motorcy- clists as roadway users that AV manufacturers needed to account for specifically. While no bill has yet been made public, the Senate Commerce Committee held hearing late in the year on the topic of AV technology. The MRF was encouraged that three Senators two during the hearing and one in written form asked officials at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the National Highway Traf- fic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about AV policy and the need to ensure motor- cycles are considered in both legislation and the rulemaking process. RPM ACT of 2019 – S. 2602 and H.R. 5434 In October, Senators Richard Burr of North Carolina and Joe Manchin of West Vir- ginia along with bipartisan cosponsors introduced S. 2602, Recognizing the Protec- tion of Motorsports Act of 2019 (RPM Act). This bill would exclude vehicles to be used solely for competition from certain pro- visions of the Clean Air Act, and for other purposes. As you may remember, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation along with a dozen other organizations teamed up with the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) during the 115th Congress in promoting the passage of this legislation which would exempt you from the provisions of the Clean Air Act which makes it illegal for you to turn a street-legal vehicle or motorcycle into performance race vehicle. The legislation took some time to be introduced during this Congress due to some changes to the previous version of the bill. One of those changes would ensure this legislation would be in effect immediately after passage and would protect the racers, consumers and aftermarket industry for using or producing, selling, and/ or distributing emissions-related race parts for use on vehicles used exclusively for competition while the EPA writes regulations. In the waning legislative days of 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives followed their colleagues and introduced the companion bill H.R. 5434. This legislation is led by Representatives Patrick McHenry (R-NC) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) along with six other original cosponsors. Currently, the Senate bill has 28 bipartisan cospon- sors and the House bill has 11 bipartisan cosponsors.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 5 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 Motorcycle Advisory Council – H.R. 5234: In November, Congressman Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin introduced the Motorcy- clist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act. The Motorcycle Advisory Council (MAC) was first established by Congress in 2005 and reauthorized in 2015. The MAC is responsible for providing advice and recom- mendations concerning infrastructure issues elated to motorcyclist safety, including barrier design, road design, construction, maintenance practices, and the architec- ture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies. In cooperation with Harley-Davidson, the American Motorcyclists Association and ABATE of Wisconsin, the MRF helped advocate for common-sense changes to the MAC which will help ensure that motorcyclists have a seat at the table when issues impacted them are discussed at and recommended to policymakers. Below are three critical changes this legislation would implement. 1. Reauthorizing the MAC for 6 years. This ensures that the MAC has an es- tablished timeline for its work. 2. Requiring that the MAC submit a biennial recommendations report. At a minimum, 3 reports on motorcycle policy will now be required to be submit- ted to the Department of Transportation and Congress for review. 3. Clarifying the Membership of the MAC. This bill sets aside specific seats on the 12-member board for motorcycle riders and advocates. For example, 1 seat is reserved for each of the following, a national motorcyclist founda- tion, a national motorcyclist association, and a national motorcycle manufac- turing association. In 2020, the MRF will continue to educate lawmakers on the topic of the MAC and look for an opportunity for this legislation to pass on its own or be incorporated in a more extensive transportation initiative.

Meetings and Conferences: Bikers Inside the Beltway The 11th Annual Bikers Inside the Beltway commenced on May 21st at 6:45 am as over 150 bikers began the journey from our hotel in Virginia to the footsteps of the U.S. Capitol. Riders met with Congressional offices to discuss issues like motorcycle profiling, autonomous vehicle technology, the definition of a motorcycle and consumer edu- cation surrounding ethanol. It goes without saying that when 150 plus bikers start roaming the halls of Congress, people take notice. In fact, we were so visible that a Congressman started up a conversation with a few riders in an elevator and the next day signed on to our profiling resolution! At a ceremony in front of the U.S. Capitol with riders in attendance, Kirk “Hardtail” Willard presented Congressman Michael Burgess of Texas with his Legislator of the Year vest. Congressman Burgess spoke about the formation of the House Mo- torcycle Caucus and his efforts over the last decade to fight for the rights of mo- torcyclists. Congressman Burgess was joined at the podium by Congressmen Tim Walberg of Michigan and Congressman Troy Balderson of Ohio. All three Congress- man are riders, members of the House Motorcycle Caucus and passionate about protecting riders on and off the road.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 6 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020

Additionally, Senator John Thune of South Dakota was presented with his legislator of the year vest in a ceremony in his office. Senator Thune was honored because of his hard work to protect motorcyclists regarding autonomous vehicle legislation. Meeting of the Minds As summer turned to fall, hundreds of bikers gathered in Minnesota for the 35th Annual Meeting of the Minds in Bloomington, MN. As anyone that has attended a Meeting of the Minds, the event is one-part social event, one-part pep talk and one-part a forum for the sharing of ideas. On all three accounts, the event in Min- nesota was a resounding success. The 30 plus SMROs represented shared ideas and strategies on what they are working on in individual states and helped create the framework for the MRF and its priorities for the coming year. The MRF thanks our hosts in Minnesota and all the volunteers and attendees who took time out of their busy lives to focus on mo- torcyclist rights. We look forward to the next fall in Indiana and expect our friends in the Hoosier state to deliver a fantastic event! MOTM 2020 will be held on September 24-26th in Indianapolis, IN. State and Regional Events This year the MRF DC team attended numerous regional and state level motorcycle events to educate members about the MRF and out priorities. In March, we headed to Omaha, Nebraska for Heartland STEAM the gathering of SMROs from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. In October, the MRF attended the Mid-South Mile in Shreveport, Louisi- ana which included motorcycle leaders from Arkansas, Kansas. Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Additionally, throughout the year, MRF representatives attended state-level meet- ings in Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin to discuss our federal priorities. Year-End Stats: 6,182 – The number of letters sent by MRF Members to Congress during our “Call to Actions” 253 – The number of Senate and House offices Tiffany and Rocky DC personally visited throughout the year to discuss motorcycle issues. 166 – The number of meetings MRF Members did in one day during Bikers Inside the Beltway! 27 – Representatives that are members of the House Motorcycle Caucus 8 – Senators that are members of the Senate Motorcycle Caucus 3 – The Number of fundraisers the MRF PAC authorized the DC team to attend with motorcycle legislative champions (Sen. Johnson, Rep. Walberg, Rep. Burgess).

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 7 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 Mark Buckner Inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like to congratulate Mark Buckner, past president, longtime leader and MRF Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame member on his induction into the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Motorcycle Hall of Fame. On Friday December 6th, during the 2019 AMA Legends & Champions Weekend.

Mark Buckner began his leadership in motorcyclists’ rights advocacy in the late 1980s as the state coordinator for ABATE of Colorado. In 1992, Buckner joined the Motorcycle Riders Foundation board of directors, becoming MRF president and chairman two years later. During his tenure, the MRF implemented strategic planning processes which led to the organization’s financial stability and significant growth.

Buckner continues to have a profound influence in the motorcyclists’ rights community, giving seminars throughout the United States on strategic planning, organizational design and member effectiveness. Over the past 25 years, he has delivered more than 100 presentations around the country at state, regional, and national rights conferences.

In addition, Buckner has been a leader in promoting global harmonization of motorcyclists’ rights organizations in the United States and has fostered working relationships within the European motorcyclists’ rights community—bonds that remains strong to this day.

Rob Rasor, former AMA President introduced Mark to the attendees while Rick Gray past MRF VP and AMA Chairman of the Board accepted on Mark’s behalf; several current and former MRF Board members were in attendance. Other inductees were Kurt Caselli, Ron Lechien, Wiltz Wagner and Dale Walksler.

Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, MRF Chairman of the Board had this to say, “We couldn’t be more pleased to see Mark recognized by yet another motorcyclist Hall of Fame, without question the MRF has maintained our ability to deliver on our mission and vision due to Mark’s timely leadership and unique skill-set. I suspect many SMRO’s around the country could say the same.”

Congratulations Mark! A well-deserved honor for many years as a Motorcycling Rights Freedom Fighter.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 8 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Executes Strategic Alignment

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce we have renewed our Governmental Affairs Consulting Agreement with Husch Blackwell Strategies (HBS) for another year. We will continue to be represented by lobbyist William “Rocky” Fox of HBS.

Tiffany Cipoletti, formerly the MRF’s Director of Operations, will now serve as our Director of Government Relations. In her new role, she will focus on carrying out the MRF’s Legislative Strategy, provide support for our national motorcyclists’ lobby day held annually in May known as Bikers Inside the Beltway, she will also remain the Editor of our magazine, the American Bikers Journal.

To maintain focus on our legislative imperatives, we have decided to move our offices into HBS office space located inside the Congressional beltway.

Consistent with our desire to have the Washington D.C. Operation focus on our legislative strategy we have entered into an administrative contract with JPK Services.

JPK services will be responsible for membership services, day to day accounting, provide phone services, and support Bikers Inside the Beltway and Meeting of the Minds.

The MRF’s phone and e-mails will not change, our mailing address will now be:

Motorcycle Riders Foundation P.O. Box 250 Highland, IL 62249

MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard stated that this has been in the works for some time and he commended the MRF Board of Directors in having the wisdom to align our D.C. resources to maintain sole focus on our legislative activities while improving member services, the administration of the MRF, and importantly in a cost-effective structure through an independent contractor.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 9 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 25 YEARS: BACK TO THE FUTURE Fred Harrell Director of Conferences

This summer, while going through a box labeled Mc’ists Rights Misc., I came across a file of old MRF Reports that piqued my interest enough for me to set the file aside for later review. This week, while waiting for the once-in-every-45-days rains to subside, I delved into the file and went no further than page three and a column by newly elected MRF President, Mark Buckner.

Given the commitment at the 35 Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference to ‘remember our past or be doomed to repeat it.’ I’m sharing Mark Buckner’s column with you because I believe that his words from Hands on the Handlebars are just as relevant today as they were in 1994. Take a short ride 25 years Back to the Future and then see how the MRF is applying those lessons we learned in 1994 to move and thrive beyond where we are today.

Hands on the Handlebars by Mark Buckner, MRF President, MRF Reports November/December 1994

The term “kick-starting” a motorcycle is almost passé. However, there are still a few Knuckleheads, Panheads and Shovelheads, plus a number of imported motorcycles, that a kick-start is the only way they’re going to get started. Kick-starting an organization is still used today in reference to biker’s rights. The same applies to “shifting into high gear.” And the analogies continue in reference to motorcyclist’ rights organizations. Mike Farabaugh does a great presentation on the wheel and the importance of each spoke supporting the wheel.

Metaphorically speaking, lacing spokes, kick-starting, and shifting into high gear would never be possible without the banged knuckles and long nights of twisting wrenches within the ranks of any motorcyclist’ rights organization, including the MRF. Those of you who have contributed your time, money and labor to your own SMRO and at the same time “wrenched” on the MRF, are owed a debt of gratitude from anyone who throws his or her leg over a motorcycle today.

Financially, thanks to the generosity and commitments from individuals and SMROs, the MRF is sound. So, sound in fact that the Board of Directors voted to hire a legislative assistant to take some of the burden off Wayne Curtin and increase our effectiveness in Washington D.C. In less than two years, again with Motorcycle Riders Foundation 10 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020

the help of individuals and SMROs, we have been able to hire an administrative assistant to process membership and do a host of duties related to keeping the Washington office efficient and effective.

Like the designers, wrenches, chromers, and painters needed to restore a basket case, each person involved in the process is important part of the final product. They can take pride in their accomplishments because the final product belongs to all of them. The MRF belongs to all of us. The Board may make decisions that keep the project moving. However, it’s the groups of individuals such as the MRF State Reps, individual board members, along with rank and file SMRO members all contributing to make the final product what it is today.

If the MRF can be compared to rebuilding a basket case into a show piece, don’t think for a minute that it’s one of those “pretty-to-look-at-but-does-it- run?” show bikes. You damned right it runs! It runs because the individuals and SMROs who spent hours restoring it would have never been satisfied with “just another pretty motorcycle.” Or, in the case of the MRF, no one would have been satisfied if the restoration project had turned into a hollow shell of the organization doing nothing for biker’s rights.

The MRF is now a smooth-running show bike that every member can be proud to own a piece of. As I take on the responsibilities of the office of MRF President, I’m as apprehensive as I was the first time I got on a brand-new motorcycle. Rest assured, I know who the owners are of this motorcycle. And, I know that I will have to answer to the builders, wrenches, painters and all of you who own a piece of the MRF if I don’t meet your expectations while the handlebars are in my hands.

As the MRF President, it may be the hands of Mark Buckner on the handlebars, however, I know that it has been your time, money, and labor that built the MRF to what it is today. My thanks to Paul Vestal for over-seeing the restoration and taking the MRF on its first test ride as president. Thanks to you the spokes are tight, the paint is deep and looks good, the chrome is high quality, the engine runs great, and kick-starting the MRF is something I hope that we never have to do again.

Thank you for sticking with the restoration project. Your trust and confidence in my ability to ride this motorcycle and lead the MRF will enable me to shift into high gear as we head down some well-traveled roads for biker’s rights.

Mark Buckner’s column, written within a couple of years of some of the MRF’s most tumultuous times, with few exceptions, still reads as topical is it did 25 years ago. If the metaphors and analogies hold true, we are still riding a well-built motorcycle. The motorcycle we metaphorically built in 1994 may have never met the standard to win a Concours d’Elegance. However, it is still running, still looks good and we continue to make changes to it so that it can carry loads of new legislative and regulatory responsibilities.

Continued on pg 12 Motorcycle Riders Foundation 11 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 25 YEARS: BACK TO THE FUTURE As with any running motorcycle, parts wear out, paint fades, and tires need replacing. The metaphor of the MRF as a motorcycle was never meant to sit still and gather dust. It was meant to be metaphorically ridden and to take us places that 25 years ago were not even on our road map. Yet, today we are fighting and winning the battle against profiling, we are pushing diligently to restore the MRF to a rightful place on the Motorcycle Advisory Council, and yes, the MRF is being heard as we bring our concerns about Ethanol 15 to members of Congress who ride and understand what E15 does to motorcycle engines.

The MRF Board of Directors faced and continues to address how to get the most legislative mileage from the contribution of our SMRO supporters and individual members. The decisions the Board made to address certain aspects of providing better service to members without short-changing our legislative endeavors will not harm the effectiveness of the MRF. Our presence in Washington, D.C., is just as powerful as it was 25 years ago and will only get stronger.

The 2020 Bikers inside the Beltway is being put together with the same determination and dedication as it has been during the past 11 years. The 36th Meeting of the Minds will rival any of the past 35 and it is our goal to get the workshops and presentations back to the ‘nuts and bolts’ basics to provide individuals and SMROs with the tools not only to succeed within their states but strengthen what they bring with them to Bikers inside the Beltway.

The motorcycle that the MRF metaphorically built is 1994, and the one we are maintaining today was built with good hands, from a great plan and on a frame that is just as strong today as it was in 1994. The mission of the MRF remains the same, to promote and protect the rights of all motorcyclists. Whether we’re riding the bike we built in 1994 or a similar version with updated features, the hands on the handlebars are just as strong and just as committed as they were then.

Your rights, your motorcycle and your lifestyle are just as much under siege today as they were in 1994 – maybe more so. Yet, just as your MRF was there 25 years ago, your MRF is here today. Thanks for your membership and support.

The MRF showed former MRF President, Mark Buckner support at his AMA Hall of Fame Induction. Pictured: Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, Jay Jackson, Gary Sellers, Gail Gray, Dave Dwyer, Rick Gray, Jim “Legs” Korte, Paulette Korte and Marc Falsetti. Motorcycle Riders Foundation 12 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 13 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 IS YOUR MOTORCYCLE REALLY GETTING SMARTER?

by Dolf Wilgers Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA)

Just like we see in cars, more and more driver assistance systems are being developed for motorcycles. FEMA’s Dolf Willigers explores if these systems can be helpful in real life.

When you consider the amount of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in cars these days, it is more or less amazing how little assistance systems can be found on motorcycles: ABS (although by many not seen as ADAS but as riding safety system), motorcycle stability control system (MSC, idem), cornering ABS on premium models, traction control, sometimes wheelie control, that’s about it and certainly not on all models. Compare that with cars: Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind Spot Assistance (also available on one type BMW scooter), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), all kinds of parking and other sensors or even camera’s, hill start assist (I would like that on my motorcycle as well), et cetera.

There are reasons for this: many riders don’t want these kinds of devices on their bike: they like riding to be as pure as possible. Some of the ADAS for cars are just not applicable on a motorcycle: what would I need a 360-degree camera for? Or lane-keeping assist? Or an automatic parking system? Some systems are simply considered dangerous on motorcycles, at least for many of us. Like automatic braking systems or Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA). Another reason, and perhaps the most important reason, is scale: it takes money to develop these devices and with cars, it is much easier to cover the cost than with motorcycles. Also, you cannot just take a device out of a car and put that on a motorcycle. This is something we motorcyclists are aware of, but many policymakers are not, so we keep repeating this in Brussels.

And then there are the OEMs, the Original Equipment Manufacturers. These are the vehicle manufacturers themselves, but also companies like Bosch and Continental, that develop and manufacture parts of the motorcycle. Think of the cornering ABS systems, Electronic Stability Systems (ESS), Emergency Brake Assist & Forward Collision Warning Motorcycle Riders Foundation 14 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 systems, Blind Spot Detection & Lane Change Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Intelligent Headlight Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control. By the way, Emergency Brake Assist helps with an emergency brake and should not the be confused with AEB, Automatic Emergency Brake system, that can bring a car to a full stop if the driver reacts too late (or not at all) if an obstacle appears in front of the car. Bosch claims that “one in seven motorcycle accidents could be prevented using radar-based assistance systems.” And that “Motorcycle manufacturers KTM and Ducati will include the new rider assistance systems in production models as soon as 2020.” However, I have not been able to find the research report that is supposed to back up the first claim. To see what is already on the market and what is to come, we will have a closer look at them.

Motorcycle ABS in the world (picture: Bosch)

Already on the market are ABS and Cornering ABS. With Bosch, cornering ABS is part of the motorcycle stability control system (MSC), that also includes support during accelerating. This system does not only take the friction of the tires with the road into account but also the leaning angle of the motorcycle and (lack of) downforce. Newer devices use sensors like radar, lidar and cameras. Continental already offers camera- supported assist systems like Traffic Sign Assist and Intelligent Headlight Assist. Both companies also offer Adaptive Cruise Control that keeps you at a fixed distance from the vehicle before you. Bosch claims that systems like this can avoid one in seven accidents because you will always ride at a safe distance. However, I wonder what happens when your bike suddenly decelerates because another vehicle driver pushes his car between you and the car before you, as it happens all the time where I live and ride: will your bike suddenly brake? Not a nice idea without any protection from behind. Or will it decelerate gradually?

Continued on pg 16 Motorcycle Riders Foundation 15 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020

IS YOUR MOTORCYCLE REALLY GETTING SMARTER? (continued)

Both companies also offer a Forward Collision Warning System. This is also already known from the car world: you get an acoustic, haptic or optical warning signal when the system detects that you are about to collide with the vehicle before you. Continental combines it with Emergency Brake Assist, which ensures an optimum use of the available braking power. When a rear-end accident threatens, the motorcyclist will be alerted first, before the EBA function supports his active braking with slight pre-brake pressure. If the rider does not respond to the warning, the emergency brake assist starts to build up brake pressure autonomously. If I understood the information from Continental well, it does not actively brake, like some systems in cars do. Still, it only works when the rider has both hands on the handlebar. Blind Spot Detection (picture: Continental)

The final assist system that is already available is Blind Spot Detection & Lane Change Assist. Blind Spot Detection warns when the rider fails to see a car or a motorcycle approaching rapidly from behind in the left-hand lane or in the blind spot next to the motorcycle. The rear-facing radar sensor monitors the road area behind and next to the motorcycle and warns if a lane change cannot be recommended. Incidentally available are a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS, also going to be mandatory on cars) that is often not even available as an option, hill-start assist (HSA, prevents you to roll back when you release your brake to start riding uphill), Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA, adjust your suspension to the weight on the motorcycle and the driving circumstances).

What do these systems do and what do they not do? The already available systems (with exception of ABS and stability control systems) do in no way interfere with the speed or the direction of the motorcycle. In this way they differ from systems that are fitted into cars. The stability control systems and ABS do this in a way, but only to help the rider to go safely in the direction he intents to go. All these systems do not change the direction of the motorcycle, brake without the rider activating the brake or accelerate without the rider initiating this. This is a fundamental change from the working of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in cars. Will it stay this way? Several motorcycle manufacturers have already developed self-steering and self-balancing motorcycles to try out new systems. It is to be expected that part of this will find its ayw to the consumer. Systems that help in balancing the motorcycle pave the way to assist systems that interfere with speed and direction, like (Pedestrian) Automatic Emergency Braking, which in a few years will become mandatory in cars.

Another feature that will be mandatory in cars is Intelligent Speed Assistance. Some road safety organizations want this on motorcycles too. With present techniques, this is not a good idea, but in future, some ISA could become possible. Even active lane-keeping assist systems could become possible.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 16 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020

Not mentioned yet is connection. Many companies and researchers work on systems that are connected: vehicles with the infrastructure or with each other in many kinds of variables and in many ways. The Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC) in which BMW Motorrad, Honda and Yamaha work together to develop Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) on a global scale and to develop common basic specifications, is working on systems that provide the motorcyclist with information, but also to warn other road users of his presence. The classic situation of car drivers that do not see motorcyclists when they turn, should be something of the past with these systems. In fact, systems that are based on sensors like radar, lidar and camera will never be able to recognize motorcycles under all circumstances. To be fully visible for cars and other vehicles under all circumstances, motorcycles will have to be provided with beacons and other devices that communicate with the environment, including cars.

Intelligent Headlight Assist (picture: Continental)

The costs of these systems will be high. Higher than for cars, because development and production will be on a much smaller scale. They need to be protected more against vibrations and the weather. It is just as with your sat-nav device: it is several times more expensive than a comparable car sat-nav device. On the other hand: ABS was very expensive in the beginning. Since it has become common and even mandatory on all motorcycles except the very light ones (< 125 cc), prices have lowered rapidly. Some of the systems that are described above are now expensive options on the high-end models. With increasing demand, they will become more affordable for the average rider.

Another issue is the Human Machine Interface (HMI). In cars, this is less of a problem: your dashboard is more or less in front of you, so you will notice warning lights quite soon, especially when it is combined with a warning sound. With motorcycles this is less obvious: the dashboard is usually not in your direct line of sight, so you will often not notice a warning light as quick as you would in a car. And audible signals have to be very loud to be heard or you need to have a device in your helmet, like the bluetooth receiver that is used for rider-communication or to hear the instructions of your sat-nav system.

Finally, the main question remains: will we , the motorcyclists, accept these new assist systems and will we be prepared to pay for them? The Riderscan survey in 2014 showed that a small minority of 27.2% answered ‘yes’ to the question if new technologies enabled the road user to be safer, greener and less troubled by congestion. Especially Intelligent Speed Assistance was seen as useless and even dangerous by many riders.

Read more European news from FEMA at www.feam-online.eu

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 17 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 MRFPAC NEWS Ryan Hubbard Director of MRFPAC

As the 2018 midterm election cycle continues, your MRFPAC is here to assist you. We have a survey that can be sent to your candidates to gauge where they stand on our issues. After the candidates complete the survey, your MRFPAC committee members will grade the candidates and provide these grades to your SMRO. If you would like MRFPAC to gather this information for your SMRO, all you need to do is ask us. Your SMRO can send this request to me at [email protected] or contact any of the MRFPAC Trustees.

If you have a candidate who is behind us all the way, MRFPAC can help with campaign donations to get your members into these candidates’ fundraising events. At these events, you will have the opportunity to discuss our motorcycling issues with the candidate and many other local and state politicians who always show up. Again, you can contact me at [email protected] or contact any of the MRFPAC Trustees for the request for the donation form.

The money for these donations come from the contributions MRF members make to the MRFPAC Special Segregated Fund (SSF). When all of these contributions are combined, we are able to have a far greater impact on a candidate’s ability to wage a successful campaign than individual contributions. All contributions to and donations from MRFPAC are governed by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations. Solicitations for SSF funds can only be made to members of our restricted class (Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Members).

There are many FEC regulations with regards to the management of the SSF fund, which is managed by your MRFPAC Treasurer. Monetary contributions to the SSF can only be accepted from individual members of the MRF. Federal law (11 CFR 114.2) bans contributions by corporations and labor organizations to influence federal elections. That ban covers incorporated trade associations and membership organizations. Therefore, no contributions can be accepted from an SMRO.

While SMRO’s cannot contribute money directly to the SSF Fund, they can donate goods to be auctioned or raffled, and hold fundraising events to generate funds for the SSF. When doing this, the SMRO will function as a Collecting Agent for MRFPAC; however, all contribution limits and reporting requirements still apply.

The FEC defines a Collecting Agent as “An organization that collects and transmits contributions to a SSF.” A Collecting Agent may be the SSF’s connected organization (Motorcycle Riders Foundation), or an organization (SMRO), or committee affiliated with the SSF. If your SMRO plans to raise funds for MRFPAC, please contact the MRFPAC Chairman or Treasurer for all the details acting as a Collecting Agent before you hold the event.

If you have questions regarding MRFPAC or the distribution of funds, please contact me or any of the committee members. Additional information on Political Action Committees is available on the Federal Election Commission web site at http://www.fec.gov.

Contributions are only being sought from members of the MRF who are U.S. citizens, or those who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence under applicable federal law.Foreign national contributions are prohibited. Contributions are not tax deductible. Any contribution from non-MRF members will be returned. Contributions to MRF PAC are voluntary, and you may refuse to contribute without reprisal. A copy of our report, filed with the Federal Election Com- mission, is (or will be) available on the FEC’s website (www.fec.gov).

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 18 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 MRF ELECTION NEWS Dave Dwyer SSMRO Representative MRF Elections Chairman

I would like to thank everybody who voted in our elections this year. I know the turnaround time was short for the Member Representative ballot. Due to the timing of our realignment and moving our office and our elections, the decision was made to have all the Member Representative and Sustaining State Motorcyclist Rights Organization Representative ballots go directly to the Elections Committee Chairman this year. These elections only had one candidate each, Todd Riba for Member Rep and Duane Justus for SSMRO Rep. Had there been contested elections, we would have found another solution to avoid any possible problems. We are still exploring how to handle online or electronic balloting for future elections.

As I am sure you saw in the November 25th press release from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, we have completed our Strategic Realignment. Tiffany, in our Washington D. C. office, will be strictly focused on Legislative and Communication issues, including editing the American Biker Journal. All our Administrative functions, including membership processing, day-to-day accounting and directing phone calls to the proper department, are now being handled by JPK Services.

All of our telephone numbers and emails have stayed the same. The most noticeable change is our mailing address. It is now The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, P.O. Box 250, Highland, IL 62249.

These changes will enable us to make better use of your money by streamlining our operation and should ensure the highest level of customer service. As always, feel free to reach out to any of our Board Members to help with any issue you may have.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 19 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 AROUND THE STATES

Alabama my grandparent’s Pontiac Grand Ville on Kris Cook New Year’s Eve and went to Springfield, a 25-mile drive from my hometown, simply to I’m writing this while sitting in my Dad’s get a Doctor Pepper at a McDonald’s; your hospital room on Thanksgiving, wondering basic joyride. On the return trip, I was on what the heck I can report on that everyone I-44 coming off Northview Hill with the cruise hasn’t already heard. It’s still motorcycle control set on 90 (the speed limit was 55 in season down here in the sunny south, and those days!) and of course, I got caught by riders are still losing their lives. The Mobile the state patrol. They ticketed me for C&I area has seen far more than its share of and when I went to court, the judge sent fatalities recently, which has drawn the me to what we called drunk driving school, attention of a news personality down that way which, as I recall, was intense. I watched who is a rider, resulting in a good bit of news lots of videos that were graphic, and they coverage of motorcycle issues. The coverage made an impression on me. I don’t know of issues is very good, but the reason for it is why we didn’t see all that stuff in drivers ed heartbreaking. to begin with. At 16, I absolutely had no We’re still going into schools, working on idea how much weight I was barreling down making an impression on kids who are about the highway with, nor did I realize how much to start driving on Alabama’s roadways. I’m damage and destruction I could do with that always looking for catchphrases that might weight, and how quickly that damage and stick in a young person’s mind, like “head on destruction would happen if I lost control at a swivel.” I need to find one of those head- 90 miles per hour. That class taught things bobbing little figurines that so many people like how to always leave yourself an “out,” used to have on the dashboard of their cars another concept I don’t recall learning in back when I was young, to show the kids. drivers ed. Anything that will cement an idea into those After I run through the driver’s ed curriculum short-attention-span brains – something that in a driver’s ed class, if the administrator will stick with them over their driving careers. will let me, I have the kids watch the TAC When I was 16, I “borrowed” (without asking) 20th anniversary campaign video called

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 20 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 “Everybody Hurts.” It is incredibly compelling The MCs are still having issues with and always makes some of the kids cry. Even Mesa Gang Enforcement. One of the MCs though it is not about motorcycles specifically, members was pulled over in an Uber, leaving the message to not drive impaired is strong. a public bar leaving a Halloween Party I show the video after our Share the Road hosted by the Hells Angels MC and they module is finished, then sometimes the were invited guests. They were detained 2 teacher quizzes the kids on what they have learned that day. Hopefully, the message hours with no charges or citations issued. sticks with them the way some of the things I They were searched and questioned without learned in drunk driving school stuck with me. consent by them and photographed for gang enforcement files. The five detaining officers https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Z2mf8DtWWd8 were dressed in black and heavily armed with no badge or name tag visible and denied name and badge number to the non 1%s . The club consists of first responders, firefighters, EMTs and search/ rescue personnel and not gangsters or criminals in any way. The officers cited Case Law for their abuse of rights.

Arkansas Rodney Farley The 2019 28th Annual Mid-South MILE in Shreveport, Louisiana! Cajun Style, we had Arizona some fun! The MILE kicked off Friday, October Dale Dedrick 25th with orientation, meeting committee Greetings from Arizona, the Lobbyists of our members and state representatives. Saturday, State MROs had a very productive meeting October 26th we hit it with the state, national with Alberto Gutierrez from the Governors and international updates. Bart Cocquyt of the Office of Highway Safety. We discussed a Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) in Belgium, sunset date for a bill regarding an additional presented an eye-opening report of what we dollar on Motorcycle Registration Fees which may face soon then lunch was provided by goes to Motorcycle training and certification the Indian Dealership. Everyone kicked it up scholarships thru the AMSAF. We also after lunch with excellent breakout sessions discussed a safe and reasonable Lane including two on the MRF. Thanks to Tiffany for Filtering legislation using the new Utah Law representing Motorcycle Riders Foundation and as an example. Abate of Arizona will provide Skee Dodson., Texas Rep. with the sessions. a Driver Education Video regarding Lane They did an awesome job. We had many Splitting approved by the AZ GOHS and they other speakers who talked about Veterans’ will air it to avoid any Road Rage incidents rights and benefits, AMA, Safety, Leadership between riders and drivers. I will have more and a bunch more. The goal of the Mid-South details to come. M.I.L.E. (Motorcyclists Improving Legislative Effectiveness) is to share ideas, techniques, strategies and enthusiasm using the format of an annual education seminar. This seminar provides an opportunity for motorcyclists’ rights group members to work together toward the preservation of motorcyclist’s freedoms through education. Then came the banquet and auction along with a special speaker. Next year’s MILE will be held in Texas. The Arkansas state legislature will meet in January 2020 for budgets only. Then not until 2021 to pass any legislation so we will have a bit of slow down on the state level.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 21 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 Colorado Dale Meade Our legislative session for 2020 starts up in early January, but Stump has been busy over the summer with TLRC committee meetings. One of the bills that will again be introduced is from Senate Court regarding the use of hands-free electronic devices while driving. The upcoming legislation may be a watered-down version with reduced fines to get it to pass. This will be the Senators’ last go-round since she is not running for office again, and we have no idea if anyone else will take up the bill if it doesn’t pass. There is a possibility of some version of a lane splitting/lane filtering bill but there seems to be no interest in any profiling bill. As with many states, failure to report instances of mc profiling leads the Attorney General to believe there is no profiling problem. Our MOST program is also due to “sunset” at the end of 2020 so there is sure to be plenty of discussion about continuing the program.

Idaho Duane Justus As we move into January, our MRO’s are continuing to work diligently on two major items within the state of Idaho’s Legislative session. Our session only lasts for two months so we have a lot to cram into a very short time. The two most pressing issues we are bringing to the Boise are getting the Anti-Profiling Bill and a Distracted Driving Bill passed. All three of our MRO’s- ABATE of S Idaho, Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety and ABATE of N Idaho are working on getting these projects completed. Abate of S Idaho is bringing the Anti-Profiling Bill back again this session with hopes of getting it passed as it only lost in the last session by a few votes. Hopefully, this will be the year that all of their hard work pays off with its passage. ABATE of N Idaho has been working on getting an updated Distracted Driving Bill passed this session again as it failed last year as well by just a few votes as well. None of this work gets done without the help of the Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety who each year is always on hand in Boise to press the flesh of our Politicians. Currently, we have all of our memberships emailing their Legislatures and we are in constant touch with local Law Enforcement entities to solicit their support as well on both bills. Hopefully, in the next issue, we will be able to report back that both bills were passed!

New memberships are critical to the growth of the MRF and that is a task that I have been working on every day…..only a couple of new members this past few months but I am expecting better news in 2020!

Indiana Roberta Meyer Indiana ABATE Day at the Statehouse was on January 8, 2020. This year ABATE is focusing on an issue we started working on in 2018. ABATE is working to gain access for motorized recreation into the Hoosier National Forest (HNF). Motorized recreation was “temporarily” removed for the HNF in the 1970s and remains excluded to this date. The desire is to have AROUND THE STATES Motorcycle Riders Foundation 22 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 a concurrent resolution from the Indiana General Assembly, suggesting that the United States Forest Service consider once again allowing responsible use by off-road vehicles. We had about 25 supporters from the House of Representatives in 2018 and hopefully can add a lot more to that list. We will be talking to as many legislators as possible during ABATE Day and I am sure our LINC director and Jay Jackson will be busy as the issue calls for otherwise. The General Assembly will be in session January to March this year (our short session).

Otherwise, we have a busy new year ahead of us. Our Awards Banquet is February 8th at the Waterfront Hotel. ABATE Kids Day at the Statehouse is scheduled for February 11th• The Indiana Motorcycle Expo will be in Indianapolis Feb 14-16th• Registration for our Riders Course begins at the Expo each year. The events multiply from there. So that is the start of a busy year at ABATE of Indiana. Hope to see you at an event soon!

Kansas Bill Cooper I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I traveled to the capital in Topeka to met with Congressional Leaders and our State Legislatures on House Resolution 255. The resolution promotes awareness of motorcycle profiling and encouraging collaboration and communication with the motorcycle community and law enforcement officials to prevent instances of profiling which now has 118 co- sponsors but none from Kansas so far. Editor’s Note: Kansas now had two cosponsors on H. Res. 255 since this submission.

Lousiana Brick Lindsey On March 9, 2020, Louisiana Legislation begins. We are prepared for yet another successful legislative year. Bikers and supporters will converge on the Capitol steps dressed in our High Viz yellow “Vote Like A Biker” shirts as we have done for the last several years. We are ready to meet and greet our veteran and newly elected officials. Our 2020 Legislative Agenda has been set, and we will be proposing:

1) All Road Users Act 2) Dead-Red 3) Support Cell phone hands-free usage.

I am proud to announce that we have 100% (6/6) of our Federal delegation signed on as co-sponsors to support H. Res 255. The State Board has unanimously approved the donation and support of the CQ Engage State module, and we look forward to working closely with the MRF to make this program successful. It is my honor to have been nominated and elected to serve two more years as the ABATE of Louisiana State President. Motorcycle Riders Foundation 23 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 AROUND THE STATES Michigan Minnesota Tom Rahn Gary Goracke Once again, I’m asking all MRF assistant I want to thank everyone that attended reps and ABATE RC’s to pass this on to your MOTM in September. I think I can speak members! for everyone that helped put this on that we had a blast and are looking forward to hosting another one in 10 years or so. First, if you are not a member of the MRF, WHY? I know you’ve heard from other organizations that they are hurting. But if The number one priority for A.B.A.T.E. of we lose the MRF, who will fight for us on Minnesota legislative activity is to have the national level? Membership nationwide a successful Bikerday at the Capitol on is WAY down. Thursday, February 27th. A.B.A.T.E. of Minnesota has been sponsoring this event for 15 years, and it helps us move our Another concern is getting our members agenda forward. Unfortunately, there is of Congress to co-sponsor H.Res. 255, a cost to protecting your motorcycling the anti-profiling resolution. So far there freedoms. And in recent years, only are 118 cosponsors and only two are from A.B.A.T.E of Minnesota, the Minnesota Michigan! I’m sure we can do better. Please Motorcycle Club Coalition, and the take 5 minutes or less to get on your phone Confederation of Clubs of Minnesota have to call or write the U.S. Representative stepped up to fund Bikerday at the Capitol. from your area to step up and help with And we thank them all. It seems there are our fight. In advance, “Thanks for giving a a lot of Minnesota motorcyclists “riding on shit.” We can do this if we work together! our gas.” Please do all you can to reach out to other groups and ask for their financial support and attendance at Bikerday at the Capitol. ABATE along with the COC, are all working on the Michigan insurance reform bills HB4812 and SB528. In short, the new insurance bill that takes effect July 2020 At the October A.B.A.T.E. of Minnesota (MCCA) will put the motorcyclist under Board of Directors meeting, our State the power of the car driver’s choice of Coordinator Jane Doyle announced she will insurance coverage. Even if you choose be conducting interviews with potential to continue your coverage that you have Legislative Directors. Mack Backlund presently, if the other driver only carries volunteered to fill this position in the $50,000 in medical, that’s all you get! This interim. There are many very talented doesn’t affect your coverage on your car people in A.B.A.T.E. of Minnesota and if you because that is based on what you choose know someone interested in this position, to carry. please have them contact Jane.

We are also working on: Allowing a Missouri variation of lane splitting for very low-speed Amy Allmon traffic jams. It’s the end of 2019 and time to reflect on wins and losses. We were able to get our We want to form a motorcycle advisory Helmet Modification on Governor Parsons board/commission made up of motorcyclists desk, but due to the nefarious actions of from the private sector similar to the our adversaries, he was obligated to veto. snowmobile advisory commission to However, we will not be deterred and are monitor and advise on motorcycle related more resolute than ever to continue the legislation. fight. We have a Senate sponsor for our helmet modification bill still searching for a Motorcycle Riders Foundation 24 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020

House sponsor. Several organizations will operating a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, submit versions of texting and driving bills or bicycle on a public way or off-road trail and we will follow those. We are recruiting wear protective headgear. volunteers across the State to attend High School Driver’s Ed or related classes to As all of you know, this is a fight we as present Motorcycle Awareness to new and motorcyclists are all committed to whether soon to be drivers. We have contacts in we wear a helmet or not, because it goes MODOT and are planning to collaborate much deeper than that. It’s about FREEDOM for additional PSAs that include Motorcycle of CHOICE! Awareness. We are also preparing for the The helmet issue was the reason that Mike Sloan Memorial Motorcycle Awareness motorcyclists became FREEDOM FIGHTERS and You Rally (MAY) April 28, 2020 to kick and started Motorcyclists’ Rights off Motorcycle Awareness month of MAY. Organizations across the country back in the seventies. We also have seatbelt legislation, House Bill 1622 FN, this year. The same Representative introduced both of these bills. In NH, we are facing many changes in our legislative culture and we must all continue to FIGHT! Our very motto “Live Free or Die” is being challenged and I for one and preparing for the FIGHT ahead!

We had elections in November of our State The secret to happiness is freedom… Cabinet for 2020 and 2021. The winners are And the secret to freedom is courage.” Ken Lewis – Chairman, Joe “DC” Karr – Vice – Thucydides Chairman, Duchess Warner – Treasurer, and Danniyelle Finely – Secretary. Congratulations to all, and looking forward to the new year. Pennsylvania Andy Kelly Charles Umbenhauer, who is the present Lobbyist for ABATE of PA, will be retiring on Plans are in the works for Freedom of Road December 31, 2019. Charles has been our Riders F.E.W. Seminar, March 7, 2020 in Lobbyist since October 2000. Before that, Jefferson City, MO. Our theme is “Biker he was the State Legislative Coordinator Brotherhood,” and we have recruited a for ABATE of Pa for 14 years. Charles guest speaker from Abate of Wisconsin. has been presented with many awards Pre-registration cost is $25 that includes throughout the years. Some of them being patch and dinner, $20 without patch and Easyrider Hall of Fame in 1992, and the $25 at the door without patch and no Ron Roloff Lifetime Achievement Award guarantee of dinner. from the National Coalition of motorcyclists I hope to see everyone at Bikers Inside the in 1998. In 2002, Charles was inducted Beltway in May. into the Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame by the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. Also, the American Motorcyclist Association gave Charles the Motorcycling Award in 2004 New Hampshire and 2015 the AMA Dud Perkins Lifetime Traci Beaurivage Achievement Award. After enjoying about ten years of riding with the Freedom of Choice as far as a Helmet, NH has a Helmet BILL. House Bill 1621- FN. This bill requires that every person

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 25 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 South Carolina 6. Motorcycle Side Car Licensing. Michelle Holcomb 7. MTC Death Stats. It is with great sadness to inform you that our State Coordinator Ralph Bell resigned and will 8. Lane Splitting and filtering discussions to not seek reelection in 2020. Ralph has been continue. an integral part of ABATE of South Carolina for 9. Rider education issues. many years. I have been in South Carolina for almost five years and from day one, Ralph was always active in ABATE and MRF. He has also become a great friend. He and his wife South Dakota Stephanie allowed Lenny and me to live with Kelly DeVries them in their home for over two weeks when It is Christmas party time with all our chapters we first came here. We were waiting on our RV doing their own thing, Zzen chapter we get to be set up while our house was being built. together and everyone brings their favorite dish He also came to our home and helped Lenny and we talk about what’s all going on in SD. We build a workbench in our garage. Everywhere play a few games to add a little money to our ABATE was, there were Ralph and Stephanie. account for next year. This is the time of year Even as a private citizen, Ralph continued to that we get all the members fired up and ready help South Carolinians by getting a temporary for SD Legislative Days on January 16-18 in tag bill introduced by Senator Grooms of SC to Pierre. If you happen to be around please stop close a huge loophole. Before the passage of in and join us; the more people the better the the law, there was absolutely no way of tracing impact we have. temporary tags issued by dealerships. The DMV was utterly out of the loop. During Legislative days, we have a meet and greet night where we invite all our elected The tags were paper and filled out by the officials to come to our place and we talk dealership and no information passed on to the to them all on what is going on and what DMV. Now, this new temporary tag bill will everyone, including them, would like to see close that loophole by requiring the SC DMV changed. When we do this, we open up the to issue these temporary tags, which will be trust and I feel it helps us get our points across numbered and traceable to the owner. He has without the feeling we are just talking about been an excellent leader and mentor and will laws and bills. We will get lots of positives out be missed by everyone. He is truly the face of of this night, and then the next morning, we put ABATE in and out of the South Carolina State handwritten thank you on their desk; this gets House. ABATE of SC will not be the same with them talking to the ones that didn’t make it that him stepping down. He and Stephanie continue we care about South Dakota and our freedom. to be a great friend of ours and we are thankful A simple thank you went a long way and now for them. Lenny and I both wish Ralph and it is one of our most important things we must Stephanie the best of luck in everything they do that weekend. Next letter I will let you know do in the future. It is time for them to take a how it goes and what we did new. break and enjoy their family. With all that being said, I would like to thank John Caddell for Last month SD traffic council had a meeting stepping up to take Ralph’s place as acting State on truck platooning testing in SD. Most of us Coordinator until an election is held in January. thought it was to start the platooning testing John has been the Assistant State Coordinator in SD, well we found out that we already allow and has done an excellent job. He has many this. This meeting was to extend the permitted great new ideas and I am sure he will represent roads they can test on. Boy was this an eye- us well. Thank you, John, for all you do. opener for us on how easy it is for laws to be passed right under our nose. Most people don’t even think about this with our trucking industry, Here is our legislative agenda for 2020. but it can be right down scary. If you don’t 1. Distracted driving. know what truck platooning is, please look it up on the internet for the whole story. Long story 2. H3695 High Mileage Bill. short is several trucks with trailers travel in a convoy that is very close to each other; the first 3. S18 and H3300 Interlock Bill. truck controls all the following trucks as far as 4. H3788, S106 and S0117 Felony Charges speed, braking, and passing. That means if the and Enhanced Penalties for certain wrecks. first one crashes, the rest may crash also. Some 5. Grass and Roadways. of the problems are this runs off of GPS, and not every part of our roads have adequate GPS AROUND THE STATES Motorcycle Riders Foundation 26 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 signal. In 5-15 years, this program wants to of our bills stalled and wouldn’t get brought up have only one person in the leading truck and for a vote, THEN we took the bikes down and no drivers in the following trucks. Right now, made LOTS of noise. We had bikes circling the there has to be a certified driver in the driving capitol for hours (making lots of noise) while seat in all trucks. Since this is new to me, I a select number of our members went inside, can’t say that I know this is dangerous to us unannounced, and started pounding on doors. motorcycle riders or not. I’m going to do more searching before I express my opinion on this Needless to say, it got their attention. And they subject. Please check this out in your state and were reminded that it’s a good thing to work see what you have for platooning testing. Until with us, and not ignore us. And, yes, our bill got next letter from SD please keep on anyone that passed. has not signed on to the profiling H. Res 255 and get them all to sign on. Speaking of bills getting passed…we finally reached the peak and got our Autocycle Bill passed and signed by the governor on November 22! The bill clearly defines the Wisconsin difference between a motorcycle and an Jen Dewitz autocycle and sets the registration rate for First off, I want to thank ABATE of Wisconsin for an autocycle at $45 annually. Motorcycles are entrusting me with this position. As your new still registered for $23 biennially. According State Rep, I am super stoked to promote the to the DOT, there are currently 1,030 vehicles MRF whenever the opportunity arises! I hope to registered in Wisconsin that fit the definition answer any questions I can and assist whenever of an autocycle. Unfortunately, the DOT has and wherever needed. Kudos to Joe Stanek for also stated to the press that it will cost about the work he did when he was the State Rep and $160,000 to reprogram their computers to for getting me involved as one of his Assistant implement the new fee and create autocycle Reps. license plates. Based on the current number of autocycles, the fee will generate $46,350 We have a fun-filled 2020 ahead and lots to annually, with anticipation that autocycle be motivated about! Meeting of the Minds numbers will increase in the future now that reinvigorated all of us that attended, and I’m some of the burdensome regulations have been hoping to see more Wisconsin faces at the next lifted. MOTM and STEAM conventions since they are both in the Midwest in 2020. More information A few other bills we will be talking about on on those in the upcoming months, so stay January 23rd are truck platooning, paddle tuned! wheels, and poker runs. Currently, in Wisconsin, truck platooning is not regulated as to how Currently, our biggest day of the year is just many trucks can run together or where they can around the corner. January 23 is Biker Day travel. We will be addressing this and asking at the Capitol. We do this in winter, when that it be limited to two trucks together so as the weather is not-so-nice for bike riding, not to block on and off-ramps on the highway for a reason. Every year we demonstrate and not create an entire train of trucks traveling professionalism and courtesy while still holding very closely together. Paddle wheels and poker to our biker traditions when we speak with our runs are both great ways to generate revenue legislators. We always dress as bikers, which for organizations, especially non-profits, but reminds the legislators who we are and what they are currently both illegal in Wisconsin. we believe it, even when we aren’t riding. There is already a paddle wheel bill in the We bring around 500 bikers to Madison every process, which we are supporting. And we are year to work with our legislators and discuss looking to start legislation to make poker runs our issues at hand. We hit every office in the legal. More on this as we get the details sorted capitol. We get busses sponsored, the CC Riders out. open their clubhouse to us, and we make it as easy as possible for our members to get to the Last thing, I am looking for motivated capitol and participate. And as I said, we do individuals that would like to become Assistant this politely and professionally. Before you think State Reps in Wisconsin and help promote we’ve turned into a bunch of wussies, let me the MRF at ABATE events and elsewhere. If explain. you have read this entire article, you already have potential! Please email me at MRFRep@ Two years ago, Madison learned that when we ABATEWis.org if you are interested. don’t get our way, we have many options to ramp up our attitude and Get Loud. When one

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 27 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 MOTORCYCLIST UNITE

Russell Radke MRF Club Representative

I hope all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and now are all set for a productive and stupid busy year! Here are a few of the topics as we move into 2020.

The work with the Motorcycle Profiling project completed its fourth year of completing its survey with over 5,000 participants. The stats will be available by the time this newsletter gets released. Some feel that this is not a big help, but for those who have participated in Bikers in the Beltway, you know that this survey has produced some of the best undeniable info when dealing with our legislators. For states that have been dealing with an anti-profiling bill at state level, the stats are invaluable.

The National Council of Clubs has continued to work very hard at the rapid response to issues where their involvement has been warranted! We have not only bridged some gaps among ourselves but have grown in numbers without losing integrity. In December, we included our very own Rocky Fox on the call for updates on our resolution, and aligning a path for getting it signed in Congress.

I am very much looking forward to NCOM this year in Indy and look forward to continuing the relations with old friends and attending the meetings and being brought up to date on current issues.

This last year at Bikers, in D.C. I was given the opportunity to bring in some club member under my position in a some areas of the country on a case by case trial. By the time we got to Meeting of the Minds 2019, I had six that had stepped up and are carrying the water in their areas of the country. So with a presentation to the Executive Board on a Club Rep assistant program, I was given the green light to proceed. In California, we have Pablo Villa, in the D.C.area we have Barrett also know as OCD, Up in Maine and surrounding states we has Murf, in Florida we have Spokes, in South Dakota we have Cory, aka Spydee, and for the great state of Texas we have Jethro. Hope to have a few more added to this list by Bikers in the Beltway 2020.

My name is Pablo Villa. I have been a member of the Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club for the past 29 years. I’ve also been a member of the Southern California Confederation of Clubs for the past 28 years. I am looking forward to being the MRF rep for the Southern California area, to encourage the motorcycle community to get involved in fighting the various bills that come against the motorcycle community and motorcycle clubs.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 28 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 I am Herb “Murf” Murphy and I am a 13-year member and Regional officer in the Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club. I sit on the PR Committee of the National Council of Clubs. I am a member of the United Bikers of Maine. I am a 3-year member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and have been working with Russell “Mr. Clean” Radke for those three years. I have enjoyed the MRF and have been amazed at how much has been accomplished for the motorcycle community at the state and federal level. I have especially enjoyed the “Bikers on the Beltway” and the “Meeting of the Minds” events. I am looking forward to working more closely with the clubs as a MRF club Regional.

My name is Barrett “OCD” Dilley. I have been a member of the Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club for the past seven years. I am looking forward to being the MRF rep for the National Capital/Eastern region, to encourage the motorcycle community to get involved in fighting the various bills that come against the motorcycle community and motorcycle clubs.

My name is Keith Stierwalt, aka Spokes. I have been riding for roughly 12 years. I am and have been an active member of Soldiers for Jesus MC for seven years now. My interest in the MRF is to see motorcycle profiling be resolved and to go away. I have experienced this problem first hand and don’t agree with it. I’d also like to further my involvement with the MRF.

My name is Corey “Spydee” Merrill from Rapid City, SD. I am president of Soldiers for Jesus MC, Sturgis SD chapter. In May of 2020, I will have been riding with SFJ MC for 15 years. I look forward to serving the MRF.

I am Jason “Jethro” Gotthardt of the Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club. As a member of the MRF in North Texas, I am looking forward to the coming year to see and be part of changes being made in motorcycle rights across my state and the nation. The profiling issue is close to my heart as it is spreading increasingly worse across my state. Pushing ahead with the survey from the Motorcycle Profiling Project and the growing grassroots movement that is growing, I believe we can make a gradual change in the way things are done. I sincerely look forward to being a part of our efforts and will support the MRF any way I can.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 29 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 30 American Bikers Journal - January/February 2020 MRF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT SSMRO BOARD REPRESENTATIVE STATE REPS PROGRAM DIRECTOR Kirk “Hardtail” Willard Dave Dwyer Doc D’Errico (715) 421-0717 [email protected] (508) 954-8881 [email protected] [email protected] SSMRO BOARD REPRESENTATIVE VICE PRESIDENT Duane Justus STATE REPS BOARD MEMBER Jay Jackson (509) 710-1300 Shelly Holcomb (317) 422-8040 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE STATE REPS BOARD MEMBER SECRETARY Cindy Hodges Dave Monroe Deb Craig (919) 630-8886 (907) 360-0517 (303) 888-7566 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE SUSTAINING MOTORCYCLE CLUB TREASURER Todd Riba REPRESENTATIVE Dave Cazel (952) 239-0929 Russell Radke (208) 771-1774 [email protected] (702) 280-7663 [email protected] [email protected] MOTORCYCLE SAFETY/RIDER ED COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Jay Jackson DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Dawn Riba (317) 422-8040 Tiffany Cipoletti (952) 239-0928 [email protected] (202) 725-5471 [email protected] [email protected] MRF PAC DIRECTOR CONFERENCE DIRECTOR Ryan Hubbard Fred Harrell (309) 267-0606 (702) 257-9486 [email protected] [email protected]

MRF BOARD ASSISTANTS

Helen Wesson Paulette Korte EX-OFFICIO BOARD MEMBERS Assistant, Products MRF PAC Treasurer Mark Buckner, Colorado [email protected] Motorcycle Safety Assistant [email protected]

Polly Schoeller Dave Condon Deborah Butitta, Arizona Membership Assistant Reps Program Assistant [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Keith Ball Todd Riba Assistant to Aftermarket Reps Program Assistant [email protected] [email protected]

ADDRESS CHANGE American Bikers Journal Editor Please mail to: Tiffany Cipoletti PO Box 255 [email protected] Highland, IL 62249 [email protected] Send all submissions to: or Deadline (202) 546-0983 The 1st of every even number month Phone: Email: [email protected] NEXT DEADLINE: February 1, 2020 Website: www.mrf.org

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