Virginia Motorcycle Legislative Roundtable Update

September, 9, 2013  The Virginia Motorcycle Legislative roundtable for 2013 was held yesterday in Richmond.  We had a great turn out from motorcyclists of varying age and experience.  Participants included members of ABATE of Virginia, the Virginia Biker’s Association, the U.S. Military Vets MC, American Legion Riders, Harley Owners Group, and Rider coaches with the Virginia Rider Training Program.  We also had independent riders who took advantage of the weather to ride in on an array of motorcycles from cruisers to sport bikes.

The group agreed that pursuing legislation to classify three wheeled automobiles as something other than a motorcycle was a priority.  We are seeing an increase in three wheeled automobiles.  The fact that they have less than four wheels is the only thing that they have in common with motorcycles.  Other than that, the operator sits in a seat rather than straddling one.  The operator controls the vehicle with a steering wheel and not a handlebar.  The throttle is controlled by a foot peddle rather than by hand.  These vehicles are automobiles yet are currently classified as motorcycles.  Some are currently being manufactured in Virginia.  The concern is that as more of these vehicles are operated on the roadways, the more they will be included in crash data, thus negatively impacting motorcycle accident statistics.  The Virginia DMV has worked hard over the past few years to improve its ability to collect accurate data.  When we have accurate data, we can better identify real issues that need to be addressed to improve motorcycle safety.  Including these vehicles in motorcycle crash data defeats that effort.

The group also agreed that we will wait until after the upcoming election to determine additional legislative initiatives.  Races from the Governor’s Mansion on down will impact our strategy.  The group identified two things to look at in November.  One is increased penalties for individuals who violate traffic laws, and as a result cause the death of another.  The idea is to make such an offense reckless driving.  This would allow the judge to impose jail and/or suspend someone’s driver’s license if the court found that to be appropriate.  Under current law a person is usually charged with a traffic infraction which carries a simple fine.

The other issue important to a majority of the group was amending Virginia’s motorcycle helmet law to allow adults age twenty-one and older to choose whether or not to wear a helmet.  This would bring Virginia in line with a majority of the United States.  Thirty-one states currently allow adult riders to make such a choice.

I want to thank the participants of the roundtable for giving up a beautiful riding day to come to Richmond to discuss issues important to Virginia motorcyclists.  Our next meeting will be in preparation for our lobby day.  On Sunday January 19, from 12:00 p.m. until we get through, Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists lobbyists will lead an informational meeting to discuss the year's legislation affecting motorcyclists. We will also discuss how to talk to your legislators about these issues in case you have never done that.  Later that evening, attendees will enjoy a free homemade BBQ dinner.   On Monday January 20th, we will take our annual trip to the Capitol. After lobbying our legislators, we will go to Penny Lane Pub for lunch as a thank you for coming to support Virginia Motorcyclists.  I hope all can make it.

As we receive more information on issues that affect motorcycling in Virginia I will pass it along.  As usual, if anyone has any questions or comments concerning this material please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

More on E-15 Gasoline

August 29, 2013 I wanted to send out some additional information on a topic that we have touched on in the past.  That is the EPA’s recent approval of E-15 gasoline.  E-15, it is gasoline that is blended with 15% ethanol.  As many have pointed out, that is a 50% increase in ethanol over the standard E-10 that most of us are used to seeing and using.  The EPA and DOT are both moving from E-10 to E-15.  This is a controversial issue in that there are questions regarding how E-15 will affect engines, especially smaller ones.  The Motorcycle Industry Counsel claims that E-15 could affect engine durability and deterioration.  Further, if your motorcycle is damaged by E-15, you have no legal recourse.

Lenny Holcomb, a good friend of mine with ABATE of Maryland, obtained the following documents from the EPA concerning E-15.  The first is an EPA FAQ.  You will see that even the EPA says that E-15 should not be used in motorcycles.  You can read the FAQ at the following link:

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/e15/e15-faq.htm

The other document from the EPA concerns the EPA’s plans for preventing mis-fueling at pumps that dispense both E-15 and E-10 fuel.  You can read that at the following link:

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/fuels/additive/e15/e15-mmp.htm

As an aside, a recent motorcycle trip out west took me through Nebraska.  I found myself at a pump that sold E-10, E-15 and E-85.

As I obtain more information on this issue I will pass it along.  In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments about any of the information that I have sent, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

LOCAL EVENTS FOR SEPT

Amherst – Aug 31 - 3rd annual Labor Day Wine & Music Fest at Rebec Vineyards

Wintergreen – Aug 31-Sept 1 - Romp, Stomp, and Chomp Harvest Celebration - Wintergreen Winery. 1 PM to 6PM.Wanna stomp like Lucy?

Wintergreen – Aug 30- Sept 2 - Labor Day Spectacular - includes an Arts & Craft show, chairlift rides, live music and much more.  Bring the entire family for an end of summer hurrah!  For information contact Wintergreen Activities, 434-325-8180.

Moneta - Sept.6-8 - Franklin County Civil War Days - Step back in time to explore history, camp life, battles and more at the third annual Franklin County Civil War Days, Sept. 6-8 at Lakewatch Plantation in Moneta.

Wintergreen - Sept. 14 - Oktoberfest at Wintergreen - A celebration of German culture and food – a family event in a beer garden setting.

Bedford – Sept 18 - Air Force Birthday - National D-Day Memorial - In honor of the Air Force’s birthday, all active duty or veteran Air Force members receive free admission to the Memorial.

Bedford – Sept 21 - POW/MIA Awareness Day - The National D-Day Memorial will host a special ceremony in memory of the nation’s POW’s and MIA’s. Free admission from 10am until noon.

Altavista - Sept. 21 - Avoca's Annual Harvest Jubilee and Wine Festival - The festival boasts seven area wineries, a supervised children’s area, food, a bake sale, crafters, and music by The Ministers of Soul and Encore all in the shade!
Lynchburg - Sept. 21 - Lynchburg Beer and Wine Festival - The Lynchburg Beer & Wine Festival will feature over 20 of the areas finest wineries and breweries, local vendors and live music throughout the day.
Chester - Sept. 21-22 - Publick Days & Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement - Experience the past as 400 years of history come to life with living history re-enactments, activities, games, crafts, storytelling and more.

Waynesboro - Sept. 21 - Virginia Chili, Blues n' Brews - Chili cook-off, Blues Music by Full circle, Pure Blind Luck, Fatty Lumpkin & The Love Hogs and John Lee Hooker Jr. Brews. Micro & Mega brews.

Staunton - Sept. 27 - Staunton Music Festival: Source and Style in Bach's Suites - Carsten Schmidt and Jason Stell discuss and demonstrate the major elements of Bach's keyboard suites, with special attention to the composer's English Suites.

Salem - Sept. 28 - Green Hill Medieval Faire and Highland Games - Come and experience the adventure, pageantry, magic and romance of Medieval Europe at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County.

South Boston - Sept. 28 - South Boston Harvest Festival - South Boston Harvest Festival, fun for the entire family. An outdoor festival held in the streets of Historic Downtown South Boston, VA.

Moneta – Sept 28-29 - Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival - perfect event for aficionados of wine as well as fans of outdoor concerts and craft festivals.

Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists

Virginia Motorcycle Legislative Roundtable 2013
 

July 23, 2013 This year’s Virginia Motorcycle Legislative Roundtable will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2013 at the Richmond Marriott which is located at 500 East Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219.   This is where it has been held for the past few years.

The Legislative Roundtable is where Virginia Motorcyclists gather to discuss issues of importance to the motorcycling community, and to have input on the 2014 legislative agenda to be presented to the Virginia General Assembly by the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists.

The Roundtable will start at 12:00 P.M. and usually lasts three to four hours.  If you can make it we would welcome your voice in deciding the issues that need to be addressed in 2014.  In past years the Roundtable was the starting point for legislation such as Virginia’s red light bill, our prohibition against motorcycle only checkpoints, the modification of the Virginia Code to allow two two-wheeled motorcycles to travel abreast in a single lane, and legislation improving Virginia’s Rider Education Program.

If you are interested in attending we would welcome you around the table.  If you are unable to attend but want to express your ideas, or if you have any questions concerning this year’s Virginia Motorcycle Legislative Roundtable, please do not hesitate to contact me.

On a final note, Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group is accepting nominations for this year’s Tom McGrath’s Leading Wheel Award.  If you know of an individual who has made an outstanding effort to improve motorcycling or motorcycle safety, please send me their information and a description of their achievements.  Nominees can be someone who has made a significant achievement to improve motorcycling, or someone who’s body of work over time has significantly benefited motorcycling or motorcycle safety.  Remember that members of the Motorcycle Law Group are not eligible to receive the award.

As always, if you have any questions or comments concerning anything that I have written please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

Kenny "Loss Coz" McGuire

Our 

 

 

Southern Cruiser family is deeply saddened 

            as we have lost a brother and a friend.               

Kenny McGuire left us and rode his bike on up to be with the lord on Tuesday, July 2, 2013.

Prayers and condolences go out to Linda and the family. 

We all love Kenny and he will be missed deeply.

 

 

National Ride To Work Day

On Ride To Work Day, motorcycle and scooter riders around the world show just how enjoyable their daily commute is. By riding to work we demonstrate that life would be better if more people rode motorcycles and scooters every day, with time savings, less congestion and reduced travel costs. Ride with us and commute happy!

Ride your motorcycle or scooter on this day to demonstrate:

* The number of motorcyclists to the general public and to politicians.
* That motorcyclists are from all occupations and all walks of life.
* That motorcyclists can reduce traffic and parking congestion in large cities.
* That motorcycles are for transportation as well as recreation.
* That motorcycling is a social good.

Ride to Work Day was inspired by "Work to Ride - Ride to Work'" marketing materials created between 1989 and 1991 by the Aero Design and Manufacturing Company, a Minnesota based manufacturer of motorcycle riders clothing. In 1992 these items inspired motorcycle magazine editor Fred Rau to write an editorial calling for a national ride to work day.

The first annual Ride to Work Day event was proposed in Road Rider magazine (now titled Motorcycle Consumer News) in the May 1992 issue. This is an excerpt from that "Ride to Work" editorial: "You may remember several months ago when Bob Carpenter, commenting in his 'Two Up' column, mentioned how neat he thought it would be if there was one day a year when everyone who owned a motorcycle used it to ride to work. That comment was prompted by a T-shirt produced by Aerostich RiderWear that simply said, 'Work To Ride, Ride To Work.' Everyone seemed to think that a national 'Ride To Work' day was one heck of a good idea."

The first Ride to Work Day event date was July 22nd, 1992. For several years various motorcycle businesses informally promoted every third Wednesday in July as Ride To Work Day. These early advocates included Road Rider Magazine, Dunlop Tires, and Aerostich/Riderwearhouse. The event continued to grow as an informal grass roots demonstration every year until 2000. That year a non-profit organization, Ride to Work was formed to help organize and promote Ride to Work Day. The first Ride to Work Day event led by this group was the third Wednesday in July of 2001. This day was the annual day until 2008, when it was changed to the Third Monday In June. This change was made to climatically better accommodate riders world-wide, and to give more riders an opportunity to participate.

http://www.ridetowork.org/

Prohibiting Federal Funds for Motorcycle Only Checkpoints

Prohibiting Federal Funds for Motorcycle Only Checkpoints
April 23, 2013

Jeff Hennie, the Vice President in Charge of Governmental Relations and Public Affairs for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, published an alert concerning a bill being introduced by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner that would prohibit the use of federal funding for motorcycle only checkpoints.

Motorcyclist’s rights organizations and many independent motorcyclists oppose motorcycle only checkpoints as a discriminatory practice that unfairly singles out motorcycles as posing some special danger. This is despite the fact that the latest census numbers show that motorcycles make up only 4.7 % of all crashes in which there is injury or death. 

We have no objection with safety checkpoints as a whole.  The objection we have is stopping only motorcycles.  There is simply no justification for this practice.  For one, motorcycle only checkpoints tend not to be fruitful.  An example is the large checkpoint that was set up during Rolling Thunder a few years ago.  Those conducting the checkpoint stopped 579 motorcycles over a period of seven hours and managed to write only 11 tickets.  This and the discriminatory aspect of these checkpoints is what has led some states such as North Carolina and Virginia to prohibit these checkpoints within their borders.  That being said, motorcyclists travel across state lines so this legislation is important to all motorcyclists regardless of what their particular state does.

Our position is that we support safety checkpoints for all vehicles.  If I am on my bike and there is a safety checkpoint stopping all motorists than I will gladly cooperate and subject myself to the brief detention connected with such a stop.  What I object to is being singled out from the motoring population as a whole due to the fact that I operate a motorcycle.

You may read Jeff Hennie’s alert below.  If you believe that motorcycle only checkpoints are a discriminatory practice which should not be conducted with federal funds than please contact your congressional representative and urge him or her to become and original cosponsor of this legislation.

As always if you have any questions or comments about anything that I have written please feel free to contact me.

Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) reports, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner from Wisconsin, announced Monday, April 15th that he will file a bill to prohibit the federal funding of motorcycle only roadside checkpoints.

Sensenbrenner had this to say in a "Dear Colleague" that is circulating in the House of Representatives. "In the 112th Congress, I introduced H.R. 904, a bill to prohibit the Department of Transportation (DOT) from providing funds to state and local authorities for the purpose of creating motorcycle only checkpoints. Section 1 of the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act contains the same language as H.R. 904. However, this bill also contains language to force the DOT to focus motorcycle safety efforts on crash prevention programs, not national helmet mandates."

The bill will officially be introduced on May 6, 2013 and get its official bill number then. However, we must start the push now. It's important to contact your sitting member of the House of Representatives and ask them to be an original cosponsor of this important legislation. Ask them to contact Congressman James Sensenbrenner and lend their support. An "Original Cosponsor" is someone who supports the bill before it is made public and is a way to strongly support a new bill.