[Mrfnews] 08LR11 - MRF Leaders Report - May

[mrfnews at mrf.org]

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org (website)


For Immediate Release

Contact: Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations
Email: jeff at mrf.org

May 22, 2008

Motorcycle Month Continues in Nation's Capital

Recently in Washington DC, the federal government dedicated several days
to motorcycles according to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF).

Counting Motorcycles - The week began with a full-day demonstration of
traffic-counting technologies at the US Department of Transportation's
(DOT) Turner Fairbank traffic research facility.  Motorcyclists were
assembled to test the counting devices to see how they stack up against
each other.  Everything from road tubes to radar and video devices were
employed on a stretch of closed private road and 20 something motorcycles
were ridden through at various speeds and formations.  The news isn't
great, as the counters that captured 90 plus percentages are virtually
non-existent in the field and the counters that are the most widespread
are not the most accurate when it comes to motorcycles.  Research is being
done to better technologies, but we're a long way off from the rule
instead of the exception.  The findings of the motorcycle research day
will be compiled and made available soon.  Another factor at play is that
vehicle miles traveled (VMT) numbers have historically been voluntary for
states to report to the feds, as the MRF has pointed out for several
years.  As of June 2008, it's now mandatory for states to report
motorcycle VMT.  It's about time motorcycles were given the same level of
respect in the calculating of this important baseline number.

Federal Highway Motorcycle Advisory Council (FHWA-MAC) Convenes - The
FHWA-MAC held its fourth meeting last week as well.  The council moved
forward on a number of issues.  Some of the highlights include a web-based
motorcycle survey for motorcyclists to gain information into areas that
need improvement when it comes to infrastructure and motorcyclists'
interaction with the road.  The survey will be live soon, and the MRF will
let you know when it becomes available.  The council also approved
comments to the US DOT, and more specifically the Manual for Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) or the bible of road signs.  The MUTCD
currently does not have an approved sign for motorcycles.  So that means
that if your state had the common sense to begin using a
motorcycle-specific sign, they open themselves up to a lawsuit from the
feds for using a bogus sign, just as they would if they decided to change
all of the green lights to blue.  Once approved, the sign will display a
profile view of a motorcycle and can be added to other surface condition
signs such as "loose gravel."

Coming to You Soon from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) - At another government-organized meeting with NHTSA the same
week, several studies were brought to light concerning motorcycles.  A
conspicuity study is due out soon that will examine the effect of day time
running lights (DRLs) on cars and motorcycles.  The findings of the
Canadian study, where DRLs are required for use by everybody, will
determine if DRLs do, in fact, diminish motorists' awareness of
motorcycles.  Another study underway, but still under wraps, is one that
determines the value of combined braking systems for motorcycles.  In
detail, the study will examine the benefits of a one-lever control for
rear and front brakes.  This study is reportedly the result of a
government statistic that says 80 percent of motorcyclists involved in a
crash don't use the front brake.  What?  That makes little sense to this
motorcyclist, and the feds were unable to back that number up.  This would
be a simulator-type study, not utilizing real world conditions. Yet
another study still to be unveiled is one studying the effect of alcohol
on motorcyclists.  A closed course was set up, a motorcycle was equipped
with a pair of outriggers to prevent serious injury, and motorcyclists
were issued doses of alcohol and told to get on the bike.  The feds
observed and are supposedly reporting their findings soon.  The last
motorcycle-related study also due out soon is a black box feasibility
study.  All new cars come equipped with high-tech data recorders that
imprint the last few seconds of operator input before a crash.  This
controversial method of keeping an eye on the general public can be
beneficial in certain cases.  For instance, former Governor Bill Janklow
killed a motorcyclist at an intersection.  Janklow maintained he stopped
at the intersection and didn't see Randy Scott, who was killed by
Janklow's SUV.  Upon subpoena of the information on the black box, it was
proven that Janklow never even tapped the brakes and he went to jail for
100 days.  Motorcycles present a host of unique issues on how to record
the data, as well as where and how to incorporate the data recorder on a
motorcycle; however should the feds mandate their use, the industry will
be forced to figure that out and you will have big brother riding along on
every ride you take.  That doesn't exactly sound like freedom.  The MRF
will keep you informed on the results of all of these important government
studies.


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

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