National and Regional News
Duluth, Minn. — The 33rd Annual Motorcycle and Scooter Ride To Work Day is Tuesday, June 11. Worldwide, more than an estimated million riders become two-wheeled commuters to demonstrate riding as a fun and practical form of utility transportation. Over 100 American cities formally recognize Ride to Work Day by proclamation, and riding clubs around the world encourage their members to participate in this annual demonstration.
According to the Ride to Work nonprofit organization, for hundreds of thousands of U.S. workers, riding is a socially beneficial form of transportation that provides a broad range of other public benefits. According to the United States Census Bureau and the Department of Transportation, over 80 million cars and light trucks are used every day for commuting, and only about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. On June 11, the practical side of motorcycling and scootering becomes more visible as a higher percentage of America’s 8 million cycles and scooters replace automobiles.
The first Ride to Work Day was July 22, 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 grassroots demonstration every year until 2000. That year a nonprofit organization, Ride to Work, was formed to help organize and promote Ride to Work Day. The first Ride to Work Day led by this group was the third Wednesday in July of 2001.
Starting in 2024, the day was changed to the second Tuesday in June to avoid conflicting with Juneteenth, a United States federal holiday, going forward. This day was chosen because A) it breaks up the workweek better than a Monday day does (RTW Day is a demonstration day), and B) a midweek day is more likely to receive media coverage than a Monday or Friday. Ride to Work is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, all-volunteer effort. Organizers include Andy Goldfine and Lynn Wisneski.
State News
Great Falls, Mont. — The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has been working for nearly three decades to create a positive future for off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation, is seeking to hire a full-time project manager. NOHVCC, a national body of OHV recreation enthusiasts, develops and provides a wide spectrum of programs, materials and information, or “tools,” to individuals, clubs, associations, and agencies to further their vision of making OHV recreation a nationally- accepted outdoor activity and to ensure quality opportunities are readily available to all who wish to participate responsibly.
Visit nohvcc.org/national-off-highway-vehicle-conservation-council-is-hiring/ for more details and the full job description.
The project manager will work with the executive director to provide on-the-ground training to public land agency staff, OHV enthusiasts and other interested parties on a myriad of topics. This training will primarily be provided in workshop settings, and topics covered will include OHV trail management, layout, design and construction. Other workshops may focus on starting, improving or organizing OHV clubs and associations. This position may also be responsible for managing on-the-ground projects including trail design, management plans, trail assessments, etc.
St. Paul, Minn — With the signing of HF 5247 into law by Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Friday, May 24, Minnesota became the sixth state to legalize lane filtering and joined California, Utah, Montana, Arizona, and Colorado — which also signed lane filtering into law this year — as states that permit lane filtering.
As part of a supplemental budget bill — which impacted several departments, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation — motorcyclists in Minnesota will now be allowed to filter through traffic “at not more than 25 miles per hour and no more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic in relevant traffic lanes.” Written by Sen. Scott Dibble (D-61) and Reps. Frank Hornstein (D-61A), Brad Tabke (D-54A) and Erin Koegel (D-39A), this section of the bill will take effect on July 1, 2025.
The legislation’s success came after AMA member and BMW MOA Treasurer Phil Stalboerger told his story of being rear-ended on a motorcycle while in traffic to several legislators who wanted to find a way to prevent further accidents from happening. In addition to the lane-filtering aspects, HF 5247 also added punishments for drivers that impede motorcyclists on the open road, stating that “an operator of a motor vehicle must not intentionally impede or attempt to prevent the operation of a motorcycle” when filtering.
The AMA remains supportive of efforts regarding the legalization of lane filtering, as its well-documented success in other states, in addition to support from several studies, indicate that it’s an effective way to keep motorcyclists safe on the road. The AMA’s position on lane filtering, as well as lane splitting, can be found at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/rights/ama-board-position-statements/lane-splitting/.
San Luis Obispo, Calif. — Friends of Oceano Dunes has filed its brief in response to the California Coastal Commission (CCC) appeal of the July 19, 2023, landmark ruling by the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court that the Commission exceeded its authority in attempting to ban OHV at Oceano Dunes. The Superior Court’s ruling covered four lawsuits — three brought by Friends of Oceano Dunes.
The court ruled conclusively that if the Coastal Commission wants to attempt to ban OHV recreation at the park, it must convince San Luis Obispo County to amend its local coastal plan (LCP) or compel the state legislature to change the county’s LCP. As Friends wrote in its brief: “This case addresses the limits of the CCC’s authority when it cramdowns an amendment to a 42-year-old CDP to ban OHV recreation, contrary to the governing LCP that expressly authorizes OHV riding in barren sand ESHA.” The Coastal Commission’s effort to close the Oceano Dunes SVRA, if successful, would remove a significant recreational facility, not to mention destroy jobs and local businesses.
A recent study showed that Oceano Dunes visitors from outside San Luis Obispo County generate more than $500 million in economic impact annually. Closure would devastate the south county economy for years. Friends’ Board of Directors have made clear that they will continue to pursue all legal remedies to protect beach driving, camping and OHV recreation at Oceano Dunes SVRA the way it has been occurring for the last 100 years.
Friends of Oceano Dunes is a 501(c)(3) California not-for-profit corporation expressly created in 2001 to preserve camping and off-highway vehicle recreation at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreation Area (ODSVRA). Friends is a grassroots volunteer organization which represents approximately 28,000 members and users of the Oceano Dunes SVRA.
Industry News
Tokyo — Japan’s Honda Motor recently pledged to double its electrification and software investment to about $65 billion over the 10 years running through the 2030 business year. Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said in a press conference that the automaker planned to spend a total of 10 trillion yen ($64.88 billion) on electrification and software over the period, doubling the amount it had pledged in April 2022.
Models of a battery-powered vehicle series Honda will start rolling out from 2026 will have a cruising range of 300 miles (482 km) or more, Mibe said, pledging to equip the cars with an ultra-thin battery pack and a newly developed compact e-axle. The automaker said it aimed to cut battery procurement costs in North America by more than 20 percent by 2030 and reduce production expenses by about 35 percent, partly by boosting parts integration.
Honda has not changed its belief that EVs are the most effective solution in the area of small mobility products such as motorcycles and automobiles, and Honda’s electrification target to make EVs and FCEVs represent 100 percent of its global vehicle sales by 2040 remains unchanged. Honda must look ahead to the period of EV popularization and build a strong EV brand and a strong EV business foundation from a medium- to long-term perspective.
International News
Leicester, U.K. — The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) has launched an important campaign to put motorcycling on the map in parliamentary constituencies in advance of the general election. A “Motorcycling Matters” manifesto and campaign website has been created by the NMC’s members, which aims to inform the post-election government about the greatest needs of motorcyclists in the country. . It presents a manifesto for a positive vision for the future of transport and the role of motorcycling within this. There are seven key themes:
- Transport Choice: Bringing motorcycling into the mainstream of transport policy
- The introduction of improved and simplified licensing, training and testing
- Safer roads for riding, tackling potholes and proper investment in motorcycle safety
- Adoption of a “technology neutral” approach to decarbonization, preserving rider choice
- Default access to all bus lanes, continued free parking and protecting motorcycle access to the full road network, including sealed and green roads
- Ensuring greater recognition of and support for the UK motorcycle sports sector
- Recognition of the cultural importance of the classic bike sector and protection for the UK’s motorcycling heritage
Motorcycling is a key part of the future of transport. If supported by the government, it will foster social mobility, quality of life, economic growth and improved safety. The choices riders make about the bikes they want to ride, plus how and where they want to enjoy motorcycling, also need to be protected.
This is a campaign where every rider can make a difference. The NMC and its members are calling for all motorcyclists to be a part of shaping the views of the election candidates from the parties who are standing in their local constituency. Riders are urged to ask candidates to sign the NMC’s pledge to support motorcycling.
AMA News
Pickerington, Ohio — Racing registration for 2024 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Yamaha — set for July 26-28 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio — is now officially open for those interested in competing in a variety of vintage racing disciplines. Vintage racing is at the heart of the VMD experience, and racers can register at vintagemotorcycledays.com/racing/ to get in on the three days of bar-banging action.
Running alongside AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, the AMA Vintage Grand Championship offers racers the chance to compete for AMA National No. 1 plates in motocross, hare scrambles, road racing, trials, and now, pitbike racing. Racers must compete on vintage motorcycles, spanning several eras across the different disciplines available at VMD.
Two new AMA Amateur National Championships will be added to the packed racing schedule at Vintage Motorcycle Days this year. The AMA Amateur National Bagger Champion will be crowned on Saturday, July 27, while No. 1 plates will also be awarded in a variety of pitbike classes during the three-day event.
In addition to the action on-site at Mid-Ohio, a round of the AMA Vintage Flat Track National Championship Series will be held at the Ashland County Fairgrounds — located roughly 25 miles from Lexington — on July 27 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Ashland Dinner Ride, which is being elevated to a VIP Flat Track Experience for the AMA’s 100th anniversary and takes riders on a scenic route to the flat track action at the Ashland County Fairgrounds, is also open for registration. Alongside the beautiful ride, those interested will enjoy special parking, a pit pass, grandstand seating, a special-edition AMA 100th Anniversary Ashland Dinner Ride t-shirt, and dinner at the legendary half-mile track for a $100 donation to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Visit vintagemotorcycledays.com/ashland-dinner-ride/ to register.
At the end of the three-day racing extravaganza, the AMA Vintage Grand Champion and AMA Vet/Senior Vintage Grand Champion will be crowned, recognizing the racers that collect the most combined points from the off-road racing disciplines — motocross, trials, hare scrambles, and pitbike racing.
All racers must possess general admission tickets to VMD prior to gate entry. Only pre-registered riders with entry confirmation will receive access to Mid-Ohio through Gate 3 on Thursday, July 25, at 9 a.m. General admission gates open at 5 p.m. that same day.
Minimum age requirements to participate can be found below:
- Trials: 4 years and up
- Motocross 9 years and up
- Hare Scrambles: 9 years and up
- Flat Track: 12 years and up
- Road Race: 14 years and up
- Pitbike: 4 years and up.
VMD extends far beyond vintage racing, as well, with North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet, bike shows, vendor displays, stunt shows and much more planned.
The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Show, complete with an AMA 100th anniversary theme, is also open for pre-registration with a $20 entry fee. For more information, and to register, visit vintagemotorcycledays.com/bike-show/.
One of the most noteworthy recreational opportunities includes the Lap for History, which takes place Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the event, and allows riders the chance to ride around the historic 2.4-mile road racing circuit at Mid-Ohio. Those interested can pre-register by donating $10 to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame at vintagemotorcycledays.com/lap-for-history/.
Also — The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the list of nominees for the Class of 2024, and that voting is now open. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame selection committees have put forward 13 nominees from eight areas of influence: Ambassadors & Industry, Design & Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership & Rights, Motocross & Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing and Specialty Competition.
Nominees include Competition:
Dave Zanotti – Dirt Track: With four AMA Grand National Championships and 31 AMA Grand National dirt track event wins as a tuner, Dave Zanotti has a resume that few have replicated. Using Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM and Indian engines, Zanotti elevated himself into the record books — capturing the third-most AMA Grand National championships and fourth-most AMA Grand National dirt track wins.
Along with his father, Mario, Zanotti helped propel AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Steve Eklund to an AMA Grand National Championship in 1979. Mario and Dave remain the only father-son duo to win individual AMA Grand National championships. Zanotti remains a steadfast supporter of motorcycle racing through his support of the AMA Bill Werner Fast Brain Award.
Kevin Windham – Motocross: Kevin Windham’s 19-year AMA Supercross and Pro Motocross career is one for the history books. During his long, illustrious career, Windham raced to 47 total AMA Pro wins and collected the third-most starts (325), third-most points (9,070) and the seventh-most podiums (130). While Windham saw success domestically, he thrived in international competition, winning the 1999 FIM United States Grand Prix and 2005 Motocross of Nations as a member of the American team. Windham retired from AMA Pro Racing in 2013, marking the end of a dominant career in the AMA and international circuits.
Mike Lafferty – Off Road: Mike Lafferty was bitten by the enduro racing bug in 1982 when he was 7 years old, and he turned this passion into one of the most successful off-road careers ever. Racing throughout the 1980s, Lafferty broke through when he won back-to-back East Coast Enduro Association championships as a teenager in 1993 and 1994.
Lafferty hit a launching point in 1997 when he claimed his first AMA National Enduro Championship. In total he tallied 71 wins — second all-time — and eight titles, which leaves him tied for the most all-time, while racing national enduros. Lafferty also raced AMA Grand National Cross Country and was a member of four U.S. ISDE teams.
Mat Mladin – Road Racing: In a 10-year span from 1999 to 2009 that continues to defy belief in hindsight, Mat Mladin notched seven AMA Superbike titles and won 82 AMA Superbike nationals in the process — each of those numbers more than anyone in history.
Mladin also won the legendary Daytona 200 three times during that period, achievements that have him tied for third all-time behind AMA Hall of Famers and multi-time D200 winners Scott Russell (5) and Miguel Duhamel (4). In 1999, he won his first of seven AMA Superbike titles — achievements that would make him, according to MotoAmerica, “the most dominant rider in the history of the AMA Superbike Championship.”
Billy Hamill – Specialty Competition: Nicknamed “The Bullet,” Billy Hamill began racing junior speedway in 1983, and he turned professional in 1986. Just 10 years after turning pro, Hamill became the fourth American to claim the FIM Speedway World Championship with his win in 1996. Two years after his world title, Hamill raced alongside AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Greg Hancock to win the 1998 World Speedway Team Cup Championship for the United States. In 1999, Hamill claimed the AMA Speedway National Championship, which he went on to win five times.
During this impressive run racing AMA speedway, Hamill also collected four U.S. National Speedway titles. Hamill was named the 2012 AMA Sportsman of the Year.
Non-Competition:
Sidney Biberman – Ambassadors & Industry: As one of Vincent Motorcycles’ greatest ambassadors, Sidney Biberman spent most of his life contributing to motorcycling culture in various ways. Across his 60 years of involvement with the famed marque, Biberman elevated motorcycling as a drag racer, commercial engineer and overall advocate for motorcycle culture. As a drag racer, Biberman piloted “The Rattler”, widely regarded as one of the fastest bikes in the 1960s.
Biberman was also known for his prowess as a mechanic, dubbed a “motorcycle whisperer” by some of his biggest fans. After Biberman passed away on June 23, 2013, the motorcycling community rallied around him and his family, honoring his contributions and commitment to furthering the lifestyle.
Gina Bovaird – Ambassadors & Industry: Gina Bovaird rose steadily through the ranks in the U.S. road racing scene, ultimately becoming the first woman to complete in the famed Daytona 200 at Daytona International Speedway in 1979. She reached 184 mph while qualifying, making her the fastest-qualifying rookie and fourth fastest overall. As her career advanced, she attempted to qualify for the world’s premier class, the FIM 500cc Grand Prix Championships, achieving that goal in 1982 at the French GP at Nogaro.
Debbie Matthews – Ambassadors & Industry: Debbie Matthews has spent her life contributing to motorcycling and has done so by serving in — and excelling in — almost every role the sport has to offer to increase opportunities for women riders. Known for her smooth and effortless racing style, Matthews set the record for longest consecutive pro and amateur career in women’s motocross when she raced for 27 years.
In 1996, she co-founded the Women’s Motocross League, and Matthews further worked on behalf of women riders when she met with AMA Congress and drove the change to give women “A” Rider classification for the first time in history. Recognizing Matthews’ work promoting women’s motocross, announcer Erv Braun described her as the “Godmother of Women’s MX.”
Bud Maimone – Design & Engineering: With the invention of the famed Cobra mini racer, Bud Maimone is considered one of the great innovators in the world of youth motocross. Maimone’s creation of the Cobra prior to the 1994 AMA Amateur Motocross National Championship at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch helped signal the end of more than a decade of dominance by the Yamaha PW50/Y-Zinger.
With a strong showing in the 51cc Stock Class that year, the Cobra quickly boomed as one of the most utilized motorcycles in youth motocross from that point forward. Despite the Cobra’s humble beginnings, Maimone’s efforts have cemented him as one of the sport’s
great innovators.
Barry Willey – Design & Engineering: Barry Willey, a trailblazer with an eye for innovation, leaned on his upbringing in his family’s motorcycle accessory factory to help National Cycle greatly impact the motorcycle community. With Willey at the helm, National Cycle became the first company to introduce and use General Electric’s MR4000 polycarbonate material — which came to be known as FMR hard-coated Lexan — for motorcycle windshields. In total, Willey’s pioneering nature gave the motorcycling industry many innovations and more than 25 mechanical patents.
Dana Bell – Leadership & Rights: A decade after her entrance into motorcycling, Dana Bell worked her way to being a nationally ranked enduro competitor. From 1992–1999, Bell shifted her focus to rights issues and worked as the western states representative for the AMA’s Government Relations Department. During this period, she also worked as a state partner for the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council (NOHVCC).
For her role as one of the key voices for motorcyclists’ rights, the AMA Board of Directors presented Bell with the AMA Motorcycling Advocate Award, an honor created to recognize those who have been leaders in fighting for the rights of motorcyclists. Bell was just the third person to receive the award.
Rob Rasor – Leadership & Rights: For decades, Rob Rasor was instrumental in carrying out the AMA’s mission to promote motorcycling and protect the motorcycle lifestyle. Hired in 1973 as part of the AMA’s Government Relations Department, Rasor helped ward off a federal “superbike” ban, helmet requirements and bike bans in several states and cities, and aided in the fight to ban healthcare discrimination against motorcyclists.
Rasor was also a champion for off-road riding and assisted in the AMA’s efforts to accommodate off-road riders on public lands. Rasor’s efforts extended beyond the United States, and he was awarded the FIM Nicolas Rodi Del Valle Gold Medal in 2019.
Gary Sellers – Leadership & Rights: Since the 1970s, Gary Sellers has given his life to motorcycle education and advocacy in his home state of Ohio and throughout the country. Sellers was one of the founding members of ABATE of Ohio, and he served as legislative agent for the organization for a decade. He was awarded the honorary Life Membership Award by ABATE of Ohio in 1997.
Alongside John “Farmer” Eggers, Sellers built a successful motorcycle safety training program in Ohio; it is estimated the program has saved thousands of lives over the years. Sellers is also a member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Freedom Fighters halls of fame.
Voting for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2024 is now open. Eligible voters include previous Hall of Fame inductees, members of the AMA and AMHF Boards of Directors, and members of the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Category Selection Committees. AMA Life Members are also eligible to vote but should update their contact information to receive the latest updates and announcements pertaining to the voting process.
Voting ends Thursday, June 13 at 11:59 p.m.
Voting results will be announced shortly after voting ends, and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Oct. 10, in Pickerington, Ohio.
To vote on this year’s nominees, visit americanmotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-members/current-class-and-voting/.
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AMA News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the American Motorcyclist Association. Designed to inform motorcyclists of rights-related issues and events in the United States and around the world, AMA News & Notes welcomes your input.
