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Bill to Boost Outdoor Recreation Economy

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U.S. House Schedules Vote on Bill to Boost Outdoor Recreation Economy Click here to send a letter to your U.S. House member asking them to support the EXPLORE Act. The U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote next week on the SEMA-supported bill H.R. 6492, the “Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act” (EXPLORE Act). The comprehensive public lands bill directs the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to create more motorized opportunities on public lands, addresses special recreation permits and fees that have been expensive and cumbersome for off-road groups to navigate on federal lands, attempts to improve visitor experiences, addresses the lack of affordable housing causing staffing shortages on public lands, and transforms outdoor recreation experiences for active-duty military members, veterans and Gold Star families. Your lawmakers need to hear from you now about why the bipartisan EXPLORE Act matters to you! Ask your U.S. Representative to support the bill.

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Friday From DC – E15 Changes In The Midwest

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E15 Changes In The Midwest Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a policy change related to gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15). In 2025 this new policy will allow gas stations in eight Midwestern states to sell E15 fuel year-round. Current policy prohibits E15 sales between June 1st and September 15th because of concerns that it adds to smog on hot days. In 2022 and 2023 the EPA announced emergency waivers that allowed for summertime E15 sales, citing market disruptions, including the war in Ukraine. This move by the EPA will make those temporary changes permanent in the selected eight states. The rule, which takes effect in April 2025, will apply in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. This decision comes after governors and farm groups in these eight states requested that the federal government change this policy. This modification is a prime opportunity to remind everyone to be mindful of the fuel that you use. Verify that the fuel you are using in your bike is compatible with manufacturers’ guidelines. Stay vigilant as these changes take effect over the next year! Ride Safe and Ride FreeJoin The MRFClick here http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983

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Ohio Pushes Back on California Plans

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Just before the end of 2023, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed H.B. 201 into law. The focus of the bill is to; “Prohibit a state agency, county, or township from restricting the sale or use of a motor vehicle based on the energy source used to power the motor vehicle; to prohibit a state agency from adopting the California emissions standards for motor vehicles.” As you may remember, the Clean Air Act allows states to seek a waiver to enact emission standards outside of those set by the federal government. In 2022, California received a waiver allowing the state to establish guidelines requiring every new car and truck sold there to have zero emissions by 2035. This requirement has set off a debate in state capitals around the country. Some states seek to align with California, while others, like Ohio, are pushing back against California’s plans. ABATE of Ohio received the support of other groups in support of the bill, including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Auto Dealers Association. Ed Schetter, Executive Director of ABATE of Ohio, testified in December, backing the bill. In his remarks, he said, “ABATE of Ohio is concerned with the push towards electric power and pressure to eliminate the internal combustion engine from the marketplace. This may leave many motorcyclists without options on how to power the motorcycles we ride. We also feel this may limit the availability of sales, parts, and service to the motorcyclists of Ohio. Many of these businesses are ones we’ve relied on for years.” After the hearing, lawmakers thanked ABATE of Ohio for their participation. Multiple legislators noted that ABATE of Ohio was the only “citizen-led” group involved in the hearing. Comments like that help reinforce the importance of engagement and participation by citizens in the legislative

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Federal Government Finalizes 2021 Crash Data

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This month the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its annual report, Traffic Safety Facts 2021: A Compilation of Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Data. The 225-page report contains information on crash types, causes and participants involved. Remember that while we are nearing the end of 2023, this report is 2021 data. NHTSA spent nearly two years compiling these figures before releasing the report. The data on motorcyclist fatalities is especially troubling. According to the report, in 2021, motorcyclists made up 13.8% of all nationwide traffic fatalities, with 5,932 motorcyclists killed on our nation’s roadways. That is the highest number since data collection began in 1975. In comparison, the pre-Covid year of 2019 saw 5,044 bikers killed. The number of those injured on motorcycles reported in 2021 was 82,686, which is fewer than the all-time high of 104,442 in 2016. This total injury count represents 3.3% of the 2.5 million people injured in all motor vehicle crashes. It is important to note that 2021 showed a substantial increase in motorcycles registered. The data also shows an increase in vehicle miles traveled by bikers. NHTSA data shows 9.8 million registered motorcycles with approximately 19.6 billion miles traveled in 2021. Those increases mean that while the total number of fatalities and injuries went up, fortunately, the rate per 100,000 registered motorcycles went down. Here are other takeaways: Riders accounted for 95% of deaths, while 5% were motorcycle passengers. 57% of fatalities occurred by collision with another vehicle, 26% resulted from a collision with a fixed object, 4% collision with a non-fixed object, while 13% of fatalities occurred without a collision. 34% of fatalities involved a rider impaired by alcohol. That number is in line with the 31% of alcohol-related fatalities nationwide. Riders were wearing helmets in 59% of fatalities, while riders were

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U.S. House Committee Passes Bill to Stop California’s ICE Vehicle Ban

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U.S. House Committee Passes Bill to Stop California’s ICE Vehicle Ban Encourage support from lawmakers on this proposal: The U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee passed the SAN-supported Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act” (H.R. 1435). This bill seeks to preserve vehicle choice for consumers and prevent the federal government and the State of California from choosing only one form of technology (such as electric vehicles) over the many others to achieve their emission reduction goals. The “Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act” prohibits the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from issuing a waiver to California for regulations that would ban the sale or use of new motor vehicles with ICE in the state by 2035. The bill is essential to stopping California’s plan to ban of new ICE vehicles. Send a letter to your Congress members asking them to support the bill. H.R. 1435 awaits consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives. Lawmakers Must Hear from You Right Away! Use the following website link for an overview and lawmaker contact. ACT NOW BY CLICKING HERE * * * * * * * * * * * * Stay Free and Subscribe to the Free Weekly Newsletter from Bikernet.com — click & get one, its Free.

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NHTSA Responds to Questions from Congress

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Just before the end of 2022, Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan and 26 of his colleagues in Congress sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding recent crashes that involve motorcycles and cars believed to be in self-driving mode. The response from government regulators has some key takeaways: “NHTSA is actively working to educate consumers and the media that automated driving system (ADS) technologies are not self-driving technologies, and that drivers must always remain engaged in the driving task.” “Crashes involving motorcycles account for less than 2 percent of all reported crashes involving ADS.” “NHTSA is conducting research on how vehicles equipped with crash avoidance technologies react to motorcycles, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users in various scenarios.” The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is committed to aggressively working with lawmakers to address obvious safety gaps in the deployment of this new technology. While we appreciate that NHTSA is conducting research on this topic, on this topic, motorcyclists are not “vulnerable road users”, motorcyclists are simply road users. Additionally, it’s unacceptable that consumers falsely believe this technology, deployed on our roads, allows them to sit back and relax while in the driver’s seat. The safety of the nearly 10 million bikers on our nation’s roadways requires that all roadway users act in a responsible manner. As always Ride Safe and Ride Free. About Motorcycle Riders Foundation: The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. Visit http://mrf.org * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Stay updated, stay ahead of the curve. Click to Sign up for the Weekly Newsletter from Bikernet Blog for free.

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Bikers Inside the Beltway: Holding Common Ground

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Bikers inside the Beltway – with the encouragement and direction of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, since the first Bikers inside the Beltway in 2009, thousands of bikers have met with their elected representatives and educated them about issues of importance to all street riding motorcyclists. Specifically… the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has less than 30 days of their 120-day requirement to report to the Senate and House Committee(s) on Appropriations and answer how the agency may be “conducting activities that encourage states to adopt legislation, regulation, or other policies that unjustly profile motorcycle riders.” The words of former U.S. Representative David Price from North Carolina may well apply to the recent efforts of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation “… Understand that not every battle can be won on the first try and that politics is a matter of striking a balance between … compromising and finding common ground where you can, and fighting where you must.” The MRF found and is holding common ground among the nation’s state motorcyclist rights organization, motorcycle club members, and all freedom loving motorcyclists who, as the Motorcycle Profiling Project demonstrates, are susceptible to being profiled while riding a motorcycle. The MRF’s victories, realized in the waning hours of the 117th Congress in December, should drive home Congressman Price’s words, and demonstrate the positive results when common ground is identified and held. Those victories came from the year-after-year vigilance of MRF members writing, calling, and meeting with members of Congress during the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s annual Bikers inside the Beltway. Now is the time for you to register to attend Bikers inside the Beltway – May 15 & 16, 2023. As in years past, Bikers inside the Beltway will be dual-faceted to accommodate in-person visits to Congress plus visits to local district offices. To

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Elect to take a stand

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Tomorrow’s Outcomes Hinge on Today’s Actions In contrast to the last century, ‘Roaring’ is not likely to be how the current ‘20s are remembered. The Jazz Age’s nostalgic “carefree” stereotype offers little similarity to the present. Amidst all the uncertainty, one thing is clear: politics are everywhere, like it or not. With all this in mind, big issues are on the table that are ripe with controversy. Decisions on electric vehicles (EVs), automotive fuel supply, and one’s own ‘right to modify’ will make a direct impact on our community and the final results are likely to be consequential. With so much at stake, enthusiast participation in the political process is crucial—but not difficult. Nearly 7,000 state and federal elected positions are up for grabs in November. Notably, 84% of all state lawmakers will be in the running—marking their first race since redistricting has shifted constituencies. Party control of the U.S. Congress and state legislatures will be determined in the upcoming elections. Use the voting tool at semaSAN.com/semavotes to register to vote and learn the deadlines for where you live. In advance, find out if your state and federal representatives are affiliated with the hobby-friendly, SEMA-supported caucuses at semaSAN.com/statecaucus and semaSAN.com/federalcaucus. You can locate your elected officials at semaSAN.com under the “Legislators” tab. Ready to influence our nation’s public policy roadmap going forward? Good news: the ballot box awaits! This year, head to your polling place with renewed purpose. Learn where your candidates are on issues important to you. Then ensure your voice is heard via your vote. No better way to weigh-in and make sure this important opportunity counts. Take care of fulfilling your civic duty just like your prized ride—with pride in ownership! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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Arizona Senator Rallies for Passage of the RPM Act

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Since being elected to Congress in November 2020, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has proven himself to be a strong ally and defender of motorsports. Sen. Kelly is an original cosponsor of S. 2736, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2021 (RPM Act), and he has championed the bill both publicly and behind the scenes. Sen. Kelly recently spoke at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing about the importance of the RPM Act and amateur racing, noting that his wife, former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, raced motorcycles on the track. “Racing is important to many Arizonans – and it’s a part of our state’s legacy,” he said. “The RPM Act will help provide certainty to Arizona’s amateur racers and auto mechanics from EPA regulations, which could harm their ability to enjoy the hobby of motorsport.” As a former astronaut (four missions into space) and naval aviator who flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm, Sen. Kelly understands the passion of racers and the adrenaline associated with speed lovers. He is also amongst the 31 Senate co-sponsors of the RPM Act, fellow federal lawmakers and candidates running for re-election in 2022. The 2022 election season is now in high gear. For information on voting in November’s elections (including absentee and early voting), to find your polling place, identifying your lawmakers and the candidates running in 2022, use the link Click Here. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Click & Follow the Thursday’s Weekly News exclusively on Bikernet.com to stay updated with your freedoms & rights as a motorcyclist !!!

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Vance & Hines Issues Statement on Federal Trade Commission Action

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Vance & Hines Issues Statement on Federal Trade Commission Action Against Harley-Davidson Background: The Federal Trade Commission announced a complaint on June 23, 2022, against Harley-Davidson, ordering the company to “fix warranties by removing illegal terms and recognizing the right to repair, come clean with customers, and ensure that dealers compete fairly with independent third-parties.” Link to Federal Trade Commission Press Release: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/06/ftc-takes-action-against-harley-davidson-westinghouse-illegally-restricting-customers-right-repair-0 Statement from Mike Kennedy, President & CEO of Vance & Hines: “This action taken by the FTC is a huge win for motorcycle riders. While we still need to see how this plays out, we anticipate that riders will have more choices in how they repair and update their motorcycles during the warranty period, which is clearly a big deal for companies in the motorcycle aftermarket, too. I hope that the “it will void your warranty” threat for someone who just wants a better sounding or smoother running Harley is a thing of the past.” * * * To Stay updated on all Motorcycle News and Industry Announcements … – simply Click & Subscribe to Bikernet’s FREE Weekly Newsletter

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