MASSACHUSETTS Archives — Bikernet Blog

MRF Updates: Wee Tol You So….

August 26, 2022: We Told You So… At last year’s MRF Meeting of the Minds in Atlanta, Georgia the fate of the internal combustion engine was discussed. In fact, at the urging of ABATE of Illinois, the following language was added to the MRF’s 2022 Legislative Priorities: “Work to ensure the survival of combustion engines. Including elimination of the California air quality waivers which threaten combustion engine production.” In October of 2021 California Governor Gavin Newson signed a bill into law banning the sale of all off-road, gas-powered engines, including generators, lawn equipment, pressure washers, chainsaws, weed trimmers, and even golf carts. And less than one year later we learn this, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) that governs motor vehicle emissions for the state adopted new rules that will require 35% of the new cars sold in the state are electric or plug-in hybrids by 2026, with that percentage rising to 68% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. That’s right gas burning cars will no longer be for sale in the country’s largest state in less than 15 years. Other states, including Massachusetts and Washington have already signaled that they would follow California’s lead. What does the future of motorcycling look like? Will the bike you are riding today be legal in a few years? What will your kids or grandkids be riding… or will they even be allowed to own a motorcycle? Your Freedom is under assault and without your help we can’t fight back! Thank you to all the members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation for defending your Freedoms. We need all street riders to join this fight. 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 […]

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Proposed new regulations for Autocycles in Massachusetts

General Posts / By Wayfarer

Proposed new regulations for 3-wheel autocycles from https://www.bostonherald.com by Boston Herald Wire Services Proposed regulations of autocycles will be on the schedule when Massachusetts lawmakers hold a virtual public hearing Tuesday. An autocycle is a three-wheeled motor vehicle that meets federal safety standards for a motorcycle. Unlike motorcycles, however, autocycles typically include a steering wheel, a seat for the driver and occasionally seats for passengers. The driver and passengers are not required to straddle the vehicle like a motorcycle. One of the bills under consideration would create new safety measures for autocycles including requiring the driver and passengers to wear helmets, requiring autocycle manufacturers to equip the vehicles with safety belts which must be worn by drivers and passengers, and barring children under eight from riding in one. Anyone who operates an autocycle without wearing a safety helmet or safety belts would face a fine of no less than $25 under the bill. Massachusetts Lawmakers Weigh New Regulations for Autocycles from https://www.nbcboston.com by The Associated Press An autocycle is a motor vehicle with three wheels on the ground that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards for a motorcycle Proposed regulations of autocycles will be on the schedule when Massachusetts state lawmakers hold a virtual public hearing Tuesday. An autocycle is a motor vehicle with three wheels on the ground that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards for a motorcycle. Unlike motorcycles, however, autocycles typically include a steering wheel, a seat for the driver and occasionally seats for passenger. One of the bills under consideration would create new safety measures for autocycles. Those include requiring the driver and passengers wear helmets, requiring autocycle manufacturers to equip the vehicles with safety belts and barring children under eight from riding in an autocycle.

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Massachusetts “Women on Wheels®” three Chapters Recognized – over 1 million miles !

General Posts / By Wayfarer

A week before the annual “International Female Ride Day,” (May 4th – see link below) the Massachusetts State Senate and its Registrar of Motor Vehicles / Rider Education Program and others, recognized rider members of its three state Chapters, Metro-West, North Shore and South Shore “Women on Wheels®,” for its 4-years riding and winning WoW’s annual mileage contest -“State’s Highest Mileage,” 2015 – 2018, over a million miles, and their work helping rider charities, safety and awareness efforts aimed at reducing accidents,” and their positive contributions promoting the lifestyle and protecting the future of motorcycling ! Women On Wheels® – organized in 1982, “is a not-for-profit, international, family-oriented organization that serves to unite all female motorcycle enthusiasts.” Flash forward 37 years and WoW now has 53 Chapters in over 30 States. “Camaraderie, networking and support of women who love the sport is one of the many benefits of WoW membership,” reads its website at www.WomenOnWheels.org. Betsy Lister of Medford, MA began her riding in 1969, and is an inductee to the Sturgis Hall of Fame. She presented at “ROAR of APPRECIATION” to the WoW Chapters Directors in appreciation of their work promoting safety & awareness aimed at reducing accidents via the Commonwealth’s “Check Twice – Save a Life, Motorcycles are Everywhere” motto, created in 1982 by Bob Doiron, a personal friend before his passing four years ago. Dennis Palazzo, a 15-year Director of the Massachusetts Motorcyclists Survivor’s Fund, presented a Certificate of Appreciation on it’s behalf and the South Shore’s sister Fund, for all its 20-year support and volunteering of “Bikers Helping Bikers / Riders Helping Riders” charity efforts. As Massachusetts State Chapter Volunteer Coordinator of the American Motorcyclists Association, and having worked closely over the years with many WoW members on rights, riding, awareness and charitable causes, I presented

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Paying More for Less Service

General Posts / By Wayfarer

By 2021, New York City will begin charging drivers who enter Manhattan below Central Park under the guise of congestion pricing. No one is surprised. City and state officials have been trying to make this happen for years. The rare alignment of views between the governor, the mayor, and the state legislature─each likely motivated by the prospect of monetizing driving─made it happen. But at what cost? In a study last year, a proposed flat rate of $11.50 for cars and $25.00 for trucks was suggested but the budget that passed on April Fool’s Day did not specify any fees. The decision of who will pay what will belong to the governor, the mayor, and a yet-to-be-named six-member panel. The budget goal is to raise $15 billion to fix the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s subway, train, bus, bridge, and tunnel system. This grand scheme has nothing to do with reducing traffic and everything to do with finding more cash to bail out mainly the city’s beleaguered subway system. Not only will all sorts of vehicle-related services such as taxis, rideshare and delivery surge in price, but the goods and services provided to New Yorkers will almost certainly go up too. “Not a nickel goes to roads in a state where 69 percent are considered in bad or mediocre condition,” said AAA Northeast spokesman Robert Sinclair to Bloomberg. Not only that, the wrangling for exemptions has already begun. Suburban motorists say they already pay various tolls to drive into the city so why should they pay another fee for the privilege of driving in the city. Commercial truckers also want an exemption as do taxi drivers, and the disabled. Exemptions to the congestion pricing have already been made for motorists on FDR Drive and the West Side Highway north-and-southbound express routes. New Jersey

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