With Wild News from all over the planet…
I just turned 75, and look at all the cool stuff I can do this year. Think about kids today, all the stuff they can do on their phones daily. They don’t need to chop wood to cook breakfast or hunt for something to eat. Life is incredible, all you need to do is to get out of bed and get moving. It’s all at your fingertips.
Let’s hit the news.
–Bandit
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:
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
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 ensure that the mission of getting our message to Congress continues to be successful, please consider the following:
In conjunction with Bikers inside the Beltway, a meeting of the MRF Board of Directors takes place on May 15 at the event hotel — Embassy Suites, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, Virginia. Rooms are available and limited by calling hotel direct line 703-684-5900 and use reference code MRF.
Attending Bikers inside the Beltway is an essential element of the MRF’s grassroots activism. Act now to attend the pre-event briefing and Q&A for visits to Congress, scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Monday, May 15. Briefing packets and “leave behinds” will be available during the briefing.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Bikers inside the Beltway — May 15 & 16, 2023.
Thank you for your commitment.
Yours in Freedom,
Fredric Harrell
RF Director of Conferences & Events
P.S. Registration for Bikers inside the Beltway is free. However, we request that you register early to help us plan the event. Use the link or the QR code below for Bikers inside the Beltway registration. Thank you.
P.P.S. This year, more than any time before, one of the MRF’s top agenda items is to specifically thank supporters in Congress for helping foster our success in 2023.
https://motorcycleridersfoundation.wildapricot.org/widget/event-5008758/Registration
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
It’s Not All Bad
Hey,
Check this from Ray in Australia.
“Difficult times in life are like washing machines; they twist us, spin us and knock us around, but in the end, we come out cleaner, brighter, and better than before.” –Ray Russell
At Black Hills it snows for a couple of days, then bada-bing the sun breaks and it blows my mind every time. I believe I’ve made some serious progress, while stumbling from time to time. I should have a report completed next week.
Hit the gun show in Deadwood. Packed with vendors, it was a kick looking for a hunting rifle.
A big 45 flathead fan asked about the Bonne Bell and I found the feature from Cycle Source. I’m waiting for a report on the new engine from Departure Bike Works
Okay, so let’s relax and watch carefully as the world changes.
Fight for freedom and join your local or national motorcycle rights group.
–Bandit
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) 2023 legislative agenda includes a diverse set of issues that strike at the core of who we are as bikers.
Historically, the MRF has fought many battles to defend individuals and the aftermarket motorcycle businesses’ rights to customize and repair motorcycles. Our successful defense against the EPA’s “Color and Chrome” only initiative and the regulations/enforcement related to it helped define the MRF and what we stand for to this day.
The MRF has long supported the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act (RPM Act), which would ensure that modifying motor vehicles into racing vehicles used for competition would not violate the Clean Air Act. We anticipate an updated version of the RPM Act will be introduced this Spring. The MRF and our partners will work diligently for passage of this commonsense piece of legislation. Importantly, some of these parts and technology we are looking to protect are used in the EPA allowances for one-per-lifetime custom bikes and Tier 1 eligible motorcycles we fought for two decades ago.
The MRF agenda also strongly supports the desire to protect a consumer’s right to repair, and ownership of data related to their vehicles. A recently introduced bill, H.R. 906 The Repair Act, helps protect consumers’ ability to utilize independent repair shops and aftermarket parts to work on vehicles, including motorcycles.
These issues are becoming increasingly important and drawing the attention of the aftermarket industry and bike customizers. The EPA has restarted a campaign of increased enforcement and it is threatening shops and individuals with legal action.
MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard recently appeared on Cycle Source Magazines “Shop Talk” radio show to discuss these issues and this week traveled to Daytona Bike Week to join independent motorcycle shop owners and others in the aftermarket industry to discuss the many issues facing this industry. The meeting was hosted by Chris Callen of Cycle Source Magazine and moderated by industry icon Bob Kay. Hardtail had this to say about the meeting, “It was encouraging to see both the level of concern and willingness in this group to engage in our efforts and educate other players in the aftermarket industry.”
The MRF won’t tackle these challenges alone, we are aggressively looking to put back together our coalition that was so effective in past battles. In the past the coalition included, the aftermarket industry, media and print publications, other custom vehicle organizations, and other motorcyclists’ rights groups. Lastly, our Master Mechanic and technical expert Dave “Dad” Dwyer is looking to schedule a meeting with the EPA in Detroit to discuss our growing concerns.
These are challenging issues, but with your continued support and the help of other like-minded advocates we will fight to defend the rights and freedoms we cherish.
Dawn Riba
Motorcycle Riders Foundation Communications Director
If you keep an eye on yourself you can see your moods change and why.
I’m going to cruise over to Cabana Dans next week. I need to cover his final pieces for his restored 1914 H-D Twin before they head to Tim the Flat Earth pinstripper in Spearfish, SD. I’ll sneak into Tim’s shop and shoot the action.
I’ve made serious progress on the VL, XA, FL-5. We made a set of pipes. Next week I will make controls and bring you a complete report.
I received a bicycle GPS speedo for the Salt Torpedo. Snowed the other day and might snow tomorrow. The Redhead is out finding a chunk of metal I can machine for the Knucklehead, so if I’m stuck inside I can still make progress.
I’m working with the Deadwood Historic Society on fixing up the basement under the Bullock Hotel. They want to go with a Vice theme, so I suggested this print of Kat Von D with my touring chopper built with Jesse James.
Join the MRF and stay up on the action, or keep coming back to Bikernet for weekly reports. We will fight for the truth forever.
— Bandit
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
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Almost a decade ago, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) began outreach to motorcycle clubs to find common ground on key legislative items. An MRF board seat, titled Director of Sustaining Member Motorcycle Clubs, was created and that seat is held by Russell Radke. Part of Russell’s mission is to educate the motorcycle club community on what the MRF is working on in D.C. and how our efforts impact all riders.
The National Council of Clubs (NCOC) has, for the past several years, invited the MRF to participate in its meetings to foster that dialogue. Last weekend, leaders of the MRF attended the February NCOC meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. The MRF was represented by Kirk “Hardtail” Willard (MRF President), Fred Harrell (Director of Conference & Events), Russell Radke (Director of Sustaining Member Motorcycle Clubs), Seven Cassel (Membership Director) and Rocky Fox (Government Relations). Also in attendance was ABATE of Wisconsin Legislative Director, Steve Panten.
Four different presentations involved an MRF or ABATE member sharing their views on motorcycling and legislative action. Hardtail gave a presentation on the “The Future of Motorcycling in America.” Rocky spoke on the MRF’s recent victories on profiling in D.C. Seven discussed how best to unite independents and MCs. Steve gave a case study on a recent summit held in Wisconsin between ABATE and motorcycle clubs in the state.
The weekend was filled with lively debate and great questions. The MRF thanks the NCOC and the club community for their hospitality and willingness to work together on issues we all care about.
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 website at http://mrf.org
Hey,
Life is full of options. Hell, try to buy a couch, a computer or a refrigerator. The options will kick your ass.
Options can be daunting — Especially if you have a list of dire projects looming over you like a gray sky.
Ah, but the other option is to reframe your list into something very positive, full of love and accomplishments.
Keep up the fight for Scientific Integrity and the freedom to ride and build what you want, goddammit.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
I receive numerous inspirational quotes from brothers here, in India and from Ray in Australia. I enjoy them, find solace, comfort and inspiration in seemingly troubled times.
Here’s the odd aspect and I say this a lot. These are the best of times. We have access to more technology, health benefits, knowledge, travel, bike parts, beauty, wealth, love, peace, you name it, than ever before.
So, what do we do? Except for Bikers, folks are depressed, killing each other, fighting, slappig their ol’ ladies around, screaming that we are doomed…
Bikers represent all that’s good in this world by building more loud-pipe, cool choppers and riding free forever. Every time a chopper or loud-pipe performance bagger blazes down the street, put your thumbs up. That annoying bastard knows what life is truly all about.
Ride free forever!
–Bandit
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Join the Cantina to support Bikernet.com, stay wild and free forever; click here to view optionsTons of material headed your way from features to techs to wild industry reports. Chris Callen stepped up with a report on his Cycle Source publishing efforts.
In the meantime join your local motorcycle rights group and ride fast and free.
Let’s hit the news. There’s actually a bunch of solid good stuff happening.
–Bandit
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