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We cover all issues of motorcycling. Sport Bikes,Dirt Bikes, Cruisers, Customs. If it has two or three wheels we fight for
Ohio's Motorcyclist RIGHTS!

March 2010

ABATE of Ohio Inc.
March 3, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
 
Governor Strickland signs bill to create Purple Heart License Plates for motorcycles
 

    ABATE of Ohio Legislative Committee members joined Governor Strickland on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at the Ohio Statehouse in a ceremony to sign Am. Sub. HB 27 of the 128th General Assembly. The bill creates Purple Heart license plates for motorcycles as well as names several Ohio highways in memory of fallen veterans and a few other specialty license plates for vehicles, such as the Special Olympics.

   Six veteran’s families of the fallen heroes and ABATE representatives watched as Governor Strickland put pen to paper in the final step of a bill becoming law. The 9 year-old son of Sgt. Jeremy Murray, put his hand over the Governor’s as he signed the bill, which includes a Memorial Highway designated for his father who was killed in the battle for freedom overseas.

   Governor Strickland served on Veteran’s Affairs committee when he was Congressman of the 6th District and while in Washington DC, he consistently showed support for motorcycling issues. Governor Strickland stated, “I was proud to sign a bill into law that would ensure that Ohio’s Purple Heart recipients receive the honor and acknowledgement they deserve as these distinguished veterans ride motorcycles across our state.”

History:
    Originally the Purple Heart license plate bill was submitted as a “standalone bill,” House Bill 234, introduced in February 2009 sponsored by Representative Moran (D-42). As bills go through the process of committee hearings and floor votes, they can be combined or amended to include bills that are germane to subject of the original bill. In this case, HB 27 began the process as designating a highway in Mahoning County as the “Korean War Veteran’s Memorial Highway.” Several bills had similar objectives, like the Purple Heart license plate bill, and were lumped into HB 27 as amendments prior to passage as Amended Substitute House Bill 27.

How to get the license plate:
    Purple Heart recipients will have the option of purchasing the special license plates through the local BMV office. Documentation of the award will need to be provided at the time of application. The license plates and validation stickers shall be issued without the payment of any registration fee and service fee and without the payment of any local motor vehicle license tax levied. Once enough interest is generated through applications, printing of the new plates will begin. Contact your local BMV to get details.

    ABATE applauds the effort of the motorcycling community, veterans and the 128th General Assembly to pass this bill and give the option for proud veterans who earned the Purple Heart to be recognized with special license plate for their motorcycles. We look forward to see them out on the roadways!

ABATE of Ohio, Inc. (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to preserving the rights, improving the image, and promoting safe operating practices of Ohio Motorcyclists.
www.abate.com

~end~





I have been keeping track of the ROW Bills SB 65 & HB 128 they have not had any movement for a few months during the holidays. The bill has been slightly changed to correct some minor problems. It Will be my top priority this year to help get this passed.

Ohio

House Bill 128

Has moved to the 4th hearing.This is the same as SB 65. The right of way working group is working hard to get this thru the hearings .

                                                      We  Support these Bills in the Ohio House.

Bill Name Position
SB 65 - Provides for increased penalties when a person violates the motor vehicle traffic law assured clear distance ahead provision or commits a failure to yield the right-of-way offense that results in serious physical harm or death to another person. - [Introduced – 3/4/2009]  


HB 204 - Permits a motorcycle operator to back the motorcycle into an angled parking space. - [Introduced – 6/2/2009]  


HB 179 - Modifies the guidelines governing seizure of a motorcycle by a law enforcement officer when the identity of the motorcycle cannot be determined; Establishes limited civil liability if the law enforcement officer or agency fails to comply with specified guidelines. - [Introduced – 5/12/2009]  


HB 128 - Provides for increased penalties when a person violates the motor vehicle traffic law assured clear distance ahead provision or commits a failure to yield the right-of-way offense that results in serious physical harm or death to another person. - [Introduced – 4/8/2009]  


HB 17 - Clarifies the penalties for operating a motorcycle without having either a motorcycle endorsement or the proper restricted license. - [Introduced – 2/18/2009] 


 
Next Article :

U.S. House Considering Bill Detrimental to OHV Riding
Protect 24 million acres from OHV restrictions
Take Action!
Contact your Representative to Oppose H.R. 980!

 
The Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources has scheduled a hearing on
May 5 to consider H.R. 980, the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA). This
legislation was introduced by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). It will designate 24 million acres
as Wilderness and components of the National Wilderness Preservation System in Idaho,
Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. This Wilderness designation will make the land
off-limits to off-highway riders.
 
With the Wilderness bill (Omnibus Public Land Management Act) recently signed into law, that
prohibited off-highway vehicle (OHV) use on over 2 million acres, this Congress now feels
emboldened to continue pressing for passage of even more Wilderness bills that would take
away additional OHV trails enjoyed responsibly by your friends and family.
 
We need your help to stop H.R. 980 in its tracks. The fastest way to reach your Representative
is to call them. You can find contact information for your elected officials by entering your zip
code on AmericanMotorcyclist.com, clicking on "Rights," then "Issues and Legislation."
Additionally, a prewritten e-mail is available for you to send to your Representative
immediately by following the "Take Action" option and entering your information.
 
To find a list of members serving on the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, please
click here.
 
We must remain vigilant. If this bill were signed into law, the effect on the OHV community
would be devastating for generations. Please contact your Representative right away and urge
them to oppose H.R. 980.

Next Article:
U.S. House Takes Major Step in Repairing Loophole

WASHINGTON, DC (April 24, 2009) --- The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to report that the U.S. House of Representatives has taken a major step toward repairing the loophole created when the regulations for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 were written. This loophole allows insurers to deny health care benefits to victims of motorcycle crashes simply because they were riding a motorcycle. This loophole also allows insurers to conceal this exclusion of benefits from the insured until a claim has been submitted.

On March 31, 2009 the U.S. House, by a vote of 422 to 3, passed HR 1253, the Health Insurance Restrictions and Clarifications Act of 2009. This bill will require the insurance provider to fully disclose, prior to sale of the plan and prior to participant's enrollment in the plan, all of the limitations and restrictions of the plan.

While this bill does not close the loophole, it does do two very important things; it formalizes the sense of the Congress that this issue needs to be corrected, and it will have the effect of fully disclosing the depth of this loophole with the participants.

"The most troubling aspect of this source of injury loophole has always been the unknown. Not knowing if you are covered or not by your health insurance in the wake of a tragedy is just unacceptable, and HR 1253 sheds light on the substantial coverage gaps that exist today," said Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President of Government Relations. He added, "The MRF
remains committed to fully closing the loophole and making it illegal for any insurance provider not to cover motorcycle injuries."

The bill is now awaiting action by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. The MRF encourages all motorcyclists to contact their U.S. Senators to encourage them to pass HR 1253.

Next Article:


I wanted to pass along the latest news I have concerning the youth ATV's and dirt bike issue. For those that may not be familiar with it when Congress passed a consumer product law last year to ban toys with lead based paints and materials in them that made all the news stories last Christmas, it had some unintended consequences. Among them was the outright banning of youth ATV's and dirt bikes, since they have lead in the materials used for production and batteries and so forth. Industry execs have petitioned the Consumer Product safety Commission to exempt these products but this has failed. This is due primarily to the language of the law which does not allow the CPSC any latitude in determining which products may be exempted and which may not. It just says that ALL youth products must be tested for and below 300ppm of lead in them. However the CPSC has decided to forgo enforcing the law for a 1 year period. Here is the link to the letter explaining this from the CPSC: http://www.cpsc.gov/pr/nord040309exclusions.pdf

During this year it will be up to us to put pressure on Congress to FIX the situation that they created. I am sure many of us out there started our riding careers on a little 50cc or 80cc dirt bike when we were kids. Let's not have the government tell us how we can let our kids enjoy this activity in the same way many of us did.

Ohio Right-of-Way Working Group members and supporters:
 
It’s Official – SB-65 has been introduced and is posted on the Ohio General Assembly website.  See http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_65 for the text of the bill.
 
The primary sponsor is Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) and the single co-sponsor is Senator Timothy Grendell (R-Chesterland).  
 
Please take two minutes to call and thank Senators Schaffer (614-466-5838) and Grendell (614-644-7718).  Their offices need to hear “thank you” from us and the motorcycling community.  You can be sure the staff will pass your message on.

My quick read of the bill is that it is exactly the same as substitute SB-158 was last session.
 
Mike Beast Stanley and I are meeting with a representative in Senator Ray Miller’s office on Thursday, March 5.  As you may recall, Mike had an opportunity to speak with Senators Miller, Smith, and Turner recently, giving us an opportunity to speak with them and/or their staff.  This will be our first opportunity to promote SB-65 to a member of the Senate.  I’m still waiting to hear back from the offices of Senators Smith and Turner about scheduling meetings with them.
 
I still need to hear from all of you as to your recommendations for sponsors/cosponsors on the House side.
  Imre Szauter <iszauter@ama-cycle.org>
 AMA - Ohio Right-of-Way Working Group Update, March 4, 2009


111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 269
Supporting the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.


IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 19, 2009
Ms. GIFFORDS (for herself and Mr. BURGESS) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Whereas approximately 7,000,000 motorcyclists ride on our Nation's roads and highways to commute, travel, and recreate;

Whereas motorcycles are a valuable component of the transportation mix;

Whereas motorcycles are fuel-efficient and decrease congestion while having little impact on our Nation's transportation infrastructure;

Whereas the United States is the world leader in motorcycle safety, promoting education, licensing, use of protective gear, and motorcycle awareness;

Whereas the motorcycling community is committed to decreasing motorcycle crashes through licensing, training, education, enforcement, personal responsibility, and increased public awareness;

Whereas, according to a comprehensive study conducted on motorcycle crash causation in the United States the `Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures' (Hurt Report), in approximately two-thirds of fatal car-motorcycle crashes, the driver of the car was at fault;

Whereas motorcycle awareness is beneficial to all road users and will help to decrease car-motorcycle crashes;

Whereas May is designated as `Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month'; and

Whereas National Highway Traffic Safety Administration promotes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to encourage riders to always wear helmets and other protective gear, never drink and ride, be properly licensed, and get training and to remind all riders and motorists to always share the road: Now, therefore, be it


Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the contribution motorcycles make to the transportation mix;

(2) encourages all road users to be more aware of motorcycles and motorcyclists' safety;

(3) encourages all riders to receive appropriate training and practice safe riding skills; and

(4) supports the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

CPSIA

On August 14th, 2008, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety

Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).  Intended to make children's everyday

toys safer, the rule governing implementation of the act threatens to end

youth off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding entirely.

According to section 101(a) of the enacted legislation, all youth products containing lead must have less than 600 parts per million (ppm) by weight.   The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has interpreted the law to apply to various components of youth OHVs including the engine, brakes, suspension, battery and other mechanical parts.  Even though the lead levels in these parts are small, they are still above the minimum threshold.

The unavailability of youth OHVs will devastate family OHV recreation and cripple amateur competition, creating a domino effect across all aspects of motorized recreation.

In order to assure continued availability and access to youth OHVs, the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and Specialty Vehicle Industry Association (SVIA) submitted petitions to the CPSC asking that certain vehicles be excluded from the final rule governing the law. 

It is critical that Congress and the CPSC know the petition exists and that they act on it to maintain a vital form of recreation for American families, preserve youth racing and protect the thousands of jobs associated with this industry.

Please write or call your Representative and the CPSC today and ask them to approve the petition to exclude youth OHVs from the CPSIA lead content requirements.

                                                        Omnibus Public Lands Bill:

 The U.S. House of Representatives could vote as early as next week on a wide-ranging bill that could shut off-highway motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders out of more than 2 million acres of public land. The measure, Senate Bill 22, also known as the Omnibus Public Lands Bill, is actually a package of more than 160 bills that were melded together to create a single bill of more than 1,300 pages in length.      
            Every AMA member, off-highway motorcyclist, ATV rider and everyone who supports responsible outdoor recreation is urged to immediately contact their Congressional representative and ask them to reject this bill. The measure should be defeated because it unreasonably bans motorized recreation on 2.1 million acres of public land and inappropriately designates it as Wilderness. Also the procedure used for fast-tracking this bill through the U.S. Senate and House violates the spirit of open and democratic government. For the full release and a link to a rapid response letter on this issue go to: http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=592
                                                                              
 
Senate Bill 209

On March 26th, Gov. Ted Strickland (D) signed Senate bill 209. The legislation, introduced by Sen. John Carey (R-Wellston), restores all-purpose vehicle (APV) registration reciprocity in the state of Ohio. Thus, allowing the owners of OHVs registered in other states to ride in Ohio without obtaining an Ohio APV registration.

Indirectly, the bill also allows Ohio residents to ride Ohio-registered vehicles in certain other states without having to register their vehicles in those states. For example, Pennsylvania will only recognize an Ohio APV registration if Ohio intern recognizes Pennsylvania's registration. 

Writing in support of the APV registration provisions in SB 209 the AMA told Gov. Strickland that, "... the loss of reciprocity has been a point of frustration for Ohio residents who occasionally recreate out of state, visitors to Ohio and state and federal land managers." 

The Ohio Motorized Trails Association (OMTA) has been very active in advancing this legislation. See www.ohiotrails.org for more information about OMTA.