Congress Seeks To End Federal Funding Of Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints

U.S. Reps. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) and Tom Petri ((R-Wis.),
together with 29 additional members of Congress, have sent a letter
to the leadership of the House-Senate Surface Transportation
Reauthorization Conference Committee requesting the inclusion of
language in the conference report that would prohibit the Secretary
of Transportation from providing grants or any funds to states or
local governments to be used for any program to create
motorcycle-only checkpoints, the American Motorcyclist Association
reports.
Responding to a nationwide appeal issued by the AMA on May 29, AMA
members and concerned motorcyclists contacted their elected
representatives and urged them to sign on to the
Sensenbrenner-Petri letter. As a result, a bipartisan group of
legislators now seeks to overturn a controversial federal program
that
unfairly discriminates against motorcyclists.
The AMA began tracking motorcycle-only checkpoints when they first
appeared in New York in 2007. In 2011, using funds provided by the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the state of
Georgia conducted roadside motorcycle-only checkpoints as thousands
of motorcyclists rode through the state on their way to Daytona
Beach, Fla., for Bike Week, March 4-13. Another motorcycle-only
checkpoint was conducted in northern Virginia during one of the
nation's most visible motorcycle rallies - Rolling Thunder - over
the 2011 Memorial Day Weekend. Motorcycle-only checkpoints were
also conducted in Utah when thousands of riders attended a
world-class roadracing event. Three states have since outlawed the
practice -- Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire - and
legislation to prohibit them has been introduced in Illinois,
California, Missouri and New Jersey.
The letter stated: "MOCs [motorcycle-only checkpoints] are a
controversial and unproven method of addressing motorcyclist safety
and have not been an efficient use of limited federal dollars. The
very existence of this program essentially profiles a group of
citizens -- the motorcycling community -- for operating a legal
mode of transportation."
The letter, addressed to the conference committee chairs and
ranking members, added: "The DOT should focus on programs to
instruct motorcyclists on the importance of proper licensing, rider
education, and motorcycle awareness campaigns."
Representatives who signed the letter, in addition to Sensenbrenner
and Petri, are (alphabetically): Sandy Adams (R-Fla.), Roscoe
Bartlett (R- Md.), Dan Benisheck (R-Mich.), Mark Critz (D-Pa.),
Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) Sean Duffy (R-Wisc.),
Bob Filner (D-Calif.), Corey Gardner (R-Colo.), Tim Griffin
(R-Ark.), Kathleen Hochul (D-N.Y.), Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.), Randy
Hultgren (R-Ill.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.),
John Kline (R-Minn.), Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.), Candice Miller
(R-Mich.), Ron Paul (R-Texas), Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.), Gary Peters
(D-Mich.), Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), Bobby Schilling (R-Ill.), Aaron
Schock (R-Ill), Lee Terry (R-Neb.), Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), Joe
Walsh (R-Ill.), Allen West (R-Fla.), and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.)
The AMA thanks these members of Congress for protecting the
motorcycle lifestyle, and encourages motorcyclists in these
representative's districts to thank them for their support. The AMA
will issue further bulletins as news about this important measure
becomes available.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
Source: American Motorcycle Association