50 U.S. Lawmakers Oppose Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints
Some 50 U.S. House members have signed onto a bill that would bar
the U.S. transportation secretary from providing funds for
motorcycle-only checkpoints, the American Motorcyclist Association
reports.
The measure, H.R. 904 authored by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.),
would prohibit the transportation secretary from providing grants
or any funds to a state, county, town, township, Indian tribe,
municipality or other local government for use by any program to
check safety equipment use or create arbitrary checkpoints for
motorcycle riders or passengers.
"The AMA thanks these members of Congress for protecting the
motorcycle lifestyle, and encourages motorcyclists in these
representatives' districts to thank them for their support," said
Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations.
At the same time, Sensenbrenner and Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.), along
with 29 other 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
transportation secretary from providing funds for motorcycle-only
checkpoints.
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 added: "The DOT should focus on programs to instruct
motorcyclists on the importance of proper licensing, rider
education, and motorcycle awareness campaigns."
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
