Recent Entries

• A Trillion Here, A Trillion There…

  by RevBigJohn April 2, 2021
  Former Illinois Senator Evert Dirksen is long credited with this quip about spending in Washington D.C., “A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon it begins to add up to real money.” An updated 21st century version of that quote would replace billion with trillion!In March Co...
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• Motorcyclist Advisory Council Bill Introduced

  by RevBigJohn March 26, 2021
  Motorcyclist Advisory Council Bill IntroducedThis week a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced H.R. 2141, the Motorcyclist Advisory Council Reauthorization Act. The Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) was first established by Congress in 2005 and reauthorized in 2015. The ...

• BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2021

  by RevBigJohn March 26, 2021
  BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2021FLEXIBLE & MOVING FORWARD The pandemic and the events of January 6 brought changes to meetings with members of Congress and large gatherings.  The MRF has restructured Bikers inside the Beltwa...

• The MRF pushes back on EPA about Current Ethanol Labeling Requi

  by RevBigJohn March 16, 2021
  The MRF pushes back on EPA about Current Ethanol Labeling Requirements This week the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) joined other national groups in pushing back on proposed rule changes to current ethanol labeling requireme...
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• Nominees Wanted for the 2021 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall

  by RevBigJohn February 28, 2021
  Last Call...Nominees Wanted for the 2021 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame (MRFHOF) was introduced at the Meeting of the Minds in Denver, Colorado. This institution was created to recognize individuals that have worked through the MRF to positiv...

• Bridging the Gap

  by RevBigJohn February 27, 2021
  Bridging the Gap Last weekend members of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) attended a meeting of the National Council of Clubs in Gulfport, Mississippi. The MRF was invited to the event, entitled “Bridging the Gap,” to discuss opportunities for the motorcycl...

• New House & Senate Members and Committees

  by RevBigJohn February 12, 2021
  New Members and Committees With the election of nearly 70 new lawmakers in the Senate and the House, congressional committee membership is directly impacted. Not only are freshman members assigned to new committees, but current members can also jump to new committees. While numerous committ...
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• Automated Driving Systems (AKA Autonomous Vehicles)

  by RevBigJohn February 5, 2021
  Late last year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced a rulemaking process for developing a “Framework for Automated Driving System (ADS) Safety.” As part of the process public comments were solicited by NHTSA. This week the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MR...
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• Nominees Wanted for the 2021 Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall

  by RevBigJohn February 3, 2021
  The Motorcycle Riders Foundation Hall of Fame (MRFHOF) was introduced at the Meeting of the Minds in Denver, Colorado. This institution was created to recognize individuals that have worked through the MRF to positively impact motorcycling. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is proud to announce that ...

• MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES HISTORIC FIRST

  by RevBigJohn January 28, 2021
  Atlanta, Georgia – The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, based in Washington, D.C., along with ABATE of Georgia, announced a historic first with the announcement that the organization’s annual Meeting of the Minds Conference will take place in Atlanta in September this year. ...

• BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY 2021

  by RevBigJohn January 26, 2021
  The countdown begins now… And it’s less than 120 days away! Bikers inside the Beltway 2021 – Be part of a living history as the Motorcycle Riders Foundation takes care of business before Congress. Bikers inside the Beltway 2021 – You make your hotel res...
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• EPA Announces Rulemaking on Fuel Pump Labels

  by RevBigJohn January 15, 2021
  Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a “Notice of Public Rulemaking” regarding labels on E15 fuel dispensers. In the notice, the EPA proposed two potential changes to the current fuel pump labels related to E15. The first is modification of the current label and the...
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• AHAS Released their 2021 State Traffic Safety Rankings

  by RevBigJohn January 13, 2021
    This month, the Washington, D.C. based, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (AHAS) released their 2021 state traffic safety rankings Report (click to view report).  The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is troubled that the methodology used in studying motorcycle safety t...
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• New Administration Names Transportation Secretary

  by RevBigJohn January 8, 2021
  Biden Picks Transportation Secretary Last month President-elect Joe Biden selected former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a onetime Democratic primary rival, to lead the Transportation Department. Mr. Buttigieg dropped out of the race in March and endorsed Mr. Bi...
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• FCC Spectrum Band Vote

  by RevBigJohn November 27, 2020
  FCC Spectrum Band Vote Last week the Federal Communications Commission voted 5-0 on a controversial measure that opens up spectrum band previously reserved solely for automakers.  Spectrum is the range of electromagnetic radio frequencies used to transmit sound, da...
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• Happy Thanksgiving from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation

  by RevBigJohn November 26, 2020
  Happy Thanksgiving  As has been the case with most holidays in 2020, things may look and feel differently this Thanksgiving. Whether you are celebrating with friends and family in person or virtually, we at the MRF wish yo...

• Motorcycle Riders Foundation Announces Organizational Changes

  by RevBigJohn November 24, 2020
  Motorcycle Riders Foundation Announces Organizational Changes  Consistent with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) purpose to be an independent national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its assoc...

• European Motorcyclists Face Threat to Ownership of Older Bikes

  by RevBigJohn November 20, 2020
  The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has long partnered with the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA) in the European Union. This week FEMA alerted the MRF to potential changes regarding end-of-life vehicle directives that could have a dramatic impact on European motorcy...
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• Getting Organized

  by RevBigJohn November 19, 2020
  Getting Organized The current session of the 116th Congress expires at noon on January 3rd. On that day, the 117th Congress will be sworn in. While the current Congress still has a number of items to deal with, planning for the 117th Congress is already underway. Last week, newly elected ...

• How the Motorcycle Community fares in the Election

  by RevBigJohn November 6, 2020
  As votes continue to be counted and races decided here is an update on how some of our champions and allies fared on election day. MRF Legislative Champions: Senator Ron Johnson (Wisconsin) – Not Up for reelection in 2020 Senator John Thune (South Dakota) – Not up for reelection in ...

• 2020 Legislators of the Year

  by RevBigJohn October 16, 2020
  Last month, at the 36th annual Meeting of the Minds in Indiana, Senator Gary Peters of Michigan and Representative Troy Balderson of Ohio were awarded the 2020 Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Legislator of the Year Award. The Legislator of the Year Award annually recogniz...
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• Legislative Agenda set during Meeting of the Minds 2020

  by RevBigJohn October 9, 2020
  Legislative Agenda set during Meeting of the Minds 2020 One of the most important events at Meeting of the Minds is the legislative strategy session. Each year, during this session, state motorcycle rights groups develop the federal legislative priorities for the following year. Items are discussed...
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• “Proposed California Fee Increases Threatens Motorcycle Industr

  by RevBigJohn September 17, 2020
   “Proposed California Fee Increases Threatens Motorcycle Industry” Empowered by changes to state law, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has begun the process of increasing certification fees for original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket manufacturers. The CARB cert...
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• Motorcyclist Profiling Pushed in the House

  by RevBigJohn August 21, 2020
  Today the Co-Chairmen of the House Motorcycle Caucus, Rep. Burgess (R-Texas) and Rep. Walberg (R-Michigan), released a letter they authored to Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader McCarthy asking for a vote on the House floor of H. Res 255, the motorcyclist profiling resolution. Joining Reps. Burges...
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• Meeting of the Minds 2020

  by RevBigJohn August 12, 2020
  Meeting of the Minds 2020 – Who? The past & the future of motorcyclists’ rights advocacy, that’s who! The idea for the Meeting of the Minds didn’t just come out of thin air. The idea had its roots in failed attempts to bring bikers together in the seventies...

• Meeting of the Minds 2020

  by RevBigJohn August 6, 2020
  WHERE & WHEN? The “Where” and “When” are relatively easy, all you have to do is use this link and register at Meeting of the Minds 2020. Hotel registration: 317 767-4769 the Meeting of the Minds is in Indianapolis, Indiana, Septe...

• MRF 2020 HOF Inductee Announcement

  by RevBigJohn August 3, 2020
  For Immediate ReleaseAugust 3, 2020 MRF 2020 HOF Inductee Announcement The Motorcycle Riders Foundation announces the 2020 Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame Inductees.The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to release the names of the 2020 class of Inductees to the Motorcy...
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• Longtime MRF Office Manager passes

  by RevBigJohn July 20, 2020
  We were informed over the weekend by her husband Bob that Beverly Waters Garrett passed away in Annandale, Virginia.  Beverly was our Washington D.C. Office Manager from 1994-2004. She worked with four lobbyists in that time; Carol Simpson, Wayne Curtin, Steve Zimmer, and Tom Wyld. ...
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• Missouri Governor Signs HB1963T

  by RevBigJohn July 14, 2020
  Missouri Governor Signs HB1963T - Including Helmet Repeal     This afternoon, Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed legislation that would modify the current helmet la...
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• BIKERS WIN BIG IN THE HOUSE, PREPARING FOR SENATE VERSION

  by RevBigJohn July 1, 2020
  BIKERS WIN BIG IN THE HOUSE, PREPARING FOR SENATE VERSION Today the full House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, INVEST in America Act (Moving Forward Act), also known as the highway bill. The bill is over 2,000 pages and inclu...