Bikers Inside the Beltway (part 1)

Motorcycles line 3rd St NW near the Captiol Building.

Despite a morning that threatened rain and an overcast day, several dozen riders turned out yesterday to support motorcyclists' rights, provide their Congressional representatives with information about motorcycle safety and awareness, and meet briefly with three members of the House.

The riders came from a wide variety of states; I met riders from Virginia, Maryland, and DC, but also from Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

I quickly teamed up with four other riders from Virginia - Sharon, Bruce, Doug, and CJ - and we headed to the Rayburn, Longworth, and Cannon buildings to leave with our Representatives information provided by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). The MRF provided a folder containing several data sheets containing enough information to pique the interest of anybody interested in making the roads a safer place to ride and drive.

The MRF has a 20-plus year history of affecting legislation, including helping to strike down a potential ban on "superbikes" (1987), removing motorcycle references in an anti-gang bill (1991), and their ongoing challenge of wording in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that potentially allows employers to deny health insurance coverage to employees that ride motorcycles (since 1996).

Without appointments, we were unable to speak with any of our Representatives directly and unfortunately, an important meeting occupied the attention of all the transportation aides. Still, we shook hands, made introductions, and pitched motorcycle safety and awareness to the front desk aides of Representatives Jim Moran (D-VA/8th), Eric Cantor (R-VA/7th), Tom Perriello (D-VA/5th), and my own representative, Gerry Connolly (D-VA/11th).

Following our trek around the House office buildings, we gathered in front of the reflecting pool across the street from the US Botanic Garden. The sun played hide-and-seek while we waited to meet with several members of Congress. A House vote delayed the schedule somewhat and precipitated a cancellation from Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX/26th).

Representative Nick Rahall (D-WV/3rd) was the first to speak to the gathered group. Rahall is the chair of the House Resources Committee and the vice-chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. With these positions, Rahall helps control money and bills that directly affect motorcycle safety, training, and awareness on a nationwide basis.

When asked by an attendee rider about opposing the federal helmet law supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), he said, "it all boils down to common sense - and you can't legislate common sense."

The MRF supports Rahall's position through their work opposing the NHTSA-proposed legislation.  Instead, according to MRF materials, a smarter way to spend taxpayer money is to educate and train all drivers and riders about the unique aspects of motorcycling on America's vast network of roads and highways.

Read part 2 of this article.