MRF works for motorcyclists to be just like everyone else, not a special class

September 28, 4:15 PMMotorcycle ExaminerKen Bingenheimer

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A state move to implement a law that discriminates against motorcyclists is not going to draw a response from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. However, "If it becomes a federal issue then we're all over it!"

That's part of how MRF President Kirk "Hardtail" Willard explained to me the focus of his organization. I spoke with Hardtail Friday at the MRF's Meeting of the Minds, held in Denver this weekend.

The MRF has a symbiotic relationship wth scores of state motorcycle rights organizations, or SMROs. Prominent among these are the various A.B.A.T.E. organizations. The SMROs work at the state and local level while MRF works at the federal level. The Meeting of the Minds brings everyone together to exchange ideas and receive training on affecting the political process.

The MRF also encourages and facilitates local groups' efforts to meet with and get acquainted with their congressional delegations. An MRF staffer will go along on the meetings and thereby become established in the congressman's or senator's mind as a representative of these constituents.

Safety is a primary focus of the MRF and the A.B.A.T.E.s with the idea that if the motorcycling community does not clean up issues in a pro-motorcycling manner, others will impose their ideas of solutions that may not be motorcycle-friendly at all. A prime example of this is the group's opposition to mandatory helmet laws.

"It isn't safety apparel that is lacking," said Hardtail, "it's effective share-the-road, rider and motorist education, and impaired-riding programs." The MRF argues strongly that the answer to rising motorcycle fatality numbers is fewer accidents, not safer accidents. Or, as "Doc Ski" Wasileski, Ph.D., the group's resident statistician puts it, "If you get in a bad enough crash you're gonna die. Crashes kill bikers. Crash prevention save lives."

One way the MRF and the SMROs work to effect change is to offer their services in state driver training programs, helping drivers be more aware of motorcyclists sharing the road and understand factors that apply to bikers that do not necessarily impact cars. Hardtail estimated that approximately 250,000 driving students per year benefit from the groups' efforts in this manner. As Hardtail explained, "Kids really like seeing real bikers. When you come in and tell them 'I buried my best friend last year' they pay attention."

Noise is another issue the group addresses. Many municipalities, including Denver, are trying to control excessive noise from motorcycles, often with approaches that are ineffective and discriminatory. While a majority of the group in Saturday's plenary session appeared to firmly subscribe to the idea that "loud pipes save lives," they nevertheless acknowledge the need to "ride responsibly, ride respectfully." Even a Harley-Davidson representative acknowledged that The Motor Company has felt the need to redesign their exhaust systems to ensure compliance with noise ordinances.

Ultimately, said Hardtail, the objective of the MRF is for motorcyclists to be just like everyone else. The problems arise when lawmakers try to treat motorcyclists as a special class, and subject them to heavy-handed, ill-conceived regulation. Passing and enforcing noise ordinances for everyone is simply fairer and more sensible than saying that any motorcycle with anything except an original equipment muffler is illegal, regardless of how much noise the bike makes.

I'll have more to tell you about the Meeting of the Minds. Stay tuned.