Motorcycle Safety Caucus Officially Registered for the 112th Congress

Representatives Michael Burgess and Gabrielle Giffords
Remain as Co-Chairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – February 2, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – The Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus (CMSC) has been officially registered for the 112th Congress. At the start of each Congress all official caucuses must be reestablished and recognized formally by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The CMSC is a bipartisan group of 11 Members of Congress committed to improving and advancing the safety of motorcyclists. This is the third consecutive Congressional session that the CMSC has been formed.

The Motorcycle Industry Council’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Kathy Van Kleeck, said, “We are honored that Congressman Burgess will once again serve as Co-chair of the Caucus, and we are especially heartened that Representative Gifford’s will remain as a co-chair as well.” She continued, “Giffords is a rider herself and has always been enthusiastic about motorcycle safety. We look forward to her continued recovery and return to the House.”

MIC’s Director of Federal Affairs, Duane Taylor noted, “We are excited by the new session and look forward to working with the Members who have been with MIC on this since the beginning as well as any new or returning Members who would like to join the Caucus.” He concluded, “I encourage all riders contact their Member of Congress and ask them to sign up to be a Member of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus.”

The Motorcycle Safety Caucus has actively highlighted the safety of motorcyclists by passing Congressional Resolutions supporting the goals of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, hosting a Capitol Hill event attended by the Secretary of Transportation, drawing attention to Ride to Work Day and ensuring that motorcycle safety is remembered in the transportation reauthorization process.

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national industry association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment firms, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office near Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.

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Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus Urges Riders to Participate in Ride to Work Day on June 21

Monday Provides Opportunity to Highlight Motorcycles as a Viable, Fun, Fuel-Efficient Mode of Transportation

WASHINGTON, DC – June 18, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – In an open letter to motorcyclists the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus (CMSC) Co-chairs, U.S. Representatives Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Gabrielle Giffords, with Caucus Members John Duncan (R-TN), Bob Filner (D-CA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) urged riders to participate in the annual Ride to Work Day on June 21 and encouraged riders and other road users to focus on safety. Ride to Work Day encourages employers, government officials and the general public to be more aware that riders come from all occupations and walks of life and that riding motorcycles and scooters is a social good.

The Members state in the letter, “This year, on June 21, more than a million riders will commute to work on their motorcycles. This annual event offers motorcyclists an opportunity to highlight motorcycles as a viable, fun and fuel-efficient mode of transportation. We encourage you to participate and to use the day as a reminder to get involved in motorcycle safety.”

The letter encouraged riders to get involved and to do their part to help grow the Caucus, “Please help us…by contacting your Member of Congress and encouraging him or her to join the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus (CMSC). Information about your Representative and how to get in touch can be found by visiting http://www.house.gov/.”

The Caucus Members also noted that Ride to Work Day provides an opportunity to remind other road users of their role in motorcycle safety. “Our Caucus encourages drivers of cars, SUVs and other vehicles to be aware of motorcycles and to look out for motorcyclists. In over two thirds of fatal car-motorcycle crashes the driver of the car was at fault, making it very important that our audience is broader than just those who ride.”

To read the letter, visit: http://www.mic.org/downloads/2010.06.18%20Ride%20to%20Work%20Day%20Letter%20to%20Motorcyclists1.pdf.

To learn more about Ride to Work Day, visit http://www.ridetowork.org/.

The Motorcycle Industry Council’s (MIC) Senior Vice President for Government Relations, Kathy Van Kleeck said, “Ride to Work Day is an important opportunity for motorcyclists to make a positive statement and we would like to thank the Caucus Co-chairs and the other Members of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus for their involvement and continued commitment to motorcycle safety.”

Duane Taylor, MIC’s Director, Federal Affairs stated, “The CMSC is an effective voice for motorcycle safety. As noted in the letter, the CMSC has passed Congressional Resolutions supporting the goals of May As Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, hosted a Capitol Hill event attended by the Secretary of Transportation, and ensured that motorcycle safety is remembered in the transportation reauthorization process as well as highlighting Ride to Work Day.” Taylor continued, “I encourage all riders to get involved and to ask their Member to sign up for the Caucus.”

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national industry association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.

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U.S. Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) Joins Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus

Caucus Grows to 12 Members

WASHINGTON, DC – June 2, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – U.S. Representative Walter B. Jones (R-NC) officially joined the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus on June 1, 2010, joining 11 other Members of Congress including Caucus Co-chairs Representatives Burgess (R-TX) and Giffords (D-AZ).  The Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus is a bipartisan group of Members of Congress committed to improving and advancing the safety of motorcyclists.

“I have been a strong advocate of motorcycle safety for many years now,” said Jones.  “It is important that riders and motorists alike are reminded to take every precaution to keep our riders safe and this caucus serves as a great platform.”

Jones represents North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District along the eastern coast, an attractive area for many motorcyclists and home of the world famous Outer Banks which include Cape Hatteras, Kill Devil Hills, Duck Island, and the home of the world’s first airplane flight, Kitty Hawk.

The Motorcycle Safety Caucus and its members have been instrumental in focusing Congress’ attention on the safety of motorcyclists by passing Congressional Resolutions supporting the goals of May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, hosting a Capitol Hill event attended by the Secretary of Transportation, drawing attention to Ride to Work Day and ensuring that motorcycle safety is remembered in the transportation reauthorization process.

The Motorcycle Industry Council’s (MIC) Senior Vice President for Government Relations, Kathy Van Kleeck noted “We are delighted that Congressman Jones has joined the Caucus and look forward to all of his contributions.”

Duane Taylor, MIC’s Director of Federal Affairs said, “We are excited that the Caucus is growing and encourage all riders to contact their Representative to encourage him or her to join as well.”

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national industry association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.

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