Good news for riders

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee approved four amendments at a June hearing that the AMA lobbied for, in conjunction with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation.

In addition to the amendments, the committee approved a $1.48 million increase in funding for the Motorcyclist Safety grant program for fiscal 2022, with additional annual increases through 2026.

The Key Amendments To H.R. 2, The Invest In America Act, Are:

• A revitalization of the America’s Byways program, which the AMA was instrumental in starting. America’s Byways is the umbrella term used by the U.S. Department of Transportation for the collection of 150 roads designated by the Secretary of Transportation. America’s Byways include the National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. More information about the program is available at fhwa.dot.gov/byways
• From U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), reauthorization of the Motorcycle Advisory Committee, which advises the secretary of Transportation on road issues, such as construction and safety barriers. AMA Director of Government Relations Michael Sayre chairs the current MAC.
• U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson’s (R-Ohio) provision to require motorcycles to be included in a safety study on the deployment of autonomous vehicles. This amendment also would ensure motorcyclists are part of a U.S. Department of Transportation working group on autonomous vehicles.
• Balderson also introduced an amendment to prohibit states and local governments from using federal money for profiling and stopping motorcyclists, based on the clothing they are wearing or their means of transportation. This amendment supports the official AMA position statement found at americanmotorcyclist.com/motorcyclist-profiling.
• “The American Motorcyclist Association thanks U.S. Rep. Balderson for supporting motorcyclists while Congress considers the next highway funding bill,” Sayre said. “Balderson—a lifelong motorcyclist and an AMA member—is ensuring motorcyclists have a voice during the legislative process.”