European Motorcycle Policies Raise Red Flags For All Riders Motorcyclists across Europe are once again facing regulatory proposals that should concern riders in the United States. Policymakers in the European Union (EU) are pushing to expand mandatory Periodical Technical Inspections (PTI) to all motorcycles, claiming that inspections improve safety. According to research compiled by the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Associations (FEMA), that claim is not supported by the facts. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) works closely with FEMA to monitor these developments because policies debated in Europe often find their way into American policy conversations. EU-wide studies consistently show that technical defects are the primary cause in less than 1–2% of motorcycle crashes. The overwhelming majority of accidents are tied to rider behavior, road design and infrastructure issues, not mechanical failure. Despite repeated claims from PTI advocates, no credible evidence shows that mandatory inspections reduce motorcycle fatalities. Common inspection findings, such as lights, brakes and tires, are important for safety, but identifying a defect during a check does not mean it contributed to a real-world crash. Crash data across EU Member States confirms that mechanical failure is rarely the root cause. As FEMA’s Wim Taal has noted, policies should be based on real accident causation data, not assumptions. Some European bodies point to roadside inspections with high defect rates to justify expanding PTI. In reality, these inspections are rare and typically conducted only when police already suspect non-compliance, such as visible exhaust modifications. Using targeted enforcement data to justify universal inspections exaggerates the problem, leading to unnecessary regulation. Notably, countries that already require PTI for all motorcycles have shown no measurable reduction in rider fatalities. FEMA and rider organizations across Europe continue to stress that real safety improvements come from better rider training, safer infrastructure, and increased awareness among all road users. PTI does not address these proven factors. American riders should pay attention. Freedom of the open road and the ability to ride without unnecessary government interference are core to the American motorcycling experience, and those values are often the first challenged by policies framed as “simple safety measures.” Regulatory ideas rarely stay confined overseas, and proposals like mandatory PTI are frequently repackaged as “international best practices” in U.S. policy debates. Through its partnership with FEMA, the MRF stays ahead of these trends to ensure decisions affecting riders are grounded in evidence, not bureaucracy. Join The MRF About Motorcycle Riders Foundation The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond. All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983 
California Judge And DMV
Rule Tesla Is Misleading MRF Continues To Monitor Tesla Autopilot Concerns Recent developments in California have once again thrust Tesla’s Autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) branding into the national spotlight. A California administrative judge and the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) have ruled that Tesla’s use of terms like “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” is misleading, finding that they overstate the capabilities of the technology and violate state consumer protection laws. Regulators have given Tesla a defined window to revise or clarify its marketing language or face a potential 30-day suspension of its ability to sell vehicles in the state. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has for some time warned that misleading terminology and inconsistent consumer understanding of semi-automated vehicle systems pose real safety risks, particularly for motorcyclists. While these technologies are often described using language that suggests full autonomy, the reality is far more limited. Recent developments in California underscore that this disconnect between perception and capability is not hypothetical; it has real consequences on public roads. From the MRF’s perspective, this is not about opposing technology or innovation. Instead, it is about accountability, transparency, and ensuring that drivers remain engaged and attentive. Motorcyclist safety relies, in part, on the awareness and judgment of surrounding motorists. Any system that encourages complacency or overreliance on automation increases risk for riders. We believe it is vital that consumers and motorists fully understand the capabilities and limitations of the vehicles they operate. Clear communication, accurate marketing, and strong oversight are essential to ensure that emerging vehicle technologies enhance safety rather than undermine it. The MRF will continue to monitor regulatory actions, court decisions, and industry practices related to automated and semi-automated driving systems. As these technologies evolve, so too must the policies that govern them, always with the goal of protecting all road users. Join The MRF About Motorcycle Riders Foundation The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond. All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983 
Support H.R. 2165 - The Choice In Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act Of 2025
Congress is currently on a one-week recess, but before they left town, Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan introduced the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act of 2025. This bill is similar to legislation Mr. Walberg introduced in 2023, which was passed by the U.S. House. The Senate failed to move on that bill, so it died at the end of the 118th Congress. U.S. Representatives Russ Fulcher of Idaho, Gus Bilirakis of Florida and Rick Allen of Georgia have joined Mr. Walberg as lead cosponsors for the 2025 bill. This bill focuses on protecting the internal combustion engine. It does this in two ways. First, the bill prohibits using authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations that mandate the use of any specific technology or would limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on the vehicle’s engine type. Second, the legislation requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to update any regulations that result in the limited availability of new vehicles based on the engine. This legislation would overturn a 2024 EPA rule, which, if not revoked, would cause about 56% of new vehicles sold between 2030 and 2032 to require electric motors. If you want to save the internal combustion engine, ask your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 2165. Join The MRF About Motorcycle Riders Foundation The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond. All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983 |
New Leadership For
House Motorcycle Caucus This week, the House Motorcycle Caucus announced changes to its leadership team. Congressman Michael Burgess of Texas, who will retire at the end of the year, has stepped down as co-chair of the caucus. Congressman Burgess helped found the caucus in 2009 and has been a tireless champion for bikers. He was the 2018 MRF Legislative Champion of the Year and we wish him well on his retirement! The current co-chair, Congressman Tim Walberg of Michigan, revealed that Congressman Troy Balderson of Ohio and Congressman Donald Norcross of New Jersey will join him as the new co-chairs. Mr. Balderson and Mr. Norcross are longtime members of the House Motorcycle Caucus and strong supporters of biker priorities. The House Motorcycle Caucus has always been a bipartisan group, so we are pleased to see Representative Norcross, a Democrat, join two Republicans as a co-chair. Additionally, the caucus named Freshman Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin as vice chair. Mr. Van Orden is an avid motorcyclist who made a point to ride his motorcycle to the Capitol for his first day in office! Thank you to all those who will lead and are members of the House Motorcycle Caucus. Remember, this organization and its sister group, the Senate Motorcycle Caucus, exist to educate, legislate and publicize the priorities of bikers on Capitol Hill. Below is a current list of House Motorcycle Caucus members as of Thursday, February 15th, 2024. Don Bacon (R-NE) Troy Balderson (R-OH) Jim Banks (R-IN) Mike Bost (R-IL) Angie Craig (D-MN) Rick Crawford (R-AR) John Curtis (R-UT) Tom Emmer (R-MN) Paul Gosar (R-AZ) Glenn Grothman (R-WI) Andy Harris (R-MD) Dusty Johnson (R-SD) Anne Kuster (D-NH) Doug Lamborn (R-CO) Tracy Mann (R-KS) Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) Donald Norcross (D-NJ) Scott Perry (R-PA) Bill Posey (R-FL) Adam Smith (D-WA) Pete Stauber (R-MN) Bryan Steil (R-WI) Chris Stewart (R-UT) Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA) Dina Titus (D-NV) Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) Michael Waltz (R-FL) Joe Wilson (R-SC) Join The MRF About Motorcycle Riders Foundation The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond. All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. Motorcycle Riders Foundation. All rights reserved. Ride With The Leaders ™ by joining the MRF at http://mrf.org/ or call (202) 546-0983 |
