Jake
May 20th, 2004, 07:01 AM
As previously reported, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the National Association of State Motorcycle Safety Administrators (SMSA) attended the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's (MSF) Board of Trustees meeting in Irvine, California on March 17, 2004. At that meeting, the MRF, AMA and SMSA presented formal proposals and/or questions to the MSF for response. Late last week, the MRF received the MSF's answers to those proposals and questions.
The MRF commends the MSF for accepting the AMA's proposal to hold regularly scheduled meetings in Washington, DC to discuss rider education concerns. These meetings will be attended by government relations staff from all of the organizations mentioned above. Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President of Government Relations, will represent the Motorcycle Riders Foundation at the meetings.
At the March 17th meeting, the MRF proposed that the MSF create two advisory positions on the MSF Board of Trustees to be held by representatives of the motorcyclists' rights community. Although the MRF requested advisory positions only and not voting board positions, the MSF declined the proposal based on a provision in the MSF bylaws stating that board positions may only be filled by motorcycle industry representatives.
The MSF's 14-page written response to questions submitted by the SMSA can be found on the MSF website at www.msf-usa.org. After careful review of the MSF's response, the MRF finds the following observations cause for concern:
1. Only industry can sit at the MSF table, as indicated in their bylaws and vision statement.
2. The MSF's goal is uniform authority over all motorcycle rider education curriculum, certification and program delivery.
3. The MSF's responses signify a potential trend toward industry-driven rider training.
After discussions with interested parties including individual motorcyclists, rider education professionals and motorcyclists' rights organizations, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is exploring the creation of an independent national motorcycle safety policy council. Such a council would ensure that all stakeholders in rider education have a national forum for reviewing and addressing issues concerning the training and safety of motorcyclists. MRF President Karen Bolin stated, "It is imperative that the people who ride and train have some formal input into the structure of motorcyclist training and safety programs, as well as the administration of those programs at the state and local levels. The creation of an independent council would provide a venue for all interested parties to work toward a unified agenda."
Any individual or organization with a genuine interest in the safety of motorcyclists and the quality of rider training would be recognized as a stakeholder and would be considered for representation on the council. Initial discussions regarding the exploration of forming such a council have generated very positive responses to date. MRF President Karen Bolin is soliciting additional comments from interested riders and rider groups. Mrs. Bolin further stated, "The creation of an independent national motorcycle safety policy council is not intended to compete with the MSF. However, with the MSF's current industry only structure, I would expect they would welcome contributions from such a council in the spirit of cooperation among stakeholders to enhance motorcycle education and safety." Interested parties should contact Mrs. Bolin at karen@mrf.org.
The MRF commends the MSF for accepting the AMA's proposal to hold regularly scheduled meetings in Washington, DC to discuss rider education concerns. These meetings will be attended by government relations staff from all of the organizations mentioned above. Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President of Government Relations, will represent the Motorcycle Riders Foundation at the meetings.
At the March 17th meeting, the MRF proposed that the MSF create two advisory positions on the MSF Board of Trustees to be held by representatives of the motorcyclists' rights community. Although the MRF requested advisory positions only and not voting board positions, the MSF declined the proposal based on a provision in the MSF bylaws stating that board positions may only be filled by motorcycle industry representatives.
The MSF's 14-page written response to questions submitted by the SMSA can be found on the MSF website at www.msf-usa.org. After careful review of the MSF's response, the MRF finds the following observations cause for concern:
1. Only industry can sit at the MSF table, as indicated in their bylaws and vision statement.
2. The MSF's goal is uniform authority over all motorcycle rider education curriculum, certification and program delivery.
3. The MSF's responses signify a potential trend toward industry-driven rider training.
After discussions with interested parties including individual motorcyclists, rider education professionals and motorcyclists' rights organizations, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is exploring the creation of an independent national motorcycle safety policy council. Such a council would ensure that all stakeholders in rider education have a national forum for reviewing and addressing issues concerning the training and safety of motorcyclists. MRF President Karen Bolin stated, "It is imperative that the people who ride and train have some formal input into the structure of motorcyclist training and safety programs, as well as the administration of those programs at the state and local levels. The creation of an independent council would provide a venue for all interested parties to work toward a unified agenda."
Any individual or organization with a genuine interest in the safety of motorcyclists and the quality of rider training would be recognized as a stakeholder and would be considered for representation on the council. Initial discussions regarding the exploration of forming such a council have generated very positive responses to date. MRF President Karen Bolin is soliciting additional comments from interested riders and rider groups. Mrs. Bolin further stated, "The creation of an independent national motorcycle safety policy council is not intended to compete with the MSF. However, with the MSF's current industry only structure, I would expect they would welcome contributions from such a council in the spirit of cooperation among stakeholders to enhance motorcycle education and safety." Interested parties should contact Mrs. Bolin at karen@mrf.org.