PICKERINGTON, Ohio (May 1, 2025) — With May serving as the unofficial start to riding season, the American Motorcyclist Association reminds motorists to keep an eye out for motorcycles and extend courtesy to riders this Motorcycle Awareness Month.

Motorcycle Awareness Month is the annual campaign to increase awareness of motorcycles on the open road and advocate for measures that improve the safety of riders on our nation’s roads and highways. 

“Motorcycle Awareness Month provides an annual opportunity for the American Motorcyclist Association to remind motorists of the seasonal return of motorcyclists to our nation’s roadways,” AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman said. “It also gives us the opportunity to encourage motorcyclists to ride safely. We will continue to stress the importance of enhancing safety measures to increase the safety of all riders on the open road.” 

While the AMA fights year-round to ensure safe roadways for motorcyclists, Motorcycle Awareness Month is a reminder that motorists and motorcyclists must rely on one another to reduce the number of crashes on our nation’s highways.

In recent years, the AMA has been deeply engaged in several issues that impact the safety of street riders, including Automated Driving Systems (ADS) in cars and trucks, distracted driving, and lane-filtering.

The AMA has continually sounded the alarm regarding ADS and the testing of such systems on the open road. The inattentive use of these systems by motorists remains a major issue affecting the safety of motorcyclists, and the AMA reminds drivers to maintain vigilance behind the wheel even when using ADS systems.

To help protect riders in slowed or stopped traffic, the AMA was instrumental in efforts to legalize lane-filtering in Colorado and Minnesota in 2024. This year, the AMA has been engaged in efforts to establish the practice in Oregon and Michigan. The AMA is a steadfast supporter of lane-filtering, as it reduces the possibility of rear-end collisions by allowing motorcyclists to filter through congested traffic at low speeds.

Created in the early 1980s, Motorcycle Awareness Month is a monthlong reminder of the necessary steps needed to ensure safe roadways for all users — including motorcycles, cars and trucks. The AMA, its networks of clubs, state motorcycle rights organizations, the motorcycle industry and federal and state government entities have been steadfast supporters of Motorcycle Awareness Month.

Multiple states, including Colorado, Massachusetts and Washington have already instituted resolutions to observe Motorcycle Awareness Month.

Keep up with all things Motorcycle Awareness Month by staying engaged with AmericanMotorcyclist.com and the AMA’s social media channels on Facebook and Instagram. 

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• Expedite the rollout of training programs across the state.
• Ensure training providers are fully supported as they work to resume operations.
• Keep riders and training schools informed with clear, timely updates.

“This outcome reinforces the importance of rider advocacy,” said AMA Director of Government Relations Nick Haris. “We thank our members for taking action and will continue to monitor the situation to ensure motorcycle safety training is restored statewide without further delay.”

To stay up to date on the latest issues affecting motorcyclists’ rights, sign up for Action Alerts atA​mericanMotorcyclist.com/rights/rights-resources/subscribe-for-rights-updates/.

The post New York Awards Motorcycle Safety Training Contract Following AMA Advocacy appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

Washington, D.C. — On Feb. 27, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced S. 811, the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Full Funding Act. This legislation aims to correct inadequate annual funding for this program, increasing it from $84 million to $281 million. The AMA helped create the Recreation Trails Program in the early 1990s. This program uses federal gasoline tax revenue attributed to motorized off-highway recreational vehicles to fund, develop and maintain trail infrastructure across the United States. As of 2023, the program has awarded over $1.6 billion to over 25,000 trail projects across the United States during the three decades of the program, even though off-highway vehicle enthusiasts have paid nearly $9 billion in gas tax during the same period.  

AMA members will remember this legislation was introduced in December of last year. That “marker bill” provided an opportunity for members of Congress and stakeholders to review the bill language, gather support and create a strategy for passage under the new administration. The AMA and trail enthusiasts in Washington, D.C., are working to ensure this program continues at the appropriate funding level. 

Funding for the Recreation Trails Program follows the “user-pay, user-benefit” principle upon which the Highway Trust Fund was originally based. RTP has only been funded at $84 million annually since Fiscal Year 2009 despite a much greater amount of tax revenue being attributable to off-highway vehicles. In 2020, Congress required the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide a report, which found taxes on off-highway use of recreational vehicles are on average $281 million per year. The RTP Full Funding Act seeks to ensure federal taxes collected from off-highway recreation are appropriately returned to the states for the Recreational Trails Program.  

State News 

Little Rock, Ark. — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed Act 312 into law on March 18, establishing inherent risk for off-road motorcyclists and enhancing protections for event organizers throughout the state. The AMA applauds the passage of Act 312, which offers greater protections for private landowners who provide access to their land for off-road recreation and competition. 

Inherent risk refers to the capacity for risk naturally associated with a process or activity without any risk reduction efforts. The inherent risk of an activity cannot be effectively eliminated or controlled and becomes important when assessing the liability of voluntary participants. 

With this law, the rider takes individual responsibility for their own safety and facility owners take responsibility for their own liability, so when an accident does occur, fault can be clearly identified. This law helps riders by requiring safe riding areas while also benefiting landowners and organizers because they have assurances that the rider enters their facility knowing they have a responsibility to ride within their skill and ability.

This law increases the likelihood that landowners and organizers will receive the necessary insurance protections needed to hold off-road motorcycle events, which is a win for all AMA members. The new law will also ensure safer facilities and events, as landowners must provide adequate safety measures, or they may be held liable for accidents that occur on their property.

Inherent risk is not a new concept — although, Act 312 is the first of its kind regarding dirt bikes — as similar legislation has been prevalent in skiing and equestrian forms of recreation.

The AMA remains engaged with efforts regarding inherent risk and civil liability in multiple states, most notably in Texas, Iowa and Missouri, where bills have been introduced but are still working their way through committee. 

Sacramento, Calif. — The California Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) Virtual Workshops return this spring!  The SHSP Team will host a series of six workshops virtually via Zoom, covering rural and urban regions of Northern, Central and Southern California. Transportation safety partners are invited to participate in whichever areas are of interest to them.

Riders are highly encouraged to register for the region(s) that best align with their interest as content will be specific to each region and its transportation safety challenges. The workshops will take place on the following dates:

Rural Workshops: 

• Northern California: Tuesday, April 22, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. PDT 

• Central California: Wednesday, April 23, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. PDT 

• Southern California: Thursday, April 24, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. PDT 

Urban Workshops: 

• Northern California: Tuesday, April 29, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. PDT 

• Central California: Wednesday, April 30, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. PDT 

• Southern California: Thursday, May 1, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. PDT 

Additional details, including how to register, have been added to the workshop website. Visit localassistanceblog.com/2025/03/28/caltrans-strategic-highway-safety-plan-workshops/ for more information. You can contact the SHSP at SHSP@dot.ca.gov if you have any questions. 

Salem, Ore. — Oregon House Bill 3542 would allow the operator of a motorcycle to overtake and pass another vehicle in the same lane if traffic is stopped or has slowed to a speed of 10 miles per hour or less and the operator of the motorcycle is traveling no more than 10 miles per hour over the speed of traffic. It requires the operator of a motorcycle to merge with the regular traffic flow when traffic begins traveling at a speed of more than 10 miles per hour and would only be allowed when operating the motorcycle on a highway for which the speed limit is 50 miles per hour or higher. 

The AMA is asking you to submit a comment  in support of the bill today! 

San Luis Obispo, Calif. — Friends of Oceano Dunes have won another legal battle against the California Coastal Commission recently, opening the path for continued use of off-road vehicles at the popular recreation area. A panel of three California Court of Appeal judges ruled that the California Coastal Commission overstepped its authority banning off-road vehicles from driving through Oceano Dunes. The court found that the commission’s attempt to ban off-road vehicles at the Dunes contradicts the language of the Local Coastal Plan put in place by San Luis Obispo County. 

As a result, it said the decision to open or close the Dunes to vehicles fell under the jurisdiction of the county, not the Coastal Commission. That means, if the Coastal Commission wants the Dunes closed to vehicular use, it must take the issue up with the county or state legislature to amend the Local Coastal Plan, the opinion read.  

International News

São Paulo, Brazil — As the home to more than 211 million people, Brazil is the largest ride-hailing market in the region, and motorcycles are an important factor. But while users summon motorcycles via apps in hundreds of cities throughout the country, service has been suspended in São Paulo since 2023. Earlier this year, Uber and rival 99 briefly defied the ban, and were promptly sued by local officials, underscoring the contentious relationship between ride-hailing apps and local governments. 

Regulators across the region have scrambled to address issues including competition, safety and data privacy. In Brazil, a 2018 federal law for private transportation services decreed that municipalities were responsible for regulating and overseeing such services. But the following year, the country’s Supreme Court ruled that cities could not ban ride-hailing services, and that such prohibitions violated the constitutional principles of free enterprise and fair competition. This seeming paradox has left room for opposing views. 

Meanwhile, the legal fight continues. In late February, another court in São Paulo ruled the city’s decree unconstitutional, saying ride-hailing motorcycle rides are governed by federal legislation, and that cities can regulate these services but not ban them. Despite that, neither 99Moto nor Uber Moto have reinstated their services; the January court decision granting the city’s request to ban the service hasn’t been overruled yet. 

AMA News 

Pickerington, Ohio — The AMA mourns the passing of motorcyclists’ rights leader and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Mark Buckner, who passed away on March 15, 2025. Buckner was a long-time champion for motorcyclists’ rights, serving in numerous leadership roles for ABATE of Colorado and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) while fighting to maintain the freedom to ride.

Buckner played a pivotal role in the expansion of ABATE of Colorado after taking over as state coordinator in the 1980s. Under his leadership, membership grew from 200 to 2,000 members and the organization helped drive the state to establish a rider education program. In 1992, Buckner joined the MRF board of directors — and ultimately became the organization’s president and chairman in 1994.

With the MRF, Buckner worked closely with the AMA and state motorcyclist rights organizations on a variety of important legislation benefiting riders at local, state and federal levels. After his tenure as MRF president, Buckner continued to advocate on behalf of motorcyclists.

For his advocacy efforts, Buckner was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2019. He also was inducted into the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame.

Also — The AMA is pleased to announce the addition of three new racing series to its schedule, with J Day Off Road, Grassroots Off Road Series, American Woods Racing Championship Series joining the AMA’s exciting slate of racing this year. 

• J Day Off Road, based in New York and the New England region, will serve as the brand-new AMA East Regional Grand Prix Championship. 

• As a new AMA Featured Grand Prix Series, the Grassroots Off Road Series is one of the largest off-road series in Nevada, Idaho and Utah. 

• The American Woods Racing Championship Series services racers in Pennsylvania and Ohio, with 10 rounds between the two states — as well as a grand prix event on Oct. 18. 

Visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/racing/off-road/ for more information on the AMA’s off-road racing schedule. 

Also — Motocross legend, world champion and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer Brad Lackey will be honored as Grand Marshal of the 2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution. As one of the defining motocross racers of the 1970s and 80s, Lackey won the 1972 AMA National Motocross Championship and became the first American to win the 500cc World MX Championship, in 1982. 

And this summer, Lackey will be the honored guest at the AMA’s premier event — which runs July 25-27 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. A native of Berkeley, Calif., Lackey’s riding — and eventually, racing — career began at a young age. By the time he was 13, Lackey was racing hare scrambles in Northern California, which kick-started his love for competing on two wheels. Four years later, Lackey was competing against the best motocross racers in the world in the Inter-Am and Trans-AMA series. 

In 1972, Lackey became the AMA 500cc National Motocross Champion in its first season as an independent series. That season, Lackey won five of the eight races in the series. Following that championship-winning effort, Lackey sought to make his mark on the international racing scene — making the jump to European GP competition. In 1977 he won his first GP, taking the British round of the 500cc series. From that point forward, he was a constant threat in the international title chase. 

In 1978, Lackey finished second in the world championships, falling just short of MX legend Heikki Mikkola in the overall standings. Just four years later, and now with Suzuki, he completed his decade-long goal of claiming the 500cc World Championship. 

Lackey retired on top, ending his racing career following his world title. He walked away from the sport as one of the greatest competitors of all time. 

At VMD, Lackey will be on hand to speak with enthusiasts, sign autographs, participate in the Lap for History on the road race circuit at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, do some laps on the motocross track, and much more. 

Purchase tickets today at VintageMotorcycleDays.com/tickets/. Stay up to date on the latest VMD news by signing up for the VMD Newsletter and following the official VMD social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. 

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PICKERINGTON, Ohio (April 11, 2025) — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed Act 312 into law on March 18, establishing inherent risk for off-road motorcyclists and enhancing protections for event organizers throughout the state.

The American Motorcyclist Association applauds the passage of Act 312, which offers greater protections for private landowners who provide access to their land for off-road recreation and competition.

“Act 312 will create a more sustainable liability landscape for event organizers throughout Arkansas, as it ensures a smoother legal process in the case of injury for all involved in off-road events in the state,” AMA Central States Representative Nick Sands said. “We’re encouraged to see this legislation pass in Arkansas, and hope to see similar laws continue to progress throughout the country.”

Inherent risk refers to the capacity for risk naturally associated with a process or activity without any risk reduction efforts. Inherent risk of an activity cannot be effectively eliminated or controlled and becomes important when assessing liability of voluntary participants. 

With this law, the rider takes individual responsibility for their own safety and facility owners take responsibility for their own liability, so when an accident does occur, fault can be clearly identified. This law helps riders by requiring safe riding areas while also benefiting landowners and organizers because they have assurances that the rider enters their facility knowing they have a responsibility to ride within their skill and ability.

This law increases the likelihood that landowners and organizers will receive the necessary insurance protections needed to hold off-road motorcycle events, which is a win for all AMA members. The new law will also ensure safer facilities and events, as landowners must provide adequate safety measures, or they may be held liable for accidents that occur on their property.

Inherent risk is not a new concept — although Act 312 is the first of its kind regarding dirt bikes — as similar legislation has been prevalent in skiing and equestrian forms of recreation.

The AMA remains engaged with efforts regarding inherent risk and civil liability in multiple states, most notably in Texas, Iowa and Missouri, where bills have been introduced but are still working their way through committee.

Stay up-to-date on the latest AMA Government Relations efforts by visiting AmericanMotorcyclist.com/rights/ and signing up for AMA Rights updates.

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On Feb. 27, 2025, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced S. 811, the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Full Funding Act. This legislation aims to correct inadequate annual funding for this program, increasing it from $84 million to $281 million.   

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) helped create the Recreational Trails Program in the early 1990s. This program uses federal gasoline tax revenue attributed to motorized off-highway recreational vehicles to fund, develop and maintain trail infrastructure across the United States. As of 2023, the program has awarded over $1.6 billion to over 25,000 trail projects across the United States during the three decades of the program, even though off-highway vehicle enthusiasts have paid nearly $9 billion in gas tax during the same period. 

AMA members will remember this legislation was introduced in December of last year. That “marker bill” provided an opportunity for members of Congress and stakeholders to review the bill language, gather support, and create a strategy for passage under the new administration. The AMA and trail enthusiasts in Washington, D.C. are working to ensure this program continues at the appropriate funding level.

“The Recreational Trails Program is incredibly important for the growth and development of off-highway motorized recreation in our country. It is vital that the fuel tax revenue generated from off-highway vehicle enthusiasts be returned in the form of RTP funds for trail maintenance and development,” said AMA Washington Representative Zach Farmer. “This legislation ensures RTP will continue for years to come and provide the opportunity for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts to support the nation’s trail infrastructure.”   

Funding for the Recreational Trails Program follows the “user-pay, user-benefit” principle upon which the Highway Trust Fund was originally based. RTP has only been funded at $84 million annually since Fiscal Year 2009 despite a much greater amount of tax revenue being attributable to off-highway vehicles. In 2020, Congress required the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to provide a report, which found taxes on off-highway use of recreational vehicles are on average $281 million per year. The RTP Full Funding Act seeks to ensure federal taxes collected from off-highway recreation are appropriately returned to the states for the Recreational Trails Program.  

The American Motorcyclist Association with the Coalition for Recreational Trails (CRT) endorse S. 811, the RTP Full Funding Act. The AMA will continue to support RTP funding and trail projects that promote the motorcycle lifestyle and motorcyclist interests. This legislation is an important step in the right direction to ensure future generations of motorcyclists have access to off-highway recreation.   

Stay up to date on the latest RTP news and other important rights updates by signing up for AMA Action Alerts.

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PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Feb. 27, 2025) — The American Motorcyclist Association endorses H.R. 1566, the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act (REPAIR Act), and S.1379, and urges Congress to pass this legislation.

Originally proposed in February 2023 by Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL-02), H.R. 1566 was introduced with changes negotiated with legislators and stakeholders, including the AMA. Despite attempts in Congress to exclude motorcycles, the AMA successfully preserved bill language allowing the right to repair motorcycles.

“The right to repair is crucial for AMA members who deserve autonomy when making maintenance and repair decisions.” AMA Washington Representative Zach Farmer said. “We are grateful to Rep. Dunn, the Auto Care Association, and others, for allowing AMA the opportunity to represent motorcyclists in this coalition and remain a leading voice on this issue.”

Passage of the REPAIR Act will guarantee the rights of owners, allowing fair access to the necessary tools, software, and diagnostic data required to maintain and repair motorcycles and other vehicles. This consumer choice will foster competition in the repair industry and prevent monopolization by manufacturers, aiming to keep repair costs reasonable.

The AMA stands with riders and industry partners to advocate for passage of the REPAIR Act. We encourage lawmakers to support this legislation to preserve freedom and accessibility for riders.

On April 9, a similar bill was introduced in the Senate under S.1379, co-sponsored by Sens. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Josh Hawley (R-MO). This bill aims to ensure consumers have access to data relating to their motor vehicles and critical repair information. Additionally, S.1379 will also provide consumers with choices for maintaining and repairing their motor vehicles. The bill was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Stay engaged with the AMA’s government relations efforts by subscribing to AMA Action Alerts.

The post AMA Supports Re-Introduction of the REPAIR Act appeared first on American Motorcyclist Association.

WASHINGTON D.C. — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) hosted a reception on behalf of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus at the American Legion Kenneth Nash Post 8 in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, 2025. The event brought together members of the Caucus and newly elected members of Congress, along with motorcycle advocacy groups and industry leaders, to discuss the future of motorcycling in America.  
 
Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI-05), Representative Troy Balderson (R-OH-08), Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), and Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03) provided remarks emphasizing the importance of motorcycle safety, infrastructure, and the economic impact of the motorcycle industry. They were joined by Representative Dina Titus (D-NV-01), and newly elected Representatives Dave Taylor (R-OH-02), and John McGuire (R-VA-05), further highlighting strong bipartisan congressional support for motorcyclists. 
 
Along with multiple members of the AMA government relations department, the event featured senior staff from Harley-Davidson, Polaris, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), representing the interests of riders, manufacturers, dealers, and the aftermarket industry. General discussion focused on issues important to preserving the motorcycling lifestyle, roadway safety, common sense regulation, and promoting motorcycle-friendly legislation. 
 
The Congressional Motorcycle Caucus serves as a vital forum for addressing issues and legislation impacting motorcyclists at the federal level. The AMA is grateful for this collaboration and continues to work with the Caucus to ensure motorcycling remains both safe and accessible for future generations. 

RUCKERSVILLE, Va.— A new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has indicated that reflective clothing — which typically aims to make riders more visible to drivers — may hinder the ability of automatic crash prevention systems to detect motorcyclists and bicyclists. The study looked at the effects that visible and reflective clothing have on the performance of automatic emergency braking systems in three 2023 car models — a Honda CR-V, a Mazda CX-5 and a Subaru Forester. 

It was found that the CR-V and CX-5 hit the dummy 84 percent and 88 percent of the time in their respective trials, and neither model slowed at all when the dummy was clothed with reflective strips on its limbs. The Forester performed much better, however, avoiding collision in all but one trial. Using multiple trials to test each control variable, an adult-sized dummy was clothed in different outfits — including a black sweatshirt and pants, a reflective jacket with black sweatpants, the black sweatshirt and pants with reflective strips added to the dummy’s arms and legs, and a white sweatshirt and pants. Various scenarios were also tested in this study, with the vehicles traveling at 25 miles per hour with no roadway lighting, 10 lux of illumination and 20 lux of illumination.

The AMA has consistently raised alarm about the increased prevalence of automatic emergency braking systems and their ability to detect motorcyclists on the open road. Recently, the AMA issued support for H.R.10347 — commonly referred to as the Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act of 2024 — which aims to enact increased requirements for automatic emergency braking systems installed in new cars, trucks, buses and other commercial and passenger vehicles.

In addition to recent developments regarding H.R.10347, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently delayed the implementation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 127, which required all new light vehicles to contain automatic emergency braking, pedestrian automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning systems. This provision originally scheduled to go in effect for all new vehicles by September 2029, has been delayed (pending a review in response to legal challenges) until March 20. 

State News

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) California Desert District Advisory Council (Council) has announced its 2025 meetings.  All meetings will be held, and the field tours will commence and conclude at the BLM California Desert District Office, 1201 Bird Center Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262. 
 
The Council will participate in a field tour on March 28, and a meeting on March 29; participate in a field tour on July 11, and a meeting on July 12; and participate in a field tour on Nov. 14, and a meeting on Nov. 15. The field tours and meetings will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and virtual participation options will be available for the meetings.  
 
For further information, you may contact Kate Miyamoto, BLM California Desert District Office, (760) 883-8528, or kmiyamoto@blm.gov. You may also use the follow the link for more details:  Public Meetings of the California Desert District Advisory Council.

CANON CITY, Colo. — The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Council (RAC) has announced its 2025 meeting dates. The RAC will in person with a virtual participation option on June 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. MT, and participate in a field tour on June 27, from 9 a.m. to noon MT; and meet virtually on Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon MT. The June 26 meeting and the field tour will commence and conclude at the Royal Gorge Field Office, 3028 E Main Street, Canon City, CO 81212, as well as virtually through the Zoom platform. The Oct. 23 meeting will be held virtually on the Zoom platform. 
 
For more information, contact Public Affairs Specialist Levi Spellman, BLM Rocky Mountain District Office, 3028 E Main St., Canon City, CO, 81212, (719) 269-8553 or lspellman@blm.gov. You may also use the follow the link for more details: Rocky Mountain Resource Advisory Council Announces 2025 Meetings. 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Wyoming Resource Advisory Council (RAC) has announced its 2025 meeting dates. The Wyoming RAC will meet as follows: 

• April 23: in-person and virtually, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT. A field tour will be held April 24, beginning at 8:30 a.m.  

• July 9: in-person and virtually, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT. A field tour will be held on July 10, beginning at 8:30 a.m.  

• Oct. 21: in-person and virtually, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT. A field tour will be held Oct. 22, beginning at 8:30 a.m. 

All three meetings will be held at a determined Wyoming Field Office, as well as virtually. For further information regarding agendas and virtual meeting information, you may contact Allegra Keenoo, BLM Wyoming State Office, (307) 775-6318, or akeenoo@blm.gov. You may also use the following link for more details: Wyoming Resource Advisory Council Announces 2025 Meetings.

AMA News

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The 2024 AMA racing and recreational riding season was unforgettable, with several outstanding individuals and groups separating themselves as worthy of the 2024 AMA Racing, Organizer and Volunteer Awards. Recognizing the excellent individuals and groups that created a strong and healthy competitive and recreational environment in 2024, the AMA awards acknowledge racers who have excelled in throughout the year and those who have worked to further the AMA’s mission of promoting the motorcycle lifestyle and protecting the future of motorcycling. 
 
AMA members participated in the selection process of certain racing categories — including the Athlete of the Year awards — while AMA staff selected the recipients of the organizational and volunteer awards. 
 
The AMA Athlete of the Year Awards were presented to Josh Toth (National Championship), Walker Porter (Grand Championship) and Joel Hetrick (ATV). Michael Grizzle was recognized as the AMA Veteran/Senior Racer of the Year, while Caleb Wood was awarded as the AMA Youth Racer of the Year. 
 
The AMA Female Racer of the Year was awarded to the ISDE Women’s Trophy Team — which consisted of Brandy Richards, Rachel Gutish and Ava Silvestri — who secured their fifth ISDE title in Galicia, Spain. 
 
The AMA also gave out organizational awards to Moto Pro Inc. (Motocross Organizer of the Year), U.S. Hard Enduro (Off-Road Racing Organizer of the Year), WERA (Track Racing Organizer of the Year) and NYOA (ATV Organizer of the Year), who were all recognized for their prowess in operating AMA-sanctioned races. 
 
Coast Riders Motorcycle Club Inc. was named the Recreational Road Riding Organizer of the Year and MotoVermont earned the Recreational Off-Road Organizer of the Year. Baer Racing earned AMA Club of the Year honors, while Jason Weigandt secured the AMA Media Award. Dalton Shirey was awarded the AMA Sportsman of the Year. The AMA also recognized Liz Kiniery as the AMA Volunteer of the Year.   

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — Performance warehouse distributor Turn 14 Distribution will be the presenting sponsor of 2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, which will run July 25-27 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. With locations in Pennsylvania, Texas, Nevada and Indiana, Turn 14 Distribution’s dedication to the powersports vehicle market — from motorcycles to UTVs — makes it the perfect partner for Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days. Turn 14 Distribution helps the motorcycle industry operate efficiently as it stocks its partner manufacturers’ product lines to allow for speedy order completion. 

For more information on Turn 14 Distribution, visit turn14.com/.  

With vintage racing in a wide collection of disciplines, the largest motorcycle swap meet in North America, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Show, vendor displays and much more, 2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution is set to be another grand celebration of all things vintage motorcycling.  

To stay updated on all things VMD, visit vintagemotorcycledays.com/, sign up for the VMD Newsletter and follow the official VMD social media pages on Instagram and Facebook.   

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AMA News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the American Motorcyclist Association. Designed to inform motorcyclists of rights-related issues and events in the United States and around the world, AMA News & Notes welcomes your input. Suggestions and editorial contributions can be sent to AMA Director of Communications Matthew Miles at mmiles@ama-cycle.org.

Sign up and stay informed: AMA News & Notes keeps motorcyclists up to date on hot topics, news affecting the motorcycling community and opportunities to communicate with elected officials. Click here to check the “Sign me up for News & Notes” box.

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Protect your right to ride! Volunteering is easy, and it’s rewarding. To learn how you can help, email us at grassroots@ama-cycle.org.

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Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI-05), Representative Troy Balderson (R-OH-08), Representative Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), and Representative Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03) provided remarks emphasizing the importance of motorcycle safety, infrastructure, and the economic impact of the motorcycle industry. They were joined by Representative Dina Titus (D-NV-01), and newly elected Representatives Dave Taylor (R-OH-02), and John McGuire (R-VA-05), further highlighting strong bipartisan congressional support for motorcyclists.

“Motorcycling is not just a pastime, it is a way of life for millions of Americans,” Representative Walberg said after the reception. “This event illustrates how dedicated we all are to protecting rights of riders and promoting motorcycle safety.”

Along with multiple members of the AMA government relations department, the event featured senior staff from Harley-Davidson, Polaris, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), representing the interests of riders, manufacturers, dealers, and the aftermarket industry. General discussion focused on issues important to preserving the motorcycling lifestyle, roadway safety, common sense regulation, and promoting motorcycle-friendly legislation.

“As a motorcyclist, I understand the importance of protecting riders and keeping our roads safe for everyone,” Representative Balderson said. “I’m proud to represent the American Motorcyclist Association headquarters in Pickerington, Ohio, and to be part of a caucus that champions the rights and needs of motorcyclists.”

The Congressional Motorcycle Caucus serves as a vital forum for addressing issues and legislation impacting motorcyclists at the federal level. The AMA is grateful for this collaboration and continues to work with the Caucus to ensure motorcycling remains both safe and accessible for future generations. 

To stay up to date on the latest news regarding your rights as a motorcyclist, visit https://americanmotorcyclist.com/rights/rights-resources/subscribe-for-rights-updates/ to sign up for AMA Action Alerts.

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A new study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently indicated that reflective clothing — which typically aims to make riders more visible to drivers — may hinder the ability of automatic crash prevention systems to detect motorcyclists and bicyclists.

The study, which was released on Jan. 9, looked at the effects that visible and reflective clothing have on the performance of automatic emergency braking systems in three 2023 car models — a Honda CR-V, a Mazda CX-5 and a Subaru Forester. It was found that the CR-V and CX-5 hit the dummy 84 percent and 88 percent of the time in their respective trials, and neither model slowed at all when the dummy was clothed with reflective strips on its limbs. The Forester performed much better, however, avoiding collision in all but one trial.

Using multiple trials to test each control variable, an adult-sized dummy was clothed in different outfits — including a black sweatshirt and pants, a reflective jacket with black sweatpants, the black sweatshirt and pants with reflective strips added to the dummy’s arms and legs, and a white sweatshirt and pants. Various scenarios were also tested in this study, with the vehicles traveling at 25 miles per hour with no roadway lighting, 10 lux of illumination and 20 lux of illumination.

The American Motorcyclist Association has consistently raised alarm about the increased prevalence of automatic emergency braking systems and their ability to detect motorcyclists on the open road.

“America’s roads and highways should not be used as automobile proving grounds at the expense of motorcycle safety,” AMA Government Relations Washington Representative Zach Farmer said.

Recently, the AMA issued support for H.R.10347 — commonly referred to as the Magnus White Cyclist Safety Act of 2024 — which aims to enact increased requirements for automatic emergency braking systems installed in new cars, trucks, buses and other commercial and passenger vehicles.

In addition to recent developments regarding H.R.10347, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently delayed the implementation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 127, which required all new light vehicles to contain automatic emergency braking, pedestrian automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning systems. This provision originally scheduled to go in effect for all new vehicles by September 2029, has been delayed (pending a review in response to legal challenges) until March 20.

To view the AMA’s position statement regarding automated vehicles and the safety of motorcyclists, visitamericanmotorcyclist.com/rights/ama-board-position-statements/automated-vehicles-and-the-safety-of-motorcyclists/.

Don’t forget, you are an important ally in our fight to protect motorcyclists’ rights. Stay informed and sign up to receive AMA Action Alerts that notify you of threats to your motorcycling rights at https://americanmotorcyclist.com/rights/rights-resources/subscribe-for-rights-updates/.  

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On Jan. 4, President Joe Biden signed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act into law, creating additional opportunities for motorized access on federal lands.

This piece of legislation also aims to improve access to public lands for outdoor recreation, create new long-distance bike trails and restore campgrounds and modernize infrastructure, among other aspects. The EXPLORE Act also seeks to enhance opportunities for motorized and non-motorized recreation, expanding outdoor activities for enthusiasts on public lands.

“The EXPLORE Act will help grow the off-road riding community by allowing for more land for OHV activities,” AMA Government Relations Director Nick Haris said. “With this law, our members will have more space to ride on the beautiful public lands our country has to offer.”

The law also allows for organized group recreation activity with motorized vehicles.

Remain engaged with the AMA’s government relations efforts by signing up for AMA Rights Updates at americanmotorcyclist.com/rights/rights-resources/subscribe-for-rights-updates/.

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