FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MMA UPDATE - New Hampshire Anti-Motorcycle Bills Successfully Defeated
The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) was in attendance to represent the Motorcyclists of Massachusetts at the New Hampshire State House on January 28th in opposition to 2 bills – NH HB 1162 and NH HB 1261 which would have respectively required all riders to wear helmets and all motorcycles to have EPA-stamped exhaust systems. Both bills were subsequently voted “Inexpedient to Legislate” (ITL) unanimously by the NH House Transportation Committee, and last week the MMA reported to our members that NH HB 1261 had been successfully defeated. The MMA is pleased to report that the NH House today voted to also defeat NH HB 1162.
Filed by NH State Representative Judith Day, both bills were aimed at observations she made in her community. Riders who cause concern among local residents in the NH Seaport Tourist Community, and a Rider who passed her illegally (crossing a double yellow line) while not wearing a helmet – “an accident” waiting to happen. The bills, however, were not aimed at education nor working within fair boundaries of equality with other motorists, and were instead targeted at singling out motorcyclists and creating limitations and restrictions that are both inequitable and unreasonable.
NH State Representative Jennifer Coffey, member of the NH House Transportation Committee commented that, “There is conflicting evidence as to the safety of helmets which is all the more reason for it to be a personal choice. As to the noise bill that required motorcycles to be softer than lawnmowers and have an EPA sticker that is hard if not impossible to find, the bill was simply ridiculous. Both bills would have had severe if not devastating impacts on businesses and tourism in New Hampshire.”
Dave Condon, MMA Chairman, noted that “it’s the MMA’s core responsibility to protect the rights of the Motorcyclists of Massachusetts. New England is a small community and many of our motorcyclists, not just MMA members, ride in New Hampshire. It’s a privilege to represent them in matters and we’re thrilled with the legislative process and expedient response in New Hampshire.”
In correspondence with the MMA, NH State Senator Bob Letourneau wrote, “Once again, New Hampshire leads the way on motorcycle rights. In a bipartisan fashion has favored liberty and social justice. However, these things do not happen in a vacuum; we had the support of the New Hampshire Motorcycling Community along with rider representatives from Massachusetts and Maine. We welcome all riders to NH to enhoy the freedom of our roads and the beauty of our state.”
Howie Howe, RC Coordinator from NH Help on the Homefront also wrote to the MMA, “Of all the testimony on that bill on Thursday yours was the most informative and credible - basically all the others were more like "I don't like this" and lacked any supportive or credible data. I thank you very much for coming and speaking on the behalf of motorcycle riders.”
In a letter to the MMA, Candy, Alexander, Vice President of the New Hampshire Motorcycle Rights Organization (NHMRO) stated, “On behalf of NHMRO, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the incredible support you have shown us in the past few months on HB1216 (Noise) and HB1162 Helmet). Your testimony at the State House on 1/28/10 was extremely informative, raising points that had not been considered before.” She further added in a note to all NH riders, “This could not have been done without all of your efforts and YOUR voice. So now our challenge is to NOT have it come back. Let’s show ‘em that we can ride and be RESPECTFUL to others around us.”
For More Information, see http://www.massmotorcycle.org or contact LegislativeDirector@MassMotorcycle.org
Ride Free, Ride Often
Bill C.
"When the people fear the government you have tyranny ... when the government fears the people you have liberty." President Thomas Jefferson