South Carolina Motorcycle Rights Association

It's Not Just Bikers...

Two recent news stories demonstrate that the issues motorcyclists care about also impact all Americans. Concerns about a pair of items, both parts of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) legislative agenda, are making news… and not in a good way.

First, fears are increasing that guardrails and other safety features will not be able to withstand the increased weight of electric vehicles. Roadways have been designed to account for vehicles weighing 5,000 lbs. However, new electric vehicles can far exceed that weight. 

Cody Stolle, a University of Nebraska associate professor studying guardrail performance, said, "Unfortunately, these guardrail systems, which have performed very well with gasoline vehicles historically, do not appear to be containing electric vehicles when impacting [in] similar types of conditions."

Secondly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it would investigate Tesla’s Autopilot system. The research will examine whether the technology can detect and respond effectively to reduced visibility on roadways. NHTSA is concerned the technology is hampered by sun glare, fog and airborne dust. Four recent crashes have shined a light on this problem.

These topics are nothing new to bikers. For the better part of a decade the MRF, along with our partners and champions, have tried to sound the alarm on these issues to government officials. While the mainstream media and the average American might be just waking up to the downside of electric vehicles or self-driving cars, the MRF is not new to the game. We have been and will remain engaged. We are and continue to be the voice of the street rider in Washington, D.C.

Ride Safe and Ride Free!