Petition seeks end of motorcycle-only checkpoints

PICKERINGTON, Ohio, May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Motorcyclist Association launched a national petition drive on May 12 aimed at ending the law-enforcement practice of setting up checkpoints that target only motorcyclists.

The AMA began tracking federally funded motorcycle-only checkpoints when they first appeared in New York state in 2007. Since then, more than $500,000 in federal funds has been spent on these traffic stops.

The AMA believes there are better ways to spend Americans' tax dollars, said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government affairs.

"This money could have paid the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course fee for 10,000 potential motorcyclists," Allard said. "That money could have been used to combat distracted driving or been invested -- as federal matching dollars -- in the current comprehensive study to analyze the root causes of motorcycle crashes."

The AMA is calling on motorcyclists nationwide to support legislation -- such as the Stop Motorcycle Checkpoint Funding Act (S. 2078 and H.R. 1861) now under consideration in Congress -- and to sign the AMA petition.

The petition provides an opportunity for motorcyclists and others to tell Washington what they think about discriminatory, costly and ineffective motorcycle-only checkpoints.

To view the petition to end discrimination against motorcyclists, visit: https://cqrcengage.com/amacycle/app/sign-petition?0&engagementId=47742.

Background

In 2007, New York State Police stopped motorcyclists traveling to and from the annual Americade motorcycle rally, a popular destination for motorcyclists in the upstate region.

In 2011, Georgia conducted roadside motorcycle-only checkpoints as thousands of motorcyclists rode through the state on their way to Daytona Beach, Fla., for Bike Week in March.

Another motorcycle-only checkpoint was conducted in northern Virginia during one of the nation's most visible motorcycle rallies -- Rolling Thunder -- over the 2011 Memorial Day weekend.

Motorcycle-only checkpoints were also conducted in 2010 in Utah following a U.S. round of the FIM Superbike World Championship.

For more details, visit http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/rights/motorcycleonlycheckpoints.aspx

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to
promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world's largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders' interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. The AMA also provides money-saving discounts on products and services for its members. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

Media contact:
Pete terHorst
Phone: (503) 567-9677
E-mail: [email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140513/87208

SOURCE American Motorcyclist Association