PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- Renewed funding for motorized trails and a ban on funding for motorcycle-only checkpoints are included in a major federal transportation bill being considered by a key U.S. House committee, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is expected to vote Feb. 2 on a transportation funding authorization bill -- H.R. 7, the "American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012." If approved, the measure would go to the full House for a vote before moving to the Senate for consideration.
The House measure includes $85 million a year through fiscal year 2016 for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which provides money to states to develop and maintain trails. Federal lawmakers had been looking at eliminating the dedicated funding for the program, which threatened to end the RTP.
Taxes generated by fuel used for off-highway vehicle recreation fund the RTP, which provides funds to states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities. The RTP program benefits hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, ATV riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.
The House measure also bars the U.S. transportation secretary from providing grants to states and local governments for motorcycle-only checkpoints, which are opposed by the AMA. The AMA has been tracking the disturbing development of motorcycle-only checkpoints since they first appeared in New York several years ago.
"The AMA believes that strategies to promote motorcycle safety must be rooted in motorcycle crash prevention, and don't include arbitrarily pulling over riders and randomly subjecting them to roadside inspections," Allard said.
The House bill also provides funding for state motorcycle safety programs. The AMA has long promoted motorcycle rider education and motorist awareness programs as essential strategies to prevent motorcycle crashes.
To stay on top of motorcycling-related issues, go to AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more info, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.
