More Morning Moto News - MCI Celebrates 100 Years & MotoGP Rookies Cup

The Motor Cycle Industry is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and they are letting it be known that motorcycling provides some 3 billion British Pounds in added value to the UK. Of course, they plan on keeping up their best work and improving on other programs with the main goal to protect, promote and expand the motorcycle industry in the United Kingdom. Give them a hand by taking the link and getting more detail on what is planned this year!

http://tinyurl.com/yagf6zy

The Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup has started to accept applications now for the 2010 selection season (for competition in the Cup in 2011). If you are young enough or know someone who is - get them to head on over and fill out an application for the series. Of course, there are expenses to worry about, but a chance at becoming a World Champion motorcycle racer is worth a great deal to a great many people. Take the link and get your details!

http://tinyurl.com/yf8wgha

United Nations Recognizes Motorcycle Safety in Resolution

As reality is, this means nothing more than 'we know there are many dangers in some areas of transport and we do need to solve those issues', but it is a major step from the United Nations (UN). The FIM was present and paying close attention. And, it is great to hear this after all the omissions in the 'future transport' schemes being proposed. So, we should be grateful, and we are. We really need to pay close attention to this because it could cause the motorcycle industry some problems. Please simply support your local association. They will help keep us free to ride.

http://tinyurl.com/yj47e96

Cycle Gear Donates $10,000 for Off-Road Access

Talk about positive news! It's always good to hear something like this about any company. Cycle Gear - self-labeled as the 'largest retailer of motorcycle apparel and accessories' - has donated US$10,000 to the Blue Ribbon Coalition, who works to secure access to off-road riding areas all over the US. That is what I call putting your money where your mouth is - if only US$10,000 could make a dent in the money that the Blue Ribbon group actually needs...

http://tinyurl.com/yjng8pg

News Briefs from American Motorcyclist Association

Looking for information on various political issues surrounding motorcycling? Well, the AMA will always have you covered there as that is one of their primary missions. But, if you are interested in looking into threats to our riding rights, please take the link and at least briefly review each section and see if you can take action on any potentially harmful legislation. A majority of this deals with off-road motorcycles.

http://tinyurl.com/yzr2hxb

Go Governor Richardson! Well, Thank You, at Least...

Governor Bill Richardson (D) of New Mexico used his line-item veto to stop the legislature from raiding the state's off-highway vehicle (OHV) trail safety fund. He stated that the fund was paid for by the very people who need it. Gov. Richardson did not veto all of the fund raiding in the bill, but he got some very important ones. The AMA is quite proud of him, though...never-mind.

http://tinyurl.com/yavxtzr

NOHVCC Makes Webinar Series Available Again

The National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council is making their webinar series available again. Its propose is to help local off-highway riders gain the skills and knowledge they need to keep trails open where they live. Starting 9 November 2009 and into December, users will be able to view the webinars on two separate occasions - just in case you miss one. This program is very useful for anyone involved in working for access to their local off-road riding areas. So, if you are, head on over and learn how you can help!

http://tinyurl.com/ybpdm39 - Forum post only...

Scottish Rider Jailed for 166 MPH Ride - Fastest Recorded in Scotland

Neil Purves, 27, is a hairdresser and once owner of a Suzuki GSX-R1000. Of course, he lives and works in Scotland. One day he decided to really push the Suzuki and have some fun - well, 166 MPH will get the attention of law enforcement - and it did. Now - the motorcycle has already been sold - he will face 9 months in jail and suspension of his driving license for five years. To be fair, this was the fastest anyone has ever been clocked on a Scottish road, but the punishment seems extreme for a man who had no drugs or alcohol in his system, did not resist arrest at all, and caused no damage. Scotland is a funny place - they will jail you for going too fast, but if you blow up an airplane full of tourists you get to go home when you get sick...(http://tinyurl.com/ygmpjkt)

http://tinyurl.com/y98r7uz

Very Interesting Motorcycle Safety Study from Florida Universities

The really weird part of this study is the conclusion that mandatory helmet laws actually save lives. And, yet, so many riders ignore that when going for a ride. I am not really for or against mandatory laws like this, but I do know that simply forcing people to wear seatbelts has saved hundreds of thousands of lives. It sucks that we have to have a law about it, but that is the only way it works, unfortunately. The other part which makes it a bit more interesting is the lower non-fatal accidents in areas with higher speed limits. This has a double meaning of sorts, though, so you should read it...it is good.

http://tinyurl.com/yzxr4e4

New Zealand Motorcyclist Plot Protests Against Increased Fees

They feel that motorcyclists were given the short end of the stick in the new accident compensation levy scheme presented by the Government. New Zealand bikers are heading to Auckland to protest the Accident Compensation Corporation and its unfair program. Kiwi motorcyclists, make sure your voice is heard and let the bureaucrats in charge know that you are watching them!

http://tinyurl.com/yjddhm3

Late Here Too - AMA Attends US Department of Transportation Distracted Driver Summit

You can watch a live telecast of the event on the DOT blog about the summit (just take the link below) today - 30 September and tomorrow, 1 October 2009. So, at least you can catch one day's worth of information. The US certainly needs to address this soon - it is like open warfare on the streets around here.

http://tinyurl.com/yd4nlke

AMA Drafts Model Legislation for Cities in US to Use

This draft model is focused on on-highway motorcycle noise and is based on the new Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J2825 standard. If this legislation is adopted instead of the relatively common draconian laws being passed nowadays, motorcyclists have little to worry about. The J2825 standard is well designed and will work to set a real standard for noise levels based on science, not the ears of a complaining public who always seem to miss those 'import tuner' cars running around everywhere. It is funny how our very small portion of the population we motorcyclists have seems to get blamed for so much mischief - it's all about image. If you know someone running rather loud pipes, please as that rider to quiet down for all of our sakes...

http://tinyurl.com/y9t5far

Hawai'i Lt. Governor Attends Motorcycle Safety Rally

Over 50 motorcyclists joined a "Share the Road" rally promoting motorcycle awareness and safety. Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona asked that motorcyclists and motorists improve their situational awareness - an important skill when driving any vehicle.

http://tinyurl.com/mk9jun

UK Bikers - MCN Wants You to Help Reclaim North Wales!

Apparently, North Wales police departments hate motorcyclists. MCN (UK) wants to change that by hosting a mass ride to Snowdonia National Park. If you stand up for your rights and you live on the English isle, get out and join them!

http://tinyurl.com/nwypa8