NHMRO April, 2024

The New Hampshire Motorcyclist Rights Organization (NHMRO) was founded in 1975 to fight the freedoms that were being systematically taken away.

NHMRO was incorporated as a non-profit organization, under the laws of the state of New Hampshire, and the internal revenue tax codes. Our sole purpose is to protect the rights of ALL motorcyclists to choose how they ride and to maintain and preserve their freedoms as riders.

NHMRO

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Riding season is upon us and I am looking forward to riding! I have spoken with the rain gods in hopes that this year will not be so soggy.

I am excited to share that we have some new advisors on the board, Alan, Michelle, Grizz, Carl, Shawn and Mary. I look forward to their input and working with them to move NHMRO further. I also am pleased to have a new Vice President, Tyler Medairos, and working with him on trying to get the younger rides involved.

I will be heading to Heartland Steam the middle of April and am looking forward to the conversations there that continue to help me be the best President I can be for NHMRO. The states involved in Steam have some of the biggest memberships and commitment to the MRF.

Our NH Rides Day is May 4th and I would really like to see all of you come out and support this event. I feel that having different types of motorcyclists all be part of something bigger will help all of us. I often talk about strength in numbers, and we need to make alliances to continue to have that strength. As you go out to ride this year, please be mindful of the fact that we had 40 fatalities last year, which is more than we have had in 20 years. The brunt of these were our own doing. I am devastated each time I get a message, hear a news report, or get a call that one of our own has died. I want all of the motorcyclists in our state to be able to ride way into the future, so RideSMART, please!

For those of you who have not joined the MRF(Motorcycle Riders Foundation) I urge you to do so. We need your support just as much there as we do in NHMRO. I am happy to talk to anyone about why this is so important. If you have an event or know of one that you feel would be a good fit for us, please let us know so that we can try and plan to attend or have a booth.

Live Free RideSMART,

Traci Beaurivage President

The MRF and Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council met in Daytona this year to discuss ongoing issues and a way to continue to help each other. Board members from MRF continue to travel to different states as part of the “MRF Roadshow,” where they are speaking about the MRF’s agenda and how we can all continue to do our part.

Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a policy change related to gasoline with 15% ethanol (E15). In 2025 this new policy will allow gas stations in eight Midwestern states to sell E15 fuel year-round. Current policy prohibits E15 sales between June 1st and September 15th because of concerns that it adds to smog on hot days.

In 2022 and 2023 the EPA announced emergency waivers that allowed for summertime E15 sales, citing market disruptions, including the war in Ukraine. This move by the EPA will make those temporary changes permanent in the selected eight states. The rule, which takes effect in April 2025, will apply in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. This decision comes after governors and farm groups in these eight states requested that the federal government change this policy.

This modification is a prime opportunity to remind everyone to be mindful of the fuel that you use. Verify that the fuel you are using in your bike is compatible with manufacturers’ guidelines. Stay vigilant as these changes take effect over the next year.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Vice President Jay Jackson and D.C. Lobbyist Rocky Fox visited the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) at its crash test center 100 miles outside Washington, D.C. in Ruckersville, Virginia. The IIHS is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing deaths, injuries, and property damage from motor vehicle crashes through research and evaluation and by educating consumers, policymakers, and safety professionals.

The meeting was a combined effort by both parties to find common ground on policies that can help achieve mutual success. First and foremost, we appreciate the IIHS goal of reducing deaths among motorcyclists. We should all be able to agree that the all-time high of over 6,000 deaths in 2021 is an unacceptable number. The timing of our visit was fortuitous as today the IIHS announced a new rating program aimed at partial driving automation systems.

As the report states, “Vehicles with partial automation are not self-driving though automakers sometimes use names that imply their systems are." Of the fourteen (14) systems tested, only one earned an “acceptable” rating. Two (2) systems were rated “marginal,” while the remaining eleven (11) were rated “poor.”

The underlying message of the report from IIHS is that “Partial driving automation is a convenience feature that is meant to make long drives easier. There is no evidence that it makes driving safer, and, in fact, it can create new risks by making it easier for the driver’s attention to wander. For this reason, it is essential that all partial driving automation systems incorporate robust safeguards.” We at the MRF wholeheartedly agree with this statement and thank the IIHS for taking the lead in evaluating this recent technology.

Focusing on issues we agree on, as opposed to what divides us, helped produce key and productive dialogue. The IIHS has also begun assessing front crash prevention technology in cars and trucks as they relate to motorcycles. Previously the IIHS only evaluated this technology in automobile vs. automobile situations. IIHS has now branched out to assess how this driver assistance technology recognizes and reacts to motorcycles. We are excited to see what their report reveals.

All too often, after a crash between an automobile and a motorcycle, the driver will admit that they “did not see the motorcycle.” Any technology that aids drivers in seeing bikers is welcome. Additionally, knowing which makes and models of vehicles can and cannot see motorcycles will be crucial information for motorcyclists on the road. The MRF anticipates both the IIHS report and their vehicle ratings on this issue.

While discussions were within the office, the IIHS did invite the MRF representatives to see a crash test conducted. For their viewing pleasure, a 2023 Chevy Tahoe was slammed into a brick wall at 40 MPH. This crash allowed researchers to study the effects on the occupants of the Tahoe and the performance of the Tahoe's safety features during an impact. The crash test was a great reminder of how even relatively low-speed crashes can have devastating ramifications for those involved. We thank the IIHS for the invitation to meet and look forward to a continuing dialog.

Traci Beaurivage Assistant to MRF Board for Sustaining State Motorcycle Rights Organizations

Where in the WORLD is the purple haired motorcycle lady??????

Our President doesn’t just preside over our meetings, she attends events all over our state and country representing NHMRO. Pictured with Traci is Phillip Woods, a Freedom Fighter from Liberia, at a Pennsylvania ABATE event.

Rick Daynard ..Editor

Just back from Daytona where I had a great time with a couple of guys I’ve been riding with “forever”, Arthur Fortunati and Bud Teehan. The weather was perfect, and hopefully we brought some warmth and sunshine back with us…

Did everyone have a good time at the Member Appreciation Dinner? It was great to see everyone and we really appreciate Jim Barr and Chris Beckhans making the trip up from New York to speak. It was a pleasure to meet John Clegg from the NH Motorcycle Task Force, who joined us and spoke about reducing motorcycle fatalities in NH. With 40 fatalities last year, it’s important to get that number down! Lots of event’s coming up in our state starting in April (Milford & Company Flea Market) and May (NH Rides Day, Keene Swap Meet, Stateline Swap Meet and Flea Market). Look for event flyers in this edition for these and some of the spring “breakout” rides.

A big thank you to all the folks who are coming forward to help and advise the officers and board of directors of NHMRO, and congratulations to our new Vice President Tyler Medeiros. ALL of your fresh new perspectives are welcome and needed to grow our organization!

While we continue to work on getting sponsors for both the organization and the newsletter, please let us know if there is someone you believe may be interested in supporting us. I will gladly reach out to them.

Riding season’s upon us. Watch out for those sandy edges, and keep your eyes open for the distracted drivers. Make sure your bike is ready to roll. Check your tires, inflate them properly, and get those brake pads replaced if necessary.

DINNER

Our 2nd member appreciation dinner was a fun event, with many raffles, door prizes, and a spaghetti dinner served by Sweeney Post.

Featured speakers included Jim Barr, Director, National Coalition of Independent Riders, Chris Beckhans, President, Long Island NY ABATE, and John Clegg, Program Director, NH Dept. of Safety and member of the NH Motorcycle Taskforce.

Hope you all had a great time!!!

Look for more interesting facts on NHMRO in upcoming issues!!

Did you know………..that back in the day, many of the original NHMRO members were also founders of the “Granite State Chariots Van Club”. They limited their membership to 69 members and had a long waiting list to get in.

Operation: Purpose

“A Boots-On-The-Ground Mission to reduce lives lost by Veteran Suicide”

Operation: Purpose is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Wilmington, NC, that is dedicated to helping Veterans and their families connect to support programs by fostering a sense of community that offers access to resources that are crucial to combat mental health struggles after their time of service ends.

Ride for light began as a mission in 2022 to retrieve the ashes of two fallen soldiers, but became a healing road for Perry Steed and over 400 other veterans. His message to those he met along the way was clear: Reach out to those who are struggling. Don’t wait.

In May 2024, Perry and two other veterans will embark on “RIDE FOR LIGHT 2024”. For three months, they will ride around the United States, calling on veterans in need, through meetings and at the behest of families, to spread hope, love, and camaraderie. Their mission is to spread the word about the need for unity while sharing their experiences along the way.

To learn more and how you can donate to this important cause, please visit: https://www.operationpurpose.net/

Here in New Hampshire, we are fortunate to have many “Freedom Fighters” who have belonged to New Hampshire Motorcyclists Rights Organization, represented our great state on the front lines and who continue to mold and shape how we retain our rights to decide what type of motorcycle we ride, what clothing we where when we ride, and our ability to modify our motorcycles as we like. There’s our president, Traci Beaurivage, our tenacious purple haired biker chick, Sherm Packard, Speaker of the House, Tom Walsh (and his late father Tom), Head of the NH Transportation Committee, among so many others.

We are also lucky enough to have Imre Szauter on our side. Imre’s a longtime advocate for motorcyclist’s rights, and was recently selected along with five other notable activists as members of the “Community of Practice” groups. Along with Ron Braaksma (Iowa), Vince Consiglio (Michigan), Jay Jackson (Indiana), Gary Klinker (Wisconsin), and Ed Schetter (Ohio), Imre and the others will be focused on updating three documents; The National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (NAMS), Model National Standards for EntryLevel Motorcycle Rider Training (Content Standards), and Model National Administrative Standards for State Motorcycle Rider Training Programs (Administrative Standards).

Between January and September of 2024 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will hold monthly meetings with this group to modernize and update these key motorcycle policy documents.

Congratulations Imre, on this very prestigious selection. We’re lucky to have you Here in NH!!!

To initiate , endorse and sponsor educational programs such as rider safety, public awareness, legislative and affirmative action and, individual freedoms and rights.

2)… To create and promote a positive public image of motorcyclists and motorcycle groups and to dispel and disprove media hype and unfounded propaganda

3)… To encourage goodwill and mutual understanding among motorcyclists, law enforcement personnel and the general public.

4)… To serve as an information source on matters pertaining to current laws, pending legislation, personal rights, political inclinations of elected officials and their constituents, and voter awareness.

5)… To act as a central responsive agency to devise and coordinate recreational, legislative, educational, and charitable activities.

Is There Such a Condition as ‘Too Old to Ride’?

It’s a fact – each day you get out of bed, you’re older than you were just 24 hours ago.

Another fact – while we all are a day older each morning, we don’t all age at the same pace. And finally – How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? (Satchel Paige, 1906-1982)

What is age? Is it just the number of years, months, and days since you were born? Is it the measure by which we label people, such as baby, youngster, teenager, adult, or senior citizen? Or is it an assessment of our mental, physical, and psychological standing in life?

When does “old” become relevant for a member of the riding community, and what impact does that label convey on someone? Is there such a thing as ‘too old to ride’, and if so, how is that determination made and by whom?

If you’re thinking that these questions aren’t appropriate for a column in this newsletter, perhaps a brief exploration of Chapter 8, Older Drivers, in NHTSA’s latest edition of Countermeasures That Work will change your mind.

From the Overview:

In 2021 more than 20% of licensed drivers in the United States were 65 or older (FHWA, 2022). As drivers age, their physical and mental abilities, driving behaviors, and crash risks all change, though age alone does not determine driving performance. Many features of the current system of roads, traffic signals and controls, laws, licensing practices, and vehicles were not designed to accommodate older drivers. Older Americans are increasingly dependent on driving to maintain their mobility, independence, and health. The challenge is to balance mobility for older drivers with safety for all road users.

So, what does this opening paragraph have to do with older members of the riding community?

Plenty – let’s take a look. Keep in mind that “drivers” as used here includes motorcycle operators.

The first line indicates that in 2022, 1 in 5 licensed drivers was 65 or older. As those in the baby boom generation (born between 1946 and 1964) continue to cross into ‘senior citizen’ territory, the number of drivers with increased risk factors, like those identified in the second line, continues to grow. It’s not just older motorcyclists facing the challenges aging brings, but all vehicle operators in that classification.

In 2009, 5,613 older drivers were killed on our roadways; in 2021, that number jumped to 8,209. Interestingly, the fatal crash involvement rate for drivers 65 and older is lower than for drivers younger than 65. Because of the steady increase in the number of older drivers, the number of fatalities continues to grow but the rate remains the lowest of any age group.

Among motorcyclists, riders 50 years and older made up 3% of motorcyclist fatalities in 1975, but increased to 37% in 2019. That’s a significant increase, in part because of the huge increase in the number of older riders. And many of those older riders are riding well into their 70s and 80s, some taking advantage of three-wheeled motorcycles to compensate for their diminishing lower body strength and physical endurance.

The third line of the Overview paragraph should give us all pause: Many features of the current system of roads, traffic signals and controls, laws, licensing practices, and vehicles were not designed to accommodate older drivers.

Wow, talk about a significant series of obstacles to overcome in this day and age of crumbling roadways and bridges, budget deficits, and forever-changing technology. Can technology alone save more roadway users by taking control of their vehicles? That’s a question no one who rides a motorcycle wants to contemplate. Many of the advanced-technology features being promoted as “life-saving” for passenger vehicles, light-duty trucks, and SUVs have no practical implementation in a two-wheeled vehicle. The approaching age of autonomous vehicles has little to no room for motorcyclists, because ‘autonomous control’ of a motorcycle is a pipedream in some bureaucrat’s twisted thinking.

The fourth line reads: Older Americans are increasingly dependent on driving to maintain their mobility, independence, and health. Motorcycles certainly contribute to those three conditions, with ‘independence’ being high on most riders’ list of reasons for riding in the first place. But the downsides of aging increase the risk to older riders, so at what point do the risks exceed the rewards?

The fifth and final line: The challenge is to balance mobility for older drivers with safety for all road users, underscores a tradeoff most vehicle operators will face in their lifetime – does the reward of my personal freedom exceed the risks posed to others of me continuing to drive or ride?

This month’s column wasn’t meant to darken the start of the 2024 riding season. It was meant for all of us to look in the mirror and be honest about our age, the aging process, and the consequences of ignoring or rejecting the realities of aging. Whether it’s related to our physical condition, our eyesight, our reflexes, our ability to mentally process the hundreds of decisions that go into safely operating a motor vehicle, or recognizing the danger we might pose to those around us, let’s resolve to make 2024 a year of sound decisions based on the realities of our own lives.

Let’s close with this:

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today – Abraham Lincoln

“Young riders pick a destination and go… Old riders pick a direction and go.” – Anonymous

Ride safe, Ride S.M.A.R.T.

Imre Szauter Director, Ride S.M.A.R.T.

New Hampshire Motorcyclist’s Rights Organization

P.O. BOX 16398……..Hooksett, New Hampshire 03106

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What Would YOU Like To See Done For Motorcyclists of New Hampshire?