The NYS legislature has been out of session and there is no new news to report on that front. Newly elected Representative Michael Arcuri has been appointed to the federal transportation committee.

I'm asking everyone to come up with some ideas for Motorcycle Awareness Month in May.  We have a very healthy treasury this year, thanks to a successful Rodeo and the hard work on the 11 item raffle.  We have the funds, now we need to spend them wisely. I believe Motorcycle Awareness Month could be a great way to get our message out.  So, start thinking and bring all your ideas to the next few meetings so we can get working on something.

Bits and Pieces from the American Motorcyclist Association:   

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is hosting a Washington, DC Ride Into Political Action seminar for motorcyclists who want to learn how to influence governmental decisions, whether in Congress or in their local communities.

The seminar, to be held February 24-27, 2007 at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, DC, allows participants to meet and learn from the AMA's Washington staff as well as other political experts. Besides learning about state and federal issues facing motorcyclists today, participants will get tips on building relationships with government agency officials and on lobbying elected officials. The instructors will also prepare participants to meet face-to-face with members of their own congressional delegations.A registration form is available in the American Motorcyclist magazine or by contacting Sharon Smolinka at the address below. Mail the completed form to AMA, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147. For more information, contact Sharon Smolinka at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1252 or by e-mail at ssmolinka@ama-cycle.org.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has committed $100,000 to help fund a comprehensive nationwide study of motorcycle crashes, and encourages individual motorcyclists, organizations, and businesses in the motorcycle industry to contribute to the effort through the AMA's new "Fuel the Fund" campaign.

In 2005, Congress approved federal funding to study the causes of motorcycle crashes, the first such research in the U.S. in more than 25 years. The $2.8 million pledged by the government calls for another $2.8 million in matching funds from the American motorcycling community before the entire federal grant will be released.

The AMA, in addition to spearheading the effort to secure federal funding and committing the first matching funds, has launched "Fuel the Fund," a national campaign allowing individuals and businesses to contribute matching funds necessary to take full advantage of the federal funding.

Contributions to "Fuel the Fund" can be made online at www.fuelthefund.com; or by calling Cathy Brown at 800-AMA-JOIN ext. 1224; or by mail addressed to Fuel the Fund, c/o AMA, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

Legislation authorizing the funding of the crash study specifies that research grants be provided to the Oklahoma Transportation Center, located at Oklahoma State University. The last comprehensive study of motorcycle crashes, commonly called the "Hurt Report" after University of Southern California researcher Dr. Harry Hurt, was published in the 1970s.

The Louisiana Motorcycle Awareness Program (MAP) is now successfully integrating a share the road message with high school drivers education classes thanks to the grassroots effort of ABATE of Louisiana and AMA members, as well as a $5,000 grant to help cover the costs from the state’s highway safety agency.   2004’s Legislative Act 216, which was signed into law by the Louisiana Governor, requires motorcycle awareness training in drivers’ education programs an is an important component of the AMA Justice for All campaign in which ABATE and the AMA have been closely working together.

ABATE of Louisiana’s MAP is offering to assist any Pelican State educator in fulfilling this requirement at no cost to the local school system.

Traffic Safety Facts 2005 Annual Report: Early Edition is a newly released 224 page report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Center for Statistics and Analysis, which is a compilation of motor vehicle crash data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the General Estimates System. The document can be downloaded at www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/TSFAnn/TSF2005EE.pdf   

US Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters recently announced the 2006 Seatbelt and Motorcycle Helmet Use Statistics.

Citing new data from the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS), Secretary Peters said that new data also shows that 51 percent of motorcyclists in the US now wear helmets, up from 48 percent in 2005. She noted that motorcycle helmet use rose in the West between 2005 and 2006 (from 50 to 72 percent); and in the Northeast (from 42 to 47 percent). However, the use rate fell in the Midwest (from 53 to 50 percent) and in the South (from 49 to 45 percent).

Nicole R. Nason, Administrator of the DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) added that NHTSA recently began to offer federal grants to states for programs to reduce the number of motorcyclist crashes. This year, for example, the agency will provide $6 million in grant funds to states for motorcycle safety training and motorist awareness programs. She said the agency will also create a public service announcement to promote helmet use and a consumer video for its web site on how to choose a safe and well-fitting motorcycle helmet. For further information go to "Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2006: Overall Results" on the DOT web site.

The Christmas Spirit is Still Alive:

A wreath-company owner in Maine is sending a truckload of five thousand wreaths to be placed on graves at Arlington National Cemetery.

Morrill Worcester is donating the wreaths for the 15th year in a row. When people thank him, he says that the veterans are the ones who should be thanked. He makes the donation to show his appreciation for their service.

The tractor-trailer with a ‘Wreaths Across America’ logo will be accompanied on the journey by members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a national group of motorcycle riders that works to recognize veterans.

Besides sending wreaths to Arlington, Worcester is spearheading wreath-laying ceremonies at nearly 230 veterans’ cemeteries and monuments in every state and Puerto Rico.

Worcester says he and his wife received nearly eight thousand e-mails, letters and phone calls to their company this year, some from people with loved ones in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and has a great New Year!