Legislation Forum
LEGISLATION FORUM
Special Report: The Moving Forces Behind Motorcycle Legislation
J. BRADLEY FLIPPIN
PART V
MOTORCYCLE, SCOOTER AND ALLIED TRADES ASSOCIATION
THIS is the fifth article of a series dealing with governmental organizations influential in formulating motorcycle legislation.
The Motorcycle, Scooter and Allied Trades Association, headquartered in Worthington, Ohio, represents the manufacturing and distribution side of motorcycling. However, by promoting these interests, the organization indirectly promotes the motorcyclist. The MS&ATA serves as spokesman between the riders of two-wheeled motor vehicles and the various federal, state and local legislative and law enforcement agencies.
The man responsible for the MS& ATA’s day-to-day operation is Executive Secretary Paul L. McCrillis, who was appointed to this position in 1968 when the MS&ATA and the American Motorcycle Association became separate organizations. Mr. McCrillis stated, “We found that many people knew of and about the AMA, but very little about the MS&ATA. The AMA is principally involved with riders, clubs and competitive events, while we deal almost exclusively with the legislative or the overall view of motorcycling. Presently our major interest is safety education; we sponsored the first National Conference on Motorcycle Safety Education, in conjunction with the National Education Association (CW, Oct. ’69).
“Our membership is composed solely of commercial interests and consists of 45 members which includes 10 motorcycle importers and manufacturers, five helmet manufacturers, four publications, five distributors and a number of allied companies dealing in motorcycle components and accessories, i.e., tires, lubricants, batteries, safety equipment, and similar items.
“We are organized into two principle committees, Governmental Relations and Public Relations, which provide assistance and counsel to individuals and groups interested in (or affected by) the increase in the use of two-wheeled motor vehicles.”
Mr. McCrillis is director of the Governmental Relations committee. “We assist federal, state and local agencies in developing realistic and equitable laws and rules of the road. This committee deals primarily with legislative bodies, safety councils and motor vehicle administrators. We advise, we do not make laws. Our safety subcommittee has worked on the development of safety standards and is the principle source of comment on proposals of the National Highway Safety Bureau.
“Our organization needs professional guidance from people who are active in the motorcycle industry. Our board of directors elects a president who is both active and prominent in the field, and who is recognized as being associated with the favorable and respectable side of motorcycling, such as our present president, Ivan J. Wagar, Editor of CYCLE WORLD Magazine. He was chosen because of the eagerness and push which he has displayed in his editorial endeavor. Mr. Wagar is the first president who actually made a living racing motorcycles, and also the first from the publishing side of the industry. Also, he is the youngest of the eight men who have held this position to date.”
What is the biggest problem motorcyclists face today?
“I feel it is the lack of adequate driver education courses. Not only adequate, but any driver education at all. There must be a program whereby responsible people can insure that a person obtains basic training on a motorcycle before he starts riding on today’s busy, congested streets and freeways.
“Take any vocation today—barbering, carpentry, truck driving, engineering, medicine. There are schools and classes one can attend in order to learn to be proficient in these fields. Not so for the motorcyclist. This is where we come in. By pushing motorcycle safety education, through the NEA’s National Conference on Motorcycle Safety Education, it is hoped that we can compile meaningful guidelines which local schools can use to implement some form of motorcycle training.”
What do you believe damages the motorcyclist’s image?
“Noise!”
What do you think of separate motorcycle drivers’ licenses?
“This is a real step forward. I am, however, disappointed that many states require a license to drive a four-wheeled motor vehicle first. This can place a burden upon the younger group that may not have access to cars. I feel a person should be free to obtain the license for which he demonstrates proper qualifications, without requiring one to be a prerequisite for the other.
“Requiring a special motorcycle driver’s license also will help reduce accidents, believe it or not. It will control the rental and borrowing of motorcycles. Previously, you could rent a motorcycle if you had an automobile driver’s license. As companion legislation to separate licensing, many states require that rental agencies insure that the renter has a driver’s license which authorizes motorcycle operation.
“In addition, it gives the motorcyclist a legal reason for not lending his bike to anyone just for a ride around the block. Accident literature is full of injury cases involving people with no prior training or experience. If it is lawful to lend a motorcycle only to a licensed operator, this hazard will be greatly reduced.
MS&ATA LEGISLATIVE POSITION PAPER
About two years ago, the Governmental Relations Committee found that many of the laws being considered by various federal, state and local legislative bodies seemed to revolve around similar problems. The committee selected the 10 most prevalent topics of discussion and compiled „a hand-out statement, “A Position Paper: Legislation Concerning Operation of Two-Wheeled Motor Vehicles.” Quoting from the paper, “Distribution of this position paper is part of a program to represent the industry with fairness, objectivity, and completeness. It is for use by responsible persons, whether importers, manufacturers, those in accessory manufacture or trade, motorcycle and scooter dealers and even individual riders.”
“The MS&ATA,” stated Mr. McCrillis, “has distributed over 1000 “Position Papers” to local and state legislators and persons interested in the MS&ATA’s views. As can be expected, it isn’t accepted 100 percent, but more than half of our recommendations can be found in the rules and regulations in many states.”
The following is an outline of the MS&ATA’s views:
1. MS&ATA urges expansion of driver improvement programs to include motorcycles.
2. MS&ATA urges the issuance of drivers’ licenses only for classes of motor vehicles for which the driver has demonstrated an ability to operate safely.
3. MS&ATA urges prohibition of motorcycles which produce excessive noise.
4. MS&ATA urges periodic safety inspections of motorcycles.
5. MS&ATA urges the prohibition of the “side-saddle” riding position.
6. Use of goggles or a face shield at all times when operating a motorcycle, or as an alternative, to require a windscreen. The MS&ATA says, “The individual is the best judge of his eye protection requirements. There is no eye injury history which would justify legislation in this matter.”
Others interviewed agreed there should be legislation to require some form of eye protection, but the type of protection should be left up to the motorcyclist (safety glasses, goggles, face
shield, or a separate windscreen on the motorcycle.
7. Use of motorcycles on limited access highways. The MS&ATA holds the position that “motorcycles should be permitted on limited access roadways if they are capable of attaining a speed of 60 mph on a straight, level roadway.”
8. MS&ATA urges prohibition of handlebars in excess of 15 inches above the seat.
9. Compulsory helmet laws. The MS&ATA’s position is: “The use of protective headgear shall be encouraged in all traffic safety literature, films and programs. The Association opposes compulsory helmet legislation.”
On this point, the position was reversed. Others were in strong agreement that the use of protective headgear should be a compulsory item. As Mr. Kearney, of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances, indicated,“...from a constitutional viewpoint, these laws are constitutional and will be upheld.”
10. Passengers on motorcycles. The MS&ATA supports the UVC Section 11-1103, which, in effect, says that passengers are permitted as long as a seat and footrests are present to accommodate one.
The MS&ATA, P.O. Box 231, Worthington, Ohio, publishes two pamphlets, “You and Your Motorcycle,” and “Now You’re a Cycle-Sport Enthusiast!” The former presents 16 pages of tips, including 21 good riding habits. The latter is an eight-page pamphlet covering the noise/muffler and dress aspects of two-wheel operation. Neither contains advertising nor recommends a specific model of motorcycle.
