Now that we have solved that problem, here are some talking points.

HB 1527 (Representative Asay) the malfunctioning traffic signal bill:

• Although part of the traveling public, motorcyclists have been hindered in their movements by the failure of detection loops and optical sensors to recognize their presence at many traffic signals.  The Washington State Legislature has been asked to address and remedy within the law when the signals fail to respond to motorcycles.
• Traffic intersections are second to left turn right-of-way violations in terms of vulnerability for motorcyclists.  When lights do not sense a motorcycle, exposure to the possibility of a rear-end collision increases, especially in low traffic scenarios where a motorist is more likely to miss seeing a stranded motorcyclist.  This presents a hazard to not only the motorcyclist but also to the surrounding traffic, as well as a potential liability to the municipality in charge of the signaling system.
•  Currently there is no safe and legitimate method for getting clear of a signal that will not sense a motorcycle.  If in the left turn lane, there is no provision for a vehicle to merge back into the flow of traffic and go straight.  Even if it was legal, this maneuver is quite hazardous, with a rider unexpectedly merging from a dead stop into an unsuspecting traffic flow.  For the rider in the though lane, the option of making a right on red, followed by a u-turn, is much more hazardous than simply waiting until traffic is clear and, exercising due caution, proceeding through the intersection as if the red light was a stop sign.
•  There are now 12 states that have enacted a law that provides immediate remedy to motorcyclist when they encounter a traffic signal that does not recognize the presence of a motorcycle.  There is no data to show that crashes have increased as a result.  To date, no state has tried to rescind it.  It is a sound and reasonable solution to an existing problem.

SB 6304 (Senator Rolfes) putting motorcycles into the Commute Trip Reduction Act and HOV lanes:

Commute Trip Reduction:

Parking incentives will make motorcycle commuting more practical to users and infrastructure planners.

1. Motorcycles exhibit a much smaller footprint in a commuting lane, and are more agile in operation, with the potential benefit of easing congestion by facilitating better traffic flow.  In urban “stop and go” driving situations the space utilized by one full sized car can be filled with 2-3 motorcycles.
2. Dedicated parking areas for motorcycles will add to the overall security of the motorcycles by grouping them together.  (Safety in numbers)
3. Has the possibility to free up real estate currently being expended on single bike per parking space.  With properly arranged and laid out parking areas, up to three motorcycles can be stored in the space normally allotted to a single vehicle.

HOV access:

By moving motorcycles from the main stream of high density rolling slowdowns to the more freely moving HOV lanes, the motorcycle operator has less exposure to encroachment and/or collision.

1. By being in a steadily flowing stream as opposed to a “stop and go” stream rear exposure to inattentive drivers is seriously lessened.
2. By being to the far side of the multi lane roadway the possibility of encroachment from suddenly merging traffic is minimized.  There becomes only one side to defend while proceeding through traffic, with the other side becoming an escape route.

The proposed language removes some of the vagueness from when motorcycles are allowed HOV lanes access.

1. Whenever any other privately owned vehicle (POV) is allowed access motorcycles are authorized.
2. Codifies the existing administrative exemption for tolling in the 167 project and moves that exemption to the 405 project.

So, what are you doing today? In case you have been living under a rock, you can guess what I have on my plate. The legislature is going back into session for the 60 day session, so I am getting ready to head out for Olympia. I will be working on getting a couple of things from last session back in motion before things start getting too jammed up.

Here are the primary items on my plate this morning:

HB 1527 (Representative Asay) The malfunctioning traffic signal will revisit the issue of traffic signals not detecting motorcycles.  It allows for motorcycles, after waiting for one full cycle of the lighting system without being detected, to proceed through the intersection, but only after exercising the same level of caution as would be used at a stop sign.

I have already done some ground work on getting a hearing in House Transportation. The only real push back I have seen so far is from WSP, indicating that they will never sign off on allowing any motorist “running a red light.” Their position is more based on fear without any real data to back it up, and a bit off base, as there is already a precedent. Can anyone say “right turn on red?”

SB 5578  (The late Senator White) and HB 1833 (Representative Finn).  This makes it a requirement that the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board meet quarterly.  Currently the criteria is open to interpretation, and with all of the attempts to cut expenditures across the board the schedule got dropped back to 5 meetings during a two year period.

As a side bar note, after the outcry from stakeholders and the urging of the advisory board, the DOL voluntarily restored the quarterly schedule.

Finally, there is a lot of confusion over the implementation of SSB 5800, the bill that allows a rider to convert a motorcycle listed as “off road use only” into a street legal motorcycle.  I will be working with Senator King (prime sponsor), the off road community, and agencies to address these issues.

Of course, further reports to follow.

Until then, Ride safely and legislate well,

“Texas” Larry

Government Relations and Junior Blogger

Texas

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation 236 Massachusetts Ave. NE | Suite 510 | Washington, DC 20002-4980 202-546-0983 (voice) | 202-546-0986 (fax) | http://www.mrf.org11NR35 – MRF News Release – Senate Committee Passes Highway Safety Bill FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 14 December 2011 Contact:Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Ralations and Public Affairs

Senate Committee Passes Highway Safety Bill Wednesday, December 14, 2011  Today, the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed a sweeping safety bill known as the Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act (S. 1449). The bill passed by voice vote.   Earlier this week, Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) filed an amendment that would have gutted the popular federal motorcycle education and awareness grants, known as the 2010 funds. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is pleased to report that Lautenberg did not call that amendment for a vote. Due to an overwhelming response from the motorcycle community, the 2010 grants are safe for now.   Also under attack was the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lobby ban. This law prohibits NHTSA from using federal money to lobby State legislatures, uninvited. The way S. 1449 was drafted, it removed this lobby ban. Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) introduced a number of amendments to maintain the ban and the necessary amendments were agreed to, by unanimous consent of the full committee.   The one sticking point that remains is at least, the least troublesome. That being said, it is still something that will keep the attention of the MRF lobby efforts.  The trouble lies in a provision in S. 1449 that calls out motorcycle helmets in the list of definitions as “motor vehicle equipment”. Previously, the list simply stated: “any device or an article or apparel… that is not a system, part, or component of a motor vehicle”.   The MRF would like to thank all the State motorcycle rights organizations and everyone else who helped with this legislation.   The bill passed today will likely move on to be a part of the larger Highway Bill which could happen in early 2012. The MRF will keep you informed on this issue.   ========================================================== Do not reply to this email, it will be discarded. ========================================================== Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration information.Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF’s Young Activist Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visithttp://www.mrfae.org/yas.php.Sign up today for the MRF’s new roadside assistance program by visiting http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and non-MRF members.© All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists’ rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists’ rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early 1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom.The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists’ rights organizations and the very founders of the American riders’ rights movement among its leading members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists’ rights organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.

It’s almost Election Day, and you know what that means.  For most people it means that Thanksgiving Day is around the corner, along with the rest of the holidays.  For me, though, it means that the next legislative session is in the offing.  I know, you think I’m sick, and indeed I may be, but that is how I am wired.

There are quite a few items on the table for this coming session, some continuing issues, some issues returning from the past, and some conversations to set the stage for future sessions.

First, the bills left over from last session that we have to get back in play:

HB 1527 (Representative Asay) The malfunctioning traffic signal will revisit the issue of traffic signals not detecting motorcycles.  It allows for motorcycles, after waiting for one full cycle of the lighting system without being detected, to proceed through the intersection, but only after exercising the same level of caution as would be used at a stop sign.

SB 5578  (The late Senator White) and HB 1833 (Representative Finn).  This makes it a requirement that the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Board meet quarterly.  Currently the criteria is open to interpretation, and with all of the attempts to cut expenditures across the board the schedule got dropped back to 5 meetings during a two year period.

Both of these bills were returned to the Rules Committee of their respective chambers, effectively dead, so we will have to convince house and senate leadership to put them back in play.

SB 5063 (Senator Haugen) This is concerning special license plates for motorcycles.  This allows motorcyclists the same opportunity as the rest of the motoring public to purchase the various supporters specialty plates, such as disabled veteran, Purple Heart, or university mascot.

While we have not requested this legislation, we will definitely be standing by to champion it.

Correction:  The language of this bill was added onto the parade bill last session.  Thanks to Mr. Breeze for pointing out that I had had a senior moment. :-)

ABATE of Washington, in conjunction with the Confederation of Clubs and the US Defenders, is continuing to work on a clean repeal/modification of the helmet law.  I am not 100% certain on their strategy, but the conversations I have been privileged to be part of have been extremely interesting.   I am definitely standing by to follow their leadership on this issue.

And now the returning issues:

Remember the work we did several years ago to try and get motorcycles included into the Commute Trip Reduction Act?  When I spoke with Senator Rolfes this summer she expressed some interest in taking the issue on.  The proposed language from 2003 has been forwarded to her office for consideration.  There has been quite a bit of discussion about the place for motorcycles in Seattle’s transportation plan, so perhaps the time is more opportune.

Last year a bill was passed setting up “hot lane” tolling of the HOV lanes on 405 that did not exempt motorcycles or car pools from the toll.  We were advised by the people at DOT to bring our concerns to the legislature.  Even the tolling commission understands that there remains a herculean amount of work to be done prior to any sort of implementation.  We need to get language passed that prevents motorcycles from being tolled or excluded from any HOV lane.

Finally, we come to the conversational issue:

2013 may be the right time to try to get some sort of “filtering” bill passed.  The issue is always at the forefront amongst many riders, so we need to use the 2102 session as a venue to begin the education of our legislators.  Now is the time to start getting more involved if this is your issue of choice.

When we get into the session there will come a time when a mass calling to the members of the legislature is necessary, so get ready.  If you don’t know yet who your reps are, drop and give me 20, take 15 laps of the outfield, then hit this link.  (Poke the button)

Until then, Ride safely and legislate well,

“Texas” Larry

Government Relations and Junior Blogger