Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus Urges Riders to Participate in Ride to Work Day on June 21

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--In an open letter to motorcyclists the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus (CMSC) Co-chairs, U.S. Representatives Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Gabrielle Giffords, with Caucus Members John Duncan (R-TN), Bob Filner (D-CA) and Walter Jones (R-NC) urged riders to participate in the annual Ride to Work Day on June 21 and encouraged riders and other road users to focus on safety. Ride to Work Day encourages employers, government officials and the general public to be more aware that riders come from all occupations and walks of life and that riding motorcycles and scooters is a social good.

“Please help us…by contacting your Member of Congress and encouraging him or her to join the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus (CMSC). Information about your Representative and how to get in touch can be found by visiting http://www.house.gov/.”

The Members state in the letter, “This year, on June 21, more than a million riders will commute to work on their motorcycles. This annual event offers motorcyclists an opportunity to highlight motorcycles as a viable, fun and fuel-efficient mode of transportation. We encourage you to participate and to use the day as a reminder to get involved in motorcycle safety.”

The letter encouraged riders to get involved and to do their part to help grow the Caucus, “Please help us…by contacting your Member of Congress and encouraging him or her to join the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus (CMSC). Information about your Representative and how to get in touch can be found by visiting http://www.house.gov/.”

The Caucus Members also noted that Ride to Work Day provides an opportunity to remind other road users of their role in motorcycle safety. “Our Caucus encourages drivers of cars, SUVs and other vehicles to be aware of motorcycles and to look out for motorcyclists. In over two-thirds of fatal car-motorcycle crashes the driver of the car was at fault, making it very important that our audience is broader than just those who ride.”

To read the letter, visit: http://www.mic.org/downloads/2010.06.18%20Ride%20to%20Work%20Day%20Letter%20to%20Motorcyclists1.pdf.

To learn more about Ride to Work Day, visit http://www.ridetowork.org/.

The Motorcycle Industry Council’s (MIC) Senior Vice President for Government Relations, Kathy Van Kleeck said, “Ride to Work Day is an important opportunity for motorcyclists to make a positive statement and we would like to thank the Caucus Co-chairs and the other Members of the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus for their involvement and continued commitment to motorcycle safety.”

Duane Taylor, MIC’s Director, Federal Affairs stated, “The CMSC is an effective voice for motorcycle safety. As noted in the letter, the CMSC has passed Congressional Resolutions supporting the goals of May As Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, hosted a Capitol Hill event attended by the Secretary of Transportation, and ensured that motorcycle safety is remembered in the transportation reauthorization process as well as highlighting Ride to Work Day.” Taylor continued, “I encourage all riders to get involved and to ask their Member to sign up for the Caucus.”

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national industry association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.