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Motorcycle Riders Foundation, Washington, D.C., Washington D.C., DC (2026)

04/10/2026

Ford BlueCruise Investigated By NTSB

Recent findings from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) underscore a growing concern for motorcyclists navigating an increasingly automated roadway. In two fatal crashes involving Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driving system, federal investigators pointed to a dangerous combination of driver overreliance and technological limitations resulting in the loss of three lives.

According to the NTSB, the system failed to properly detect and respond to real-world conditions, including the presence of a stationary vehicle and excessive speed in a work zone. Just as troubling, drivers placed too much trust in the technology and failed to remain engaged behind the wheel.

For the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), this comes as no surprise.

For more than a decade, the MRF has raised concerns in Washington, D.C., about how emerging vehicle technologies, especially automated and semi-autonomous systems, interact with motorcycles. Riders know all too well that motorcycles are already underdetected by human drivers. When automation is layered on top of that reality, the risks only increase.

While much of the conversation around autonomous vehicles focuses on reducing fatalities, these incidents highlight a critical gap: technology that doesn’t fully account for all road users, including motorcyclists, can create new and unforeseen dangers.

That’s why events like next month’s Bikers Inside the Beltway are so important.

This annual grassroots lobby event provides a vital opportunity for riders from across the country to bring real-world concerns directly to lawmakers and regulators. As federal agencies consider new standards for automated driving systems, it is essential that the motorcycling community has a seat at the table.

The MRF will continue to advocate for policies that ensure motorcycles are not an afterthought in the development and deployment of new vehicle technologies. Safety must mean safety for everyone on the road.

Because when it comes to automation, awareness isn’t optional and neither is our voice.

04/03/2026

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is highlighting newly released 2024 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which shows a modest but important decline in motorcyclist fatalities, while reinforcing the need for continued focus on rider safety and education.

According to NHTSA, 6,228 motorcyclists were killed in 2024, a decrease of 138 lives or 2.2% from 2023 levels. While any reduction is a step in the right direction, the number remains historically high, underscoring the ongoing risks faced by riders on America’s roads.

Motorcyclists continue to represent a significant portion of roadway fatalities, even as overall traffic deaths declined nationwide by 4.3% in 2024. At the same time, the data shows a concerning trend in injuries, with motorcyclist injuries increasing by more than 5% year-over-year.

For the MRF, these numbers tell a nuanced story: progress is being made, but serious challenges remain.

“Seeing fatalities decline is encouraging, but no one in our community is celebrating,” said MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard. “This should be a wake-up call to double down on what works, strong rider training programs and effective licensing systems. If we want to continue reducing deaths, states and the federal government must invest in preparing riders before they ever hit the road.”

The MRF also noted that behavioral factors such as alcohol impairment and lack of proper training continue to play a role in crashes involving motorcycles. Rather than pursuing broad federal mandates that could restrict the motorcycling lifestyle, the organization is urging policymakers to focus on targeted, proven solutions.

As federal regulators examine these trends, the MRF cautions against policy approaches that may not reflect the realities of motorcycling. While improving safety outcomes is a shared goal, overly broad regulations risk undermining the independence and personal responsibility that define riding in America.

The MRF continues to advocate for a balanced path forward, one that prioritizes education, training, and licensing compliance while preserving the freedoms that riders value.

As is often the case, MRF Vice President Jay Jackson noted, “A crash that never happens is better than a safer crash.”

To achieve this goal, the MRF is committed to reducing crashes and protecting our friends and family members, who make up our community.

03/28/2026

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) recognizes the announcement from Sam Graves, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, that he will not seek reelection at the end of this Congress. Chairman Graves will continue to serve in his leadership role through the remainder of the year, a period that will be critical for advancing key transportation priorities.

Among those priorities is the passage of a new highway bill, one of the most important “to-do” items before Congress adjourns. The MRF remains actively engaged in this process, working to ensure that the needs and concerns of motorcyclists are included in any final legislative package.

Chairman Graves has been instrumental in delivering meaningful victories for motorcyclists during his time in Congress. His leadership helped secure progress on issues such as motorcycle profiling and the recognition of riders through initiatives like the Motorcyclist Advisory Council. These efforts have strengthened the voice of motorcyclists within the U.S. House of Representatives and reinforced the importance of rider inclusion in federal transportation policy.

“Chairman Graves has been a proven champion for motorcyclists,” said Kirk "Hardtail" Willard, President of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. “His leadership on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee helped ensure that riders had a seat at the table and that our issues were taken seriously. We thank him for his service and his commitment to our community.”

He also emphasized that Graves’ departure highlights a broader reality in Washington, D.C.

“Capitol Hill is constantly changing,” he said, “Lawmakers come and go, and that is exactly why the MRF must remain focused on building new relationships and developing new champions. Our success is not tied to any one individual, it comes from our ability to continually educate and engage members of Congress.”

As Congress works toward completing a highway bill and other legislative priorities, the MRF underscored the importance of sustained advocacy.

“The MRF remains constant,” Willard said. “We will keep making new friends, strengthening our network, and ensuring that the voice of motorcyclists is heard in every corner of Capitol Hill. That is how we achieve long-term success.”

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation looks forward to continuing its work with current and future leaders in Congress to advance policies that protect and promote the motorcycling lifestyle nationwide.

03/27/2026

Last weekend, ABATE of Minnesota proudly hosted the 36th Annual Heartland STEAM event in Alexandria, Minnesota. Riders from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin came together for a powerful weekend of collaboration, education, and unity in support of motorcyclists’ rights.

Over the course of the two-day seminar, attendees participated in a wide range of presentations highlighting both the challenges and victories experienced across the STEAM states. Representatives from each state shared firsthand accounts of legislative battles they had fought and won, demonstrating the strength and persistence of grassroots advocacy at the state level.

The Heartland STEAM states continue to play a critical role in shaping the national motorcyclist rights movement and advancing the priorities of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). These seven states represent a politically diverse region of the country, encompassing red, blue, and purple districts. Collectively, they are home to forty-two members of the U.S. House of Representatives and fourteen U.S. Senators. This unique political footprint ensures that the voice of motorcyclists from the Heartland resonates strongly in Washington, D.C.

Just as important, the unwavering support from STEAM states strengthens the MRF’s ability to advocate effectively on the national stage. The engagement, leadership, and dedication of riders in this region are essential to advancing policies that protect the freedoms and lifestyle of all motorcyclists.

A sincere thank you goes out to ABATE of Minnesota for hosting an outstanding event, as well as to all who presented and participated. Those in attendance left Alexandria reenergized, better informed, and more connected than ever, ready to continue the fight for riders’ rights.

We look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead and we will see you in Nebraska in 2027.

As always, Ride Safe and Ride Free.

03/20/2026

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been investigating Tesla's “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) systems for several months now. This is one of the systems that a California court recently called "misleading", prompting a name change. Now, according to information posted Thursday on the NHTSA website, the investigation is being amplified.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has expressed concerns regarding the “Full Self-Driving” system and its testing, following several incidents in which Teslas struck motorcycles, particularly in low-light conditions. Similarly, the NHTSA probe into Tesla’s FSD is testing possible safety defects that make it risky for use in fog, glaring sun or other “reduced roadway visibility conditions.”

NHTSA wrote that Tesla FSD may fail “to detect and/or warn the driver appropriately under degraded visibility conditions such as glare and airborne obscurants.” These statements appear to echo the MRF's concerns regarding a system advertised to improve roadway safety.

The MRF continues to encourage all riders to practice safe, aware riding and consider taking an Advanced Riders Course to help with crash avoidance. There are over 3 million Teslas on the road utilizing the FSD system, so the MRF will continue to monitor this situation as it develops, to help ensure the safety of all motorcyclists.

03/13/2026

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) was proud to participate in a gathering hosted by the National Council of Clubs (NCOC) in Gulfport, Mississippi last month. The event provided an important opportunity for MRF leadership to present the organization’s federal legislative agenda and engage with motorcycle club leaders from across the nation.

Opportunities like this allow the MRF to share the work being done on behalf of motorcyclists in Washington, D.C., while also expanding the network of advocates who help ensure that the voice of bikers is heard on Capitol Hill. By communicating directly with leaders from the club community, the MRF can help translate federal policy issues into grassroots action that reaches key lawmakers.

The partnership between the MRF and the NCOC has been built over many years through a shared commitment to protecting the rights and lifestyle of motorcyclists. That relationship is rooted in trust and a mutual understanding that collaboration strengthens the entire motorcycle community.

Presenting the MRF’s legislative priorities to a wider audience helps ensure riders across the country understand the issues being debated in Washington and how those decisions can impact motorcyclists nationwide. It also empowers club members and independent riders alike to amplify the message with their elected officials.

The MRF values its ongoing partnership with the NCOC and remains committed to working together for the greater good of all motorcyclists. By combining the grassroots strength of the club community with the MRF’s advocacy efforts in Washington, the motorcycle community continues to build a stronger, more unified voice for riders everywhere.

02/27/2026

Advancing HR 3385

This week, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) submitted a letter to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee urging lawmakers to advance H.R. 3385, legislation to modernize the nearly 60-year-old federal definition of a motorcycle.

The MRF supports the bill because it updates outdated language to better reflect the design and operation of true motorcycles on today’s roads. It is important to provide clear regulatory guidance and improve how motorcycles are classified at the federal level.

To be clear, the MRF is not opposed to autocycles or innovation in vehicle design. However, we believe manufacturers of these vehicles have operated in a regulatory gray area for far too long. These manufacturers should work proactively with policymakers to establish appropriate classifications for the products they sell.

02/22/2026

Motorcycle Riders Foundation Position Statement

The Officers of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) have concluded that recent editorial decisions made by the management of Bikernet and Easyriders publications conflict with the mission and core values of the MRF. We have formally requested that these publications cease all references to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Awareness and Education.

02/20/2026

Autopilot Overstated

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is taking note of recent changes by Tesla to scale back use of the term “Autopilot” in California following regulatory pressure. While this may seem like a simple branding change, it highlights a much larger safety issue the MRF has warned about for years, drivers often misunderstand the actual capabilities of these systems.

Advanced driver-assistance features can help a driver, but they do not replace the driver. When names or marketing suggest otherwise, many motorists become too confident and pay less attention to the road. A better way to describe the problem is that drivers are misinformed about the limitations of the technology. That confusion can lead to delayed reactions, poor decisions, and dangerous situations.

For motorcyclists, that risk is even greater. When a driver assumes the vehicle is “handling it,” riders can be overlooked entirely. An uninformed driver is a real concern to everyone on the road, especially those without the protection of a steel cage.

The MRF supports innovation that improves safety, but technology must be paired with clear language and proper driver education. No matter how advanced a system becomes, the responsibility to operate a vehicle safely still rests with the human behind the wheel.

02/10/2026

On Tuesday, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade held its second hearing of 2026, focused on key transportation and vehicle policy issues. Lawmakers advanced several measures, including H.R. 1566, the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act, and H.R. 3385, legislation updating the federal definition of a motorcycle. The hearing also addressed multiple bills related to autonomous vehicles and overall vehicle safety.

Advancing legislation out of subcommittee is a critical milestone in the congressional process. Subcommittees serve as the first gatekeepers for legislation and moving bills forward signals growing support, allowing them to continue through the formal review process. These bills will now be taken up by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee, where additional debate and amendments may occur, before potentially advancing to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) supports these efforts as part of its federal legislative agenda, which includes protecting the right to repair and modify motorcycles, modernizing the federal definition of a motorcycle, and ensuring motorcycles are fully considered in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles. The MRF will remain actively engaged as this legislation progresses to ensure motorcyclists’ interests, freedoms, and safety remain front and center.

01/23/2026

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) recently submitted formal public comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in response to the agency’s request for input on the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the Non-Traffic Surveillance (NTS) system. These systems form the backbone of how federal and state agencies track roadway fatalities and serious crashes. The MRF emphasized the importance of these systems to the motorcycling community.

In its comments, the MRF reaffirmed that FARS is an indispensable tool for understanding motorcycle fatalities and developing effective safety strategies. Because motorcycles differ significantly from passenger vehicles in terms of exposure, performance, visibility, and rider behavior, aggregated crash data often fails to capture trends that uniquely affect motorcyclists. Accurate, consistent and detailed motorcycle-specific data is essential for identifying patterns, targeting safety resources, evaluating training programs and guiding sound policymaking.

The MRF also urged NHTSA to ensure that any modernization of FARS, particularly efforts to improve the timeliness of data release, does not compromise data integrity or year-to-year consistency. For a relatively small but high-risk group such as motorcyclists, even minor changes in data definitions or collection practices can distort long-term trend analysis. Transparency and public engagement, the MRF noted, must remain central to any substantial changes in how data is collected or coded.

“FARS is not simply a database for motorcyclists, it is the yardstick by which progress is measured,” the comments stated. From rider education and training to infrastructure investment and regulatory decisions, nearly every motorcycle safety initiative depends on reliable fatality data. The MRF concluded by urging NHTSA to prioritize continued funding, accuracy, consistency, and accessibility of FARS, while ensuring that the unique characteristics of motorcycle crashes remain visible in the nation’s most important traffic safety dataset.

The MRF will continue to engage federal agencies to ensure that motorcyclists are fully represented in national safety data and that policies are based upon accurate information, not assumptions.

01/19/2026

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is closely monitoring developments in Congress following comments from House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), who announced that lawmakers could take up a draft surface transportation reauthorization bill within weeks. With current federal transportation funding authorities set to expire on September 30, Chairman Graves emphasized the urgency of moving forward, noting, “It’s a must-do legislation. If we don’t get this done, then all the state DOT programs start shutting down and funding dries up.”

Chairman Graves said the committee is likely to begin marking up legislation in early February and hopes to move the bill off the House floor this spring. He also highlighted the unresolved issue of the Highway Trust Fund, stating, “We’ve never had a time when we’re so far apart between what we need and what we have to work with and that gets back to fixing the trust fund.” As Congress considers potential solutions, including new revenue sources, the MRF will stay actively engaged to ensure the interests, safety, and access of America’s motorcyclists are fully represented in this critical highway bill.

After House action, the Senate is expected to take up its own version of the legislation. Across the Capitol, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) has indicated that highway legislation is likely to be debated in March or April. Chairwoman Capito has emphasized the need to continue investing in modernizing surface transportation corridors while also identifying a long-term funding solution for the nation’s highway system.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation, Washington, D.C.

04/10/2026

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03/28/2026

03/27/2026

03/20/2026

03/13/2026

02/27/2026

02/22/2026

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02/10/2026

01/23/2026

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