National and Regional News
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) has introduced the America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act to alleviate an unfair financial burden placed on motorcyclists visiting national parks. The legislation would amend the Federal Recreation Land Enhancement Act to require the Secretary of the Interior to issue guidance stating that one America the Beautiful Annual Pass will permit the admittance of two motorcycles into national parks.
Previously, the pass allowed for two individuals to share the benefits. However, in 2024, this policy was revised to allow only one individual to be listed on the pass, thereby eliminating the option for two riders to share the same pass. While in many locations the annual pass permits entrance for the pass owner and up to three passengers in a private vehicle and the pass owner and up to three bicyclists, the annual pass only permits entrance for one motorcycle with up to two passengers. As a result, two riders traveling together on separate motorcycles can no longer use one annual pass for admission.
Congressman Walberg serves as a chair of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources. For more information on his work in Congress, visit Walberg.house.gov.
State News
Corvallis, Ore. — Team Oregon conducts rider surveys to gather feedback on their motorcycle safety training programs to improve their effectiveness. These surveys help inform the development of training courses, safety tips and other initiatives aimed at reducing motorcycle accidents in Oregon. Results from the survey are used to guide the work of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Motorcycle Safety, helping them make recommendations to improve motorcycle safety in Oregon.
One tool Team Oregon is deploying for program evaluation is a short survey aligned with their advanced training, outreach and engagement efforts. Riders are encouraged to take the survey to share their thoughts and insights. Key findings from past surveys include training materials that emphasize the importance of riding within one’s skill level, practicing regularly, being mindful of blind spots and avoiding impaired operation. If you’re interested in learning to ride a motorcycle or improving your skills, Team Oregon provides a variety of courses, including basic, intermediate, advanced, and three-wheel training.
Saint Paul, Minn. — As of July 1, motorcycle lane splitting and filtering are now legal on Minnesota roads. The new law, passed by the legislature in 2024, allows motorcycles to share lanes with cars for the first time in the state, with notable restrictions on speed and where lane sharing can be performed.
The Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center (MMSC) urge riders and drivers to learn the new law and understand how it will affect them. They have stated that while legal it is the responsibility of motorcyclists to perform these actions safely. Motorists need to be aware of motorcycles that are splitting and filtering and cannot get in their way, however they are not obligated to accommodate them.
- Lane splitting allows a motorcycle to share a lane with and pass a vehicle in slow-moving traffic at no more than 25 mph, and no more than 15 mph over the speed of traffic. Once traffic gets back up to 25 mph, the motorcycle must go back into their own lane of traffic.
- Lane filtering allows motorcycles to move through traffic that is stopped, such as at a stoplight or in a traffic jam. The motorcyclist cannot go more than 15 mph as they filter toward the front of the line of traffic.
- Splitting and filtering are prohibited in roundabouts, school zones, freeway on-ramps and work zones where traffic has been funneled down to a single lane.
DPS and MMSC encourage drivers and riders to be alert, but also patient as Minnesotans become familiar with lane sharing.
San Francisco, Calif. — The California Supreme Court declined to hear a petition from the California Coastal Commission (CCC) seeking to ban off-highway vehicles (OHVs) at Oceano Dunes. The decision reaffirms a previous ruling by the San Luis Obispo County Superior Court, which found that the CCC’s attempt to prohibit OHV use contradicted the Local Coastal Plan (LCP).
The ruling supports the decision addressing four lawsuits, including three by Friends of Oceano Dunes and one by EcoLogic Partners that argued that the CCC exceeded its authority by attempting to amend a 42-year-old permit to ban OHV recreation, contrary to the LCP. The Court also ruled in favor of Friends’ argument that the Commission failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), because it failed to do a proper traffic impact analysis when it decided to close Pier Avenue as a vehicle access point to the beach.
Jim Suty, president of the group said shutting the dunes down would devastate the local economy, which sees over $500 million a year in economic benefit from visitors. The organization’s Board of Directors remains committed to pursuing all legal avenues to protect beach driving, camping and OHV recreation at Oceano Dunes, a tradition that has persisted for a century.
AMA News
Pickerington, Ohio — After several weeks of voting, in which thousands of ballots were cast, the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame announces the six esteemed inductees to be honored at the 2025 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 23 in Pickerington, Ohio. The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Class of 2025 includes Dana Bell, Chris Carter, Colin Edwards, Joe Kopp, Chad Reed and Ryan Young.
The AMA Induction Ceremony will kick off AMA Hall of Fame Days, set to run Oct. 23-26, which will include an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Bike Night and open house at the AMA Hall of Fame Museum on Saturday, Oct. 25. The AMA Induction Ceremony will be held at the Violet Township Event Center — less than a mile away from AMA headquarters — on Oct. 23 and will be followed by a cocktail reception at the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
Hall of Fame inductees are selected from eight areas of influence: Ambassadors & Industry, Design & Engineering, Dirt Track, Leadership & Motorcycle Rights, Motocross & Supercross, Off-Road, Road Racing and Specialty Competition.
Secure your seat at the 2025 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony by purchasing tickets at AmericanMotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-members/induction-ceremony/.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact AMA Business Development Manager Michael Kula at (949) 466-7833 or mkula@ama-cycle.org.
Also — After selling out all vendor spaces in 2024, the motorcycle swap meet at 2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution — which will run July 25-27 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio — will be even bigger, with an expanded layout to fit in more vendors. Filled with near-endless vintage motorcycles, parts, and moto memorabilia, the swap meet at VMD — already the largest motorcycle swap meet in North America — draws bikers from all corners of the world. This year’s swap meet features 867 vendor spots, which is up from 825 last year, and will undoubtedly include a treasure trove of outstanding finds.
2025 Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days presented by Turn 14 Distribution is expected to be the largest on record. With a wide range of racing in a variety of disciplines, bike shows, vendor displays, seminars, the AMA Hall of Fame Fanzone and much more, VMD will be a rider’s paradise this year.
Tickets for Permco AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days, along with camping passes, are still available for purchase at midohio.com/tickets/vintage-motorcycle-days-ama.
Proceeds from AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days support the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The AMHF raises money for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which celebrates and preserves the rich tradition of motorcycling in America. Its exhibits honor the distinguished men and women whose competitive spirit, passion, vision and entrepreneurship have played a vital role in shaping the sport, lifestyle and business of motorcycling. For more information, call (614) 856-2222 or visit americanmotorcyclist.com/hall-of-fame/.
Also — FIM North America, the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme continental union representing North America, made changes to its board and appointed a new secretary general at its annual meeting, held June 18. FIM NA, which includes the American Motorcyclist Association, the Canadian Motorcycle Association and the Barbados Motoring Federation, sanctions and organizes motorcycling activity and FIM Continental Championships in North America.
FIM NA Board President and AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman announced Canadian Motorcycle Association CEO A. Ross de St. Croix and AMA Director of International Competition Bill Cumbow joined the board to serve the remainder of existing terms. Cumbow, who stepped out of the FIM NA secretary general role, was appointed board treasurer. The terms expire in November 2026.
AMA Chief Operating Officer James Holter vacated his role as FIM NA board treasurer to assume the position of general secretary. This non-voting position is effective for two years, June 2025 through June 2027. CMA Honorary President John Pineo stepped off the board but will remain as an advisor.
Continuing to serve on the board are CMA Secretary General Holly Ralph as FIM NA deputy president, AMA Director of Racing Mike Pelletier as FIM NA vice president, BMF Vice President David Williams as a member and Barbados motorcycling representative Roger Worme as a member.
For more information, visit https://fim-northamerica.com.