National and Regional News
Sacramento, Calif. – The California Department of Motor Vehicles is requesting stakeholder input via informal written feedback on proposed draft regulatory language that offers the nation’s most comprehensive standards for the operation of heavy-duty autonomous vehicles (AVs) weighing 10,001 pounds or more. These draft regulations will also update existing rules for the testing and deployment of light-duty AVs on California’s public roads. This draft regulatory language reflects the department’s continued interest in creating a framework that facilitates the safe testing and deployment of autonomous technology on public roads, addresses public safety, and encourages innovation.
The draft regulatory language is intended only to encourage public feedback and is not a formal regulatory proposal. Please submit any input regarding the potential draft regulatory language by email to AutonomousVehicles@dmv.ca.gov, no later than Oct. 14. Submissions must include the name of the person or organization; the department will not accept anonymous feedback. Please do not include any sensitive personally identifying information such as social security number, driver’s license number, or financial account number on the request. All input received is a part of the public record and may be publicly accessible.
The draft regulations, located on the DMV website, are designed with a focus on establishing the highest safety standards. The formal process will also include notice of proposed regulations and an opportunity for public comment. The draft language is not a formal regulatory proposal.
Great Falls, Mont. — NOHVCC is very excited to introduce the newest staff member, Tom Metsa. Many of you have probably met Tom at a NOHVCC Conference in the past, as he was the manager of the Colorado OHV & Snowmobile Program for 22 years. Fresh off his retirement from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Tom started with NOHVCC on Aug. 5. He is a lifelong participant in OHV recreation of all sorts that run on dirt and snow.
Professionally, Tom was responsible for the OHV & Snowmobile Program in Colorado where we administered over $120 million in grants for motorized recreation during his career. Other accomplishments include being a founding member of the International Off-Highway Vehicle Administrator’s Association and serving as their chair, being named the 2007 Best Friend of Colorado Snowmobile Association, the 2014 INOHVAA Manager of the Year and receiving the 2015 INOHVAA Hall of Fame Award. He can be reached at Tom@nohvcc.org. We look forward to the many great things he will bring to NOHVCC and their partners.
State News
Denver — On Aug. 7, Colorado officially legalized the practice of lane-filtering throughout the state — allowing riders to filter through stopped traffic at 15 miles per hour or less. SB24-079 permits motorcycles to overtake or pass another motor vehicle if traffic is stopped in surrounding lanes. Colorado will join Utah, Montana and Arizona as states that permit lane-filtering, with Minnesota’s own lane-filtering bill is slated to take effect on July 1, 2025. Lane-splitting is also legal in California, allowing riders to move through slow-moving traffic in addition to stopped traffic, which differs from Colorado’s law which only permits motorcyclists to pass when the flow of traffic is stopped.
To legally filter, the road must have lanes wide enough to pass safely, the motorcyclist must maintain speeds of 15 miles per hour or less, and “conditions permit prudent operation of the motorcycle while overtaking or passing.” Motorcyclists must pass on the left of the vehicle in front of them. When the stopped vehicles begin to move, the motorcyclist must stop passing and merge back in line with traffic.
While lane-filtering is now permitted by law, with the guidelines previously mentioned, it must be done legally and safely to have its intended effect on the safety of riders in stopped traffic. Under the newly minted law, it is illegal to overtake or pass on the right shoulder, to the right of the vehicle in the farthest right-hand lane if the highway is not limited access or in a lane of traffic moving in the opposite direction.
The law will undergo a three-year period of safety data collection by the Colorado Department of Transportation. The CDOT will compare the number of motorcycle rear-end collisions, the severity of motorcycle rear-end collisions and the number of motorcycle side-swipe collisions while overtaking or passing at 15 miles per hour from before and after the effective date of the law. Visit codot.gov/safety/motorcycle/lanefiltering for more information regarding Colorado’s new lane-filtering law.
Placerville, Calif. — The El Dorado County Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is seeking applications to fill openings on the 15-member committee. The current openings on the RAC are for representatives from all representative categories, so all applications at this time will be reviewed and accepted. A list of the representative groups may be found on the Committee Page on the forest website at fs.usda.gov/eldorado.
Committee members are appointed by the secretary of agriculture to serve a four-year term. Members must reside in California, and to the extent practicable in El Dorado County. The committee meets on a quarterly basis in Placerville, typically four times per year or less. Members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for traveling to meetings.
Nominees will be evaluated based on their professional and volunteer experience with the interest area they wish to represent, their knowledge of forest resources, demonstrated commitment to collaborative decision making, and contribution to the balance and diversity of the RAC. Applications are requested by Sept. 30, 2024. Two forms are needed to apply for Resource Advisory Committee membership:
- Member Interest Form
- Background Information Form (AD-755)
A letter describing your interest in serving on the RAC and latest resume/CV should also be provided. Applications must include original signatures and be mailed to: ATTN: Michelle Wolfgang, RAC and Partnership Coordinator, Eldorado National Forest, 100 Forni Road, Placerville, CA 95667. Contact Michelle Wolfgang, michelle.wolfgang@usda.gov, for more information.
Rancho Cordova, Calif. — The California Department of Parks and Recreation has released an Initial Study and Proposed Negative Declaration (IS/ND) for the Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area Road and Trail Management Plan (RTMP) for public review. State Parks is the lead agency, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act. An IS/ND has been prepared to assess the project’s potential effects on the environment and the significance of those effects. Based on the IS/ND, it has been determined that the project would not have any significant effects on the environment.
The plan area is located within Prairie City SVRA, which is in unincorporated Sacramento County, near the cities of Rancho Cordova and Folsom, and the unincorporated community of El Dorado Hills. The SVRA lies south of White Rock Road, between Sunrise Blvd. and Prairie City Road. Primary access to the park is available from White Rock Road.
The Prairie City SVRA RTMP provides specific and detailed management for the off-highway vehicle route systems within nine management areas in Prairie City SVRA, guiding their future development, operation, and maintenance. Future development under the RTMP would design, construct, and maintain sustainable routes, trails, and related facilities for OHV and nonmotorized use consistent with relevant guidelines and regulations. Management recommendations are provided to increase visitor safety and enjoyment while protecting natural and cultural resources. The plan includes overarching recommendations to maintain the park’s entire route and trail system over the long term.
Electronic versions of the proposed RTMP and associated draft IS/ND are available at parks.ca.gov/PrairieCityRTMP. Paper copies of the proposed RTMP and IS/ND and supporting documentation referenced in this document are available for review at the sector office, located at 13300 White Rock Road, Rancho Cordova, Calif.
Agencies and interested parties may provide State Parks with written and/or email comments on the Initial Study. Comments on the Initial Study should be made in writing during the 30-day public review period that began on Aug. 28, and ends on Sept. 27, 2024, at 5:00 pm. Written comments via email and mail should be submitted no later than Sept. 27, 2024.
Email comments may be sent to trails@parks.ca.gov. Comments provided by email should include “Prairie City SVRA RTMP IS/ND Comment” in the subject line.
Hard copy comments may be mailed to:
Noelle Breitenbach
California State Parks
PO Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
International News
Putrajaya, Malaysia — All new motorcycles with engine capacity of 150cc and above must have anti-lock braking system (ABS) starting Jan. 1, 2025, to reduce traffic accidents, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. The deputy prime minister, who is also Malaysian Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion chairman, said ABS can reduce motorcyclist fatalities during accidents by 31 percent. He added that the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) has implemented the Malaysian Motorcycle Assessment Programme (MyMAP), the world’s first holistic rating system for motorcycles and that MyMAP has evaluated and rated 28 models from seven motorcycle manufacturers.
He also shared that the Malaysian Cabinet Committee on Road Safety and Traffic Congestion has proposed lowering the speed limit in school zones from 40 km/h to 30 km/h and that the federal government will work with local authorities and schools to implement effective speed management systems, such as transverse bars and speed bumps, in school zones to slow traffic. He urged agencies such as MIROS and the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso) to lead the establishment of comprehensive initiatives dedicated to enhancing road and commuting safety, especially for motorcyclists, commercial vehicles and the logistics sector.
AMA News
Pickerington, Ohio — As part of its commitment to further educate riders about sound levels, the American Motorcyclist Association will once again distribute sound test kits to four chartered clubs across the country. This year’s recipients of the annual AMA Sound Meter Program include the Coast Riders Motorcycle Club, Trail Riders of Southern Arizona, Coconino Trail Riders and Ocean State BMW Riders. With the sound kits provided by the program, these clubs will be able to accurately check the sound emissions of their motorcycles and institute training efforts to limit sound pollution at their events.
The AMA Sound Meter Program, started in 2005, has awarded more than 130 sound meters and helps riders and event organizers better understand acceptable sound levels according to AMA guidelines. The sound testing kits provided by the AMA contain a Type 2 sound meter, a tachometer, training materials, a spark-arrestor probe, personal protective equipment and a storage case.
In addition to the AMA Sound Meter Program, the AMA remains committed to supporting quieter motorcycle use and fighting against unfair sound ordinances. For more information on the AMA’s stance on excessive motorcycle sound, visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com/rights/ama-board-position-statements/excessive-motorcycle-sound/.
Also — As 31 total riders will represent the United States at the 98th FIM International Six Days Enduro, which takes place Oct. 14-19 in Galicia, Spain, history will be made in more than one way. American club Team Eric Cleveland Memorial will be the first FIM-recognized club team fully comprised of women riders to compete in the ISDE, headlined by riders Ava Silvestri (GASGAS), Olivia Pugh (KTM) and Jocelyn Barnes (Husqvarna). Club teams rely on generous donations to help cover the costs of competing in the prestigious ISDE event, including travel costs, lodging and bike transportation. Follow the links below to offer support for Team Eric Cleveland Memorial.
- To support Ava Silvestri, visit her Instagram for more details regarding her raffle bike and shirt sales.
Other fundraising efforts for the U.S. Trophy Teams, include Rabaconda’s limited-edition tire changer and Fredette Racing Products’ custom bike mats, with sales proceeds going to support the three teams in their quest for glory in Spain. For more information regarding the U.S. ISDE teams, head over to AmericanMotorcyclist.com/racing/off-road/isde-international-six-days-enduro/.
Also — The American Motorcyclist Association congratulates MotoAmerica on a triumphant return to Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, after a 10-year absence from the iconic track. MotoAmerica, home of the AMA Superbike Championship, visited Mid-Ohio for its eighth round of the 2024 season. Race officials and track personnel battled volatile weather on both Saturday and Sunday but successfully completed the program. The hard work and quick planning allowed for a full slate of racing, rewarding fans with two championships and memorable moments on the newly paved road-race course.
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AMA News & Notes is a monthly publication compiled and edited by the American Motorcyclist Association. Designed to inform motorcyclists of rights-related issues and events in the United States and around the world, AMA News & Notes welcomes your input. Suggestions and editorial contributions can be sent to the editorial department at submissions@ama-cycle.org.
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