[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 82 (Monday, May 19, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H4100-H4102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 339) supporting the goals of Motorcycle Safety 
Awareness Month, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 339

       Whereas approximately 7,000,000 motorcyclists ride on our 
     Nation's roads and highways to commute, travel, and recreate;
       Whereas motorcycles are a valuable component of the 
     transportation mix;
       Whereas motorcycles are fuel-efficient and decrease 
     congestion while having little impact on our Nation's 
     transportation infrastructure;
       Whereas the United States is the world leader in motorcycle 
     safety, promoting education, licensing, use of protective 
     gear, and motorcycle awareness;
       Whereas the motorcycling community is committed to 
     decreasing motorcycle crashes through licensing, training, 
     education, enforcement, personal responsibility, and 
     increased public awareness;
       Whereas, according to a comprehensive study conducted on 
     motorcycle crash causation in the United States the 
     ``Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of 
     Countermeasures'' (Hurt Report), in approximately two-thirds 
     of fatal car-motorcycle crashes, the driver of the car was at 
     fault;

[[Page H4101]]

       Whereas motorcycle awareness is beneficial to all road 
     users and will help to decrease car-motorcycle crashes;
       Whereas May is designated as ``Motorcycle Safety Awareness 
     Month''; and
       Whereas National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
     promotes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to encourage 
     riders to always wear helmets and other protective gear, 
     never drink and ride, be properly licensed, and get training 
     and to remind all riders and motorists to always share the 
     road: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the contribution motorcycles make to the 
     transportation mix;
       (2) encourages all road users to be more aware of 
     motorcycles and motorcyclists' safety;
       (3) encourages all riders to receive appropriate training 
     and practice safe riding skills; and
       (4) supports the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness 
     Month.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Hawaii.


                             General Leave

  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks, and to include extraneous material on H. Res. 339.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in strong support of H. Res. 339, a resolution that supports 
the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and that brings much 
needed attention to motorcycle safety on our Nation's roadways. I thank 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentlewoman from Arizona 
(Ms. Giffords) for bringing this important issue to the forefront.
  As spring arrives, our highways and rural roads will once again see a 
large increase in motorcycle traffic across the country. Motorcycles 
make up a valuable component of the transportation network in our 
Nation, with over 6.2 million registered motorcycles in the United 
States in 2006. These numbers continue to grow in each year as 
registrations increase by over 60 percent from 1998 to 2005.
  With gas prices approximating $4 per gallon, motorcyclists benefit 
from the significant advantage they hold in fuel efficiency over 
drivers. However, this increasingly popular mode of transportation also 
requires greater attention to the safety concerns associated with 
riding. Because of their smaller size, motorcyclists are often hidden 
in a vehicle's blind spot. Public awareness of motorcycle safety 
benefits everyone that uses our Nation's roadways, not just 
motorcyclists, because it can lead to a decrease in car-motorcycle 
crashes.
  Mr. Speaker, the statistics on motorcycle fatalities and injuries 
each year further illustrate the importance of public awareness and the 
need for greater education of all roadway users. Per vehicle mile 
traveled, motorcyclists are approximately 37 times more likely than 
passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 
eight times more likely to be injured. In 2006, motorcycle rider 
fatalities increased for the ninth straight year.
  According to NHTSA, between 1996 and 2006 there were 35,546 
motorcyclist fatalities, and 708,000 motorcyclist injuries on U.S. 
roadways. In 2006, there were 4,810 motorcycle fatalities and 88,000 
injuries, up from 2,161 fatalities and 55,000 injuries in 1996.
  Throughout Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, riders are encouraged 
to become educated on the importance of following the rules of the 
roadway, being alert to other drivers, and always wearing protective 
gear, such as a helmet. NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,658 
motorcyclists' lives in 2006, and that 752 more lives could have been 
saved if the motorcyclists involved in fatal nonhelmeted crashes had 
worn helmets.
  Mr. Speaker, as these statistics illustrate, increased awareness of 
motorcycle safety is an important and urgent need in this country. We 
cannot allow thousands of riders to die each year on our Nation's 
highways. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month helps to decrease 
motorcycle crashes through licensing, rider training, education, 
enforcement, personal responsibility, and increased public awareness.
  I thank the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentlewoman 
from Arizona (Ms. Giffords) for introducing this resolution, and urge 
my colleagues to support its passage.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 339, which was 
introduced by our colleague, Representative Michael Burgess from Texas. 
The resolution expresses support for the goals of Motorcycle Safety 
Awareness Month.
  Each May during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, State agencies and 
motorcycle organizations across our country conduct a variety of 
activities to remind all riders and motorcyclists to share the road. 
These activities also encourage riders to wear protective gear, never 
drink and ride, be properly licensed, and receive proper training. All 
of these important messages help motorcyclists and other motorists get 
ready for the busy riding season ahead.
  In approximately two-thirds of fatal car versus motorcycle crashes, 
the driver of the car has been found to be at fault. Motorcycle Safety 
Awareness Month will help drivers of cars, trucks, and motorcycles 
remember that they must consider other users of the road as they use 
their own vehicles.
  Additionally, this resolution recognizes the transportation benefits 
associated with motorcycling. Specifically, motorcycles are fuel 
efficient and decrease congestion while having little impact on our 
Nation's transportation infrastructure. I support this resolution, and 
I hope it brings attention to motorcycle safety across our Nation's 
highways as well as the benefits associated with motorcycling. Mr. 
Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 339, 
as amended, a resolution that supports the goals of Motorcycle Safety 
Awareness Month and that brings much needed attention to motorcycle 
safety on our nation's roadways. I want to thank the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Burgess) and the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. Giffords) for 
bringing this important issue to the forefront.
  With warmer weather arriving, our nation's highways will once again 
experience a large increase in motorcycle traffic across the country. 
Motorcycles represent a valuable component of the transportation 
network in our nation. In 2005 there were over 6.2 million registered 
motorcycles in the United States. Motorcycles continue to grow in 
popularity each year with registrations increasing by over 60 percent 
from 1998 to 2005.
  Motorcycles are a fuel-efficient and congestion-decreasing mode of 
transportation and are a valuable component of our transportation 
system. This increasingly popular mode of transportation also requires 
greater attention to the safety concerns associated with riding. 
Because of their smaller size, motorcyclists are often hidden in a 
vehicle's blind spot. Public awareness of motorcycle safety benefits 
everyone that uses our nation's roadways, not just motorcyclists, 
because it can lead to a decrease in car-motorcycle crashes.
  The statistics on motorcycle fatalities and injuries each year 
further illustrate the importance of public awareness and the need for 
greater education of all roadway users. In 2006, motorcycle rider 
fatalities increased for the ninth straight year. According to the 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (``NHTSA''), between 
1996 and 2006, there were 35,546 motorcyclist fatalities and 708,000 
motorcyclist injuries on U.S. roadways. In 2006 there were 4,810 
motorcycle fatalities and 88,000 injuries, up from 2,161 fatalities and 
55,000 injuries in 1996.
  Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are approximately 37 times 
more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle 
traffic crash and 8 times more likely to be injured. Further, an 
estimated 137,000 motorcyclists have been killed since the enactment of 
the Highway Safety and National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 
1966. A NHTSA-funded study--the ``Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and 
Identification of Countermeasures Study''--found that in approximately 
two-thirds of fatal car-motorcycle crashes, the driver of the car was 
at fault.
  Throughout Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, riders are encouraged 
to become educated on the importance of following the rules of the 
roadway, being alert to other drivers, and always wearing protective 
gear such as a helmet. NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,658 
motorcyclists' lives in 2006, and that 752 more lives could have been 
saved if the motorcyclists involved in fatal non-helmeted crashes had 
worn helmets.

[[Page H4102]]

  Mr. Speaker, these striking statistics paint a very clear portrait of 
the need to decrease motorcycle crashes through licensing, rider 
training, education, enforcement, personal responsibility, and 
increased public awareness.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in agreeing to the resolution, as 
amended.
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Mr. Speaker, in my home state of Arizona we have 
150,000 registered motorcycles.
  With over 300 days of sunshine in our state every year, you can 
imagine why so many Arizonans choose to ride their bikes!
  There are many other reasons why motorcycles are so popular, but one 
explanation is simple economics: the rising cost of gas.
  Motorcycles offer a more fuel efficient--and cheaper way--of getting 
around.
  On average, motorcycles can get between 40 and 75 miles per gallon of 
gas. And even as gasoline prices are hovering near $3.75 a gallon in 
many parts of the country, motorcycle riders can fill up for less. 
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, motorcycles consume 
56 percent less fuel per mile traveled.
  Many people are now taking the plunge to own and ride a motorcycle 
regularly. Over the past decade, U.S. motorcycle sales have more than 
tripled. They are growing in popularity as a fun and fuel-efficient 
alternative.
  As a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, I am 
committed to working with all my constituents and colleagues in 
Congress to move our country forward and continue our tradition of 
international leadership on environmental Issues.
  And I am proud that, as a motorcyclist for over 20 years, I am 
leaving a smaller footprint on our earth by just riding my bike.
  But, I do have concerns about road safety and that drivers sharing 
the road with me aren't looking out for my well-being. That is why I 
introduced House Resolution 399, recognizing the importance of 
motorcycles and supporting the goals of ``Motorcycle Safety Awareness 
Month.''
  Motorcycles have a higher rate of fatal accidents than automobiles. 
U.S. Department of Transportation data for 2005 shows that for 
motorcycles, 75 fatal crashes occur per 100,000 registered vehicles--
four times higher than for cars.
  H. Res. 399 encourages riders to always wear helmets and other 
protective gear, to never drink and ride, and to be properly licensed 
and trained. It also serves as a reminder to all riders and motorists 
to always share the road respectfully.
  These are important messages for all road users and timely 
information for motorcyclists in many areas of the country gearing up 
for the upcoming riding season.
  I, for one, am ready to dust off my boots, grab my helmet, and get on 
the road!
  Happy ``Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.''
  Mr. PETRI. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 339, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________