[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 68 (Tuesday, May 5, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H5127-H5129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SUPPORTING MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 269) supporting the goals of 
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 269

       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;
       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 the 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 
Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. 
Duncan) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I ask that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks on House 
Resolution 269.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. I rise in support of this resolution 
and yield myself as much time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 269, which 
seeks to support the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. I want 
to thank the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. Giffords) for introducing 
this resolution and bringing much-needed attention to motorcycle safety 
in our Nation's roadways.
  With May once again bringing warm weather, highways nationwide will 
witness the seasonal rise of motorcycle riders. The popularity of 
motorcycles climbs every year, with motorcycle registrations increasing 
by over 60 percent from 1998 to 2005.
  In anticipation of this rise in ridership, it is important to educate 
the public about motorcycle safety. Public awareness of motorcycle 
safety benefits everyone sharing the roads, not just the motorcyclists, 
by reducing the number of car-motorcycle crashes.
  In 2007, motorcycle fatalities increased for the 10th straight year 
in a row. According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety 
Administration, there were 5,154 motorcycle fatalities and 130,000 
injuries in 2007. This tragic statistic is much higher than the 2,116 
fatalities and 53 million injuries recorded in 1997.
  One of the most effective ways to reduce motorcycle crash fatalities 
is to encourage riders to always wear a helmet. NHTSA estimates that 
helmet usage saved the lives of 1,784 motorcyclists in 2007 and could 
have saved another 800 lives if the motorcyclists killed in non-
helmeted crashes had been wearing their helmet.
  Throughout the month of May, safety groups across the Nation will 
host educational events and media campaigns highlighting these safety 
tools and promoting safe driving practices. Through these efforts, we 
can work to reduce the number of preventable tragedies that far too 
often devastate our communities.
  While I was a State legislator, I fought hard to keep helmet laws in 
place. But, sadly, my home State of Florida now allows people to ride 
without helmets. With greater freedom comes greater responsibility. 
Motorcycle accidents without helmets increase the insurance rates, 
burden the health care system and cause great pain for families.
  I thank the gentlewoman from Arizona for introducing this resolution 
and urge my colleagues to join me in supporting its passage.
  I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1445

  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I would like to voice my strong support for H. Res. 
269, and I want to commend the primary sponsor of this resolution, Dr. 
Burgess, from whom we will hear in just a few minutes.
  The resolution expresses support for the goals of Motorcycle Safety 
Awareness Month. As the weather gets warmer across the country, our 
Nation's highways will experience a very large increase in motorcycle 
traffic. Because of the increased ridership and potential for 
accidents, each year May is designated Motorcycle Safety Awareness 
Month.
  During the month, State agencies and motorcycle organizations across 
the country conduct a variety of activities to remind all riders and 
motorists to share the road. These activities also encourage riders to 
be properly licensed, receive proper training, never drink and drive, 
and wear protective head wear.
  As the popularity of this mode of transportation increases, 
Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month will continue to help drivers of 
cars, trucks and motorcycles consider the safety of all users of the 
road.
  In approximately two-thirds of fatal car versus motorcycle crashes, 
the driver of the car is at fault. The activities associated with this 
resolution will help make all users of our Nation's highways safer.
  Additionally, this resolution recognizes the transportation benefits 
associated with motorcycling. Motorcycles are a fuel-efficient and 
congestion-decreasing mode of transportation, in addition to having 
little impact on our Nation's transportation infrastructure.
  From a personal standpoint, Madam Speaker, I will tell you that a 
couple of years ago the youngest of our four children, my son who is 
now 23, he bought a used 1979 Honda motorcycle for, I think, $625. Ever 
since that time, I have read almost every day in the Knoxville News 
Sentinel something I never noticed before, and that is that almost 
every day there seems to be a serious motorcycle wreck and often a 
motorcycle fatality reported on in our local daily newspaper. I have 
expressed my concern to my son about trying to be as safe as possible, 
and I believe thus far he is.

[[Page H5128]]

  I have also noticed that the largest number of motorcycle riders now 
are people in their forties, fifties, and sixties. Knoxville has hosted 
several times something called the Honda Hoot where we have over 20,000 
motorcyclists come in, most people middle aged and older. So motorcycle 
ridership is growing by leaps and bounds, and in many ways that is a 
good thing. But this resolution calls the attention of everyone, 
motorcycle riders and others, to the need to try to be as safe as 
possible when using this form of vehicle travel.
  I support this resolution and hope it brings attention to motorcycle 
safety across our Nation's highways as well as the additional benefits 
of motorcycling. I urge all of my colleagues to support this 
resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, it is my honor at this time to recognize 
the primary sponsor of this resolution, the gentleman from Texas, Dr. 
Burgess, who has become such a leader in so many areas in this 
Congress, and this resolution is just another prime example. I 
recognize him for such time as he may consume.
  Mr. BURGESS. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I should start by offering special thanks to the 
Motorcycle Industry Council and the American Motorcyclist Association 
who have really helped shepherd this bill through the various 
congressional committees and through Congress.
  Madam Speaker, $300, that is what I paid for my first motorcycle. 
Throw in another $20 for the helmet, the freedom, the fresh air, the 
open road in Texas, the exhilaration was priceless. There are a lot of 
bikers out there who know exactly what I feel about riding along on the 
open road, especially in a beautiful State like Texas.
  Gas prices last year were on the rise. The gentleman from Tennessee 
mentioned better weather heading our way. More people across America 
are going to start using their motorcycles, using them to go to work, 
travel, or just go for a ride and enjoy the freedom that is uniquely 
American.
  Yet as ridership increases, so does the risk for everyone on the 
road. Last year in the Lone Star State alone, preliminary numbers 
revealed that more than 9,100 motorcycle crashes accounted for more 
than 400 deaths.
  As a doctor, I have been in plenty of emergency rooms and trauma 
centers. Take it from someone with nearly 25 years of experience in 
medicine, you don't want to be involved in a crash of any kind, but 
most particularly in a motorcycle accident. As the old saying goes, an 
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. For bikers, prevention is 
riding the right way, and that is responsibly. That means getting 
trained. That means you don't do motocross on suburban streets. That 
means you wear protective gear. That means you are aware of the cars 
and trucks around you.
  For other drivers, drivers in the larger vehicles, prevention means 
keeping your eyes open and staying alert. Something as simple as 
conversing on the cell phone or comforting a crying child is a 
dangerous distraction that can lead to a crash as well.
  Abundant caution for all drivers is essential and encouraged. But 
accidents do happen, and when they do, people need to receive proper 
medical care to treat their injuries.
  That is why for the past several years I have introduced legislation 
to close a loophole on the HIPAA health care law that allows insurers 
to deny payment for injuries sustained while engaged in certain 
recreational activities, including riding a motorcycle.
  The original point of this law was to make health plans more 
accountable to the people they cover, but these very same provisions 
are hurting the people they intend to help. Congress is charged with 
making laws to protect people. When these laws have the opposite 
effect, we also have the responsibility to fix them and fix them 
immediately. This loophole has been a problem for almost 12 years. The 
time has come to fix it.
  I am grateful to say H.R. 1086 passed out of our committee earlier 
this year. It allows for increased transparency so that people are at 
least entitled to know the information of what their policy does or 
doesn't cover, and it must be spelled out up front in a language that 
everyone can understand.
  The time has certainly come for riders and those who desire to ride 
in the future to listen to the wise advice of people, like our former 
Transportation Secretary, Secretary Mary Peters, who happened to ride a 
Harley herself, who was steadfast in her support for this legislation 
in many Congresses past, and I am sure would join with me today in 
supporting this legislation.
  As I stand here in support of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, I am 
extremely cognizant of the current problems that the motorcycle 
industry has been having with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 
specifically the bill H.R. 4040 that became the Consumer Product Safety 
Improvement Act that we passed in the last Congress.
  Motorcycle dealers are small businesses, and we have put a burden on 
them that is, in fact, putting their business in danger of survival. 
And at a time when our economy is losing jobs, we can scarcely afford 
to continue that.
  It is reported today that the President intends to provide the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission with a 71 percent increase in 
resources than what they had before to enforce the sweeping laws that 
were passed in the last Congress. No law has been more sweeping than 
the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Unfortunately, it has 
swept up businesses Congress did not intend to be swept away.
  So yesterday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a Federal 
Register notice providing a stay of enforcement for the motorcycle 
industry, but a stay is not enough. These businesses need the assurance 
that they will not be again required to close down. So I introduced a 
bill earlier this year, H.R. 1587, to permanently exclude the ATV, 
motorcycle and snowmobile industries from the application of the 
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act because what child under the 
age of 12 is going to get lead poisoning from consuming the battery in 
their ATV? In fact, there is the potential for more harm to a child by 
having them ride an adult-sized ATV or motorcycle than there is the 
risk of the child consuming the battery that is contained within their 
motorcycle.
  The Consumer Product Safety Commission cannot do the job that it 
needs to do without an administrator. It requires the leadership of the 
administrator of the Consumer Product Safety Commission to winnow out 
the intent of Congress and to put this law on the track on which it was 
intended.
  So while I enthusiastically support President Obama for trying to 
give the Consumer Product Safety Commission more resources, what the 
Consumer Product Safety Commission really needs is leadership. I ask 
the President to nominate an administrator for the Consumer Product 
Safety Commission so they can provide the leadership to truly impute 
congressional intent.
  If there ever was a bipartisan issue on which both Democrats and 
Republicans can agree to, it is the fact that the CPSC needs a new 
administrator, and some common sense needs to be applied to the act 
that we passed in the last Congress called the Consumer Product Safety 
Improvement Act.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he 
may consume to the gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Kennedy).
  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlelady from Florida for 
yielding me this time.
  I would like to speak on behalf of the Rhode Island Motorcycle 
Association. They are a group of individuals who have taught me a great 
deal about the safety issues that they face on a daily basis as they 
ride their motorcycles. They talk to me frequently about the mandates 
that they face in regards to the helmet laws that face them and others 
around the country.
  Many of them say that of course helmets are a great safety factor if 
you are going up to 30 miles per hour; but most of them are driving 
well over 30 miles per hour, and after 30 miles per hour, a helmet 
won't do you much good.
  When you look at the numbers here, about two-thirds of the fatal car-
motorcycle crashes, it is the driver who is at fault. Many of them 
contend that

[[Page H5129]]

those who are wearing the helmets often do not have the peripheral 
vision to know when the car is coming at them. When they are going 
through traffic and they have this big, bulky helmet on them, they 
cannot hear nor see where those cars are because of the blockage of 
their peripheral vision because of the helmet.
  Many of them like wearing the helmets, but they want the choice. That 
is all they ask for. In that case they said let them decide when they 
ride as to whether to wear a helmet or not. They simply want that 
choice.
  I think, as a matter of safety, it is important for us to make sure 
that the other motorists on the road know to be aware of motorcyclists, 
and I enjoy seeing bumper stickers, ``Beware of Motorcyclists on 
Road.'' I certainly am aware, whenever there is a motorcyclist pulling 
up, always to be aware to give them plenty of space, and I think most 
people would agree with me. But that is something in this bill that it 
calls for other motorcyclists to share the road and other motorists to 
share the road, that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
should promote that much more as well. Seeing there are more 
motorcyclists on the road, it is important that we get this message 
across. And on behalf of the Rhode Island Motorcyclist Association, I 
am happy to send their message to Congress.
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of 
my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Madam Speaker, I have no other speakers and so I would 
just like to urge passage of this very fine resolution, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 269, 
supporting the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and bringing 
much needed attention to motorcycle safety on our nation's roadways. I 
want to thank the gentlewoman from Arizona (Ms. Giffords) for bringing 
this important issue to the forefront.
  With the arrival of spring's warmer weather, our nation's highways 
will once again experience a large increase in the number of motorcycle 
riders across the country. Motorcycles represent a valuable component 
of the transportation network in our nation. In 2006, there were more 
than 6.7 million registered motorcycles in the United States. 
Motorcycles continue to grow in popularity each year with motorcycle 
registrations increasing by over 60 percent from 1998 to 2005.
  Motorcycles are a fuel-efficient and congestion-decreasing mode of 
transportation. This increasingly popular mode of transportation also 
requires greater attention to the safety concerns associated with 
riding. However, because of motorcycles' 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.
  In 2007, motorcycle rider fatalities increased for the tenth straight 
year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
(NHTSA), between 1997 and 2007 there were 38,566 motorcyclist 
fatalities and 756,000 motorcyclist injuries on U.S. roadways. In 2007 
alone, there were 5,154 motorcycle fatalities and 103,000 injuries, up 
from 2,116 fatalities and 53,000 injuries in 1997. These 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 35 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 142,000 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 1,784 
motorcyclists' lives in 2007, and that 800 more lives could have been 
saved if the motorcyclists involved in fatal non-helmeted crashes had 
worn helmets.
  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 this resolution.
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I am proud today to highlight May as 
``Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and to rise in support of House 
Resolution 269, which I introduced with my colleague from Texas, 
Congressman Michael Burgess.
  Our resolution recognizes the importance of motorcycles, and 
encourages riders to always wear helmets and other protective gear, to 
never drink and ride and to be properly licensed and trained.
  H. Res. 269 also serves as a reminder to all riders and motorists to 
always share the road respectfully.
  I have been riding and racing motorcycles for over 20 years--so the 
issue of motorcycle safety is of great importance to me.
  Sadly, it is true that motorcycles have a higher rate of fatal 
accidents than automobiles.
  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, motorcyclist 
fatalities increased by 57 percent between 2002 and 2007.
  Motorcyclists are about 35 times more likely than passenger car 
occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash and 8 times more 
likely to be injured.
  As motorcyclists across the county gear up for the upcoming riding 
season, these startling statistics highlight the need for safety 
education.
  They also reflect the growing popularity of motorcycles. Over the 
past decade, U.S. motorcycle sales have more than tripled.
  In my home state of Arizona we have more than 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: motorcycles offer a more fuel 
efficient--and cheaper way--of getting around.
  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, motorcycles 
consume 56% less fuel per mile traveled.
  On average, motorcycles can get between 40 and 75 miles per gallon of 
gas.
  I am proud that, as a motorcyclist, I can leave a smaller footprint 
on our earth by riding my bike.
  I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Motorcycle Industry 
Council, the American Motorcyclist Association, and the Motorcycle 
Riders Foundation for all that they do to support motorcyclists.
  I am pleased that the House will be considering H. Res. 269 today, 
and I urge its swift passage.
  Thank you and Happy Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month!
  Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Corrine Brown) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 269.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________