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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
MMA Update: Motorcycle Representation on the Massachusetts Governors Highway Safety Committee SIGNED! 

The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) is pleased to announce that House Bill 3787 (H.3787), an Act to add Motorcycle representation onto the Governors Highway Safety Committee, has now been signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick. 

The 10-seat Governor's Highway Safety Committee was created with representation from the trucking, bus, taxi, bicycle, automobile, and other interests but until now has not included representation from motorcyclists.  H.3787, filed and initially sponsored by Representative Carolyn Dykema and co-sponsored by Senator Bruce Tarr, now adds an 11th seat and critical perspective to this committee specifically from the motorcycling community. 

MMA Chairman Dave Condon stated, "decisions are made every day that effect the Highways and Byways in the Commonwealth, and not all those decisions are friendly and/or safe to Motorcyclists.  This new seat on the Governor's Highway Safety Committee adds a critically missing voice.  The MMA thanks our membership and the riders of Massachusetts for their efforts in contacting their legislators which clearly helped move this bill to law!"  Bill Cheetham, MMA Safety & Education Director added, "it's clear that Motorcyclists need to look out for themselves, but it doesn't help when clearly avoidable obstacles are created which increase not only the challenges we face as motorcycles, but further distractions for other motorists which prevent them from being aware of other traffic, especially motorcyclists." 

The MMA applauds the efforts of Representative Dykema, Senator Tarr, our other co-sponsors, and our fellow riders in taking this important and historic step!  We also thank the Representative and Senator for their testimony on our behalf during the hearings and the Legislature for their support. 

“It’s a credit to the hard work of the MMA’s legislative team, and in particular Doc D’Errico and Rick Gleason, that we’re here today,” said Representative Dykema.  “This legislation will ensure that motorcyclists are included in ongoing conversations about the safety of our roadways.”  “We all have an interest in making our roadways safer, and the motorcycle community brings an important perspective to that discussion,” said senator Tarr. “This legislation will ensure that that viewpoint is never lost, and I am pleased to have partnered with my colleagues in the Legislature and the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association to make this important addition.” 

All MMA members are also asked to consider nominees and/or volunteers to take on the important task of representing the Motorcyclists of the Commonwealth on this committee.  All candidates should be a MMA Member in Good Standing for at least the last 3 consecutive years, willing to attend any and all meetings of the committee as well as report continuously in person to the MMA Board at MMA Board Meetings, be well spoken and willing to represent the interests of the motorcyclists in a thoughtful yet deliberate manner.  Recommendations should be sent to Chairman@MassMotorcycle.org with a description of the candidate's qualifications for this important role. 

Formed in 1975, the MMA is the nationally-recognized State Motorcycle Rights Organization (SMRO) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and consists of an all-volunteer grassroots group of activists diligently working to protect and preserve the Right-to-Ride in Massachusetts.  

For more information, please see www.MassMotorcycle.org or contact LegislativeDirector@MassMotorcycle.org 

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