In a move late this afternoon (Friday), the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced a postponement of the planned hearing on motorcycle emissions policy. The hearing, scheduled for January 25th, does not have a new date announced.
Public comments on the proposed regulations were due on Tuesday, January 16th. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation and several manufacturers voiced concerns about the proposed push towards 50% electric motorcycles in California.
Postponing such a high-profile hearing less than a week beforehand, is an odd move by CARB. The MRF and our allies will remain vigilant on this topic and alert you as more information becomes available.
Below is the letter and comments from MSF submitted to the Hearing on CARB Plan:
Motorcycle Riders Founda2on
P.O. Box 9090, Peoria, IL 61612
(202) 546-0983 / mrfoffice@mrf.org / www.mrf.org
January 14, 2024
California Air Resources Board 1927 13th Street Sacramento, CA 95811
Re: Proposed Amendments to On-Road Motorcycle Emission Standards and Test Procedures and AdopJon of New On-Board DiagnosJcs and Zero-Emission Motorcycle Requirements
Dear Members of the California Air Resources Board,
On behalf of the Motorcycle Riders FoundaJon (MRF), thank you for the opportunity to submit comments regarding the proposed on-road motorcycle (ONMC) regulatory amendments. We recognize the far-reaching impact that decisions by the California Air Resources Board have on all Americans, not just those who reside in the Golden State.
The MRF provides leadership at the federal level for state motorcyclists’ rights organizaJons as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the naJonal and internaJonal levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is commi^ed to being a naJonal advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjuncJon with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond. As such, the MRF and its network of over 250,000 motorcyclists are pleased to offer the following comments.
Motorcycles are a unique and key component of our transportaJon system. Rising fuel prices and increased congesJon, have seen Americans conJnue to turn to motorcycles as a reliable, fuel efficient and affordable means of transportaJon. According to the Insurance InsJtute for Highway Safety, in 2021 there were 952,977 registered on-road motorcycles in the State of California. That number is more than double the 409,170 registered in 2002.1
This increase in motorcycle ownership clearly demonstrates that consumers see the advantages motorcycles provide in our complex transportaJon ecosystem. However, proposed changes to emissions standards and a push for 50% of new ONMC to be zero emission motorcycles (ZEM) by 2035 will not meet the needs of consumers. As the CARB report states, riders strongly prefer the range, performance, and aestheJc characterisJcs of internal combusJon engines (ICE) and
1 h#ps://www.iihs.org/api/datastoredocument/bibliography/2225
Motorcycle Riders Founda2on
P.O. Box 9090, Peoria, IL 61612
(202) 546-0983 / mrfoffice@mrf.org / www.mrf.org
motorcyclists will be reluctant to adopt ZEM alternaJves. While there is no doubt a small set of consumers will seek out ZEMs, the vast majority of riders have chosen and conJnue to choose motorcycles with ICE.
Mandates that force motorcyclists to buy new ZEM motorcycles might in fact push them away from the new motorcycle market. Motorcyclists would instead seek the purchase of used bikes or extend the life of their current biker. The average age of motorcycles on the road would increase and the resulJng emissions from them would be the opposite goal of this plan.
Aside from personal preference, there remains much skepJcism about the physical infrastructure surrounding the push towards ZEM. There are dramaJc differences between the parts, components and needs of passenger vehicles as compared to motorcycles. The fact that ONMC were not originally included in the proposed push to electric vehicles underscores that a one size fits all approach towards electrificaJon of our transportaJon system does not make sense.
As this new technology is deployed, concepts like adding a reduced speed mode, present major safety concerns for motorcyclists. In the rush to electrify our transportaJon network, we hope that the safety of all road users is not lost.
We also believe that a focus strictly on emissions is misguided and ignores negaJve repercussions of the push for ZEM. Increased weight of these vehicles will no doubt increase the impact on infrastructure and require increased maintenance. Disposal of these vehicles at end of life is very worrisome. The ba^eries needed to power them contain materials that are harmful to our soil and ground water.
Sourcing the criJcal minerals needed to power ZEM is also problemaJc. The consulJng group Benchmark Mineral Intelligence esJmated that China controlled 58 percent of the global producJon of lithium compounds in 2022, 69 percent of nickel sulfate, 69 percent of syntheJc graphite, 75 percent of cobalt, 95 percent of manganese and 100 percent of spherical graphite. CreaJng a system that turns over the source of a core part of ZEM producJon to authoritarian governments, with unsafe labor pracJces and human rights abuses is upsegng.
The motorcycling community is not limited to just riders. The support system around motorcycling includes ahermarket parts dealers, who have for over 100 years provided the parts and experJse to repair and improve bikes. The ability to work on one’s motorcycles, customize, repair, and rebuild it is a criJcal part of motorcycling. A shih towards ZEM will destroy that unique part of our lifestyle and a historic part of American culture. It will also cause unknown
Motorcycle Riders Founda2on
P.O. Box 9090, Peoria, IL 61612
(202) 546-0983 / mrfoffice@mrf.org / www.mrf.org
economic damage to the hundreds of small businesses across the state that service and maintain the nearly 1 million motorcycles on California roads.
Our concerns about the push for ZEM are not without merit. For nearly 40 years the MRF and its members has traveled the country meeJng, talking, and learning from bikers from coast to coast. We understand the mindset of the American street rider, and fear that a push to ZEM will destroy a vibrant and disJncJvely American lifestyle. Forcing consumers to purchase a product they don’t want, and will not use, is not an effecJve public policy. Allowing the market to freely determine the products available to consumers will result in the best outcomes for all parJes involved.
Kirk Willard
President, Chairman of the Board Motorcycle Riders FoundaJon
On Wednesday, January 10th the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a hearing on California's plan to eliminate the sale of cars and trucks powered by internal combustion engines by 2035.
The Clean Air Act allows California to seek a waiver of the preemption which prohibits states from enacting emission standards for new motor vehicles. The EPA must grant a waiver before California’s rules can be enforced. Put more simply, this hearing is where the California Air Resources Board asks the EPA permission to enact its plan.
If the waiver is approved, beginning with model year 2026, a growing percent of new light duty vehicle sales must be zero emissions. The MRF will be submitting formal comments to the EPA on California’s plan and the threat it poses to our lifestyle. Stay tuned, this battle is heating up!
Current 2024 bill numbers and titles are HERE
Ask your two Senators to protect the internal combustion engine!
Click HERE for more information
The National Motorcycle Profiling Survey is designed to help define the profiling trends so we can focus our resources on the areas that need it the most. Your participation will have a long-lasting, positive impact on the community.
More Info HERE
Moose Lodge
11106 E 7th St
Tulsa OK 74128
American Legion
5000 SE 24th St,
Del City, OK 73115
Moose Lodge
11106 E 7th St
Tulsa OK 74128
American Legion
5000 SE 24th St,
Del City, OK 73115
Moose Lodge
11106 E 7th St
Tulsa OK 74128
Copyright © 2024 Oklahoma Confederation of Clubs - All Rights Reserved.
Moose Lodge
11106 E 7th St
Tulsa OK 74128
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