Shaheen, Ayotte Support Bill to Protect Motorcycle Rider Rights

U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) are among those fighting for a bipartisan amendment to a Senate bill that they say is critical to protecting motorcycle rider rights.

Both Shaheen and Ayotte cited the importance of the bill, while also referencing the 91st Laconia Motorcycle Week from June 14 to June 22 in New Hampshire.

The amendment seeks to prohibit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from issuing grants to states for motorcycle-only checkpoints for one year.

The checkpoints, aka the Motorcycle Law Enforcement Demonstration Program, was started in 2008 to fund state enforcement to conduct what Ayotte and Shaheen called "discriminatory" checkpoints where riders are specifically targeted by police to check whether their motorcycles meet state standards for noise, handlebar length, tire condition and other requirements.

"Laconia Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire is a perfect reminder of how important motorcycles are to our state’s identity and economy," Shaheen said in a press release. " These checkpoints unfairly discriminate against motorcyclists who already must comply with registration and inspection requirements like all motorists."

Ayotte, in the joint release, said, "With motorcyclists from across the region in New Hampshire this week for Laconia Motorcycle Week, we renew our opposition to the use of federal funds to pay for discriminatory motorcycle-only checkpoints. Motorcyclists shouldn’t be unfairly targeted just because they’re driving a motorcycle and not a car, and our amendment would protect their rights to abide by the same laws as other motor vehicles."

Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) also co-sponsored the amendment.