Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1960's

Tra"e Assn. Agrees on Legislative Pose The motorcycle and scooter industry this week urged all states to immediately adopt separate licensing for two-wheeled vehicles in a move to improve highway safety. The proposed licensing program was included in a comprehensive set of suggested new laws concerning two-wheeled motor vehicles and their operators issued to federal, state and local governments by the Motorcycle. Scooter and .Allied Trades .Association. Only five of the 50 states currently require special cycle licenses and none are considered to have comprehensive license testing procedures for two-wheeled vehicle operators. The industry group proposed that the states adopt a license testing method recently developed by the American Association of MJtor Vehicle Administrators. The trade association also issued a plea for all organizations. public and private. that are interested in programs of driver education to join the MS&AT.A in advocating expansion of driver education to include motorcycle and motorscooter training. Legislative reforms were urged in a ·position paper· issued by the trade association. contents of that paper are published below. A POSITION PAPER OF THE MOTORCYCLE, SCOOTER & ALLIED TRADES ASSOCIATION RIDER TRAINING The Legislative Intent: To require special training and testing for twowheeled motor vehicle operators prior to licensing and to require driver improvement training when appropriate. Dl9ClIssjon: The motorcycle and scooter require special skills for proper and safe operation. Far too many accidents are rooted in lack of skills which could have b'een developed by training. At tbe same time there is no concerted effort being made to remedY this educational lack. The public schools which represent the single most potent source of driver education generally donot include motorcycle and scooter operation in their amiculums. ASSOCIATION POSITION: The Association urges all organizations. public and private that are interested in encon.... aging, promoting. establishing or administering programs of driver education and driver improvement to join with the Motorcycle, SCooter and Allied Trades Association in advocatin g the broadenIng and expanston of driver education and driver improvement programs to 1mdude motorcycle and motor scooter operator traln1ng. RIDER LICENSES Legislative Intent: To requi re special licenses for operators of twowheeled motor vehicles. Discussion: It is generally recognized that the primary purpose of driver licensing is to insure that only qualified operators are legally permitted to drive motor vehicles upon our streets and highways. Further, the safe operation of different types of motor vehicles is dependent upon the 0perator being trained in the special operating techniques of the particular type of motor vehicle being driven. In spite of this, most jurisdictions are issuing driver licenses that legally permit the holder to operate any type of motor vehicles, irrespective of his ability to do so safely. This results in the operation of motor vehicles by licensed drivers, neither trained nor familiar with the special operating techniques of the vehicle bein g driven. and is a factor in many traffic accidents. It is further noted that special licensing procedures, unless administered by competently tralned personnel. do not contribute to safety. Unless adequate funding previsions are incorporated in special licensing legislation. such laws should .not be passed. ASSOCIATION POSITION: The Assocition recommends that all jurisdictions responsible for driv.er licensing issue drivers licenses that will permit the holder to operate only the type or types of motor vehicles for .mich he has demonstrated the ability to control safely. The Association further recommends that competent testing service be provided and that the types of vehicles to which this role shall apply shall be not less than: (1) twoow heeled motor vehicle. (2) passenger carrying automobile (3) truck (4) bus (5) truck tractor and semi-traller NOI SE ABATEMENT Legislative llitent: To prohibit operation of two-wheeled motor vehicles which produce excessive noise. Discussion: The principal cause of excess!ve noi se from the two-wheeled motor vehicle is owner modification of original equi"ment. Excessive noise is Obnoxious, et~ates ill-will and invites unduly restrictive legislation. The in- dustry produces two-wheeled motor vehicles which do not emit excessive noise when properly operated. Generally, the various states have enacted legislation which if strictly enforced would curb excessive noise. As a related matter the Association recommends continued research to develop exhaust systems which will further abate noise without having adverse effects upon engines and their efficiency. ASSOCIATION POSITION: The Association supports legislation which would prohibit modification of original equipment exhaust systems to create additional noise. they are c_ble of attaining a speed of 60 miles per hour on a straight level roadway. "APE~HANGERS" Legislative Intent To prohibit the use of high rise handle bars on twowheeled motor vehicles. Discussion: High rise handle bars significantly reduce operator control and are therefore dangerous. ASSOCIATION POSlll0N: The Association recommends that no person should _ operate any motor-bicycle, motor driven cycle Or motorcycle if such vehicle is equipped with handlebars having grips in excess of fifteen inches above the horizontal plane of the lowest part of the seat of said vehicle. HEAD PROTECTION Legislative Intent: To compel use of protective headgear by twowheeled motor vehicle operators and passengers to the exclusion of all other motor vehicle operators and passengers. Discussion: Protecti ve headgear mi tigates injury from blow s to the head. Head injuries are a major cause of injury and death from all types of vehicular accidents; they are not peculiar to motorcycle and motor scooter accidents. The Association recognizes that injuries can be reduced by use of protective headgear and urges its voluntary use. Recent statistics from the National Safety Council show that about onesixth of the persons involved in auto- mobile accidents were using safety belts. The Association believes that a higher proportion of riders and passengers can be induced to use protective headgear on a voluntary basis than by compulsion. The Association believes that to require only two-wheeled vehicle operators to wear protective headgear is unconstitutional, undemocratic, and discriminatroy. ASSOCIATION POSITION: The Association recommends that use of protect! ve headgear shall be encouraged in all its l1'af(ic safety literatur.e, films, and programs. The Association opposes compulsory helmet legislation. CARRYING PASSENGERS Legislative Intent: To prohibit pair sengers on two-wheeled motor vehicles. Discussion: (From the Uniform Vehicle Code par. 11-1103): - A person operating motorcycle a (which term includes all two-wheeled motor vehicles) shall ride oniy upon the permanent and regular seat attached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the operator.ASSOCIA.TION POSITION: The Association supports the provisions of the Uniform Motor Vehicle Code quoted above. SAFETY INSPECTION Legislative Intebl: To require periodic safety inspection's of twowheeled motor vehicles. Discussion; Periodic safety inspections have proved to. be a valuable tool in reducing automobile accidents. Some jurisdictions have required inspection of automObiles and have, at the same time. exempted two-wheeled motor vehicles from similar inspection. ASSOCIATION POSITION: The Association urges all states to requi re periodic motor vehicle safety inspections and to include two-.meeled motor vehicles in their inspection programs. PASSENGER POSITION Legislative Intent: To prohibit passengers on two-wheeled motor vehicles from riding in a so-called • side saddle- position. Discussion: Side-saddle riding lessens the passenger's ability to sense the operator's movements and is considered hazardous. ASSOCIATION POSITION: The Association supports legislation which would prohibit side-saddle riding. EYE PROTECTION Legislative Intent: To require wearing of goggles or eye shields at all times When operating a two-wheeled motor vehicle. or as an alternative to require a windscreen on the vehicle for operation if goggles or a shield are not worn. Discussion: The matter of eye protection for the rider is a matter of such complexity that reasonable, enforceable legislation cannot deal with it. The possibilities range from protection by contact lenses to full windscreens with numberless combinations in between • The individual is the best judge of his eye protection requirements. There is no eye-injury history which would justify legislation in this matter. ASSOCIATION POSITION: Legislation on eye-protection should be avoided for the reasons stated above. Sta·lube SPF Motorcycle Oils are Special' Precision Formulated from-a carefully selected petroleum base stock, combined with anti-fouling, anti-seizing additives plus the proper mixture of esters of castor to add life and length to the run. Sta·lube comes in a special precision plastic package designed for pouring and storing convenience. FREEWAYS AND TURNPIKES Legislative Intebt: To prohibit operation of two-wheeled motor vehicles on limited access roadways. . Discussion: Limited access roadways are constructed with public funds for the purpose of moving large volumes of traffic at relatively greater speeds in a safe manner. To deny their use to an entire class of vehicles is discriminatory. The Association recognizes the need to prohi bit certain motor vehicles from limited access roads in the interest of public safety. Such a prohibition should be based on performance limitations rather than on blanket prohibition of a single type of vehicle. ASSOCIATION POSITION: That motor driven two-.meeled vehicles should be permiUed on l1mi.ted access roadways if Not for use in automobiles or outboard motors. FREE ... Bonus Trial Offer - Buy two Quarts of Sta·Lube Motorcycle Oil at one time and get an addi· tional Quart absolutely FREE. 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