and compliance issues for parts
of the powersports industry.
Just days after the Fly-In, the
House Energy and Commerce
Committee voted on its sections
of the highway reauthorization bill
without including the proposal to
alter the federal definition of mo-
torcycles or the proposal requir-
ing VIN etching for powersports
products. Both measures remain
active, but their exclusion from
the committee's base bill marked
a promising early development.
"The executives, the organiza-
tions, the riders—we're all part
of the same ecosystem, and
when we show up together, we
stand as equals," said Ashmore
Ellis, MIC Board Member and
co-creator of Babes Ride Out and
Babes in the Dirt. "And advocacy
has always belonged to the
ones who show up. You're not
speaking in hypotheticals. You're
giving lawmakers something
they can't manufacture—lived
experience."
Motorcycle Industry Council
data puts the value of the pow-
ersports industry at $48.2 billion,
while recently released Bureau
of Economic Analysis data
ranked motorcycling and ATVing
among the largest activities in
the nation's $1.3 trillion outdoor
recreation economy, giving
the policy concerns discussed
in Washington real economic
weight.
"The powersports industry
supports millions of riders and
enthusiasts across the country
and contributes significantly to
local economies, manufactur
-
ing, recreation and small busi-
nesses," said Christy LaCurelle,
President and CEO of MIC, RO-
HVA and SVIA. "Right now, many
companies across the industry
are navigating rising costs, regu-
latory uncertainty, and ongoing
questions surrounding access
and trade policy. These are
issues with long-term implica-
tions for businesses, riders and
the future of powersports in the
U.S., and the Associations are
committed to making sure our
industry has a strong voice in
Washington."
Powersports businesses and
professionals interested in be-
coming more involved can learn
about joining the Motorcycle
Industry Council at MIC.org. MIC
also publishes RideReport, a free
weekly newsletter covering is-
sues affecting powersports.
CN
VOLUME ISSUE JUNE , P27
Seventy-three attendees from 35 states
packed 114 congressional meetings into
a single day, covering 66 House offices
and 48 Senate offices in seven hours.
