AMA'S MORELAND NAMED TO FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADVISORY GROUP

-- AMA meets with NHTSA Administrator Nason --

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that Edward Moreland, AMA Vice President for Government Relations, has been named to the newly created Motorcyclist Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administration.

The ten-member council, established by the federal transportation bill passed last year, will advise the Secretary of Transportation on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists, such as the design, construction and maintenance of roads and barriers, as well as on the implementation of intelligent transportation system technology.

"It's an honor to represent the AMA and the motorcycling community on this important council, and I look forward to being part of meaningful discussions that lead to reducing the risks faced by American motorcyclists," said Moreland. "I'm also encouraged by the makeup of the council -- I believe that this diverse group of concerned professionals will have a positive impact on the issues we're charged with addressing."

Joining Moreland on the council are: Jeff Hennie, Vice President for Government Relations, Motorcycle Riders Foundation, which was instrumental in the council's formation; Ken Kiphart, Chairperson and a member of the Executive Committee of the National Association of State Motorcycle State Administrators and Administrator of the Nevada Department of Public Safety; Darrel Killion, State Coordinator for ABATE of South Dakota; Steven P. Zimmer, State Executive Director, ABATE of Ohio; Gerald J. Salontai, President and CEO of Kleinfelder, Inc.; Robert J. McClune, Executive Vice President and General Manager of North American Potters Industries; Kathy Van Kleeck, Vice President for Government Relations, Motorcycle Safety Foundation; Mark Bloschock, Manager, Special Projects Branch, Texas Department of Transportation; and Donald Vaughn, Chief Engineer/Deputy Director of Operations, Alabama Department of Transportation.

Moreland was recommended to the Motorcyclist Advisory Council by U.S. Senator James Inhofe (Oklahoma), and by U.S. Representatives Sherwood Boehlert (New York), Peter DeFazio (Oregon), Sam Graves (Missouri) and Thomas Petri (Wisconsin), as well as by Harley-Davidson Motor Company and the AMA.

The Motorcyclist Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administration will hold its first meeting on October 24 in Washington, DC. To view the Federal Register announcement on this topic, visit http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/E6-16516.htm.

AMA meets with NHTSA Administrator Nason

AMA Vice President for Government Relations Edward Moreland met with Nicole Nason, NHTSA Administrator, yesterday to welcome her to that role, which she assumed on May 31, 2006.

Nason, whose father was a motorcycle patrol officer in Long Island, New York, expressed her concern about the rising number of motorcycling fatalities and her desire to work with the AMA to help reduce those fatalities. She also conveyed the importance that motorcycle safety has to new Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters, a motorcyclist herself.

Moreland outlined the AMA's positions and described its work in the area of motorcycle safety -- spearheading the efforts to fund a comprehensive crash study, the AMA-NHTSA partnership on the award-winning "Ride Straight" program, the new series of AMA-produced radio and television PSAs, and the Association's advocacy for more available and affordable rider education.

"I'm impressed with Ms. Nason's knowledge of motorcycling issues, and the AMA applauds NHTSA’s efforts in arranging quarterly meetings with the motorcycling community -- it's a great forum in which to cooperate on improving motorcycle safety," said Moreland. "The AMA looks forward to working with Ms. Nason during her tenure as Administrator."