As of Wednesday, at midnight, the federal government has officially shut down. While many agencies and offices are impacted, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) wants our members to know that our advocacy efforts continue. Congressional offices remain open, though many are operating with limited staff. The MRF team is still engaging with Members of Congress and their staff to make sure the priorities of the motorcycling community remain on the table, even during this period of disruption. At the U.S. Department of Transportation, critical safety and regulatory functions continue, but other areas, including infrastructure grants, research, and many administrative programs are paused until funding is restored. While this shutdown creates challenges, the MRF remains committed to advancing motorcyclists’ interests in Washington, D.C. We will continue to work with the government employees who are still on the job and will be ready to move full speed ahead when the shutdown ends. The right to be heard in our nation’s capital does not shut down and the MRF will never stop fighting for the freedom and safety of America’s riders. (fb)

Last week, the U.S. Senate confirmed Jonathan Morrison to serve as Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Morrison is the first Senate-confirmed leader of the agency since 2022. This confirmation comes at a pivotal moment for transportation safety. NHTSA is responsible for overseeing dozens of open investigations into potential defects in cars and trucks, including several high-profile cases involving Tesla. However, more importantly for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), Morrison will lead the federal government’s efforts to craft regulations for autonomous vehicles (AVs). At his July confirmation hearing, Morrison told lawmakers that NHTSA “cannot sit back and wait for problems to arrive with such developing technologies.” He emphasized the need for federal rules to accelerate the deployment of self-driving cars. While the MRF agrees that strong leadership is needed in this area, we remain vigilant to ensure that “rapid deployment” does not come at the expense of motorcyclist safety. For years, the MRF has warned that automated driving systems too often fail to properly detect and respond to motorcycles. This is not a hypothetical risk, it’s a real-world danger when testing and regulations are written without motorcyclists in mind. As the nation’s top auto safety regulator, Morrison will have a direct hand in determining whether motorcycles are prioritized in testing protocols, data collection, and performance standards for AVs. The MRF will closely monitor NHTSA’s next steps and continue to make the case in Washington that the safety of motorcyclists must never be overlooked in the rush to roll out self-driving technology. Policymakers, industry leaders, and regulators need to hear from riders across the country. Your continued support ensures that the MRF can keep fighting for your right to ride free and safe, no matter what new technologies emerge on America’s roads. (fb)