79–008 

111TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 111–79 

SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY 

AWARENESS MONTH 

APRIL 21, 2009.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. OBERSTAR, from the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Res. 269] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 

was referred the resolution (H. Res. 269) supporting the goals of 

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, having considered the same, 

report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that 

the resolution be agreed to. 

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

House Resolution 269 supports the goals of Motorcycle Safety 

Awareness Month. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 

promotes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to encourage riders 

to always wear helmets and other protective gear, never drink and 

ride, be properly licensed, receive training, and to remind all riders 

and motorists to always share the road. 

Motorcycles represent a valuable component of the nation’s 

transportation network. In 2006, there were approximately 6.7 million registered motorcycles in the United States. Motorcycles continue to grow in popularity each year, with motorcycle registrations 

increasing by over 60 percent from 1998 to 2005. The rising popularity of motorcycles can be attributed to the benefits of motorcycle 

usage, including greater fuel-efficiency. In addition, motorcycle 

usage leads to decreased roadway congestion, and inflicts very little 

wear and tear on our nation’s roadways. The United States is the 


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world leader in advancing motorcycle safety, promoting education, 

licensing, use of protective gear, and motorcycle awareness. 

With the warmer spring weather arriving, the number of motorcycles on the roads will increase significantly. This will require increased alertness and awareness on the part of passenger vehicle 

drivers. Public awareness of motorcycle safety benefits everyone 

that uses the nation’s roadways, not just motorcyclists, because it 

can lead to a decrease in car-motorcycle crashes. NHTSA’s statistics have found that per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are 

roughly 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die 

in a traffic crash. 

In 2007, motorcycle rider fatalities increased for the tenth 

straight year. According to NHTSA, between 1997 and 2007, there 

were 38,566 motorcyclist fatalities and 756,000 motorcyclist injuries on U.S. roadways. In 2007 alone, there were 5,154 motorcycle 

fatalities and 103,000 injuries, up from 2,116 fatalities and 53,000 

injuries in 1997. 

Throughout Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, riders will be 

educated on the importance of following the rules of the roadway, 

being alert to other drivers, and always wearing protective gear, 

such as a helmet. NHTSA estimates that helmets saved 1,784 motorcyclists’ lives in 2007, and that 800 more lives could have been 

saved if motorcyclists involved in fatal non-helmeted crashes had 

worn helmets. 

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 269 expresses support for the goals of Motorcycle Safety 

Awareness Month, recognizes the important contribution motorcycles bring to the variety of transportation options, encourages all 

road users to be more aware of motorcycles and motorcyclists’ safety, and encourages all riders to receive appropriate training and 

practice safe riding skills at all times. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On March 19, 2009, Representative Gabrielle Giffords introduced 

H. Res. 269. 

On April 2, 2009, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 269. The Committee ordered H. Res. 269 reported favorably to the House by 

voice vote with a quorum present. 

In the 110th Congress, Representative Michael C. Burgess introduced H. Res. 339 on April 26, 2007. On May 15, 2008, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to 

consider H. Res. 339. The Committee agreed to the resolution and 

ordered it reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a 

quorum present. On May 19, 2008, the Committee reported the resolution to the House. H. Rept. 110–655. On May 21, 2008, the 

House agreed to H. Res. 339 by voice vote. 

RECORD VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives requires 

each committee report to include the total number of votes cast for 

and against on each recorded vote on a motion to report and on any 

amendment offered to the measure or matter, and the names of 


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those members voting for and against. There were no recorded 

votes taken in connection with considering H. Res. 269 or ordering 

the resolution reported. A motion to order H. Res. 269 reported favorably to the House was agreed to by voice vote with a quorum 

present. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. 

COST OF LEGISLATION

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 269 is a House 

resolution, and therefore does not have the force of law. As such, 

there is no cost associated with this legislation for fiscal year 2009, 

or for any fiscal year thereafter. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 308(a) of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under current law is required. 

2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance goals and objectives for 

any measure that authorizes funding is required. 

3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no cost 

estimate nor comparison for any measure that authorizes funding 

is required. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI

Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, H. Res. 269 does not contain any congressional 

earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 

in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

With respect to clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, H. Res. 269 is a resolution of the House 

of Representatives and therefore does not have the force of law. As 

such, clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

H. Res. 269 contains no federal mandates. 


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PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the 

report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a 

statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states 

that H. Res. 269 does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this resolution. 

APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the resolution does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104–1). 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H. Res. 269 makes no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


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