69–008 

110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 110–655 

SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY 

AWARENESS MONTH 

MAY 19, 2008.—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. 339] 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 

was referred the bill (H. Res. 339) supporting the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, having considered the same, report 

favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill 

as amended do pass. 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the following: 

That the House of Representatives— 

(1) recognizes the contribution motorcycles make to the transportation mix; 

(2) encourages all road users to be more aware of motorcycles and motorcyclists’ safety; 

(3) encourages all riders to receive appropriate training and practice safe 

riding skills; and 

(4) supports the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. 

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 339, as amended, expresses support for the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, recognizes the important contribution that motorcycles bring to creating transportation choices, 

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. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

Motorcycles represent a valuable component of the transportation network in our nation. In 2005 there were over 6.2 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 


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usage, including greater fuel-efficiency, and can lead to decreased 

roadway congestion while inflicting very little wear and tear on 

American roadways. The United States is the world leader in advancing motorcycle safety, promoting education, licensing, use of 

protective gear, and motorcycle awareness. 

The need for increased awareness of motorcycle safety issues is 

evident from the alarming safety statistics for motorcycle accidents. 

In 2006, motorcycle rider fatalities increased for the ninth straight 

year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (‘‘NHTSA’’), between 1996 and 2006, there were 35,546 motorcyclist fatalities and 708,000 motorcyclist injuries on U.S. roadways. In 2006, there were 4,810 motorcycle fatalities and 88,000 injuries, up from 2,161 fatalities and 55,000 injuries in 1996. Over 

the past decade, motorcyclist fatalities and injuries have increased 

112 percent and 60 percent, respectively. In 2006, motorcyclists accounted for more than one in nine U.S. road fatalities. 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. 

With the warmer spring weather arriving in May, the number of 

motorcycles on the road will increase significantly, which will require increased alertness and awareness on the part of passenger 

vehicle drivers. The motorcycle community remains committed to 

the reduction of motorcycle crashes through licensing, training, 

education, enforcement, personal responsibility, and increased public awareness of the importance of motorcycle safety. Public awareness of motorcycle safety benefits everyone that uses our nation’s 

roadways, not just motorcyclists, because it can lead to a decrease 

in car-motorcycle crashes. 

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 1,658 motorcyclists’ lives in 2006, and that 752 more lives could have been 

saved if the motorcyclists involved in fatal non-helmeted crashes 

had worn helmets. 

NHTSA promotes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind 

all riders and motorists to always share the road. 

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 339, as amended, expresses support for the goals of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, recognizes the important contribution that motorcycles bring to creating transportation choices, 

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 April 26, 2007, Representative Michael C. Burgess introduced 

H. Res. 339. This resolution has not been introduced in a previous 

Congress. 

On May 15, 2008, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 339. The Committee adopted an amendment that added one provision to the resolve clause that encourages all riders to receive appropriate trainVerDate Aug 31 2005 05:42 May 20, 2008 Jkt 069008 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR655.XXX HR655

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ing and practice safe riding skills and the resolution, as amended, 

was agreed to and reported favorably to the House 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 record vote on a motion to report and on any 

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

those members voting for and against. There were no recorded 

votes taken in connection with any amendments offered to H. Res. 

339 or in ordering H. Res. 339 reported. A motion to order H. Res. 

339, as amended, 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)(I) 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. 339 is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have 

the force of law. As such, there is no cost associated with this resolution for fiscal year 2008, 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 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. Neither a 

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. 339 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. 


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CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

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

House of Representatives, H. Res. 339 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

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 

pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

(Public Law 104–4). 

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. 339 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. 339 makes no changes to existing law. 

Æ 


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