Press Releases

And closer to home, the MMA has reported that OUR Motorcycle Safety Fund, which was initially underfunded by $174,472 was recently raided of $12,157. This is on top of an additional $50,000 which has been appropriated for usage other than its intention. And that`s on top of another $186,269 of monies that you and I paid…. STOLEN from us. Where and when does it end? And more overly, why is it being allowed?

It seems that the new administration`s "bailout" program; bail out those who cannot balance a budget by stealing funds from plans that benefit citizens paid for by a small group of taxpayers at an additional premium cost to all taxpayers has trickled down from the top….. to the very states we call our home!

What`s worse, the administration doesn`t condone this sort of behavior! It`s expected!

Take a look at what the State shows for us:

Budget Detail
8400-0016 - Motorcycle Safety Program
Data Current as of: 10/29/2009

* GAA is General Appropriation Act.

Budget Reduction Explanation: Reduces spending that is not affordable given the current revenue estimate.

This reduces the fund over 60%, this fiscal year alone. And it doesn`t look as though any other special fund got hit! What`s so abominable about this appropriation is that OUR fund is FUNDED BY US! Not the rest of the over 6 million residents in the State. Just the some 182,000 or so of us in the State that register our motorcycles and pay into the fund!

And last I checked, M.G.L. Chapter 90, Section 34, Paragraph (i), states that "$2.00 from every annual motorcycle registration fee collected from the motorcyclist by the Registry of Motor Vehicles" are to be used "solely for the purpose of promoting and advancing motorcycle safety" & awareness. "

What`s worse, the monies get moved to the general fund to pay for who knows what? Somebody`s chauffeur, a no show salary, cocktail parties, somebody else`s greed? What?

Hello, are laws being broken here? Is a class action suit in order? Hell, why not? We bikers don`t take our rights being abused in any way, shape or form lying down! So don`t! Get up and do something about it! Get involved, write letters, copy in your Senators and Reps as well! Be proactive, don`t sit on your laurels waiting for others to act! ACT NOW!!

Please, please, please, take the time to join in the charge to reverse the absconding with our funds.

The newly formed MASSDOT, whose Secretary of Transportation is Jeffrey Mullan is responsible for this latest raid. Will you join the MMA and other concerned motorcyclists and voice your complaint to Mr. Mullan, Governor Deval Patrick, RMV Registrar Rachael Kaprielian, Senate President Therese Murray, and House Speaker Robert DeLeo?

Together, we believe our collective voices would be a force to be reckoned with. Be respectful in your communications but, above all, be heard!

Massachusetts State House Office of the Governor Room 280 Boston, MA 02133 Attn: Governor Deval Patrick or email:

If we do nothing; then nothing will be done to change this; and more riders will die, because there`s not enough funding to promote the safety education and awareness in the state. Yes, we can all take the motorcycle safety course to keep ourselves safe, but if drivers are not educated as to how to interact with motorcycles on Massachusetts roadways, then the numbers of accidents, injuries and fatalities will continue to climb!

Below is a breakout of motorcycle fatalities up to the end of August. Unfortunately, since this report was compiled, there`ve been several more fatalities to add to this list:

June 11 5 8 8 7 39