Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) released a video message encouraging all motorcycle riders to participate in Ride to Work Day on June 15th. She also calls for all road users to act responsibly and to ride or drive safely, every day. The video can be viewed at www.youtube.com or at www.mic.org.

In the video, Giffords states, “I encourage all motorcyclists to participate in Ride to Work Day on June 15th. For the 18th consecutive year riders from across the country will use Ride to Work Day as an opportunity to showcase the benefits of riding motorcycles.”

Ride to Work Day organizer, Andy Goldfine stated, “Ride to Work Day is the largest event in motorcycling, by number of participants. A firm number is impossible to generate, but an estimated one million riders commute on Ride to Work Day. Ride to Work Day encourages employers and government officials and the general public to be more aware that riders come from all occupations and walks of life, and that riding motorcycles and scooters is a social good."

Giffords also says in the video, “As someone who has been riding and racing motorcycles for over 20 years, I understand that there are many reasons to ride, but one is simple economics: motorcycles offer a more fuel efficient—and cheaper way—of getting around. Better fuel mileage not only saves money at the pump, it is better for the environment. I am proud that, as a motorcyclist, I can leave a smaller footprint on our earth by riding my motorcycle.”

The video also highlights motorcycle safety with Giffords saying, “All road users share a responsibility to ride or drive respectfully.” She encourages motorcyclists to “get trained and licensed, obey traffic laws, avoid mixing riding with alcohol and wear proper, motorcycle-specific safety gear.” And she asks other motorists to “be aware that motorcyclists also use the road.”

Duane Taylor, the Motorcycle Industry Council's Director of Federal Affairs stated, “MIC would like to thank Representative Giffords for her continued commitment to motorcyclists and their safety.”

The Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus is a bipartisan group of Members of Congress committed to improving and advancing the safety of motorcyclists.

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To save green and be green, Americans need two-wheelers more than ever, so the Motorcycle Industry Council is celebrating the annual Ride to Work Day by inviting local motorcyclists and industry staff to start the morning at its national headquarters with a free breakfast gathering in Irvine, Calif.

The June 15 national grass-roots effort is more relevant than ever. Motorcycles and scooters are a great way to save a lot of green while being more environmentally green at the same time.

“Motorcycles are exactly right for the times,” said Larry Little, chairman of the MIC and vice president and publisher of Cycle World magazine. “Two-wheelers are a practical part of the answer to our economic and ecological troubles. They are real and readily available. There’s no new technology to invent and no new infrastructure required. Right now, motorcycles and scooters reduce traffic congestion and parking problems, benefiting every motorist.”

Americans are adopting this message. The latest Motorcycle Industry Council Owner Survey found that, among reasons for riding, “commuting and errands” jumped to the No. 2 spot only behind “riding for pleasure.” In 2008, as gas prices topped $4 a gallon, scooter sales rose to 222,000 for the year - the highest level yet seen by the MIC.

There are far more riders than ever. The number of American households that own motorcycles jumped 26 percent from 2003 to 2008, while the overall number of U.S. households increased roughly 5 percent. During the same period, the motorcycle population grew 19 percent while the U.S. population rose by about 5 percent. Some 25 million Americans swung a leg over a bike and rode last year. That’s a 7 percent increase, from 2003, in the number of people who ride but may or may not own motorcycles.

BACKGROUND ON BIKES

SAVING GREEN
- Motorcycles cost much less to buy. There are many fine, capable bikes available for less than $4,000.
- Maintenance costs are much less on a bike.
- Registration is less money.
- So is insurance.

BEING GREEN
- Hundreds or even thousands of pounds less in raw materials, and that can include the toxic elements used in hybrid car batteries.
- Less energy required to ship a motorcycle from factory to dealership.
- With smaller engines and fewer components, there’s less use of motor oil and chemicals throughout the life of a bike. - Less use of gasoline, as a motorcycle or scooter can get two, three, sometimes four times the MPG of four-wheelers using the same roads. Many motorcycles can deliver 50 to 70 miles per gallon. Many scooters can return 60 to 80 MPG. - Less fuel use means less CO2 emissions, now recognized as a pollutant and long known to cause climate change.