PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- With the Nov. 6 General Election just around the corner, the American Motorcyclist Association is reminding motorcyclists to research where candidates stand on motorcycle-related issues and "Vote Like a Motorcyclist."
The AMA is a non-partisan organization and doesn't make political endorsements. But the national association encourages riders to cast their ballots based on candidates' positions on motorcycling-related issues as well as other issues of importance to them.
The AMA provides tools to help its members make informed choices on Election Day and offers tips for getting involved in campaigns.
Motorcycle-only checkpoints, restricted recreational access to public land and health insurance discrimination against motorcyclists are just some of the issues used to rate federal congressional and state gubernatorial candidates in the 2012 AMA Voter Guide.
"The 2012 AMA Voter Guide gives AMA members important information about political candidates," said Wayne Allard, a former U.S. representative and U.S. senator from Colorado who now serves as the AMA vice president for government relations. "The guide includes a rating for every federal and gubernatorial candidate of the major political parties who returned an AMA questionnaire.
"The rating shows how closely the candidates' answers align with AMA positions," Allard said. "The 2012 AMA Voter Guide also features scorecards for federal incumbents seeking re-election that shows how closely their voting records and other actions match the positions held by the AMA."
Voting and getting involved politically are important because the results of Election Day lay the foundation for legislation and laws, Allard added. If anti-motorcycling candidates earn elected office, then they could legislate away opportunities to ride, cut back or eliminate funding for rider safety training, or even wipe out other programs that motorcyclists have spent years working to implement.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world's largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists' interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA honors the heroes and the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit
AmericanMotorcyclist.com.