40th Annual

Meeting of the Minds

September 26 – 29, 2024

A Training Ground for the Future of Motorcycling

The success of this year’s Bikers Inside the Beltway has a direct correlation between the hands-on training sessions that the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is known for and the end results on Capitol Hill.

With another record attendance (over 150 attendees from 37 states), motorcyclists’ rights advocates spread out from one side of Capitol Hill to the other. Appointments were made with over 200 members of Congress and before the day was over, MRF legislative packets were presented to all 535 congressional offices.

The preparation for Bikers Inside the Beltway 2024 started in advance of Meeting of the Minds 2023. That same attitude of advance preparation is already in place for Bikers Inside the Beltway 2025. General session and workshop agendas are being developed for the 40th Annual Meeting of the Minds Conference on September 26-29.

A lot has changed in the forty years since the first Meeting of the Minds. For the past 15 years, Bikers Inside the Beltway has been an annual mainstay that sends a clear message to Congress – the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the premier motorcyclists’ rights advocacy group on Capitol Hill, with an ever-increasing track record of success.

The Meeting of the Minds has evolved from a ‘get acquainted’ meeting to a 16-workshop training session for motorcyclists’ rights advocates. Although this year’s Meeting of the Minds will be a celebration of forty years of accomplishments, the conference’s primary focus will be on strengthening state motorcyclists’ rights organizations and preparation for Bikers Inside the Beltway 2025.

Preliminary presentations for Meeting of the Minds 2024 include, but are not limited to the following:

Developing the legislative agenda for 2025 Bikers Inside the Beltway Building Effective Social Media Civics 101 – A freedom fighter refresher course Leadership Principals

It’s early, but not too early to make your reservations. Mark your calendar for September 26-29, and make your reservations now!

The successes of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation can be directly linked to the grassroots activism training received at the Meeting of the Minds. The future of motorcycling depends on you and how that training is applied. We look forward to seeing you in St. Louis at the 40th Annual Meeting of the Minds!

Saying No To California

This week, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that beginning next year, the Commonwealth of Virginia will no longer adhere to California set emissions standards enacted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). As you may remember, since 1967 federal law has allowed California to seek waivers to create their own set of emissions standards. Other states are then allowed to link their emission standards to those set by CARB. Nearly 20 states have or plan to follow CARB regulations in some way.

However, recent standards planned by CARB that would require 100% of new car sales to be zero-emissions by 2035 has created backlash. At both the federal and state level lawmakers who view CARB’s plans as an attack on consumer choice and the internal combustion engine are taking action

This move by Governor Youngkin is a signal that there is growing concern about the move to 100% electric vehicles. There is little doubt this action in Virginia will be challenged by supporters of CARB. However, it’s an important step by those that are standing against the attack on the internal combustion engine. Time will tell if more states take back control of their emission standards. We know that if the internal combustion engine is eliminated in cars and trucks the next obvious target is motorcycles. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation stands ready to support those that side on preserving consumer choice.

Learn more about what CARB is and how it is affecting motorcycling in this month’s issue of the Freedom Fighter News (FFN)! Follow the button below.

Ride Safe and Ride Free

Legislative Champion 2024

As part of the Bikers Insider the Beltway event, the MRF presents its annual Legislative Champion award during the visit to Capitol Hill. This year’s winner was Representative Mike Bost of Illinois. Congressman Bost has been a longtime advocate for our priorities in Washington, D.C. and before that, was an ally of bikers at the State House in Illinois.

Congressman Bost is a member of the House Motorcycle Caucus. He also is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which is important to motorcyclists. He is a former U.S. Marine and proudly serves as Chairman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs.

He has become the 12th Legislative Champion award recipient since its creation in 2017. All Legislative Champion winners are presented a leather vest by MRF leadership and constituents during the annual May visit. Thank you to Congressman Bost for his continued support of biker rights and his friendship with so many in the motorcycling community!

Past Legislative Champions:

Senator Joni Ernst (IA)

Senator Ron Johnson (WI)

Senator Gary Peters (MI)

Senator John Thune (SD)

Representative Troy Balderson (OH)

Representative Mike Burgess (TX)

Representative Mike Gallagher (WI)

Representative Darin LaHood (IL)

Representative Susie Lee (NV)

Representative Collin Peterson (MN)

Representative Tim Walberg (MI)

Ride To Work Day

This week, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard and Vice President Jay Jackson had the honor of joining the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus for an event celebrating “Ride To Work Day.” The ride began at the footsteps of the U.S. Capitol and traveled down Independence Ave, circling the National Mall before returning to the Capitol Building.

The ride was headlined by the leadership of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, Rep. Tim Walberg (Michigan), Rep. Donald Norcross (New Jersey), Rep. Troy Balderson (Ohio) and Rep. Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin). Joining the Members of Congress on the ride were congressional staffers and guests from other organizations interested in promoting and protecting the motorcycling lifestyle. In addition to the MRF, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), Harley-Davidson (HD), Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) and the Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association (SEMA) were all represented.

Hardtail said of the event, “These lawmakers understand what being a biker means. We are grateful that they joined us as we rode through the streets of Washington, D.C. Not only did they hear us today, but more importantly they saw us.”

Jay Jackson added, “Working with other groups like the AMA, HD, MIC and SEMA on the ride really demonstrates to Congress that while we have many voices in D.C., we often have similar priorities when it comes to protecting the motorcycling community.”

“This is an experience we’ve wanted to do since 2008. I’m glad to see it finally happen.” – Rep. Walberg

“I’m just disappointed I have to go to work after this ride.” – Rep. Norcross

“My grandpa gave me my first motorcycle when I was 5 years old. I’ve been riding ever since.” – Rep. Balderson

“The motorcycle is a symbol of American freedom.” – Rep. Van Orden

Thank you to the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus for their leadership in organizing this event and to all those who joined the ride! See video of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus Ride below.