October 8, 1997
New York - In a last minute move, New York Governor George Pataki took action ensuring his state would establish a self-funded motorcycle safety program. Earlier in the year, a rider education bill introduced by State Senator Owen Johnson had passed the Senate, but it bogged down in the Assembly while legislators argued over other issues. With time running out,it was clear that the "Bottleneck" in the Assembly would kill the Motorcycle Safety Bill. Activists and staff from ABATE of New York, The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and the AMA, petitioned Pataki's office for help in establishing the state's first-ever motorcycle safety program. The governor responded by including the bill's language in his budget, which was subsequently approved by the Legislature.
The move establishes a motorcycle safety program that will be funded entirely by a $3.50 annual surcharge on motorcycle licenses and registrations. The fund will be used exclusively for rider-education activities throughout the state. New York becomes the 45th state to establish such a program.
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