The Akron Legal News

Bill would create standards for people guarding large motorcycle rides

TIFFANY L. PARKS
Special to the Legal News
Published: March 18, 2014

A pair of state representatives have introduced a bill into the Ohio General Assembly that would create the motorcycle road guard certificate and training program to allow certified individuals to function as traffic controllers.

The proposed legislation, House Bill 406, would establish the training program under the umbrella of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

If certain requirements are met, the bill would permit an individual who has a motorcycle road guard certificate to stop and hold vehicles in place until it is safe for the vehicles to proceed.

The measure is jointly sponsored by Reps. Doug Green, R-Mount Orab, and Al Landis, R-Dover.

In recent sponsor testimony before the House Transportation, Public Safety and Homeland Security committee, Green said the motorcycle road guard certificate and training program is intended to make large, organized rides safer and less frustrating for both motorcyclists and other road users by making bikes visible at intersections and allowing the group through and out of the way of other traffic in an organized manner.

“The guards will be recognized as an authority to stop and direct traffic for motorcycle group rides until it is safe for the vehicles to proceed. Similar bills have passed in the states of Minnesota and Illinois and recently introduced in the state of Washington,” Green said.

Under the bill, Green said the public safety department would be charged with creating and administering the program and creating rules by which an individual will qualify for certification.

“The individuals are required to attend training and will be certified once they have met the standards of eligibility and successful completion of the motorcycle road guard certification course,” he said.

According to a bill summary, HB 406 provides that a person who performs traffic control as a motorcycle road guard would not be liable in damages in a civil action for injury, death or loss to person or property that allegedly arises from the movement of a motorcycle group ride, if the person complies with certain conditions and requirements.

While Green testified about the bill’s mechanics, Landis relayed his personal experience to lawmakers in support of HB 406.

“Many of the larger, organized motorcycle rides are charitable in nature, and even on some solemn occasions, escort a fallen American hero home,” he said.

“There are many fundraisers for cancer patients or victims (and those suffering from) diabetes, heart problems, traffic accidents, victims of fires and the list goes on.”

Landis said such fundraising rides can attract a large number of people from the motorcycling community.

“Public safety is of the utmost importance on these rides, for the motorcyclists and the people on four or more wheels we share the road with,” he said.

“In 2011, I had the honor of riding with the Patriot Guard to escort a fallen American hero home. Peter Clore was killed in action in Afghanistan.”

Landis said there were about 30 motorcyclists riding from New Philadelphia to Akron Canton Airport.

Upon arriving at the airport, Landis said the group met up with other Patriot Guard members and members of Leatherneck Nation, a Marine Corps club, and Rolling Thunder.

“As we rolled back down I-77, the procession stretched five miles,” he said, noting that the group was fortunate to have firefighters and emergency personnel handling entrance ramps to prevent motorists from entering the Interstate.

“However, there were not enough police, fire or EMTs to cover the approximately 45 miles we had to travel back to New Philadelphia.”

Landis said the group was traveling at highway speeds with the law enforcement officials leading the large group.

“With the number of people involved you are always watching the rider beside you and traffic passing you in the left lane,” he said.

“This is one example of a fallen hero. Other charitable runs are not always fortunate enough to have these types of volunteers. The road guards will help prevent traffic from entering on a ramp or coming through an intersection with the proper training. It will help protect all of us.”

The bill is backed by the American Motorcyclist Association and American Bikers Aimed Toward Education.

HB 406 is co-sponsored by Reps. Cheryl Grossman, Tom Letson, Louis Blessing III and Dale Mallory. The bill has not been scheduled for additional hearings.

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