Stop Motorcycle Profiling and Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints in New York

 

The Issue

 

Imagine riding your motorcycle to a charity event, benefit ride, or community gathering and seeing a sign that says:

 

"Motorcycles Must Exit Here for Inspection."

 

Motorists in cars are allowed to continue driving, but motorcyclists are singled out simply because they ride on two wheels.

 

Motorcycles help reduce traffic congestion, require less roadway space, and are a legitimate form of transportation. Yet law-abiding riders are often subjected to motorcycle-only checkpoints and enforcement operations that target motorcyclists while treating them differently from other motorists.

 

We are not criminals. We are teachers, nurses, city workers, small business owners, veterans, first responders, tradespeople, and taxpayers. We ride legally registered, insured, and inspected motorcycles.

 

Many riders feel that resources are being directed toward stopping legal motorcyclists while larger public safety concerns, including unregistered and uninsured vehicles operating illegally on public roads, remain unresolved.

 

Motorcyclists deserve the same fair treatment and constitutional protections afforded to every other motorist.

 

Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints Are Discriminatory

 

Motorcycle-only checkpoints (MOCs) target riders based solely on their choice of transportation.

 

According to the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA):

 

«"Motorcycle-only checkpoints are discriminatory, forcing riders and their passengers to do something not asked of other citizens simply because they choose to travel on two wheels instead of four."»

 

These checkpoints are often conducted under the justification of safety enforcement and inspections, but they apply exclusively to motorcyclists. Riders are stopped, questioned, and inspected despite having committed no moving violation.

 

No other class of vehicle is routinely subjected to the same type of targeted enforcement operation.

 

Motorcyclists should not be judged by outdated stereotypes or assumptions. Enforcement should focus on unlawful behavior, not lawful transportation choices.

 

The Solution

 

New York should enact legislation that prohibits motorcycle profiling, including motorcycle-only checkpoints and enforcement actions that unfairly target riders based solely on the fact that they operate motorcycles.

 

Public resources would be better invested in:

 

• Motorcycle safety education

• Driver awareness programs

• Distracted driving enforcement

• Roadway safety improvements

• Enforcement against unregistered and uninsured vehicles

 

Motorcyclists are part of the community. We work here. We pay taxes here. We ride here.

 

We are asking New York lawmakers to protect the rights of law-abiding riders and end discriminatory motorcycle profiling once and for all.

 

Sign this petition and help bring fair treatment, equal protection, and common-sense reform to New York's motorcycle community.