VIRGINIA GOVERNOR TAPS AMA MEMBERS FOR ADVISORY GROUP PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that the Virginia Governor’s Motorcycle Advisory Council, which was named by Gov. Mark R. Warner this week, includes 11 AMA members. The 31-person panel, comprising state and local officials, state agency representatives, and motorcycle enthusiasts, will promote motorcycle safety, tourism, and business development. The Council is the next step in the Governor’s “MotorcycleVirginia!” initiative. “Virginia has worked to expand its tourism markets in so many areas — and motorcycle tourism is a great opportunity for us,” said Gov. Warner. “Additionally, as the Commonwealth grapples with the transportation challenges of the next decade, motorcyclists need to have a voice in that debate.” The AMA members named to the Virginia Governor’s Motorcycle Advisory Council are: – Robert P. Crouch, Jr. (Chairman), Counselor to the Governor, and chair of “MotorcycleVirginia!” – David L. Jennings, Sr., Metro Richmond AMA Community Council. – Bernard A. Adams, Freedom Riders M.C. – Bruce Biondo, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. – Dale Coyner, author of “Motorcycle Journeys Through the Appalachians.” – Charles S. Finley, Jr., Exec. VP of the Virginia Motorcycle Dealers Association. – Melissa S. Franklin, founder of Supreme Ladies M.C. – Richard S. Holman, owner of The Gallery of Mountain Secrets. – Keith N. Lindgren, president of the Motorcycle Safety League of Virginia, Inc. – Joseph R. Marshall, Richmond Riders M.C. – Charles E. Talley, founder and President of Cobra-One M.C. Since its launch in 2004, “MotorcycleVirginia!” has produced more than 50,000 “Watch for Motorcycles” bumper stickers and created a website featuring Virginia’s motorcycle routes, safety guidelines, and motorcycle resource links. For more information, visit www.motorcycleva.com. The AMA notes that Virginia also was among the first states to give judges the right tools to dispense justice in car-motorcycle accidents. In 2002, Gov. Warner signed into law a bill similar to model legislation developed by the AMA. Under the law, judges are allowed to suspend a motorist’s driver’s license for up to a year, in addition to any other penalties imposed, if the driver is involved in a fatal traffic incident. For more information about the AMA’s “Justice for All” program, visit www.AMADirectlink.com/justice.