From a press release:

HARLEY-DAVIDSON TO DONATE 30 POLICE MOTORCYCLES,

$1 MILLION TO RELIEF EFFORT

Company encourages Employees, Dealers, Owners, H.O.G. Members to raise funds as well

MILWAUKEE, WI (Sept. 14, 2001) – Harley-Davidson Motor Company is donating the use of 30 police motorcycles and $1 million to assist in the relief efforts in New York City and Washington, D.C. The motorcycles will be used to replace police motorcycles, squad cars and other police units that were destroyed following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Tuesday, Sept. 11. The Company’s $1 million donation will be made directly to the American Red Cross for use in the relief effort.

“We are all moved and saddened by the events of the past week and hope our contribution of police motorcycles and funds to the American Red Cross can in some way help with the relief effort,” said Jim McCaslin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company.

Ten police motorcycles will be ridden to the New York City area from Milwaukee by Harley-Davidson employees and local police officers late next week. An additional 20 motorcycles will be delivered within the next two weeks to the New York area for use by the New York City Police Department and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in their efforts.

“We know that a number of law enforcement officers lost their lives coming to the aid of those involved in the tragedy and some of those were Motor Officers,” said McCaslin. “Harley-Davidson has been producing police motorcycles since 1908 and we have a very strong bond with that group. Our hearts go out to all victims of the disaster, especially those within the law enforcement community. While we can never get back what has been lost, we’re hopeful that the police motorcycles will help law enforcement and Port Authority representatives move around the city and the devastated area with greater ease and convenience.”

“The Motor Company will also donate $1 million to the American Red Cross for use in New York and Washington,” said McCaslin.

Motorcycles have often been used in cases involving urban disasters. They are smaller and more maneuverable than automobiles and larger vehicles and are more capable of navigating the tight spaces and narrow roadways that often result from disasters.

Harley-Davidson is working alongside The Center for Public Safety at Northwestern University in order to make arrangements to offer priority training focused on developing a new class of Motor Officers in the New York/New Jersey area.

In addition, Harley-Davidson is encouraging its employees, dealers, owners and H.O.G. members to band together to raise funds for those affected by the disaster. Over the years, the extended Harley-Davidson family has raised funds for myriad causes by organizing rides across the country and around the world.

“We have a tradition of raising funds through motorcycle rides,” said McCaslin. “We have received hundreds of calls from our dealers and owners asking how they can help. We’ve asked them all to work together to raise funds for those affected by this tragedy.”

Whelen Engineering Company in Chester, CT is donating all emergency equipment on the motorcycles. Donated motorcycles include FLHTPI Electra Glide models, FLHPI Road King models and FXDP Dyna Defender models.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport and sport-touring motorcycles. Harley-Davidson Financial Services, Inc. provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and customers.