AMA Launches Rapid Response Center

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- A new service offered by the American Motorcyclist

Association (AMA) will put motorcyclists immediately in contact with lawmakers,

government officials and the media when important issues arise.

The AMA Rapid Response Center is designed to make sure the voices of

motorcyclists are heard when laws are being considered and regulations are being

written that could affect their future. It provides an instantaneous link that

targets a message directly to the people making decisions.

The Rapid Response Center is a new part of the AMA's website at

www.AMADirectlink.com. By clicking the "AMA Rapid Response" logo, motorcyclists

are taken to a site where they can send e-mail messages on current issues.

The AMA Rapid Response Center currently offers riders the chance to file

their objections to proposed federal rules that would have the effect of

legalizing health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists. It also

includes a response to an unbalanced story in the USA Today newspaper regarding

the closure of a motorized-recreation area in Southern California.

"These are issues that simply can't wait," noted Ed Moreland, vice

president of government relations for the AMA. "If the concerns of motorcyclists

are going to be considered, we need to communicate them immediately."

In the Rapid Response Center, motorcyclists will find background on those

vital issues, along with pre-written responses, already directed toward

officials in a position to make a difference. All the motorcyclist needs to do

is enter a name and contact information, then click a button to send the

message. In the case of issues before federal lawmakers, the message can even be

automatically directed to the representative and senators for that motorcyclist.

The Rapid Response Center can also be used to help motorcyclists quickly

identify their representatives in Washington and get background information on

those officials, including the committees they sit on and how to reach them by

ordinary mail. The service even provides the names and titles of key staff

members, and identifies friends of motorcycling in Congress.

"The ability to respond immediately when issues are on the line is

absolutely vital," Moreland said. "Thanks to increasing technology, and the

growing sophistication of the AMA's presence on the Internet, we are able to

provide that instantaneous link. It's as simple as point, click, respond."

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The American Motorcyclist Association is a 270,000-member non-profit

organization. Established in 1924, the Association's purpose is to pursue,

protect and promote the interests of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of

its members. For more information, visit the AMA website at