Today is E15-Fuel Freedom Friday

A “Fuel for Thought” lobbying day to educate federal lawmakers about the need for independent research into the possible harmful effects of E15 fuel on motorcycle engines is the focus of the American Motorcyclist Association’s “Freedom Friday” on April 19.
The AMA “Fuel for Thought” lobbying day will be held Wednesday, June 19, in Washington, D.C.
E15 is a gasoline formulation that contains up to 15 percent ethanol by volume, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hasn’t approved its use in motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles. The EPA has approved its use in 2001-and-new light-duty vehicles, which include cars, light-duty trucks and medium-duty passenger vehicles, however.
“We’ve repeatedly expressed concerns to government officials and federal lawmakers about possible damage to motorcycle and ATV engines caused by the inadvertent use of E15, which is now becoming available at gas stations,” said Danielle Fowles, AMA grassroots coordinator.
The Freedom Friday effort is part of AMA Go Ride! Month during April. AMA Go Ride! Month encourages AMA members and riders nationwide to renew their passion for riding on the street and in the dirt. It’s a month-long celebration of riding that features stories, photos, contests and more.
Freedom Friday is a special call-to-action to alert motorcyclists about important issues that pose a threat to motorcycling freedoms. Riders can take part in a contest related to the issue and win prizes. Each week’s Freedom Friday photo contest asks AMA members to send a photo of themselves, preferably with their bike, near a symbol of the current topic.
The issue that kicks off today is E15 fuel safety and the “Fuel for Thought” lobbying day on June 19 in Washington, D.C. The issue can be illustrated with a photo of a motorcyclist near a gas pump or station that sells E15 or, if not available, other blends. Photo(s) and the AMA member number should be sent to grassroots@ama-cycle.org to be entered in the contest. For entry details, visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com/riding/goride/contestdetails.
Freedom Friday contest entrants have two chances to win. Two photo winners will be announced and each will receive an AMA gift bag and a BikeBandit gift card. Contest entrants will also be entered in a month-end drawing with great prizes, including a Shoei helmet, Tour Master Intake jacket, and Cortech tank bags, courtesy of AMA partner Helmet House.
The “Fuel for Thought” lobbying day is modeled after the AMA’s highly successful Capitol Hill Climb kids’ dirtbike lobbying day held on Washington, D.C. on May 26, 2011. The AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb brought hundreds of young motorcyclists, their parents and concerned riders to Washington, D.C., to meet with their lawmakers. The event was a strong demonstration of public opposition to a ban on the sale of kid-sized dirtbikes and ATVs and helped overturn the ban.
“It’s very important for motorcyclists who will be attending the “AMA Fuel for Thought” lobbying day to let us know that they are coming so that we can arrange meetings with their lawmakers,” Fowles said. “That will also help us get needed information to participants, such as where to park at the Capitol.”
Go to www.americanmotorcyclist.com and www.facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist for more details about Freedom Friday and the 2013 AMA Go Ride! Month.
For more information about the E15 issue and the AMA E15 lobbying day on Capitol Hill, contact grassroots@ama-cycle.org or go to www.americanmotorcyclist.com.