On June 27th, H 7123 Sub A was signed by the Governor. The Motorcycle Trade In Tax Exemption went into effect on July 1st -- and will remain in effect until June 30th, 2023. RIMA brought the initiative forward and is grateful to our President, Officers, Legislative Sponsors and Members for helping to secure its passage. Thanks to All!

It was signed by the Governor on July 14th. RIMA brought the initiative forward and is grateful to our President, Officers, Legislative Sponsors and Members for helping to secure its passage. Thanks to All!

A Successful Defeat. It was Held for further study after an initial Hearing on March 3rd. No further action was taken during this Session. Thanks to all of the RIMA members for submitting testimony opposed to the Helmet Bill!

A Successful Go Away. This Bill was heard in early March. RIMA weighed in with written testimony and direct sponsor contacts. The House Bill was withdrawn. The Senate Bill was postponed. A go away and don't come back success!!

We tried again. But, it did not Move during the Session despite RIMA's efforts to bring equity to the motorcycle trade in tax. It was heard in the Senate on March 11th and no further action was taken during the Session. It will be a focused initiative of the RIMA again next year.

ARIMA Proclamation bill. A House Resolution proclaiming May as Motorcycle Awareness Month. Was read and passed on May 4th, 2021

Introduced and testified on a course that would offer a Three wheel license in Rhode Island. The course and endorsement is not available in our State. Due to the virus closing the State House the bill is still pending.

A Bill for May as Motorcycle awareness Month was also introduced for Rima but not voted on due to the shutdown.

RIMA continued the fight for safety in Rhode Island by again having the Proclamation for May as Motorcycle Awareness Month pass.

RIMA was instrumental in the passage of a Proclamation declaring May as motorcycle month in the State of Rhode Island.

When bodily injury of any person other than the offending operator of any motor vehicle is caused by violation of another's ROW, the offending operator shall be fined $200

When serious bodily injury of any person other than the offending operator of any motor vehicle is caused by violation of another's ROW, the offending operator shall be fined $500 and his or her drivers license shall be suspended for a period of three months.

When the death of any person other than the offending operator of any motor vehicle is caused by violation of another's ROW, the offending operator shall be fined $1000 and his or her drivers license shall be suspended for a period of one year.

A big win has developed for the RIMA. Our Right - of - Way Bill is now law. The Governor has signed our Right of Way Bill, H 5061 into law. Its been a long time coming. We've worked hard to get our message across that the penalties placed against any users that violates the right of way of any other user were not sufficient enough to cause people to take notice.

Be it on your bike, in your car or truck or any type of motor vehicle when someone takes the mind set to violate another's way the fines levied against that individual will no long be small. Now with hefty fines and suspension of licenses in the works maybe some will start taking notice.

Championed by the Rhode Island Motorcycle Association.

Lawmakers gave the nod to special motorcycle parking spots.

Lawmakers gave the nod to special motorcycle parking spots.

Bikers with business to take care of at municipal or state buildings that provide public parking soon won’t have to use a whole auto space to park. Starting next year, they'll get their own special spots, according to a June 12 press release from the State House. Legislation passed by the Rhode Island General Assembly, and signed into law by the governor, requires that a motorcycle parking plan be established by November of this year for parking areas at state, city or town buildings, and that parking spaces be made available by April 1, 2013. The requirement will not apply to state airport lots.

The motorcycle parking bills were sponsored by Sen. John Tassoni Jr., a Democrat in District 22, Smithfield and North Smithfield, and Rep. Peter John Petrarca, a Democrat serving District 44, Lincoln, Johnston and Smithfield.

Under the new law, the parking plan will provide for motorcycle parking spaces in areas that are adjacent to or within sight of the applicable municipal or state building. Spaces will be designated with appropriate signage, and the parking plan may be revised as situations warrant but must be reviewed at least once every five years.

The number and placement of designated motorcycle parking spaces are to be determined as a result of motorcycle use by employees in those buildings and the input of motorcycle owners and are to be made available from April through November.

The law provides that any unauthorized use of a designated parking space will result in an $85 fine.

The Education Bill was signed into law by the Governor on July 1. This Bill with the combined efforts of the Rhode Island Motorcycle Association and the very helpful Lobbyist for Harley Davidson will allow outside contractors to offer Rider Education for first time motorcycle licensees. Up until now only the State Community College could offer the mandated Riders Education Program for license purposes. This was a three year project from its first conception, through its many rewrites and then finally its passing.