Powersports members hustled to nearly 100 meetings over seven hours in Washington, D.C., sitting down with members of Congress and their staff to address tariffs, the Recreational Trails Program funding, federal lands access, PFAS chemicals, and workforce issues days after President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on all countries. Between the marathon of meetings on April 8, many were on their phones trying to keep up as policy shifts unfolded.
The gathering started before 7 a.m. as members representing OEMs, dealers, aftermarket companies and allied trades gathered in the hotel lobby for a bus that took them to the Rayburn House building on the Capitol complex. In Rayburn, 35 members of the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association (side-by-sides), and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America (ATVs) took notes during a breakfast briefing on key issues. They were joined by another 10 leaders and staff from the associations.
“This was my first Capitol Hill Fly-In,” said Ashmore Ellis, CEO and founder of Babes Ride Out and Babes in the Dirt. “It’s a powerful thing to know that you belong here, to see competitors in powersports come together for the greater good.”
The annual Powersports Capitol Hill Fly-In, hosted by the MIC, ROHVA and SVIA, gathers the industry together to proactively share its position on policies, laws and regulations that directly affect the more than 8.4 million motorcycle owners, as well as ATV and side-by-side owners. Representatives from Americans for Free Trade, the Coalition for Recreational Trails, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Retail Federation, and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable also addressed the group, as did two senators and two congressmen.
Ohio Rep. Troy Balderson, co-chair of the House Motorcycle Caucus; Utah Sen. John Curtis, a member of the Senate Motorcycle Caucus; Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, co-chair of the Senate Motorcycle Caucus; and Wisconsin Rep. Tom Tiffany chairman of the Natural Resources Public Lands Subcommittee spoke to associations’ members and staff about their own passion for powersports and the $50.9 billion industry’s impact on their states and on the U.S. economy.
“Riding, recreation, and being outdoors is a bipartisan issue,” said Scott Schloegel, senior vice president of government relations for the MIC, ROHVA and SVIA. “We saw that with the passage of the EXPLORE Act, and we need to be diligent in communicating how legislation and government actions affect our industry and the enthusiasts who love our products.”
The two-hour breakfast briefings moved quickly. By 10 a.m., the first of 95 meetings—with offices representing 29 states—began.
“The Fly-In establishes a singular voice about the impact and strength of our industry,” said Jon-Erik Burleson, CEO of Troy Lee Designs. “Competitors aligned on topics from tariffs, to RTP [Recreational Trails Program], and land access, coming together as the powersports industry to advocate for the things our enthusiast customers need.”
“And for congressional members and their staff to sit down with constituents to discuss the issues that are affecting them, it can make a difference,” said John Hinz, CEO of KTM North America.
TARIFFS
The tariffs issue was front and center during the Fly-In. Powersports members stressed that U.S. businesses and consumers ultimately pay these taxes as fees are passed down. Many also noted that there are no American-made alternatives for key safety products like helmets.
“These indiscriminate tariffs directly raise the price of safety equipment meant to save lives and protect people. Motorcycle helmets have not been manufactured in the U.S. for many years,” said Stan Demas, president of Schuberth North America.
Other powersports leaders expressed the need to ensure there was more time to build the proper structure to move more manufacturing back to the U.S.
RECREATIONAL TRAILS PROGRAM
Powersports enthusiasts pay $281 million in fuel taxes, but the Recreational Trails Program, which provides money to states to develop and maintain recreation trails for motorized and non-motorized users, is funded at only $84 million. Senate bill S.811, which the powersports associations support, seeks to better align RTP funding with taxes paid.
“Americans love recreating with powersports vehicles off-road, so protecting access to public lands and trails is vital for our industry,” said Derek Brooks, senior manager, motorcycle operation, Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA. “Our presence helps lawmakers understand how these programs benefit their home states and constituents.”
PUBLIC LAND ACCESS AND ADEQUATE STAFFING
Powersports representatives urged Congress to ensure adequate staffing for the Forest Service, Park Service and Bureau of Land Management to keep federal lands open and accessible.
“With 640 million acres of public lands, we expressed how important it is to maintain access for our industry,” said Brooks. “Access to public lands brings families together to enjoy the outdoors and create lasting memories, and it’s how we build the next generation of riders.”
PFAS CHEMICALS AND LEGISLATION CONSIDERATIONS
The powersports industry urged Congress and the EPA to take a measured approach to regulating PFAS, a broad group of synthetic chemicals used in everything from engine components to apparel, emphasizing the need to distinguish between high-risk soluble PFAS and the polymerized forms commonly used in powersports, which pose significantly lower risk. The industry also pushed for Current Unavoidable Use (CUU) exemption for these materials while manufacturers search for safe alternatives.
“Currently, PFAS bans have been something we are seeing at a state level,” said Russ Brenan, Director, Research and Development at Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA. “However, we could eventually see federal oversight on the issue, so the chance to explain to legislators the different types of PFAS and current unavoidable use allows us to ensure consumers have access to the products and parts they need.”
Hinz of KTM summed it up: “These topics are everyone’s concern. You don’t have to be a manufacturer or big company to make your voice heard. Dealers are a vital part of congressional districts, riders are voters, we all have a voice and need to make it heard.”
Powersports businesses and professionals looking to get involved can go to mic.org to join the Motorcycle Industry Council. Enthusiasts can also get involved by going to the MIC’s website and clicking “Take Action” to find their elected officials and download letter templates to use to send to their representatives. CN
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