The 15th Annual Michael “Boz” Kerr Bikers Inside the Beltway is the ONLY National Motorcycle Lobby Day held in our nation’s Capital. Motorcyclists from around the country ride to D.C. to help educate Members of Congress about the issues facing motorcyclists today.
Advocating for Riders’ Rights at the Heart of American Democracy
Each year, the rumble of motorcycles converging on Washington, D.C., marks a pivotal moment for the motorcycling community across the United States. Known as Bikers Inside the Beltway, the National Motorcycle Lobby Day brings together riders, advocates, and organizations nationwide to speak with a unified voice on legislative issues affecting motorcyclists. Held annually in the nation’s capital, this event empowers the community to take part in the democratic process and ensure their rights, safety, and lifestyle are protected.
The Mission: Riders Engaged in Civic Advocacy
Organized by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), Bikers Inside the Beltway is more than just a symbolic ride to D.C.—it’s a hands-on lobbying effort. Attendees set up meetings with Senators, Representatives, and their legislative staff to discuss crucial issues like:
- Motorcycle profiling
- Ethanol fuel mandates and labeling
- Autonomous vehicle safety and recognition of motorcycles
- Preservation of the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
- Health insurance discrimination
- Motorcycle access to public lands
This event facilitates direct communication between legislators and constituents, reinforcing that motorcyclists are a diverse, informed, and engaged group demanding consideration in transportation policy and beyond.
The Event Structure: Organized and Impactful
Participants begin their visit with a briefing session hosted by the MRF, where they receive training on effectively communicating their concerns. This includes talking points, legislative priorities, and guidance on interacting with policymakers in a productive, respectful manner.
Armed with this knowledge, bikers—often wearing state patches and vests from their riding organizations—split into state-based teams. They head to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers, providing a powerful visual presence and a reminder of the voting power behind their message.
A Grassroots Tradition with Growing Momentum
Since its inception, Bikers Inside the Beltway has grown in both size and influence. It has successfully helped introduce and support key legislation such as:
- House Resolution 366, condemning motorcycle profiling
- Right-to-Repair initiatives
- Fair labeling for E15 and higher ethanol blends
What sets this event apart is its grassroots origin, rather than being led solely by large lobbying firms or think tanks, it is driven by everyday motorcyclists—club members, veterans, women riders, safety instructors, and independent enthusiasts—who take time off work and travel at their own expense to speak for the community.
Uniting the Motorcycle Community
Perhaps one of the most powerful aspects of National Motorcycle Lobby Day is the unity it fosters. Riders from various backgrounds, clubs, and ideologies come together under a shared passion for motorcycling and a desire to protect their freedoms. Organizations such as ABATE, BikerDown, Women in the Wind, and many more are active participants, highlighting the diversity of voices involved.
Why It Matters
The policies formed in D.C. have real-world consequences on riders’ lives—whether it’s the type of fuel they can access, how they are treated on the road by law enforcement, or whether emerging technologies consider their safety. National Motorcycle Lobby Day ensures the motorcycle community is not left out of the conversation.
By taking their message directly to lawmakers, Bikers Inside the Beltway participants remind us that democracy thrives when citizens are active, informed, and involved.
Looking Forward
As the motorcycle landscape evolves—impacted by new technologies, changing infrastructure, and environmental considerations—so too must the advocacy efforts of its community. Bikers Inside the Beltway is a shining example of effective, passionate, and respectful civic engagement.
Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or a first-time participant, this event offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact. It’s a call to every rider: Your voice matters. Use it. We will go into more detail on a state-by-state basis, but these laws at the US Capital affect all riders.
Colorado: Voices from the West
Motorcycle riders from Colorado and Nevada have long been active participants in Bikers Inside the Beltway, bringing the spirit of the West to Capitol Hill. These riders represent the unique needs of motorcyclists in their states and the broader commitment to civil liberties, personal responsibility, and safety education.
Colorado: Mountain-State Advocacy and a Focus on Safety
Colorado riders, many affiliated with ABATE of Colorado, BikerDown Foundation, and independent riding groups, come to Washington with a strong emphasis on rider safety, anti-profiling, and motorcycle accident victim support. With Colorado’s expansive mountain roads and diverse weather conditions, safety initiatives are a top priority. Advocates from the state consistently push for:
- Federal recognition of motorcycle profiling and the need for bias-free traffic enforcement
- Support for accident response training and services, especially in rural areas
- Fair and transparent fuel labeling, with a focus on the risks of high-ethanol blends at altitude
- Access to ICE-powered motorcycles, in response to electric-only proposals that don’t serve all terrain or riders equally
COIR (Coalition of Independent Riders), COC (Confederation of Clubs), CORD, BikerDown, and ABATE of Colorado and motorcycle law firms like Rider Justice have been strong supporters of anti-profiling legislation and expanded awareness campaigns around ethanol-blend fuel dangers. Their presence in D.C. often includes face-to-face meetings with lawmakers to explain the real-world consequences of current policies. All these organizations locally have worked tirelessly to increase penalties for Texting and Driving, hands-free driving, and most recently, increasing the penalties for Careless Driving Causing Bodily Injury or Death from a misdemeanor to a Class 6 Felony.
Florida: Sunshine State Riders Shine on Capitol Hill
Florida’s motorcyclists are among the most active and influential voices in national motorcycle advocacy. Each year, Florida riders bring their passion, experience, and legislative insight to Bikers Inside the Beltway, ensuring that lawmakers in Washington hear directly from one of the largest riding populations in the U.S.
Florida Riders: Safety, Education, and Individual Rights
Representatives from ABATE of Florida, the Southeast Confederation of Clubs, and several independent riding associations and safety nonprofits consistently make the journey to the Capitol to advocate on issues uniquely relevant to Florida’s diverse riding environment. Top legislative priorities include:
- Helmet choice and rider autonomy
- Improved distracted driving enforcement
- Motorcycle safety awareness campaigns in urban and tourist-heavy zones
- Fuel labeling transparency in coastal climates
- Opposition to federal overregulation of emissions standards
Florida’s focus often includes education-first approaches rather than mandates, advocating for federal funding to support public awareness campaigns, rider training programs, and motorcycle-friendly infrastructure upgrades.
A State of Many Roads, One Voice
From the congested I-95 corridor to rural Panhandle highways, Florida’s riders reflect a wide range of backgrounds. The delegation includes urban commuters, long-distance tourers, veterans, retirees, and members of multicultural riding groups. This diversity has helped Florida stand out at Bikers Inside the Beltway, presenting a united but multi-dimensional front. Their message is clear: federal policy must reflect the realities of everyday riders in a state with over 600,000 registered motorcycles.
Nevada: Land Use, AV Safety, and Urban-Rural Unity
Nevada riders offer a blend of advocacy from the glittering urban centers of Las Vegas and Reno to the remote expanses of the Great Basin. Their issues reflect a dual reality—urban challenges with insurance and traffic technology, rural concerns about trail access and land closures.
Autonomous vehicle safety is a recurring theme for Nevada bikers. As one of the first states to legalize AV testing, Nevada riders are on the front lines of advocating for motorcycles to be safely and reliably detected by emerging technologies. Rural riders also voice concerns over access to federal lands. Closures of desert trails and riding routes are seen as a direct threat to the motorcycling culture that thrives in Nevada’s open spaces.
Nevada’s epidemic number of motorcycle fatalities is up 40% from 2024. Lack of enforcement of distracted driving, illegal use of hand-held mobile devices while driving, affects not only the Nevada riders, but also pedestrians and drivers alike.
Organizations such as ABATE of Southern Nevada, So Nevada Confederation of Clubs, Bling Devas MC, Soldiers for Jesus, and Veterans organizations have been long-standing advocates for motorcyclist rights in the state. They focus on helmet choice, safety education, and legislative awareness. See Article from Shannon “Dazzlin” Venturo by clicking here
Texas: Lone Star Leadership in Washington
Everything is bigger in Texas—including the impact of its motorcyclists on Capitol Hill during Bikers Inside the Beltway. Year after year, Texas sends one of the largest and most organized delegations to Washington, D.C., showcasing the strength and unity of the Lone Star State’s motorcycle community.
Texas Riders: Freedom, Fairness, and Federal Action
Representatives from organizations such as Texas ABATE Confederation, Texas Motorcycle Rights Association (TMRA2), Confederation of Clubs and Independents, and independent advocacy groups arrive well-prepared to address local and national rider concerns. Their focus often includes:
- Motorcycle profiling and law enforcement reform
- Right to repair and preservation of ICE-powered motorcycles
- Insurance parity and medical discrimination protections
- Recognition of motorcycles in autonomous vehicle detection systems
- Veteran rider support and highway infrastructure investment
Organizing with Precision
Texas riders typically arrive with coordinated talking points, scheduled Congressional meetings, and a unified agenda. Many of them have strong, ongoing relationships with their U.S. Representatives and Senators, ensuring their message carries weight year after year.
Their unified yet diverse voice continues to make Texas one of the most respected and proactive states in national motorcycle advocacy.
