Governor Warner Creates Motorcycle Advisory Council

Governor Warner Creates Motorcycle Advisory Council

— Group will promote ride safety and motorcycle tourism and business development —

Governor Mark R. Warner today announced the creation of the Governor's Motorcycle Advisory Council. The group, comprised of state and local officials, state agency representatives, and motorcycle enthusiasts, will work to promote motorcycle safety, tourism, and business development in Virginia. The Council is the next step in Governor Warner's "Motorcycle VIRGINIA!" initiative created in 2004.

"Virginia has worked to expand its tourism markets in so many areas - and motorcycle tourism is a great opportunity for us," said Governor Warner. "As an example, the annual Gold Wing Road Riders Association state rally in Roanoke generates over $320,000 each year for the Roanoke Valley; and we know motorcyclists are generous with their time and resources in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for charities in communities across the Commonwealth. Additionally, as the Commonwealth grapples with the transportation challenges of the next decade, motorcyclists need to have a voice in that debate."

Council members are appointed by the Governor and include one member of the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia as well as a representative from each of the following state agencies: Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of State Police, Department of Transportation, and the Virginia Tourism Authority. The Council includes representatives from the Virginia's sheriffs, police chiefs, and the Board of Transportation Safety and sixteen citizen members appointed by the Governor. The Secretaries of Commerce and Trade, Public Safety, and Transportation serve as ex officio members.

Governor Warner appointed the following individuals to the Governor's Motorcycle Advisory Council:

* Bernard A. Adams of Front Royal, IT specialist with the U.S. Department of the Navy; member of Freedom Riders M.C.
* Richard E. Becker of Boston, retired from the U.S. Air Force and owner of two small businesses; member of Orange Harley Owners Group;
* Colonel Charles Bennett, Jr., of Lynchburg, Chief of Police for the City of Lynchburg;
* James T. Cannon of Ashland, Director of the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists;
* Robert P. Crouch, Jr., of Mechanicsville, Counselor to the Governor; Chairman; chair of the Governor's 2004-2005 "MotorcycleVIRGINIA!" initiative;
* Dale Coyner of Herndon, self-employed writer; author of Motorcycle Journeys Through the Appalachians;"
* The Honorable Steve M. Draper of Martinsville, Sheriff of the City of Martinsville, and Security Director, Martinsville Speedway;
* Charles S. Finley, Jr., of Richmond, Executive Vice President of the Virginia Motorcycle Dealers Association;
* Melissa S. Franklin of Mechanicsville, Founder of the Supreme Ladies M.C.;
* Julia Ciarlo Hammond of Richmond, Director of Government Relations for the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association;
* Richard S. Holman of Monterey, owner of The Gallery of Mountain Secrets;
* David L. Jennings, Sr., Mechanicsville, American Motorcyclist Association Virginia Community Council;
* Keith N. Lindgren of Chesapeake, President of the Motorcycle Safety League of Virginia, Inc.;
* Joseph R. Marshall of Richmond, member, Richmond Riders M.C.;
* John V. Mazza, Jr., of Mataoca, President of Medallion Pool Company, Inc. and former member of Virginia Transportation Safety Board;
* The Honorable Samuel A. Nixon, Jr., of Richmond, Member of the Virginia House of Delegates;
* The Honorable Phillip P. Puckett, of Lebanon, Member of the Virginia State Senate;
* James M. Ramsey, Jr., of Annandale, Supervisor in the Construction Department of the Washington Gas Company;
* Patrick Sanders of Nellysford, Director of Dealer Development, California Sidecar;
* Lora Sharkey of Manassas, Fire and Rescue Lieutenant with the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue, member Fire and Iron (firefighters) M.C.;
* Charles E. Talley of Richmond, Founder and President of Cobra-One M.C. and Commander of American Legion Post 210.

Agency Representatives:

* Virginia Economic Development Partnership: Rick Richardson
* Virginia State Police: Captain Richard Denney
* Virginia Department of Transportation: Mark Hodges
* Department of Motor Vehicles: Bruce Biondo
* Virginia Tourism Authority: Ralph Earnhardt
* Alcohol Beverage Control: Shawn Walker
* Transportation Safety Board: J. Thomas McGrath

The Governor's Motorcycle Advisory Council will elevate the "Motorcycle Virginia" work group efforts that began in 2004. The group, comprised of state agencies involved in tourism, public safety, and transportation, has produced more than 50,000 "Watch for Motorcycles" bumpers tickers and launched a Web site featuring Virginia's motorcycle routes, safety guidelines, and motorcycle resource links. For more information go to

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/Press_Policy/Releases/2006/Jan06/0106.htm