Pennsylvania liability law could lead to more rider training areas

The efforts of A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania, with help from lobbyist Charles Umbenhauer, bore fruit when Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law a bill that could lead to more street motorcycle safety training locations around the state.

On Nov. 22, Corbett signed into law House Bill 563 that creates an exemption from liability for a landowner who allows his or her property to be used for an approved motorcycle safety education program.

“This is a great victory for A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania because it may encourage more property owners to make their facilities available for use by the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety program,” says Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager.

“The program has a stellar record of offering street motorcycle safety training not only for two-wheeled vehicles but for three-wheelers as well,” he says. “This new law should certainly help efforts to increase motorcycle safety in the state.”

A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania notes that it has become difficult to find, and obtain permission to use, adequate parking lots for motorcycle safety training.

“Furthermore, it was becoming more difficult to maintain current sites with landowners becoming ever more concerned of liability and the threat of litigation for allowing the state program to use their land,” A.B.A.T.E. of Pennsylvania said in a news release. “Many want to help and believe in the motorcycle safety program, but have come to realize they endanger their business and livelihood for trying to be a good citizen.”