January 15, 2023
The Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists (VCOM) and Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group invite all interested motorcyclists to attend this year’s Motorcycle Lobby Day Meeting. This year it will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2023. Beginning at 1:00 p.m., Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists lobbyists will lead an informational meeting at the Holiday Inn Express Midtown, located at 2000 Staples Mill Rd., Richmond, VA 23230.
At this meeting we will discuss this year’s legislation affecting motorcyclists. We will also give pointers on how to talk to your legislators about the important issues that we face. Later that evening, attendees will enjoy a free dinner courtesy of Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group.
The following morning, Monday the 16th, we will meet at the Pocahontas Building in order to lobby our legislators. The Pocahontas Building is located at 900 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia, 23219. It houses the legislative offices of both the members of the House of Delegates and the Virginia State Senate.
This year we intend to pursue two legislative initiatives that came out of this year’s Motorcycle Legislative Roundtable. One bill will make some needed changes to the statute that governs the Motorcycle Rider Training Program. The other piece of legislation will seek to bring lane filtering to Virginia. Five states currently allow some form of lane filtering / splitting. Virginia will join numerous other states this year that will be trying to pass legislation allowing the practice in their state.
We often find ourselves on the defensive end of legislation as well. VCOM lobbyists keep watch for bills that negatively affect motorcycling. As these bills are filed we will identify them so that we can discuss them at Lobby Day and convince our legislators to oppose them.
I encourage everyone who can to join us. It is a lot of fun, it is educational, and most importantly it shows the legislators that motorcyclists are a significant and active portion of the electorate.
If you can’t be in Richmond on January 15th but wish to take part in the meeting, we will offer a virtual option. Just email me and I will send you a link to allow you to attend the meeting via Zoom.
As always, if you have any questions about Lobby Day or any other matters affecting motorcyclists, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
Matt Danielson
McGrath, Danielson & Sorrell
Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group
1-855-LAW-RIDERS
Motorcyclelawgroup.com