Cycle Update

Pennsylvania softens its helmet law
Pennsylvania has a new helmet law that gives adult motorcyclists in the state a choice on helmet use under certain conditions. Under the new law, motorcyclists 21 or older who have had a motorcycle operator’s license for at least two years, or who have completed an approved motorcycle rider safety course, would be able to decide whether to use a helmet, starting about mid-September. Passengers 21 or older riding with riders who meet the requirements of the law also would have a choice in helmet use.
AMA honors KYLE PETTY
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has selected Kyle Petty as the latest recipient of the AMA Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award . The award, presented to Petty for his commitment to a wide range of charitable causes, is the AMA’s highest honor for activities that generate positive publicity for motorcycling. In 1995, he founded the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America to benefit children’s charities. Since then, the event has logged over 24,000 miles, involved over 3,000 riders, and generated more than $3.5 million for children’s hospitals across the country.
Indian beefs up dealer support
Indian Motorcycle Corporation (IMC) , Gilroy, Calif., has appointed Ben Blemker to vice president of dealer development. Blemker joins other recent appointments John Koehler , vice president of sales, and Wade Hubbard , vice president of aftersales, at IMC.
Blemker, prior to joining IMC, was a partner with Pathway Guidance , a Cincinnati-based company providing strategic guidance to help organizations accomplish greater success. Before that, he held executive positions with the David J. Joseph Company , most recently as executive vice president, Proctor and Gamble and Dun and Bradstreet.

WOMAN wants TO ride MOTORCYCLE up Mount EVEREST
In an attempt to break the unofficial world record for the highest altitude on motorcycle, Swedish biker Annie Seel hopes to ride up a lower portion of Mount Everest on a motorcycle. The record is 5,250 meters (17,224 feet) above sea level, according to Seel. Last year Seel completed the grueling Paris-Dakar rally on her motorcycle despite suffering a broken hand. Her adventure is scheduled to start on August 6.
BLUERIBBON seeks SPONSORS
The BlueRibbon Coalition , a pro-recreational-access association, is seeking sponsorship for next year’s Breakfast of Champions at the 2004 Dealer Expo in Indianapolis.
Gold level co-sponsorship at $1,000 will entitle you to have your company logo on all promotional material distributed in advance of the event and your banner hung at the event. Silver level co-sponsorship will entitle you to name listing on the promotional material. All levels of sponsorship will be listed in media releases both before and after the event.
For more information contact Clark Collins, BlueRibbon Coalition Executive Director, 4555 Burley Drive, Ste. A, Pocatello, ID 83202; 208/237-1008 ext. 101; www.sharetrails.org.
AMA SPORTS AWARDS BANQUET SET
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that AMA Sports , which manages amateur and pro-am AMA competition, will hold its inaugural AMA Sports Awards Banquet on Friday, Nov. 21, at the Las Vegas Hilton. The banquet will honor champions from AMA Sports’ amateur and pro-am programs, plus numerous special award recipients. The AMA Pro Racing’s annual Awards Banquet is scheduled for Nov. 22.
Speed Channel personality Greg White and veteran race announcer Tim Cotter will serve as masters-of-ceremonies at the 2003 AMA Sports Awards Banquet. The event is open to the public. For tickets and details, contact Sue Mason at smason@ama-cycle.org or 614/856-1900, ext. 1244.