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 The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has, in recent years, repositioned itself both ideologically and politically. Formerly a non-motorized recreation group with wheels, today IMBA is, practically speaking, a motorized wreckreation group without motors.
IMBA has taken a radical turn and as part of this transition, it is aligning itself ever more closely with the American Recreation Coalition and other anti-environmental / motorized / access interest groups. Pasted below a recent example of the company IMBA now keeps.
I'd just add that IMBA is not the only non-motorized group in this position. Look at the list and you'll see two others, both of which are card-carrying members of the ARC. Keep a sharp lookout and you will notice others. This transformation of recreation groups into wreckreation groups, and indeed the transformation of recreation into wreckreation, is a disconcerting trend.
Scott
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February 1, 2008
AMA Seeks Support for Bill to End Health Insurance Discrimination Against Motorcyclists
by Lance Oliver
PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association announced
today that more than 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives
have co-sponsored a bill that would end health insurance discrimination
against motorcyclists and others who participate in legal recreational
activities or use their motorcycles for transportation.
While the action is significant, there is still much work to be done,
according to AMA Vice President for Government Relations Edward
Moreland.
"The AMA is calling on motorcyclists and others who face health
insurance discrimination to urge their Representatives to support H.R.
1076, known as the HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act,"
said Moreland. "Time is short. The bill has broad bi-partisan support
but we need 218 votes for passage. If we don't act by April, we will
likely miss our chance for legislative action in 2008."
Health insurance discrimination can have a devastating financial effect
on families and has been the focus of efforts by the AMA and other
groups for many years. Following the passage of the original HIPAA
legislation in 2001, bureaucrats at the Department of Health and Human
Services created a loophole that allowed insurance companies to deny
benefits to people who are injured while participating in legal
recreational activities, such as riding motorcycles or off-road
vehicles, horseback riding, skiing, and other activities. H.R. 1076
will close that loophole.
Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas) has worked diligently to get H.R.
1076 passed. "Laws like HIPAA are passed to protect people," he said.
"Sometimes they have unintended consequences. When this happens,
Congress has an obligation to fix the loopholes and that's what this
bill does."
"No one should be denied health coverage for no reason other than they
enjoy snowmobiles, motorcycles or other recreational activities," said
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), the lead Democrat sponsoring the bill.
"This legislation would enforce the original intent of Congress and
ensure recreational enthusiasts are not discriminated against."
In the last Congress, the U.S. Senate passed a companion bill by
unanimous consent, but the bigger challenge has been getting
legislation approved in the House.
"We now have 101 co-sponsors for this legislation in the House, which
is an important milestone," said Moreland. "But to reach 218 votes and
get H.R. 1076 passed, immediate grassroots action is crucial,
especially since House members are returning to their districts soon to
campaign for the fall election."
U.S. Representatives can quickly and easily be contacted by going to the AMA Rapid Response Center at www.AMADirectlink.com.
Other organizations supporting this legislation include: American
Council of Snowmobile Association; American Horse Council; American
Recreation Coalition; American Trails; Americans for Responsible
Recreational Access; Blue Ribbon Coalition; International Mountain
Bicycling Association; Motorcycle Industry Council; Motorcycle Riders
Foundation; National Ski Areas Association; Specialty Vehicle Industry
Council; Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association; and the Washington
Road Riders Association.
The American Motorcyclist Association: rights. riding. racing. Founded
in 1924, the AMA is a non-profit organization with 290,000 members. The
Association's purpose is to pursue, protect and promote the interests
of motorcyclists, while serving the needs of its members. For more
information, visit the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com.
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- Outdoor recreation 
