Realizing the importance of passing legislation that requires the motorized vehicle manufacturers to sell repair and safety codes to local, independent shops, the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) has now joined the Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition’s effort to give consumers more choice, making less costly repairs more available when they need to get their vehicle fixed.
The MMA has been a strong supporter of coalition’s efforts, closely following the issue for the past year. Now, as the Right to Repair bill’s hearing approaches at the State House, a long standing ally in the fight for the law’s passage, is the coalition’s newest member.
“While originally targeting car and truck manufacturers, it’s becoming clear that the Right to Repair consumer legislation would also help out the thousands of motorcycle riders in our state in a big way,” said Doc D’Errico, Vice Chairman of the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association. “Just like the issue with cars, we are now seeing more and more motorcycle models that are highly computerized and there are many situations arising where independent service providers cannot perform anything beyond basic maintenance of newer models,” he added.
The MMA, established in 1975, is a not-for-profit organization of motorcycle riders and enthusiasts, committed to protecting motorcyclists’ rights in the Commonwealth. The group promotes better and safer conditions on Massachusetts’ roads and highways and supports legislation that implements policies and programs that help motorcyclists.
The Right to Repair legislation is set for a hearing before the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure on June 28th. The legislation would provide consumers across Massachusetts with more choice and convenience when it comes to picking a repair shop to fix the vehicles they paid for. The legislation requires the big car manufacturers to sell the same essential repair information to local repair shops that they now provide to their dealerships.
As it stands now, not all of the repair information is available to independent, neighborhood car repair shops. “We welcome the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association to our effort to pass this important piece of consumer legislation,” said Art Kinsman, the spokesman for the Right to Repair Coalition. “Most motorcycle enthusiasts are also car owners, however, there is a concern that repair information for all motor vehicles be made available for independent repair shops and many motorcyclists who like to do their own repairs.”
The Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition has more than doubled in size since the last legislative session.
For more information, visit www.MassRightToRepair.com or www.MassMotorcycle.org.
