Bill would protect the rights of motorcycle riders

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - Motorcycle-only checkpoints would be discouraged under a bipartisan bill reintroduced by a group of senators, among them New Hampshire's Jeanne Shaheen and Kelly Ayotte.

The bill would prohibit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from issuing grants to states for motorcycle-only checkpoints. The agency initiated a program in 2009 that provided states with funds to conduct the checkpoints.

The senators say they are discriminatory, where riders are specifically targeted by police to check that their vehicles meet state standards for noise, handlebar length, tire condition and other requirements.

Shaheen said there aren't checkpoints that stop cars to check their tire pressure, so there shouldn't be checkpoints for motorcycles, either.

Other senators reintroducing the bill are Susan Collins of Maine, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, and Joe Manchin of West Virginia.