22 • July 2024 • Powersports Business
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Minnesota becomes sixth state to pass lane-filtering into law
With Gov . Tim Walz ( D ) signing HF 5247 into law on May 24 , Minnesota became the sixth state to legalize lane filtering . Minnesota is now the easternmost state to legalize lane filtering . It joins California , Utah , Montana , Arizona , and Colorado — which also signed lane filtering into law this year .
“ With this new ability to filter through slowmoving traffic and at stoplights , riders in Minnesota will benefit from increased safety on the open road ,” says Nick Sands , AMA central states representative . “ The recent successes of lane-filtering legislation passing into law in Colorado and Minnesota signal excellent momentum for our efforts in that space , and the overall well-being of our road-riding members .”
As part of a supplemental budget bill — which impacted several departments , including the Minnesota Department of Transportation — motorcyclists in Minnesota will now be allowed to filter through traffic “ at not more than 25 miles per hour and no more than 15 miles per hour over the speed of traffic in relevant traffic lanes .” Written by Sen . Scott Dibble ( D−61 ) and Reps . Frank
Hornstein ( D−61A ), Brad Tabke ( D−54A ), and Erin Koegel ( D−39A ), this section of the bill will take effect on July 1 , 2025 .
The legislation ’ s success came after AMA member and BMW MOA Treasurer Phil Stalboerger told his story of being rear-ended on a motorcycle while in traffic to several legislators who wanted to find a way to prevent further accidents from happening .
“ After telling my story to a lot of people and educating people on what lane-filtering means for the motorcycle community , it ’ s very rewarding seeing this legislation pass ,” Stalboerger said . “ There was a nice rally cry from the motorcycle community , clubs , small businesses , and others saying that ‘ yes ,’ we want this . The passage of this legislation illustrates grassroots advocacy at its finest .”
In addition to the lane-filtering aspects , HF 5247 also added punishments for drivers who impede motorcyclists on the open road , stating that “ an operator of a motor vehicle must not intentionally impede or attempt to prevent the operation of a motorcycle ” when filtering . Its well-documented success in other states , in addition to support from several studies , indicate that it ’ s an effective way to keep motorcyclists safe on the road .
Minnesota is now the easternmost state to legalize lane filtering , joining California , Utah , Montana , Arizona , and Colorado . Photo courtesy of © Adobe Stock - flatvectors
The AMA says it endorses lane filtering and lane splitting ; its position can be found on americanmotorcyclist . com .
BMW North America realigns communications department
Manfred Grunert , vice president of BMW ’ s government affairs and communications , Americas , recently announced the following changes within its corporate communications team .
BMW North America ’ s headquarters is in Woodcliff Lake , New Jersey . Photo courtesy of BMW North America
Thomas Plucinsky , currently head of BMW Group product communication , will transition to the newly formed position of head of BMW Group Classic USA . Plucinsky will oversee all BMW Group Classic division
activities in the U . S . and Canada .
Working closely with the BMW Group Classic in Munich , he will be responsible for communications of the BMW Group brands from a historical context . He will work with the various official clubs ( car and motorcycle ) and individual collectors to strengthen the BMW community in the U . S . and Canada . He will be responsible for growing the classic parts business in North America and will manage the BMW USA Classic Collection fleet of historically significant vehicles , artifacts , and archives .
Mariella Kapsaskis , currently head of BMW N . A . corporate communications , will add oversight of BMW Group product communications to her role and assume the new title of department manager , corporate and product communications . In this new position , Kapsaskis will take on full responsibility for all U . S . corporate , product , and technology communications topics and management of the U . S . team .
Both Plucinsky and Kapsaskis will report directly to Manfred Grunert .
As part of this new structure , Phil DiIanni will take on an expanded role in the department . In addition to his current responsibilities as the U . S . corporate communications and external media relations lead for business , sales , marketing , and culture topics , Dilanni will also be responsible for technology , innovation , and sustainability communications and initiatives .
Alex Schmuck , manager of BMW product and technology communications and BMW Performance Center communications , will now oversee MINI and BMW Motorrad communications in the U . S . he will assume the new title of manager of BMW Group product communications , U . S .
Kathryn Vallis adds digital communications to her current internal and executive communications responsibilities . She assumes the new title of senior specialist executive , internal and digital communications .
Esther Mansfield expands her current scope to include strategy , planning , and steering and assumes the new title of senior specialist BMW Group corporate communications events .
Dilanni , Schmuck , Vallis , and Mansfield will now report directly to Department Manager Mariella Kapsaskis .
Buell looks for growth in global markets
The iconic American motorcycle brand started by its namesake , Erik Buell , has announced plans to rejoin global markets . According to reports , Buell Motorcycles , renowned for high-performance superbikes and a highly anticipated Super Cruiser , is on the gas toward an expansion into global markets . Japan , France , Spain , Brazil , Canada , and Italy have been instrumental for Buell Motorcycle clubs for decades .
After being void in those markets for over 10 years , Buell says it plans to regrow global distribution in these markets during the next few years .
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To help accelerate the expansion , Buell has opened its communication and phone lines for international distributors and dealers to contact the factory . In addition , it has opened refundable pre-order deposits for customers to show their interest in buying a new Buell .
Following the launch of Buell ’ s Hammerhead 1190 Superbike and the announcement of the Super Cruiser prototypes , riders worldwide have been asking when Buell products will be available in their countries .
Buell announced in a press release that , with the support of the U . S . Small Business Administration and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation , it has hired an experienced internal team to handle international dealers .
This year ’ s focus on global growth will begin in Canada and expand to other countries from that point on .
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“ We are looking forward to delivering high-performance V-Twin motorcycles into the Canadian marketplace . The importation of Buell motorcycles into Canada will genuinely increase the recognition that Buell is Back ,” says Troy Devlin , director of business development at Buell Motorcycle Co .
Buell ’ s expansion into Canada is expected to happen this summer . Timelines for the UK , EU , and other markets are being planned . Compliance is being led by Barbara Kiss , former head of Global Compliance at General Motors , and Buell ’ s compliance specialist Emily Reid- Barker .
“ We ’ ve seen a strong demand for Buell ’ s high-performance motorcycles across the globe ,” says Bill Melvin , CEO of Buell Motorcycle Co . “ We ’ re listening , and we ’ re ready to
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Buell says it will focus on global growth this summer in Canada and then expand to other countries .
Photo courtesy of Buell
expand with global distribution . Our energetic and growing team is ready to deliver the rumble of our high-performance V-Twin American motorcycles . Riders keep asking , ‘ When ?’ We want to give them what they want – an iconic American motorcycle with rich history , horsepower , and lots of adventure .”
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