National Riders Association to Improve Safety, Fairness, and Long-Term Sustainability of the Sport

stull33 wrote:

The first rider-led safety and competition standards in the history of American motocross.Advocating for minimum appearance compensation, guaranteed purse structures, and a transparent financial relationship between...

The first rider-led safety and competition standards in the history of American motocross.

Advocating for minimum appearance compensation, guaranteed purse structures, and a transparent financial relationship between promoters, manufacturers, and riders, 
Establishing consistent track preparation guidelines, medical readiness standards, and concussion protocols across all sanctioned events.

“We are not here to divide the sport — we are here to elevate it. When riders are safe, healthy, and respected, the entire industry wins.”

“We’re Protecting the Riders Who Protect the Sport”

“The sport has grown, but protections haven’t.”

“Riders deserve a voice, and the sport deserves safety.”

Every major sport (NASCAR, NFL, motocross overseas, MotoGP, UFC, etc.) has evolved to protect athletes — American motocross is long overdue

Motocross is more dangerous, faster, and more physically demanding than ever.
    •    Yet riders have zero input into track safety, scheduling, medical protocols, or fairness.
    •    Riders have been treated as replaceable assets in a billion-dollar industry.
    •    There is no injury support system when careers end early.
    •    Too many riders suffer preventable injuries due to inconsistent standards.

While some manufacturers currently include clauses restricting riders from joining labor organizations, federal law and modern legal interpretations affirm that athletes retain the fundamental right to organize for safety and workplace standards.

Ensuring riders have a protected voice in decisions affecting event structure, travel demands, safety rules, and schedule changes.

“Motocross riders put their bodies and their futures on the line every time they drop the gate,” said interim NMRA board member.

“Until now, riders have never had a seat at the table when decisions about track safety, medical response, schedules, or pay structures were made. The NMRA is here to fix that. This is about protecting lives, careers, and the future of our sport.”

 

INITIAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO START A MOTOCROSS RIDERS UNION

Built From Federal Labor Statutes & NLRB Requirements

The formation of any union in the United States is governed by:

• National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) – 29 U.S.C. §§ 151–169

• Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) – 29 U.S.C. §§ 401–531

• National Labor Relations Board (NLR regulations – 29 CFR Parts 101–103

• IRS Requirements for Non-Profit Labor Organizations – 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(5)

Professional motocross riders are often called “independent contractors,” but

the NLRB can determine them to be employees if:

• They are controlled by promoters/organizers,

• Their schedules or performance conditions are dictated,

• Their economic dependence resembles employment.

Union-banning clauses in contracts are illegal and unenforceable.

Under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. § 157):

“Employees shall have the right to self-organization… to form, join, or assist labor organizations… and to engage in collective bargaining.”

Under Section 8(a)(1), employers cannot:

“Interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of Section 7 rights.”

This means:

🔥 Any contract clause prohibiting union membership is VOID.

🔥 Employers cannot legally punish or fire a rider for trying to unionize.

🔥 Even independent contractors have special protections under NLRB decisions.

So although manufacturers may TRY, in court or before the NLRB, the clause would be struck down instantly.

Manufacturers claim riders are “independent contractors.”

This is actually an advantage.

Because independent contractors can form associations without ANY employer interference, and the manufacturers have zero legal authority to restrict membership or organization.

The National Motocross Riders Association (NMRA)”

— a worker-led professional organization

— protected under freedom of association

— outside employer jurisdiction

This lets riders:

• Organize

• Build power

• Collect dues

• Negotiate collectively

• Create safety standards

• Vote on policies

• Influence promoters

WITHOUT triggering employer retaliation or contract limitations.
 
   If a manufacturer tries to enforce the anti-union clause, we counter with:

A. A Professional Riders Guild (PRG)

Modeled after:

• Screen Actors Guild (SAG)

• PGA (golfers)

• ATP/WTA (tennis)

These organizations are NOT “unions,” but:

• Negotiate pay

• Set safety rules

• Control working conditions

• Provide benefits

Anti-union contract clauses do NOT apply.

5. Use a “Solidarity Agreement” Instead of Collective Bargaining

Since manufacturers will claim riders are contractors, we can use a different tool:

Solidarity Agreements

• Riders agree to minimum standards

• Riders agree not to race unless conditions are met

• Riders agree to protect each other from retaliation

• Riders agree on safety demands and minimum compensation

This avoids NLRA procedural limits and still forces reform.

Example from real sports:

• Korean eSports associations

• Professional skateboarding’s riders union

• Freeskiers professional alliance

All successful even without employer recognition.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Motocross Riders Announce Formation of a National Riders Association to Improve Safety, Fairness, and Long-Term Sustainability of the Sport

PITTSBURGH, PA — 11/19/2025 — Today, elite motocross riders from across the United States announced the formation of the National Motocross Riders Association (NMRA), a member-driven professional organization dedicated to improving safety standards, competitive conditions, fair compensation practices, and long-term career sustainability in the motocross industry.

For decades, riders have shouldered the physical risk of the sport while lacking a unified voice in decisions that directly affect their health, safety, and livelihoods. The NMRA marks the first organized effort to create a modern, transparent, rider-led framework designed to protect athletes and strengthen the sport from the ground up.

“Motocross riders put their bodies and their futures on the line every time they drop the gate,” said interim NMRA board member.

“Until now, riders have never had a seat at the table when decisions about track safety, medical response, schedules, or pay structures were made. The NMRA is here to fix that. This is about protecting lives, careers, and the future of our sport.”

The NMRA will focus on five immediate priorities:

1. Safety Standards & Medical Protocols

Establishing consistent track preparation guidelines, medical readiness standards, and concussion protocols across all sanctioned events.

2. Fair Compensation & Transparency

Advocating for minimum appearance compensation, guaranteed purse structures, and a transparent financial relationship between promoters, manufacturers, and riders.

3. Injury Support & Career Longevity

Creating a safety net that supports riders facing career-impacting injuries, including insurance initiatives, recovery resources, and long-term planning.

4. Professional Rights & Representation

Ensuring riders have a protected voice in decisions affecting event structure, travel demands, safety rules, and schedule changes.

5. Youth Rider Protection

Setting guidelines that reduce preventable injuries in amateur development programs.

While some manufacturers currently include clauses restricting riders from joining labor organizations, federal law and modern legal interpretations affirm that athletes retain the fundamental right to organize for safety and workplace standards. The NMRA is structured as a professional 501(c)(5) riders association, a model similar to organizations in other major sports, and operates fully within federal regulations.

“Nobody in this sport benefits from unsafe tracks, broken careers, or inconsistent rules,

“We are not here to divide the sport — we are here to elevate it. When riders are safe, healthy, and respected, the entire industry wins.”

The NMRA is now accepting charter members and will soon announce its inaugural Riders Congress, where members will finalize bylaws, elect long-term leadership, and adopt the first rider-led safety and competition standards in the history of American motocross.

 

cloverdale wrote:

Unfortunately, this appears to be driven by a group vendetta driven individuals with a mission... If an individual or group has a clear-cut "better mouse trap"...

Unfortunately, this appears to be driven by a group vendetta driven individuals with a mission... If an individual or group has a clear-cut "better mouse trap", that is awesome!  Put together a business plan and present it to investors. With the current distribution of wealth in this country there are plenty of investors with a net worth of $50 million plus that would love to get on board for a good deal. Afterall, the identity of America is competition, capitalism, free enterprise, etc. Yes, nothing is easy and it would be a long-range endeavor. 

There is precedence for a competing series within the US.

cloverdale wrote:

Unfortunately, this appears to be driven by a group vendetta driven individuals with a mission... If an individual or group has a clear-cut "better mouse trap"...

Unfortunately, this appears to be driven by a group vendetta driven individuals with a mission... If an individual or group has a clear-cut "better mouse trap", that is awesome!  Put together a business plan and present it to investors. With the current distribution of wealth in this country there are plenty of investors with a net worth of $50 million plus that would love to get on board for a good deal. Afterall, the identity of America is competition, capitalism, free enterprise, etc. Yes, nothing is easy and it would be a long-range endeavor. 

There is precedence for a competing series within the US.

Neverclear wrote:

Every time I see a bitch-fest start about the people running the series, I think the same thing. You're free to start your own series anytime. I'm...

Every time I see a bitch-fest start about the people running the series, I think the same thing. You're free to start your own series anytime. 

I'm sure they'll find that it's no problem at all getting manufacturers & individual track owners onboard. They'll also find out how easy it is to set up all of the online registration, ticket sales & broadcast schedules.

Once they get it up and running, they can let all 150 pro riders in for free & pay $20k for 15th place.

Looking forward to the new schedule from the next big motocross promoters. 

stull33 wrote:

explain why you think motocross athletes don’t deserve equal respect the NFL , MLB etc gets Our job is just as demanding and dangerous , and even...

explain why you think motocross athletes don’t deserve equal respect the NFL , MLB etc gets 

Our job is just as demanding and dangerous , and even more expensive to participate .. It’s not about complaining about the current promoters, it’s about navigating the relationship of the riders being able to work fairly with the manufacturers and promoters. 

CPR wrote:

I get the disliking AI bit, but other than that, I don’t understand why the general vibe in here seems to be unsupportive of riders having...

I get the disliking AI bit, but other than that, I don’t understand why the general vibe in here seems to be unsupportive of riders having more say?

stull33 wrote:

Posted it on a Facebook group and the support there is immense ! 

lostboy819 wrote:

For some of us old guys , what is ChatGPT and why is it Bad or good etc. Seriously I have never heard of it and...

For some of us old guys , what is ChatGPT and why is it Bad or good etc. Seriously I have never heard of it and am trying to keep up.  😕

Not hillbilly wrote:

You seriously need to do a little “research” and learn about the artificial intelligence tools already being used by your friends and neighbors. YouTube is not...

You seriously need to do a little “research” and learn about the artificial intelligence tools already being used by your friends and neighbors. YouTube is not a terrible place to start.

lostboy819 wrote:

You seriously need to Piss Off 😎 3strokemx was able to put it in layman's terms very well. 

CPR wrote:

I get the disliking AI bit, but other than that, I don’t understand why the general vibe in here seems to be unsupportive of riders having...

I get the disliking AI bit, but other than that, I don’t understand why the general vibe in here seems to be unsupportive of riders having more say?

stull33 wrote:

Posted it on a Facebook group and the support there is immense ! 

Josh422 wrote:

Every time someone compares moto to other professional sports I think of the infographics that relate the size of earth to other planets, stars, solar systems...

Every time someone compares moto to other professional sports I think of the infographics that relate the size of earth to other planets, stars, solar systems, etc.

 

FreshTopEnd wrote:

Cool. How much are the riders' union dues? And where do they go?  

stull33 wrote:

Josh422 wrote:

You can’t even sell a t shirt in the pits let’s start with the basics.

 

*unless that has changed, then I’m an asshole.

aeffertz wrote:

Lead by ChatGPT. 

thatswhathappens wrote:

Everyone’s asking who the “elite riders” are… there are none because this is a ChatGPT prompt, how are people not seeing this, lol. For future reference, if...

Everyone’s asking who the “elite riders” are… there are none because this is a ChatGPT prompt, how are people not seeing this, lol. 

For future reference, if you guys see:

- 🧱 A wall of text where a good third of it is bold

- 🔫 A lot of bulleted lists

- 💯 Too many emojis

…it’s probably ChatGPT.