Energy hog offends thin-skinned bikers

Wednesday, 28 December 2005

'Energy hog' offends thin-skinned bikers Newhouse News Service - Houston Chronicle - chron.com WASHINGTON - The Bush administration's use of a leather-jacketed "energy hog" as a humorous mascot to promote energy conservation has left one group unamused — motorcyclists. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, a Washington group that pushes law-abiding riding, complained in a recent letter to Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman that the energy-wasting cartoon beast unfairly evokes stereotypes of gas-guzzling outlaw bikers. "We think it's somewhat juvenile, considering motorcycles are one of the most efficient vehicles on the road," said Jeff Hennie, the foundation's vice president for government relations. Harley-Davidson has taken steps to control the word "hog" as a description for only its motorcycles, including trademarking the name. A 1999 U.S. Appeals Court ruling, however, held that the word was just generic as applied to large motorcycles. The Energy Department, meanwhile, has assured the Motorcycle Riders Foundation that it the agency is using the mascot only to grab the attention of children. Related Articles: Boomer Motorcycle Riders Over 40 A Road Hazard? Rise in female motorcycle riders drives industry change Motorcycling in the Rain Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame Announces New Inductees Kawasaki Introduces New Twin-cylinder Sportbike The 2006 Ninja 650R Motorcycle riders told: suit up Passing Safely

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