| Energy hog offends thin-skinned bikers |
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| Wednesday, 28 December 2005 | |
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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:You CAN ride a motorcycle prt1Lane Splitting 101 Be careful out there... Motorcycling in the Rain Tips for buying a new or used motorcycle Motorcycle Safety Drives Mother Motorcycle safety key to riding |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 07 January 2008 ) |
