IRVINE, Calif. Three powersports industry associations today joined forces to provide financial assistance to the relief efforts currently underway in Japan. The boards and members of the Motorcycle Industry Council, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America are collectively donating $10,000 to the 2011 Japan Relief Fund. Each organization is encouraging its members to make their own contributions. Each organization’s website now incorporates a link to the relief fund so that members and the riding community can easily make donations. “Thanks to the support of our boards and the contributions of our members, the MIC, MSF and SVIA are able to make a substantial financial contribution to assist the people of Japan,” said Tim Buche, president and chief executive officer of MIC, MSF and SVIA. “We also wanted to provide a way for the riding community to contribute, which is why we established website links.” Those interested in donating should visit MIC.org, rockmoto.com, motorcycles.org, MSF-USA.org, SVIA.org or atvsafety.org and click on the “2011 Japan Relief Fund” tab. Visitors will be directed to a page with more detailed information and a link to the Japan Relief Fund donation page on the Japan America Society of Southern California website. The JAS-SC created the 2011 Japan Relief Fund to help provide critical funds to the victims of Japan’s worst natural disaster, the massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake that triggered a tsunami that caused widespread devastation and crippled nuclear power plants. “The devastation is too much for any country to deal with alone,” said Buche. “Japan is a vital part of our industry, now it is our turn to help them.” All donations will go to experienced non-governmental disaster relief agencies in Japan that have a proven track record of emergency humanitarian relief and restoration work. The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. As a not-for-profit, national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation® promotes safety through rider training and education, operator licensing tests and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. Standards established by the MSF® have been recognized worldwide since 1973. The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha. For safety information or to enroll in the RiderCourseSM nearest you, visit www.msf-usa.org or call (800) 446-9227. The Specialty Vehicle Institute of America® promotes the safe and responsible use of all-terrain vehicles through rider training, public awareness campaigns and state legislation. Additionally, the SVIA® works to preserve access to off-road lands and expand riding opportunities. The SVIA is a resource for ATV research, statistics and vehicle standards. Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the SVIA develops standards for the equipment, configuration and performance requirements of ATVs. The SVIA is a not-for-profit industry association sponsored by Arctic Cat, BRP, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, KYMCO, Polaris, Suzuki, Tomberlin and Yamaha. Visit the SVIA online at www.svia.org. For safety information or to enroll in the ATV RiderCourseSM nearest you, visit www.atvsafety.org or call (800) 887-2887.