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therein lies the problem. The way I understood the OP, he is traveling to these functions on his own time. So not on the clock = none of the companies business
Work related functions have paid expenses, and the company is indeed liable if you get hurt on the way. If he wrecked his bike, his wife would be suing the company for allowing him to ride it (against workman's comp rules). And she'd win.
The company I work for has one rule ... 1 million in liability insurance must be carried on any vehicle used for work related transportation. If you carry that much, you can use your own vehicle, if not, get a rental. This is work related travel, usually between our three company sights in Texas.
They don't care what I ride or drive to and from work. They also don't care how I get to company dinners, etc, I guess because I'm salary and not "on the clock".
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