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MRF E-MAIL NEWS
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE Suite 510
Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice)
202-546-0986 (fax)
http://www.mrf.org
Contact: Jeff Hennie,
MRF Vice-President of Government Relations
is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester.
For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit us on our website at http://www.ON-A-BIKE.com.
MRF Leaders Report - 06LR06
LAUTENBERG LETTER
Recently, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) sent a letter to all fifty governors praising the benefits of compulsory state helmet laws. Eighty-two-year-old Lautenberg is gearing up for a fifth Senate term in 2008 and appears ready to continue his efforts to mandate safety. While Lautenberg played down his sound defeat on the Senate floor last year following his call for a vote on a mandatory motorcycle helmet law amendment, he closed his recent letter suggesting similar legislation may be introduced in the United States Senate in the near future.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), along with Garden State ABATE (ABATE of NJ) and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), arranged a meeting with Mr. Lautenberg’s DC office staff. The purpose of the meeting was to attempt to determine if the Senator’s goal is to save lives or merely to grandstand, using the helmet issue for personal political gain. During the meeting, staffers revealed that while Lautenberg is a tireless advocate of highway safety, his preferred method of achieving his goal is with a federal or state mandate.
Safer highways are important to both the MRF and Mr. Lautenberg. However, historically mandates prove not to be the solution to the problem, as Mr. Lautenberg would have you believe. The MRF position will always be that quality education and effective measures assuring road user accountability will result in safer roads for everyone. The MRF will continue to educate Mr. Lautenberg, informing him about the methods and practices that do work when it comes to motorcycle safety. We will continue to closely monitor his intentions. Intuition tells me he is not prepared to abandon the concept of helmet mandates any time soon.
You are encouraged to contact the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative in your state and inquire about the letter. Ask if a response has been or will be sent to Lautenberg’s office by your state. The MRF does not recommend that you contact Senator Lautenberg’s office at this time. If history is any indicator generating a national response will only serve to provide unwarranted attention and validation for his unsolicited letter.
MORE GOVERNORS’ LETTERS
Another letter arrived in most gubernatorial mailboxes recently but this time it was good news. Forty-four states and Puerto Rico received notice they would be receiving at least $100,000.00 for motorcycle rider education and awareness campaigns. The actual amount awarded to each state is determined by a complex formula, taking population and public road miles into account. Essentially, more people and more miles of public roads in your state result in more money. The amount awarded has no bearing whatsoever on the existing rider education and safety community at large in each state. The states not listed either failed to qualify or did not apply for this round of grants.
Knowing how much money your state has received will enable you to keep your state motorcycle safety division accountable when they start spending. According to the public law that created the grant program, your state can make some of the funds available to a non-profit organization incorporated in your state. Whether your non-profit organization obtains a portion of the funds or not, at the very least you can make sure that the money is used for motorcycle safety and awareness as it was intended. If you are having problems with the way the money is being used in your state, let the MRF know and we will do what we can to help right any wrongs. The chiefs at NHTSA have already agreed to help direct the money to quality rider education and awareness campaigns and away from useless studies and government waste, fraud, and abuse.
Applications for next year’s grants are due August 1, 2007 and will be open to the fifty states and all US territories. The program will spend another six million dollars from 2007 through 2008 and climb to seven million dollars in 2009 when the program expires. The states include:
STATE FISCAL YEAR 2006 GRANTS
ALASKA
$ 100,000
ARIZONA
$ 104,577
CALIFORNIA
$ 412,672
COLORADO
$ 103,649
CONNECTICUT
$ 100,000
DELAWARE
$ 100,000
FLORIDA
$ 225,414
GEORGIA
$ 148,666
HAWAII
$ 100,000
IDAHO
$ 100,000
ILLINOIS
$ 195,477
INDIANA
$ 122,952
IOWA
$ 100,000
KENTUCKY
$ 100,000
LOUISIANA
$ 100,000
MAINE
$ 100,000
MARYLAND
$ 100,413
MASSACHUSETTS
$ 111,845
MICHIGAN
$ 167,290
MINNESOTA
$ 120,614
MISSOURI
$ 125,360
MONTANA
$ 100,000
NEBRASKA
$ 100,000
NEVADA
$ 100,000
NEW HAMPSHIRE
$ 100,000
NEW JERSEY
$ 132,247
NEW MEXICO
$ 100,000
NEW YORK
$ 253,711
NORTH CAROLINA
$ 143,946
NORTH DAKOTA
$ 100,000
OHIO
$ 180,080
OKLAHOMA
$ 101,629
OREGON
$ 100,000
PENNSYLVANIA
$ 189,804
PUERTO RICO
$ 100,000
RHODE ISLAND
$ 100,000
SOUTH DAKOTA
$ 100,000
TENNESSEE
$ 117,703
TEXAS
$ 316,210
UTAH
$ 100,000
VIRGINIA
$ 127,286
WASHINGTON
$ 118,102
WEST VIRGINIA
$ 100,000
WISCONSIN
$ 120,353
WYOMING
$ 100,000
TOTAL: FORTY FOUR STATES AND PUERTO RICO
$ 5,940,000
Motorcycle Advisory Council Holds Inaugural Meeting
The recently announced Federal Highway Administration Motorcycle Advisory Council (FHWA MAC) met on October 24th in Washington DC. The council, created in the last Highway Bill (PL 109-59), was formally introduced by the Department of Transportation last month. Five of the ten seats on the council are held by the MRF, ABATE of OH, ABATE of SD, AMA and the MIC. The remaining seats are held by state department of transportation officials and traffic safety engineers. The group’s charter is to advise on motorcycle safety and infrastructure issues.
The meeting was also attended by the newly confirmed Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Mary Peters. Secretary Peters opened the meeting by sharing her love of motorcycling with the group and how important it is to her to see the fatality numbers come down while keeping motorcycling as pure as possible. She encouraged the members of the advisory council to be thorough as they explore the issues before them. Secretary Peters is the proud owner of two motorcycles that she rides as often as possible.
The Council decided to focus on a number of large issues such as pavement surfaces and markings, barriers, signage, roadway design, and Intelligent Transportation Systems, just to name a few. The council will also work to increase awareness of the issues with highway engineering firms, state transportation officials, and others in the highway and road industries that make critical decisions when designing our nation’s roads, bridges and barriers. The council will compile a set of recommendations over time and report those recommendations to the Secretary of Transportation. The council is set to reconvene sometime this coming spring.
OOPS!
MRF PAC recently announced its endorsement of Mr. John Gard, who is running for the 8th Congressional District of Wisconsin. The official announcement sent out by the MRF PAC was subject to a technical problem that prevented the correct version of the release from going out. The result was a release littered with typos. The MRF PAC would like to publicly apologize to Mr. Gard and ABATE of Wisconsin for any confusion or embarrassment this may have caused. I can assure that every safeguard has been installed to ensure that this won’t happen again. Thanks for your understanding and patience.
As always, do not hesitate to contact me in our Washington, DC office with any questions, comments or threats at jeff@mrf.org or 202-546-0983.
Jeff Hennie
MRF Vice President – Government Relations
To subscribe or unsubscribe from this mailing list, visit http://www.mrf.org/subscribe.php
Ride With The Leaders by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983.
Visit the new MRF online shopping store at https://www.mrf.org/shop for the latest in MRF goodies.
Register online for all MRF conferences at http://www.mrf.org/events.php
Send your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist Scholarship to http://www.mrf.org/yascholarship.php
Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by visiting http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php
October 6, 2006
#06NR18 – Motorcycle Advisory Council Appointed
#06NR18 – Motorcycle Advisory Council Appointed
Acting Department of Transportation Secretary, Maria Cino, announced the roster of individuals appointed to the Motorcycle Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administrator (MAC-FHWA) this week.
According to the Council’s charter the scope of the group is to “coordinate with and advise the Secretary of Transportation on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists, including: barrier and road design, construction and maintenance practices, as well as architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.”
The Council’s overall purpose is to provide a forum for the development, consideration, and communication of information from a knowledgeable and independent perspective and in turn offer advice and recommendations to the US DOT Secretary. Council members were appointed to a two year term and will receive no monetary compensation for their service.
“This Council is a common sense step toward making our highways safer for all motorcyclists.” says Jeff Hennie, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Vice President of Government Relations adding, “Quite often when designing our roads and bridges the small signature of motorcycles is an afterthought if considered at all. The MAC is an attempt to change that way if thinking”.
The MAC-FHWA was included in the most recent Highway Bill (PL 109-59) at the insistence of the MRF and the majority of the SMROs. The first meeting of the MAC is tentatively scheduled for October 24th, 2006 in Washington, DC and is open to the public. The MRF will provide the date and location of this meeting.
The Members of the 2006-2008 Motorcycle Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administrator are:
Mark Bloschock-Texas Dept. of Transportation
Ed Moreland- American Motorcyclist Association
Darrell Killion-ABATE of South Dakota
Gerald Salontai- Kleinfelder Incorporated
Robert McClune- North American Potters Industries
Kathy VanKleeck- Motorcycle Industry Council
Jeff Hennie- Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Ken Kiphart- State Motorcycle Safety Administrators
Steve Zimmer ABATE of Ohio Inc
Donald Vaughn- Alabama Dept. of Transportation
Ed Moreland- American Motorcyclist Association
Darrell Killion-ABATE of South Dakota
Gerald Salontai- Kleinfelder Incorporated
Robert McClune- North American Potters Industries
Kathy VanKleeck- Motorcycle Industry Council
Jeff Hennie- Motorcycle Riders Foundation
Ken Kiphart- State Motorcycle Safety Administrators
Steve Zimmer ABATE of Ohio Inc
Donald Vaughn- Alabama Dept. of Transportation
August 7,
2006
#06NR14 - EPA Letter of Guidance
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
released their long awaited Letter of Guidance (LOG) for aftermarket
motorcycle engine emissions certification. This LOG will allow aftermarket
motorcycle engine manufacturers to sell EPA compliant engine packages to
individuals and small volume builders and manufacturers.
"I would like to thank the SMROs who assisted
the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), American Iron Magazine, and key
members of the Motorcycle Industry Council, V-Twin Aftermarket Committee:
Brett Smith from S&S Cycle and Ted Sands from Performance Machine", said
Dave Dwyer, MRF Board of Directors. "With their commitment and assistance
this LOG retained the exemptions currently in place and increased the
choices available to builders of custom V-Twin motorcycles."
Individuals and small volume motorcycle builders
and manufacturers will be able to use these engines to build EPA compliant
motorcycles without having to go through the emissions testing process
themselves. By using these approved engine packages an individual may build
and ride as many custom motorcycles as they want, as long as the engine
package is not altered in a way that will increase exhaust emissions for any
pollutant.
There is no EPA restriction on time of
ownership, or restrictions on the sale of these compliant motorcycles like
there is on the one per lifetime EPA exempt kit bikes.
To be EPA compliant the builder must keep the
total weight of the motorcycle and the ratio of the engine speed to vehicle
speed in high gear within the limits for the engine package they choose to
use. If the engine was certified using a catalytic converter, that must also
be included in the exhaust system. No engine modifications are allowed,
similar to the anti-tampering rule for all other motorcycles, for the engine
to remain EPA compliant.
The MRF will continue to inform the nation’s
riders of any action by the EPA which impacts motorcycling.
To view the letter sent by the EPA to the
motorcycle manufacturers click here:
http://www.mrf.org/pdf/EPALetterofGuidance.pdf
July 22,
2006
#06NR13 - MRF Announces Federal Motorcycle Safety
Grant Program Users Guide
The Motorcycle Riders
Foundation is pleased to announce the finalization of the National Highway
Traffic Administration's (NHTSA) Motorcycle Safety Grant Program.
This program is the direct result of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the
supporting State Motorcycle Rights Organizations (SMRO's) and all the individual
motorcyclists who have lobbied for this program over the past four years.
This program will provide much needed federal dollars from the Highway Trust
Fund to the individual State's to help fund motorcycle safety programs. The
grant program runs annually through 2009 and sets aside $25 million dollars to
be spent at $100,000.00 a year per State.
In order to be eligible for the funds The States must meet one of six criteria
and two the second and subsequent years. The criteria are that the applying
State must have:
1. A motorcycle rider training program
2. A motorcycle awareness program
3. A reduction in fatalities involving motorcycles
4. An effective impaired driving program
5. A reduction in fatalities and accidents involving impaired motorcyclists
6. Use of fees collected from motorcyclist for motorcycle programs must be used
for motorcycle programs
The MRF is also pleased that the final program retains all of the same intents
set forth by Congress in the original legislation.
For a complete guide to the program and all of the specifics on how, where and
when to apply visit:
http://www.mrf.org/pdf/Grantguide.pdf
June 21, 2006
#06LR05 - MRF LEADERS' REPORT
TO: The Leaders of the American Motorcyclists' Rights Movement
FROM: Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President - Government Relations
SUBJECT: June 2006 Leaders Report
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) has begun to finalize the details of the Motorcycle
Safety Grant program set forth in the SAFETEA-LU highway legislation (PL 109-59)
signed into law in August 2005.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to report NHTSA has maintained
the integrity of the program as drafted by the MRF in conjunction with the US
House and Senate. The program description and qualifying requirements are simple
and clear cut, just as the MRF and the supporting motorcycle rights
organizations intended when they lobbied the Congress to include this important
program.
"The grants made available through this program are a monumental step for
motorcycle safety and a tremendous accomplishment for the motorcycle rights
community" remarked Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Relations for the
Motorcycle Riders Foundation.
"The MRF looks forward to working closely with motorcyclists’ rights
organizations across the country to secure and implement the funds set aside by
NHTSA specifically for motorcycle safety".
The comments submitted to NHTSA by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation are included
below. To view or submit comments of your own visit http://dms.dot.gov and
search for Docket Number 23700. You may also mail your comments directly to the
agency:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 Seventh Street S.W.
Nassif Building, Room PL – 401
Washington, D.C. 20590
June 5, 2006
The Hon. Nicole Nason
Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 Seventh Street S.W.
Nassif Building, Room PL – 401
Washington, D.C. 20590
Re: Docket Number NHTSA-2006-23700 Motorcyclist Safety Grants
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is the nation’s only advocacy group whose
focus is exclusively on-road motorcycles. As the primary advocate for the
inclusion of the motorcyclist grant program in the most recent highway bill,
Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Act: A Legacy for Users or
SAFETEA-LU (PL-109-59), we are uniquely qualified to provide comment on the
grant program.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is pleased to see that the description of the
program and the qualifying criteria remain true to the original legislation
signed into law on August 10th 2005.
This straight forward approach to motorcycle safety will ease the burden on the
individual state motorcycle safety campaigns. Many of the state efforts are
funded primarily through taxes and fees collected from motorcyclists through
registration or licensing. As a result of inadequate safety programs many states
have raised the taxes and fees collected from motorcyclists, often times at the
overwhelming requests from the motorcyclists themselves. Clearly this
demonstrates much needed assistance from the federal government, which is why
the MRF is supporting the grant program and the clause that allows the grant
money to be sub allocated to a nonprofit incorporated in the state to carry out
grant activities.
The one area of concern in NHTSA’s proposed rulemaking that demands attention is
the reliance on the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Fatality Analysis
Reporting System (FARS) data for motorcycle crashes. The MRF has made it known
to NHTSA and FHWA that the FARS data is seriously flawed when it comes to the
motorcycle crash data. The MRF feels it would be in the best of interest of the
states to employ the individual states crash data instead of the FARS data. FHWA
clearly states the motorcycle crash data is not a reporting requirement and
therefore many states do not report the data to the FHWA.
Overall, the positive approach of NHTSA’s proposal to implement the
motorcyclist’s safety grants is applauded by the MRF. We feel that this proposal
provides sufficient flexibility to the states as well as maintaining consistency
with the SAFETEA-LU language.
Please do not hesitate to contact the MRF should you have any further questions
or comments.
Jeff Hennie
Vice President Government Relations
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
(c)All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists' rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists' rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early 1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom.
MRF News
Archives
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) reports we show on this page are archived on their website. You can view them here:
News Releases and Rider Alerts - Archives
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) reports we show on this page are archived on their website. You can view them here:
News Releases and Rider Alerts - Archives
October 23,
2006
From The GUNNY'S SACK
This month is gonna be full of Thanksgiving turkeys and all the trimmings, so don’t get mixed up with that bird unless ya have a fork in yer hand. I’m lookin’ forward to a little time to take a break and RENEW this old Gunny. For some reason, this season has been a tuffie to deal with. I’m not sure if it was the price of gas or if I’m just gettin’ old. The bike events were great, but I didn’t see the same enthusiasm this year. People do burn out and then come back, and I DO see some seeds of an upswing. Gas prices are down – a little – and things are looking better. I mean, if we don’t get nuked! Watch next month for my report on the West Coast Regional Conference of NCOM, the National Coalition of Motorcyclists. It’s over by LAX in sunny Southern California, and I’ll be there as soon as my boss Sam Hochberg gets me my plane ticket to Los Angeles!
ELECTION FEVER:
Now is the time to renew and plan for next year, and we need to be ever watchful of who we vote for. Those term limits I talked about last month are now at hand here in Oregon and some other states. If you’re unhappy with an elected guy’s work, put someone else in! Real term limits should come from the ballot box, not a statute.
BikePAC of Oregon helps us with some of those choices, and most other state MROs (motorcycle rights organizations) also make endorsements or recommendations. Look over their voter guides and then vote your conscience…but most importantly, VOTE!
NEWSBITS ‘N’ PIECES:
The following is something from the Sons of Liberty Riders’ website. These folks are an excellent resource for info for BIKERS RIGHTS. They’re at www.solriders.com, and you can get on their discussion list and boards as well, and it’s all free. Here is what I saw there:
“Just when you thought it was safe to ride your bike again...our old enemy, Senator Frank Lautenburg of New Jersey is coming after us again, via our Governors! It's not enough that we killed his Safety-Nazi agenda during the amendment process in TEA-LU. He doesn't care about what we or anyone else wants. He's a one man jack-booted thug that won't stop until we're all wearing helmets and paying homage to him. Read his latest attempt at stealing away your rights at the following link: http://www.solriders.com/pdf/lautenberg.pdf. What he did was write a letter to every Governor, singing the praises of helmet laws! Spread THIS news far and wide. EVERY biker in the nation needs to see how this snake-in-the-grass is working against us, not only in Washington, but in our statehouses, too. Contact YOUR governor tomorrow, and explain that you and your state don't appreciate Frankie sticking his nose in our business. And, it might not hurt to send Frankie-boy a little message about how he should stay out of issues that are strictly "states’ rights" – read his letter first, and if you wanna comment here's a link to his "contact page." These elected servants don't use regular e-mail anymore: http://lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/
Or, contact him the old fashioned way:
Hart Senate Office Building
Suite 324
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-3224
TTY: (202) 224-2087
Fax: (202) 228-4054”
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS:
The European Commission is at it again. The idea to begin with was to make motorcycles more visible. Now they propose to make them invisible by putting daytime running lights on ALL vehicles in Europe. Of course, just about all new vehicles here in the USA do that nowadays, too. Lets make up our minds.
CHINA:
Here, where they are outlawing the use of motorcycles in many of the more crowded cities, their cops are loading up on bikes. Saw a picture on the net the other day of a Chinese cop walking among 1,200 Police bikes. They must be expecting a riot or something.
WHIZZER BIKES:
Speaking of China, how many of ya remember the wonderful little motor mounted on a bicycle with a belt drive? The company is alive and well again, and you guessed it, they’re manufacturing in China. I owned one of these when I was a kid. We had great times on it, and now ya can buy them brand new, mounted on a 26 or 24 inch bike with telescoping front forks. They top out at 25 miles an hour and will run in the 160-mile range on a tankfull of regular gas. Street legal and can be titled. Neat rig to ride to work on, and leave the gas-burning cage home.
NEW FEDERAL MOTORCYCLE ADVISORY COUNCIL:
The Federal DOT announced the appointees to the Motorcycle Advisory Council this week. The group is chartered to “coordinate with and advise the Secretary of Transportation on infrastructure issues of concern to motorcyclists, including: barrier and road design, construction and maintenance practices, architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies.”
The Members of the 2006 Motorcycle Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administrator go for 2 yrs, with no pay. They are Mark Bloschock -Texas Dept. of Transportation, Ed Moreland – AMA, Darrell Killion -ABATE of South Dakota, Gerald Salontai - Kleinfelder Incorporated, Robert McClune - North American Potters Industries. Kathy VanKleeck - MSF, Jeff Hennie – MRF, Ken Kiphart - State Motorcycle Safety Administrators, Steve Zimmer - ABATE of Ohio, and Donald Vaughn - Alabama Department of Transportation.
BACK TO THE FUTURE:
Here in rainy PORTLAND, Oregon, the Police here (PPB) are back on a tactic from a dozen years ago: They sent a NOTICE to our man Turtle, a member of Brother Speed MC, telling him that, pursuant to CITY ORDINANCE, he’s been classified as a member of a “criminal motorcycle gang.” Our AIM (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) lawyer Sam Hochberg is gonna be coming out swinging again. Sam and lawyer Spike are both long-time riders, and they went at it against the PPB in Federal Court about 12 years ago when the police sent just such a notice to Bobbay, ALSO then a member of BSMC, Portland Chapter. The litigation left bikers with no clear rule, except that after THAT, the PPB stopped such nonsense. Until now. Some of us are speculating that it’s because Turtle runs a great, clean little neighborhood bar out on SE Division in Portland, and it’s biker-friendly. THAT, apparently, is more than the PPB can stand, just like it was with Wet Willie’s bar a few years ago. So, the ‘Gang Notice’ went out to Turtle. We’ll keep you posted here in the SACK. Meanwhile, head to the Turtle Shell Bar and Grill on 117th & SE Division here in Portland, and show your support. On the Internet, Turtle’s just started, at: www.theTurtleShellBar.com.
AID TO INJURED MOTORCYCLISTS:
At 1-800-ON-A-BIKE, 24/7 our AIM attorneys are our first line of defense when we find ourselves in an accident OR in a discrimination situation. Don’t make the mistake of hiring an attorney that doesn’t understand the dynamics of a motorcycle wreck, or who don’t “put back” into the motorcycling community. Motorcycle accident attorneys who RIDE know the drill, and will help you get the care you need. On the web, too, at www.ON-A-BIKE.com, or call ‘em and talk free.
Keep the round side on the bottom.
Gunny, Oregon's AIM Chief of staff
And that's all the News that fits!
October 20,
2006
NCOM NEWS BYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists
AAA PROMOTES USE OF AIR BAGS AND HELMETS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS
The American Automobile Association has issued a press release urging motorcyclists to “explore new safety advances - including airbags” in an effort “to help motorcycle riders curtail the growing number of fatal crashes involving riders.”
“AAA wants all motorists to be aware that tremendous growth in the popularity of motorcycling has added millions of new motorcycles and riders to our roadways,” said AAA President, Robert L. Darbelnet. “This means drivers need to be more aware than ever of how to share the road safely with motorcycles. And motorcyclists need to take every opportunity to increase their margin of traffic safety… (and) better protect themselves by wearing protective gear, clearly illuminating their rides and looking into new technologies such as motorcycles equipped with airbags, the road can be safer for all of us,” Darbelnet said.
“Promising new safety technologies - such as a motorcycle airbag system recently tested by AAA in cooperation with its equivalent motoring organization in Germany, ADAC – demonstrate that motorcycles can be equipped to provide much more protection for riders,” AAA said.
AAA continued, “Motorcyclists owe it to themselves and their loved ones, to upgrade to a high quality helmet if they have not already done so, and to wear appropriate eye protection, footwear, gloves, and bright or reflective riding apparel.”
“Motorists too, need to play a larger role in motorcycle safety,” Darbelnet said. Approximately 50 percent all motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, according to AAA.
AIR BAGS ON MOTORCYCLES SETTING A TREND
As cyclist injuries and deaths increase, motorcycle makers are installing more safety features — such as making greater use of antilock brakes and adding air bags. Some people wonder how effective air bags will be, how much of a market exists, and how much they would save cycle owners on insurance.
Honda Motor Co. added air bags in June to its fully loaded Gold Wing, an 860-pound touring bike designed for distance driving in comfort and made near Marysville, Ohio. Honda began working on its air bag system in 1990 after determining that more than half of the motorcycle accidents that result in deaths or injuries occur when the front of the motorcycle strikes another vehicle or object. The cost of airbags adds about $1,500 on a $24,000 Gold Wing.
Yamaha Motor Corp., with U.S. headquarters in Cypress, Calif., is developing an air bag system and is using a scooter with air bags for research in Japan, according to the company's Web site.
Worldwide Riders, a Cheyenne, Wyo.-based motorcycle accessories company, sells vests with protective bladders that inflate as riders are being ejected from their motorcycles.
"The motorcycle manufacturers are engaging in a lot of R&D in the area of — some would call it safety, some would call it risk management," said Tom Lindsay, spokesman for the Ohio-based American Motorcyclist Association. "It's part of a trend."
Bob Hartwig, chief economist for the New York City-based Insurance Information Institute, said the insurance benefits of having motorcycle air bags probably would be small because the devices protect only the driver and only in frontal crashes. Air bags in cars protect drivers and passengers in front and side crashes.
Jake Balzer, an analyst with Guzman & Company, an investment banking firm, said there may be somewhat of a market for air bag-equipped motorcycles, but questioned whether Honda will sell that many unless states require motorcycles to have the devices.
Tim Buche, president of the Motorcycle Industry Council, said many motorcyclists love new features and will be attracted to air bags. But he said the market will determine whether the idea will spread. "If air bags are going to be successful, they are going to be available on other motorcycles," he said. "It remains to be seen."
GOLDEN STATE ENACTS R-O-W LEGISLATION
“I decided to sign this bill after extensive consideration and thorough deliberation with proponents and opponents of this issue,” said California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in signing a bill to increase penalties against motorists convicted of a Right-of-Way violation that results in injury. “I remain committed to enhancing traffic safety in California.”
SB-1021, which was signed into law on September 30, imposes additional fines when a motorist is convicted of a traffic offense that causes "bodily injury" or "serious bodily injury" to another person. The new law also mandates that the California Driver's Handbook and the curriculum of traffic-violator schools include information about "respecting the right-of-way of others, particularly pedestrians, bicycle riders, and motorcycle riders."
The R-O-W bill was sponsored by Senator Debra Bowen (D-28) and co-sponsor Assembly Member Bonnie Garcia(R-80), worked with ABATE of California in successfully lobbying SB-1021 into law.
Sixteen states have now passed R-O-W Bills since Virginia passed the first such legislation three years ago, spearheaded by ABATE of Virginia and the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists (VCOM) founded by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) Attorney Tom McGrath. They are: Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and now California.
CELEBRITY R-O-W
By now you've probably read at least one report of Angelina Jolie's sideswiping of a motorcycle, and injuring the teenage girl passenger, as she supposedly fled the paparazzi in India where's she's shooting A Mighty Heart. But a version of the story from the local Indian media relays the firsthand accounts of both the accident victim and an eyewitness:
The student, Mittal Rawat (19), told Janwadi police and The Indian Express newspaper that; "Two vehicles were also proceeding towards the same direction and tried to overtake me. One of the vehicles brushed against my motorcycle and I fell down. Both the vehicles then sped away," he said. Eyewitness Nikhil George, a student, said the two vehicles had jumped the signal; "Soon after jumping the signal, one of the four-wheelers hit the motorcycle. The rider and a girl ridinpillion fell, but had a narrow escape," he said.
This Indian outlet's version of events exemplifies their apparent disinterest in milking the accident story because of a celebrity's involvement; while young Rawat's statement that "immediately following the incident, Jolie's vehicle pulled up beside me and my damaged motorcycle, rolled down a window, and she asked how old I was. When I told her 19, she said to the driver, 'No, he's way too old to take home to Maddy and Shiloh. Let's get out of here,' and they drove off. I'm not sure what she meant by that," would have set off a week of cover stories in the sensationalist American tabloid media, The Indian Express let it pass without further exploitation.
But NCOM News Bytes won’t.
CALIFORNIA GOES HANDS-FREE
California lawmakers have joined New York and New Jersey in requiring drivers to use hands-free headsets, earbuds or speaker phones.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the ban on handheld cell phone use while driving, and the new law goes into effect in July 2008. Violators face a whopping $20 base penalty - local fees can be added in - that rises to $50 for subsequent offenses.
LAW OF NATURAL SELECTION:
“2 Killed In Motorcycle Crash; Police Say Rider Was On Phone. On October 9, a man and his wife were killed when the motorcycle they were riding missed a curve and ran into a concrete median in Ellettsville, Indiana, and police report that the driver was simultaneously talking on a cell phone and operating the motorcycle when the crash happened. Neither was wearing a helmet.”
This newspaper report was sent to us by Tiger Mike Revere, State Director of ABATE of Oklahoma and member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) board of directors. He has this to add as editorial:
“This is one heck of a shame, especially when so many of us are actively campaigning to reduce the number of motorcyclist deaths and injuries associated with OTHERS yakking on cell phones! We certainly don't need to contribute to these totals ourselves by violating the Law Of Natural Selection, which is always out there to weed out the stupid,” said Tiger Mike, adding “Of course, the idiot media had to address that they weren't wearing a helmet, but I don't think it would've mattered in this case. The most important piece of safety equipment that needed to be used wasn't, and that is what's UNDER the helmet, not the helmet itself!”
MONTANA FACES HELMET LAW THREAT
In a request sent to NCOM News Bytes from AMA Chairman Dal Smilie; “The MT Head Injury group is having a state Senator draft a helmet bill. First one they have tried in Montana since the early '90s,” going on to explain that ABATE of Montana is an NCOM Member Group that may need assistance “since we have not had a helmet law in a long time. So, let the folks out there know.”
Glen Fengstad, one of the leaders of ABATE of Montana, and Vice Chairman of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) board of directors, reported during the 2006 NCOM Convention that “Montana was vulnerable, and it seems to be coming to pass. We have a new State Board, which seems to be very ‘gung-Ho’ and hopefully with guidance of Dal and myself and a few other ‘old hands’ we will again stave off this threat.”
IMPLEMENTING THE NATIONAL AGENDA FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
ImplementNAMS.org is a new website introduced by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to focus on improving rider safety and to help stem the rise in motorcyclist crashes by implementing the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety.
Released in November 2000 as a joint, two-year effort of NHTSA and the MSF, NAMS is a comprehensive blueprint and strategic vision for the future of motorcyclist safety. Intended to provide direction to the safety community for a decade or more, the plan addresses safety countermeasures on a variety of fronts. NAMS outlines 82 specific recommended actions to improve motorcyclist safety, categorized in five major areas: research and information, and human, social, vehicle and environmental factors.
The National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety was always intended to inspire the mobilization of efforts to promote and improve motorcycle safety on all levels. Dr. Sue Bailey, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration referred to the NAMS document in her Forward Letter as "…a blueprint for the future."
The Administrator also mentioned in the NHTSA NAMS Forward Letter, "My challenge to you, the motorcycling and traffic safety communities is to take action on those parts of the National Agenda that you can support so the recommendations become reality and motorcycle safety is enhanced." She goes on to add, "I believe there is something in the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety for everyone o work toward. The motorcycling and traffic safety communities must give it life."
The MSF has established a NAMS Grant Program available for those who wish to implement innovative projects based upon the recommendations provided in NAMS. This small-award grant program targets a broad range of grassroots efforts to improve motorcyclist safety. The grants, up to $10,000 each, may be used to jumpstart new programs or to support ongoing efforts that complement NAMS recommendations.
CELEBRITY BIKE BUILDER FACES DUI MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES IN FATAL
ACCIDENT
Billy Lane turned himself in to face DUI manslaughter charges, as Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Kim Miller said Lane’s blood alcohol level was .192, more than twice the state’s legal limit of .08, when the accident occurred on State Road A1A south of Melbourne Beach leaving a 56-year-old male moped rider dead.
The custom chopper builder was arrested on charges of driving under the influence manslaughter, driving with his license suspended and driving under the influence with serious bodily injuries stemming from the Sept. 4 accident that killed Gerald Vernon Morelock, a Sebastian Inlet park ranger who was killed in the head-on collision between his 1983 Yamaha moped and Lane’s Dodge Ram pickup when Lane attempted to pass several cars across a double yellow section of the two-lane highway, violating Morelock’s right-of-way and killing him instantly.
Lane was transported to the Brevard County Jail Complex where he was photographed and booked into the jail. He was released within 90 minutes on a $15,000 bond, officials said.
The deadly crash was also not the only run-in with traffic enforcement for the celebrity biker. Lane was recently cleared of drunken driving charges stemming from a June encounter with the North Carolina Highway Patrol who said Lane drove on the wrong side of a two-lane road without a helmet. Lane refused a breath test, which resulted in his license being suspended for a year.
Miller said having a revoked license should have kept Lane from behind the wheel but apparently wasn’t enough to keep Lane from driving again.
WEIRD NEWS: ANGRY DRUNK DRIVER RUNS HIMSELF OVER
A drunk driver, who drove at a gang of bikers while waving a pool cue, ran himself over after getting out of his car. The 50-year-old was driving along Highway 4 near Concord, California, when he saw the bikers, many of whom were wearing leather and skull caps.
California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Yox told the San Francisco Chronicle the man waved a pool cue at the bikers and swerved his car towards them. The bikers split into two groups to get away and the irate driver aimed his car at two bikers who had pulled off the highway. He got out of his car with the pool cue - but before he could do anything, he was knocked down by his own car which had been left in reverse. The man was knocked into the highway and his car reversed into the center divider. Some of the bikers grabbed him and pulled him out of danger.
Authorities said they had no idea why Brooks reacted the way he did to the bikers, who kept calm and didn't retaliate. "We don't believe they went to fisticuffs with him," said Officer Yox. The man suffered cuts and scratches and was taken to a near by hospital. He could face charges of assault with a deadly weapon and drink driving.
WIERDER NEWS: SOBER BIKER RUNS HIMSELF OVER
A 17-year-old youth allowed 408 vehicles go over his body in Orissa's Malkangiri district in India. Debraj Senapati, who practices martial arts, placed himself between two wooden slabs on a mud field and allowed the vehicles - 404 motorcycles and four cars - to run over his stomach one by one in 20 minutes in the presence of thousands of people on October 9th.
In the past, Senapati had allowed 70 vehicles - all motorcycles - to run over his body. He now plans to break the world record by allowing 500 motorcycles and five cars to run over his body.
"I aim to create a world record," Senapati was quoted as saying by a local newspaper.
QUOTABLE QUOTE:
"For if men are to be precluded from offering their sentiments on a matter...reason is of no use to us...dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep, to the slaughter."
George Washington (1732-1799) Patriot and first President of the United States of America
August 21, 2006
WISCONSIN SENATOR DAVE ZIEN NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Wisconsin State Senator Dave Zien has always been a steadfast advocate for motorcyclist’s rights, beginning when he returned from service as a United States Marine in Vietnam to help repeal Wisconsin’s mandatory helmet law in 1977, and continues to this day as a member of the State Legislature.
But Senator Zien is facing a tough re-election this fall and needs our help to continue serving the bikers of America. He has been targeted for defeat by ultraliberals who plan to spend hundreds of thousand of dollars to remove him from office. As freedom-loving motorcyclists, we cannot afford to let this happen!
Since being elected, Zien has been instrumental in passing numerous pieces of pro-motorcycling legislation, including Wisconsin Act 148 in 2003 that was enacted in response to the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling in Stehlik v. Rhoads that ruled not wearing a helmet could be considered negligence by the biker in a civil case. In essence, the ruling was as de-facto mandatory helmet law. The result of Dave’s bill was that if a motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet, he or she can not have that fact used against him or her when a court is awarding damages.
Earlier this year, Zien authored the “Roadway Users Responsibility Act” that improves highway safety for all roadway users. This act increases penalties for right-of-way violators that cause bodily harm to motorcyclists. The new law also requires driver education courses to include motorcycle safety in order to make all drivers aware of the rules of the road and how motorcycles and cars can safely share the road. Another provision allows bikers to proceed with caution after waiting 45 seconds at a stoplight.
Zien is not just a legislator who rides; he was one of the first bikers ever elected to political office, and was inducted into the National Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Sturgis, South Dakota in 2000, and has received the National Coalition of Motorcyclists Lifetime Achievement Award. As a member of the NCOM Legislative Task Force, he has worked tirelessly to protect the rights of motorcyclists across the country by lobbying their state legislatures. He is a World-Record holding motorcyclist with 858,000+ on his 1991 FXRT Harley-Davidson as of August 15, 2006. He holds the record for most miles on a Harley ever in 11 consecutive days (11,225 miles), and Dave’s ride of 31,111 miles in 31 days has been submitted for official recognition.
We need to keep Wisconsin’s biker Senator in office, and your contribution to his campaign will keep him in Madison, looking out for the interest of the motorcyclists.
Please send what you can to keep Dave fighting for us. The maximum amount an individual can contribute is $1,000. Contributions should be made to “Friends of Dave Zien”, P.O. Box 1858, Eau Claire, WI 54702. If you have any questions about other ways you can help Dave Zien, call (715) 723-1694.
And that's all the News that fits!
AIM/NCOM News Archives
The Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) reports we show on this page are archived on their website. You can view them here:
Monthly Motorcycle News Corner
The Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) reports we show on this page are archived on their website. You can view them here:
Monthly Motorcycle News Corner
Aid to Injured Motorcyclists - A.I.M ............(800) 521-2425
24-Hr. Legal Assistance for all accidents
Aid to Incarcerated Motorcyclists - A.I.M...(800) 235-2424
24-Hr. Legal Criminal Defense
National Legislative Hot Line........................(800) 300-NCOM
24-Hr. Motorcycle Legislative Alerts
National Coalition of Motorcyclists - NCOM...(800) 525-5355
Fighting for Bikers Rights
Confederation of Clubs..................................(800) 531-2424
Motorcycle Clubs Fighting Against Discrimination