THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE 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.
From TheGUNNY’S SACK
The legislature here in Oregon meets every two years, so we have what are known as “Biker Days” down at the Capitol. They are scheduled on session work days, so we are seen and heard there, at our capitol in Salem. Bikers all over Oregon take a day off work, and some do every “Biker Day,” and either ride or drive to our Capitol and wear black leather in the Capitol building. We talk with our Representatives and Senators about issues that concern us as riders and other issues that are of concern as citizens, too.
This year we have several bills that are Biker-related. Two already have numbers and are assigned to the transportation committee. Namely, our ongoing helmet law modification bill, HB3432 and our new optional headlight use bill, HB2419.
The Helmet bill is for optional use for adults over 21. We might just get it done this year because we have a new, and hopefully more progressive, Governor. Our last Gov was an emergency room doctor, so we had TWO helmet bills passed and then vetoed by that guy! Good riddance to him. The headlight use bill also has good support.
Other bills being processed are the Lane Splitting Bill (authorizes lane splitting under very strict circumstances); another is to end healthcare insurance discrimination against Bikers. If you have an accident on a bike, some companies deny coverage, and THIS NEEDS TO STOP. We also want vehicular assault laws toughened up so when a biker is injured or killed in a wreck, the perpetrator doesn’t just get his wrist slapped.
There are a couple of others that are not offered by BikePAC, but still are of interest to us. One is the allowance of multiple headlight use and the other would allow riders to put “Blue Dot” taillights on their bikes, which is HB2398. Blue dot taillights light up a violet color when the brake light in engaged, and is not only kinda purty, but also enhances the rider’s conspicuity or ability to be seen in traffic. There is also a bill, HB2392, that creates Vets plates for motorcycles. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for. Cars already have’m. Both of these bills have been assigned to the transportation committee for discussion.
Our “Biker Days” began on a Monday and the next one will be on a Tuesday, the next on a Wednesday and so on, each in a different work week, so nobody has the whole burden of losing work to lobby during the work week. It’s a good idea and it works! This first one this year was a real success with about 30 folks showing that FREEDOM was worth at least one day’s pay. Now that’s what being a legislative warrior is all about. I was there and I applaud all those that were there with me. We had a great day. Come JOIN us! Get politically active.
NEWS BITS’N PIECES:
BEIJING, CHINA: There is change in China’s outlook on Capitalism it seems. They have even gone so far as to “appoint” a wealthy admirer of Margaret Thatcher to a senior state position, who also happens to manufacture motorcycles. According to the London Daily Telegraph, Yin Mingshan, who just happens to be on their list of 100 Chinese millionaires, was “elected” deputy chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), in China’s third-largest city, Chongqing. He founded Lifan, an engine and motorcycle manufacturing company that sells 2 million engines a year and a million motorcycles. Maybe this capitalism thing really works, Ya think? Hey, they DO BUILD around ten million bikes a year in China, so they must be doing SOMETHING right!
JAPAN: This season’s fad for extra-long scarves claimed another fashion victim whena Japanese woman fell from her motorcycle after her two yard-long scarf got caught in her bike’s rear wheel. This woman was in a coma after the accident but regained consciousness but remained in serious condition. The kicker is, she?s not the only one. Other similar accidents have been reported in this country that has lots and lots of motorcycles, since a celebrity got the extra-long scarves fashion going there. Ya know, I’m not the brightest light in town but I’m just not that dumb.
NOTE: We don’t think any of you need to be reminded about the dangers of unsafe clothing, but maybe you know someone who does. The rider in this article is lucky to be alive. Do they have a “Darwin Award” for motorcyclists?
ATLANTA, GA: RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT featured a fool riding his motorcycle BACKWARDS when completing a 60 foot jump over a line of cars. And I thought Evel Kneival was a screwball.
HOW ABOUT THIS FOR A HOBBY:Landmine Obsession: Aki Ra travels around the world collecting landmines. He travels through Cambodia, searching for and de-fusing landmines by hand. He might be doing a job that needs done, but what’s wrong with just blowin’ the things up from a safe distance?
NEW DELHI, INDIA: A booming motorcycle market accelerated two-wheeler sales by 21 per cent in the domestic market during the first nine months this fiscal year even as scooters and mopeds continued to ride in negative territory. Motorcycles and step-thru sales grew by 36.9 percent this past year. Hero Honda of India, the world’s largest motorcycle maker, posted a 24.3 percent jump.
SUZUKI UNVEILS 40TH ANNIVERSARY MODELS: American Suzuki Motor Corporation celebrates 40 years of business in the US with three special edition anniversary model motorcycles to be sold in limited numbers. Hurry and get your order in.
GUNNY AGAIN: This year the National Coalition of Motorcyclists. NCOM Convention is being held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 8-10, 2003, at the Four Points Sheraton. This is Harley-Davidson’s 100th birthday, so Milwaukee should be a humdinger of a place to be. Make your reservations now, cuz this will be one of the best ever. Get with the people at AIM headquarters for good info on how to get it done. Call 1-800-531-2424, or 1-800-ON-A-BIKE (or go to www.ON-A-BIKE.com) and they’ll get you set up. This is just part of what our AIM attorneys across the country do for us, by hosting this gala get together so we can learn and share with the best our rights movement has to offer. See ya there! Till then.
