BIKERS WANT EQUAL RIGHTSTHE 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. Visit us on our website at

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWSCompiled and Edited by BILL BISH,NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS

BIKERS WANT EQUAL RIGHTS
Bikers across the nation are revving up for a fight against discrimination after complaints that they’re being shut out of restaurants and hotels because of their image as hell-raising thugs. Motorcyclists say the image of leather-clad bikers who rumble into town on their Harley-Davidsons and raise a ruckus is sadly outdated. The Associated Press (AP)

Proponents say the law is aimed at thwarting a tired stereotype, that of the marauding outlaw biker. The truth, they say, is a plainer picture of regular folks who enjoy riding, belonging to motorcycle clubs and wearing the colors of their groups, generally stitched on some form of black leather garment. The New York Times

America’s next official victim group may be roaring your way on their Harley-Davidsons. Bikers are sick and tired of rampant anti biker bigotry, so they are seeking status as a legally protected class in Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina, and several other states. The idea is to end all the ridicule, the tattoo phobia, the tendency among apprehensive roadhouse owners to seat them at remote tables. To me, it’s kind of like the back of the bus,’ said a Harley-riding Georgia state senator.- U.S. News & World Report

What’s all the buzz about? Equal Access legislation has been introduced in at least 19 states over the past few years, with Minnesota passing such a law three years ago, but recent bills in Ohio, South Carolina and Georgia have captured the media’s interest as bikers seek to outlaw discrimination against motorcycle riders.

We are talking about people being excluded from apartment houses, motels, restaurants and nightclubs just because they are wearing biker attire, said Ralph Buss, Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) attorney for Ohio, who initiated the first biker anti-discrimination bill in the country in 1994 when a client was denied service at a restaurant.

Ohio State Representative Sylvester Patton introduced HB 238 to prohibit the denial of access to public accommodations to persons because they ride motorcycles or wear motorcycle attire.

For too long, citizens who enjoy riding motorcycles and who are participating in motorcycle clubs have been treated unfairly while trying to gain access or entry into establishments open to the general public, Patton testified at the bill’s hearing.

Last year, Texas bikers succeeded in getting an Equal Access bill through the state legislature nearly unanimously, only to have it vetoed at the last minute by their governor. Illinois passed a Bikers-Rights bill through their legislature earlier this year, but the governor amended the bill through special amendatory veto powers to include controversial gay rights provisions, effectively killing the bill.

OHIO GANG LAW STRUCK DOWN IN COURT
As originally feared by many bikers rights advocates, so-called Gang Laws aimed at youth street gangs have been targeting members of motorcycle clubs and using the new state laws to tack on years to prison sentences simply because an individual was a member of a club. For that reason, Confederations of Clubs in states with gang laws on the books have fought hard to get motorcyclists specifically exempted from the definition of a criminal gang.

Kentucky succeeded in doing just that two years ago, and while the legislative work continues in other states, a lower court in Ohio has found that state’s gang law unconstitutionally broad and has struck down the law, though concerned bikers still await a final determination by the state’s higher courts.

According to the Cincinnati Post, a Hamilton County judge declared Ohio’s new gang law unconstitutional, saying it is so poorly written it could result in gang members being penalized more severely for crimes even if they aren’t gang related.

A participant in a gang, as the statute is written, is conclusively held to be promoting gang interests even when he obviously is not doing so. The enhanced crime becomes one of status of the defendant, not of the wrongdoing, judge Thomas Crush wrote in declaring the gang law unconstitutional.

The decision came after five men were indicted for participating in a criminal gang a second-degree felony that carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison in the first Hamilton County case under the new law.

The men were accused of being members of the Folk street gang and participating in criminal gang activity. Crush’s ruling dismissed the gang-related charges against one of the men.

The Ohio statute, as written, creates a crime and allows a penalty for activities that have not even occurred; i.e. creates a gang crime and an enhanced gang penalty for crimes which are unrelated to gang activity, Crush wrote. He noted that someone arrested under the statute as it now exists could also be charged with participating in a criminal gang even if the crime was committed out of town and didn’t involve the gang.

Ohio’s gang law applies when three or more persons operating in a pattern of criminal activity are linked to two or more felony offenses.

The state has appealed the lower court’s decision.

CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE ADOPTS NOISE ORDINANCE Evidently, the current administration for the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has enacted new regulations targeting motorcycle exhaust systems, as well as making it literally illegal to travel in groups.

Due to this legislation, Albuquerque can no longer be considered a biker friendly city, according to Barbara Alvar, Chairperson of the New Mexico Motorcyclists Legislative Impact Committee.

Council Bill #FS 0-34 states that; No person shall operate a motorcycle without (a) a permanent engravature or label entitled Motorcycle Noise Emission Control Information’, and (b) a permanent engravature or label on the muffler or exhaust pipe indicating the following information…, and it goes on to state that the label will indicate the year and model that the exhaust was designed for as well as the decibel rating.

Making matters even worse, it also states that this allowable dB (decibel level) applies to the total sound from a vehicle or a combination of vehicles and shall be construed as limited or precluding the enforcement of any other provision in this article relating to motor vehicle mufflers for noise control. In other words, no combination of motorcycles riding together can exceed the maximum allowable EPA decibel rating of one motorcycle!

With the enactment of this ordinance, Albuquerque has legalized harassment of the motorcycling community, said Alvar. This ordinance will treat law-abiding citizens like criminals. This ordinance gives the law enforcement officer probably cause to stop you, even if you are not exceeding legal noise limits, just to inspect required labeling’ of the exhaust system.

Mayor Jim Baca stated publicly that this noise ordinance targets motorcycles and barking dogs, which indicates the mayor’s negative attitude toward motorcyclists. You can e-mail Mayor Baca at bmoris@cabq.gov and kindly inform him of your opinion, or phone him at (505) 768-3000, or fax (505) 768-3019. Other responsible parties are the Council President Brad Winter, bwinter@cabq.gov; and City Counselors Alan Armijo, aarmijo@cabq.gov; Adele Baca-Hundley, ahundley@cabq.gov; Vincent Griego, vgriego@cabq.gov; Tim Kline, tkline@cabq.gov; Hess Yntema, hyntema@cabq.gov; and Greg Payne, gpayne@cabq.gov.

OREGON BIKERS GET POLITICAL
Another major stride for motorcycle awareness and inclusion was achieved at the Democratic Party of Oregon’s state central meeting on December 9, 2001. Due primarily to the efforts and planning of “Diesel” Dave Ganslein, the Oregon Democratic Motorcyclists Caucus was born.

At today’s State Central Committee meeting, the Democratic Party of Oregon officially recognized the Oregon Democratic Motorcyclists Caucus, reported Ganslein. This gives members of A.B.A.T.E. of Oregon Inc., Bike-PAC of Oregon, and The Concerned Motorcyclists Coalition a seat on the state central committee, thus ensuring motorcyclists a far greater voice in the future of motorcycling in Oregon.

He adds, We strongly urge all motorcyclists to become active in the political system, as our relative degree of success has been attributable to activism at a grass-roots level.

SCHWARZENEGGER HURT IN MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT Just
days after Universal Studios announced their intentions to make Terminator 3, Arnold Schwarzenegger was injured in a motorcycle accident in Santa Monica, California, on December 12, 3001. The former Mr. Universe and star of the first two Terminator movies was taken to the hospital with several broken ribs after the weekend crash. Further details about the accident were not immediately available.

Schwarzenegger, 54, who is negotiating to appear in the third Terminator film,was “in good spirits, feeling sore, but otherwise fine,” said publicist JillEisenstadt.

“Don’t worry,” said the actor. “This won’t affect my skiing with my family at Sun Valley this Christmas.”

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: FARMER SOUGHT AFTER COW PAT INJURES MOTORCYCLISTS German police are warning farmers that they could be charged with negligence after a cow pie on a road seriously injured two motorcyclists. Officers are looking for the farmer of the cows that left the pie on the carriageway in Kempten. They say he should have cleaned it up. The two motorcyclists skidded on the cow crap and fell off their bike. They are recovering from their injuries in the hospital. Police say the farmer responsible for the offending patty could be charged with physical injury resulting from negligence, reports the German newspaper Bild. The decision to pursue the farmer has been described as ridiculous by farming groups who said it was impossible for a farmer to always walk behind his cows with a shovel. Johannes Schmidt, chairman of the local farmer’s union, said: “It’s a real shame. What are we supposed to do? Do they expect us to run after our herds with a shovel?”

QUOTABLE QUOTES:
“It is the absolute right of the State to supervise the formation of public opinion.”
JOSEPH GOEBBELS
Minister of Propaganda for the Third Reich under Adolf Hitler

NOTE: If you would like to subscribe to the AIM/NCOM Motorcycle E-News Service, simply send a SUBSCRIBE message to aimncom@aimncom.com.

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS

Compiled and Edited by BILL BISH,NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS

OHIO CONSIDERS BIKER ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL As Fall comes into full swing, the legislative staff of the Ohio Motorcyclists Coalition has been hard at work through the Summer advancing the cause of Equal Access for all motorcyclists. House Bill 238, which seeks to outlaw discrimination against motorcyclists, now has the support of at least 24 Ohio Representatives, and it has passed its first Sponsor’s Hearing.

Sponsored by Ohio Rep. Sylvester Patton (D64), HB 238 would prohibit the denial of access to public accommodations to persons because they ride motorcycles or wear clothing that displays the name of a motorcycle-related organization. So while most riders were enjoying a Summer ride, the OMC lobbying team of Ralph Buss, Michael Stanley and Michael Warren accompanied OMC Lobbyist Ed Hogan to a face to face meeting with Ohio’s Attorney General, Betty Montgomery, to discuss the need for statutory protections for bikers.

Ralph Buss, the Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) Attorney for Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia, initiated the first Biker Anti-Discrimination Bill in the country in 1994 when it was introduced in the Ohio Legislature. Since that time, at least 19 states have considered such legislation, with Minnesota becoming the first state to enact Equal Access Legislation in 1998. Earlier this year, Texas overwhelmingly passed an Equal Access bill through their legislature, only to have it vetoed at the last minute by their governor.

U.S. SUPREME COURT APPROVES ROADBLOCKS The U.S. Supreme Court concluded it is constitutional for law enforcement officers to set up roadblocks to randomly check motorists and other road users for proper driver’s licenses.

Without comment, the justices declined to hear — and thus let stand — an Ohio Supreme Court ruling that concluded roadblocks established by Dayton police did not violate the U. S. Constitution’s ban on unreasonable search and seizure.

The justices handed a victory to Dayton police who set up roadblocks to catch unlicensed drivers. Dayton officials argued that the checks took only a matter of moments and that the city had a compelling reason to determine whether operators were legally licensed to drive.

With its decision not to hear the case, the justices expanded the reach of two of their earlier decisions that provided police with broader powers to establish checkpoints without first obtaining a warrant.

This news should be of particular interest to motorcyclists, who typically are vociferously opposed to unwarranted stop, question and search methods as a means of profiling bikers, though such roadblocks would certainly improve on the high percentage of riders who are unlicensed

SMILE, IT’S BIG BROTHER According to the Associated Press, a judge in San Diego dismissed 290 Red Light camera tickets on September 3rd saying the camera evidence was inadmissible because of the “private corporation’s role in operation of the system and its per-ticket collection of fees violated state law.”

The National Motorists Association and other organizations have long questioned the effectiveness of these cameras and instead have campaigned for increasing the yellow time which has been effective in nearly eliminating tickets from locations where the red-light cameras have been installed. You can visit the NMA at www.motorists.org.BIKER MAGAZINE

TARGET PRACTICE A good story deserves a good airing. What follows was spotted in BIKER magazine, which had spotted it in PILOT magazine. Two members of the Lothian and Borders traffic police were recently having a pleasant time out on the Scottish moors, trapping speeding motorists with a radar gun. Suddenly their equipment went crazy, registering a speed of over 300 miles per hour. It then locked up completely. Seconds later the startled boys in blue understood why, as a low-flying Harrier jet screamed over their heads.

Upset that their radar gun had been broken, the policemen put in a complaint to the Royal Air Force-only to discover that the damage could easily have been much worse. The RAF informed them that the Harrier’s target-seeker had locked on to what it had interpreted as enemy radar. This immediately triggered an automatic air-to-surface missile attack. Fortunately for the two policemen, the Harrier was operating unarmed.

S.C. SUPREME COURT HEARS TATTOO CASE South Carolina’s highest court heard a challenge to the state’s tattooing ban, focusing on whether the practice is an issue of free speech or public health, reports the ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Ronald White, who was sentenced to five years of probation for illegal tattooing, says a South Carolina law that allows tattooing only by physicians violates his First Amendment right of free expression. Oklahoma is the only other state with a similar law banning tattooing.

“We all have a right to look at a painting, but this law would ban the artist from painting it,” White’s lawyer, Jared Newman, told the South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday, November 14.

But Charles Richardson of the state attorney general’s office said the law was “not a banning of ideas, but the medium utilized. … the human body.”

“Isn’t tattooing a form of artwork?” Chief Justice Jean Toal asked. She said tattooing was mentioned in literature and throughout history as a form of expression and that courts have held that activities such as nude dancing were forms of expression.”

Newman said the state allows other forms of so-called body art, such as piercing. In that case, practitioners must be licensed and regulated, restrictions that would also eliminate the public health concerns surrounding tattoos.

State Sen. William Mescher has been trying since 1994 to legalize and regulate tattooing. His chief opponent has been Rep. Jake Knotts, who has said that “if the Lord wanted you to have a tattoo, he would have put it on you.”

White, 32, contends that tattooing is older than most of today’s religions and said he has given many illegal tattoos in South Carolina, though he has stopped tattooing here because it would be a violation of his probation.

As he and other tattoo aficionados await the court’s decision, White said he was encouraged by the justices’ line of questioning. “I think they were educated questions and (the justices) realize they are dealing with an art form.”

Last fall, a Massachusetts trial judge ruled that state’s law banning tattooing violated free speech rights. Another judge kept the ban in effect for several months so the state could create industry regulations, and tattoo parlors began operating there legally in February.PAGE IVEY, AP Writer

BIKER FOOTBALL Berlin’s “Dynamo” football team was recently purchased by the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club in Germany, reports the German newspaper “BILD”. The football club was prepared to file for bankruptcy, but has been rescued by the local bikers.

The team dominated East German football under the Communists, and went down-hill dramatically after the fall of the Berlin Wall. It is currently facing relegation to Germany’s fifth division.

With debts of $3.5 million, Dynamo Berlin was all set to register its bankruptcy prior to the bikers’ bailout of the team.

NEWS OF THE WEIRD: POLICE BAN KNIGHT FROM HIS IRON HORSE A Dutch man dressed as a knight in shining armor riding on a motorcycle made to look like a horse has been ordered off the road. Police in Zwijndrecht say the 41-year-old frightened members of the public every time he went shopping.

He dresses as a medieval knight complete with aluminum armor. His motorcycle has been rebuilt with steel plates in the shape of a horse.

Police have seized the iron steed on the grounds that it is not road worthy and could be dangerous to other road users.

The ‘knight’ has now got a warrant to get his ‘horse’ back but must rebuild it to its original form.

It is not known why he went shopping disguised as a knight, reports the Dutch press agency ANP.

FREE ITALIAN PIZZA FOR HELMET WEARERS A southern Italian council is offering a complimentary pizza to young motorcyclists who wear a helmet.

Traffic wardens in Acerra have been told to give vouchers to those seen wearing helmets entitling them to a free restaurant feed.

Mayor Michelangelo Riemma says he decided on the move to improve road safety among young motorcyclists.

Although wearing helmets while riding is compulsory in Italy, the rule is not observed by some people.

TGCOM website reports that Mr Riemma said: “I’ve had an accident earlier this year on my Vespa and the helmet saved my life. That is why I’m trying to do everything I can to get my fellow young citizens wearing a helmet as well.”

QUOTABLE QUOTES: “Don’t be disquieted in time of adversity. Be firm with dignity and self-reliant with vigor.”CHIANG KAI-SHEK(1886-1975) Chinese soldier, statesman

Police State By Kelly Patricia O’Meara

If the United States is at war against terrorism to preserve freedom,a new coalition of conservatives and liberals is asking, why is it doing soby wholesale abrogation of civil liberties? They cite the Halloween-weekpassage of the antiterrorism bill – a new law that carries the almostpreposterously gimmicky title: “Uniting and Strengthening America byProviding Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct TerrorismAct” (USA PATRIOT Act). Critics both left and right are saying it not onlystrips Americans of fundamental rights but does little or nothing to securethe nation from terrorist attacks.

Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, one of only three Republican lawmakers tobuckthe House leadership and the Bush administration to vote against thislegislation, is outraged not only by what is contained in the antiterrorismbill but also by the effort to stigmatize opponents. Paul tells Insight,”The insult is to call this a ‘patriot bill’ and suggest I’m not patrioticbecause I insisted upon finding out what is in it and voting no. I thoughtit was undermining the Constitution, so I didn’t vote for it – and thereforeI’m somehow not a patriot. That’s insulting.”

Paul confirms rumors circulating in Washington that this sweeping newlaw, with serious implications for each and every American, was not madeavailable to members of Congress for review before the vote. “It’s myunderstanding the bill wasn’t printed before the vote – at least I couldn’tget it. They played all kinds of games, kept the House in session all night,and it was a very complicated bill. Maybe a handful of staffers actuallyread it, but the bill definitely was not available to members before thevote.”

And why would that be? “This is a very bad bill,” explains Paul, “andI think the people who voted for it knew it and that’s why they said, ‘Well,we know it’s bad, but we need it under these conditions.'” Meanwhile,efforts to obtain copies of the new law were stonewalled even by thecommittee that wrote it. Kelly Patricia O’Meara is an investigative reporter for Insight.

WEST COAST REGIONAL NCOM CONFERENCE COMINGTHE 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. Visit us on our website at

From The GUNNY’S SACK

This year’s West Coast Regional NCOM conference near Tacoma, WA was a great success for us out here in the upper left corner.

We had speakers on riders’ rights from several folks. Our own Sam Hochberg, Oregon A.I.M. Attorney, talked about some of the things going on here in Oregon with beanie helmets, and with the ”Gang” affiliation labeling in Portland. We lost the case in court, and the biker elected not to appeal. The good news: NOT ONE BIKER has been designated since this lawsuit as a member of a ”criminal gang” (i.e, motorcycle club), because of the furor over it.

Spike Neal, an Oregon civil rights attorney and avid freedom fighter talked about discrimination and how it affects us. Marty Fox, our Washington A.I.M. Attorney, talked at length about the effects of new federal anti-terrorist legislation on bikers and clubs.

And last but not least, Outsiders MC’s PigPen outlined the progress of the Confederation of Clubs in Washington, and Brother Speed MC’s Showman from the Oregon Confederation of Clubs brought us up to date with that group. Show man dropped a bomb on us by announcing his retirement from active participation and handed the reins to Longview Tom of the Gypsy Jokers MC, who was already serving as Vice Chair. Tom was later elected to a full term as Chairman at a subsequent meeting in November.

All in all a very good Regional convention. We’re eagerly looking forward to next May in New Orleans with the International meeting of NCOM and ICOM.

WINTER: All right folks, even though it’s still warm out we need to think about winterizing our rides. Get your manuals out and do the good stuff before you put the scoot to bed for the year, if you don’t ride wintertime in your neck of the woods. If you do it right, you’ll be ready to go the first time the sun is out in the spring. Don’t get caught short like you did this year. If things keep up the way they are we may well be able to ride all year this year here in Oregon. Won’t hurt my feelings at all. Most of us here ride year-round anyway. Just gets us a little damp, that’s all.NEWS BITS’N PIECES:

BURBANK, CA: Jay Leno’s Harley drew $360,200! It’s been all over TV and news media. That bike isn’t worth that kind of money but the public needed a good excuse to spend money to help the victims of Sept 11th. The proceeds from the online e-bay sale of the scoot and matching truck went to the Twin Towers Fund for victims of the terrorist attack. Very generous of Jay Leno, I say.

Thanx, Jay.

MIDDLETOWN, PA: Here is another winner from the lottery who will ride herself a new scoot. Pamela Romanishan from Danielsville, PA won her new Harley Sporty through the second chance drawing of that state’s lottery. She and her hubby are scooter lovers and as luck would have it she was in the middle of taking her states rider ed course when she got word she won. She and the old man are walkin’ on the moon right now and she has her own ride. I’m proud for her.

PAKISTAN: Like there’s not ENOUGH crap going on in the world right now, seems that SOME of these terrorists took to motorcycles to conduct one of their strikes. You might have heard about it: 15 Christians got mowed down in October by six motorcyclists. They hopped off their bikes, jumped into a church with their AK-47’s firing and yelling about a ”graveyard for Christians,” and rode off. I guess a bike is like a knife or a gun. It can be used for good and bad. I wish it didn’t happen at all — but I wish it wasn’t with BIKES.

MILWAUKEE, WI: The chairman of Harley-Davidson, Jeffrey Bleustein is selling off twelve MILLION bucks worth of his Harley stock, so the news wires said. My boss Sam Hochberg tells me that from what he reads, the motor company is still in very good shape.

In fact, he says he MEANT to tell me I should’ve bought some Harley stock for my retirement fund when they hit around $35 or $36 a share, after the September 11th attacks. Now it’s back up to about $48 a share. Damn! Well, I just hope that Harley stock continues to grow and make America proud.

MAKUHARI, JAPAN: They had a car show here, and according to a copyrighted story I saw from Reuters, two of the futuristic ”concept cars” on display had fold-up MOTORCYCLES built in, as part of the car’s back seat! Can y’imagine? You’re broke down on the side of the road, you just pull out the

back seats and you have TWO little bikes to scoot on down the road! Now, how about we start talkin’ Ford and Harley into teaming up to do that for cars here in the USA, instead of just Harley styling and ”colors” on trucks?

KYOTO, JAPAN: Here’s a 65 year-old Biker Buddhist monk who hangs out at Kyoto’s ”Temple of the Golden Pavilion.” His thing is to ride his bike out to students on their school excursions in the area, and give ’em a lecture on his Temple’s history. Now this little story is coming to you from the Gunny who’s got a few years on that monk, and I still ride, too! Don’t let those years get you off your scoot!

GUNNY AGAIN: The recent events in September have backfired on the persons responsible in that instead of this country cringing and taking cover, we have taken steps to bring these criminals to justice. Suddenly our national pride and faith in ourselves is evident. Our national banner, the stars and stripes, has taken new meaning among our people. I’m so very proud to say I’m an AMERICAN, and so very proud to stand with my brothers and sisters and proclaim that THESE DEEDS WILL BE PAID FOR BY THOSE WHO INITIATED THEM. We’ll surely be talking about those attacks at the next NCOM Convention, since every-other year, it’s also the ”International Coalition Of Motorcyclists (ICOM) Convention.

It will be held in May 9-12, 2002, at the Radisson Hotel in New Orleans, just blocks from the famed French Quarter. The reservation number is toll free 1-800-333-3333. The hotel is at 1500 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70112. This Convention promises to be one crackerjack of a gathering of freedom fighters from all over the USA and the world.

She promises to be there.

Make your reservations soon or you will be out of luck. Rooms are going much faster than expected. The rates are cheap: $79.00 per night if you mention the NCOM Convention. These are unheard of rates for this kind of accommodation. If you never get to another Convention, don’t miss this one.

You will meet with so many people from all over the world that will inspire you in our ongoing fight for our individual rights to live our lives making our own choices about safety and how we live. It’s 3 full days of seminars led by fellow bikers and by our A.I.M. Attorneys. This is just one more excellent example of how the A.I.M. (Aid To Injured Motorcyclists) program and NCOM (National Coalition Of Motorcyclists) support our way of life. Our

A.I.M. Attorneys around the country put their money where their mouths are, and NCOM pays most of the freight to put this on.

If you have an accident CALL YOUR A.I.M. ATTORNEY. They will help you, or at the very least, give you some free advice. Call TOLL FREE 1-800-ON-A-BIKE (531-2424). You can reach Sam Hochberg, Oregon A.I.M. Attorney at (503) 224-1106 or toll-free 1-800-347-1106. They even speak Spanish there now, too! Aloha, er I mean, Adios.

Keep the round side on the bottom,Gunny, Oregon’s A.I.M. Chief of Staff

ABATE NEEDS YOUR HELP!

YOUR help is needed on this issue NOW! Please complete the ONLINE survey now for each motorcycle you own, then do 2 other things to help:

Pass this newsletter on to other motorcyclists you know (whether or not they are ABATE members) who are online, and; Print out a copy of the questionnaire, copy it and pass it on to motorcyclists you know (whether or not they are ABATE members) who don’t have an internet connection. Have them fill it out and mail it to the address below to help stop the EPA from interfering with your right to ride AND the already fragile U.S. economy!Here’s the rest of the story about this important survey:

After an impromptu meeting down in Washington DC this week, certain information has been requested from motorcyclists in order to support and explain our opposition to EPA’s rule on motorcycle emission standards.

As always, our ability to provide honest, accurate, and factual information insupport of our positions remains a virtue that has enhanced our credibility both at the State House and on Capitol Hill.

Because of this meeting, we find ourselves in a position of needing information that only YOU can supply. We need ALL MOTORCYCLISTS to fill out the following survey and return it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! You need not be a member of ABATE of Ohio, Inc., the ONLY requirement is that you own a street bike.

We cannot over emphasize the importance of your participation in this survey. The successes we continue to see are a direct result of your grass roots involvement in our ongoing battle with the EPA. Be truthful and thorough. All personal information such as names, addresses and emails will be kept, as is our policy, confidential.

You can take the survey online (by clicking on the highlighted link) or you can print out however many copies you need and return them to:

ABATE of Ohio, Inc.
Legislative Office
PO Box 29246
Columbus OH 43229

Please fill out only ONE survey for every STREETBIKE you own!! Chapter and mass mailings are encouraged! If you have any questions e-mail Hairy George at: mcrightsoh@neo.rr.com

Don’t Forget the JUNE JAM Survey!

Just in case you haven’t visited the ABATE.com web site lately, we would also like to have YOUR opinion about the June Jam, our annual state biker bash!

We are thinking ahead to the 2002 edition of the party, and we need your input to help us plan the event. We want to make the coming year’s June Jam bigger and better than ever before, and your answers to the questions we have included in the survey will help us shape our plans!

Whether you have been to June Jam or not, we want your participation, and that of ALL of our online friends to make “The Jam” a biker event that’s a “MUST DO” on your calendar!

Just go to the home page at: http://www.abate.com, scroll down to the flashing “Take the June Jam Survey” link, and complete the multiple choice survey.~ It takes less than 5 minutes to complete, so GET CLICKIN’! (After you’re done, pass the link on to other motorcyclists for their participation too!)

17TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MINDS—PATRIOTS IN ACTION

Imre Szauter, AMA Gov. Relations; Ed Moreland, VP Gov. Relations; LarrySchwartz, President AMA D-2NY, MRF workshop presenter, retired journalist, part time lobbyist, husband, father and grandpa.

By Susan Buck

Topeka, Kansas, September 27-29, 2001?Patriotism was exemplified by 318 state motorcyclist rights organization members and activists at the 17th Annual Meeting of the Minds barely two weeks after the devastating attacks in New York City and Washington, DC.

Erwin Renette, president of Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations, offered ?In light of the tragic events on September 11, all I would like to do is express our deepest sympathy and condolences in name of FEMA and all the European riders rights organizations We understand in these difficult times, we stand in solidarity with you and we share your anger.? to rousing applause.

?We?re going to be covering the threats we face as motorcyclists, all the while understanding what we do is democracy in action?and what we do is business-as-totally-unusual, totally incredible?the exercise of freedom.? explained Tom Wyld, MRF?s VP for Government Relations at the opening session. In bikers rights, the focus has shifted from the legislative process to regulators?like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Dept. of Health and Human Services.

Wyld, a gifted speaker, was in excellent form:

?Americans and freedom-loving people around the world have a fight on our hands. I think it?s time we say let?s roll.

?Lady Liberty is bleeding, but she might be stronger for it. In this and every free nation, Lady Liberty doesn?t not fall from a single body blow to a building. Lady Liberty has emerged from the ashes of the Pentagon, Lady Liberty has emerged from the rubble in New York. But it?s the tiny cuts that drain Lady Liberty of life.

?As motorcyclists we know, because we bear the cuts. Environmental regulations would make Lady Liberty a criminal for staring at a motorcycle with a wrench in her hand, cutting her freedom. Safetycrats put a bucket on her head and bid her safe crashing, ignoring dangerous drivers who will cut her off and cut her down. And greedy insurance companies who will beat her to the ER and cut her benefits

?A pinprick here, and a cut there, and pretty soon Lady Liberty is bleeding on the side of the road. The MRF and all of you, state motorcycle rights organizations, have plans for Lady Liberty. It?s time to stop the bleeding, it?s time to stop the cuts. It?s time to stop the pricks.?

Riding Through Regulations

In 1996, the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act passed Congress by staggering majority, preventing millions of Americans who ride motorcycles, horses, ATVs, snowmobiles, or ski, from being excluded from enrollment in employer-sponsored health care plans. HIPAA?s Interim Final Rules for Non-Discrimination in Health Care, released for public comment in early 2001, permit that such plans are not required to provide specific benefits.

The MRF, AMA and dozens of SMRO members made considerable lobbying efforts to address the rule?s obvious contradiction to the spirit of the law. ABATE of IL and WI each visited the Capitol twice and coalesced 70 members of Congress in protest. Yet the Depts. of Treasury, Labor, and H&HS affirmed these rules on May 9, 2001. Insurance companies can legally deny paying benefits for injuries?to enrolled employees?that occur during those legal activities, like a motorcycle accident. The justification is that mandated benefits will raise costs, resulting in fewer insured Americans.

Wayne Curtin, Manager of Government Affairs for Harley-Davidson, was on the team that worked to write and pass HIPPA, then as the MRF?s former VP for Government Relations. He compared this source of injury exclusion to qualifying coverage for pregnancy by position of conception.

Exclusions based on genetic predisposition are prohibited, but since habits are often predisposed, ways to exploit this are being considered. Evel Knievel like to ride, and jump, and often crashed. Like father, so does his son, Robbie. What happens if Robbie needs a new liver someday, too? The pending federal Patient?s Bill of Rights addresses disclosure of exclusions.

When a federal law or regulation denies a benefit guaranteed by the states, state law usually prevails?and can mandate insurers to provide benefits. The MRF and AMA are building a coalition of ?evidence of insurability groups? like skiers, snowmobilers and horse riders. That strategy that helped ABATE of Colorado successfully amend state law in 1997, making denial of medical benefits?based on participation in those activities?illegal. HIPPA can be overridden state by state, theoretically. However, even in what Wyld perceives as a favorable political climate, this is a David-and-Goliath battle against the multi-million dollar insurance lobby.

Riding With EPA

In December, 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed new Federal emissions limits for highway and off-road motorcycles. They follow California?s Air Resource Board limits?about a third the hydrocarbons (HC) permitted in 49 other states. Highway bikes were excluded in a 9/01 revision, but a new EPA proposal for them is expected just after press time, in 10/01.

Limit values for one percent of the nation’s vehicles, responsible for six one thousandths of one percent of our air pollution could be cut output by two-thirds, even though the dirtiest highway motorcycles produced in 2001 emit less than half of current Federal limits.

During the required 60- or 90-day public comment period, ?We want every motorcyclist to comment,? Wyld said. ?That?s 12 million Americans who ride more than six million motorcycles.? He urged SMROs to prepare for a grassroots campaign and visits to Washington, DC. SMROs can also develop and circulate letters to be signed by their state Congressional delegations.

Bob Tomlins FEMA, Vince Piacenti MRF, James Wege WA Road Riders Assoc., Tom Wyld, John Paliwoda, Tom Pauley

The MRF will involve small-volume makers, custom shops and the after market, and if necessary, seek the intervention of the federal Office of Management and Budget to quash the rule during the review process.

To meet CARB?s 2008 promulgation, technical modifications either impractical for bikes or not yet developed would be required. Currently, there are no Federal emissions limits for off-road vehicles. The industry faces a new battle or serious a re-inventing of the wheels, these CARB-like limits set in ?97, required dealers to negotiate an exemption for 2-stroke bikes. CA?s Red Sticker Program would require a Federal exemption to continue.

An Alternate Form Of Transportation

Most states don?t license horses, snowmobiles, or OHV like street bikes, which also reduce traffic and parking congestion. The passengers/mile ratio is 1.1 for cars and bikes, and bikes get more than twice the gas mileage. Longtime MRF member Vince Piacenti of Bosche, Inc. reminded, ?A motorcycle is not a recreational type vehicle any more than a car.? Throughout the discussion, other panelists like John Paliwoda, director of the California Motorcycle Dealers Association repeated, ?The justification isn?t there,? for these regulations.

Safety

NHTSA?s motorcycle safety improvement plan, issued 6/01 will only work by accident. Motorist awareness programs don?t become effective till fall 2004. Training programs don?t go into effect till 2005, the target date for a 5% reduction in fatalities. Traffic safety has been a more successful issue, via lots of small sentences put in large, omnibus transportation bills. Wyld credits Jan and Priest, lobbyists from AZ for reaching out to FHA to help establish a motorcycle advisory board to address hazardous crash barriers, guard rails, tar snakes. The new director of FHA, Mary Peters is a motorcyclist, about which the AMA and MRF are pleased. The state of Washington became the first to pass a vehicular assault bill, making it a felony to injure or kill a motorcyclist, bicyclist or pedestrian.

Smoke Across The Pond

Bob Tomlins, Assistant General Secretary of Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations, brought disturbing developments from Geneva. The EU has promulgated stricter-than-CARB limits for bikes in similar stages. ?What we?ve realized in the current round of proposals coming from the European Commission is the test cycle is even more important than the reduction in limit values.? said Tomlins.

The current test cycle, known as EU40, remains effective through EuroII in 2003, (less than EPA Tier 1-2004 limits). The EU has proposed changing to the Modified European Car Test Cycle for Euro III in 2006, but the Association des Constructeurs European de Motorcycles favored the new World Motorcycle Test Cycle, which FEMA supported. At a September 20th meeting with the European Union, ACEM pressed for the MECTC, citing unforeseen technical difficulties with the WMCTC.

Euro III limits are also nearly half of Euro II limits. Changing the test changes the results, so ?We, the riders, developed a strategy which sought to have the World Motorcycle Test Cycle introduced for Euro III and have its inherent reduction calculated within the proposed Euro III reductions over Euro II, which could be quantified and correlated.? said Tomlins. The emissions rule will largely determine future motorcycle designs, and the progress of other World Motorcycle standards, still being developed by a United Nations committee on which Tomlins serves.

As of this conference, FEMA, MRF and AMA have formally coalesced to represent all riders on global harmonization issues in Geneva. Tomlins will serve as representative.

A Civics Course For Bikers

Workshops at MOTM review the lawmaking process from a clean sheet of paper to the governor?s signature. Who remembers the structure of government and every level at which you have access? The internal workings an SMRO, dealing government and media, and one just for arguing against helmet laws round out things. The MRF White papers, a collection of well-researched articles, will be archived?and hereafter, published?on-line only. Regular updates are available by e-mail.

Rod Taylor, an attorney with ABATE Legal Services of IL, IN, KY and OH, shared president Lyndon Johnson?s philosophy about teamwork. Johnson, a democrat, appointed a Republican to his cabinet explaining, ?It?s better to have them inside the tent pissing out than outside the tent pissing in.?

The weekend?s other running jokes included counting the hours Teri Stobs, of ABATE of IL had been the MRF?s newest director of communications. Also, ?If you can?t hear me, make barnyard sounds,? started by MRF President Tom Pauley testing a microphone. Stobs thoughtfully provided a quacking stuffed duck on cue. Pauley, otherwise a subtle presence, wisely handed out the organizational awards at the beginning of the first general session, making recipients stand a little taller and adding a jolt of energy to the room.

Overall, however, there was less humor and more serious exchange of information and strategy than at any previous conference, despite the cameraderie and availability of refreshments, supplied by ABATE of Kansas. Great idea: a ?Strut Your Stuff? table, in the center of the hotel?s atrium for free exchange of newsletters, stickers, etc. among many of the 37 state groups present.

A generation of motorcyclists is graying, and will eventually retire from riding. The generation behind the baby boomers, today?s 35-45 year-olds, is a smaller population. And if manufacturers continue draping bikini-clad eye candy over their wares, the full market potential of female riders will not be realized. The motorcycle industry, indeed the entire vehicle industry, will at best plateau, and at worst, fall into recession, in the US, at least.

The coming lean years will give manufacturers a chance to reinvent bikes to meet the coming global government regulations and next generation?s as-yet-undefined expectations. Certainly, it won?t be Marlon Brando, or Mad Max. The rest of us who ride will either become a whole new breed of rebel, or go the way of the dinosaurs.

Mark Buckner, former president of MRF, now with ABATE of CO, and its PAC.

Sound files of most of MOTM 2001 are archived at http://www.inbradio.com/mrf/motm2001/

Motorcycle Riders Foundation www.mrf.org,American Motorcyclist Association www.ama-cycle.com

NHTSA Motorcycle Safety Improvement Plan http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/motorcycleimprovement.html

2001 Motorcycle [Emissions] Summary Report http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/veh-cert/cert-tst/01m.txt

Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking-Control of Emissions from.Motorcycleshttp://www.epa.gov/otaq/roadbike.htm

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS

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. Visit us on our website at

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWSCompiled and Edited by BILL BISH,NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS

BIKERS SUPPORT 9-11 VICTIMS ?In the weeks following the September 11 terrorist attacks on American icons; the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in our nation?s capitol, bikers across the country have come together to offer support and assistance to the victims? families. ?From poker runs to rallies to passing the hat, motorcyclists have raised funds and awareness.

Four bikers from South Carolina?s Hells Angels Motorcycle Club braved two days of harsh weather while riding to New York City to present a $10,000 check to Engine Co. 33/Ladder 9, which lost 10 men in the World Trade Center attacks. ?Joining them at the station house were members of the New York City Hells Angels, who gave a $5,000 check of their own.

”The Fire Department and EMS are always there for us. ?It?s time we did for them,” said Ken Hanneman, 45, who orchestrated the fund-raising at The Kickin? Horse, a South Carolina saloon he co-owns. ?

The money was presented to Battalion 6 Chief Rich Burban outside the station house on Great Jones Street. ”It?s overwhelming. The support just doesn?t stop,” Burban said.

Indeed, from independent riders to outlaws, and from organized charity rides to donation jars at bike shops, motorcycle riders have poured out their hearts and their wallets to help the less fortunate during these trying times.NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS (NCOM)

WHO WAS THAT MASKED MAN? ?Three motorcyclists pulled into a San Fernando Valley gas station outside Los Angeles, when one of them removed his helmet and onlookers recognized that it was none other than actor Nicolas Cage. ?When people began gathering for his autograph, the other two riders removed their helmets, and under the visors were Jay Leno and Jim Carrey!Leno, host of the top-rated ”The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” has been busy collecting autographs of his own. ?The longtime motorcyclist has invited some of Hollywood?s biggest names to come onto ”The Tonight Show” and sign his new 2001 Harley-Davidson FXDL Dyna Low Rider that will be auctioned off to benefit The Twin Towers Fund.Leno has already attracted signatures from many of the greatest stars in film, television and music, including: Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Sylvester Stallone, Denzel Washington, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Cuba Gooding Jr., Pamela Anderson, Earvin ?Magic? Johnson, Terry Bradshaw, Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Short and many more. ?During the October 10, 2001 telecast of ”The Tonight Show,” actor Russell Crowe made a surprise appearance from under the hood of a brand-new 2001 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 SuperCrew pickup truck to announce its addition to the companion Harley-Davidson motorcycle.The auction listing was live on eBay from Sunday, October 7, 2001 through Wednesday, October 17, 2001, with celebrities continuing to sign the bike until bidding closed. ?At press time, bidding was up to $225,100.00 with two days to go!

SPEAKING OF CELEBRITIES, actor George Clooney was recently spotted at a restaurant by a group of young autograph seekers. ?Clooney told the youngsters that he?d be happy to sign autographs after he was done eating dinner. ?About an hour and a half later, Clooney gets up to leave and the kids go yelling after him that he?d promised to give them autographs. ?He?d forgotten all about them, and was so embarrassed that he took each one of them for a spin on his motorcycle!

EPA SHIFTS FOCUS TO STREET MOTORCYCLES ?According to REUTERS news service, on September 19, 2001, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed to curb emissions from snowmobiles, diesel-powered boats, off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles to help reduce pollution, especially in national parks. ?New limits will be established for carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides emitted by the engines, the EPA said.Currently, off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles aren?t regulated by any federal emissions standards, but will now be ”encouraged” to switch from two-stroke engines to four-stroke engines in 2006. ?In addition, all-terrain vehicles would also need to meet a stricter limit beginning in 2009.The EPA, which has regulated everything from leaf blowers to hair dryers, had planned to include tougher new emissions standards for street motorcycles too, but in a surprise move now says it will issue a separate proposal in November. ?In addition to tightening existing standards, new regulations could require specific components on new motorcycles such as fuel injection and catalytic converters, as well as ”anti-tampering” regulations to prohibit performance modifications.Public hearings on the proposed emissions regulations will be held in Washington on October 24, and in Denver, Colorado, on October 30. ?The National Coalition of Motorcyclists, along with the American Motorcyclist Association and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, encourages concerned riders and motorcyclists rights organizations to make their feelings known to the EPA on this important issue which could affect the future of motorcycling as we know it. ?

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: ?A biker from Berlin whose penis was ripped off in a freak motorcycling accident has had a new one made from a muscle in his arm. ?Michael Gruber?s penis was ripped off by the gas tank of his 900cc Honda when it crashed into a tree. ?The 37-year-old German man has had months of surgery. ?He can now urinate properly and has a full sex life with his girlfriend.He said: ”I flew out of the curve and smashed against a tree. ?I was squashed between the tank and the seat. ?The tank was ripped off, and with it my penis. ?I was in agony, I looked down and it was gone and then I don?t remember any more because I passed out.”He added: ”The doctors made me a new penis from the muscle tissue in my lower left arm.” ?Surgeons connected a tube inside the muscle to his bladder so he can urinate properly. ?He is also able to get an erection.”I feel like a real man again,” Gruber told the German TV documentary program, ”BLITZ.”From Steve Garcia’s ”STUFF”, ABATE of California

QUOTABLE QUOTES: ”You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it!” ? JOHN ADAMS, American Patriot

NOTE: If you would like to subscribe to the AIM/NCOM Motorcycle E-NewsService, simply send a SUBSCRIBE message to aimncom@aimncom.com.

AIM NEWS–NEW YORK HELLS ANGELS WIN CASE AGAINST COPS

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. Visit us on our website at http://www.ON-A-BIKE.com

NOTE: The tragic events of September 11th took place right after I wrote last month’s Gunny’s Sack, so I didn’t have the opportunity to make a comment at that time. ?Nevertheless, be assured that I’m appalled and dismayed at the massive criminal acts that took place in the name of any religion. ?These people will, by whatever means needed, be brought to swift justice, and I fully support our government and all others that are involved in this task.

Here is the Sack for November. ?
-SEMPER FI, Gunny

From TheGUNNY’S SACK

NYC, NY: All right folks, the world situation has hit the fan, and it’s hard for this old biker to keep his trap shut about it, even in this column that’s by, for, and about bikers. ?That’s because being a biker is also about brotherhood, sisterhood, and living and doing what’s right. ?I hope by the time this Sack hits your mailbox, we’ll be done with our job overseas, and pray we’re not hit again at home.

Our Oregon A.I.M. Attorney, Sam Hochberg, grew up in the Bronx, in New York City, and he told me a horror story or two. ?His nephew was 4 blocks from the World Trade Center when it was hit, and that boy had to skeedaddle pretty quick. ?This is the time we all need to get behind our President, and support our young men and women in uniform. ?Semper Fi from the Gunny to you all.

NEW YORK, NY: There is SOME news from NYC that isn’t about the WTC: Patch holders there won another battle. ?An agreement says the NYC Police will pay 14 Hells Angels nearly $200,000.00 plus attorney fees and other costs, and in return the Angels will drop their legal action.

All this stemmed from the alleged illegal forced entry into the clubhouse and apartments searching for suspects in another matter without a search warrant by New York police. ?New York already has paid this club $565,000.00 for raiding them once before and ignoring warrant instructions. ?This time I guess they didn’t even bother with a warrant.

Now I just KNOW, based on recent events in NYC, that New York’s finest is made of better stuff than that. ?Maybe they just don’t learn very well when it comes to bikers.

KANSAS CITY, MO: Harley-Davidson is moving their Dyna assembly line on out to Kansas City, Missouri. ?They already are doing some fabrication and painting there. ?Guess this move will make manufacture of the Dyna bikes more cost effective. ?Wonder if they will reflect that in purchase prices? ?They are building the ”Sportster” line there now, and they expect to build the new V-Rod bike there too.

GILROY, CA: Indian Motorcycle Co is on the mend with new top leadership joining ranks to pull the company together with a new influx of dough. ?”The strength of the Indian brand is unquestionable,” said Frank O’Connell, CEO. ?”With [new] financial backing…..and a dedicated, enthusiastic management team, we are well prepared to allow Indian Motorcycle to live up to the public’s high expectations.”

Now lets wait and see what happens. ?I wish Indian all the best. ?Years ago it was a fine scoot, and I was lucky enough to own one.

NIGERIA: ?There’s a place in Nigeria fighting poverty with motorcycles! ?Now, I’ve heard about all sorts of government handouts that I didn’t care for much over the years, but HERE’S one I’ll support: In the state of Imo, in Nigeria, they started this motorcycle loan program — they picked 54 poor but deserving people from around the state to get a motorcycle, just to help stimulate their economy. ?They’ll give out 100 when it’s all done. ?They will have to pay it back eventually. ?Man, what a deal. ?I’m moving there, so I can get my next bike! ?Oops. I’m not broke enough.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC: From the ”Czech A.M.” news folks comes this happy news: Bike sales in the Czech Republic are up 23% through August this year. ?That amounts to about 8,000 new bikes sold there. ?I’ve heard tell Prague is a beautiful city. ?Maybe I’ll get my old butt over there someday. ?Probably not, but I can dream can’t I?

TULSA, OK: Williams Travel Center Co Employees from all over North America will return to Tulsa after riding their motorcycles more than 2,000 miles, approximately 200 miles per day, to raise money and awareness for local United Way agencies. ?Forty-four riders departed Tulsa on Sept. 11 and were scheduled to return to Tulsa in time for a parade. ?I took a peek at their website, and it turns out they went forward with the ride, in spite of what ELSE happened that day!

Jamie McMurray, in the No. 27 Williams Travel Center NASCAR race car, was scheduled to lead the return parade, along with high school bands, Tulsa firefighters, and local dignitaries.

Two Williams employees started this fund-raiser, known as Riding the Line, in 1999 as a way to ride their bicycles to raise money for the United Way. ?Last year, 80 Williams employees raised $16 million. ?Because of that success, a motorcycle ride was added this year and the bicycle tour expanded.

Williams will match all new contributions dollar-for-dollar. ?For additional information about Riding the Line or to make a donation, visit the official ride Internet site, accessible from www.williams.com. ?If you click on the ”motorcycle ride” section, turn on your speakers for continuous loud pipes!

BOLOGNA, ITALY: Ducati ?is introducing their Multistrada1000, a ?new generation sport bike with some hot performance, at least as long as there is pavement. ?The Multistrada is a high-spec bike with Superbike goodies, but that still offers some of the conveniences, flexibility, ?and storage of the big enduros.

This thing sounds like the ultimate sport bike that will run the twisties, but still carry saddlebags for old farts like me. ?I like to take junk on trips and still be comfortable after a long day. ?Might have to look this critter over.

PARIS, FRANCE: According to the British news service, PA News, the first organized motorcycle race wasn’t in the USA, and it wasn’t in Germany: It happened in France, in 1896! ?It was just eight riders on a 476-mile course from Paris to Nantes and back. ?I guess the Americans had to play catch-up back then. ?And we Americans think we’re so smart.

MIDDLETOWN, PA: A seventy-three year old Pennsylvania resident won herself a brand new Harley ”1200 Sportster” in a second chance drawing.

Pauline Gutshall recently won her prize through the Lottery’s HARLEY-DAVIDSON instant ticket second-chance promotion. ?Pauline gets her motorcycle during a special presentation at Susquehanna Valley Harley-Davidson/Buell, in Harrisburg.

”I never dreamed I’d ever win a motorcycle she said. ?I don’t expect I’ll ride it but I’ve got some two sons and some grandchildren that probably will.” ?Hey, do you want another grandkid, Pauline?

GUNNY AGAIN: Our Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) attorneys across the country take very good care of us, even when we don’t. ?If you have an accident please do yourself a favor and call your nearest A.I.M. Attorney. ?They will talk to you free, and if you hire them, they don’t get paid if you don’t. ?That’s real incentive to work extra hard in your behalf. ?Not to mention they network with each other all across the nation so yer gettin’ lots of brain power. ?You can reach them nationwide at 1-800 ON-A-BIKE. ?Sam Hochberg here in Oregon is available at 1-800-347-1106 or if its a local call 503/224-1106.

Next month, I’ll have a report on the NCOM West Coast Regional Meeting, up in Federal Way, Washington. ?Remember that the NCOM (NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS) International Convention is in New Orleans the 9th thru the 11th of May 2002. ?This will be the biggest and the best yet. ?I’ll be there, so don’t miss it. ?I’ll buy you a drink if you mention the SACK to me when we talk. ?Details coming.

Keep the round side on the bottom.
Gunny, Oregon A.I.M. Chief of Staff

ACCIDENT? CALL (800) ON-A-BIKE, FOR EMERGENCY LEGAL ASSISTANCE–NO COST TO YOU

FREEDOM’S NEWEST THREAT

This is Keith from Keith’s Customs with his latest and his awards. He could have a serious problem if the EPA get’s their way.

?LET?S ROLL!?

American Motorcyclists Alerted: Major MRO Offensive Aimed at Emissions Regulations Rolls Out in November 2001.Topeka, Kansas The Motorcycle Riders Foundation issued this emergency alert to State Motorcyclists? Rights Organizations (SMROs):?

?Prepare now for a major grassroots offensive aimed squarely at the Environmental Protection Agency?s proposed rulemaking on street motorcycles.?

The alert was announced at the September 29 Meeting of the Minds members? banquet, MRF?s premier national leadership summit, a riders gathering that brings together the leaders of the American motorcyclists? rights movement and key international allies.

The new rule on street bikes, which MRF expects the EPA to issue in November 2001, will be followed by a 60- or 90-day period calling for public comment.

?That public comment period will be met by sustained, intense and dramatic grassroots action by the American motorcyclists? rights movement,? predicted Tom Wyld, MRF?s Vice President for Government Relations.

In concert with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Federation of European Motorcycle Associations (FEMA), the Motorcycle Riders Foundation also announced a major global initiative to oppose a draft of the universal motorcycle emissions test procedure. That procedure, called the ?World Motorcycle Test Cycle? or WMTC, is gaining momentum and acceptance in Geneva as the single way all governments worldwide will test all motorcycles for emissions compliance.

Speaking on behalf of the International Steering Committee in its consolidated statement, MRF announced an offensive aimed at the defeat the proposed WMTC.

At the September 29 Meeting of the Minds banquet, MRF announced the following initiatives aimed at the domestic environmental regulations threat:

1.MRF will thoroughly examine the rule.

2.MRF will provide to our members and member-SMROs and chapters vital information on rule details, our analysis and likely impacts. Our goal is to generate a superhighway of public comment. ?We want every motorcyclist to comment,? Wyld said. ?That?s 12 million Americans who ride more than 6 million motorcycles.?

3.MRF urged all SMROs to prepare their members and organizations now for massive grassroots activity from November 2001 through January 2002. This INCLUDES VISITS to Washington during that critical period.

4.MRF is now taking the following actions:a.We are launching a threat awareness campaign aimed squarely at the motorcycle press – both popular magazines and periodicals that service the industry.

b.We are continuing our work with the Small Business Administration and with the White House Office of Management and Budget.

5.MRF will take the following actions: a.Through networking, seek the involvement and support of small-volume makers, custom shops and the aftermarket.

b.Develop and circulate, in concert with SMROs, ?delegation letters? to be signed by as many members of state Congressional delegations as MRF and SMROs can possibly generate.

c.Depending on the severity of the rule, seek the intervention of the Office of Management and Budget within the White House to quash the rule in the course of its required review process.

6.Finally, if and when necessary, seek review and rejection of the rule by the Congress of the United States, either in the normal course of rule review or, if necessary, by the advancement of stand-alone legislation legislation the Motorcycle Riders Foundation has tentatively dubbed ?The Motorcycle Protection Act of 2002.?

MRF: My Ride is Freedom — For further information contact Tom Wyld at 202-546-0983 or by e-mail at wyld@mrf.org

NCOM NEWS FOR 9/27

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. Visit us on our website at

From TheGUNNY’S SACK

Wow! ?Time sure flies when yer havin fun. ?We’ve talked about the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) forever in this column and now I have a chance for my brothers and sisters in the Northwest to take part in the Regional NCOM meeting. ?That will be in Federal Way, WA, near Seattle, on October 13, 2001, at the La Quinta Hotel at 32124 25th Ave South. ?Ask for the NCOM special rate of $79.00 a night, or crash on a buddy’s couch. ?The conference itself is FREE. ?The number for reservations is 1-800-583-2272.

This is a mini version of the national meeting in that it’s just one day long. ?And it’s on a Saturday for your convenience. ?All western state MRO’s will be represented as well as many folks from Confederations of Clubs in this region. ?Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be a part of our national efforts. ?All bikers and organizations are invited and welcome. ?AND IT’S FREE!

There will be seminars on Bikers rights through the courts, a Freedom of the Road seminar, an NCOM Region “I” meeting, and a Regional Confederations of Clubs meeting. ?Afterwards, there will be a Freedom Fighters Social on Saturday night. ?That’s where it will get powerful. ?Plan on spending the night and I’ll be there and look forward to seeing you all. ?Don’t miss this one folks.

Sam Hochberg, our Oregon AIM attorney, tells me that one of the guest speakers at NCOM will be JIM REDDEN, the author of the book “SNITCH CULTURE,” that was mentioned in last month’s Sack. ?Should be real interesting.

This is just another of the ways that our AIM (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) attorneys all over the country serve us ? besides taking real good care of us when we fall off our rides. ?They can be reached, by the way, at 1-800-531-2424, or 1-800-ON-A-BIKE, or at www.aimncom.com, if you find yourself in a pickle. ?Sam Hochberg here in Portland, Oregon, is at 503/224-1106. ?Oh yeah, and he’s an email fanatic, so send him one at SamBikeLaw@aol.com. ?The Gunny can be found pecking away at his computer, at AIMGunny@aol.com.

NEWS BITS ‘N PIECES:

BRITAIN: ?From news I’m reading by Mark Sage in the PA News, I guess Britain is having problems with their speeding drivers too. ?Speed traps there reveal that 66% of cars and 54% of trucks are exceeding the limits on rural roads. ?35% of motorcycles are running 5 miles an hour faster than limits too. ?Over 55% of all rigs are exceeding the speed limits on their motorways (freeways?) as well. ?Oh, my! ?Are we in trouble again?

ASHEBORO, SC: ?There was another fatality in the USA because of a Police chase involving a MOTORCYCLE RIDER. ?As a result of such a chase, we have lost another brother, run over by a police officer.

This in the Asheboro News & Record, written by Chris Helms. Gerald “Tiny” Abney died as a result of injuries sustained during a “low speed” chase by Police. ?Apparently the Police car ran over Tiny’s bike during the incident.

Not all details are clear at this writing, except that this big chase was just for a minor traffic infraction. ?Our North Carolina AIM Attorney, Bob Donat, is on the job looking at this case. ?We are, after all, vulnerable out there.

Rumor has it, this is a tourist shot taken at the top of the WTC. The camera was found in the rubble afterwards.

SAN JOSE, CA: ?According to the San Jose Mercury News, a Judge gave chase on his MOTORCYCLE, to assist local officers in apprehending a hit and run driver. ?He chased this woman for several miles at speeds up to 60 MPH on surface streets in town. ?Apparently the old gal had five crashes before the Judge got her stopped. ?I wonder if she will go to court or if the good judge took care of things on the spot?

TOKYO, JAPAN: ?Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Suzuki Motor Corp are partnering up on the design of a wide variety of American style bikes. ?They say they will work together to develop these new bikes and ATV’s in order to take advantage of being able to make more profits working together in this world of fierce competition for the biker’s dollar. ?Hope it works. ?Competition breeds ingenuity, by golly.

COTABATO, PHILIPPINES: ?Here we go again. ?An Irish missionary was killed on his motorcycle when he resisted four gunmen who tried to abduct him in the southern Philippines. ?Haven’t we mentioned in the past that it isn’t real smart to ride your bike where there is shooting going on? ?Man, when I see guns I leave the area. ?FAST!

FASCINATING FACT: ?Just saw this on the Internet. ?In the TV series “Happy Days”the character ARTHUR “THE FONZ” FONZARELLI couldn’t wear his LEATHER JACKET unless his bike was part of the scene. ?Seems the studio had problems with the leather linking the show in some way with a criminal element. ?Wow! ?Now that’s reaching pretty hard.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA: ?Orbital engine company, the maker of the great new 4 strokefor motorcycles among many other uses, including cars, is in financial trouble. ?The engine is environmentally friendly and fuel efficient. ?Hope the company gets their problems solved. ?If this engine is as good as they say it is, we need it.

LOUISIANA: ?I read an article from a Louisiana newspaper that hit the nail on the head as far as safety concerns for bikers. ?The guy said in essence that there were a large group of drivers on the roads today that had no regard for anyone on the road, let alone motorcycles.

He says the safety solution for bikers is BETTER TRAINING for all motorists and would-be motorists, and not more equipment laws. ?Finally, someone understands the problem! ?If we could get the self-centered driver to wake-up to the fact that he isn’t the only one on the road that has the right to be there, we would all be much better off. ?

Motorcycle safety is a two-way street. We need alert and cautious drivers, regardless of how they travel from one place to another. ?It’s called respect and just plain courtesy on the road for the other guy.

GUNNY AGAIN: ?In Oregon, we have one more camp-out called “The End of SummerRun” and that’s the end of the overnight rides for this year. ?Our southern Oregon ABATE chapters had a good run last month known as “The Southern Oregon Summer Run,” or the “SOS” run, down near a historic old Stagecoach stop called Wolf Creek.

We were in a Forest Service campground with the vendors pretty well set around the baseball diamond. ?The bandstand was set up too, right in the middle of things. ?Speaking of bands, the music was different than we are used to, but most really enjoyed the change to CAJUN style. ?I sure did, but I’m an old duffer that doesn’t like the constant hard rock that many younger folks do. ?Besides, I was stationed in New Orleans when I was in the Marine Corps several hundred years ago, so it brought back lots of memories.

The weather was great and temperatures stayed in the mid 70’s. ?The camp sites were semi-isolated from each other so people enjoyed a little privacy when they needed it. ?All in all a great run. ?I’m looking forward to next year.

UPCOMING NCOM CONVENTION: ?The CAJUN music reminds me: Our next annual National Coalition Of Motorcyclists Convention is in New Orleans in 2002,ending the night before Mother’s Day. ?Once again folks, you DON’T want to miss this one. ?Workshops and seminars galore, and maybe even more importantly, there’s the camaraderie of fellow bikers from all around the country and the world.

These gatherings are very important to all of us who ride. ?We learn more about how to protect ourselves from the antics of Big Brother in our lawmaking bodies around the country, among other things.

NCOM Conventions are sponsored by our Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) attorneys around the country and the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester in California. ?For more information, call NCOM at 1-(800) 525-5355, or contact AIM at 1-800-ON-A-BIKE!

Keep the round side on the bottom.
Gunny, Oregon AIM Chief of Staff

EPA PULLS STREET BIKES FROM SEPTEMBER RULE-MAKING

Important Victory for the Motorcyclists’ Rights Movement in America

Washington, DC ? The Environmental Protection Agency published its final rule on “large spark ignition engines” on September 14, but the agency balked at including tougher regulation of street motorcycles. “EPA intended to include in this proposal new exhaust standards for highway motorcycles and marine spark ignition engines,” EPA wrote, adding that proposals for street bikes and marine engines would be addressed separately “within the next few months.” Exclusion of street bikes is an important victory for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organizations in our sustained struggle against unnecessary regulation that directly threatens our machines and our lifestyle.

“Thanks in no small part to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, the Administration decided not to rush to proposal with respect to highway motorcycles,” said Mr. Austin Perez of the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy. “MRF and the state organizations weighed into the process, and it worked.”

The EPA’s unexpected move follows comprehensive action by ABATE of Illinois in amassing grassroots opposition to more restrictive emissions standards and attendant regulations through its “Operation Wrench” battle plan. It follows a concerted effort by riders in Illinois and throughout the country in writing letters of objection to EPA Administrator Christie Todd Whitman. It also follows an intensive lobbying effort by MRF that raised Administration awareness of the devastating impact EPA’s proposal would have on small-volume motorcycle makers, custom shops, and individual rider safety and freedom.

“This action demonstrates the effectiveness of the joint MRF-SMRO team,” observed Tom Pauley, MRF President, “and the wisdom of our strategy.” Prior to the ruling, for example, MRF wrote to the Office of Management and Budget, laying out MRF’s many concerns about additional regulation of street motorcycles. The letter argued that the anticipated ruling did not adequately address our concerns on three fundamental fronts: economics (primarily small business impacts), broad public policy, and individual freedom.

“The fight is not over,” Mr. Pauley said, “but we have won an important victory and we must sustain the momentum.” MRF anticipates that EPA is heading back to the drawing board to issue a new proposal, possibly as early as November. That proposal will be followed by a public comment period. Important note: EPA may also hold public meetings on the street motorcycle proposal, as it calls for public meetings in its September 14 proposal on non-road engines. MRF will keep you informed as details become available.

How can you do more? Ride with the LeadersTM to Topeka, Kansas, September 27-29, where MRF’s Meeting of the Minds will present a comprehensive discussion on countering the threat posed by needless environmental regulation. Moderated by Tom Pauley, the EPA panel will feature Todd Vandermyde of Illinois speaking on “Operation Wrench,” John Paliwoda of the California Motorcycle Dealers Association discussing the California regulatory experience, and automotive engineer Vince Piacenti explaining the technical details of environmental regulation. Rounding out the panel will be Tom Wyld, MRF lobbyist, on our strategy for the future.

MRF: My Ride is Freedom — For further information contact Tom Wyld at 202-546-0983 or by e-mail at wyld@mrf.org