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.aimncom.com

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

AMERICA UNDER ATTACK

?Smoke and ash still billows from the rubble that was once the crown jewels of the New York City skyline, and fire still seers through the heart of America?s military command post, which burns with a fury nearly as hot as most Americans? tempers at the time of this writing.

Like everything else unrelated to the terrorist attacks on American icons, the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, motorcycling news is diminished in importance and relevance as our collective attention is focused on the tragic circumstances surrounding such despicable and reprehensible acts of cowardice.

As Americans we are shocked to discover that our envelope of security has been breached. ?As Americans, we are horrified with the prospect that foreign hostilities can nestle upon our shores, though the perpetrators remain hidden and protected in faraway retreats. ?As a free and open society, Americans are rightfully angry and understandably frightened about the prospect of such attacks on our own soil. ?And our American Pride will not allow us to let terrorist bullies win. ??

But, as Americans, are we willing to alter our way of life and sacrifice our civil rights in exchange for governmental protections that hinder our freedom in order to regain some peace of mind?

By doing so, wouldn?t this allow terrorism to dictate our national policy?

As the ashes settle on a dismayed America, this will be the topic of ongoing debate in the press, within our legislatures and around the water fountains of society. ??????????

As American Bikers, we have always come down on the side of personal choice and responsibility in lieu of the blanket of security offered by our self appointed protectors. ?

In the famous words of one of our founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson; ”Those who would trade essential Liberty for temporary security, deserve neither Liberty or Security.”

As America lays the groundwork for recovery and restitution, we must strengthen our resolve and divert ourselves from the temptations of restructuring our system of democracy and redefining our liberties. ?If we do, we deserve neither.

God Bless America!–Bill Bish

AMERICAN SUPPORT FROM ACROSS THE BIG POND

?Following is a note sent to the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) from Neil Liversidge, National Chairman of the Motorcycle Action Group of the United Kingdom (MAG-UK), on September 11, 2001, regarding the terrorist attacks on the United States of America:

”It is right that our leaders condemn this act of war. ?It is not, however, enough that only they do so. ?The enemies of democracy must know that not only do the political leaders of the free world have the will to resist and defeat terrorism, but that the ordinary people possess that same resolve.

”The perpetrators of this infamous crime should know that they are not merely opposed by a political elite but by hundreds of millions of ordinary and right-thinking people throughout the world. ?At this time, ordinary people everywhere should communicate to the citizens of the United States their solidarity and support, as well as their condolences for the many deaths and tragedies suffered. ?I offer mine. ?

”At the Federation of European Motorcyclists (FEMA) Rally in Belgium, the official MAG-UK presence will fly the star spangled banner of the United States alongside the Union Flag of the United Kingdom. ?By this we will demonstrate our support and solidarity for our American allies who are, like us, citizens of the free world.”

When the chips are down it is good to know who your friends are.

LOUISIANA APPROVES VETERAN?S MOTORCYCLE LICENSE PLATES

?Due to an oversight, R.S. 47:463.18(A) and (C)1 of the Louisiana Vehicle Code did not list motorcycles as a vehicle that was eligible to carry Veteran plates as cars and trucks can. ?At least that was the way things were before a retired Navy veteran motorcyclist tried to get plates for his bike.

”I proudly and honorably served my country for 24 years as a member of the United States Navy,” said Steve Howardell, a Life Member of ABATE of Louisiana. ?”I retired in 1999 having worked my way from enlisted into the officer ranks. ?After my retirement, I was rated by the VA at 50% disabled. ?But yet, with all this service and dedication to my country, I was not allowed to display my service and pride on my motorcycle as I can my truck plates. ?I decided that it was time for a change.”

Howardell contacted his local legislators, Representative Mike Strain of House District 74 and Senator Jerry Thomas of Senate District 12, and requested assistance to get this regulation amended. ?Both were more then willing to help and out of just a couple of e-mails was born House Bill-186 and Senate Bill-110. ?

Now came the waiting game.

”I became a true watcher of the political process as the bills moved from committee, to full House and Senate, and on to the other side of the fence. ?These two bills breezed though all committee and floor votes with one lone dissenter,” explained Howardell.

Finally, on 25 June 2001, both bills were signed into law by Governor Foster and officially became Act 658 (HB-186) and Act 676 (SB-110). ?The only remaining hoop to jump through is for 100 people to sign up for these plates as that is a requirement to get them minted. ?So, get the word out to your riding buddies in the Bayou State and let them know about the new Veterans? license plates.

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH

?Paris Mayor Bertrand Delanoe?s newly introduced anti-car campaign has claimed its first casualty ? his deputy was knocked off his bicycle by a motorcyclist illegally traveling down a new lane reserved for buses, bicycles and taxis.

”The funniest thing is that I had just left a meeting at police headquarters where I said we absolutely had to take measures against motorcycles that use these lanes,” said Yves Contassot, head of the small Greens party in the city?s coalition government after having routine hospital checks for some minor bruises.

The bus lanes, which the city has been marking off with new concrete dividers during the summer, are the latest anti-car step that Socialist Delanoe has taken since being elected last spring on a platform of creating more ”civilized space” in the capital, reported Reuters News Service.

QUOTABLE QUOTE

”We have awakened a sleeping giant and have instilled in him a terrible resolve.”Admiral Yamamoto, after he was overruled by the Emperor of Japan, on the bombing of Pearl Harbor

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

Postcard for the times.

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 4 – A judge dismissed nearly 300 tickets Tuesday issuedto drivers caught by cameras that record motorists running red lights,handing ammunition to opponents of such systems.

JUDGE RONALD STYN of San Diego County Superior Court said the camera evidence was inadmissible because a private corporation’s role in the operation of the system and its per-ticket collection of fees violatedstate law.

The ruling has no direct legal implications for similar red-light traffic systems in roughly 50 other cities in the nation. But lawyers for the motorists said other judges likely will take the ruling under consideration.

“It’s very limited, but his ruling will receive a lot of deference,” said Arthur Tait, one of three lawyers who represented the 292 driverswhose tickets were quashed Tuesday. “It’s the first time that a traffic courthas looked this closely at what is going on.”

The case originated when motorists banded together to fight the camera-issued tickets. The city is expected to appeal, but it has suspended use of the cameras pending a review prompted by complaints about the system’s accuracy.

The San Diego police department continues to support use of the cameras, which officials said have reduced red-light running an average of 45percent at the 19 intersections where they are installed. “I continue to believe that red light photo enforcement increases safety at intersections,” Police Chief David Bejarano said.

San Diego’s system, which snaps a photo of a red-light runner and mails a $271 citation to the registered owner of the vehicle, is thetarget of two civil lawsuits that could end the program and refund money to84,000 people who have received the tickets since 1998.

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. of Dallas has agreed to alter its system to comply with Styn’s ruling Tuesday, spokesman Mark Maddox said. Maddox said alternatives could include charging a flat rate to the city for installing the cameras.

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

From TheGUNNY’S SACK

WAR STUFF: By the time a lot of you folks read this in print in your newsletters, the war in Iraq, I HOPE, will be long over with. But our boys and girls are out there are fighting hot and heavy as I write this, so I hope you’ll let this old Marine give a little of his own perspective on all this. I saw one e-mail I agreed with, so I’m going to give you a little edited version of what he had to say. He needs to know he isn’t the only one in this country that feels the way he does.

“I’m venting tonight because I’m angry about what I saw tonight I watched as a bunch of misguided ‘citizens’ protesting in Portland tonight. We all have the right to lawful assembly, however last time I checked stopping traffic on freeways, blocking bridges, and unprovoked attacks on law enforcement officers didn’t fall under peaceful demonstration, nor is burning the stars and stripes while chanting we love Iraq. I must conclude that these people are either FOOLS OR COWARDS and if they love some other nation more by all means please leave! I KNOW most of you have a friend or family member who paid some price for freedom in blood or the ultimate sacrifice, [so that] these cowards have the chance to show they enjoy the freedom they [have]… hoo-ya semper-fi, crzycooter roger”

Regardless of what you think about the politics of this war, I agree with this man and say that if YOU burn my flag I will consider you a traitor subject to the laws governing such behavior. If you don’t like the way we do things in this country, if you don’t like the freedom you have here, if you don’t like our laws, change things legally, or move to a country you do like…. I’ll help ya pack!

NEWSBITS’N’PIECES: PHOENIX. AZ: Here’s another celeb that got banged up due to a reckless driver. Los Angeles Dodgers batting coach Jack Clark remained in stable condition at a Phoenix hospital, a day after he was injured in a motorcycle accident. Clark broke eight ribs and had cuts to his head when he was clipped by a car on his way to Bank One Ballpark for a Dodgers workout. No helmet law in AZ. Yet Clark didn’t die! Imagine that.

I have to tell you, if it were one of US, instead of a celeb, no one would even hear about it. The driver who caused the accident was cited for “an unsafe lane change.” Some states are working to change the law to call for stiffer penalties against negligent drivers who cause injury or death…good for them.

WEBSTER, N.Y.: American Motorcycle Corporation has signed a letter of intent to purchase Royal Ryder Motorcycle Manufacturing Company, Inc., of Hudson, Florida. Another Harley clone starting up. Hope they make it, but history tells us a different story. I remember Titan and some others who aren’t on the scene now. The EPA, with their ever-tightening noose around the neck of the motorcycle industry, probably had something to do with it too.

WASHINGTON: I was reading this article about our two-wheeled brothers on the road, the bicyclists. There’s a paradox that has long puzzled those folks, and it applies to us as well. Fact is, under some circumstances, commuters who burn a precious resource – oil – to drive to work get a tax break! Those who use their own muscle power to pedal bikes to the office don’t.

“Why should we discriminate in terms of tax treatment for somebody who is not polluting the air, not causing traffic congestion and not taking away from our petroleum reserves?” asked Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a democrat from here in Oregon.

How about a tax break for motorcycles too? WE burn MUCH less gas and pollute WAY less than cars or busses, even when we lay on the throttle a bit. We have fun and live a lifestyle we love, and we’re very environmentally FRIENDLY. Why don’t our lawmakers like Earl here ever talk about that? Something to think about.

MINNEAPOLIS: Norton Motorcycle Company has announced that it has changed its name to the Viper Motorcycle Company, and Viper has released all trademark rights to the Norton brand. Merch Performance Inc, is to supply engines for the new motorcycle. According to their new CEO, “The initial response to our first model, the Viper Diablo Power Cruiser, has greatly exceeded our expectations.” The goal for Viper Motorcycle Company is to be a full-line manufacturer of high-end motorcycles. The company will introduce 3 additional models sometime this year. Now THIS one just might be worth watching. My boss Sam Hochberg says that the Norton Commando was the very first bike he lusted after as a kid. Too bad for Sam: These new ones are NOT likely to look much like Nortons at all – especially since they aren’t even going to CALL ’em Nortons.

IRVINE, CA: According to the Business Wire news service, motorcycle sales for 2002 are up a remarkable 9.4 percent, and the U.S. motorcycle market is celebrating TEN consecutive years of rising sales! In 2001, new unit motorcycle sales topped 850,000 in the fourth straight year of double-digit increases. Strong demand for two-wheelers beat that mark in 2002, with total motorcycle sales of more than 937,000. ONE little contribution to the 2003 statistics will be that our Oregon AIM Attorney Sam Hochberg just picked up an Anniversary Edition Heritage Softail Classic. Old Sam just looks like a kid at Christmas. Sam’s not the type to splash out on big fancy cars – he hasn’t bought a brand new car since 1974. His last brand new BIKE was a little two-stroke he picked up in the Bronx in 1971! Sam, you ride safe on that new bike. His old shovel is now for sale, if anyone has a mind to inquire. His office is 503-224-1106, or you can just email him at sambikelaw@aol.com anytime.

Like most of our AIM (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) Attorneys, Sam has been an avid rider most of his adult life. Ain’t it nice when we can go to one of our OWN if god forbid, we go down? The whole AIM system is set up like that. You get ’em by calling 1-800-ON-A-BIKE, or at www.ON-A-BIKE.com. You can get lots of info about Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), of course, plus news, motorcycle laws, and plenty of links. Sam’s personal website is www.YourInjuryLawyers.com.

KAMPALA, UGANDA: Bikers here in America are always doing toy runs, poker runs, and other fundraisers, usually for sick kids. Turns out we aren’t the only bikers concerned about the welfare of others. In Uganda, Africa, there are bikers too, and they recently staged a rally and ride for the benefit of AIDS-stricken kids, so they could go to school. The ride was to raise funds for school supplies. This was a two week ride that netted $7,600 for the children. That will do a lot of good for those 60 kids. Hooray for the Ugandan bikers who care for kids. I guess bikers are the same the world over.

GUNNY AGAIN: As you good folks are reading these pearls of wisdom, my wife and I are riding on my motorcycle to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to attend the NCOM Convention starting on May 8th. I sincerely hope to see many of you there. Come over and say hi to me. I will be there the Tuesday preceding the festivities, and I’ll be part of the AIM Chiefs of Staff meeting held on Wednesday, the day before the Convention actually starts. These Conventions are the lifeblood of the AIM and NCOM programs. The very purpose for the existence of NCOM is to be a clearing house for information for any motorcycle organization or even individual, needing help with information relating to bikers rights. AIM of course is the vehicle to help those who are hurt in a mishap, either in their car or motorcycle. Our hardworking attorneys (who ride, as most Sack readers know) are working daily in our best interests. They never charge us up-front fees for their injury cases, and they do just about all their accident work on a contingency basis. They get paid when they get you paid. Then, of all things, they GIVE a large chunk of their fees to support the work of AIM/NCOM. That includes sponsorship of the Confederations of Clubs all over the country.

I’ve never been a big fan of lawyers, but over these ten years I’ve worked with Sam Hochberg, and for all the Conventions I’ve been to and all the Oregon Confederation meetings I’ve seen, I can tell you that THIS BUNCH IS ACES. These attorneys provide legal advice for SMRO’s all over the country, usually pro bono (for free). I hesitate to try and list all the free work they do for the motorcycle world for fear of missing someone important. If you want more good info, get in touch with the AIM/NCOM folks at 1-800-ON-A-BIKE or 1-800-531-2424.

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

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

COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled and Edited by BILL BISH,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists

HOUSE INTRODUCES COMPANION BILL TO ABOLISH HEALTH INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives as a companion measure to S. 423, which will end health insurance discrimination by prohibiting insurance carriers from refusing to provide benefits to those injured while motorcycling or participating in other so-called “risky” activities.

HR 1749, the “Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act of 2003,” is sponsored by Representatives Scott McInnis, a Republican from Colorado, and Democrat Ted Strictland from Ohio, and was introduced with 51 original co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.

The language of HR 1749 is identical to that contained in S. 423, which was introduced in the U.S. Senate on February 14 by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Russ Feingold (D-WI), and states in part that “a plan or issuer may not deny benefits otherwise provided for the treatment of any injury solely because such injury resulted from participation of the participant or beneficiary in an activity such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicle riding, horseback riding, skiing or other similar legal activity.”

Both bills aim to promote health care parity for participants in legal transportation and recreational activities, and address a loophole created when the Department of Health and Human Services ruled that employers cannot deny health care coverage to motorcyclists and participants in other risky activities, yet insurers can deny benefits to insureds who are injured while participating in those activities.

CHARLESTON ORDINANCE BANS “REVVING” Just days before the Heritage Motorcycle Rally, expected to attract tens of thousands of bikers to South Carolina’s Lowcountry, Charleston City Council passed an anti-revving ordinance that riders view as a rude welcome.

The ordinance, which bans loud revving, amends Chapter 21 of the Code of the City of Charleston by amending Section 21-16 to prohibit persons from “engaging in clamorous singing, yelling, shouting, whooping, bellowing, hollering, or other loud, obstreperous, wanton and unnecessary noises, or from riding, driving, propelling, or otherwise operating any motorized vehicle, including but not limited to cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles, in a manner which emits unnecessary and loud noise or long continued noise, either in the day time or at night which disturbs the peace and quiet of the City, whether in the public street or within enclosures, public or private, and further amending Section 21-16 to provide that operating a motorized vehicle by rapid throttle advancing (revving) of an internal combustion engine resulting in increased noise from the engine is prohibited.”

Dave Harvey, an organizer of the event, said the action was overkill to placate residents of the city’s historic downtown district. “It is a direct attack on the motorcycle rally,” Harvey said. According to Harvey, the ordinance could be used to hassle bikers, adding that it is difficult to operate a motorcycle without some degree of revving.

Harvey estimates between 25,000 and 50,000 bikers will attend the rally, scheduled for April 16-20 in the small town of Ladson outside Charleston. Similar rallies up the coast in Myrtle Beach have drawn as many 300,000 people.

Charleston Police Major Herbert Whetsell said the ordinance is an improvement from the existing law because it more thoroughly spells out what is prohibited. Police aren’t looking to hassle bikers, he said. The law will be used only when someone revs their engine up high or jets away quickly and loudly, he said.

Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. and others said the city wants bikers to come, and that the ordinance is intended only to help provide a quiet atmosphere for residents and visitors.

Other officials said they are not trying to be unwelcoming. Councilman Henry Fishburne urged the bikers to come and visit – quietly. “Here’s your chance to show how well you can behave,” he added.

“Watch our Charleston,” says James “Gunny” Gregory, former Chairman of the Board for ABATE of California who now resides in South Carolina. “It is now against the law to sing at the sunrise Easter services when outside, to cheer the Riverdogs, or shout to a friend on the street. Mayor Joe knows best.”

ARIZONA BIKERS DERAIL “DANGEROUS DRIVING BILL” An anti-cruising bill which could have outlawed motorcycle events and rides with over 20 bikes was killed thanks to quick lobbying action by Arizona bikers.

HB 2386, the “Dangerous Driving Bill” introduced by John Nelson (R-Phoenix), would allow the towing of vehicles ticketed for drag racing or being part of a “procession” of more than 20 vehicles. Though aimed directly at street racers and cruisers, the bill’s vagueness could easily be extended to include motorcycles.

“Also, the new law would ask every city and municipality that wished to take advantage of the new towing language to pass its own language as to what and whom it would apply,” explained Roger “Priest” Hurm, Chairman and Lobbyist for the Modified Motorcycle Association (MMA) of Arizona and a member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Board of Directors. “Our job would be multiplied immensely as we would have to keep track of every city in Arizona to see if they included motorcycles in their ordinance.”

The anti-cruising bill had already passed the House of Representatives and already had a lot of momentum when the MMA, ABATE of Arizona and the Confederation of Clubs of Arizona were alerted to the possible implications for motorcyclists.

“We had not picked up on it because no keywords got our attention early,” said Priest, “But as I read it, I inserted the word motorcycle into the language and started seeing unintended possibilities for us. The vagueness continued throughout the language and a meeting with sponsor John Nelson, John Gonzales the city attorney, and Erik Edwards the police representative just reinforced in my mind the vagueness. So we went to work on the Senate Transportation Committee to kill it because of the ramifications implied to motorcyclists.”

The first two senators the bikers met with were Marsha Arzberger and Robert Cannell- Marsha, a rancher from Bisbee area and Bob, a pediatrician from Yuma. “Neither would vote yes on the bill. They saw no cruising problem in their areas — heck Marsha asked me what cruising was. Both had shown us support in previous years,” reported Priest. The next senator approached was biker-friendly Carolyn Allen from Scottsdale, home of the Barrett-Jackson Car auction. “Carolyn gave the keynote speech at the 1999 NCOM Convention in Phoenix and has always expressed the view to me that ‘helmets mess up my hair’,” said Priest. The auction people move cars all over–very expensive cars — and Carolyn expressed that her “motorcycle and car friends would be unhappy if I voted yes on it.”

“We had our third NO vote,” recalls Priest. “The day of the hearing I accompanied Ray Huston, MMA lobbyist, and Bobbi Hartman, ABATE lobbyist, to the hearing needing one more NO vote to kill the bill.”

In the hallway before Ray got up to speak, new information surfaced from the Phoenix city attorney. Ray had asked him on the towing section if the owner of the vehicle could go down and retrieve the car. For instance, if a teenager gets arrested and his dad’s car is towed. Can the dad go get it? “The city attorney hemmed a bit and hawed some more,” said Priest. “Ray pressed the issue. The result was information that the arrestee would have to go to a hearing before the release of a vehicle. Whoa….the scenario got worse for the anti-cruising bill: Now dad could not get to work the next day because of the new language. We seemed to have stopped the bill’s momentum.”

Finally, reason and common sense prevailed and six senators voted NO. The opinion from the Chair was that the bill was too “vague” and had too many “unintended possibilities” — the exact contentions made by the bikers. The final vote: No-6, Yes-0 and one went to the bathroom.

“We got a potentially dangerous bill to our motorcycling health — the so-called ‘Dangerous Driving Bill’ — killed in Arizona,” says a happy Priest. “We’ve learned to check all bills for unintended language that could affect the way we ride. Rust never sleeps, and neither can we!”

RIDER ED FUNDS UNDER ATTACK A few months ago, our Oregon A.I.M. (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) Chief of Staff Gunny warned in his “Gunny’s Sack” that due to budget deficits across the country, Rider Education Program funding could be robbed unless motorcyclists made sure they were dedicated funds that are used specifically for motorcycle training and protected against being raided.

Since that time, the Utah motorcycle safety fund has come under attack, with their legislature attempting to divert rider ed funds to try to balance the state budget.

Now comes word from Michigan that, in a similar fashion, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm has eliminated funding for Michigan’s motorcycle rider education program in her proposed 2004 budget for the Department of Education.

“The Motorcycle Safety Education Program and the Off-Road Vehicle Safety Education Program have been eliminated as part of an effort to focus limited state staff resources on core missions. These two programs provide grants to instructional agencies to help subsidize safety-training courses for individuals interested in operating motorcycles and off-road vehicles, whereas the department’s core focus is providing educational services to children. The total reduction as a result of eliminating these programs is $2.0 million. The fees that previously supported these programs will be eliminated and interested individuals can purchase safety training directly from private providers,” she explained.

Michigan’s motorcycle safety program is funded 100% by fees paid by licensed motorcyclists in that state. Michigan motorcyclists pay the costs that the Department of Education incurs to administer the program, so the move is not likely to save any money.

In fact, Michigan riders asked the state government in 1984 and again in 1996 to tax them to raise money to provide low cost rider education. All the state government does is collect and administer the funding, with bikers even paying for the costs of providing those services to them.

“The Governor’s suggestion that training can be purchased from private providers is not a good one,” reasons Lindsey Higginbottom, a motorcycle safety instructor in Whitmore Lake, MI. “We trained 1,000 students last year in Ann Arbor alone. About 5,000 were trained throughout the state. Our local Riders Edge program couldn’t begin to handle that number of students. We charge $25 for a course fee. A privatized course would likely cost $250 to $300, as it does in any of the private programs in other states. Our local RE classes cost $295. How many of our 5,000 students per year do you think would spend $295 for training and how many do you think would just enroll in the less expensive school of hard knocks and just go riding without training?”

If you live in Michigan, please contact the Governor, your state representative and your state senator and ask them to restore the motorcycle rider education funding for on and off road motorcycles in the Michigan Department of Education’s 2004 budget. If you live elsewhere, consider contacting the Michigan Department of Tourism and telling them that you will spend your motorcycle vacation dollars in a more motorcycle friendly Great Lakes state if Michigan eliminates rider ed funding. Be sure to send a copy of your letter to Governor Granholm.

OREGON HELMET REPEAL BILL INCHES FORWARD “The inch worm made a good move and the Helmet Bill received a work session this morning,” reports BikePAC of Oregon. A nice step for Bikers was completed with the Helmet Bill receiving the required 4 votes of the 7 committee members and was moved from the committee for a vote on the floor with a DO PASS recommendation.

Later, the Committee Administrator said the Lane Splitting bill was still on the short list to receive a work session, but had not been scheduled and she did not know when and if it would get a hearing.

TENNESSEE HELMET BILL PASSES COMMITTEE, REACHES IMPASS Tennessee House Bill 952 allowing freedom of choice for motorcyclists concerning helmets passed the House Transportation Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 4, with one amendment to require motorcyclists to have proof of health insurance. However, the bill now goes before the Finance Committee, chaired by State Representative Tommy Head (D-Clarksville), whose personal opposition to this bill, coupled with his influence as Chairman of Finance, has insured that no helmet modification has ever made it to the full House for consideration.

“With HB952 passing through the House Transportation Committee with a ‘Recommended Do Pass’ vote, we feel it is inappropriate for personal prejudice to prevent this legislation from reaching the House floor,” said Steve Lundwall, Director of the Concerned Motorcyclists of Tennessee/ABATE and member of the NCOM Board of Directors. “This is in conflict with the idea of a democracy.”

“All we want is a VOTE on the house floor,” he added.

“In the opposition’s testimony they tried to state that allowing freedom of choice would COST the state money in TennCare dollars,” said Wayne Shaub, CMT/ABATE State Legislative Officer. “They failed to see that it reality will add to the state budget through tourism, bike sales and increased economic activity.”

Shaub testified at the Transporation Committee hearing that “Today we have 84,130 street motorcycles registered in Tennessee. If we were to apply the same 20% growth in registrations that Florida experienced during the first year after their helmet law was repealed, that would mean the potential for:

16,826 new bikes at an average of $10K each: $168,260,000

Sales tax potential (at 9.25%): nearly $15.5M for Tennessee’s budget

Add in the income from Registrations, Change of title, and sales of apparel and accessories (and sales tax on them), we come up with around a QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS of economic impact.”

Shaub pointed out to the committee that “As you can see, this change will not only return personal freedom, it will also increase funds to the state by millions of dollars.”

WASHINGTON’S “HELMET IS A HELMET” BILL PASSES A bill to define “what is a helmet” in the state of Washington passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 89 Yays to 9 Nays, and will soon be on the governor’s desk.

“Thanks to everyone who went to the state capitol and or called their Representatives, said Rich Bright, legislative advocate for ABATE of Washington. “YOU MADE IT HAPPEN!”

The helmet definition bill had already passed the Senate on March 11 by a vote of 44-3, and will redefine current law to state that a helmet is a hard shell with a padded liner, a chin strap, and a DOT sticker affixed by the manufacturer.

Previously, the Washington police had the latitude to define a helmet by their opinion, leading to thousands of traffic stops for “illegal” helmets with no recourse for the rider.

Also going to the Governor for his signature will be a bill to incorporate sidecar / trike training into the subsidized portion of the Washington Motorcycle Safety Program.

The Washington Road Riders Association reports that WRRA representatives met with Governor Locke’s transportation advisor, and the feedback was very positive.

FLORIDA PURSUES PRO-MOTORCYCLE AGENDA: ABATE of Florida, Inc. reports that they have three bills they are supporting this legislative session. The biker anti-discrimination bill has passed two committees in the Senate and will be facing its final senate committee hearing. It has already passed one committee in the House.

“Besides our discrimination bill, the stiffer penalties traffic bill has passed two committees in the senate and one in the house, and it will also be heard soon in a house committee,” reports James “Doc” Reichenbach, President of ABATE of Florida and Chairman of the Board of NCOM.

The final bill is for the state’s first specialty motorcycle tag. It is Red, White and Blue. It had final passage in the Senate and is in messages to be voted on by the House. Doc says that they also are waiting on their Governor to sign a proclamation for May as Motorcycle Safety Month.

“It is a testament of the hard work of the members of ABATE of Florida that these bills are moving through the legislature,” commends Doc.

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: PETA Tries to Whip Leather Fetishists Into Shape — The fur flew at the annual “Leather Weekend” last January in Washington, D.C., as activists with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sought to persuade the slaves of fashion and their biker buddies gathered for the fetish convention to give up black leather – studs and all.

“Why would I?” demanded Norman Wagner of Scottsdale, Ariz. “I’m 6-foot-3, and 230 pounds, and I can wear anything I want to.”

Wagner told reporter Lance Gay of The Knoxville News Sentinel that he is not harming anything by wearing his black leather biker duds, and he questioned the sanity of activists picking on those who chose to wear animal skins. “It’s been around for a thousand years, it’s durable, and I’m not wasting resources by using it,” he said. “Why would someone wear burlap?”

Kayla Rae Worden, a trans-gendered PETA activist from Asheville, N.C., who showed up to leaflet the event decked out in skimpy dominatrix hot pants in spite of freezing Washington weather, sought to persuade the fetishists that synthetics are just as erotic.

Worden, who said she used to wear leather and eat meat when she was a boy 15 years ago, contended the synthetic lifestyle provides even more protection than leather, and can be much more comfortable to wear. Besides, she said, leather smells.

One PETA activist showed up in a black biker outfit made of “pleather” – a silky synthetic black rubber, and white synthetic snakeskin boots. He said he was trying to show that fetishists can make a fashion statement without using leather.

Glen Sams, a 50-year-old member of the Centaur Motorcycle Club of Virginia, said the only requirement for those attending 33rd annual Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend was to have “a pronounced interest in leather” and he was not pleased that PETA is picking on the gathering.

When a mistake or accident causes a biker to put his motorcycle down on the pavement, nothing protects the skin from being scraped off on the asphalt like leather, Sams said. He dismissed the PETA protest. “We were here before PETA, and I imagine we will be here a long time after,” he said.

GOING TO MILWAUKEE FOR HARLEY?S 100TH? And who isn’t? Consider supporting bikers rights while you’re there. ABATE of Wisconsin is hosting two campgrounds within 30 minutes of downtown Milwaukee, with easy access to major highways.

For more information or reservations, call Greg or Diane at (262) 334-5079 or 306-0606, or by e-mail at biker@milwpc.com. You can also visit the ABATE of Wisconsin website at for information, location and a reservation form.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “The average man’s love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary. It takes a special sort of man to understand and enjoy liberty – and he is usually an outlaw in democratic societies.”

H.L. MENCKEN, Newspaperman & Political Commentator (1880-1956)

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

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled & Edited by BILL BISH
National Coalition of Motorcyclists

HEALTH CARE BILL NEEDS MOTORCYCLISTS’ SUPPORT S. 423, the “Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act” introduced in Congress by Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), would prohibit health insurance providers from denying benefits to injured motorcyclists.

In recent years, some insurance companies have refused to provide coverage for insureds involved in motorcycle accidents or other so-called “risky” activities such as skiing, horseback riding, snowmobiling, off-road biking and ATV riding. Bikers and Motorcycle Rights Organizations worked hard during the mid-90?s to convince Congress to include language in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 to bar insurers from denying coverage to injured riders, but a loophole in HIPAA allows insurers to continue the discriminatory practice.

S. 423 would “promote health-care coverage parity for individuals participating in legal recreational activities or legal transportation activities,” by closing the loophole and prohibiting employers from refusing to cover motorcycle related injuries in the health care coverage they provide their employees.

Help end health insurance discrimination by urging your U.S. Senators to support the Feingold-Collins bill and to sign on as a co-sponsor to S. 423. You can contact your Senators at (202) 224-3121 or locate them on the web at www.senate.gov.

LOUISIANA PUSHES PASSENGER HELMET LAW Go tell yer ol’ lady that the state of Louisiana wants to put a helmet on her head whenever she’s riding on the p-pad, then write to their House Transportation Committee to let them know her reaction!

“Most of the people who like to ride on the back of scooters enjoy the freedom we have in Louisiana as much as the riders in the front,” said Steve Howardell, Legislative Coordinator for ABATE of Louisiana. “This bill is the first step in eroding our hard fought freedom in the Pelican State and the first step in repealing SB-86 which granted us our right to choose in 1999.”

This bill, HB-41, if passed will require passengers on all motorcycles, regardless of age, to wear a helmet at all times in Louisiana. “We need to fight back,” says Howardell. “Write your legislators and let them know that we, the 86,000 strong registered riders of Louisiana, their passengers, their friends and family will not go backwards. We are a voting block to be reckoned with and we will stand together!”

In the meantime, the state of Rhode Island is considering repealing their passenger helmet law, the only such law on the books in the United States. HB-5503 would remove the passenger helmet requirement, and was heard recently in the House Health, Education & Welfare Committee. “The Rhode Island Motorcycle Association testified in favor of the bill, and it looked pretty good,” said Jeff Barone, President of RIMA and a member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Board of Directors.

“My advice will be to get a woman who rides her own bike as well as on the back of her old man’s, and have her ask the committee members ‘Why do I need to wear a helmet based on where I sit on the bike?’,” said Barone.

“Many of us worked long hard hours drafting this legislation and we need to show our elected officials that this is important to us, and it’s something we all believe in; Freedom of Choice,” he said.

WASHINGTON’S “HELMET IS A HELMET” BILL PASSES SENATE A helmet definition bill passed the Washington State Senate on March 11 by a vote of 44-3, and would redefine the law to state that a helmet is a hard shell with a padded liner, a chin strap, and a DOT sticker affixed by the manufacturer. “For those of you who haven’t been following along, Washington police currently have the latitude to define a helmet by their opinion, leading to thousands of traffic stops for “illegal” helmets with no recourse for the rider,” explained Rich Bright, Chairman of the ABATE of Washington Legislative Affairs Committee. “I took my 100% legal beanie to court and lost based solely on the opinion of the officer, even though I demonstrated that it was legal under federal and state law.”

SB-5335 would define what a “motorcycle helmet” is. “This bill would say that a helmet is a helmet and that the police couldn’t pull people over to inspect helmets anymore. It pretty much says that if a helmet has a hard outer shell and a chin strap you are good to go,” says Bright.

The bill now goes over to the House of Representatives. Washington residents can contact your State Representatives by calling 1-800-562-6000.

ARKANSAS DERAILS HELMET LAW REINSTATEMENT In 1996, Arkansas became the first state to repeal its helmet law following the repeal of the national helmet law, but HB 1024 would have restored their universal helmet law. ABATE of Arkansas and the Lobbyist for the Arkansas Motorcycle Dealers Association presented such a strong case against this bill during hearings in the Public Transportation Committee that the bill died without a vote being taken. Way-2-Go Arkansas! The bill is now officially dead, and ABATE vows to watchdog their State Legislature to ensure it doesn’t get revived or amended into another piece of legislation.

“ODD” ACCIDENTS OUTNUMBER MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES According to the National Safety Council, more people were killed in “odd” accidents than on motorcycles in 1999, points out Joe “Cowboy” Dickey. “Of those who might have survived with a helmet, stair walkers led the list,” stated Cowboy, former State Coordinator for ABATE of Pennsylvania and a member of the NCOM Board of Directors.

Check these killers out:
* Bitten by a dog (25)
* Stung by a hornet, wasp, or bee (43)
* Scalded to death by hot tap water (51)
* Struck by lightning (64)
* Occupant of commercial bus or train (116)
* Drowned in a bathtub (320)
* Accidentally suffocated or strangled in bed (330)
* Fell off of a ladder (375)
* Fell down stairs or steps (1,421)

2.5 MILLION MOTORCYCLISTS PASS RIDER ED More than 2.5 million motorcyclists have received a proper start to riding or boosted their existing skills during 30 years of operation of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). Since 1973, MSF has worked to promote the safety of motorcyclists on American streets and highways, through rider education, training and public information programs. Both today and for the past three decades, most of the motorcycle training courses in states across the country offer only the highly regarded MSF RiderCourses. MSF released its first rider training curriculum in 1974. At the 3rd International Motorcycle Safety Conference in 2001, MSF introduced the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) now used in 47 states, most of which were legislated due to the efforts of State Motorcycle Rights Organizations nationwide.

LEGISLATORS RAID UTAH RIDER ED FUND On Tuesday, Feb 18th, 2003, the Utah Executive Appropriations Committee moved to take funds from the account reserved for Motorcycle Rider Education and spend it on the states budget. This move could end affordable rider training in Utah, according to Chris Bojanower, former State President of ABATE of Utah.

During the Executive Appropriations meeting, Senator D. Chris Buttars (R-Salt Lake) told the committee that, “We have received about 200 calls from a bunch of bikers, we took their money?you will receive calls from them too, IGNORE THEM, it’s just a little training fund and we took it.”

“Needless to say, we were livid!,” said Lisa Bargar Vlahos of Weber Chapter ABATE, who attended the hearing and later told Senator Buttars, “Senator, you told the Appropriations Committee that you got about 200 calls from a bunch of bikers, that they would get calls too and just IGNORE THEM! Senator, you DIDN’T get calls from a bunch of bikers. You got calls from 200 REGISTERED VOTERS! From 200 TAXPAYERS, what kind of elected official are you to say ‘IGNORE THEM’?!!”

This “little training fund” was created by motorcyclists, for motorcyclists and has never cost the non-motorcyclist citizens of Utah one cent in its 10 years of operations, claims ABATE. “It has trained well over 3,000 new motorcyclists in Utah and many motorcyclists attribute the declining motorcycle death rate in Utah to this program, at a time when national fatality rates are soaring,” said Bojanower.

So what can be done now? “Every motorcyclist in Utah MUST contact their legislators now and request that the Education Program be saved and that the money be restored to the program and never raided again,” urges Bojanower.

Utah State Senators can be contacted at (801) 538-1035, and State Representatives can be contacted at (801) 538-1029. Also, information about legislators can be found on the web at

HEARINGS HELD ON BIKER PROFILING Washington State recently held hearings on House Bill 2002, “AN ACT Relating to preventing the use of law enforcement profiling on the basis of whether a person is riding a motorcycle or wearing motorcycle-related paraphernalia; and adding a new section to chapter 43.101 RCW.”

“This bill is currently running through the House to help start the discussion, and gain physical proof that profiling happens,” said ABATE legislative coordinator Rich Bright. “This will hopefully lead to a Biker Anti-Discrimination Bill.”

HB 2002 was heard in the House Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee, and states in part:

(1) Local law enforcement agencies shall:
(a) Adopt a written policy designed to condemn and prevent motorcycle profiling;
(b) Review and audit their existing procedures, practices, and training to ensure that they do not enable or foster the practice of motorcycle profiling;
(c) Institute training to address the issues related to motorcycle profiling. Officers should be trained in how to better interact with persons they stop so that legitimate police actions are not misperceived as motorcycle profiling; and
(d) Work with the motorcycle groups in their communities to appropriately address the issue of motorcycle profiling.

The bill also calls for the “Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs to coordinate with the criminal justice training commission to ensure that issues related to motorcycle profiling are addressed in basic law enforcement training and offered in regional training for in-service law enforcement officers at all levels.”

HB 2002 defines “motorcycle profiling” as “using the fact that a person rides a motorcycle or wears motorcycle-related paraphernalia as a factor in deciding to stop and question, take enforcement action, arrest, or search a person or vehicle with or without legal basis under the United States Constitution or the Washington state Constitution.”

TEXAS BIKERS “LOOKING FOR JUSTICE” Hundreds of Texans, usually as part of special interest groups, descend on the state Capitol every day when Texas lawmakers are in session, according to a March 2 story in the El Paso Times. “Most have rallies outside the Capitol to champion support and funding for their cause. El Paso bikers recently came to Austin looking not for more money but simply a little more justice. They joined an estimated 3,000 other motorcyclists to push issues important to them, such as fair insurance, equal access to hotels and other business establishments and increased penalties for automobile drivers who fail to yield to bikers,” writes Gary Scharrer in his article.

El Paso’s Armando “Mando” Parra showed up in a wheelchair after back surgery less than a week earlier. “It’s important enough for me to be here,” Parra said. “We get discriminated every day. There are nightclubs that won’t allow us in because you wear colors or because you ride motorcycles. Or a motel will see you ride up and say there’s no vacancy when there really is a vacancy.”

Parra is chairman of the West Texas Confederation of Clubs, chairman of the Coalition of Motorcycles in El Paso, vice chairman of the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association and secretary-treasurer of the Banditos Motorcycle Club in El Paso.

“We have been working our Equal Access Bills and have over 2/3 of both Houses signed on to vote yes. That is a veto proof majority,” says Sputnik, TMRA-II Founder and member of the NCOM Legislative Task Force. “Now if they just stand fast.”

Texas State Rep. Norma Chavez, a motorcyclist herself who is better known by her road name “Da’Lady”, has, as a member of TMRA-II, introduced HB 931 to set a minimum sentence of 30 days in jail for injuring or killing someone while failing to yeild. “I have spent the last week just getting the House familiar with this Bill, and we already have 1/3 of the House signed on to vote yes,” according to Sputnik.

In addition, “We got our insurance Bill introduced today, and it is a triple edged sword,” explains Sputnik. It states a health care plan may not:(1) exclude a person engaged in dangerous activities from coverage for health benefits under the plan;(2) consider the activity as a risk factor in determining the person’s premium under the plan; (3)exclude coverage for health benefits for injuries sustained as a result of engaging in the activity.

Sputnik said lawmakers have learned to expect the bikers at the Capitol, who believe they have just as much say as high-paid lobbyists. “This is our way of trying to push for some good government,” Sputnik told the newspaper. “Needless to say, we have our plates full this session.”

TENNESSEE BIKERS HOPE TO MAKE SOME CHANGES Another state with its hands full this legislative session is Tennessee, where the Concerned Motorcyclists of Tennessee/ABATE is actively supporting numerous pieces of legislation, including two companion helmet repeal bills in the House and Senate (HB0952 / SB0861), companion Stop Light Bills to allow motorcyclists to proceed through a non-functioning traffic signal (HB1054 / SB1200), bills to allow the use of pulsating brake lights (HB1819 / SB1765), biker anti-discrimination bills (HB1899 / SB1863), bills to create an off-highway motor vehicle program (HB1568 / SB0875), and a Senate Joint Resolution to designate May as “Motorcycle Awareness Month” (SJR0104).

“Each of these bills will afford motorcyclists in Tennessee to practice their choice of transportation/recreation with more freedom and enhanced safety and enjoyment,” said Steve Lundwall, State Director of CMT/ABATE and a newly elected member of the NCOM Board of Directors. Tennesseans can contact their state legislators by calling 1-800-449-8366 and following the menu, or via the Internet at .

“All Tennessee Motorcyclists need to speak up now,” Lundwall advises. “Only you can make the choice to make a change.”

VIRGINIA RIDERS LOBBY FOR SAFER ROADS “Virginia motorcyclists want legislators to make state roads safer for them, and they’ll lobby in dramatic fashion,” states an Associated Press article sent over the wire services on January 20, 2003. Virginia Motorcycle Lobby Day saw riders roaring into Richmond to demonstrate their support for proposed legislation involving motorcycle safety. A key bill involves a proposal to require signs on Virginia roads where roadway conditions or construction methods pose safety threats to motorcycles. The Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists contends that roadway construction sites are routinely not marked to alert riders to hazards.

“We’re dedicated to safe motorcycling,” said Tom McGrath, VCOM Founder and Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) Attorney for Virginia. “This bill is about creating a safer environment to ride in.”

ABATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA NEEDS HELP GETTING LAW CHANGED ABATE of South Dakota is trying to get a law changed, and could use some out of state help. This law affects all riders that travel to Sturgis, and is unfair.

The handlebar height limit in SD is strictly enforced — particularly during Sturgis Bike Week, and ABATE of SD is working to get it changed. “One argument used is that in other instances, if a vehicle is legal in its home state, it is legal for temporary use in another state,” says ABATE. “Yet, South Dakota tags out of state visitors for an equipment violation that could be legal in the tourist’s home state. Reciprocity on legal motor vehicle equipment could help South Dakota tourism, image, and revenue.”

ABATE of South Dakota is requesting assistance from out of state riders to help convince theirlegislature that this is an issue people are concerned about and it needs to be addressed.

“If any non-resident actually gets a ticket for handlebar height violations, we need to know,” said Al Luze, editor of ABATE of South Dakota?s newsletter, “Freedom Flyer.” “We are planning to discuss this issue with the highway patrol, and with any luck, this coming summer we may be able to at least keep the state cops from harassing out of state riders. We will keep you updated.”

To help, please send letters to:
Letters to the Editor
ABATE of South Dakota “Freedom Flyer”Sioux Falls, SD 57110
or email to:

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: Biker Sculpture To Slow Down Speeders In the town of Basalt, Colorado, on Old Highway 82 on the road to Aspen, is a “ham-fisted fellow [who] stands about 7 feet tall, sports tattoos on both arms and looks intimidating, despite the toothy smile. His vest is too small to cover his white pasty belly. Across his chest are the words, ‘Slow down’,” reports the Aspen Times.

The town with a population of 65 residents commissioned a number of statues besides the biker dude, including a pirate, giraffe and giant sunflower, to be used as “traffic calming” devices. The sculptures were designed and built by students of Basalt High School. Residents were concerned about motorists speeding through the town, but a tight budget ruled out speed bumps. The art, built for a couple hundred bucks and the students handiwork is hoped to solve the problem.

QUOTABLE QUOTES: “There is nothing to take a man’s freedom away from him, save other men. To be free, a man must be free of his brothers.”AYN RAND, Russian born novelist & philosopher (1905 – 1982)

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

From TheGUNNY’S SACK

The month of March this year has been one of grief and heartache for many of us around the country. We’ve all lost family and brothers and sisters of the road. I don’t remember any time that I’ve spent so many days at graves and funerals. These are things we live with day to day, but the real sorrow is the needless loss of life from negligence. We all know it, but it bears repeating for all the new riders among us: MOTORCYCLES are INVISIBLE to the average driver. They will run you over and say they never saw you. All too often, they aren’t held responsible even with as little as a traffic citation. This needs to come to a screeching halt. In Oregon, BikePAC is trying to get a bill through to enhance the criminal penalties for vehicular assault. We worry ourselves into a tizzy over unfair helmet laws, yet pay little or no attention to the carnage on our highways. I have to tell you, I’m a damn sight more concerned about staying alive and stopping the careless and murderous drivers than I am about a lid on my noggin. Doesn’t mean I’m for the lid law, I hate it like sin, but it does mean I think we need to start putting some priorities on what we fight for and how hard we fight for it. FREEDOM is NOT FREE. It’s long past time we recognized that as a fact of life.

NEWS BITS’N’PIECES:

NYC, NY: The New York Times probably isn’t the first publication you’d look to for biker info, but they DID have a really funny article recently, “Wandering Jews,” but on Harleys. My boss Sam Hochberg sent it to me by email. It’s about the growth of Jewish patch clubs – I figure they’re one-piece or two-piece patches, but I sure haven’t actually SEEN one yet. I take it from the article that these clubs are mostly rubbie and yuppie riders, with a few long-in-the-tooth riders mixed in. I still think “rubbie” is a dirty word. You know, the MORE knees there are in the breeze, the better it is for ALL bikers. When the well-to-do and connected riders know more about what we’re up against every day, the likelier we are to get some CHANGE.

I got a kick out of one Jewish club in New York, the Star of Davidson MC. They sell a t-shirt online (www.starofdavidson.com) with the outline of a big Jewish star of David, and the words, in that Hebrew lettering style, “My Hog is Kosher.” These guys in New York DO stick together to ride as a form of brotherhood with fellow male riders. At least ONE gal back there got riled by the “guy thing.” Jane Seley shot off a letter to the editor a day after the article appeared, and here’s what she said: “I would like it to go on record that I am a Jewish woman who has been biking since I was 11 years old and I would rather bike than bake!” Honey, your old uncle Gunny here would be proud to ride with ya any time. We have Christian riders, why not Hebrews, too? NOTE: If you’d like to get articles like these from the New York Times, you can register at www.nytimes.com for free.

VIET NAM: Now this is something to cause an old fashioned feud. We are told a minor motorcycle crash in a village near Hanoi sparked a riot that involved over a thousand people from two villages. The thing lasted about three hours and it took the local gendarmes nearly an hour to bring the festivities to a halt. Nearly 17 people were hurt and 20 houses were damaged in the melee. The guys that the altercation started over were unhurt. I don’t condone senseless violence, but at least it shows me that somewhere in the world motorcycles mean something to the public.

CINCINNATI, OHIO: Norton, that great old bike with a lot of history, is making history again. These guys announced a new giant V-Twin at the V-Twin Expo Trade Show in Cincinnati. It’s called the Nemesis, and get this: It’s powered by the largest production engine available – a 125 cubic inch, 2050 cc Merch/Norton V-Twin. It’ll get ya 130 ft lbs of torque to your rear wheel, it’s rubber-mounted, with belt drive and a 6-speed tranny. The company info on the bike claims that these “Merch” people, an American/Canadian company, have been putting out reliable engines for some time now. MAN, and I thought my new 1800cc Wing was the bee’s knees! I guess whatever you do, there’s always somebody gonna make something bigger. I’d sure like to take a spin on this new Nemesis, though! Keep a weather eye out in your area for dealers, at least to take a gawk at it.

SAN JOSE, CA: For those among you who can’t keep your fingertips offa your computer, there’s yet another way to look at motorcycles online: Seems E-Bay has bought another business that specializes in selling vehicles, so E-Bay has expanded their base in that area. You can go to “www.ebaymotors.com,” and let your fingers look for your next putt.

KARACHI, PAKISTAN: Bikes are being used as bombs again. And it’s in that part of the world where just about ANYTHING can get turned into a bomb. I guess it’s that undeniable ability of a bike to scoot in just about anywhere that makes ’em easy to use for that. In this case, a bomb was hidden on a bike that sat in a parking lot of some big state-owned oil company. The government there thinks it was intended as a message to the anti-terrorism forces, since it didn’t blow up anything or anybody. But any way y’look at it, it’s a waste of a motorcycle!

EUGENE, OREGON: Another day, another dose of police abuse in this otherwise liberal college town. This time, it’s because a member of the Free Souls MC, Eugene chapter, was tossed out of the Lane County Fair because he was wearing his colors. Never mind that he’s a regular family guy with a regular job, NO criminal record, NO ruckus, and NO problems. After about an hour there, while his wife was eating cotton candy, the Eugene cops surrounded the two of them and escorted them out. Why? It’s “gang-free” at the fair. Telling them that the FSMC has been around as a CLUB for over 30 years means nothing to them. What will mean something is the civil rights lawsuit being filed against them by our Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) Attorney for Oregon, Sam Hochberg, and his associate for the case, Bill Redden. Stay tuned to the Sack for more, or come to the NCOM Convention May 8-10th in Milwaukee, where Sam will be giving a talk about this case and others.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ: BMW has donated six R 1100 RT-P police motorcycles to the Dept. of Defense, to help the Pentagon Police establish their first motorcycle unit. The donation is part of the company’s program to provide bikes to law enforcement in areas hit hard by the September 11th tragedy.

GUNNY AGAIN: Our National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Convention is rapidly approaching folks, and reservations are going FAST. If you haven’t made your’s ya better hurry. Ya just plain don’t want to miss this one. Call the National Coalition of Motorcyclists for further details at 1-800-525-5355, or go to www.ON-A-BIKE.com. It’s coming up early in May, so make your reservations NOW. AND, it’s in Milwaukee, for the motor company’s 100th celebration! Keep the round side on the bottom. Gunny, Oregon AIM Chief of Staff

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

COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled and Edited by BILL BISH,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists

HEALTH INSURANCE BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS When motorcyclists worked together to pass legislation through Congress to ensure health insurance availability for motorcycle riders a few years ago, those efforts were eventually negated when the Clinton administration ruled that the federal government cannot dictate insurance coverages to state insurers. But now, U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced “The Health Care Parity for Legal Transportation and Recreational Activities Act,” to end insurance discrimination by closing the loophole that has allowed insurance carriers to deny benefits to those who are injured while participating in so-called risky activities such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, skiing and horseback riding.

“From riding Harley Davidson motorcycles to visiting the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, these activities are part of Wisconsin’s heritage and economy,” Feingold said. “It simply doesn’t make sense to exclude those participating in these activities from health care benefits.”

This legislation, introduced February 14, aims to promote health care parity for participants in legal transportation and recreational activities, and addresses a loophole caused by a Department of Health and Human Services rule that prohibits employers from denying health care coverage to motorcyclists and others who participate in what is deemed a risky activity, but yet allows insurers to deny benefits to insureds if they are injured while participating in those activities.

“Because of this loophole, someone who participates in motorcycling, snowmobiling, running or walking could be denied health care coverage, while someone who is injured while drinking and driving a car would be protected,” Feingold said. “It is time that Congress corrected this so that those who are abiding by the law are not denied coverage.”

The language of the bill specifically states that “a plan or issuer may not deny benefits otherwise provided for the treatment of any injury solely because such injury resulted from participation of the participant or beneficiary in an activity such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicle riding, horseback riding, skiing or other similar legal activity.”

We did it before, and we can do it again, so sharpen those pencils and urge your federal legislators to support the Feingold-Collins bill to stop insurance discrimination against motorcyclists, once and for all.

Are we looking at a future mandate? Remember, new automobiles now come factory-equipped with airbags, despite a dubious safety record. So watch out for the “If it’ll save just one life,” crowd.

NM SENATOR BOWS TO PRESSURE, WITHDRAWS “ORGAN DONOR” BILL Within days of the news that New Mexico Senator Allen Hurt had proposed a law requiring motorcyclists to become organ donors, the Senator withdrew the bill under intense pressure from the motorcycling community.

“You win … I’m pulling New Mexico SB 239,” said Senator Hurt.

Senate Bill 239, would have mandated the harvesting of organs from any motorcyclist who was killed in an accident while not wearing a helmet. Specifically, SB 239 stated: “a person operating a motorcycle without a helmet and who, as the result of an accident, is pronounced brain dead pursuant to Section 12-2-4 NMSA 1978 by a licensed physician shall become an organ donor regardless of whether the person made an anatomical gift by completing the organ donor statement.”

“No matter how you view organ donations, this outrageous bill not only violates our individual civil liberties but is also transparently discriminatory against motorcyclists,” said Richard Lester, founder of Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM). “It’s no wonder that this issue invoked the ire of bikers to the point of generating thousands of e-mails, letters and phone calls. But it demonstrates how effective we can be when we’ve got all our oars in the water and we’re all rowing in the same direction.”

NEW YORK CITY CONSIDERS LIMITS ON NOISE AND “DAREDEVIL RIDING” Two New York City council members and the city’s public advocate have proposed limits on motorcycle noise and daredevil riding, allowing the city to impound motorcycles and levy hefty fines or jail terms for repeat offenders.

Sponsored by Councilman Bill de Blasio, the legislation focuses on motorcycles like a “Pop-a-Wheelie Kawasaki, which encourages riding on one wheel, and excessively loud Harley-Davidsons,” like one on display with straight pipes that “could wake Mayor La Guardia,” Mr. De Blasio told the New York Times.

MASSACHUSETTS MAY BAN CHILDREN FROM RIDING ON MOTORCYCLES Massachusetts Senator Richard T. Moore has sponsored legislation on behalf of a constituent, Paulette Zazza, which should be of great concern of all riders. Senate No. 1351, entitled “Petition To Improve Safety For Passengers Of Motorcycles,” would prohibit any persons 16 years old and younger from riding as a passenger on a motorcycle on all Massachusetts roads.

There are already laws on the books that state that a passenger must sit on a seat, and his or her feet have to reach the footrests comfortably; but this proposed legislation puts an age definition that the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) is opposed to.

This would have serious implications for the motorcycling families within Massachusetts as well as those traveling through the state, according to the MMA. “Those of us who’s motorcycles have always been the focal point of our families transportation and recreation would see our family’s activities severely disrupted. For the out-of-state touring riders bringing their children on vacation would mean having to avoid Massachusetts completely,” said an MMA spokesperson.

Concerned Massachusetts motorcyclists should contact their state legislators immediately and let them know how such legislation can affect you, and ask them to protect the American Motorcycling Family by opposing Senate No. 1351.

“COLORS” LAWSUIT GOES TO FEDERAL COURT A case currently pending in the 9th District U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco could soon decide if the Gilroy Garlic Festival’s policy restricting “gang colors” is constitutional. The debate revolves around an incident that took place at the 2000 Gilroy Garlic Festival when four Top Hatters Motorcycle Club members were removed by Gilroy police officers after refusing to take off their vests.

Immediately following the incident, the club filed a lawsuit against the Gilroy Garlic Festival and the City of Gilroy claiming the policy was a violation of their freedom of association and speech.

“The plaintiffs are not seeking any money in the lawsuit, only a change in policy and lawyers’ fees,” said Randolph Hammock, the plaintiffs’ Los Angeles-based attorney with the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. “We applaud the festival’s efforts to stop gangs, but a motorcycle club is fundamentally different than a gang — it’s a fraternal organization, a social and fraternal club — the same as the Masons or Lions Club. My clients feel they should have the right to wear their club’s jackets in public.”

But the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association disagrees and maintains its policy is not intended to deny freedom of speech but protect its patrons. “As of this point, we are not discussing a change in policy,” said Richard Nicholls, executive director of the Garlic Festival. “We want to provide our customers with a safe and non-intimidating, family atmosphere. We’ve had good compliance with our policy so far, so I don’t see why it needs to change.”

Hammock said one of the fundamental problems with the policy is that it was not available in writing to his clients before the incident. “I was surprised to discover that the Garlic Festival had no written dress code that warned my clients before the incident,” Hammock said. “Now they have one referring to gangs, but they’ve refused to give it to us to review. Why would they want to keep this a secret?”

Similar suits to the Top Hatters’ lawsuit have been filed against the California State Fair and the Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival, with varying outcomes, Hammock said.

WASHINGTON MAY POST WARNINGS FOR MOTORCYCLISTS Senate Highways and Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Horn has introduced a bill that requires signs to be posted alerting motorcyclists of hazards caused by construction work. Under Senate Bill 5457, if any construction, repair or maintenance work presents a special hazard to motorcycles, the work location must be posted with signs warning motorcyclists of the hazard.

The proposal calls for Department of Transportation to create a uniform sign for this purpose, and it must include at least the following language: “Motorcycles Use Extreme Caution.”

“For motorcyclists, it can be very dangerous to ride along a road or highway and suddenly come across a work site that has loose gravel, a grade separation or an abrupt edge,” said Horn, R-Mercer Island. “These types of hazards provide minimal risk to cars but can often be fatal for motorcyclists. This bill gives motorcyclists some advance notice that these types of conditions exist within the work site.”

The bill was referred to the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee, where AIM Attorney Marty Fox testified in support of the measure.

“I started the wheels turning last year because of the number of construction accidents that I was seeing where riders were going down at night while transversing between recently scraped lanes and newly paved lanes side by side,” said Fox, further explaining that “Usually, there is an abrupt lane edge between the two surfaces in the middle of a road that the rider is not aware of in the dark, and at a shallow angle at highway speeds the result can be deadly.”

Fox testified in part that, “In lawsuits representing motorcyclists I discovered that the our state transportation department does not have any rules or signs to warn a motorcycle of this type of condition or any pavement disruption that a motorcyclist needs to know about in advance to avoid the hazard. In fact, I learned that some contractors who were using ‘Motorcyclists Use Extreme Caution’ signs were advised by government inspectors on jobs to remove the signs because they were not approved.”

“I think everyone will agree that motorcyclists pay more attention to signs than any other drivers on the road, and if they are given enough advance warning of potentially dangerous roadway conditions they will pay attention and avoid them and potential accidents. A simple reusable sign that costs less than $50 can save lives and property,” argued Fox in favor of the proposal.

Fox says he began working on the construction signage with Karen Bolin of the Washington Road Riders Association when she was his AIM Chief of Staff and NCOM Rep. “Last year we tried to get the Washington DOT to use signs warning motorcyclists of highway problems in advance. They listened but did not do anything. This year we went to the legislature and have received overwhelming support from both parties.”

PENNSYLVANIA PUSHES PRO-MOTORCYCLE LEGISLATION Moving quickly on the momentum of last year’s victories (removing handle the bar height restriction, increased funding for the Motorcycle Safety Program, allowing for more than one bike in a metered space, and reduced turnpike tolls for bikes), ABATE of Pennsylvania has introduced a helmet law modification bill with 19 co-sponsors.

“That’s much more support than previous years when we had about four co-sponsors,” said John Mullendore, ABATE Legislative Coordinator. “Senator Wozniak wants to pass this in the first 100 days of session. It looks like riding lidless will be legal in Pennsylvania this year if our members keep the pressure on. We gained four to five yes votes in the election and that was all that was holding us up before.”

ABATE also reintroduced a bill to create a Veteran’s license plate for bikes, and a bill to increase penalties for right-of-way violations. A bill to include motorcycles in the state’s Lemon Law was also introduced.

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: AIR BAGS NOW AVAILABLE During an airing on cable’s Speed Vision of “On Any Sunday Revisited,” a look back at the classic motorcycle racing movie, a commercial came on featuring Evel Kneivel. The spot talked about what a great jumper he was, but that he was also a spectacular crasher. Then Evel appears on the screen and says, “If I’d been wearing one these airvests then, I wouldn’t need this cane now,” and goes on to claim that it will save more lives than any other safety device ever invented and marketed to the public.

We’ve all heard of these devices, and knew it would only be a matter of time before they were marketed here in the United States, and they are now available through the Internet at airvest.com, or you can order by phone for $499.95, or $299.95 for kid sizes.

QUOTABLE QUOTES: “First, they ignore you, Then they laugh at you, Then they fight you, Then you win.”~Mahatma Gandhi, Nonviolent Protestor and leader of India’s independence (1869 – 1948)

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.

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

NCOM COAST TO COAST BIKER NEWS
Compiled and Edited by BILL BISH,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists

EPA COMMENT DEADLINE PASSES?WHAT NEXT? With the passing of the January 7 deadline for public comment, the federal Environmental Protection Agency is expected to release their final emissions regulations for street motorcycles, but can bikers do more than just wait and see what the EPA has in store for our future?

Contacting your Congressman and U.S. Senator to let them know your feelings about the stringent standards should be your first priority, if you value your right to ride. While you’re at it, send a copy of your letter or memo of your phone call to Christie Todd Whitman, EPA Administrator, at 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20460, so that the agency is well aware of motorcyclists’ concerns over their pending rules.

The Barcia Bill, or “Motorcycle and Motorcycling Small Business Protection Act (HR 5433),” will not be carried over into the new legislative session, and Michigan Congressman James Barcia did not run for re-election. But that doesn’t mean Congress can’t exert political pressure to create protections for small volume manufacturers and the motorcycle aftermarket.

“It’s not so much what the EPA standards do that concern us most as consumers,” lectured Bill Bish at a recent NCOM (National Coalition of Motorcyclists) Regional Meeting in Ohio, “It’s what they potentially open the door to that could sound a death knell for motorcycle enthusiasts.”

In-use emissions testing, roadside inspections, stricter enforcement of anti-tampering regulations, bans on equipment modifications that alter emissions, end-of-life mandatory recycling, and decertification of aftermarket products could have a chilling effect on the motorcycle industry and effectively create a monopoly controlled by the marquee manufacturers.

“You don’t see automobile dealers doing performance work on cars anymore because they know that the EPA can slap them with heavy fines for tampering with emissions systems, so how long before the feds start clamping down on performance modifications to our motorcycles, holding both the dealer and consumer responsible for altering emissions output?,” Bish asked the crowd in Columbus during a seminar hosted by NCOM and A.I.M. Attorney Ralph Buss.

If we could no longer modify or customize our motorcycles, or have access to aftermarket performance parts, an entire market could come crashing down, and who in the motorcycle industry wouldn?t be affected by that?

HELMET LAWS AGAIN Ever since bikers came together across the country to successfully repeal the national helmet law in 1995, there have been no real helmet law threats in any of the freedom of choice states, while five states have succeeded in repealing mandatory helmet laws beginning with Arkansas in 1997. Texas, Kentucky, Louisiana and, most recently, Florida have followed suit, making 30 free choice states and only 20 requiring helmets for all riders.

However, for the first time in nearly 8 years, motorcycle rights organizations will be on the defensive and must gear up for helmet law battles in their state legislatures. Two of the five states that recently won their freedom of choice, Arkansas (HB1024) and Louisiana (HB41), will have helmet bills introduced this session and will have to fight to maintain their hard-earned rights. Louisiana legislators received a list of proposals from the state insurance commissioner aimed at stabilizing rising insurance costs, and “mandatory motorcycle helmet laws” was among the suggestions.

“Here we go again,” said Dan “spotman” Spotten, an Assistant State Coordinator for ABATE of Iowa, where a local television station is prompting the state legislature to pass a helmet mandate.

“We knew the good times wouldn’t last forever and it looks like the party’s over,” said Richard Paulkner, Legislative Director of the Connecticut Motorcycle Riders Association (CMRA), referring to an internal legislative proposal from the Connecticut Department of Health proposing a mandatory helmet law for all motorcycle riders. “It’s time to start composing those hand-written letters to your State Representative and State Senator,” instructs Paulkner. “Remember, be polite and do not try to be an expert unless you are one. Share your personal experiences and state your beliefs, but do not make claims you cannot prove if asked to do so.”

Keep your ear to the ground, and your pencils sharpened!

FROM THE “I TOLD YOU SO” DEPARTMENT Scott McCool of ABATE of California and an Easyriders magazine staffer writes that he was watching TV recently when “I heard an interesting item… ‘Are bicycle helmets unsafe?’ So, I thought I’d listen for a bit longer. It seems that two studies have been done by Universities that show that bicycle helmets do NOT prevent brain injury as they have been advertised! Well no sh!t. According to these academic studies, ‘More often, the wearing of a bicycle helmet causes risky riding behavior…in many cases, especially with children, the helmets reduce visibility and [I love this part] are UNCOMFORTABLE.’ I’m glad the taxpayers (us) are paying for a study to show what we’ve been claiming all along.”

LAWSUITS FILED OVER PENNSYLVANIA POLICE HARASSMENT Law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania “have engaged in a practice of conduct designed to deprive Plaintiffs of their interests in life, liberty, and property without due process of law and to deny Plaintiffs’ equal protection of law” by actively discouraging patch holders from attending public functions and telling them that they are not allowed in Philadelphia and Darby, according to a recently filed lawsuit.Those same club members are now fighting back through the courts.

Following several incidents of harassment, a total of four separate lawsuits have been filed against Philadelphia and Darby, PA municipalities and their law enforcement divisions, seeking monetary compensation, punitive damages and injunctions to prevent further violations of bikers’ rights.

A pattern of harassment has developed, starting with Darby police officers writing tickets and gathering intelligence at an Eastern Pennsylvania Confederation of Clubs meeting in August, stopping and detaining attendees and literally telling some to “stay out of town.”

Then, on November 3, 2002, members of the Warlocks MC, Pagans MC and other 1% clubs were prevented from attending the Philadelphia Toy Run, organized by the Delaware Valley Chapter of ABATE of Pennsylvania, which they had done without incident for many years. Club members were stopped, detained and searched without provocation, and were told that they would not be allowed to fly their colors in the city of Philadelphia or they would go to jail if they refused to remove their vests.

The Warlocks immediately filed a lawsuit, which garnered national media attention, and the police agreed to a one day stipulation approved by the court to allow the club to attend a Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) Toy Run on November 10 in Darby. However, when patch holders arrived, they were once again met with a heavy police presence and were detained, ticketed for minor infractions, and ultimately members of the Warlocks and Pagans were prevented from participating in the BACA Toy Run.

“Lots of kids went without toys this Christmas due to the actions of the police,” said Jesse Moore of the Pagans.

Two lawsuits have been filed by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists attorney Boyd Spencer, AIM Attorney for Pennsylvania and New Jersey, one in association with the harassment of club members at the Darby Confederation of Clubs meeting in August, and the other in response to the heavy-handed actions of police during the Philadelphia Toy Run on November 3.

“The police have engaged in a practice of conduct designed to interfere with my clients’ rights protected under the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, including their right to freedom of assembly and association, as well as their Fourth Amendment rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures,” said attorney Spencer, who serves as legal counsel to the Confederations of Clubs of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Stay tuned as further developments unfold.

POLICE WANT BIKERS DECLARED TERRORISTS

The federal justice minister is considering declaring the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club a terrorist organization, based on a secretive seizure by the RCMP at Montreal’s Dorval airport. Although Canadian authorities are saying little about the criminal investigation involving a member of the club, and have refused to identify what was found, according to published reports a seizure of a club member’s colors and questions about an unexplained quantity of cash at the international airport has triggered a call for the club to be added to the federal government’s list of terrorist organizations.

The seizure occurred after several members of the Hells Angels returned to Canada on December 2, 2002, from a meeting in Europe, and although authorities remain tight-lipped, sources told the National Post newspaper that a jacket and other items of clothing bearing the Hells Angels logo were confiscated. $2,600 in cash was questioned, but not seized, and no charges have been filed. The colors were being carried in the member’s luggage while passing through Canada Customs.

Authorities told the newspaper that the club has no known ties to well-known terrorist groups, but the way the group is run falls within parameters of the current anti-terrorism law. Canada currently lists 16 groups as being involved in terrorism, including al Qaida, Hezbollah and Hamas.

The incident has prompted discussion about applying the wide-ranging powers approved after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States to fight criminal organizations. Such a move would make it far easier to prosecute and seize the assets of outlaw motorcycle club members.

“I’d love to see it get easier for us [to prosecute them]. We are always open for that,” said Commander Mario Plante, head of the organized crime division of Montreal police.

A member of the Hells Angels, who spoke on condition he not be named, said linking the club to terrorist activity is offensive. “It belittles how important the fight against terrorism is,” he said.

“Our parents fought in World War II,” he told the newspaper. “The Hells Angels’ original members were born out of having fought the Nazis and every Hells Angel would be the first to line up in defense of their country.”

WEIRD NEWS OF THE MONTH: A DODGE MOTORCYCLE? A new American cruiser may be on the horizon, and it may sport a Dodge emblem on its gas tank! The Dodge Tomahawk concept motorcycle turned heads at the recent NAIAS Auto Show in Detroit, a dual-tandem four-wheel motorcycle built around the Viper 8.5 liter V-10 engine capable of producing 500 horsepower and theoretically achieving a top speed of 400 mph.

“This is for people who are passionate about engines,” said Chrysler CEO Wolfgang Bernhard, who rode the Tomahawk on stage during a media preview. “A motorcycle is the most beautiful way to showcase an engine.”

At 590 pounds, the 505-cubic-inch motor could propel the Tomahawk from 0-60 mph in an inertia-defying 2.5 seconds. Chrysler executives volunteered that Dodge may build the bike in limited numbers, selling for approximately $250,000 each.

RINGING IN A DECADE OF RECORD BIKE SALES The motorcycle market is apparently healthy, even during an uncertain economic climate, as figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) reflect a tenth straight year of increased sales. New motorcycle sales are expected to top 850,000 units, up more than 10% from last year, and representing four straight years of double-digit increases. The industry is also expected to surpass last year’s retail sales dollars, which was $6.4 billion in 2001.

Street bikes comprised 62% of the motorcycle market in 2001, with off-road machines making up 31% of the sales, and scooters and dual sport bikes accounting for the rest. Cruiser sales dominate the on-highway segment of new bikes with well over 50% of the market, followed by sport bikes which comprise 20% of that category.

Southern states lead the pack in sales by region, followed by the West, then the Midwest, and East. According to sales records, April and May remain the strongest months for bike purchases.

RESERVE YOUR PLACE IN BIKER HISTORY! Mark your calendars now for the upcoming 18th Annual NCOM Convention, May 8-10, 2003 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Join with over a thousand bikers rights leaders from across the country and around the world as they develop agendas, plan strategies and plot the course for motorcycling freedoms for our future. For room reservations, call the Four Points Sheraton, Milwaukee Airport Hotel, at 4747 South Howell Ave, at 800-558-3862, and be sure to mention NCOM for our special group rate. Convention registration is $75.00 including the Silver Spoke Awards Banquet, or $40.00 without banquet. For more information, or to pre-register, call the National Coalition of Motorcyclists at 800-525-5355.

QUOTABLE QUOTES: “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.”PERICLES, Greek Statesman (430 B.C.)

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at (800) ON-A-BIKE, or visit us on the web at www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

From TheGUNNY’S SACK

Here we are in the second month of the new year and I’m still writing 2002 on my check dates. You too? Y’must be gettin’ long in the tooth, or maybe the years are adding up faster than you can keep track of.

Looking back, this past year has been one of many victories and a few upsets for us in the motorcycle rights world. Our main problem, still, is finding people that ride or are rider-friendly who even care about what happens to their freedom to ride a motorcycle, let alone deal with all the restrictions we are fighting, to be able to ride machines with air cooled engines. If Big Brother has his way, pretty soon, we’ll be on bikes that don’t even resemble the machines that so many of us learned to ride on. That is, if we’re lucky enough to keep the right to ride at all. Right now, the life of the air cooled engine is on the way to extinction if we don’t make ourselves heard and very clearly by our congress, our state legislatures, and in various ruling bodies in other parts of the world.

This last year has also been one of loss of dear friends for many of us, myself included. These people that meant so much to our lives will be remembered in the way we conduct ourselves in their absence. Many of these folks were fellow freedom fighters, others were fellow riders and they all need to be remembered as contributors to our well-being and footprints on our souls. None of them would want us to falter in our fight for the return of freedoms lost because we didn’t think it could happen. 2003 needs to be the year of gettin’ the job done!

NEWS BIT’S ?N’ PIECES:

SAN DIEGO: Don Vesco, who set the wheel-driven land-speed record of 458 mph, died of prostate cancer at 63. Vesco set 18 motorcycle and six car-type vehicle records, going back to when he was just 16. And listen to this: In 1970, he rode a bike to a record 250 mph. Five years later, he broke the 300 mph barrier on his Silver Bird Yamaha, powered by twin Yamaha TZ750 engines. In 1978, he boosted that to 318 mph on a Kawasaki turbo, a record that stood for 12 years. He was inducted into the motorcycle hall of fame in 1999. Yet, this man is relatively unknown to the average street rider. This cat could really ride a scooter.

LAS VEGAS: The Guggenheim Las Vegas museum, the scene of the motorcycle history display, closes its doors Jan. 5 after a 15-month run. Our economy is stated to be the reason. T hey just can’t afford to operate the way things are right now. It’s a shame. And none of the riders in our Oregon AIM office — me, Sam Hochberg or Jeanne — WE didn’t get to SEE it yet! Damn. Oh well. Y’snooze, y’lose.

DON’T LET YOUR LEATHERS GET TRASHED: Our AIM Attorneys hear it all the time; bikers complaining about their leathers being cut off by paramedics after an accident. So, from our field reporter, Oregon AIM Attorney Sam Hochberg, comes a solution for NOT gettin’ your leathers cut: Wear zippers. Wear the type that have a zipper down the entire length of each side of the outside of your chaps or pants, or at the very least, along the outsides of each leg. If you don’t wear that zipper-type, you run a higher risk that the paramedics at the scene will have to cut your leathers off you, right there!

The real reason? If you wanna live, you have to. You can BLEED TO DEATH in about 15 minutes from a pelvic fracture. That area holds up to 2 liters of blood, and THAT’S too much to lose to live very long. The ONLY way to evaluate your injury in a bike wreck is to inspecting the perineum (uh, it’s that area between yer male or female part and your butt-hole, or your “t’ain’t”, like some folks useta call it). Gotta look in that general nether-region for blood pooling.

Paramedics DON’T WANT to cut off your leathers because it’s WAY more complex than just unzipping. Pulling them off is out of the question because that could exacerbate any existing injury. Leathers are so thick, like they oughta be, that they can hide life-threatening injuries, so they HAVE to be cut off. Or unzipped. So get some zippers! Thanks and a tip o’ the stethoscope to the Sack’s source, a paramedic in training up at OHSU!

HONG KONG, CHINA: There are some of us in the USA who think there are too many of the WRONG KINDS of lawsuits, and I know Sam Hochberg and I agree on that. Sure, there are weird, stupid cases. Some shouldn’t be allowed to be filed. But HERE’S a topper Sam ran into at NewsMax.com. According to the South China Morning Post, it seems this Hong Kong woman, Chu-leu, got a bad haircut, so she SUED her beauty parlor! Jeez, lady, the hair WILL grow back! She said she wanted to look like Julia Roberts, but instead “It looked like a broom. Every hair stuck out like an open umbrella which could not be shut. It was horrible. I looked like Osama bin Laden,” she told an unsympathetic judge. The Small Claims Tribunal tossed the case, then had to toss her out too when she refused to leave the courtroom. Hey, if you showed up looking like Osama in a LOT of places here in America, you might be given a good reason to sue somebody!

LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP: I have no idea where it is, but it seems the librarian in this town is quite a celebrity. Maggie Penk isn’t used to being Miss September yet, but it appears the fire marshal believes so, ‘cuz he needed her autograph…

She is one of the dozen Ocean County librarians in leather featured on a new calendar. It’s made up of various Ocean County librarians sitting on a white Harley-Davidson, clad head to toe in leather, some even … reading.

They wanna use the dough they raise towards an $11.6 million expansion to their library, and to bring public attention to it. This one lady, Ms. Penk, useta ride dirt bikes as a kid in Wyoming, so at least for her, scooters aren’t totally unfamiliar. The whole thing was done tongue in cheek, kinda glamorizing the so-called “stuffy” librarians.

The idea worked: $20,000 has been raised so far from these calendars. The county and the state will spend 11.3 million dollars on the project, so their celebrity gig is almost done. Good deal!! Sounds like that bunch of women in England who made TONS of dough doing something similar: Posing nude for a calendar. Most were just ordinary women with ordinary bodies, so it was different!

A QUOTE, for a change: “Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.” By Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the Russian novelist. He’s best known for his books describing forced labor camps, namely “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich,” in 1962.

RIDERS ED IS for YOU, Bub: Time really flies when yur hav’n fun and we often forget that we are a minority on our roads and highways. Sometime during the off-season for riding, do yourself a favor: Take a riding course. They’re available in most states through nearby colleges. Check with your state Motor Vehicles Department or the bikers rights group in your state for more. Most courses are less than $100.00. Just one thing you learn there can save your life. All of us lose people close to us during every year and it’s heartbreaking. Even if you’re an experienced rider, there’s always something else to learn. We spend much more than the cost of a course on chrome stuff for our ride.

The good news is that motorcycle accidents that have alcohol involvement are down nearly 10%. Maybe the word is getting out that scooters and booze DON’T MIX.

ONE FINAL THOUGHT: Our Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) attorneys across the country are working daily for our benefit and not just on accidents we have had. They provide pro bono or free legal services on numerous issues that affect motorcycling. AIM attorneys serve as legal counsel at all the Confederations of Clubs meetings throughout the U.S.A. and Canada. Not to mention all the time they spend talking to various groups, and dispensing free advice to folks at rallies nationwide. Do yourself a favor and call your nearest AIM attorney if you have an accident, or if you just need some advice on other legal matters; especially anything about motorcycle law. They can even represent you in criminal matters through Aid to Incarcerated Motorcyclists, the “other” AIM.

Nationally, call AIM at 1-800-ON-A-BIKE (or 1-800-531-2424). Remember, these people all ride the same as we do, so they know what our world is all about on the road and in the courts. Sam Hochberg, our Oregon AIM attorney can be reached at 503-224-1106 or toll free at 1-800-347-1106. Sam’s e-mail handle is SamBikeLaw@aol.com, and I’m AIMGunny@aol.com. Give me a shout. I’d love to hear from you.

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