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Hey,
A reader sent me a tough comment today about the news. He didn’t like the politics. I would like to know which politics he doesn’t like, helmet laws, Trump, or Climate Change?
Believe me, and I said it the other day, I would rather chase redheads, whiskey and ride choppers than talk about politics at all. But it seems to be everywhere. Plus, if we don’t step up, we’re fucked.
We discussed it yesterday at Little Toyko in downtown LA. We tried to meet with a brother and Chinatown was too jammed during the Chinese New Year celebration. Hell, only Dr. Hamster could make it on his Evo FLH. We couldn’t in the Bikernet 5-Ball Racing battered van.
We ended up having coffee in Little Toyko and visiting the hotties at the Mooneyes shop.
ENGINE NEWS FROM THE MASTERS– Zipper’s builds seven different engine performance kits with every component needed to make it happen.
Here’s just one example:
Overview
The Muscle 110 package is a dream to ride everywhere – short hops or on the long haul; torque and horsepower are increased across the entire RPM range. Where the stock 110 engine levels out at just over 4,200 RPM, the Muscle 110″ kit kicks into overdrive and raises horsepower by 45%!
Peak horsepower climbs from the mid-80’s to the high-120’s with torque over 100 ft/lbs from 2,500 through 6,500 RPM, breaking the 120 ft/lb barrier along the way. Power builds smoothly and effortlessly, without sacrificing low end torque, adding needed Muscle to the Bird!
In compliance with ARB emissions laws, this product is not sold or shipped to California.
Zipper’s Muscle 110″ Kit
1 x #517-357 Muscle 110″ kit for 2007-up CVO cable-throttle Twin Cam® FX models +$3,309.00
1 x #517-350 Muscle 110″ Kit for 2008-2016 Touring Models (including Twin Cooled® engines) +$3,289.00
This kit is for the owners of Screamin’ Eagle® CVO bikes or customers with a factory 110″ Stage I kit.
The 110″ engine really comes alive with this top end and cam kit! Developed using our highest quality materials and machining processes assures you years of performance and durability.
Starting at the top, your 110 heads are carefully ported to increase velocity and are assembled with our Step-Lock guides, flow-enhancing valves and performance springs. After truing the cylinder head gasket surfaces, compression is raised by precisely fitting our proprietary 10.9:1 forged pistons to your 110 cylinders using torques plates and the latest diamond honing technology.
The piston dome design more closely conforms to the CVO 110 chamber shape for a tighter quench area, improving combustion and power, while special coatings enhance durability and performance. Red Shift cams, Pro-Taper pushrods and Dual Piston cam chain tensioners are included with Axtell’s oil pressure bypass valve for a quieter engine with increased life and valve train control.
A pre-mapped ThunderMax® with Wave Tune AutoTune is included, allowing fast, dyno-free set-up without engine tune worries. High flow injectors are included with this kit (kit requires the separate purchase of H-D® 58mm Screamin’ Eagle® throttle body and performance exhaust to achieve advertised results).
The Muscle 110 package is a dream to ride everywhere – short hops or on the long haul; torque and horsepower are increased across the entire RPM range. Where the stock 110 engine levels out at just over 4,200 RPM, the Muscle 110″ kit kicks into overdrive and raises horsepower by 45%! Peak horsepower climbs from the mid-80’s to the high-120’s with torque over 100 ft/lbs from 2,500 through 6,500 RPM, breaking the 120 ft/lb barrier along the way.
Power builds smoothly and effortlessly, without sacrificing low end torque, adding needed Muscle to the Bird!
These kits are available from any Zipper’s Performance Products dealer, or you can send your carefully packed parts directly to Zipper’s. Send cylinders and heads for modification. In-shop time is generally 2 weeks.
Please pack your parts carefully! All kits can be purchased whole or in any combination of desired components, please contact our sales department at 410-579-2828 for more details and pricing.
ACT NOW! New Congress Means New Opportunity to Save Our Racecars
2017 marks a new session of Congress. Bills that did not become law at the end of 2016 must be reintroduced for consideration.
Good news! The RPM Act is off to a fast start in 2017. The bill has been reintroduced in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The RPM Act of 2017 protects Americans’ right to modify street cars and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles, along with industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete.
You may be one of the thousands of supporters who contacted your legislators about the RPM Act in 2016. We appreciate your efforts and are in need of your support once again. Tell Congress to pass the RPM Act and save racing from government threat.
It only takes a minute. Every letter counts!
FROM THE CANADIAN MASTER– Getting Unstuck
The present moment is where Life happens
I believe that if we continue to hold on to our conversations and thoughts about the past and or worry about the future we will never fully live in the present. Many of us seem to beat up ourselves over experiences of the past rather than learning from them and moving on. We seem to get stuck and miss out.
When I don’t take time to pause throughout my day I get stuck on automatic pilot, which is repeat mode for me. I leave the present and get caught with thoughts and conversations of the past or future. I don’t understand why it takes so much effort to stay in the present, but I promise you it is worth the effort.
Being stuck is only in the mind and we can change it with meditation, pausing throughout the day, smiling and recognizing when we get off automatic pilot. This takes practice, we have been in the stuck mode for so long that many of us have accepted this as our Truth, which is a choice.
Today’s Affirmation: As I begin today I close my eyes and Pause, in this place of meditation I know that all is Good. I Know that when I am in the Present I let go of my sad stories, worries, stress or doubts. I calm my Mind for a calm centered mind keeps me in the present.
Today, anytime I feel old patterns, thoughts or conversations popping up I find a place to Pause, close my eyes and Know that I have moved on. All solutions are in the present and the present is all that counts when we Live in the now.
I am Grateful for this wonderful gift of the present. Today I will accept this precious gift and Live fully. I have this renewed excitement of living more Life. Today truly is a gift
And So It Is
Namaste’
–YALE
Bikernet Supreme Master of Thought
JUNK SCIENCE REVEALED– New documents prove falsification in EPA air study; JunkScience renews retraction request
by Steve Milloy
JunkScience.com has uncovered new documents conclusively proving that EPA researchers materially falsified a September 2011 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP).
While the September 2011 study (“Case Report“) claimed to link exposure to concentrated particulate matter (PM) to cardiac arrhythmia by virtue of a single incidence of cardiac arrhythmia in a 58-year old obese woman with heart disease during her experimental exposure to a high level of PM, the new documents show that cardiac arrhythmia also developed in two subjects similarly exposed to clean air. [Click for the adverse event reports: OMC-029 and OMC-032].
We first raised this issue last spring to EHP editor Hugh Tilson, NIEHS head Linda Birnbaum, EPA and the federal Office of Research Integrity (ORI) because the case study omitted even alluding to the fact that there were at least 40 study subjects exposed to high levels of concentrated PM in the EPA experiments who did not experience cardiac arrhythmia.
Tilson, Birnbaum and ORI stonewalled us. EPA has so far just ignored our complaint.
The new documents show that at least hundreds if not thousands of human study subjects have been involved in these experiments. Of all those study subjects, only 3 cases of cardiac arrhythmia have been documented — and two of those occurred while the study subjects were exposed to clean air.
So the researchers committed the scientific misconduct of falsification by omitting from the case report mention of the following:
The 58-year old woman was part of a larger experiment, involving hundreds if not thousands of study subjects;
Cardiac arrhythmia did not occur during the other study subjects exposures to high and concentrated levels of PM;
We have sent the following letter to EHP editor Tilson:
Dr. Hugh Tilson
Editor-in-Chief,Environmental Health Perspectives
National Institute of Environmental Health Science
Dr. Tilson,
Based on new information, I am renewing my request that EHP take corrective action concerning the study, “Case report: Supraventricular Arrhythmia After Exposure to Concentrated Ambient Air Pollution Particles,” first published on September 6, 2011.
In my earlier complaint, the substance of which you essentially ignored, I cited the authors’ failure to even allude to the fact that the study subject in the case report was but one of 41 other human study subjects experimented on in a similar manner and for similar reasons.
It has since come to light that there were at least hundreds if not thousands of other subjects exposed to concentrated ambient air pollution particles (CAPS) by EPA researchers. None of these other study subjects apparently experienced adverse effects from their CAPS exposures.
Moreover, the only other human subjects involved in the EPA experiments to experience cardiac arrhythmias were two subjects whose adverse events occurred during their clean air exposures. None of this information was mentioned in the published case report. I have attached their adverse event reports.
As the EPA authors concluded that the CAPs exposure was responsible for the case report’s arrhythmia, their failure to mention this other contradictory data constitutes the research misconduct of falsification (i.e., omission of material data). Case report authors Martha Sue Carraway, Wayne Cascio and Andrew Ghio were involved in the so-called “OMEGACON” experiments and must have known about the arrhythmias occurring during the clean air control exposures.
The case report, as published, is false and misleading. I again request that you take immediate corrective action.
Sincerely,
Steve Milloy
Publisher, JunkScience.com
At this point, we might normally conclude by saying something like, “We’ll now see whether Tilson, Birnbaum, ORI and EPA are willing to lose any pretense of personal and institutional credibility by continuing to ignore this blatant case of researcher lying.”
But our money is on that being a waste of effort. But let’s see how the rest of the scientific community reacts.
Texas Biker Movement Alive and Strong After Waco Tragedy–
The motorcycle rights movement is alive and thriving in the state of Texas. Although many motorcyclists conjectured that the tragedy that occurred in Waco on May 17, 2017 would reduce participation in the Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents, over a thousand club members and independents showed up for the bi-annual Rally held at the Capitol in Austin every other year.
On January 23, 2017, the Motorcycle Profiling Project joined select motorcycle rights advocates from around the country and a contingent representing the National Council of Clubs (NCOC) in a show of support and solidarity that clearly communicates that clubs and independents from across America support the Texas COC&I and Texas bikers in their struggle against motorcycle profiling and discrimination.
After Waco, many in the biker community worried that the motorcycle rights movement in Texas would become fractured and lose participation. This logic was based on a couple of factors. There was supposed to be a Texas COC&I meeting at the Twin Peaks where the tragedy occurred.
Would clubs and independents stop participating for fear that merely being present at a political meeting could get you arrested without individualized suspicion and given a 1-million-dollar bond? Would law enforcement start surrounding all TCOC&I political gatherings with a multi-agency task force with high-powered rifles?
But Texas bikers have made another choice. The manpower behind the movement to protect motorcycle rights is still mobilized and politically active. TCOC&I meetings have continued to peacefully assemble statewide as they have for nearly 20 years without any incidents or violence.
In the face of crisis, Texas bikers have not laid down and surrendered to fear or complacency. Instead, they have chosen to stand up and fight for their liberties as demonstrated by the mass gathering at the Capitol on January 23rd. And this mobilization is nationwide as evidenced by the support from states coast-to-coast represented in Austin.
After Waco, many motorcyclists view the state of Texas as ground zero in the effort to preserve motorcyclist’s civil liberties and the fight against profiling and discrimination. Although there was some discussion relating to pending motorcycle safety legislation like lane-filtering, the clear message from the community was that motorcycle profiling and discrimination is the most important issue currently facing Texas bikers.
In search of support and sponsorship, the mass of bikers gathered at the steps of the Capitol to deliver their message. Impressively, many of them were not from Texas. Indeed, the NCOC showed their support with a contingent from Washington State, California, New York, Maryland, Nevada North Carolina and Utah. Long Island ABATE was also present and displaying a banner declaring support for Texas bikers. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, another organization dedicated to the fight against profiling, was also present.
Guest speakers included Dr. Will Dulaney from North Carolina and David “Double D” Devereaux from Washington State, as representatives of the NCOC and MPP. Double D spoke about Texas being at the epicenter in the battle against motorcycle profiling. “Texas showed us all that grassroots manpower worked when they brought the country the US Defenders program. Now it’s time to use the model to protect Texas bikers!”
Dulaney introduced a new program from the MPP providing consultation and expert witnesses to bikers with public defenders facing criminal charges. “Public defenders are often overwhelmed with caseloads and uninformed about issues specific to the biker and club community”, explained Dulaney.
Russell Radke, representing the MRF, discussed the national organization’s commitment to pass federal legislation addressing motorcycle profiling. Radke explained that the MRF is one of the only organizations with an infrastructure firmly rooted in Washington DC.
Finally, recently elected District Attorney Mark Gonzales, a motorcycle club member himself, confirmed that even he has been the victim of motorcycle profiling during his recent campaign. Gonzales explained that his named popped up as a gang member during a traffic stop. He’s the newly elected District Attorney! Gonzales is proof positive that motorcycle profiling impacts everyday bikers simply based on a stereotype. There is obviously a problem when the District Attorney has been labeled a gang member with NO due process.
–by the Motorcycle Profiling Project
BIKER COMEDIAN OF THE WEEK– Wild Willy Parsons is an outstanding biker, who has also been a successful comedian since 1985. Since then, he has pushed to remove the typical biker stereotypes, and has done so by taking the stage in search of laughs, fun times, and a great audience.
He tours the country steadily, and headlines clubs, corporate functions, benefits, and of course, biker events. The now divorced father of two has made himself as household name, known nationally as The World’s Original Biker Comic.
Wild Willy has made several TV and network appearances, including stops on the Dennis Miller Show, Showtime, MTV, Evening at the Improv and Comics Only, and has also opened for many live acts while out on the road – with the Charlie Daniels Band, Steppenwolf, Pauly Shore, and Buddy Miles, just to name a few.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY— Fools multiply, when wise men are silent. –Nelson Mandela
AMAZING CLASSIC CHOPPER and OEM STYLE OIL TANKS–
Paughco’s extensive line of custom and OEM style replacement oil tanks cover just about any application you can imagine.
While these beautiful tanks may look like show material they, like all Paughco products, were built with real world riders in mind and adhere to the company’s legendary standards for superior quality, strength and durability.
Shown here are the new UNIVERSAL ROUND CHOPPER tank, REPLACEMENT SEAMLESS WRAP AROUND, 3.5 WRAP AROUND and CUSTOM FL/FX REPLACEMENT with battery box.
Offered in sizes and with mounting hardware to fit just about any stock or custom chassis, both the new and legendary oil tanks are offered with or without oil OEM filter cartridge and come supplied with fittings and caps as noted in the Paughco catalog.
All of the tanks are fabricated from US steel and plated on sight at Paughco’s world famous plating facility. For complete applications and pricing information call 775-246-5738 or catch them on the Web at www.paughco.com.
STOLEN MOTORCYCLE RETRIEVED— during high-speed chase on the streets of El Seguendo, California, the perp, John Taylor, who was packing his girlfriend tried to make a run for it.
After rattle-cam painting Tim’s Softail and cutting off the thunderheader exhaust, John packed his girlfriend for a ride to the Redondo Beach. We’re not sure why the cops decided to pull him over, but we’re glad they did.
He ran, and crashed the lowered Softail in a corner. John ended up in a coma and his girlfriend was also taken to the hospital but released. She said she was, “innocent.”
This is going to make another wild Cantina story. Hang on. Tim’s bike is currently in the Bikernet Headquarters for safe-keeping prior to repairs.
Bikernet Dice Update: Atomic Dice 2016 Wrap-up
Bob is a great artist, and this article shows that with the pictures that were included. The article tells a lot about him and Sarabelle, showcasing their artistic abilities. His work is beyond compare! The picture of Bob and Sarabelle should be sold to Coca-Cola for their advertising.
— Sandra Hawkins
hawkins1415@roadrunner.com
Beloit, OH
WE CAME FROM MARS— The Bikernet Scientific Community from the Bikernet University is looking into NASA reports from Mars. At one time Mars was 20 percent water which indicates life on mars, but what happened? Actually science has no proof of life on Mars and if rocks from mars hitting earth brought life here.
We’re still digging.
— Professor Ming Ball
TENNESSEE INSPIRED THOUGHT ON FREEDOM–
Tennessee passed a vertical plate law a few years ago.
In Tennessee, every bill is accompanied by a Fiscal Note, laying out what the state will either gain or lose in state revenue if the bill is passed. This bill had a $1400 Fiscal Note that said it would cost the state $1400 in lost revenue from tickets that are issued for vertical plates every year.
As in your case, the Dept of Safety was against the bill because they would lose money.
I started to think, “What is the price of Freedom.” I wondered it this couldn’t become a mantra for fighting similar bills and the public burden theory. Just a thought.
–Renegade
PETERSEN MUSEUM NEWS, Harley vs. Indian— Opening Reception Thursday, March 2 | 7pm
Immerse yourself in over 100 years of motorcycle history with the Petersen’s newest exhibition Harley vs. Indian! Be one of the first to experience the exhibit and enjoy music from KCRW’s DJ Anthony Valadez.
During the opening, learn the compelling history of competition and design between the two legendary companies with a live Q&A with Deus’s Creative Director, Nevin Pontious and Moto America’s Founder, Richard Varner. Complimentary food and an open bar by Drago. Purchase your tickets for the event today- this event will sell out!
QUICK, OPEN THE BIKERNET BAD JOKE LIBRARY– An extraordinarily handsome man decided he had the God-given responsibility to marry the perfect woman so they could produce children beyond comparison. With that as his mission he began searching for the perfect woman. After a diligent, but fruitless, search up and down the east coast, he started to head west.
Shortly thereafter he met a farmer who had three stunning, gorgeous daughters that positively took his breath away. So he explained his mission to the farmer, asking for permission to marry one of them. The farmer simply replied, “They’re all looking to get married, so you came to the right place. Look them over and select the one you want.”
The man dated the first daughter.
The next day the farmer asked for the man’s opinion.
“Well,” said the man, ” She’s just a weeeeee bit, not that you can hardly notice, but pigeon-toed.” The farmer nodded and suggested the man date one of the other girls. So the man went out with the second daughter.
The next day, the farmer again asked how things went. “Well,” the man replied, “She’s just a weeeee bit, not that you can hardly tell, cross-eyed.”
The farmer nodded and suggested he date the third girl to see if things might be better. So he did.
The next morning the man rushed in exclaiming, “She’s perfect, just perfect! She’s the one I want to marry!” So they were wed right away.
Months later the baby was born. When the man visited nursery he was horrified: the baby was the ugliest, most pathetic human you can imagine. He rushed to his father-in-law asking how such a thing could happen considering the parents.
“Well,” explained the farmer, “She was just a weeeee bit, not that you could hardly tell, pregnant when you met her.”
–from Rogue and Sidehack Jerry
DO US A FAVOR— We need more email addresses.
FIRST TRAILER FOR NEW TOP GEAR SEASON–
SEES LEBLANC, HARRIS AND REID TACKLE THEIR SCARIEST CHALLENGE YET – A BBC RISK ASSESSOR
NEW SEASON COMING SOON TO BBC AMERICA
Watch Trailer:
Top Gear hosts Matt LeBlanc, Chris Harris and Rory Reid endure an uncomfortable BBC car insurance interview in the new trailer for the upcoming season coming soon to BBC AMERICA.
The 90 second trailer sees the hosts squirm through a set of uncomfortable questions from a severe risk assessor who is keen to know whether the trio have any prior motoring convictions, speeding offenses – or whether they will be participating in any competitive driving.
Their responses, which are economical with the truth, are interwoven with clips from the new season featuring a tuxedoed LeBlanc in the Aston Martin DB11 being cornered by police in Montenegro; Harris drifting the new Ferrari FXX K in Daytona; Reid crashing his Taxi in Kazakhstan; and LeBlanc and his Russian-built Avtoros Shaman coming to the rescue of a group of naked ramblers on the Isle of Man.
The trailer ends with a late appearance by The Stig who scuppers all chances of a clean bill of health and safety for the team by arriving on fire.
–Jennifer Reed
FROM THE PROFESSOR–
I think you and Pan would enjoy this thoughtful analysis about global temperature changes from physicist Henrik Svensmark
The current climate change folks are not fans of Henrik Svensmark work
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chilling_Stars
–anonymous donor
DIRECT FROM LAS VEGAS–
L.E.D LIGHTING WORKSHOP
Thursday, February 9th 5-6PM
Learn how LED lighting can light up the performance and style of your riding experience. H–D LED Lamps are brighter and whiter in color and provide a superior light pattern over standard incandescent lamps.
See the difference for yourself during our Free L.E.D Lighting workshop. Call Robert in service at 702.431.8500 and reserve your spot today! Hurry… Space is limited.
Watch for Las Vegas Bikefest updates. Bikernet is a sponsor.
QUOTE OF THE WEEKEND– “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” – George Orwell
–Ujjwal Dey
The Editorial Khan of Bikernet Trikes
DEAL OF SUPERBOWL WEEKENED– If anyone knows a Harley Davidson collector who likes LOW mileage bikes, they don’t come much lower than this!
A friend has a spotless 1997 Heritage Springer, (white with red scallops) with less than 150 miles on it. That’s one hundred fifty! It was bought new by his father who got it for eye-candy for his Mopar dealer showroom.
It runs and rides like the new bike it is. If anyone’s interested, drop me a note and I’ll put you in touch with the owner.
–Buckshot
noun
1. the sky.
Quotes
When the wind came it split the sky and shouldered the cloudland left and right, unbarring great clear furnaces of rolling gold.
— G. K. Chesterton, Manalive, 1912
Origin of cloudland
Cloudland entered English in the early 1800s. Cloud-cuckoo-land is a related term that comes from Greek Nephelokokkygía, the realm which separates the gods from mankind in Aristophanes’ The Birds.
Thank you so much for posting! Lame-stream media and FB blocked most of the personal posts, and i could not find any personal photos or videos before, during and post inauguration! Thank you to all my fellow bikers for representing us well! Love the article! Thank you!
–Sherrie St James
Scubadiva1@aol.com
Lutz, FL
RIDING FREE FROM DC– Your Weekly Biker Bulletin from Inside the Beltway
Your Motorcycle Riders Foundation team in Washington, D.C. is pleased to provide our members with the latest information and updates on issues that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. Count on your MRF to keep you informed about a range of matters that are critical to the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle. Published weekly when the U.S. Congress is in session.
NEWS FROM THE HILL – RPM Act, Ethanol & Black Boxes, OH MY! Plus Transportation, Infrastructure & Tolls!
Though Congress has only been back a few short weeks, a myriad of legislative proposals affecting motorcyclists have hit the floor…
RPM ACT – It was a one-two punch for motorcycle and race car enthusiasts when both the House and Senate reintroduced legislation from 2016; Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act a.k.a. the RPM Act. The bills protect Americans’ right to modify street cars and motorcycles into dedicated race vehicles and industry’s right to sell the parts that enable racers to compete. The necessity of the proposals became apparent after the EPA proposed a rule to establish Phase 2 regulations for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2015. Within the 625-page rulemaking was one sentence that would have the effect of banning any conversion of street automobiles or motorcycles into racing vehicles. The language pertaining to race-modified street vehicles and motorcycles was included seemingly at random within a huge proposal having to do with cutting emissions from heavy- and medium-duty trucks.
However, it would effectively outlaw part of the amateur car and motorcycle racing industry. Motorcyclists are hopeful that this is the year for the legislation to advance and ultimately be signed into law. For the House bill (H.R.350) Rep. McHenry (R-NC) is leading the effort whereas in the Senate, Senator Burr from North Carolina is leading the charge. On his website, Senator Burr listed the MRF as one of the supporting organizations among several other prominent organizations.
Research for Ethanol Effects – Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced H.R. 777 in January; a measure very similar to what he introduced in 2015. This bill would require the National Academy of Sciences to provide a comprehensive assessment of research on the implications of the use of higher blends of ethanol compared to gasoline blends containing 10 percent or zero percent ethanol. The study would aim to evaluate the impact of higher blends of ethanol including those effects on motorcycles and their engines. A similar bill was introduced in the last Congress but failed to advance or gain wide support. It is expected that the issue of the pervasiveness of ethanol in the nation’s gasoline supply will again be a contentious issue this Congress with demographic splits among both Republicans and Democrats as how to handle growing concerns over the Renewal Fuel Standard mandated by law a decade ago.
Black Box Legislation Intro’d – Democrat Mike Capuano from Massachusetts introduced legislation that would require automobile manufacturers to disclose to consumers the presence of event data recorders, or “black boxes”, on new automobiles, and to require manufacturers to provide the consumer with the option to enable and disable such devices on future automobiles. H.R. 736 is related to apprehensions over Americans’ privacy rights – a concern that many motorcyclists share. Similar bills have been introduced in the past, though none have made it to the floor for a vote.
Activity in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) convened one of the first hearings of the powerful Transportation and Infrastructure Committee or “T&I Committee” this week. The purpose of which was to explore the importance of infrastructure to America’s job creators, and what sort of infrastructure investments must be made to prepare the Nation to take on the challenges of the 21st century. All of the witnesses and most members of Congress agreed that we need to spend more to improve our roads and bridges, and that private money / tax credits (i.e., tolling) alone will not get the job done. Your MRF was listed as one of the signatories and supporting organizations associated with the Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates or ATFI. The ATFI sent a comprehensive letter to members of the T&I committee in order to go on record to express concern over the over use of tolling as a ‘pay for’ for infrastructure development. For a copy of the letter, contact Megan Ekstrom – megan@mrf.org
EXECUTIVE & REGULATORY UPDATES – New Secretary of Transportation Confirmed – EPA Administrator Still Under Fire
The Senate overwhelmingly voted to confirm Elaine Chao’s nomination to be Transportation secretary on Tuesday of this week – though six senators voted against her, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). The confirmation is an important one; Chao will be the top influencer in what priorities DoT, NHTSA, and the Federal Highway Administration pursue over the next 4 years. She previously worked under the George W. Bush Administration serving as Secretary of Labor AND served as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. Notably, she is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) which suggests there will be a VERY close working relationship between DoT and the Senate moving forward.
President Trump’s nomination for the head of the EPA won’t face the smooth sailing that Chao did, however. Senate Democrats boycotted the necessary committee vote this week on Scott Pruitt’s nomination to lead the Agency, successfully delaying his confirmation, for the time being.
None of the Committee Democrats showed up to a necessary morning business meeting, denying Republicans the quorum that they needed to take a vote.
Scott Pruitt will have a key role in what the Agency decides to do over the growing concerns about ethanol; President Trump supported the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and corn ethanol when he campaigned in Iowa, but his pick of Scott Pruitt for the top EPA official as well as investor Carl Icahn as a regulatory adviser, raised eyebrows among the ethanol program’s backers. Both Pruitt and Icahn have been critical of the RFS in the past. Though congressional hearings on RFS legislation are possible, leadership in the House and Senate won’t be anxious to stir up a fight that will split the Republican caucus, so it’s possible that any legislation that would overhaul the program never gets floor time. Stay tuned…
SMRO SNAPSHOT ?!?!?
The last several issues of Riding Free has featured different Motorcycle Rights Organizations from across the country – Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois just to name a few. Do you want your State or Regional SMRO featured? Contact Megan@MRF.org to be highlighted in the next Biker Bulletin. By showcasing what your organization is working on, we can help to connect the motorcycle community across the country and find commonalities and opportunities to work together.
MRF NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Admittedly, there was a brief lapse in January for issuing the Biker Bulletin. However, it was for good reason! This month I spent a good portion of my weekends invited and traveling to different parts of the country attending, participating and speaking at state and local MRO meetings and seminars. >From New York to Texas to Pennsylvania, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know more people associated with the motorcycle rights movement.
I stand by the statement that I made the first week on the job; bikers are the most passionate group of people that I know. And I firmly believe that if we can continue to merge our many opinions and concerns into one strong and unified voice, there is no stopping us.
There were some observations that I made attending the various conferences and events over the last month; many of us share the same issues, despite our regional differences.
From lack of retention for members in the SMRO world, to how to recruit new advocates for motorcycle rights to how to ensure your voice is heard and you have a seat at the table when the government inevitably tries to ‘problem solve’ for us, we are all faced with a similar set of challenges.
I soaked in everything I heard over the last 30 days and for those that know me you know that I am solution-oriented and always willing to help. I hope that in 2017 if you have ideas on how to address any of the issues that you are facing in your role within the SMRO world, or even as a rider, you will reach out to me and we can have an open and frank discussion as to how the MRF can better support you. I find that just talking things through and even doing a bit of brainstorming will result in new directions, updated tactics and different perspectives.
I am looking forward to what I hope will be a fantastic year for not only your MRF, but for the motorcycle community as a whole.
As always, I remain, your dedicated advocate and friend in Washington,
–Megan Ekstrom
Vice-President of Government Affairs & Public Relations
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation
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HOLY SHIT— Life is nuts. I still kick around moving to Arizona and hiding out in the hills around Bisbee, where I can ride free for my final days.
Next week we will hit some Indian in Orange County and perform a tech with Lindby bars and do a tune-up on my 2014 Chief. We’re kicking around the Dry Desert Run next month to Arizona.
Of course, I’m hoping the Paughco team is back from Ohio and ready to rock on the Salt Torpedo.
Let’s see what next week brings. Remember, we can’t ever give up or give in. Code of the West.
Ride Free Forever,
–Bandit
