Strategy and Tactics

Screwdriver

Thanks for getting back to me, and I appreciate getting the chance to talk with you about the strategy and tactics used at RIDE2REPEAL.COM. There's a tremendous amount of background information on how we operate, so I'll try to keep it limited. For starters, anyway!

As I mentioned, I have always admired BOLT for their action-oriented approach. Talking is never as effective as action, so I follow this principle too.

However, I don't pursue court challenges for several reasons. The biggest reason is becaue success depends on factors that others predominantly control - namely a judge and some lawyers (who are likely unsympathetic at best, hostile at worst). Additionally, these non-bikers must be persuaded to a biker's way of thinking.

This persuasion requires considerable resources to find supporting data, prepare documentation and legal briefings, and ultimately to argue our case. Lawyers can be expensive, not to mention time-off from our jobs, and sometimes even the risk of incarceration. While it's certainly possible to win in court, the odds are long and the investment is great ... so it's inherently a high-cost / high-risk effort.

Now I'm not one to throw stones, especially at someone who's out there on the front lines, putting themselves at personal risk, and pushing the envelope. So please don't take my words as criticism. I admire bikers who have the balls to stand up for their rights, and I count myself as one of them.

But I have developed an unstoppable approach that can be completely managed, from start to finish. It requires the least resources (time, money, manpower) and has no risk, personal or otherwise. It doesn't depend on the decisions or actions of others, whether they ride or not. Most importantly, it's outcome is certain. Not just possible, or even probable ... but absolutely certain.

There are many places where we can wage war against those who violate our rights. But the wise freedom fighter will pick the battleground where he has all the advantages. Our tactics gain the most ground, in the least amount of time, and with the smallest manpower. With each step, progress made is also progress kept. And victory is decisive ... complete and without question.

So with all that razzle-dazzle out of the way, let's evaluate different places to fight.

First there's the street, where we live and breathe. The cops own the high ground, so we have to operate in their shadow. And that means we need a defensive posture with a high level of situational awareness if we want to roll along unmolested. A confrontational approach on the street takes us to the next battleground: Court.

As I've mentioned before, court is a high-cost / high-risk approach. A victory here would be also be decisive on the street, but again the odds are long. Additionally, losing at any stage of this battle could send us back to square-one. So ground gained could also be ground lost. But it feels good to fight back, and this is one way to do just that. It is therefore an offensive rather than defensive approach, with the ability to clog up the works ... if there are enough fellow risk-takers.

There is also the court of public opinion, which is where most SMRO's operate. Charity, patriotism, and debate are the primary tactics. But this is like fighting your way upstream, going against an unrelenting current. Even if you make progress, there's nothing decisive about it ... and you will be washed downstream with the next flood of celebrity crashes, motorcycle safety "statwistics," and insurance industry PR. For me this is a never ending and pointless struggle.

Finally, there is the State Legislature. It's where helmet laws come from, and also the only place they can be repealed. Victory here is complete, because there will be no law for cops to enforce, and no law for the courts to interpret. Win the legislative battle ground, and you also win the courts and the streets. And the only statistic that matters is a legislative majority, so public opinion can chatter and natter until doomsday. No amount of cherry-picked data, horror stories, or press releases can top a legislative majority. It's the Emerald City.

The question then, is how to get to a biker-friendly majority, step by step. And not only to get there, but to take the most direct route. Least number of people, least amount of money, lest amount of effort, and shortest amount of time. Then add the icing on the cake: Make it completely within our control, so we NEVER have to depend on anyone else ... to lift a finger, give approval, or change their mind. Make it efficient enough (and we have) and a couple dozen bikers can positively dominate the field of battle.

I've attached a link to our "see-saw chart" that shows what has the most effect on influencing legislation. It includes good (green) and bad (red) as well as things that have little or no effect (yellow). And like a balancing beam - the further out you go, the more leverage you have. Keep in mind that there is only one block that is purely action. All the rest are various forms of talking (except the "Do Nothing" block, of course). The reason I share this up front is that it really "clicks" with logical people, and you certainly fit that category.

Look forward to our next conversation!

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Douglas Findlay
RIDE2REPEAL.COM