Biker Rights Issues Some commentary... first, this is news from Australia. We limit our international stories to those that are just too over the top to ignore... this is one of them. Actually it is two of them combined into one. Read them in order... one follows the other. Both are from the same news source.
DAMIEN BROWN
January 15, 2010 07:38am
BIKERS attending a funeral for one of their dead mates have been slapped with fines for not wearing helmets.
The son of the dead biker yesterday slammed the decision to fine mourners, saying it was "disgusting" and had turned his father's funeral into a "circus".
Motorcycle riders from throughout Australia converged on Hobart on Monday for a funeral service for Laurie Kelly.
Mr Kelly, renowned in the national motorbike and motorsports fraternity, died last week after a 20-year battle with cancer.
An unwritten rule in the motorcycle fraternity that riders do not wear helmets out of respect for the dead has landed them in hot water.
Several letters to the Mercury this week have complained that the bikers should have been fined for not wearing helmets and questioned whether they were above the law, or whether police were too scared to book them.
Inspector Stuart Scott of Tasmania Police said the mourners were warned that they must comply with traffic laws before the massive funeral procession made its way from Moonah to Mornington.
"As a consequence of their actions, a number of the riders are now being prosecuted," Insp Scott said.
Shaun Kelly, the dead biker's son and a well-known Hobart racing car driver, said he was shocked by the fines.
"You're joking? You have to be joking," Mr Kelly said.
He said the procession was travelling at low speeds.
"What you have to understand is this action of not wearing helmets is a sign of respect that is recognised Australia-wide for all motorcyclists. It's like taking your hat off at a Remembrance Day service.
"It is disgusting that people have turned my father's funeral into this circus.
"My father gave me strict instructions before he died how he wanted his funeral and I respected those wishes and so should the police and people who have criticised our actions."
Mr Kelly said many of the participants, like his father, were returned servicemen from Vietnam.
"Being returned servicemen this is how they looked after each other. They formed bike groups.
"These people went to war to protect our country, our families, our freedom and our right to free speech.
"To be worried about something small like this sign of respect tells me the [critics] lead sad and sorry lives."
Mr Kelly said he would now wait to hear the outcome of the infringement notices as they arrived in mailboxes.
He said his father, a member of the Saracens bike club, had been racing for 55 years and had spent the past 15 years building bikes and cars.
Original article...
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2010/01/15/121685_tasmania-news.html
