OFF THE WIRE
Posted at http://boltusa.org/node/193#comment-255
Feel free to repost anywhere and everywhere else. No need to credit jan as the author of it.
Last Call on SB435 - Act Now, Here's How!
In addition to continuing to contact the Governors office directly, as mentioned in the National Call to Action, send an email to the California department of tourism and travel at web@visitcalifornia.com or call (916) 444-4429.
Here is what I wrote to them. I don't mind if you copy it, word for word, although your own words are often more effective, but PLEASE be sure to edit it where indicated by the (( )).
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Subject: Tell the Governor to Veto SB435 - negative impact on California tourism
To all departments related to California tourism and travel,
California Governor Schwarzenegger has been promoting tourism in televised advertisements shown here ((on the east coast)). However, I am sorry to report that despite the professionally produced and expensive commercials, Senate Bill 435, which is sitting on his desk right now, for action by September 30 represents a negative impact to California tourism.
Please contact him and ask him to veto it.
As a result of SB 435, travelers to California who rent or borrow a motorcycle registered in California face the very real possibility of being held responsible for problems that are created upstream at the
manufacturers of motorcycles and motorcycle exhaust pipes. Unfortunately, it is not a problem which is easily remedied by consumers, and for many models of motorcycles it is impossible. It is definitely nothing that tourists who rent or borrow motorcycles should be held responsible for.
It ends up holding consumers responsible for failures of manufacturers to comply with an antiquated federal (EPA) standard, and the failure rate is extremely high.
Reference: http://boltusa.org/library/index.php?title=Exhaust_pipes
To summarize for you: the 2008 study showed that of 76 brand new motorcycles on the showroom floors, it would be difficult to find any of them in full compliance with the federal standard.
Specifically, if a law enforcement officer pulls a motorcyclist over, and if the motorcycle is registered in California, and the law enforcement officer is not able to readily spot an EPA stamp on the
motorcycle exhaust pipes, the motorcyclist is held responsible and law enforcement action is taken against them....for the manufacturers failures!!
This bill is not yet signed into law but has already resulted in word being spread throughout the motorcycling community that if the bill passes, California should be avoided as a tourist destination.
(Some motorcyclists may avoid the state regardless of their mode of travel, as a matter of principle). The helmet law already keeps California off the list of good tourist destinations for motorcyclists, and this wrongful placement of blame for manufacturer failures onto consumers is one more reason to avoid the state.
The Governor only has a day or two to veto the bill, so please make this a priority matter.
Thank you,
((your name))
((if you are a "wheel" in your organization, put your title here))
((any associations you are proud of or which shows some clout))
