NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)
FEDERAL HIGHWAY BILL PROGRESSES
The U.S. Senate has approved its version of a federal highway appropriations measure (S.1813, "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century" or MAP-21) by a vote of 74-22 on March 14, and the $109 billion highway bill includes motorcycle safety funding for states and would bar federal funds from being used to conduct motorcycle-only checkpoints.
The measure now goes to the House of Representatives for further action, where a similar measure is also being considered (H.R. 7, the "American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012”).
Both bills contain motorcycle safety program funding and both would prohibit motorcycle-exclusive roadblocks, and neither version has any anti-motorcycle provisions, but it’s unclear if the House will take up the Senate bill or advance their own legislation.
MORE STATES MOVE TO BAN MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS
While Congress continues to consider passing a prohibition on motorcycle-only roadside “safety checkpoints” by halting federal funding, several states are moving forward with their own laws to ban the practice.
New Hampshire and North Carolina have both passed such legislation, and Virginia has become the latest state to pass a bill to bar law enforcement agencies from setting up safety checks that only stop motorcycles for inspection.
Following a motorcycle-only checkpoint set up during last year’s Rolling Thunder POW/MIA rally en route to Washington, D.C. over Memorial Day weekend, Delegate C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) introduced H.B.187, which passed and was signed into law on Feb. 28 by Governor Bob McDonnell.
Most recently, New Jersey introduced companion bills in the Senate (S-1685) and the Assembly (A-508) to prohibit police from establishing checkpoints limited to certain types of vehicles and would require that all checkpoints include all types of vehicles.
Calling motorcycle-only checkpoints discriminatory and unconstitutional, ABATE of California is likewise pushing a bill (AB-1047) that would ban state and federal funding of biker barricades. According to ABATE Lobbyist Jim Lombardo, “We passed out of the Assembly and are awaiting a hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee, probably next month, and then on to Governor Brown.”
Meanwhile on the legal front, New York A.I.M. (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) Attorney Mitch Proner told the Associated Press that he is preparing to appeal a federal court decision upholding the constitutionality of motorcycle roadblocks in N.Y., and the issue may eventually be heard before the U.S. Supreme Court.
BIKER ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL HEARD IN COLORADO
Colorado legislation to ban discrimination against people wearing motorcyclist gear failed to pass its first committee hearing, but the bill’s sponsor told the AP that he was glad he proposed the bill because it raised awareness. He said bikers are unfairly judged to be criminals.
State Rep. Joe Miklosi (D-Denver) says he didn’t propose the measure to get attention but to help constituents who belong to motorcycle clubs and say they are being singled out unfairly. "I'm motivated by doing the right thing," Miklosi said. "They're being discriminated against."
Bikers say they're unfairly refused service at hotels, restaurants and stores because of how they dress, and Miklosi’s bill (HB-1128) would have banned businesses from discriminating against motorcyclists based on their style of dress.
But his bid to add "unconventional attire" to the state law that bars discrimination in public accommodations and put biker attire alongside such protected classes as race, gender and religious affiliation, fell short in the GOP-controlled House State, Veterans and Military Affairs committee which is known for rejecting Democratic proposals.
GREEN MOUNTAIN SENATORS LEARN GANG DESIGNATION INCLUDES VETS
Members of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club may be surprised to find themselves on a list of “security threat groups” recently offered by the Department of Corrections to the Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee in Montpelier, VT.
According to information offered to the committee, a definition from the Department of Justice says a gang designation is appropriate for a group three or more people with a common identifying sign, symbol or name who, individually or collectively, engage in criminal activity which creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
Senator Alice Nitka (D-Windsor) wasn’t so sure that the aging vets of the motorcycle club back in Windsor are a menace to society and warrant being “lumped in” with street gangs like “the Bloods and the Crips,” reported vtdigger.org.
If all it takes for a “gang” to make the list is for a few members of a group to commit a crime, Senator Jeanette White (D-Windham) asked, “…will the Boys and Girls Club be next?”
MINNESOTA ROAD GUARDING BILLS ADVANCE
Two companion bills to allow trained and certified motorcyclists to road guard during motorcycle runs (SF1719 and HF2008) were approved by the Minnesota Senate and House Transportation Committees, respectively.
Mack Backlund, State Coordinator for ABATE of Minnesota, testified in favor before both committees and answered questions from the committee members. While there were questions and concerns brought up during discussion, in the end both bills passed by unanimous voice vote with no amendments.
The legislation creates a motorcycle road guard certificate under which a person can stop and hold traffic during a motorcycle group ride: “Permits holders of a motorcycle road guard certificate who are acting as a flagger for a motorcycle ride to stop and hold traffic, and override traffic control devices to direct motorcycle operators or other vehicles. Requires drivers to remain stopped until directed to proceed.”
“This language has a long way to go in the process before becoming law, but passage in the Senate and House Transportation Committees is a great start,” said Backlund.
YOU CAN HELP MOTORCYCLE SAFETY STUDY
Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is working in conjunction with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to conduct a long term, comprehensive Naturalistic Motorcyclist Study of everyday riding in a wide variety of environments and conditions -- and they need participants.
If selected, you will answer questions about your age, training and riding experience to determine where you fit in the study. To gather information, several small cameras, radar, GPS and a recording unit will be attached to your motorcycle for one year. Once the equipment is attached, your job is to ignore it and ride like you normally would. The data is encrypted as it is collected and kept confidential.
They have selected a number of motorcycles representing a cross section of riders and types of riding: beginners, sport bikes, cruisers and touring, and designed their equipment and mounting system to work with several specific models, and participants must live in or near the targeted study areas that cover different terrain and traffic patterns; Blacksburg, Virginia, Orlando, Florida and Irvine, California. For more details, contact VTTI at http://www.motorcycle.vtti.vt.edu/.
FEDS PROPOSE DISTRACTED DRIVING GUIDELINES FOR AUTOMAKERS
U.S. Department of Transportation chief Ray LaHood has announced a new set of proposed distracted driving guidelines for automakers that would limit the use of in-car tech solutions that are “not directly relevant to safely operating the vehicle, or cause undue distraction by engaging the driver’s eyes or hands for more than a very limited duration while driving.”
From cell phones to GPS screens, distracted driving is an ever-present road hazard in today’s techo-centric world, especially for vulnerable travelers like motorcyclists, but soon video games and Facebook friends could be within arm's reach as drivers hurtle down the highway in the next generation of cars from Detroit.
Coming dashboard devices would deliver a whole new level of eye candy and brain entrapment, as more than 90% of cars debuting in the next five years are expected to be equipped with Internet-connected screens and other cutting-edge wonders. Automakers are responding to surveys that show 75% of young adults want touch-screen technology in their cars.
But, not if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can hit the "Hold" button. The agency’s proposed guidelines -- which do not carry the weight of law -- call for automobile manufacturers to make some dashboard electronic devices automatically shut down once a car starts moving, unless they're for passengers and cannot be seen by the driver.
The guidelines cite six activities that should not occur while driving: text messaging, Internet browsing, using social media, entering addresses in navigation systems, dialing phones and reading display screens with more than 30 characters of text.
Studies show that drivers double the risk of a crash if they take their eyes off the road for more than two seconds, yet 41 states still allow using a cellphone hand-set while driving and fifteen allow texting behind the wheel.
WEIRD NEWS: FEELING THE WIND IN YOUR EAR
Today's phones can deliver the sound of a heartbeat, but soon you’ll actually feel the throbbing.
At the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Artificial Muscle Inc. demonstrated how it can make mobile devices shake and rattle with great realism, employing a technology that uses plastics that function like muscles, allowing you to feel the rumble of a Harley or the reverberation of a shotgun blast.
The company showed off an iPhone it had modified by placing one of its Vivitouch "motors" inside that shook a modified Xbox controller to allow the user to feel what it's like to hold a beating heart. In another instance, it let the user experience the signature rumble of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle starting up.
CHOPPERS FACE EURO-SION OF RIGHTS
They’re long and lean, and Europe is looking to ban them. Custom motorcycles are coming under fire across the pond, according to Motorcycles.about.com. Along with proposals to limit motorcycle emissions, force anti-lock brake systems on all bikes, and prohibit engine tuning for increased power; European Parliament is considering a ban on extended forks. The issue will be voted on in April and the limits on modifications could take effect by 2014; ABS rulings and stricter emissions could be enforced by 2016.
“The proposed EU Regulation on Type Approval and Market Surveillance of two and three-wheeled vehicles passed its first reading, Committee stage, on 5th December even though an impact assessment on many elements of the proposal was ongoing,” writes MAG-UK (Motorcycle Action Group), “and the Delegated Acts appear to have moved well outside the scope of the Commission's original proposal.”
2012 NCOM CONVENTION IN INDIANAPOLIS
The 27th annual NCOM Convention will be held Mother’s Day weekend, May 10-13, 2012 at the J W Marriot located at 10 S. West St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. This annual gathering will draw bikers’ rights activists from across the country to discuss topics of concern to all riders, so reserve your room now for the special NCOM rate of $99.00 by calling (800) 266-9432 or (317) 860-5800.
Registration fees for the NCOM Convention are $80 including the Silver Spoke Awards Banquet on Saturday night, or $45 for the Convention only. All motorcyclists are welcome and encouraged to attend. Meetings, seminars and group discussions will focus on legislative efforts and litigation techniques to benefit our right to ride and Freedom of the Road.
To pre-register, call the National Coalition of Motorcyclists at (800) 525-5355 or visit http://www.onabike.com/.
The National Coalition of Motorcyclists is requesting that MRO's, motorcycle clubs, and riding associations submit the names of those members and supporters who have died since May 2011, so that we may honor their memories during the traditional “Ringing of the Bell” tribute to fallen riders during the opening ceremonies. Dedications can be e-mailed to NCOMBish@aol.com.
QUOTABLE QUOTE: "The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools."
~ Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)
