ABATE of Florida President caught again? Continued collusion with politicians??? HB

Spoke with Lopez-Cantera aide at Miami office (could not get an answer from tally office). Who reports that Lopez Cantera is working with ABATE of Florida president James D. Reichenbach to have the wording changed on HB137 to address "performing" stunts.

Did somebody "freaking" LIE again? Who was it Doc? or the representatives aide? Tiger Mike? Tell us Doc!

Phone: (305) 442-6877 to Lopez-Cantera Miami office.

Subsequent to speaking w/ Lopez office contacted House infrastructure committee. The bill (HB137) is alive. If heard by the committee and passed it will go directly to the floor for a vote. If committee refuses to hear the bill it will die. But currently it is alive.

Called Lopez office back for more info: Here's the gig:

The bill is aimed specifically at sportbikers. The data they are using is the FHP report (I believe the one that caused much controversy in Florida and was pretty much dismissed as being highly inaccurate. That demonstrates that most motorcycle fatalities in Florida were the result of the motorcyclist error. Using the data compiled by FHP in central FL. (his words I believe were out of 119 deaths 110 were rider error).

They anticipate having a companion bill in the senate by the time the regular session starts. When asked specifically about whether cages that exceeded the speed limit and engaged in reckless driving would be targeted the answer was no.

Asked about the possibility of including dangerous activities performed by other vehicle drivers to the bill the answer was no. It would be too much for one bill. Has no plans to submit any bills addressing such.

Believes the confiscation will be constitutional by use of the Florida Contraband Forfeiture act. Allowing vehicles to be confiscated if used in the commission of a felony. After questioning he acknowledges that the law has only been applied to those fleeing police.

Suggested that the activities they were attempting to address were covered constitutionally by other reckless driving statutes. They want something with more teeth.

The bill will combine Stunts and speed. This bill is specifically targeted at Sport bikers.

Admits that they started with extremely stiff sentences knowing they may have to compromises and come down a bit.

The person helping the representative on this bill is the President of ABATE of Florida James D. Reichenbach.

The kicker at this time is to define "stunt riding" (ex. if both wheels are not on the ground it is a stunt...........?)

Used my cell phone in order to have record of date, times and length of these calls. rcAdd to Technorati Favorites

Biker Rouge weighs in on the below post

Inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2oo5 Biker Rouge is no stranger to motorcycle rights having been involved with the movement since it's beginning. Below is his posting borrowed from Bruce and Rays in response to the post below which was also posted on Bruce an Rays.

I am a member of ABATE and numerous other motorcycle rights organizations.
Though I belong to these organizations they Do Not Speak For Me!

I look for these organizations and other sources to supply me with information about what is going on pertaining to my lifestyle as a Biker.

I will always write my Legislators and Request that Everyone Who Rides Does So Also.
I do not see much difference in the MRO's that support issues like Mandatory Rider Education and other legislation than the Government Agency's that are doing so.

I am Against any MRO that wants to or does say that they speak for me or the majority of other motorcycle riders.I not saying or inferring that any specific MRO is guilty of this at this time though some have some very questionable agendas.

I will continue to write articles to inform motorcycle riders and others of my opinion and back it up with information that I have available. Just for the record I did write my Legislators, write in some publications, contact Doc, the AMA and others concerned with the issue pertaining to the bill that wanted to confiscate motorcycles.

Doc told me he would look into it and the AMA jumped right on it and in my opinion is the one who is responsible for it going to die with the help of the riders.

The Bottom Line Is The Motorcycle Riders Are Responsible For Their Own Destiny And If They Want To Preserve It They Themselves Must Be Vocal And Speak For Themselves To Their Legislators.

That last sentence says a heap! For more on Biker Rouge check him out hereAdd to Technorati Favorites