"Yes it's that time again. The American Motorcycle Associations monthly compilation of evidence that we are allowing ourselves to be governed/dictated to by dipsticks"
AS WE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED: United States Transportation Secretary Mary Peters is urging Congress to allow states to divert federal money now used for motorcycle training and awareness to instead promote the use of motorcycle helmets. Peters sent letters to House and Senate leaders in February asking for the change. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), and many others, expressed concern that diverting federal motorcycle safety funds to promote helmet use could harm rider training courses and motorcycle awareness programs that are already underfunded in many states. AMA also expressed concern that Peters' proposal could contradict sections of transportation bills passed in 1998 and 2005 that ban the use of federal motorcycle safety funds to lobby state legislatures in favor of mandatory helmet laws and could effectively reverse those bans. The AMA strongly advocates the voluntary use of helmets by adults, along with other appropriate safety gear, and does not oppose laws requiring helmet use by minors. But the Association believes adults should be allowed to make their own decisions about when to wear a helmet.
The British Motorcyclists Federation, an influential UK rider lobby group, has added a 'Know Your Rights' guide to its handy, pocket-sized series of 'Fast Facts' cards. Designed as a quick guide to a rider's rights, the latest BMF card sets out the procedure that should be followed in various instances from reporting an accident to how to respond to a police stop check. It also explains the procedure that is applied in safety camera offences.
The cards tackle questions regularly asked on such topics as the correct legal markings for exhaust systems; the current standard for helmets and the current limit for tinted visors, typical enquiries this year have covered who should have reported what and to whom in a accident situation; the law regarding personal injury or property damage and the rules applying in the increasingly common practice of police stop checks. For further information contact
http://www.bmf.co.uk/pages/bmf_main_pages.php?main_page_id=179.Oklahoma House Bill 3241, sponsored by Rep. Skye McNiel (R-29), would require detectors for certain traffic-actuated signals to recognize the presence of motorcycles. For years, riders have complained of being stranded at intersections controlled by traffic-actuated signals that don't detect their motorcycles. Contact your state representative in support of HB 3241 by using the AMA Rapid Response Center at
www.AMADirectlink.com.Virginia House bill 460, introduced by Del. Donald Merricks (R-Danville), would restrict riders between the ages of 12 and 16 to dirtbikes that don't exceed 90cc displacement. Youngsters under 12 would be restricted to machines displacing 70cc or less. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation. More information is available in the Rapid Response Center on
www.AMADirectLink.com. 
(An exercise in AW WHAT THE HELL we got nothing better to do lets pass another STUPID LAW!!! My assumption is that the above proposed law is another example of legislators knowing whats best for YOUR CHILD! You ain't smart enough to keep your child safe but they are??? How will they prove this??? By passing a law that states it will be legal for your child under 12 to toodle around on this "4 stroke 70cc sleek chopper" capable of speeds up to "65mph". After all nobody dies at speeds under 65mph right? PROOF THAT THE ONLY CRITERIA FOR ELECTED OFFICE IS "STUPID") Washington House bill 2919 and its companion bill Senate bill 6643 would allow a motorcyclist to proceed through a "stuck" intersection turn arrow after waiting for a full cycle of the light. The bills are being supported by the AMA and the Washington Road Riders Association (WRRA). See WRRA's website
www.roadriders.org for the latest on these bills.
West Virginia House Bill 2834, sponsored by Del. Kenneth Tucker (D-Moundsville), would permit motorcycle helmet choice for adults who have a motorcycle license or endorsement for at least two years. The legislation would also increase the motorcycle safety and education committee to eight members.
(THIS WILL WORK, cause after 2 years all the cagers know who you are insuring that they will all see you coming and not pull out in front of you causing you to break your neck and die. Of course prior to expiration of the 2 year time period should some cell phone using, burrito muching, kid slapping wacko in an SUV smack you causing you to break your neck you will still die. But you will be wearing a pretty helmet.) Illinois SB2801 was introduced so that a person may not transport a child under 16 years of age as a passenger on a motorcycle, motor driven cycle, or motorized pedalcycle unless: the child is wearing protective headgear and the chin strap is properly fastened; or the person is the child's parent or legal guardian and the person is carrying a Child Passenger Permit. Provides that a parent or legal guardian of a child under 16 years of age may apply to the Secretary of State for a Child Passenger Permit to allow the child named in the Child Passenger Permit to be a passenger of that parent or legal guardian on a motorcycle without wearing protective headgear. The price of the permit is $100 per child.
ABATE of Illinois and the American Motorcyclist Association opposes this bill which has been sent to the Senate Rules Committee further action. More information is available in the Rapid Response Center on
www.AMADirectLink.com.(WHAT DID THEY SAY???????????? YOU GOT TO GO TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND DO WHAT????????? Get a Child Passenger Permit???? Do you have to go to "Child Passenger Permit School?" "How much will that cost?" "Will you have to take a "Child Passenger Permit Test". HEY I GOT A BETTER IDEA, Before any Mother can give birth to a future Legislator they got to go to "I'm gonna get pregnant with a legislator school", then go take a "How to give birth to a legislator test" and then get a "O.K. I got screwed so give me a give birth to a legislator permit" which should immediately expire upon the legislators election to anything!!! )Indiana legislation regarding motorcycle registration fees is on the move. In 2007 a $10.00 spinal cord and brain injury trust fund fee that was added to Hoosier riders' motorcycle registration. Legislation to repeal that $10.00 fee is moving through the Indiana General Assembly and could use your help. Visit the Indiana StateWatch area of the AMA Rapid Response Center for the Action Alert that explains House Bill 1318 and how you can help get it passed.
(Don't repeal it, just transfer to the cagers that smack us. Why are they repealing it anyway. Did they learn it is probably DISCRIMINATORY and UNCONSTITUTIONAL???)Colorado House Bill 1104, which would strengthen the penalty structure for motorists committing rights-of-way violations resulting in bodily injury or death, is headed to the full House for consideration. Take a minute to review the Action Alert and make your voice heard on this important legislation by visiting the Colorado StateWatch area of the AMA Rapid Response Center on
www.AMADirectlink.com. GOOOOOOOOO COLORADO!!!The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released a report on Effects of Alcohol on Motorcycle Riding Skills. It has been posted to NHTSA's website at
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.3d62007aac5298598fcb6010dba046a0/. The report is located under the category Pedestrians/Bicycles/Motorcycles. Printed versions of the report will be available in about two months.
I LOVE THIS! I'm just wondering how much of our tax dollars they spent trying to research this one and why I didn't get to be a test subject? Let me see how does this work:"Hey Joe we gonna research. Heres 50 bucks. Get on your bike, head on down to the bar and get drunk. Then call us so we can come down with a camera and video you trying to ride back to work.""What? You don't know how to ride a bike? Well here, just take $30.00 then and borrow that lane stripe painters bike. And look here, get good and drunk O.K. We have to be %100 sure that being drunk on a motorcycle is probably not a good thing. What? You think this test may take a few weekends? You want a leather vest? Hey no problem. And by the way, Get the Boss, U.S. Transportation Secretary Peters to go with you. Oh, never mind, her judgment is already impaired!"Add to Technorati Favorites
Diane Pearson of Mothers on a mission got some well deserved Biker recognition over the weekend sending us the following note:
