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Questions and Answers :: www.stixrideshop.com is now dropping discounted circa

Author: WeitoEurore
Subject: www.stixrideshop.com is now dropping discounted circa
Posted: Fri Mar 12, 2010 8:18 am (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

Visit Stix Ride Shop for our newly released selection of decks and belts. These include brands like volcom, nike sb, and nixon. Our wild new goodies is worth a look!

New York Freedom Riders :: NY Legislation/news- 3/5/10

Author: karen
Subject: NY Legislation/news- 3/5/10
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 12:32 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -3/5/10

NEW YORK UPDATES:
Motorcycle, gang, rights: no updates

Helmet:

Assembly Codes Agenda - Tuesday March 9, 2010 11:00 AM
A0072: AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to motorcycle protective helmet safety standards

Bill text:
Introduced by M. of A. GANTT -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Transportation

AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to motorcycle
protective helmet safety standards

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1 Section 1. Subdivision 6 of section 381 of the vehicle and traffic
2 law, as amended by chapter 471 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read
3 as follows:
4 6. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or ride upon a
5 motorcycle unless he OR SHE wears a protective helmet of a type which
6 meets the requirements set forth in section 571.218 of the federal motor
7 vehicle safety standards as may from time to time be amended AND THAT
8 HAS BEEN IMPACT-TESTED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTA-
9 TION, THE COMMISSIONER OR BY AN INDEPENDENT LABORATORY APPROVED BY THE
10 COMMISSIONER. The commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to
11 adopt regulations for helmets which are consistent with the requirements
12 as specified in section 571.218 of the federal motor vehicle safety
13 standards as may from time to time be amended, AND FOR HELMET
14 IMPACT-TESTING, CONSISTENT WITH THIS SECTION. The police authorities of
15 a city, town or village may issue a permit exempting UP TO TEN members
16 of organizations sponsoring or conducting parades or other public exhi-
17 bitions from the provisions of this subdivision while such members are
18 participating in such parades or other public exhibitions.
19 S 2. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeed-
20 ing the date on which it shall have become a law.

-----------

Senate Judiciary Agenda- Tuesday March 9, 2010 10:00 AM
S6752 [A4286]: Requires skiers to wear protective helmets and requires that ski area operators make such helmets available to the public

Discuss!
Post your comment: [at the bottom]
http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S6752

Bill text:
Introduced by Sen. STAVISKY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary

AN ACT to amend the general obligations law and the labor law, in
relation to the duties of skiers and ski area operators and penalties
for violation thereof

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1 Section 1. Section 18-103 of the general obligations law is amended by
2 adding two new subdivisions 15 and 16 to read as follows:
3 15. TO ENSURE THAT SKIERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ENTER THE SKI AREA
4 WITHOUT A PROTECTIVE HELMET.
5 16. TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, FOR SALE OR LEASE, PROTECTIVE
6 HELMETS.
7 S 2. Section 18-105 of the general obligations law is amended by
8 adding a new subdivision 12-a to read as follows:
9 12-A. TO WEAR A PROTECTIVE HELMET WHILE IN THE SKI AREA;
10 S 3. Paragraph c of subdivision 1 of section 18-106 of the general
11 obligations law, as added by chapter 711 of the laws of 1988, is amended
12 to read as follows:
13 c. To make available at reasonable fees, as required by subdivision
14 thirteen of section 18-103 of this article, instruction and education
15 for skiers relative to the risks inherent in the sport and the duties
16 prescribed for skiers by this article, EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE REGARDING
17 INJURY PREVENTION and to conspicuously post notice of the times and
18 places of availability of such instruction and education in locations
19 where it is likely to be seen by skiers; and
20 S 4. The labor law is amended by adding a new section 867-a to read as
21 follows:
22 S 867-A. PENALTIES. IF THE COMMISSIONER FINDS THAT A SKI AREA OPERATOR
23 HAS KNOWINGLY VIOLATED THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION FIFTEEN OR SIXTEEN
24 OF SECTION 18-103 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW, THE COMMISSIONER SHALL
25 IMPOSE A FINE OF ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THE FIRST SUCH VIOLATION, TWO
26 HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A SECOND VIOLATION, AND FOR ANY SUBSEQUENT
27 VIOLATION, THE COMMISSIONER MAY, IN HIS OR HER DISCRETION, AFTER A HEAR-

EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07799-01-9

S. 6752 2

1 ING THEREON, SUSPEND THE LICENSE OF SUCH SKI AREA OPERATOR FOR A PERIOD
2 OF THREE DAYS.
3 S 5. This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall
4 have become a law.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATES:

http://www.abate-il.org/legislative/ondgo.htm
ABATE of Illinois
Action Alert!
3-MAR-2010

HB162
It was a good day at the Capitol for motorcycling today. Our bill that would transfer the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program from IDOT to the Secretary of State (HB162) was passed out of House Traffic & Safety Committee this morning. The version that passed included our language designed to clarify that money in the CRST trust fund may be allocated and spent by the trustee without specific authorization from the General Assembly.

HB5029 and HB5031
Representative Mary Flowers did not call her anti-ATV bill (HB5029) or her mandatory helmet bill (HB5031) in the committees where those bills now reside. The bicycle helmet bill (HB6114) by Rep. Julie Hamos is stalled in committee pending further discussion and modification.

Contact list
This is not being sent via the OnDGo list because I need to extract the AOL addresses and add �@aol.com� to them. We should have that straightened out by Friday.

Action needed
What we have to do now is to work with our state senators and representatives as effectively as possible to defeat SB2535 (Sen. Trotter�s youth helmet bill) in the senate and to support HB162 (our CRST Program transfer bill) in the house. I need to hear from chapter legislative officers on what their state senators and representatives will do with these two bills. This will help us pinpoint the areas where we need to concentrate our influence.

George Tinkham
A.B.A.T.E. State Legislative Coordinator
"Helping Democracy Work"
----------
www.massmotorcycle.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=769540&item_id=12429
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MMA Update � All Citations Dismissed in Sterling anti-Motorcycle Checkpoints! 02 March 2010

As reported last week, the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association, working in conjunction with MMA Gold Card Member, Attorney Paul Lancia, and several Motorcyclists who�ve chosen to fight for their rights and yours following citations issued in the town of Sterling last summer, went to court and won a number of cases pertaining to those citations. Yesterday, the remainder of the cases were scheduled to be heard, and ALL cases have now been found �not responsible�.

The Sterling and Princeton Police Departments, in a sudden realization of doing what�s right, decided not to pursue the remainder of the cases since they realized after the previous hearings they had no legal grounds for the citations. In order to save the taxpayers money and not further waste their department�s time, the Princeton Police Department didn�t even send representation to today�s hearings.

With Judge Gardener presiding, Attorney Lancia, representing the riders in cooperation with the MMA requested that all citations be dismissed. Most of today�s cases dealt with citations issued for �altered exhaust systems�, although a couple also included other minor equipment infractions such as head and tail lights or tire treads. All citations were dismissed, some in agreement with the Sterling Police, others not prosecuted by the Sterling Police.

Attorney Lancia stated that he was pleased with the findings by the Court and commended the Judge for giving these riders the court time and judicial deliberation they deserved. "These riders took valuable time out of work to contest these citations rather than letting it go. Their concise testimony and the legal arguments we advanced gave the Judge the information needed upon which to base these �Not Responsible� findings. I am happy that these riders won't have to deal with the insurance surcharges that a responsible finding would have brought."

In Massachusetts, a moving violation typically results in a surcharge of an average $300 per year for 6 years.

The MMA remains committed to education, not legislation, and not prosecution. We will help inform our members of the laws concerning proper equipment in Massachusetts, and asks all riders to ride responsibly.

For More Information, Please see http://www.massmotorcycle.org or contact Chairman@MassMotorcycle.org
------------
Tennessee
HB2551/SB 2649: Motor Vehicles - As introduced, adds motorcycles to lemon laws regarding warranty protections. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 24, Part 1.

Actions Taken on HB2551:
03/01/2010: Comp. SB subst.

Actions Taken on SB2649:
03/04/2010: Signed by S. Speaker
----------
Utah
S.B. 106 Substitute: Motor Vehicle Noise Emission Standards -- Jones, P.

Bill Status/Votes
Last Action: 01 March 2010, Senate/ filed
Last Location: Senate Rules Committee file for defeated bills Bill Status/Votes Last Updated: 1 March 2010, 5:50 PM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW REPORTS:

https://commerce.metapress.com/content/k3157500176n9017/resource-secured/?target=fulltext.pdf&sid=atw1esb1ewkij2554th0z4nm&sh=trb.metapress.com

Comparison of Risk Taking in Moped and Motorcycle Crashes Abstract
Risk taking in motorcycling includes deliberately not following road rules (including excessive speeding and performing stunts), unlicensed riding, riding while impaired by drugs and alcohol, and riding without a helmet. Motor scooters and mopeds, however, are less capable of extreme speeds and stunts and may therefore attract riders with safer attitudes and behaviors. Their use for commuting may also limit opportunities for risk taking. Some European studies have reported higher crash risks for mopeds and scooters than for other motorcycles, but others disagree. This study aims to examine the role of risk taking in moped crashes compared with motorcycle crashes by presenting the results of analyses of police-reported crashes in Queensland, Australia, focusing on markers for risk taking such as vehicle most at fault, alcohol involvement, excessive speed, nonuse of helmets, and unlicensed riding. Risk taking in terms of alcohol involvement and excessive speed was more common in single- than in multivehicle crashes. Alcohol involvement was associated with excessive speed, nonuse of helmets, and unlicensed riding. There were few differences in risk-taking behaviors between moped and motorcycle riders. Excessive speed was less common in moped crashes, but this finding may reflect vehicle performance limitations as much as a decision not to speed.
------------
https://commerce.metapress.com/content/u4ul71v4754177h2/resource-secured/?target=fulltext.pdf&sid=atw1esb1ewkij2554th0z4nm&sh=trb.metapress.com

Impaired Motorcycle Operation
Abstract
Development and evaluation of an instructional program to encourage motorcyclists to intervene with their motorcyclist peers to prevent them from drinking and riding are described. The program, Riders Helping Riders (RHR), is based on focus group research, which found that riders consider themselves to be united by an interest in riding and by a willingness to help other riders in need. A sense of individualism, however, limits the extent to which riders are willing to intervene in drinking and riding. RHR is intended to convince motorcyclists that an impaired rider needs their help and that they are in the best position to provide that help. The program provides a toolkit of techniques for separating drinking from riding, discouraging riders from becoming impaired, recognizing impairment, and discouraging impaired riders from riding. An optional role-playing module is included. At the end of the class, students are asked to sign a pledge to do their best to help an impaired rider live to ride another day. The program was pilot tested by the Georgia Department of Driver Services Motorcycle Safety Program from November 2005 through October 2006. It was evaluated by means of a survey of student participants and time series analyses of Georgia alcohol-involved crashes. Survey responses suggest that the program was successful in encouraging future intervention. Results of the crash analysis were inconclusive.
------------ http://trb.metapress.com/content/c92q8180456k4841/?p=39f28e476ff14ecb8bd4560a3d012654&pi=21

New Approach to Modeling Mixed Traffic Containing Motorcycles in Urban Areas Abstract
Motorcycles constitute a significant proportion of traffic in many countries but are poorly represented in existing traffic flow theories and simulation software. A new approach to modeling mixed traffic is introduced focusing on depicting the movements of motorcycles. In this study, the characteristic patterns of motorcycle behavior were identified, and the key elements contributing to these patterns were extracted. Then three mathematical models were developed to depict these key elements, which were calibrated by using field data collected at Victoria Embankment in central London. After the calibration procedures, these models were integrated into an agent-based simulation model system. The ability of the simulator to reproduce plausible patterns of car and motorcycle behavior was verified. A number of potential applications of this simulator for the management of mixed traffic streams in urban areas are discussed.
----------- http://trb.metapress.com/content/v87470084621n20u/?p=39f28e476ff14ecb8bd4560a3d012654&pi=22

Effectiveness of Motorcycle Training and Licensing
Abstract
Motorcycle crash fatalities in the United States have been increasing since 1997, when the total number of fatalities reached a record low. Motorcycle training programs were enacted before this rise, and many studies have aimed to show their effectiveness. The objective of this study is to review and synthesize the results of existing research on the effectiveness of motorcycle education courses and different licensing procedures. The effectiveness of programs is examined through the effect training has on accident rates, violation rates, and personal protective equipment use found through past research. Research to date has not consistently supported the notion that training is either effective or ineffective. Some studies have demonstrated that accident and traffic violation rates are lower for trained riders than for untrained riders, whereas others have demonstrated that they are higher for trained riders. Training increases the use of personal protective equipment among motorcyclists. Motorcycle licensing procedures have been shown to have different effects on accident rates. Lower accident rates have been observed in areas with stricter regulations for obtaining a license. The studies vary greatly in both the methods used for comparison and the rigor of their evaluation methodology. No standards for evaluation exist. The findings of these previous studies may be more a reflection of the methods used to evaluate motorcycle training than the effectiveness of training itself.

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

New York Freedom Riders :: NY Legislation/news- 2/26/10

Author: karen
Subject: NY Legislation/news- 2/26/10
Posted: Fri Feb 26, 2010 6:54 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -2/26/10

NEW YORK UPDATES:
Motorcycle, helmet, gang, rights: no updates
[NOTE: Senate Committee agendas have not been posted.]

NY NEWS:

N.Y. Gov. David Paterson Ends Election Campaign
Embattled Paterson Bows to Pressure, Clears Way for Attorney General Cuomo By DEVIN DWYER and RICK KLEIN Feb. 26, 2010

New York Gov. David Paterson said today he will end his election campaign -- just weeks after saying that he would only leave office if voters threw him out at the polls or he's carried out "in a box."

Full story: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ny-gov-david-paterson-ends-campaign-full-term/story?id=9811780
----------

Rep. Michael McMahon's message to Gov. David Paterson: Resign By Tom Wrobleski February 26, 2010, 4:28PM

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Rep. Michael McMahon (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) today called upon scandal-plagued Gov. David Paterson to resign from office and hand off to Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch, a veteran of city and state government.

Full story: http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/rep_michael_mcmahons_message_t.html
----------
Senator Stachowski Forum/Town Hall: Virtual Budget Town Hall Meeting 2/25/10: http://www.nysenate.gov/event/2010/feb/25/virtual-budget-town-hall

Video:
http://www.nysenate.gov/video/2010/feb/26/virtual-budget-town-hall
----------

From NYC Motorcycle Advocacy Group: http://nycmag.org/

Council Member Jessica Lappin has introduced into NYC Council Int. No. 46: requiring the Department of Transportation to create a plan for parking motorcycles. Though this is a great start, we do not believe that motorcyclists should have to pay for a "lockable box" to insert and display our Muni-meter receipt.

Int. No. 46

By Council Members Lappin, Brewer, Gennaro, James, Koppell, Lander and Nelson

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of transportation to create a plan for parking motorcycles.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Legislative findings and intent. Persons cannot park motor vehicles in areas controlled by muni-meters without first purchasing the amount of parking time desired from the meter, and displaying a payment receipt in the vehicle windshield if such requirement is indicated. The Council finds that persons parking motorcycles have little to no means of securing such payment receipt on the vehicle for display. Thus, payment receipts for motorcycles are often lost, damaged or stolen. This bill would address this problem by requiring the Department of Transportation to create a plan to address motorcycle parking in areas controlled by muni-meters.
�2. Subchapter two of chapter one of title nineteen of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 19-175.4 to read as follows:
� 19-175.4 Plan for street parking of motorcycles in areas controlled by municipal meters. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
1. "Motorcycle" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 123 of the New York state vehicle and traffic law.
2. "Muni-meter" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 19-167.1 of the code.
b. The department shall make muni-meter payment receipt holders equipped with locks that can be fastened securely to motorcycles available to motorists for cost . c. No later than one hundred twenty days after the effective date of the local law that added this section, the department shall create and implement a plan for motorcycle parking in areas controlled by muni-meters. Such plan shall include, but not be limited to, developing a method to secure muni-meter receipts on motorcycles
�3. This local law shall take effect sixty days upon enactment.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATES:

Arizona
2/25/10

HB2475 went through the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today. It passed 7-0 This bill has basically four(4) conditions that are important. They are: � Allow Lane splitting only when traffic is stopped.
� Establishes a start date of Jan. 1, 2011 in order to allow education.
� Places a one year sunset on splitting to be able to see the results
� Allow Lane Splitting in Maricopa County only to begin with.
The biggest factor on this bill is SAFETY and to try and�reduce the number of rear end accidents. DPS is behind and support of this bill along with AAA.
�
This bill still has a long way to go and needs to get out of the House before going to the Senate. Thank you,
��
Mick Degn
Designated Lobbyist
Modified Motorcycle Association of Arizona(MMA) Lobbyist@mma-az.org 602=312-4554 C 520-509-1358 F
--------------------
http://www.abate-il.org/
ABATE of Illinois

24-FEB-2010
HB5029 (ATV / dirt bike limits) and HB5031 (helmet mandate) were not called at the hearings at which they were scheduled today. Because HB5029 contains an unfunded mandate requiring schools to add ATV / dirt bike issues to their curriculum, that bill was referred to the �Mandates� subcommittee. There was no explanation why HB5031 was not called.

It should be noted that many people took time off work and traveled considerable distances to attend these hearings. Those people filed their witness slips on the two bills. Those slips will stay with the bills and should be considered when and if the bills are ever called.

George Tinkham
A.B.A.T.E. State Legislative Coordinator
"Helping Democracy Work"
--------------------
http://www.massmotorcycle.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=769540&item_id=12331

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MMA Members win fight for their rights and yours in Sterling Monday, 22 February 2010

The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) reported to its membership that �Motorcycle Only� checkpoints were initiated in the small Town of Sterling, MA last July 15th stopping any and all Motorcycles without probable cause for �safety checks�. These stops resulted in numerous citations issued for a range of violations including nonfunctioning lights, tire tread depth, helmets and exhaust systems. In October, 15 of those riders stood up for their rights and yours in front of a Magistrate and today, 4 more riders went before a MA District Court Judge and were found �Not Responsible� for all 6 charges.

The Sterling Police Department was joined by the Princeton Police Department and the RMV enforcement division out of Worcester and stopped all Motorcycles travelling at junction of Routes 140 and 62 for a �Safety Inspection�. Numerous Citations were issued, the majority of which were for after-market exhaust systems and non-DOT labeled helmets.

Appearing before Clinton District Court Judge Brennan, 4 MMA Members who did not have their cases dismissed during the October Magistrate Hearings were accompanied by MMA Gold Card Member, Attorney Paul Lancia. Mr. Lancia, working closely with the MMA agreed to represent these riders as a courtesy to the MMA in consideration for their time and lost wages in fighting these unjust citations. Today�s hearings consisted of Police Testimony, Testimony from the Riders, and Legal Arguments by Counsel and the Police. The MMA has collected much data and prior testimony from cases over the years, especially those concerning the Massachusetts General Law pertaining to Motorcycle Exhaust and Helmets.

Most of the testimony presented by Mr. Lancia and the riders centered on the fact that no sound test was done at the �Safety Check� to identify whether the exhaust was compliant with Massachusetts General Law, and no effort was made to determine if the exhaust was indeed modified beyond having been replaced. Regarding helmets, no effort was made to determine if the helmet was indeed legally compliant beyond checking if a DOT sticker was present.

Weighing all of the testimony, Judge Brennan issued �Not Responsible� findings on all citations.

Since all hearings are heard sequentially, time did not allow for all riders to be heard, and more hearings are scheduled for next Monday.

For More Information, see http://www.massmotorcycle.org or contact Chairman@MassMotorcycle.org
--------------------

http://www.mecalm.org/
ME- LD1675 noise MECALM update
MECALM- Maine Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles

TANSPORTATION COMMITTEE STARTS NOISE CRACKDOWN WITH VISIBLE INSPECTION STICKERS FOR MAINE BIKES; ORDERS STUDY OF OTHER NOISE MEASURES

The Maine legislature's Transportation Committee voted February 19, 2010 to require all motorcycles to carry a visible inspection sticker on the left front fork, a move aimed at the 38% of registered bikes that go uninspected each year. It also adopted a proposal by Maine State Police Lt. Chris Groton to form a task force to study further noise abatement measures such as roadside decibel testing and the EPA matching label ordinance and report back to the committee by January 15, 2011. Maine Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles (MECALM) looks foward to participating in the task force. The measure now goes to the Senate and House for approval. It's likely the visible sticker requirement would take effect in 2011. MECALM and others contend that many of the 20,000 uninspected bikes have illegally missing or altered mufflers that produce excessive noise.
--------------------

Tennessee
HB2551/ SB2649

Motor Vehicles - As introduced, adds motorcycles to lemon laws regarding warranty protections. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 24, Part 1.

Actions Taken on HB2551
02/25/2010: Placed on Consent Calendar for 3/1/2010

Actions Taken on SB2649
02/25/2010: Passed S., Ayes 31, Nays 0
02/25/2010: Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
----------
Utah
http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/sbillhtm/SB0105S01.htm

S.B. 106 Substitute
Motor Vehicle Noise Emission Standards -- Jones, P.

This bill is a substitute bill. The bill that was substituted is S.B. 105

Bill Status/Votes
Last Action: 25 February 2010, Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
Last Location: House Transportation Committee
Bill Status/Votes Last Updated: 25 February 2010, 5:13 PM

Fiscal Note: http://le.utah.gov/lfa/fnotes/2010/sb0105s01.fn.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW REPORTS: http://144.171.11.107/Highways1/Blurbs/TRBs_Website_is_the_New_Home_for_TRIS_163029.aspx

TRB�s Website is the New Home for TRIS
Last Modified Date: 2/24/2010

The Transportation Research Information Services (TRIS) database, formally housed on the National Transportation Library�s website, is now accessible through the Transportation Research Board�s website.�TRIS is the largest database of published transportation research, containing some 650,000 records of journal articles, conference papers, technical reports, and books on all modes and disciplines of transportation. More than 50,000 of the records in TRIS provide links to the full-text documents.

With funding from the state departments of transportation, the component administrations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other sponsors of TRB, the TRIS Database has become the largest and most comprehensive resource for published transportation research. As part of the website change, the National Transportation Library is developing an information portal that will include access to TRIS and other transportation information resources. TRIS offers flexibility in searching. It includes both simple and advanced query screens and offers browsing of recent publications by mode.

TRIS allows users to print, download, e-mail, or share search results. TRIS also offers users the ability to subscribe to RSS (really simple syndication) feeds to get the latest publications on a specific topic and to submit publications for indexing.

TRIS does not contain the international records from the International Transport Research Document (ITRD) Database. TRISWorld, which is available to TRB sponsors, combines TRIS and an additional 113,000 records of international transportation research publications from the ITRD Database.

TRIS: http://tris.trb.org/
-----------

www.totallymotor.co.uk/news/who-goes-there-car-visibility-getting-worse-$1361990.htm

Who goes there? Car visibility getting worse
Tuesday, 23 Feb 2010 14:48

Motorists are not only battling with snow and ice impairing their visibility, as research reveals the cars themselves are hindering their view.

Which? Car magazine carried out a survey and found that all-round visibility is generally worse than 15 years ago.

This is often because car roof and door pillars have been strengthened and become bigger as a consequence.

"It's vital to make sure a car protects its occupants in a crash, but accident research - and common sense - suggest that crashes are more likely if visibility is reduced," commented Which? Car editor Richard Headland.

Poor visibility puts vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists at particular risk, he added.

Top of the magazine's survey for visibility was the Smart ForTwo Coupe, while the Porsche Boxster scored the worst.

Which? Car is calling for manufacturers to ensure a balance between crash safety and visibility when designing vehicles.

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

New York Freedom Riders :: NY Legislation/news- 2/19/10

Author: karen
Subject: NY Legislation/news- 2/19/10
Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 7:18 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -2/19/10

NEW YORK UPDATES:
Motorcycle, helmet, gang, rights: no updates
[NOTE: Senate Committee agendas have not been posted.]

NY NEWS:

Senator Stachowski Virtual [Online] Budget Town Hall Meeting Related Committee: Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Related Issues: Budget

Date: Thursday, February 25th, 2010, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: NYS Capitol Albany, NY

Purpose

This February 25th Senator Stachowski will be hosting a virtual town hall meeting on the 2010-2011 budget. Ever wonder how the budget is crafted? Have questions about the pop and cigarette taxes propsed by Gov. Paterson? Program and service cuts?

This town hall will provide you with an opportunity to have your questions answered, while providing Senator Stachowski with critical input from the citizens of the the 58th Senate District.

Town Hall attendees will have several ways to participate:

-Call 800-930-9964 and leave a voicemail question, your question will be transcribed and read at the Town Hall. You can call in starting today through the event.

-Call 800-593-8954 the day of the event, February 25th, starting at 6:30. You'll be able to listen in on the live event.

Video of this event will be live streamed. Visit this page during the hours posted to watch. http://www.nysenate.gov/stachowskitownhall

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATES:

ABATE of Illinois
http://www.abate-il.org/legislative/ondgo.htm

Action Alert!-17-FEB-2010
House Vehicles & Safety Committee
Hearing Feb 24 2010 10:00AM Capitol Building Room 115 Springfield, IL HB5031 - Motorcycle helmets for all Ask committee members to Vote No on this bill
---------------------------
Maine
http://www.mecalm.org/
Maine Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles

MECALM SUPPORTERS OFFER NOISE COMPROMISE; CALL FOR VISIBLE INSPECTION STICKERS ON ALL BIKES, IMMEDIATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION -- February 2010

Forty supporters of Maine Citizens Against Loud Motorcycles (MECALM) are backing a compromise they hope will convince the legislature to pass a bill this year to crack down on motorcycle noise, without delay or further study.� The idea was proposed in a letter (full text) sent February 16, 2010 to members of the Transportation Committee, which set a February 19 work session on LD1675, Sen. Nancy Sullivan�s �Act To Reduce Noise Caused by Motorcycles and Improve Public Health.�� See MECALM's reaction to the bill.

The compromise would limit police to stopping only excessively loud motorcycles to check whether the muffler and chassis bear matching EPA labels as required by federal law and EPA regulation.� Bikes operated at reasonable sound levels, and those parked on the street, would not be subject to label checks.� The federal law has been in place since the early 1980s, but can only be enforced if first adopted locally.

�� Our desire is not to penalize motorcycles that are operating quietly,� the MECALM supporters wrote.� �While we would prefer that all bikes comply with the federal law EPA matching law, some after-market exhausts that lack the required label do operate quietly.�� They said the proposed compromise �should eliminate any objections that quiet operators will be unfairly inconvenienced or targeted, a commonly expressed fear within the biking community.� Only loud bikes, in the enforcing officer's opinion, would be stopped.�� The MECALM supporters suggested an initial fine of $250, and $500 for subsequent violations, to �provide a meaningful deterrent.��
-----------------------
New Hampshire Motorcycle Rights Organization www.nhmro.org/index.html
NHMRO
Hot Topics: It's Done!

February 17, 2010 We just learned that HB 1162 Motorcycle Protective Head Gear is GONE!!!
Great work everyone!!! This could not have been done with out all of your efforts and YOUR voice!
Just remember - it could come back next year (again).
-----------------------
Tennessee
HB2551/SB2649
Motor Vehicles - As introduced, adds motorcycles to lemon laws regarding warranty protections. - Amends TCA Title 55, Chapter 24, Part 1.
HB2551: Status: 02/17/2010- Placed on cal. Consumer & Employees Affairs Committee for 02/24/2010
SB2649: Status: 02/18/2010- Placed on S. Trans Comm. cal. for 02/23/2010
Bill text: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB2551.pdf
-----------------------
Vermont
Bill: H. 733
Title: AN ACT RELATING TO REGULATING THE DECIBEL LIMITS FOR MOTORCYCLES
Sponsor(s): Sharpe, David, Fisher, Michael
Request: 10-0208
Drafter: Gardner
Status: 2/2/2010 -Read First Time and Referred to the Committee on Transportation
Bill text: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2010/bills/Intro/H-733.pdf
-----------------------
ABATE of Washington
www.abate-wa.org/Blogs/Legislative/default.aspx
HB2511 - Addressing Motorcycle Profiling Passes the House 96 to 2. by StateLAO 15. February 2010 14:12

Feb 15, 2010
Olympia Washington

In a monumental and historical vote, the House passed HB2511 -Addressing Motorcycle Profiling by a margin of 96 to 2.

This landslide vote provides an indication that legislators are actually getting the idea Profiling is real and needs legislative relief. Rep. Charles Ross � 14th District noted that the lack of opposition during the Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (PSEP) hearing was a silent show of support from Law Enforcement. The big surprise during the House floor debate was that again there was no opposition, and after a show of support from prime sponsor Rep. Steve Kirby (D) 29th District, Ross , and Hurst (D) 31st District and the Chair of the PSEP committee, the bill was opened for vote and immediately passed.

It was remarkable to hear the legislators mention the organized and well presented information at the PSEP hearing from the motorcycle community.

This bill has never gone this far in any previous year. Next step � The bill will be read into the record in the Senate and assigned to a hearing committee, most likely Judiciary. Then the process gets real interesting trying to get a public hearing, and to get the support of the majority of the 49 Senators.
Time is not on our side, as there are only about 3 weeks left in this years session before what is know as Adjounment Sine Die (latin for adjounment until next legislative session) on March 11th, 2010.

This has been a very good year for ABATE of Washington and the US defenders of Washington. We have worked together to make this happen, and are truly on the same page.

Donnie �Mr. Breeze� Landsman
ABATE of Washington
Legislative Affairs Officer
legislative1@abate-wa.org
-----
ABATE of Washington
HB2511 Introduced in the Senate
by StateLAO 17. February 2010 09:44
Feb 17, 2010 � Olympia Washington

HB2511-Addressing Motorcycle Profiling received a First Reading on the Senate Floor and has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary committee. This is the first step in the process of moving the Bill to a vote from the 49 Senator.
Whether the you are a constituent or not, you need to petition all 8 member of the Senate Judiciary and urge the committee to schedule a Public Hearing as soon as possible. See committee information below; Click on the Senators name; fill in the information; and let your voice be heard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW REPORTS:

www.motorcyclistonline.com/newsandupdates/122_1002_mic_delivers_signed_letters_to_congress/index.html

MIC Delivers Nearly 4,000 Signed Letters from Industry Professionals to Congress Letters urge Congress to stop the ban on youth size ATVs and dirt bikes

Washington, D.C., Feb. 18, 2010 - Today, representatives from the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) delivered nearly 4,000 letters to Congress signed by motorcycle industry professionals that have had their livelihoods impacted by the lead provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The letters were signed and collected at the Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis, IN, Feb. 12-15. MIC also hosted other activities and provided multi-media communications tools that allowed dealers, MIC members, and Expo exhibitors to urge Congress to take action to permanently end the ban on youth vehicles.

"We believe these letters along with the other communications will help add to the momentum encouraging Congress to amend the CPSIA's lead content provisions to exclude youth vehicles," said MIC chairman Larry Little. "Our Industry has a voice and we believe Congress is hearing us loud and clear. The timing of the show couldn't have been better given the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) recent recommendations."

The CPSC recently requested flexibility to grant exclusions from the lead content limit to address certain products including youth vehicles in a Jan. 15 report to Congress.

MIC's general counsel Paul Vitrano said, "We are headed in the right direction, but we still need to have our voice heard. We encourage every rider and everyone in the industry to weigh in. The Expo in Indianapolis was a great kick-off, but there are still opportunities to urge Congress to stop the ban."

The letters were delivered to Chairman Rockefeller (D-WV) and Ranking Member Hutchison (R-TX) of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and to Chairman Waxman (D-CA) and Ranking Member Joe Barton (R-TX) of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce as well as to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees.

"It is important that the Committees that have jurisdiction over this issue, and who will be important players in any ultimate resolution, have a real understanding of how many people from their states, districts and across America are impacted by the ban," stated MIC's director of federal affairs, Duane Taylor.

Please visit www.stopthebannow.com to have your voice heard.

Three key reasons why youth ATVs and motorcycles should be excluded from the CPSIA's lead content provisions: 1. The lead content poses no risk to kids. Experts estimate that the lead intake from kids' interaction with metal parts is less than the lead intake from drinking a glass of water. 2. The key to keeping youth safe is having them ride the right size vehicle. Kids are now at risk because the availability of youth ATVs and motorcycles is limited due to the lead ban. 3. The lead ban hurts the economy for no good reason when everyone is trying to grow the economy and create jobs. MIC estimates that a complete ban on youth model vehicles would result in about $1 billion in lost economic value in the retail marketplace every year.

Visit www.stopthebannow.com for background information, FAQs, and public outreach tools for the Stop The Ban campaign.

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues. It is a not-for-profit, national industry association representing manufacturers and distributors of motorcycles, scooters, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts and accessories, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants. The MIC is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., with a government relations office adjacent to Washington, D.C. First called the MIC in 1970, the organization has been in operation since 1914. Visit the MIC at www.mic.org.

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

New York Freedom Riders :: NY Legislation/news- 2/12/10

Author: karen
Subject: NY Legislation/news- 2/12/10
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 6:14 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -2/12/10

NEW YORK UPDATES:
Motorcycle, helmet, gang, rights: no updates

NOTE: The Assembly and Senate are not currently in session. They will reconvene at 3:00 P.M. on Monday, February 22, 2010

NY NEWS:

www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-c-2010-02-08-65334.113122_Lawmaker_retooling_open_govt_legislation.html

Lawmaker retooling open govt. legislation
By Emily Claire Atkin

February 08, 2010
To improve transparency at public meetings, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin has announced she will be introducing legislation that would require all discussion materials be made available to the public beforehand.

The assemblywoman's bill would require any public bodies conducting a meeting to post any reports, records or other documents being discussed at least 24 hours before the gathering. The legislation would also require hard copies of discussion material at the meetings.

Paulin is in the process of picking up co-sponsors for the legislation and expects it will be drafted and available to the public by Feb. 11, according to the assemblywoman's press secretary, Allison Esposito.

According to Paulin, D-White Plains, records are often unavailable at open meetings, making it difficult and sometimes impossible for the public and the press to understand the discussion.

"I can't tell you how many times I would be at a public meeting and the materials were not available," said Paulin of her experiences when she was active with the Westchester League of Women Voters. "A board member would refer to page 3, section 2 and no one would have any idea what they were talking about."

"No one can disagree that transparency and openness are important to foster and to encourage," said Paulin.

"Having the ability to follow the deliberations of a government body will enable countless citizens to have an impact on the course of their governments," said Robert Freeman, executive director of the New York Department of State's Committee on Open Government.

According to Freeman, countless entities are covered by the state's Open Meetings, or "sunshine," Law � public elementary and secondary school boards, SUNY and CUNY entities, and all county, city, town and village governments, among others. Currently, none of those entities are required to provide discussion materials to meeting attendees.

However, if people want to obtain a document under discussion, they, under existing law, can request it under the state's Freedom of Information Law � something Freeman said costs more time and money than it would to have the information provided online.

"Just about every unit of government that I know of has the capacity to make records available online," said Freeman. "People would rather get documents online, and it would result in minimal costs."

According to Paulin, opposition to the bill in the past resulted from the potential high costs of providing multiple hard copies of lengthy documents at every meeting. But Paulin said her bill will primarily state that documents have to be available on the Internet, with only a few hard copies at meetings.

Bill S.7042/A.5943, which was sponsored by Assemblywoman Margaret M. Markey, D-Maspeth and Sen. John A. DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, was passed in both houses of the Legislature in 2008 but ended up being vetoed by the governor.

"In the case of voluminous records, both the review and the copying of the material within the required period would impose a serious burden on agency staff. Such requirements, dispensing entirely with the procedure for making and responding to FOIL requests, could seriously disrupt the work of boards and commissions in the days immediately preceding an important scheduled meeting," said Gov. David A. Paterson in his veto message.

Paulin's forthcoming bill would require the availability of all records discussed, but only "to the extent practicable," meaning that in situations where it would be too difficult, public agencies would not have to produce the documents.

"If you can, reasonably, you must," said Freeman. "But if [the documents are] only on paper and [the public bodies] don't receive it until the night before the meeting � if it's really difficult or impractical to produce them, they wouldn't be required to."

Freeman said the bill would make the state's Open Meetings Law more meaningful to the citizens of New York.

The legislative declaration of New York's Open Meetings Law reads: "The people must be able to remain informed if they are to retain control over those who are their public servants. It is the only climate under which the commonweal will prosper and enable the governmental process to operate for the benefit of those who created it."

When asked if he expected opposition to Paulin's proposal, Freeman said he didn't think so. "My thought is that those who might ordinarily be opposed, once they think about it, their opposition will dissipate."
------------------------

Fordham Symposium on noise - February 9, 2010, New York City

I attended a panel discussion on noise last night. �One of the speakers was Richard Tur of Noiseoff.org. He addressed motorcycle exhaust issues and I wanted to be there to counter his point of view. �As you can see by his recap of the event on his forum, we both enjoyed debating each other.

"Fordham University hosted an event for students and the public to learn about noise in New York City. The event was organized by Dr. Harold Takooshian. The dais had an interesting mix of experts. Dr. Peter Walker from the United Nations Human Settlements Committee spoke on environment and behavior. In making his point, he asked the audience if the place where they live is their home, by definition, where they feel safe and comfortable.

The impacts of urban din was covered by Dr. Arline Bronzaft who spoke about noise and health. Mr. Charles Shamoon representing the NYC Department of Environmental Protection spoke about how the revised noise code came about, not since updated in over thirty years. My own presentation was a primer on NoiseOFF and covered several noise issues that residents are dealing with in the city. Mr. Aaron Friedman, representing MakeMusicNY.org spoke about musicians collaborating for live music events in NYC.

An interesting discussion occurred between myself and Mr. Jon Simon, a motorcycle activist who attended the meeting regarding the issue of motorcycle noise, specifically enforcement. The discourse was the issue of EPA-stamped exhaust systems as a means for enforcement to reduce noise. The lively discussion was on-topic and Jon spoke very well.

There has been a great deal of vitriol over the years pitting bikers and noise control advocates. There are evident philosophical and legal differences on the issue, but I believe there is opportunity for a better dialog and mutual understanding.

My thanks to Fordham University and the organizers of the event. I hope there are more events like this in NYC and for colleges and universities around the country to organize panel discussions on noise."

I also emailed Professor Takooshian (who rides by the way) to thank him for putting this together and here is his response

"Jon, You are as fast as you are gracious. We all appreciate your visit and your helpful comments tonight.
�
Harold Takooshian, PhD"

I made it a point to be brief and to the point, since the event was not about me or our group. �It is this kind of work we all have to get involved in and break down the boundaries. �BTW I learned my gracious style from Mark, he honed my rough edges.

Cheers
Jon Simon
New York City Motorcycle Advocacy Group, NYCMAG http://nycmag.org/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATES:

http://www.nhmro.org/index.html

New Hampshire Motorcycle Rights Organization, NHMRO
One down, One to go!
February 10, 2010

We have received word from Concord that HB 1261/Noise was pulled from the consent calendar and was put to the House floor for a vote. The vote was 267 to 28 in opposition of the bill. �The other bill HB 1162 has not yet been voted upon and we can expect that to occur when the House is in session, next Wednesday. If you haven't done so... you know the drill by now - contact your rep's to be sure that they vote NO �on 1162 when it goes to vote on the "floor".

NH-HB1162- relative to the wearing of motorcycle protective headgear. 12/10/2009 H Introduced
1/6/2010 and Referred to Transportation; HJ 6, PG.231
01/07/2010 H Public Hearing:
1/28/2010 10:30 AM Representative's Hall
01/26/2010 H Executive Session: 2/2/2010 10:15 AM LOB 203
02/03/2010 H Committee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate for Feb 10 CC (vote 19-0); HC 13, PG.533 02/10/2010 H Removed from Consent Calendar (Rep Vaillancourt)
----------
http://www.abate-wa.org/Blogs/Legislative/default.aspx

ABATE of Washington
HB2511 Hearing Testimony [Addressing motorcycle profiling]
by Mr Breeze 9. February 2010 14:30

This is part of the Public Safety and Emergency Preparednes Committee testimony of February 2, 2010.

As you will see in the video, the committee went directly to a vote and Passed the Profiling Bill to the next step by a vote of 7 to 1.

To hear the full testimony (audio only) go to 1hr 5min 38sec on this link:

http://www.tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?evid=2010020064&TYPE=A&CFID=5014884&CFTOKEN=74180502&bhcp=1
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http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=11957639

Tennessee could include motorcycles in 'lemon law'
Posted: Feb 09, 2010 1:06 PM EST

NASHVILLE (AP) -- A bill to include motorcycles in the state's "lemon law" for defective vehicles is advancing in the House.

The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Vince Dean of East Ridge would give owners of new motorcycles the same rights as those who have cars and trucks that don't perform properly.

Dean said mechanical or structural problems can be more dangerous for motorcycles riders' safety.

In Dean's words, "On a car, a bent frame may just make it wobble or something. But on a motorcycle a bent frame can cause an accident very easily."

The measure was advanced Tuesday to the House Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee.

The companion measure is awaiting consideration in the Senate Transportation Committee.

Click here to read HB2551.
http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Bill/HB2551.pdf
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http://www.abateofne.com/

ABATE of NE- LB200/helmet:
February 11, 2010

LB200 is dead in the legislature

Once again the Biker's rights have been ignored.

We need to band together and work hard to get those opposed to granting these rights to bikers out of office. Keep a close eye on the State primary election candidates. Find out if those running against those already in office are for us, or against us. We may have lost this round in the legislature, but we are not finished yet. The time to act is now! Working together, we can get those opposed out of office.

ABATE of NE, Inc., owes a big THANK YOU to Todd Miller, our State Coordinator, for all the time and hard work he has put into LB200. He has done an outstanding job on getting the information out there to our members and keeping everyone informed on the progress of LB200 through all the debate. We may not have won this round, but we are not beaten!

With the great leadership we have at the State level with our officers Todd, Bob & Scott, and their dedication to this cause, as well as all our other great members, things can only go forward from here. Thanks to each and every one of you for a job well done.

LET THOSE THAT RIDE --- DECIDE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW REPORTS:

Two-Way Tweets: Using Social Media Tools to Communicate with Lawmakers Association News - February 2010 | Vol.34 | No.2

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/associationnews/201002/index.php?startid=22
----------
MIC Launches Multi-media Campaign at Indy to Permanently
Stop the Ban on Youth Motorcycles and ATVs
February 9, 2010

Members, exhibitors and dealers can text, e-mail, Skype, send letters, and make videos to voice their support at the 2010 Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo

Press Release: www.mic.org/news020910.cfm
Visit www.stopthebannow.com for background information, FAQs, and public outreach tools for the Stop The Ban campaign.

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

New York Freedom Riders :: NY legislation/news -2/05/10

Author: karen
Subject: NY legislation/news -2/05/10
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:21 am (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -2/05/10

NEW YORK UPDATES:
Motorcycle, helmet, gang, rights: no updates

------------
http://assembly.state.ny.us/Press/20100202/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 2, 2010

Statement From Speaker Silver And Minority Leader Kolb
Regarding Governor's Veto Of Ethics Legislation

We are greatly disappointed that the Governor has vetoed important legislation that would have significantly strengthened ethics laws. Our legislation would expand public disclosure of outside income for state officials, strengthen oversight of our ethics and campaign finance laws, address reporting of independent expenditures in campaigns and create a truly independent oversight body for each branch of state government.
This measure would be a crucial first step in restoring the people�s faith in their government. That is why the legislation received overwhelming, bipartisan support in the Assembly and Senate, as well as from key good government groups, including NYPIRG, the League of Women Voters and Citizens Union.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NY NEWS:

NoiseOFF: City Sounds - Noise in New York City

Richard Tur, Founder of NoiseOFF, will be among the co-panelists at a forum on noise pollution hosted by Fordham University.

"How are New Yorkers impacted by the sounds of city life?" This panel brings together five diverse experts to review different aspects of this issue. The main topics include: Environment and Behavior, Impacts of Urban Din, The NYC Noise Code, Reducing Noise Pollution, Music in The City.

Date and Time:
9 February 2010, Tuesday 6:00 - 7:30pm

Location:
Fordham University
113 West 60th Street; Room 1004
New York City

Students and the general public are welcome to attend. Beverages will be served. This forum is hosted by Fordham University, in cooperation with its Psychology Association, Psi Chi, Urban Studies program, SPSSI-NY, and the UN Committee on Human Settlements.
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www.dnainfo.com/20100201/manhattan/little-italy-biker-ride-may-go-ahead-without-community-board-approval

NY/NJ: Little Italy Motorcycle Ride May Go Ahead Without Approval
February 1, 2010 12:04pm

By Nicole Breskin
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

LITTLE ITALY � The Blue Knights Motorcycle Club was barred from hosting its annual "Gooch's Garlic Run" children's benefit on Mulberry Street in June by Community Board 2, but the bikers plan to ride anyway.

The philanthropic event benefits children with severe illnesses � such as brain tumors, leukemia, multiple sclerosis � and sees hundreds of bikers, who are active and retired law enforcement agents, ride into Manhattan from New Jersey.

�We�re going to appeal the decision,� said Jeff Hunker, Blue Knights Goodwill Ambassador. �This is our 23rd year, and we�re not going away.�

Community Board 2 denied the Blue Knights a permit last week to close the street for their festival.

�The main reason the application was rejected was because the organization does not have an indigenous relationship with the street being closed or the community affected,� said Evan Lederman, Community Board 2�s Street Activities and Film Permits chair.

�Also, there was an outpouring of complaints about the noise and pollution caused by the thousands of motorcycles.�

The community board's vote is just a recommendation, and the group plans to meet with representatives from City Councilwoman Margaret Chin's office as well as Mayor�s Street Activity Permit Office to get the necessary permits so the event can move forward.

Last year, the Blue Knights narrowly received approval from the community board after they pledged to give money raised through the event to two local children. But due to a mix-up, only children from New Jersey benefited.

The mayor�s office will render a decision in the upcoming weeks.

Either way, Hunker pledged the Blue Knights will ride in June.

�We�re going to pay the toll to go into city, and we�re going to go to Little Italy for dinner," he said. "You can�t stop us from that.�

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATES:

ME: LD1575 - An Act To Reduce Noise Caused by Motorcycles and Improve Public Health Referred to Committee on Transportation on Jan 7, 2010. Latest Committee Action:
Committee Report: Not Reported Out
Public Hearing List * Feb 2, 2010, 0100PM, Room 126 State House Bill text:
http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?PID=1456&snum=124&paper=SP+647&ld=1675
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NE- LB200 - Change motorcycle and moped helmet requirements
ABATE of NE: LB200 HAS ADVANCED LB200
ABATE of NE Call to Action Updates and debate summaries: http://www.abateofne.com/lb200_call_to_action.htm

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NH: HB1162 - relative to the wearing of motorcycle protective headgear Status Date: 2/3/2010 -TRANSPORTATION
Date Introduced: 1/6/2010
Due out of Committee: 2/18/2010
Floor Date: 2/10/2010
Bill Text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1162.html

NH: HB1261-relative to motorcycle noise emission controls
Status Date: 2/3/2010 TRANSPORTATION
Date Introduced: 1/6/2010
Due out of Committee: 2/4/2010
Floor Date: 2/10/2010
Bill text: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2010/HB1261.html

NOTE: Transportation Committee Hearings Videos http://bikerbillnh.blogspot.com/2010/01/nh-house-hears-from-bikers.html
----------
WA: HB2511-Addressing motorcycle profiling
Jan 4 Prefiled for introduction.
Jan 11 First reading, referred to Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness. Feb 2 Public hearing and executive action taken in the House Committee on Public Safety & Emergency Preparedness at 10:00 AM. (Committee Materials)
PSEP - Executive action taken by committee.
PSEP - Majority; do pass. (Majority Report)
Minority; do not pass. (Minority Report)
Feb 3 Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Bill text: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/2511.pdf

-------------------------
http://www.thesunnews.com/142/story/1296016.html?storylink=omni_popular

Wednesday, Feb. 03, 2010
SC : State's high court hearing Myrtle Beach helmet cases (with video)
Lorena Anderson

NOTE: I reversed the order. K

2:45 p.m. | The parties are gathering in the South Carolina Supreme Court courtroom for the two lawsuits against Myrtle Beach�s motorcycle helmet law.

About two dozen motorcycle rally supporters, the organizers of Business Owners Organized to Support Tourism and media are taking up a portion of the audience benches as the attorneys make last-minute preparations. Attorney Thad Viers, representing his brother, Bart, and BOOST, will be heard first when court convenes at 3 p.m.

He will argue the court should not allow Myrtle Beach to impose a local helmet law.
-------------
3:08 p.m.: The five Supreme Court justices have not arrived to begin the hearings yet.
------------
3:18 p.m.: The justices have arrived and Viers has begun his arguments.

The simplest case against the city's helmet law is its prohibition under the state's Uniform Traffic Act, he is telling the court. Any action not authorized in the act is forbidden, he said.

He argues the helmet law is unconstitutional because helmet regulations rest with the state.

He says the legislative intent behind the current state law, which dictates that people younger than 21 wear helmets, was freedom of choice for those older than 21.
-----------
3:30 p.m.: One justice is asking Viers if he is arguing that travel throughout the state could be impacted by "a morass of little pockets of local law."

Viers said yes, that is exactly what he's saying.

Chuef Justice Jean Toal is asking how he distinguishes this case from others in which the high court has upheld local laws such as the smoking bans.

Viers said uniformity is not critical in those cases, but that the Uniform Traffic Act was written for a reason and that traffic laws in are are designed to be uniform.
------------
3:35 p.m.: Attorney Mike Battle, representing the city, is making his arguments. The justices are arguing that the city cannot make ordinances to chase groups of people away. Battle is saying the city never put up barricades to keep people out.
------------
3:50 p.m.: Justice Costa Pleicones is asking Battle why this isn't a law that needs to be uniform, and Battle is asking how to weigh the adverse affects of the helmet law on the visitors versus the benefit to the city and to the riders who have to wear the helmets.

"What is the burden on the person wearing the helmet? I think everyone agrees it's safer for them, just like when you have to strap on a safety belt," Battle said.

Justice John Kitteridge is asking Battle what happens if people refuse to pay the $100 helmet fines.

Battle is saying the crime is not appearing in court, but Kitteridge says "if it's civil, I can never be forced to come into court."

Battle is telling the justices how there are scofflaw rules that are still civil, but can accrue penalties.
------------
4 p.m.: Viers is making his rebuttals. Justice Pleicones is telling him the city has a legitimate interest in regulating noise, lewd acts, and controlling nuisances. "You're not trying to say that's not legitimate, right?" the justice asked.

Viers said he's not trying to argue that, he's simply saying that it's not right for the city to try and regulate helmets for people 21 and older.

The justices have recessed as the arguments are ended in the Viers case.

In the next hearing, titled Aakjer et al vs. City of Myrtle Beach, attorney Tom McGrath is arguing against the helmet law, as well, but the focus of the discussion with the justices -- when they return -- is that the city's municipal court should have no jurisdiction over the helmet ordinance violations because they are civil infractions and the municipal court is for criminal matters only.

Check back for more updates when the justices return.
-----------
4:20 p..m.: McGrath has begun making his arguments. Does the local government have the power to pass a law that's in conflict with state law? he asked.

He argues that the state amended the 1967 statewide helmet law specifically to give people older than 21 the right to choose whether to wear a helmet.
------------
4:25 p.m.: Justice Donald Beatty is asking McGrath about the safety specifications of helmets and the federal, state and city regulations.

McGrath is telling the court the city's safety specifications directly conflict with state law because they outline helmets that are not allowed to be sold in South Carolina.
-----------
4:30 p.m.: Attorney Ballard, whose first name has not been stated, an associate of McGrath's, is beginning her arguments against the municipal court's jurisdiction over helmet ordinances.

Justice Toal is asking how Greenville is enforcing the smoking ban the high court upheld. The justices and the attorney are discussing whether those bans can be adjudicated in municipal court, either, and considering the idea that maybe they cannot.

Mike Battle, representing the city, is now making his arguments in this case. He's saying that the statute that sets up municipal court gives out the right for the court to try all cases that arise under city ordinances.

In fact, seatbelt violations are civil infractions, and they are adjudicated in municipal court in Myrtle Beach.

Battle is wrapping up his arguments and McGrath's team will have time for a rebuttal.

Ballard is arguing that the entire chapter creating municipal courts is talking about criminal law, not civil law.
------------
4:50 p.m.: The justices have recessed. No opinion was given, and there is no time frame for when it will be issued.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEW REPORTS:

Counting Motorcycles
http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2639
Record Type: RiP [Research in Progress]

Motorcycle safety is receiving increased attention because of dramatic increases in motorcycle ridership and crash rates are increasing significantly. As transportation safety professionals increase their focus on motorcycle safety, questions about the quality of data related to state motorcycle miles traveled (VMT) are arising. Off-the-shelf vehicle classification systems often are unable to capture motorcycle traffic accurately and equipment vendors have traditionally not addressed this deficiency. The final report that identifies cost effective practices to produce acceptable motorcycle traffic counts.
Start date: 2009/4/29
End date: 2010/2/1
Status: Completed
Contract/Grant Number: Project 8-36, Task 92
Total Dollars: 50000
Source Organization: Transportation Research Board
Date Added: 02/02/2010

NOTE: Counting Motorcycles Final Report
PDF 65 pages: http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/nchrp/docs/NCHRP08-36(92)_FR.pdf
----------
Testimony of Bill Gossard, NTSB, Before the Transportation Committee New Hampshire House of Representatives, On House Bill 1162 - Motorcycle Helmets Concord, New Hampshire January 28, 2010 http://www.ntsb.gov/speeches/s100128.htm
----------

Highway Loss Data Institute
News Release | January 29, 2010

Laws banning cellphone use while driving fail to reduce crashes, new insurance data indicate

Press release: http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr012910.html
Full report: Hand-held cellphone laws and collision claims frequencies http://www.iihs.org/research/topics/pdf/HLDI_Cellphone_Bulletin_Dec09.pdf
"Do Bans on Driver Cellphone Use make Safer Drivers?": presented by Adrian Lund, Institute president, at the SAE Government/Industry Meeting, Washington, D.C, January 29, 2010 http://www.iihs.org/presentations/IIHS_2010-29-1.pdf

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

Biker related information :: Vote YES for Nebraska helmet poll

Author: MissPenny
Subject: Vote YES for Nebraska helmet poll
Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:35 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

Another Nebraska helmet poll. Voting is down on the right. Vote YES

http://www.theindependent.com/
_________________
Penny Adams
Virginia Freedom Riders - Legislative Officer

"Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians."
Chester Bowles (1901 - 1986)

New York Freedom Riders :: NY legislation/news -1/29/10

Author: karen
Subject: NY legislation/news -1/29/10
Posted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 10:38 am (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -1/29/10

NEW YORK UPDATES:
Motorcycle, gang, rights: no updates

Helmet:

Bill Number: A01453A [No same as] - on Judiciary agenda February 2, 2010 Assembly Sponsor: Wright Amd SS18-102, 18-105 & 18-106, add S18-105-a, Gen Ob L; amd S867, add S867-a, Lab L

Prohibits a skier or snowboarder from skiing or snowboarding in any area unless he or she is wearing a protective helmet; applicable to skiers and snowboarders between one and fourteen years of age. Assembly status:
01/07/2009 referred to judiciary
06/08/2009 amend (t) and recommit to judiciary
06/08/2009 print number 1453a
06/16/2009 reported referred to codes
06/16/2009 reported referred to rules
06/17/2009 reported
06/17/2009 rules report cal.398
06/17/2009 ordered to third reading rules cal.398
01/06/2010 referred to judiciary
----------

NEW REPORTS:

New York State and County Traffic Safety Data Reports for 2008 are posted. http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/08data/datapack08.htm

New York State 2009 Highway Safety Annual Report
PDF: 100 pages. NOTE: Motorcycle safety and enforcement on pages 27-32.
http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/annualRpt/2009-annualReport.pdf

Governor's Traffic Safety Committee Award Listing for FFY 2010 [Grants]
PDF: 19 pages
http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/HS-Forms/grant-final2010.pdf

Governor's Traffic Safety Committee "Safety Matters!" Winter 2010 newsletter PDF 8 pages
http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/SafetyMatters/winter2010.pdf
----------

NY NEWS:

http://timesjournalonline.com/details.asp?id=33261
Bikers say bye-bye to Cobleskill
1/27/2010
By Jim Poole

Am-Jam, the three-day biker festival held at the Cobleskill Fairgrounds every May for 25 years, isn�t returning this spring. American Motorcycle Jamboree organizer Jean Aldus said last week that she�s fed up with State Police, the Chamber of Commerce and what she termed an uncooperative attitude in Cobleskill. But the targets of Ms. Aldus� wrath denied any wrong-doing, saying instead that they tried to help Am-Jam. Am-Jam regularly brought 5,000 bikers, who spent thousands in Cobleskill and surrounding areas. Numbers dwindled in recent years, however, and Ms. Aldus blamed the mounting problems. Ms. Aldus said she made her decision last year after a meeting with Schoharie County Chamber of Commerce representatives �was the last straw.� �They don�t have a clue,� Ms. Aldus said, adding that the Chamber reps offered little or no promotion and assistance. However, she singled out the State Police for her sharpest criticism. Ms. Aldus complained about State Police roadblocks that checked bikers as they exited I-88 and entered the Fairgrounds. That was a criticism repeated from past years, and Ms. Aldus said it was the same in 2009. Instead of being able to travel around the area while at Am-Jam, bikers were �sequestered at the Fairgrounds� because of the State Police presence, Ms. Aldus said. �I�m glad we don�t have to deal with them any more,� she added. Ms. Aldus also blasted local businesses, claiming they grew indifferent to bikers and the money they were prepared to spend. �If we�re such an inconvenience to Cobleskill, fine,� Ms. Aldus said. �Let�s see the town dry up and blow away. �The whole Town of Cobleskill is a backward, non-progressive area. Our vendors didn�t want to deal with the unfriendliness.� Those enduring Ms. Aldus� criticism see the situation differently. Troop G�s Major William Sprague of the State Police pointed out that Am-Jam attracts Hell�s Angels and other gangs. If the Angels are there, the State Police will be there, too, he said. �The Hell�s Angels are an internationally known and recognized criminal enterprise,� Major Sprague said. �We take enforcement action whenever we can against such an organization.� And troopers are hardly to blame for Am-Jam leaving Cobleskill, he added. �Do not believe the State Police carrying out their regular law-enforcement responsibilities is the cause for Am-Jam leaving the Cobleskill Fairgrounds,� Major Sprague said. As for the Chamber, Executive Director Jodie Rutt said the organization offered assistance and suggestions. �The Chamber of Commerce loves to support an event like that because we know they spend money, and that money�s important to local businesses,� Ms. Rutt said. But Am-Jam didn�t take up the Chamber�s offers. �We tried to help out with our promotional expertise, but there were obstacles out of our control that we couldn�t overcome,� Ms. Rutt said, without elaborating. Jacqui Hauser, executive director of Cobleskill Partnership Inc., the downtown improvement group, denied that local businesses were uncooperative. For two years, CPI and businesses posted �Welcome, Am-Jam� signs in windows and printed flyers describing discounts and offers specifically for Am-Jam visitors. �I think we tried,� Ms. Hauser said. �We welcomed them here. I don�t know what more we could have done.� If Am-Jam won�t be in Cobleskill this year, it won�t be anywhere, either. Ms. Aldus said the event will re-surface in the Syracuse area in 2011. �It will take a year to set everything up and change venues,� she said.
----------
Local police chiefs get funds to keep roads safe
By David Robinson
Evening Telegram
New! Fri Jan 29, 2010, 08:02 AM EST

"Herkimer is receiving $7,200 this year for motorcycle safety enforcement and education. The department in the past has held two checkpoints annually in spring and summer months, enforcing motorcycle traffic laws. Malone anticipates adding checkpoint dates this year and upping education outreach at public events."

Full article:
www.herkimertelegram.com/news/x562888468/Local-police-chiefs-get-funds-to-keep-roads-safe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATES:

Press Release: January 24, 2010
"Check Twice" rights transferred

(Amesbury, MA) Bob Doiron, originator and worldwide promoter of the famous "Check Twice - Save a Life, MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE" motorcycle safety and awareness bumper stickers, has transferred and assigned his copyright and trademark to his longtime associate, Paul W. Cote of Amesbury, Massachusetts.

"It was time for me to retire," said Doiron, longtime Massachusetts resident and now living in Moultonboro, New Hampshire with his lovely wife, Cheryl.

"Paul has demonstrated in our motorcycle world his genuine concern for reducing motorcycle accidents, and his volunteer work with helping families of riders injured in accidents through the Survivor's Fund help helped set up 10 years ago and in the political arenas on behalf of motorcyclist issues," said Doiron.

"I'm proud of the work Cheryl and I have done the past 35 years, now it's time to sit back a bit."

Although Doiron and Cote knew of each other for years, in 2005 they connected with Cote adding "Check Twice" lawn and roadside 2' x 8' signs to the bumper sticker motorcycle safety program, for greater awareness of motorcycles on the roads. Over 3,000 of these roadside signs have been erected since 2006.

Cote claims he will continue offering a free bumper sticker when people send in a request and a self addressed stamped return envelope, while selling stickers in 3, 10, and 15 packages, as well as the customized stickers in 250 and 500 lots, as well as the lawn and roadside signs. He intends to add "Check Twice" patches, pins, and t-shirts also, for riders to wear and display the motorcycle safely message.

Those interested in these products can order securely on line at www.CheckTwiceSigns.com or send a self addressed stamped return envelope to Check Twice Signs, P.O. Box 516, Amesbury, MA 01913.
-- end --

----------
www.thenewstribune.com/topstories/story/1041829.html

Motorcyclists ask Legislature for fair treatment
legislature: Riders say law enforcement harasses them; bill addresses issue MAKS GOLDENSHTEYN; Staff writer
Published: 01/24/10 6:59 am | Updated: 01/24/10 6:59 am

Donnie Landsman has grown accustomed to those fleeting looks of disapproval and trepidation.

When drivers pull up alongside his motorcycle on the highway, they grip their steering wheels a little tighter and tell their kids to look away. Landsman said he�s been denied service at restaurants for wearing a bandanna and a leather vest.

But Landsman, better known in the riding community as �Mr. Breeze,� isn�t in a gang. The husband and father of three has been riding motorcycles for about 40 years, and said he has yet to encounter anyone who belongs to one. As the man who heads up legislative efforts for the Washington chapter of ABATE (American Bikers for Awareness, Training, and Education), a motorcyclist advocacy group, Landsman works to fight negative assumptions about riders.

Such stereotypes are particularly grating when they come from law enforcement officers, who Landsman and others say target bikers for selective enforcement and even harassment. In a word: profiling.

�Motorcyclists aren�t looking for special rights,� Landsman said. �We want the same rights that are afforded to every other section of the population as American citizens and as citizens of Washington state. We aren�t being given that.�

The group found a champion in Rep. Steve Kirby, D-Tacoma, who introduced a bill that would force local law enforcement agencies to adopt a written policy designed to condemn and prevent the profiling of motorcyclists and to institute training to address the issue.

But police officials say such a measure would be unnecessary.

Capt. Jason Berry of the Washington State Patrol says that there are already policies in place that prohibit profiling of any kind. And anyone who wants to can call in or go online to report any misconduct.

�We do not profile any group according to what they ride or drive,� Berry said. �We stop for violations of the law and take the appropriate enforcement actions as a result.�

MONITORED BY POLICE

Biker advocates point to an incident last year as evidence that they are being singled out.

Last January, dozens of motorcyclists traveled to Olympia for an event called Black Thursday, an annual motorcycle rights lobbying day. They parked their motorcycles near the governor�s mansion, as directed by parking personnel.

In the meantime, the Washington State Patrol released a statement to the media announcing the motorcyclists� arrival. Part of that statement read: �Approximately 25 Bandito organized motorcycle gang members have arrived on campus for the ABATE �Black Thursday� event. They are showing their gang colors; however, we do not expect any trouble. WSP troopers will be closely monitoring this group.�

While the riders were inside the Capitol attempting to find sponsorship for a bill that would stop motorcycle profiling, the Washington State Patrol arrived and began taking down license plate numbers.

None of the motorcyclists would have ever known about the incident were it not for some video footage that was captured as the officers were working. Some officers are even shown ducking through bushes to record the information.

�That�s gang activity, to go see our legislators?� Landsman said. �I guess the idea is that if bikers come in, we�re shutting the door and beating them (legislators) up.�

ABATE leaders cite several other recent episodes of what they see as profiling. And they say they have evidence to show that law enforcement officials are not only aware of motorcycle profiling, but that they had as recently as eight years ago been circulating a training pamphlet that encouraged it.

In December 2002, a permanent injunction was issued by Thurston County Superior Court against the state and the Washington State Patrol from using a document called �Biker�s Basic � 101� as an outline for training troopers and other officers.

�BIKERS ARE DANGEROUS�

A copy provided by ABATE�s attorney outlines the three main motorcycle equipment violations in Washington state (helmet, noise and handlebar height); includes protocol for how to pull bikers over; directs troopers to legally impound the motorcycle and �book� the biker if possible; and tells them to talk to riders about their patches, to take pictures of their badges and bikes, and to be professional.

The first line reads: �Bikers are dangerous.�

�Now if that isn�t a statement of profiling, I don�t know what is,� Landsman said.

ABATE claims these protocols are still being followed and that the state�s helmet, handlebar and noise laws are being used as a false justification for pulling over motorcyclists.

AUTHORITIES� RESPONSE

Kirby, a South Tacoma Democrat, says he�s been intrigued by the topic for a while. He sponsored similar bills in 2003 and 2005, but they garnered little attention.

Lately, he�s been wondering whether his long hair and beard would make him a target if he ever got on a bike.

�I would be profiled too if I had a fancy enough machine,� Kirby said, also stressing that his measure has little to do with picking a fight with law enforcement.

�I think what you have is a limited number of people in agencies that have some sort of predisposition about bikers,� said Kirby.

Much of the language used in Kirby�s House Bill 2511 is borrowed from a measure passed in 2002 that required law enforcement agencies to initiate policies to reduce racial profiling. That law seemed to �work overnight,� he said.

Law enforcement officials, meanwhile, deny that motorcyclists are being targeted.

�What motorcycle profiling?� asked Don Pierce, executive director for the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs. �In traffic situations, here�s who we profile: people who violate the law.�

NOTE: videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQiFeKJ1PIo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_HBpghkYp8&feature=related

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWS:

What We Learned From the Stimulus

Smart Growth America has released a report that explores data on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act spending on public transportation, and the impact that these funds had on creating jobs.

PDF 13 pages: http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/010510_whatwelearned_stimulus.pdf

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

New York Freedom Riders :: NY legislation/news -1/22/10

Author: karen
Subject: NY legislation/news -1/22/10
Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:43 am (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -1/22/10

NEW YORK UPDATES:

Assembly Approves Sweeping Ethics And Campaign Finance Reform Legislation FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 20, 2010
Press release: http://assembly.state.ny.us/Press/20100120/
------
Senate Passes Strongest Ethics Reform In A Generation
Posted by on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Press release: http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/senate-passes-strongest-ethics-reform-generation

NOTE:
A.9544/ S 6457
Creates an executive ethics and compliance commission and the New York state commission on lobbying ethics and compliance; establishes the the legislative office of ethics investigation and joint legislative commission on ethics standards; relates to ethics reports financial disclosure of public officers; relates to a state board of elections enforcement unit and counsel; relates to personal use of campaign funds, filing requirements, political communication, independent expenditure reporting, enforcement proceedings, and penalties for violations.

A.9559/S 6439
Prohibits and criminalizes the use by certain public officers and employees of state property, services or resources for activities related to private business or to a political campaign.
----------

NEW FEATURE ON NY SENATE WEBSITE:

Open Legislation: http://www.nysenate.gov/legislation
You can search by keyword (such as "housing"), last name of the bill's sponsor (e.g.: "Jones"), committee name, or bill number preceded by an "s" for Senate or "a" for Assembly (e.g.: s100, a250). In addition, you can browse and search Floor Calendars, Active Lists, Committee Meetings (including attendance and voting records) and Session Transcripts.

NOTE: you can also comment/discuss a bill. Once you have located the bill, below the text, you will find where you can submit comments.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATES:

http://abatepa.org/Common_pages/News_Summaries.php?fn_mode=fullnews&fn_incl=1&fn_id=22

ABATE of PA:
Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Today, House Bill 2209 was introduced by Representative Seth Grove along with several co-sponsors that included fellow motorcyclists Dan Moul, Adam Harris and Curt Sonney. This bill has the support of ABATE of PA and we worked with Representative Grove on this issue.

The bill states "A motorcycle learners permit shall not be renewable after one year. A person may reapply for a motorcycle learners permit no more frequently than three times in a ten year period."

It also contains provisions for those under the age of 18 that they must meet before they can obtain a Class M license to operate a motorcycle. That includes completing the Department approved motorcycle safety course as a requirement for obtaining a Class M Junior drivers license.

The bill has been referred to the Committee on Transportation. It will be up to the Chairman Representative Joe Markosek as to when or if this bill will be brought before the committee for consideration.

ABATE has long been opposed to the practice of issuing unlimited permits to those who wish to ride motorcycles but who fail to ever take the test to obtain the Class M endorsement. Hopefully, this action will help to turn the tide of those who continue to ride without a permit or fail to get their proper endorsement.

Charles
NOTE: The Motorcycle Safety Program is free to all Pennsylvania license holders. K

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWS:
www.lifesaversconference.org/index.html

Lifesavers Conference 2010 - Philadelphia
April 11-13, 2010

Workshops- motorcycle related ONLY:

Criminal Justice Track:
What Can Law Enforcement Do About Motorcycle Fatality Rates?

A prosecutor and law enforcement officers will team to explore why the crash and fatality rates of motorcycles have skyrocketed even while overall fatality rates are declining and what law enforcement and prosecutors can do about it. They will focus on, among other things, motorcycle checkpoints and proper practices and procedures. The legal basis for these actions and current potential legal challenges will be examined.
----------
Other Highway Safety Priorities Track Workshops:
Motorcycle Safety Initiatives

Motorcyclist fatalities in the United States have continued to increase for 11 straight years, reaching a record high of 5,290 deaths in 2008. This workshop will highlight three projects being undertaken in the areas of research, rider education, and operator licensing. The results of the Motorcycle Crash Causation pilot Study will be discussed along with a discussion that will examine the on-going full Crash Causation Study. Discussion of the development of National Standards for Entry-Level Motorcycle Rider Training will focus on the standards that will be released in draft form in August 2010. The recently published Guidelines for Motorcycle Operator Licensing will be the basis for a discussion on promising practices for jurisdictional driver licensing agencies and outline the model Graduated Rider Licensing system.

NOTE:
What is Lifesavers?

Lifesavers is the premier national highway safety meeting in the United States dedicated to reducing the tragic toll of deaths and injuries on our nation's roadways. Starting in the early 1980s, the Lifesavers conference attendance has grown steadily, drawing nearly 2,000 participants in 2009. Each year, the Lifesavers Conference provides a forum that delivers relevant and timely common-sense solutions to today's critical highway safety problems.

The conference addresses a wide range of safety topics, from child passenger safety and occupant protection to roadway and vehicle safety and technology. It offers the latest information on advances in highway safety, highlights successful programs and draws attention to emerging safety issues.

Lifesavers has no single sponsor and relies on the involvement of diverse private and public groups who share the common goal of improving highway safety. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ITEMS OF INTEREST

http://www.myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/9EB439C4205AD43E852576B0005D6D50
January 19, 2010
Media Contact: Sandi Copes
Phone: (850) 245-0150

Florida Attorney General: Individual Mandate In Federal Health Care Legislation is Unconstitutional ~ McCollum announces intention to file lawsuit, along with other Attorneys General, if provision becomes law ~

TALLAHASSEE, FL � Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced the completion of his legal analysis of whether the individual mandate currently included in the federal health care legislation violates the U.S. Constitution. In a memo to Congressional leadership today, the Attorney General noted that the U.S. Constitution establishes a limited federal government that protects the freedom of individuals and the rights of states, and the individual mandate in the health care legislation is contrary to that Constitutional principle as it penalizes inactivity.

�Congress�s unprecedented mandate on every citizen to purchase health insurance coverage or to face a penalty raises serious constitutional concerns,� wrote the Attorney General. �The health care individual mandate provisions as currently drafted violate constitutional principles and lack constitutional authority for Congress to enact.�

In the current versions of the House and Senate legislation, there exists an individual mandate that would require everyone to purchase health insurance coverage, or otherwise pay a fee or tax. According to the Attorney General, a citizen�s choice not to buy health insurance cannot rationally be construed as economic activity, or even �activity,� to subject that inactivity to regulation under the Constitution�s Commerce Clause.

The Attorney General stated that if the individual mandate is in the final bill signed by the President, the States and citizens should pursue legal action to challenge it, and noted that several Attorneys General had expressed interest in joining Florida should legal action become necessary.

The Attorney General�s memo was issued today after receiving a request from Senator George LeMieux to respond quickly due to the speed of current negotiations on the health care legislation.

A copy of the memo is available online at: http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/MRAY-7ZUMNW/$file/HealthCareMemo.pdf

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

Virginia Bikers' Rights :: 2010 legislation

Author: Sharon
Subject: 2010 legislation
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:11 am (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 2

Here is a summary

HB1267 - Tom Gear - Helmet Penalty Equity Bill
support Bill to bring helmet penalty in line with seat belt or child restraint violations
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?101+fuh+HB1267+708749

HB752 - Greason/Janis - Stop Light Malfunction for Motorcycles
support Treats light non-functioning aft 120 seconds (like stop sign) when motorcycle can't activate
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=hb752

HB395 - Lohr - Helmet Use Bill - Revoke exception for bike with wheels 8 inches or less
Oppose unless amended to add exception for riders 21 years or older.
In Police and Militia, and we hope this will be turned into our helmet bill, or just killed...?
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=hb395

HB145 - O'Bannon - Reflector requirement for trailers, minimum 100 sq inches outlining rear.
oppose Exclude motorcycles pulling trailers, and my car trailers don't have 100 sq inches??
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=hb145

HB163 - Orrock - Driving Abreast, all vehicles
oppose This bill is very poorly written, seems to allow any vehicle to pass any vehicle in the same lane
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=hb163

HB159 - Dance - Civil Penalties for Noise Violations
oppose Opens the door to localities to each set limits. Already addressed at the state level. Confusing.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=hb159

HB462 - Dance - Adds Penalty to possess, for intent to sell, exhaust components louder than limit
oppose Will just send money and taxes to other states (via internet or whatever).
Requires seller to know every possible application
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=hb462

HB563 - Tata = Sets equipment standards for equipment to determine sound levels
oppose There is currently no decibel level legislation in Virginia!!
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=hb563

HB579 - Cole - Muffler Requirements for Motorcycles - Adds Fed requirements
oppose Already implied in 46.2-1049. Why motorcycles only? Feds rule VA?
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=hb579

SB321 - Renolds - Two Abreast for Law Enforcement (only)
oppose unless amended to include "all motorcycles"
Admitting they have been in the wrong and there is some benefit
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=sb321

SB522 - Norment - Expand Franchise Market Area
oppose Doubles the radius of the current protected area based on population density from 10>20, 15>30, 20>40
Reaction to economy, let the dealers/manufactures and market decide (like Harley). Will raise prices.
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=sb522
_________________
Sharon Keaton
VA Freedom Riders
ABATE of VA

New York Freedom Riders :: NY legislation/news -1/15/10

Author: karen
Subject: NY legislation/news -1/15/10
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 1:21 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -1/15/10

New York Legislation: no new updates.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEW REPORTS

Brief Review of Federal and State Definitions of the Terms �Gang,� �Gang Crime,� and �Gang Member� Updated December 2009 PDF 39 pages http://www.nationalgangcenter.gov/Content/Documents/Definitions.pdf
--------------------
Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC-FHWA)
Seventh Meeting Summary Report
November 5, 2009

Website: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/mac/mtgsums/2009/final110509/
PDF 29 pages: http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/mac/mtgsums/2009/final110509/final110509.pdf
--------------------
Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety
THE 2010 ROADMAP TO STATE HIGHWAY SAFETY LAWS
PDF 58 pages: http://www.saferoads.org/files/file/Roadmap%20Report%20COMPLETE%20010510.pdf
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UPDATES:

Boston Noise Ordinance lawsuit update:
January 12, 2010
FYI

Today, the Court hear the City of Boston's Motion to Dismiss our Complaint to strike down the City's labeling Ordinance.

The case was transferred from Judge Hines to Judge Charles T. Spurlock.

The City presented its oral arguments why the Complaint should be dismissed, in essence claiming the City, under the Home Rule statutes, has a right to enact such regulations. The Judge asked them a few questions, cutting to the chase, . . . 1) is there is expiration period on the manufacture's assurances via the labels?; 2) can a motorcyclist be in compliance with state laws but not in compliance with Boston's ordinance?

Provanzano argued against dismissing the Complaint, reciting all the reasons in our brief, referencing the EPA limits, the glaring conflicts in the Ordinance vs. state statutes and requirements, etc.

We had Attorney Laurie McGhee enter her appearance for Vince, and she argued things Joe didn't.

She pointed out the City's differences in their brief vs. their oral argument, wherein the brief claims the Ordinance IS the same as the State Statute but in today's argument they acknowledged it is DIFFERENT (but they are allowed to be different under 'home rule.').

Laurie claimed a vehicle compliant with state statutes and regulations, including an inspection sticker, in Newburyport, Peabody, or Revere, and in every other city, town or other state, might not be compliant with Boston's, and that that interfere's with citizens rights to freely travel.

The Judge took the matter under advisement.

PC
[Paul Cotes]
--------------------
Myrtle Beach, SC lawsuit:
STATE SUPREME COURT
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Hearing Time: 10:00 a.m.

Court hearing files -Courtesy of Jim Cannon, Director of the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists (VCOM), posted on ABATE of South Carolina website:

City of Myrtle Beach brief in the Supreme Court- helmet law case
http://abatesc.com/web/Latest/city-of-myrtle-beach-files-its-brief-in-the-supreme-court-helmet-law-case.html

Supreme Court Brief on Myrtle Beach Helmet Case- Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group http://abatesc.com/web/Issues/supreme-court-brief-on-myrtle-beach-helmet-case.html

Tom McGrath was a guest on the BOLT Liberty Call-In Hour on January 12, 2010 explaining the case. The episode is archived and can be listened to at http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/66775
or the mp3 file can by downloaded directly from http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-66775/TS-310571.mp3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWS

www.ama-cycle.org/news/story.asp?id=1660

MIC asks for amendments to stop ban on youth motorcycles and ATVs Posted January 12, 2010

From a press release issued by the Motorcycle Industry Council...

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 12, 2010 - The Motorcycle Industry Council today urged Chairman Inez Tenenbaum and the other members of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to recommend in its report to Congress on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) an amendment that would end the current ban on youth powersports vehicles resulting from the law's lead content provisions.

As part of the legislation that funded the CPSC in 2010, Congress gave CPSC a deadline of Jan. 15 to submit suggested improvements to CPSIA to the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

In a Jan. 12 letter, the MIC thanked the CPSC for its efforts to promote youth safety by implementing a temporary stay to make some youth vehicles available despite the ban. MIC also suggested three ways to completely or substantially exclude or exempt youth off-highway motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles from those provisions:

a "functional purpose" amendment
a categorical exemption, such as would be provided by H.R. 1587
a change in the definition of "accessibility" for powersports products
The entire MIC letter can be read at this link: http://www.mic.org/downloads/petitions/Letter%20to%20I.%20Tenenbaum%20-%2001-12-10.pdf

Even though the lead in metal parts of the vehicles do not pose a health hazard to youth riders, the CPSIA, as interpreted by CPSC, does not provide it with the flexibility it needs to grant an exclusion from the lead content limits. As a result, a CPSIA amendment is needed such as a "functional purpose" amendment proposed by Chairman Tenenbaum in response to an earlier Congressional inquiry.

MIC General Counsel Paul Vitrano stated in the letter: "Such an amendment should permit the Commission to grant exclusions for youth ATVs and motorcycles since lead in many accessible components is necessary for their functional purpose, contact with those components is infrequent and the elimination of lead is impracticable or impossible based on available scientific or technical information."

Other solutions include a categorical exemption, such as would be provided by H.R. 1587, a pending bill with 55 bi-partisan co-sponsors, or a change in the definition of "accessibility" for powersports products.

"Everyone agrees that the key to maintaining the safety of youth riders is for them to operate only appropriately sized vehicles," Vitrano added. "We are hopeful that CPSC's report to Congress will pave the way to legislation that will ensure youth motorcycles and ATVs remain available."

Vitrano said it will again be critical for enthusiasts and industry to mount a massive grassroots effort to advocate for one of these amendments to the CPSIA. For more information visit, www.stopthebannow.com .
--------------------

www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1674

U.S. Department of Defense engages Motorcycle Safety Foundation to conduct focus groups Posted January 14, 2010

From a press release issued by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation...

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 14, 2010 - As the popularity of motorcycling and motorcycle registrations continues to rise among military service personnel, so does the number of fatal motorcycle crashes. That is why the Department of Defense (DoD) continues to seek out aggressive countermeasures in the campaign against two-wheel Private Motor Vehicle (PMV) mishaps among military personnel, and military sport bike riders in particular.

To that end, the DoD has engaged the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) to conduct four focus groups for the Defense Safety Oversight Council (DSOC) PMV Task Force. The focus groups will take place at different locations across the United States in close proximity to military installations. The participants will represent the dominant motorcycling culture in the military that is statistically at highest risk, primarily sport bike riders. Officers and commissioned personnel will be sampled separately to ensure that command structure perspectives are also considered. The initiative is being implemented through the National Defense Center for Energy and Environment (NDCEE), operated by Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC).

"This initiative falls in line with the PMV Task Force's strategic plan for the overall reduction of PMV mishaps across the Department of Defense," said Major General Fred Roggero, DSOC PMV Task Force Chair. "These focus groups have the potential to identify core issues, target initiatives and ultimately save lives."

In 2008, a small focus group was conducted by Al Hydeman, MSF's director, research, design and development, with service members who were sport bike riders.

"That focus group was successful in identifying the habits, behaviors and attitudes inherent to this population," said MG Roggero.

The projected team for the new series of focus groups will be led by Hydeman, and will include MSF's Director, Quality Assurance and Research, Dr. Sherry Williams and Quality Assurance Specialist, David Crouch. Building on the results from the 2008 effort, the MSF team will plan, coordinate and conduct the four focus groups in order to identify attitudes toward motorcycling and motorcycling peers, effectiveness of current countermeasures, barriers to change, and other relevant feedback.

"We're honored to be part of the Department of Defense's ongoing efforts to make motorcycle riding safer for military service personnel" said Hydeman. "Conducting focus groups is an effective way to get past the stereotypes and focus on core issues and solutions."

The project's expected outcome is to provide guidance to the DoD in identifying the most effective means of reducing military motorcyclist fatalities and mishaps for all branches of the service - through technology, education, enforcement, and other areas as illuminated by focus group participants.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation promotes rider safety through rider training systems, operator licensing tests and public information programs. The MSF works with the federal government, state agencies, the military, and others to offer training for all skill levels so riders can enjoy a lifetime of safe, responsible motorcycling. Standards established by the MSF have been internationally recognized since 1973.

The MSF is a not-for-profit organization sponsored by BMW, BRP, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM, Piaggio, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory, and Yamaha. For RiderCourseSM locations, call (800) 446-9227 or visit www.msf-usa.org .

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

Virginia Bikers' Rights :: 2010 Legislative Session

Author: hersey
Subject: 2010 Legislative Session
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 4:07 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 2

Has anyone heard of any motorcycle related legislation in VA for 2010?

The only thing I can find motorcycle related is HB 752
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=101&typ=bil&val=HB752+
HB 752 Traffic lights; allows motorcycle, etc., to proceed through intersections showing steady red signal.

Anyone else know of anything else going on?

Take Care - Ride FREE
Hersey
_________________
Hersey Cartwright
Freedom Fighter
http://www.vfr-race.com/
---
Join NOW!
http://www.vfr-race.com/membership.html
---
Help Support FREEDOM
http://www.vfr-race.com/donations.html
----------------
The Virginia Biker Network
http://www.vabiker.net/

New York Freedom Riders :: NY Legislation 1/08/10

Author: karen
Subject: NY Legislation 1/08/10
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:37 am (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -1/08/10

Bill Number A09467 [No same as] -NEW
Assembly sponsor: Lancman
COSPNSR
Amd S301, V & T L

Requires inspections of motorcycles to include a sound level test; motorcycles be in compliance with the sound levels set forth in section 386 of the vehicle and traffic law in order to pass inspection. Assembly status: 01/06/2010 referred to transportation

Wording:
Introduced by M. of A. LANCMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Transportation

AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
inspections of motorcycles to include a sound level test

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1 Section 1. Subdivision (c) of section 301 of the vehicle and traffic
2 law is amended by adding a new paragraph 4 to read as follows:
3 (4) AN INSPECTION SHALL BE MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE SOUND LEVEL OF ALL
4 MOTORCYCLES. SUCH INSPECTION SHALL INCLUDE A TEST OF THE EXHAUST SOUND
5 LEVEL WITH A SOUND LEVEL METER. ALL MOTORCYCLES SHALL HAVE A SOUND LEVEL
6 IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED
7 EIGHTY-SIX OF THIS TITLE IN ORDER TO PASS THE INSPECTION.
8 S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

NOTE:
New York State Legislative Session Calendar JANUARY - JUNE 2010 http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?sh=cal

-----------
New York Freedom Rider website updates:

NEW YORK STATE HIGHWAY SAFETY STRATEGIC PLAN FFY 2010 Motorcycle only enforcement included: http://www.newyorkfreedomriders.com/2010%20NYS%20HSSP%20MC.htm

NEW YORK CITY MOTORCYCLE RELATED BILLS http://www.newyorkfreedomriders.com/2009%20NYC%20MC%20Bills.htm

Motorcycle Related Data and Research Links have been updated.

-----------------------------------------------------------
NEWS
www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-c-2010-01-04-64549.113122_NYC_Bar_Brennan_Center_release_legislative_roadmap.html

NYC Bar, Brennan Center release legislative roadmap
By Gazette staff writers

January 04, 2010
The New York City Bar Association and the Brennan Center for Justice have released a Legislative Roadmap � a chart to help New Yorkers navigate the new process by which a bill moves through the Legislature under new rules passed in July 2009.

If implemented, the reforms would alter the way bills are considered and could eliminate the way house leaders and committee chairs could indefinitely block legislation. The new rules are meant to open up the committee process and empower individual committee members and bill sponsors to move their issues forward.

"Now, senators have fewer excuses for not getting their legislation into the debate. They have multiple opportunities to push their issues forward, which means advocacy groups must work hard to make sure that controversial debates and votes are not avoided," said Loren Gesinsky, chair of the City Bar's State Affairs Committee.

The chart can be viewed at www.nycbar.org/pdf/report/uploads/RulesReformRoadmap.pdf
----------
NEWS FROM JUSTICE RIDERS COMMITTEE: http://justicerider.com/
Boston Noise Ordinance lawsuit:
1/12/10: Court hearing scheduled
Support the Justice Riders Committee
"I Refuse To Allow The Boston City Council To Run My Life" - patches and stickers available. http://justicerider.com/
----------
http://www.massmotorcycle.org/content.aspx?page_id=5&club_id=769540&item_id=11773
Massachusetts Motorcycle Association

The MMA is scheduled to meet with Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Registrar Rachael Kaprielian and Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Jeffrey Mullan on Monday, January 11, 2010 to discuss the misappropriated Motorcycle Safety Fund monies.
----------
http://www.nhmro.org/index.html
New Hampshire Motorcyclists' Rights Organization

The House Transportation Committee has scheduled the hearings for HB 1261 (Noise Emissions) and HB 1162 (Helmet) for January 28, 2010.
----------
http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/calendar/dspSupEvents.cfm?Day=2010-02-03
Myrtle Beach, SC lawsuit update:
STATE SUPREME COURT
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Hearing Time: 10:00 a.m.
Case Title: BOOST, a/k/a Business Owners Organized to Save Tourism, and Bart Viers, Petitioners, v. City of Myrtle Beach, Respondent.

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

New York Freedom Riders :: A09467 - mc noise testing/inspection 2010

Author: karen
Subject: A09467 - mc noise testing/inspection 2010
Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:51 am (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

Assembly Bill: A09467
SAME AS No same as
SPONSOR Lancman
COSPNSR
Amd S301, V & T L

Requires inspections of motorcycles to include a sound level test; motorcycles be in compliance with the sound levels set forth in section 386 of the vehicle and traffic law in order to pass inspection.

Status: 01/06/2010 referred to transportation

Bill Text:
January 6, 2010
___________

Introduced by M. of A. LANCMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Transportation

AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to requiring
inspections of motorcycles to include a sound level test

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1 Section 1. Subdivision (c) of section 301 of the vehicle and traffic
2 law is amended by adding a new paragraph 4 to read as follows:
3 (4) AN INSPECTION SHALL BE MADE WITH RESPECT TO THE SOUND LEVEL OF ALL
4 MOTORCYCLES. SUCH INSPECTION SHALL INCLUDE A TEST OF THE EXHAUST SOUND
5 LEVEL WITH A SOUND LEVEL METER. ALL MOTORCYCLES SHALL HAVE A SOUND LEVEL
6 IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS SET FORTH IN SECTION THREE HUNDRED
7 EIGHTY-SIX OF THIS TITLE IN ORDER TO PASS THE INSPECTION.
8 S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

New York Freedom Riders :: NY Highway Safety Plan 2010 /mc enforcement included

Author: karen
Subject: NY Highway Safety Plan 2010 /mc enforcement included
Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:49 am (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

NEW YORK STATE
HIGHWAY SAFETY STRATEGIC PLAN
FFY 2010

PDF 82 pages: http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/HSSP/2010-HSSP-FINAL.pdf

Motorcycle related ONLY. Tables not included:

Pages 33-38

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
OVERVIEW

Since 1997, the number of registered motorcycles in New York State has more than doubled with registrations reaching nearly 329,000 in 2008. During this same time period, the number of drivers with motorcycle licenses has also been on a consistent upward trend with the number increasing more than 20%. This increase in the popularity of motorcycles, both as a mode of transportation as well as a form of recreation, has been accompanied by an alarming increase in fatal crashes involving motorcycles.

The core component of New York�s program is the Motorcycle Safety Program, in existence since 1996, which provides instruction and field training to improve the riding skills of motorcyclists.

The program is supported through user fees and surcharges on motorcycle registrations and licenses and is administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles at 23 public training sites and nine military and police sites. As an incentive to participate in the training, the motorcycle skills test is waived for those who successfully complete the course. Riders who complete the course are also entitled to reductions in penalty points and insurance costs. The number of students trained each year has steadily increased. By the end of the 2008 riding season, approximately 110,000 motorcyclists had completed the motorcycle safety education course.

New York has been using FFY 2008 and 2009 Section 2010 funds to develop programs that will augment the legislated Motorcycle Safety Program and to conduct conferences, workshops, seminars and other outreach modes that enhance the coordination of programs and training. The activities that offer training opportunities for course providers and instructors will promote the hiring and retention of quality staff. Where possible, New York will attempt to expand the network of providers beyond the legislated Motorcycle Safety Program to reach new geographic areas and supplement the availability of courses in high demand locations.

The use of the Internet and other venues for expanding training opportunities for police officers are also being explored. The NYS Sheriffs� Association and the NYS Association of Chiefs of Police have both expressed interest in developing motorcycle safety and enforcement programs. The GTSC is exploring training avenues for the Sheriff�s Association which has allocated funds toward this end, while the Chiefs of Police plan to develop an educational program for presentation to law enforcement agencies. Both of these projects will be geared toward identifying compliant helmets, encouraging the use of proper safety gear, and promoting general motorcycle awareness.

The NYS Division of State Police has instituted a �Traffic Corner� on their agency intranet that highlights new changes in the traffic laws, announces upcoming traffic-related conferences and seminars, and offers training modules for online learning. A pictorial of common motorcycle violations is being developed for road officers. Once approved, this training module can be made available online or in an electronic format for distribution to other police agencies in the state.

The GTSC will coordinate and administer enforcement and education programs within the law enforcement community that address motorcycle safety. The New York State Police continues to receive funding for motorcycle enforcement details and educational ventures across the state. The Warren County Sheriff�s Department received funding to lease two police motorcycles and six officers have been trained and deployed. Other police agencies have begun to research countermeasures to reduce the rising number of injuries and fatalities within their communities; these include innovative enforcement strategies, establishing motorcycle units, and training officers in applicable traffic law sections regarding motorcycles. These initiatives augment the legislated Motorcycle Safety Program and enhance New York�s efforts to reduce crashes.

In January 2008, at the GTSC�s request, NHTSA provided a team of experts to conduct an assessment of New York�s Motorcycle Safety Program and make recommendations for improvements in a number of areas. The DMV safety programs group which was assigned responsibility for the motorcycle program will be reviewing the strategies recommended by the Motorcycle Safety Program Assessment team. The team�s recommendations include: improved oversight of the rider education program; increasing the number of authorized training sites; expanding safety awareness among motorcycle operators; and establishing local motorcycle safety programs addressing general safety issues, in addition to covering such topics as impaired driving.

In FFY 2009, DMV�s motorcycle safety program implemented virtually all of the administrative recommendations made by the team. Over the past year, the program has worked with communities on the local level establishing motorcycle safety programs in eight counties with an expected 10 additional programs to be added in 2010. DMV has issued 160 motorcycle safety videos to various agencies from local Traffic Safety Boards to motorcycle clubs. DMV has also increased the number of promotional materials highlighting motorcycle safety, and motorist awareness of motorcycles is part of the overall traffic safety message in television commercials recently completed by the department.

The number of fatal crashes involving motorcycles fluctuated over the five-year period, 2004-2008, from a low of 144 in 2004 to a high of 190 in 2006. After dropping to 164 in 2007, the number of motorcycle fatal crashes increased to 184 in 2008.

Although the number of fatal crashes in 2008 (184) was lower than the all-time high of 190 in 2006, motorcycle fatal crashes accounted for 16% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in the state in 2008, the highest proportion to date.

The number of motorcycle crashes involving personal injuries also fluctuated between 2004 and 2007.

In 2007, there were 4,727 injury crashes, an increase of 11% over 2006; in total, nearly 5,000 motorcyclists were injured in crashes in 2007.

Each year from 2004-2007, motorcycle non-fatal injury crashes accounted for 3% of all non- fatal injury crashes that occurred in New York.

Based on FARS data, the number of motorcyclists killed in crashes spiked to 194 in 2006 from 150 in 2004 and 162 in 2005. The decrease in fatalities to 168 in 2007 was followed by another increase to 184 in 2008. The number of motorcyclists injured also fluctuated up and down between 2004 and 2007; in 2007, nearly 5,000 motorcyclists were injured.

In a statewide observational survey of helmet use by motorcyclists conducted in June 2008, only one out of the 2,142 motorcyclists observed was not wearing a helmet, a usage rate of 99.9%.

Helmet use among motorcyclist fatalities is lower; according to FARS data, between 2004 and 2008 the number of unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities nearly doubled (from 20 to 36). Although the numbers are small, these unhelmeted motorcyclists represented 13% to 20% of all motorcyclist fatalities over this time period.

PERFORMANCE GOALS AND MEASURES

Performance Goals
- To decrease motorcyclist fatalities 5 percent from the 2006-2008 calendar base year average of 182 to 173 by December 31, 2010
- To decrease unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities 10 percent from the 2006-2008 calendar base year average of 29 to 26 by December 31, 2010
- To decrease the number of injured motorcyclists 5 percent from the 2005-2007 calendar base year average of 4,771 to 4,530 by December 31, 2010

Performance Measures
- Number of motorcyclist fatalities
- Number of unhelmeted motorcyclist fatalities
- Number of injured motorcyclists

Activity Measures
- Number of motorcycle operators trained and licensed
- Number of new training sites
- Number of statewide motorcycle enforcement initiatives implemented
- Number of motorists educated on motorcycle safety
- Report on unsafe motorcyclist behaviors
- Number of contacts with motorcycle rider education program

STRATEGIES
Educational Programs and Public Awareness

Motorcyclist Intervention and Education
The nature and operation of motorcycles make them more susceptible to crashes than other types of vehicles when the operator uses alcohol. The operator is also more likely to suffer serious injury or death in a crash than are drivers of other types of vehicles. Educational materials that bring this increased risk to the attention of motorcyclists are needed and new channels for their distribution should continue to be developed.

Public Awareness of Motorcycle Safety
Public information and education activities will stress the proper use of approved safety equipment, especially helmets. Efforts to increase awareness and educate the general driving population about motorcycle safety issues will continue. These efforts include New York�s participation in the national initiative recognizing June as �Motorcycle Awareness and You� month, PI&E campaigns, and PSAs and educational materials designed to heighten the awareness of the motoring public regarding the special safety needs of motorcyclists.

Motorcycle Safety Education
New motorcyclists will be encouraged to complete a motorcycle safety education course and to become licensed operators. The Motorcycle Safety Program will continue to foster the statewide availability of rider education programs and to increase the number of sites providing training based on criteria established by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. A portion of the motorcycle license and registration fees is set aside to fund this initiative. The public will be informed of the benefits, availability, and location of motorcycle rider education courses throughout the state. Experienced Rider Course (ERC) programs will continue to be offered as well. Future courses will also be conducted to train new instructors for the Motorcycle Safety Program.

Expand Network of Rider Programs
Where opportunities are presented, New York will attempt to expand the network of providers to reach new geographic areas and supplement the availability in high demand locations.

Partners
The GTSC will work with established partner organizations, such as the DMV, the NYS Traffic Safety Boards Association, and the NYS Chiefs of Police, to promote local rider safety education opportunities within their respective communities.

Program Quality
Maintaining the quality of the instructor cadre in terms of skills, knowledge and motivation is a challenge in every program. To maintain a high quality program, New York will use a variety of outreach modes to improve the availability of training for providers and instructors and to aid in the retention of qualified instructors.

Enforcement
Motorcycle Enforcement Checkpoints
Motorcycle safety checkpoints will be deployed in strategic locations to check for license and registration violations, non-compliant helmets, faulty or illegal equipment and other violations by motorcyclists. Variable message signs and other methods including aerial enforcement may be used to ensure mandatory compliance with the checkpoint. The checkpoints may also be used in conjunction with PI&E and research initiatives.

Officer Training and Local Enforcement
Police officer training on motorcycle enforcement issues and techniques will be conducted. The training will focus on safety violations such as unapproved helmets, equipment violations such as tires and lighting, and altered motorcycles, especially those with loud exhaust systems. Trained officers will be deployed to enforce these laws and issue tickets to violators.

Research and Evaluation
The Motorcycle Safety Program Assessment report included several recommendations for research and evaluation efforts that would assist New York in improving its motorcycle safety program. These research and evaluation initiatives will assist New York in identifying priority issues that should be addressed, assessing the effectiveness of the education and enforcement efforts undertaken, and defining future program direction and potential countermeasures.

Evaluation of Motorcycle Safety Program Initiatives
Because of the increase in motorcycle crashes and fatalities, motorcycle safety is a top priority of New York�s highway safety program. In addition to the state�s current efforts, the Assessment Team�s report included many recommendations for improving New York�s program. As New York expands its efforts to address this issue through enforcement, public awareness and rider education programs, studies to evaluate the effectiveness of the initiatives may be undertaken.

Scope and Nature of Motorcycle Safety Issues
The development of an effective program to address motorcycle safety issues requires a clear understanding of the scope of the problem, the nature of the crashes that occur and the characteristics of the motorcycle operators and passengers involved in those crashes. Additional research is needed to examine issues related to motorcycle safety through analyses of DMV�s crash, license, vehicle registration and ticket files. Specific topics requiring more in-depth research include the extent to which motorcycle operators are arrested for impaired driving offenses, the specific makes and models of motorcycles involved in crashes and licensing issues related to motorcycle operators.

*********************************************
Visit our website for the full list of New York Legislation

www.newyorkfreedomriders.com
New York Freedom Riders
Riders Against Constitutional Erosion
"Freedom Is NOT A Spectator Sport"

Events :: Lobby Day 2010

Author: Boil
Subject: Lobby Day 2010
Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2009 3:31 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

Come join us for a 2 days of education, camaraderie and freedom of speech for the 2010 Virginia Motorcycle Lobby Day! January 17th we will meet at noon to go over the current legislation in Virginia�s General Assembly that will have an effect on Motorcyclists in the Commonwealth. After an afternoon of work we will spend the evening dining on some of the best BBQ to be had in Virginia, and chase it with the beverage of your choice.
Monday we roll out at 8:00 am for the Capitol where we meet with our elected representatives to share our opinions on the proposed legislation. This is followed up by a free lunch provided by Tom McGrath�s Motorcycle Law Group.

January 17th & 18th 2010
Host Hotel
Holiday Inn Airport
445 International Center Dr.
Sandston, VA 23150
Ph. (804)236-1111, Ask for the VCOM rate

For further information contact ; Jim Cannon

(804)353-3971, Jim@vcomonline.org, or visit the website vcomonline.org
_________________
Jim Cannon, Director
Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists

General Chat :: Like to tell every one

Author: charlotte
Subject: Like to tell every one
Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 8:49 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 2

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Events :: OCTOBER 10, 2009, BIKE & CAR SHOW

Author: Sharon
Subject: OCTOBER 10, 2009, BIKE & CAR SHOW
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:44 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

OCTOBER 10, 2009
Sponsored by the Iron Horse Calvary Chapter at

Big Lick's Tropical Grill
4001 Murray Pl., Lynchburg, VA, 24501 (just off 29 N)
(434) 528-3604
1:00 to 4:00 p.m. $10.00 entry fee
1st and 2nd Place for best paint, best of show - bike and car
Proceeds to help kids for Christmas
Donation box accepting new unwrapped toys
Door Prizes!! 50/50!!
Come out and have some fun! Help the children and enjoy fine dining
_________________
Sharon Keaton
VA Freedom Riders
ABATE of VA

ABATE of VA :: 1ST CAPITOL CHAPTER 18TH ANNUAL VETS RUN

Author: Sharon
Subject: 1ST CAPITOL CHAPTER 18TH ANNUAL VETS RUN
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:43 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

The 1st Capitol Chapter ABATE of Virginia is proudly hosting the 18th annual VETS RUN - police escorted motorcade
JOIN WITH US AS WE HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH FOR US
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
Starting at the Newport News YMCA parking lot, 7827 Warwick Blvd
to the Hamton's Veterans Hospital
Registration begins at 10:30, ride to leave at 1:00 p.m. sharp

We are proud to say that we will be accompanied by such groups as recognized MC's, Lo-Rider, Hot Rod, and Antique Car Clubs, as well as a myriad of motorcycles, cars, trucks, SUVs, everyone welcome.

$10.00 donation - all proceeds go into a Special Personal Needs Funds at the hospital
FOOD & LIVE MUSIC!!
This is an AMA sanctioned event
Call Gene at 757-903-6541 for more info
_________________
_________________
Sharon Keaton
VA Freedom Riders
ABATE of VA

Events :: VETS RUN NOVEMBER 8, 2009

Author: Sharon
Subject: VETS RUN NOVEMBER 8, 2009
Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:41 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 0

The 1st Capitol Chapter ABATE of Virginia is proudly hosting the 18th annual VETS RUN - police escorted motorcade
JOIN WITH US AS WE HONOR THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH FOR US
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
Starting at the Newport News YMCA parking lot, 7827 Warwick Blvd
to the Hamton's Veterans Hospital
Registration begins at 10:30, ride to leave at 1:00 p.m. sharp

We are proud to say that we will be accompanied by such groups as recognized MC's, Lo-Rider, Hot Rod, and Antique Car Clubs, as well as a myriad of motorcycles, cars, trucks, SUVs, everyone welcome.

$10.00 donation - all proceeds go into a Special Personal Needs Funds at the hospital
FOOD & LIVE MUSIC!!
This is an AMA sanctioned event
Call Gene at 757-903-6541 for more info
_________________
Sharon Keaton
VA Freedom Riders
ABATE of VA