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National Coalition of Motorcyclists annual Region 1 Meeting and Seminar is scheduled for Saturday October 25th, 2008 in Sacramento, CA.

NCOM Region 1 Meeting and Seminar flier

Members Belva Ray and Chad Oakes setup and manned the River City Chapter Information Booth this year at the 2008 Rathdrum Days. Available was variety of information of interest to motorcyclists and the general public alike. In addition to information about the River City ABATE chapter there was information from the American Motorcyclists Association (AMA), National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) and BikePAC of Idaho (BPI) available as well.

Also available were tickets for the annual River City Rogues Charity Raffle benefiting the Post Falls Police OASIS Program. As in years past a basket of gift items will be raffled off with the drawing being held at the chapters December membership meeting. Tickets are $1 each. Tickets are also available at other chapter functions or by calling Belva or Karen.

A BIG thank you to Chad and Belva for volunteering to spend so much time and effort to represent our chapter and this years Rathdrum Days. Your effort and dedication is most appreciated!

Click on thumbnails above for larger image.

Invitation to Les Burton's 58th B-day Party!

click on flier above for larger image

A break in the action at the Awareness Run booth mid-day shift. Pictured L to R: Willie, Karen and Belva, Photo by Greg R.

River City Chapters Awareness Run ‘08 …. Another Great Day Upholding the Tradition

The weather for our annual Awareness Run/windshield wash and free coffee day could have been a little warmer, but we still got our message of motorcycle awareness out to a lot of travelers.

Quite a few took Share The Road stickers for their vehicles. One guy slapped his on the back of his van right there.

As always, we heard some great stories. One gentleman said he had to drink his coffee with us ‘cuz he had made the mistake of spilling his coffee in his wife’s car ONCE and he still “sleeps with the puppies”.

We met people as far away from Tennessee, Georgia and Canada. One couple had known each other as teens in the 1950’s and recently found each other and are now newlyweds. Both had ridden motorcycles in their younger days.

Lots of travelers, truckers and stories shared. Lots of coffee and donuts.

Thank you Belva, for the pizza! Thanks to Tom for the fancy donuts and to Dick for stopping by.

Big thank you to all the Rogues who came out to continue a tradition that began back in 1990 and helped make this important day a success

KAREN

AMA concerned about new threat to motorcycle safety training funds

U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters is urging Congress to allow states to divert federal money now used for motorcycle training and awareness to instead promote the use of motorcycle helmets, the American Motorcyclist Association reports.

Peters sent letters to House and Senate leaders this week asking for the change.

Ed Moreland, AMA Vice President for Government Relations, expressed concern that diverting federal motorcycle safety funds to promote helmet use could harm rider training courses and motorcycle awareness programs that are already underfunded in many states.

"Helmet use is certainly one part of a comprehensive approach to motorcycle safety," said Moreland. "But this step is a direct raid on funds that were appropriated by Congress to address the specific safety concerns of the motorcyclists' rights community. Furthermore, the use of motorcycle helmets is already advocated in existing motorcycle safety initiatives.

"Funding for rider-training courses is frequently under threat in cash-strapped states, and cutting the same-size pie into thinner slices is not the comprehensive, thoughtful, national motorcycle safety strategy we need."

Moreland also expressed concern that Peters' proposal could contradict sections of transportation bills passed in 1998 and 2005 that ban the use of federal motorcycle safety funds to lobby state legislatures in favor of mandatory helmet laws and could effectively reverse those bans.

The AMA strongly advocates the voluntary use of helmets by adults, along with other appropriate safety gear, and does not oppose laws requiring helmet use by minors. But the Association believes adults should be allowed to make their own decisions about when to wear a helmet.

© 2008, American Motorcyclist Association

AMA website link to this article click HERE.

Thanks for your support!

To all those who chose to purchase tickets for our River City Chapter Charity Raffle this year we wish to extend our thanks and appreciation! A special thank you to those that simply made a donation to our chapter charity, as well. Your support was awesome.

Along with Santa and because of your generosity on December 13th River City Chapter was able to donate over $365 to CJ and Bridget of the Post Falls Police OASIS Program this year. This years donation, thanks to you, exceeded our donation last year! (left photo below)

We just learned and are excited to report that the OASIS Program may also be eligible to apply for a grant from a local bank. Our hope is that they will qualify for this grant enabling them to help even more folks in our growing community. (right photo below)

click photos for larger image

If you would like to learn more about the OASIS Program click HERE.

Congratulations to the winners in the River City Chapter Charity Raffle. The winning names drawn are as follows:

1st Prize: Greg R.

2nd Prize: Tim H.

3rd Prize: Chad O.

Thanks for your participation and support!

BikePAC of Idaho to Co-Host the National Coalition of Motorcyclists Region 1 Meeting & Seminar Sept. 29, 2007.

This is a personal invitation to all to attend the very first NCOM Region 1 Meeting/Seminar that is being hosted in part by BikePAC of Idaho, Inc. and the first for Spokane. If you have never been to an NCOM Regional meeting, this one day event will provide you with new insights and our own Representative Phil Hart of Athol is scheduled to be one of the guest speakers.

Tim TJ Herzog, NCOM LTF Member

NCOM 2007 Region 1 Meeting & Seminar flier.pdf

Chapter Mans Information Booth at Rathdrum Days Celebration

click photos for larger image

River City Chapter members spent July 20 - 22 setting up and manning an information booth at the 2007 Rathdrum Days celebration. Information was provided to those interested from several motorcycle rights organizations including the American Motorcyclists Association, National Coalition of Motorcyclists, BikePAC of Idaho and of course River City Chapter. River City Chapter raffle tickets were also available for $1. Proceeds from this raffle will go to one of our chapter charities, the OASIS Program. The drawing for the raffle prizes will take place at our December chapter meeting.

We certainly wish to thank those chapter members for chipping in and lending a hand or stopping by at this event... your assistance and support is greatly appreciated! A special thanks to Chad, Belva, Karen, Tim, Tom and Greg.

Fuel the Fund: Join the AMA in raising matching funds for a motorcycle crash study.

Would you give up the cost of one tank of gas for your bike to help make motorcycling safer for all of us? For years to come?

The AMA is asking you to do just that. And the Association is doing its part, too — $100,000 worth.

The federal government has pledged up to $2.8 million to fund a comprehensive study of motorcycle crashes, something that hasn't been done in 25 years. But the funding calls for a 50 percent match from us. That means we need to raise $2.8 million of our own to take full advantage of the federal funding.

The AMA believes so strongly in this effort that we’ve committed $100,000 immediately to the project. We’re asking companies in the industry to pledge money as well, and it looks like they're coming through.

But we'd also like individual motorcyclists like you to get involved. Donate online or send your donation by mail to Fuel the Fund, c/o AMA, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147.

One tank of gas is all we're asking. Help the AMA fuel the fund.

River City Chapter voted at our June meeting to make a donation to the AMA’s Fuel the Fund campaign. A check for $50 will be sent on behalf of our chapter to this very important and worthwhile effort.

Our Chapter would also like to challenge other groups and individual riders to make a donation as well. Donations can be made online at the AMA web site. Go to: http://www.amadirectlink.com/study/ and click on fuel the fund at the bottom of the web page.

NEW River City Chapter Meeting Location!

River City Chapter meetings will be held at the Post Falls Pizza Factory at Mullan & Hwy 41 (3904 East Mullan... just east of Wal-Mart) beginning March 8th!

click HERE for a printable flier.

Hold the Phone, Folks!

River City Chapter is collecting any and all used cell phones working or not for the Post Falls Police O.A.S.I.S. Program. They will be refurbished and put to good use. If you have a phone that you wish to donate bring it to a River City Chapter meeting or function or call RC to make arrangements to drop it off or have it picked up. RC can be reached at: 777-1961

For more information about the O.A.S.I.S. Program:

Call CJ or Bridget at 773-1080 or email cjones@postfallspolice.com

River City Rogues Patches: Chad has been working on our River City Chapter patches for months now, has done an awesome job and will be ordering them soon. Chapter members wishing to purchase one of these patches should contact Chad at 661-8578 to let him know you want one.

We want to order enough initially to ensure that all members who want patches will be able to purchase them so it is important that we know you want one. The price should be around $7 to $8 dollars each.

RIVER CITY CHAPTER RAFFLE IS HUGE SUCCESS!

Santa Claus drew the winning names at our December meeting for our 4 great raffle prizes .

Tom from Spokane won the gift certificate to Applebee’s. Greg from Athol won the gift certificate to Red Lobster.

Nathan from Spokane won the “Eagle Taking Flight” painting and the Grand Prize Harley Gift Basket went to none other than Paul Riess from Coeur d’Alene. As Paul is vacationing in the Bahamas, his wife was happy to accept the prize for him.

We won’t publish what the final donation tally was, but we did good!

Also at our meeting we were able to present a check for $326.00 from our Holiday Fund to the OASIS program of Post Falls.

Besides running a women’s and children’s shelter and collecting used cell phones for emergency use, Oasis is on call through the police department 24 –7 for help with domestic violence situations in the Post Falls area. River City Chapter has voted to continue to support this program throughout 2007.

River City Chapter Legislative Chairman Named to Legislative Task Force

I would like to announce that Tim Herzog, Board member of BikePAC of Idaho, was appointed to the membership of the NCOM Legislative Task Force, joining many distinguished Legislators and Freedom Fighters from around the United States, in it’s goal to pursue the Pursuit of Liberty for all motorcyclists.

Butch Harbaugh

NCOM LTF Chairman

Hi All...It's Official

This notice is to those that might not have heard yet about this "NEW" Motorcyclists Rights Organization. It was recently formed to address legislative concerns and to promote motorcycle awareness and educational programs statewide.

BikePAC of Idaho is not about parties, runs and the normal social climate associated with other Bikers Rights Organizations. Our Mission Statement indicates that we are serious and focused on legislative issues, political involvement and all aspects of motorcycle awareness, safety and education.

BikePAC of Idaho has been established as a statewide organization and we are seeking Area Representatives all across Idaho to promote the goals of BPI.

We already have a very seasoned individual, Butch Harbaugh, as an executive board member in the Idaho Falls area. Butch has been involved in bikers rights for over 25 years and was active both in ABATE of Oregon as Co-Coordinator and as a lobbyist for them. He was instrumental in the start up of BikePAC of Oregon and later was invited to join NCOM's, National Coalition of Motorcyclists, as a Legislative Task Force member and is currently the Chairman of the LTF. We are both honored and pleased to have him aboard this new organization.

I also now officially serve on NCOM's Legislative Task Force, being recently voted in by the Board of Directors of NCOM. Idaho and BikePAC of Idaho now has two dedicated freedom fighters on NCOM's Legislative Task Force, and will work not only on issues related only to Idaho's motorcyclists but also on Federal issues that affect us.

BikePAC of Idaho will be hosting NCOM's Region 1 Conference next October, 2007 in this area. The location yet has to be determined but most likely will be held at a hotel/conference center near the Spokane International Airport. This one day conference is free and we encourage everyone that has an interest in motorcyclist rights to be in attendance. Once all plans are made, we will be promoting this important conference.

BikePAC of Idaho, Inc. welcomes and invites your support, membership and involvement. Please look over our very informative website, thanks Willie, and watch for much more to be posted in the future. www.bikepacofidaho.org

Tim TJ Herzog

BikePAC of Idaho, Inc.

tim@bikepacofidaho.org

ACTION ALERT - WRITE NOW - SENATE INTRODUCES HEALTH INSURANCE BILL FOR MOTORCYCLISTS! TELL YOUR SENATORS YOU WANT THEIR SUPPORT ON THIS ISSUE!

U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) recently introduced S. 577, "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act.” Last Congress, the full Senate unanimously passed similar legislation. S. 577 aims at ending health care discrimination for individuals participating in legal transportation and recreational activities-activities like motorcycling, snowmobiling, horseback riding, skiing and all-terrain vehicle riding. This legislation addresses a loophole caused by a Department of Health and Human Services' rule making it possible for health care benefits to be denied to those who are injured while participating in these activities. “What many people don't know until it's too late, is that currently health insurance providers are legally permitted to deny benefits for injuries sustained while participating in certain recreational or transportation activities such as motorcycling, snowmobiling, skiing, and horseback riding,” said Collins. “This policy is unfair, and I am working with my colleagues to change it.” Collins was joined by Senator Feingold (D-WI) in introducing the Senate legislation. "From riding Harley Davidson motorcycles to visiting the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, these activities are part of Wisconsin's heritage and economy," Feingold said. "It simply doesn't make sense to exclude those participating in these activities from health care benefits." On August 21, 1996 an important opportunity arose when President Clinton signed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), prohibiting employers from denying health care coverage based on a worker’s pre-existing medical conditions or participation in legal activities. In 2001, the Health Care Finance Administration released the final rules that would govern the law. The rules recognize that employers cannot refuse health care coverage to an employee on the basis of their participation in a recognized recreational activity. However, the benefits can be denied for injuries sustained in connection with those activities. Essentially, the regulation grants equal status to motorcyclists without any substantive benefits. "Because of this loophole, someone who participates in motorcycling or snowmobiling could be denied health care coverage, while someone who is injured while drinking and driving a car would be protected," Senator Feingold said. "It is time that Congress corrected this so that those who are abiding by the law are not discriminated against." The AMA is urging all motorcyclists to notify their Senators and tell them to co-sponsor and support S.577, "The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act."

For more information go to: http://www.amadirectlink.com/

   The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is hosting a Washington, DC Ride Into Political Action seminar for motorcyclists who want to learn how to influence governmental decisions, whether in Congress or in their local communities.
    The seminar, to be held February 24-27, 2007 at the Phoenix Park Hotel in Washington, DC, allows participants to meet and learn from the AMA's Washington staff as well as other political experts. Besides learning about state and federal issues facing motorcyclists today, participants will get tips on building relationships with government agency officials and on lobbying elected officials. The instructors will also prepare participants to meet face-to-face with members of their own congressional delegations.
    A registration form is available in the American Motorcyclist magazine or by contacting Sharon Smolinka at the address below. Mail the completed form to AMA, 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington, OH 43147. For more information, contact Sharon Smolinka at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1252 or by e-mail at ssmolinka@ama-cycle.org.

Attention All Motorcyclists:

The American Motorcyclist Association is asking all of us--AMA members or otherwise--to complete and mail the survey found on pages 25-26 of the August 2006 issue of American Motorcyclist magazine, also downloadable from

here:

http://ldrlongdistancerider.com/AMA_Survey_200608.pdf

The survey header reads as follows:

"Every two years, the AMA's Government Relations Department surveys the Association's members to assist in establishing government relations policies and priorities. Last month, we surveyed members on off-highway issues. This month, we're asking road riders to share their views about highway issues. Knowing how you ride and what you consider important in motorcycling enables us to do a better job of setting AMA government relations priorities. We hope you'll take a few minutes to complete and return this survey by August 31..."

AND I HOPE YOU WILL, TOO!

This survey could not have come out at a better time. Because like it or not, state helmet law issues are rapidly being absorbed into a national helmet law war. The American Automobile Association is spearheading the attack for the cagers, and the only entity on our side that might possibly be able to counter their moves is the AMA.

So please, do take a few moments to download, print, complete and mail this survey to the AMA. Pay close attention to your responses on questions 15 through 21, and send them a clear message that it is time for AMA to start aggressively defending our rights against the AAA and other well-heeled national lobbies who are taking them away.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL AND DISTRIBUTE THE AMA SURVEY FORM TO AS MANY BIKERS AS YOU CAN.

Ride Long, Ride Free!

Bruce ;-)

Bruce@LdrLongDistanceRider.com http://pub42.bravenet.com/forum/3562429698/fetch/717629/

Cycles can run lights, if need be
Posted: Tuesday, Jun 06, 2006 - 11:43:31 pm PDT
By CHRISTI WILHELM
Staff writer

Motorcyclists, under new law, can go ahead and go if light just won't change

COEUR d'ALENE -- Tim Herzog said he's sat through many red lights on his motorcycle, until finally looking both ways and just "going."

"It's something we've (motorcyclists) been doing all these years," the Post Falls resident said.

A new law that takes effect July 1 will let them do it legally.

According to Senate Bill 1367 sponsored by Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden, motorcyclists can proceed through a red light if the signal doesn't change to green after one complete cycle.

Motorcyclists have been plagued for years with traffic signals that don't recognize a motorcycle at traffic stops because of their size, said Herzog, ABATE state deputy coordinator and state legislative chairman.

ABATE, American Bikers Aiming Toward Education, is a motorcycle rights organization. It has six chapters statewide.

Herzog added that the problem exists primarily in low traffic situations when there isn't another vehicle to trigger electro magnetic sensors, which are located underground at most intersections.

Tim Turrell, Idaho Transportation Department traffic engineer, said there are plans to switch underground sensors to cameras at all intersections.

U.S. 95 and Honeysuckle Avenue are the only two roads in the area that have video detection, not underground sensors.

He also said the six- by six-foot underground loops sense mass and if motorcycles have a lot of plastic parts, they sometimes won't be detected in the first cycle.

"Sometimes people perceive that it (the sensor) didn't trip ... when it did, and drive through too soon," he said.

Though sensors can be adjusted, they can be made too sensitive, which will cause the sensors to trip when vehicles aren't present, he added.

Turrell also said that if motorcycles will line up in the center of the lane, detection is very accurate.

Herzog hopes to start a motorcycle awareness class in conjunction with Post Falls driver education courses. He said he met with ITD about 13 years ago concerning underground sensors. When nothing at the time could be done, some cyclists bought magnets to trip sensors.

Whether they work has not been determined.

Jorgenson said the bill will add to safety.

Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, disagrees.

Though not anti-motorcycle, Keough believes a better way is to fix the lights, not to give one group of drivers special privileges when all drivers -- no matter the vehicle type -- can turn right on red unless otherwise posted.

The only drawback would be a "little time inconvenience" and a few-block detour, she said.

"I envision difficulties for law enforcement," she said. "Drivers can say the light didn't change and 'I'm allowed to go through it.'"

Rick Ohnsman, ISP agency information officer, said the new law will be as safe as the rider makes it.

"If they think it gives them carte blanche (to not stop at lights), then it could be a problem," he said. "Once you pull away from that stop light, you now have put yourself at the mercy of that other driver.

"You better be right."

Idaho is one of five states in the country that has passed the law. The others are Minnesota, Tennessee, Arkansas and Wisconsin.

Ohnsman said increasing gas prices could mean more motorcycle, scooter and two-wheel traffic and a possible increase in accidents.

While Herzog knows of no accident increase, he does acknowledge that more first-time riders -- older adults and younger kids -- are now buying and riding cycles, which can be used about six months a year.

According the ITD, motorcycle registration increased 12.1 percent from 2003 to 2004.

Ohnsman said that in 2004, there were 508 collisions involving motorcycles statewide. Of those, 24 were fatalities, 145 were serious, 216 drivers had visible injuries and 110 had possible injuries.

Of the 24 fatalities, 65 percent were 35 years and older.

In the 508 collisions, 42.6 percent were wearing helmets.

Idaho's helmet law requires persons under to 18 to wear them. For drivers over that age, wearing a helmet is optional.

"I hope they (motorcycle drivers) use better judgment with stop lights than they're using with helmets," Ohnsman said.

From CDA Press June 6, 2006

Click HERE to read a reply to the above CDA Press article.

New Stoplight Law Printable Flyer (.pdf)

*******

Information Requested regarding Motorcycle Health Insurance Discrimination

Dear AMA Member –

Let me begin by saying “thank you” for your previous support of the American Motorcyclist Association’s government relations efforts. With your help we have secured many successes on behalf of American motorcyclists over the last few years.

I am writing you today seeking information that will help us in our political efforts. As you may know, we are currently supporting legislation in the U.S. Congress that will end health-insurance discrimination against motorcyclists once-and-for-all. I hope that you will be able to relay to me your story if you, or someone you know, was denied health-care payments due to a motorcycle-related injury. I am particularly interested in cases that fall outside the employer-provided health care plans, meaning those cases affecting the self-insured.

Currently, U.S. law states that while an employer cannot exclude you from health-care coverage, they can deny you medical reimbursement payments due to the fact that the injury happened on a motorcycle. The purpose of the legislation we support is to end this discrimination and allow riders to get the medical payments necessary to them under their given medical plans.

Thanks so much for your help, and please let me know if you have a story to tell. Any information you relay to me will be kept in confidence and not used for dissemination purposes.

Best Regards,
Pete

Peter G. Nonis, Senior Legislative Assistant
AmericanMotorcyclistAssociation
rights. riding. racing.
101 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Suite 800 West
Washington, DC 20001
202.742.4303
202.742.4304 (f)
pnonis@ama-cycle.org

from CDA Press May 10. 2006

Idaho’s First Veterans Motorcycle Plate Presented

Kent Bailey, Candidate for Idaho Senate District 3, will be presenting the first Motorcycle Veterans license plate #0001 at a ceremony at 1PM April 8^th, 2006. “The plate will be presented to a veteran who brought this all together”, said Bailey in an e-mail message, “However, I will be presenting the plate to his wife because he is still serving in Iraq.”

A special invitation is going out to motorcycle veterans to attend. “I would really like to fill the parking lot with bikes... “said Bailey. The ceremony will be held at the Hayden City Park.

Click on plate to view enlarged image.

Other News & Information Links

	*BikerBits*
	*Idaho Biker Information Guide*
	*American Motorcycle Network*
	*webBikeWorld*
	*Topix.net*
	*Motorcycle Consumer News*

News links, stories and articles placed here do not necessarily represent the views or policies of River City Chapter, ABATE of North Idaho, Inc. and it's membership. They are, however, placed here as part of an ongoing effort to keep our members and visitors informed. Questions or comments regarding this web site can be sent to: webmaster@rivercityabate.org

--webmaster