National Coalition
of Motorcyclists
NCOM CONVENTION RAISES THE BAR
“Large & In Charge” was the theme of the 23rd annual NCOM
Convention in Houston, Texas, and in living up to the hype it drew
1,640 attendees from across the country making it the largest
gathering of bikers’ rights activists in the world! Held Mother’s
Day weekend, May 8-11, 2008, this annual gathering featured
meetings, seminars and group discussions focusing on safety
issues, legal rights, legislative efforts and litigation
techniques to benefit our right to ride and Freedom of the Road.
Following the AIM Chief of Staffs meetings on Wednesday and an
NCOM Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, the Convention kicked
off Friday morning with the NCOM Legislative Task Force meeting
and the AIM Attorney Conference. Afternoon seminars included
“Lobbying 101” and “New and Successful Programs in Bikerland”.
Special Meetings were convened for "SMRO Presidents," "Christian
Unity Conference," "Women in Motorcycling," "Black Clubs and
Minority Outreach," and "Clean and Sober Roundtable."
The Confederation of Clubs General Patch Holder Meeting on
Friday evening was the best attended to date, and featured
representatives of over 50 COC’s from throughout North America.
This year's agenda was packed with interesting and
thought-provoking sessions, including “Global Changes in the Laws
Affecting Motorcyclists”, “Brothers Behind Bars”, “Defenders - A
New Political Action Group”, a meeting of the American Biker Party
and Slider Gilmore's always informative and entertaining “The
Golden Hour” seminar teaching bikers how to save each others'
lives.
Topping off the weekend's festivities was the traditional
Silver Spoke Awards Banquet, recognizing the achievements and
accomplishments of our fellow riders. South Dakota State Senator
Jim "Putt" Putnam entertained the crowd as the dinner speaker
during the Silver Spoke Awards ceremony on Saturday evening with
his homespun humor. This year's Silver Spokes were awarded to:
GOVERNMENT: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery;
MEDIA: Bill & Darlene Bish, publishers of Ridin’ On Motorcycle
Magazine;
LEGAL: Texas A.I.M. Attorney William Smith; ENTERTAINMENT:
Musician Jimmy Vaughn, who ignited the crowd with his new song
about Freedom; SPECIAL
RECOGNITION: Laura Reid, NCOM Board Secretary; and the RON
ROLOFF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD was presented to longtime
freedom fighter Dave Breakiron of ABATE of Delaware.
Many thanks to ABATE of Texas, the Texas Motorcycle Rights
Association
(TMRA-II) and the Texas Confederations of Clubs for hosting
this record-setting event. Thanks also go out to the Texas
Confederations of Clubs and Soldiers for Jesus M/C for hosting
Hospitality Suites during non-meeting times throughout the
weekend.
The 2008 NCOM Convention was dedicated to the memory of Waldo
Stuart, Longview Tom and Michael “Twanger” Hays.
Make plans now to attend next year's 24th Annual NCOM
Convention next Mother’s Day weekend, May 7-10, 2009, in Reno,
Nevada. For further information, contact NCOM at (800) 525-5355.
STUDY CLAIMS HELMET LAWS MAY SAVE LIVES, BUT NOT VERY MANY
A new study reported in the American Journal of Public Health
finds that the repeal of motorcycle helmet requirements for adults
has been associated with an increase in motorcycle fatalities,
beyond the general increase that has been seen throughout the
country in the last decade or so, although the impact they found
looks pretty modest:
On average, when compared to state experience with no helmet
mandate, universal helmet laws were associated with an 11.1%
reduction in motorcyclist fatality rates, whereas rates in states
with partial coverage statutes (applying only to riders younger
than 21) were not statistically different from those with no
helmet law. Furthermore, in the states in which recent repeals of
universal coverage have been instituted, the motorcyclist fatality
rate increased by an average of 12.2% over what would have been
projected had universal coverage been maintained.
In terms of fatalities prevented each year, the effect
estimated by this study is not very impressive. In 2004, for
example, "an estimated 135 (or
5.8%) fewer fatalities would have occurred" in the 31 states
without universal helmet laws had those states forced adult
motorcyclists to wear head protection. That's just a handful of
fatalities per state each year.
“Even the undramatic results of this study may over-estimate
the impact of helmet laws,” wrote Jacob Sullum in the April 1,
2008 online edition of “reason” magazine, citing in particular
that researchers did not take into consideration miles traveled.
Some anti-helmet-law activists argue that helmets, on balance,
decrease motorcycle safety by making riders more reckless, making
their heads heavier, or impairing their hearing and peripheral
vision. According to this study, helmet laws reduce fatalities to
some extent, but as Sullum points out; “It just does not seem to
be a very big effect, which is one reason opponents of these laws
have been so successful at rolling them back and preventing
legislators from re-imposing them.”
WORLD’S FIRST VISION ZERO MOTORCYCLE ROAD OPENS IN EUROPE
“A milestone for motorcycle safety,” said FEMA President Hans
Petter Strifeldt as he officially opened the World’s First Vision
Zero Road for motorcycles along RV 32 in Norway on May 7, 2008.
The motorcycle community has long expressed concerns over
“Vision Zero”, the strategy in which road authorities have
envisioned how to achieve zero deaths and zero serious injuries on
the roads. These concerns are due to the vision depending
primarily on bans and regulations instead of adaptation of the
road environment to suit all road users - motorcyclists included.
Viewed by European government officials as high-risk road
users, motorcycles have been all but excluded from the Vision Zero
document. The Vision Zero document has first and foremost given
anti-motorcycle campaigners an opening to propose a ban on
motorcycles as these, they claim, are not compatible with a Vision
Zero. But today, with the opening of this motorcycle friendly
road, these claims have been effectively quashed, stated the
President of the Federation of European Motorcycle Associations (FEMA).
The Vision Zero Motorcycle Road is the brainchild of two
passionate engineers at the regional Road Authorities, Jan Petter
Lyng and Bjørn R. Kirste, who have successfully designed the road
exactly as the motorcyclists themselves recommend. It is not much
that is needed to make a motorcycle-friendly road with regard to
preventing injuries in case of
accidents: Crash barriers fitted with a sub-rail, forgiving
side terrain, well thought out placing of signposts, cutting down
sight-hindering vegetation - all in all small modifications and
investments that are beneficial for all road users, including
bicycles and cars. The price tag for modifying these 15 kilometres
of road is estimated to 630,000 euros.
“The importance of this stretch of road in the middle of Norway
cannot be overrated,” said FEMA in announcing the opening. “It is
the first Vision Zero Motorcycle road, not only in Norway, not
only in Europe, but in the world.” As the representative for
Europe’s road riding motorcyclists, FEMA will do what it can to
promote this road to other nation’s road authorities as an example
of what is possible to achieve with relatively small means, FEMA
President Hans Petter Strifeldt concluded.
CAR AIRBAGS CAN PROTECT MOTORCYCLISTS
Ask any motorcyclist what the most dangerous part of riding is
and most of them will tell you; "People in cars that aren't paying
attention." Not too long ago, an airbag suit was developed in an
effort to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries to
motorcycle riders. Now, Autoliv Inc., out of Sweden has developed
a new airbag system for automobiles that could impact fatality
numbers by reducing the impact on riders.
The system uses an airbag mounted in the A-Pillar of the car.
When a front end impact is detected, the airbag will inflate,
covering most of the car’s hood and some of the windshield.
Studies show that many injuries and fatalities could be avoided if
this simple measure was taken. In fact, the Dutch Cycling
Federation estimates that over 60 lives could be saved and over
1500 serious injuries could be avoided every year by using these
airbags.
The system won't only serve motorcycle riders however, it will
cover pedal bikes and pedestrians as well. Obviously these
accidents will be at a much lower speed, but the impact on the
hood will still be reduced by a significant amount.
No official word on where or when the system will be installed,
but with so much potential, it shouldn't take long.
ROW LEGISLATION PASSED IN MARYLAND
Leather jackets mingled with pin-striped suits as motorcyclists
arrived at the State House to see their driving-safety bill signed
into law by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley.
“The bill will impose a six-month suspension, a $1,000 fine or
both on drivers who injure or kill somebody by violating road
right-of-way laws,” reported the Washington Post.
Members of ABATE of Maryland have fought for the past five
years to pass the legislation, but the fight became personal in
2006 after the driver of a sport utility vehicle was involved in
an accident that killed their state director, Marty Schultz.
"As things would have it, we proceeded on with the bill," said
Gary R. "Pappy" Boward, chairman of ABATE of Maryland Inc.
"Everyone was getting very involved legislatively, this was [Mr.
Schultz's] assignment."
“Pappy” told the Post that many bikers were disappointed when
the person who struck Mr. Schultz received a minimal fine - less
than $100 - and no other penalty.
The right-of-way bill passed the House and Senate unanimously
this year, and had the support of Maryland’s Motor Vehicle
Administration. The bill applies to all vehicles, but the
motorcyclists advocated for it because bikes are tough to see at
intersections.
The MVA reported 17,312 "failure-to-yield" accidents in 2006,
resulting in 81 deaths and 8,015 injuries.
BIKERS BANNED FROM ATLANTA HOT SPOT
Metro Atlanta motorcyclists have been banned from Atlantic
Station, a popular dining and retail district that no longer
allows riders to drive through or park there.
Atlantic Station officials say they took action after facing
ongoing problems. "They continually don't abide by the code of
conduct down here, continually rev their engines really loud,"
said Brian Leary of Atlantic Station in a television interview
with Fox 5.
Atlantic Station started telling motorcyclists about the change
last month and will soon post signs and start ticketing violators.
"I know it's tough. We do definitely apologize to the motorcycle
owners and riders but in the meantime we are making the change,"
said Leary.
AUSTRALIA TO OUTLAW “BIKIES”
Police soon will have the power to "squash" bikie gangs and
force them to move elsewhere after the Government's controversial
anti-bikie legislation recently passed through Parliament.
Police Minister Paul Holloway said SA (South Australia) was on
the verge of having the nation's and perhaps the world's toughest
anti-bikie laws. "These are the laws that police have asked for
and, finally, we are able to ensure police have exactly what they
need to take on these criminal bikie gangs," he said.
When the laws are gazetted, it will be illegal for anyone to
associate with known bikies six or more times a year. Bikies also
will be banned from specific locations. The Serious and Organised
Crime (Control) Bill 2007 also will enable Police Commissioner Mal
Hyde to obtain orders from the Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson,
declaring bikie gangs illegal.
The Government "hoped" to have the laws in place by July 1. The
legislation was criticized as draconian by other states at a March
meeting of State and Federal Government ministers.
The legislation now goes back to the Lower House for final
approval.
WEIRD NEWS: LAWMAKERS GO NUTS OVER FAKE TESTICLES
With hot-button issues like immigration, the environment, and
the failing real estate market crowding the "national
conversation" these days, it's nice to see a few ballsy Floridians
with the cojones to take on important issues like fake testicles,
reported Tallahassee’s Daily Democrat newspaper.
The brave Florida state Senate passed an amendment to a
transportation bill that would levy a $60 fine against anyone with
TruckNutz or generic-made fake testicles dangling from their rear
bumpers.
Of course, some naysayers are arguing that there are more
important things to legislate against than fake balls, which are
harmless decorations for your truck or motorcycle for those who
suffer a genital inferiority complex.
Sen. Carey Baker, who proposed the amendment, acknowledged his
critics' concerns and said that "I do have more important things
to do this session. But I think this is important, too."
QUOTABLE QUOTE: "Life is a grindstone... whether it grinds you
down, or polishes you up... depends on what you're made of." Jacob
Braude
Reprinted from: THE AIM/NCOM
MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured
Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of
Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of
Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800)
ON-A-BIKE or visit us on our website at <<http://www.ON-A-BIKE.com>>
Nov 14, 2006 8:14 am US/Pacific
