APRIL 2012 Volume XLVI, Issue IXABATE of Florida, Inc. ~ Southwest Chapter INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Presidents Message Minutes Membership Report Calendar Events NCOM Bytes Legislative ReportABATE of Florida, Inc. Motorcycle Rights Organizationnon-profit organization of motorcycle enthusiasts from all walks of life. We lobby and educate the government and general public to promote motorcycling in a safe and positive image. Motorcycle Safety Awareness Program Participate in YOUR RIGHTS as a Motorcyclist
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Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida April 2012 Newsletter
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8/2/2019 Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida April 2012 Newsletter
Dues Paid by □ Cash □ Check □ Money Order Mailed Date: Membership Card _________________________
Copy of By Laws _________________________
Membership Expiration _________________________
Memberships are open to anyone 18 years of age or older All members receive with their paidmembership a membership card, our bi-monthly Masterlink magazine, Chapter Newsletter,
Chapter voting privileges and personal involvement in Statewide legislative actionsand their freedom to ride
SOUTHWEST CHAPTER OF ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. PG. 2
8/2/2019 Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida April 2012 Newsletter
We are a non-profit organization of motorcycle en-thusiasts from all walks of life. We lobby and educatethe government and the general public to promotemotorcycling in a safe and positive image. We en-deavor to enlist the cooperation and participation of all organizations and individuals that share a similarinterest in preserving our American tradition of FREE-DOM. We promote motorcycle safety, training, & po-litical awareness. We ARE NOT A CLUB OR A GANG.We fund our work through toy runs, poker runs,campouts, and other motorcycle activities. We areyour neighbors & friends who work, pay taxes, andget involved with our community. We serve and sup-
port our country and believe in freedom. We use alllegal means to protect our rights without infringingon the rights of others.
OUR GOALS
To become a powerful and viable political force inlegislative matters concerning the motorcyclist.
To promote the safe riding habits without infringingon individual freedoms.
To motivate the bikers to write letters to their legisla-tors before, during, and after the legislative session.
To furnish our members with a newsletter to keep allbikers informed in regards to upcoming legislation.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily thoseof ABATE of Florida, Inc. and or the Southwest Chapter.This publication allows members to express their beliefs and opin-ions. ABATE of Florida, Inc. and Southwest Chapter accept noresponsibility for the comments, opinions or views contained inthis newsletter.
Please direct correspondence in reference to this publication to:Wayne Cerra(cell) 239 989.3349
Donations to ABATE of Florida, Inc. are not deductible for Federal TaxPurposes. ABATE of Florida, Inc.
Donations to ABATE of Florida, Inc. are not deductible for Federal Income Tax Purposes ABATE of Florida, Inc. and Southwest Chapter Does Not Condone Drinking and Driving
8/2/2019 Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida April 2012 Newsletter
We have just re-turned from S. Indi-ana, where we were
deployed to work with the victims/survivors of the tor-nadoes in that area.Of course, it madeus think of thestorms we have en-countered during our motorcycle years
and an article we wrote many years ago.Riding Out the StormAs motorcyclists, how many of us decide to ride our bikes
when there are storms on the horizon?Before leaving on the ride, we check the weather reportsand look at the radar. Many of us decide to go. If we havea long trip ahead, we almost always decide to go. If wetand/or cold weather is ahead, we will pack the proper gear and we will be prepared to get through the worst. Some-times we will need to stop along the way and “hunker down.” However, we know the weather will only cause ashort delay on our trip.The primary reason most of us choose to ride with poor weather on the horizon is that we know the poor weather will be temporary. We know that if we go through the
storm, there will be the reward of sunshine on the other sideand a great ride will welcome us. Sometimes goingthrough poor conditions will make us better appreciate thenicer conditions, once we reach the other side.How do we know all this? We know because we are ex-
perienced. We “deal” with the weather every day of our
lives.A number of years ago, Tom took off from Florida on oneof our old GoldWings to head up to Connecticut, to visit hisdaughter and grandkids. The plans were to take two or three full days, leave I-75 at Charleston, ride up the eastcoast (literally along the coast), ride the ferries from barrier
island to barrier island in North Carolina, take the Chesa- peake Bay Bridge Tunnel and just be a tourist. As soon ashe was entering the Daytona Beach area, a steady rain set-tled in. The rain did not give up until two days into the ride.He had a few good things going for him: a good motorcycleto bring him through; a good rain suit; and knowing thatsooner or later, the sun would shine on the other side.Sometimes, our lives seem like storms that have to be rid-den out, just like we ride out the weather as a biker. We’ve
never heard a biker curse God about the weather and/or thetemporary weather conditions. So the question needs to beasked, “Why do we need to curse God when we encounter
the storms of life?” Take a look in Job 1:6-12. It is clearlyobvious that Satan wants you to curse God when we en-counter life’s storms. God never promised us that every-
thing would be perfect. However, for those that believeupon Him, He has promised He will get us through andthere is the promise of eternal life in Paradise. Deuteron-
omy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor
be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that dot
go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Ro-
mans 8:35-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written
for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are ac-
counted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these
things we are more than conquerors through him that
loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life
nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things pre-
sent, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any
other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love
of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. KJV How can we be prepared for life’s storms? How can we g
through them? Get to know God and experience Him everyday in your lives – just as you have gotten to know theweather as bikers. The more you get to know and experi-ence Him, the more you will know on how to deal with lifDon’t curse God. Your real adversary is Satan, not God. We remember a song written in the early ‘70’s by AndreCrouch, “Through it All.” A few of the lyrics in the songare something like this: “I thank God for the mountains
and I thank God for the valleys… for if I had no prob-
lems, I’d never know that God could solve them, I’d neve
know what faith in His Word could do.” Please accept what God has done for you, to get you to the
other side of the storms. Wouldn’t you rather face life’sstorms with God, than without Him? Please pray this
prayer. "Dear God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, my heavenly Father, I confess that I am a sinner
and have been separated from You. I ask forgiveness of
my sins. I confess with my mouth that your son Jesus is
my savior and died for me. I believe in my heart that You
raised Him from the dead. I receive Jesus into my heart and ask Him to become the center of my life. I’m tired of
facing life’s storms without You. I will keep my eyes fo-
cused on you and no longer curse You. Blessed be your
holy Name. All this I ask and pray, in the Name of Jesus
Amen."
Blessings,
Tom and Kathy Pastor Tom (Estero River ABATE Life Member and Southwest Chapter Chaplain) and Pastor Kathy (SW ABATELife Member - Foursquare Chaplain)-www.messiahsmessengers.org or [email protected]
26 Members 2 GuestsAnyone else beside the Secretary
taking notes? NoPlease turn off cell phonesPlease keep the chatter down so all can hear andlet’s keep this a positive meetingPRESIDENTS REPORT: WAYNE CERRA1. New VP, Barbara “Babs” Bardell 2. Newsletter to be taken over by Kevin Barfield3. Nominations for Chapter elections will open up
in April. We have many open positions, pleaseconsider running for a position.4. Congrats to Beth and Kevin who were marriedlast month.
VICE PRESIDENT: Barbara “Babs” Bardell 1. Spoke with many people at the last Ft Myers bike night who had no idea what Abate was about.Please remember your help is needed at bikenights to educate the public.2. Bears for Bears will be run with collection boxes at various locations. We will meet at PirateCoast Cycle May 20th and ride to the Sheriff’s of-fice on Daniels Parkway to deliver the bears. Thiswill be in place of our event as we have lost our venue.
SECRETARY’S REPORT: SCOTT TURNER 1. Motion to accept last month’s minutes as writ-ten in the newsletter made by Keith Baker and sec-onded by Burnout Bob Penn. Motion Carried
TREASURERS REPORT: TODD “KC” BURNS1. Motion to accept last month’s report made by Barbara Babs Bardell and seconded by Rob Big Bird Cran. Motion Carried
SARGENT AT ARMS: BURNOUT BOB PENN1. No incidents to report2. Need 5 people for the 5 Star event, please con-tact Burnout if you can help.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT: WAYNE CERRA1. 6 new members this month, please welcomeDave Neville, Ron DaPonte, Joe Cowan, FrancineSchroeder, Leo Hinkley, Ron Eiben. Renewals:Ron Cox, Jeff Wilkes and Larry Dabronski,2. Membership awards to the following: 1 yr Ken
Coon, 7yr. Larry Dabronski, 8yrs, 10yrs BurnoutBob Penn, 16yrs Ken Teddy Bear Miller, and27yrs Rob Big Bird Cran.
NEWSLETTER: BARBARA BARDELLWednesday after meeting reports due.
PR/COMMUNICATIONS: WAYNE CERRA1. Wayne attended LAMA meeting to speak aboutAbate. 7 LAMA members are also Abate membersand 12 took applications.
WEBSITE: TAYLOR “ATM” MUSBURGER -Absent excused 1. No Report
SAFETY DIRECTOR: Alberta Clark - Absent1. No Report
PRODUCTS: KEN “DIESEL” COON 1. Bike nights and t-shirt sales- Please sell t-shirts;Pirate Coast Cycle also has Abate t-shirt available.They have a great selection.
LEGISLATIVE REPORT: KEN “TEDDYBEAR”MILLER Stiffer Penalties dead the last day of session. Kenhas introduced another option to the Stiffer Penal-ties bill (which the Abate state board has accepted)for the state to consider.The safety money that is raised though your regis-tration ($2) is still available as far as the stateAbate board knows.
DELEGATE REPORT:1. Next State meeting, April 14th in St Augustine/Vintage Chapter
OLD BUSINESS:1. Bike nights moved to Paradise deli2. Bears for Bears, collection sites and ride/delivery of Bears
NEW BUSINESS:1. President Wayne asked for a motion to spend upto $60 for a new 2x8 banner. Burnout Bob mademotion, Babs seconded, motion carried.
GOOD OF THE ORDER:1. Gwen Hickman has a benefit to speak about,The Erik Metzler Foundation 2nd annual poker runto raise funds for a scholarship to a Mariner HS student. Flyer in newsletter. 2. Next month’s speaker: To be announced3. Upcoming events: check newsletter and HotRods and Hogs website.4. Motion to adjourn KC, second Burnout, motioncarried.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: _10:58_________
8/2/2019 Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida April 2012 Newsletter
SOUTHWEST CHAPTER OF ABATE OF FLORIDA, INC. PG. 23
Editor’s note Brothers and Sisters,I was fortunate tostand behind ourChapter table at Fort
Myers Bike Night. Aspeople looked at theSWAG on our table, Ichewed their ear a lit-tle and what surprisedfaces I saw. We know why we are ABATEmembers, but quite afew fellow enthusiastsof motorcycling had noclue. “I thought youwere a club”, said one
fellow, “I had no ideaABATE was an MRO!”.Brothers and Sisters,that was just one com-ment of many. Once Ihad their attention, Iinformed them of Janine Becker whopassed August 26th of 2011 and how I stoodin that courtroomwhile the fumbling de-
fendant was given themaximum penalty fortaking her life. $1500in fines, 6 month li-cense suspension, 10or 15 hours in thetrauma center.If this means anythingto you, take the time,30 minutes, and stepbehind that table at aBike Night or event
and help this chapterhelp our cause!
SAFER ROADWAYSFOR ALL MOTORCY-CLISTS!
Peace to you all!
Babs ■
8/2/2019 Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida April 2012 Newsletter
NO STUFFED ANIMALS PLEASE! Hostedby SWFL HOG & H-D Ft. Myers. BenefitsChildren's Hospital at HealthPark. Escortedroute, free post-run meal at HDFM. Enter-tainment, giveaways. Bring toys, games,arts/crafts supplies
$5,includes pin. Reg.9-10:45am KSU 11amSHARP. HDFM 2160 Colonial Blvd. BikeNight Apr.6th, 6-10pm at HDFM. Info: Jack 239-590-0513 or four- [email protected]
Bikefest Okeechobee
Apr 14, 2012 Okeechobee Florida.
Bike show, poker run, bike games, burnout pit, music and more. http://bikefestokeechobee.com/ [email protected]
1st Annual Erik Metzler FoundationPoker Run
April 15th, 2012
Registration: 9:30 - 11:30 Last Bike Out
Pirate Coast Cycles 941 Country Club Blvd
Cape Coral, Florida
$15 for Rider/ $5 per Passenger
5 Stop Run - Cape Coral, Pine Island and
Matlacha. Last stop Beef O’Bradys Pine Is-land Road and Burnt Store Road
50/50’s, Raffles, Music, Best & Worst Hand
More Info Call Gwynne Hickman at
239.246.2025
Gator Alley Chapter
Annual Casino Run April 15, 2012
First Bike Out 10am, Nana’s Diner,
Naples,FL. Last Bike In 3:30pm Crab CaféOchopee, FL $5.00 per hand. More Info.Rick and Tina Loy 239.825.2490
Www.gatoralley.net
16th Annual Leesburg Bikefest 2012 Apr 27 – 29, 2012 Leesburg Florida This free event held in Historic DowntownLeesburg will be packed with entertainmentboasting eight stages, forty bands, and aslew of exhibitions featuring Wall of death,Rat’s Hole Custom Motorcycles Show, TrailsRider and Drill Team Demonstration. Localrestaurants and over 250 vendors will offerup a myriad of food, beer and beveragechoices, while hundreds of friendly retailshops and vendors will be open for yourshopping pleasures. Come experience thisevent for yourself and see why bikers acrossthe country are making The LeesburgBikefest an annual destination!www.Leesburgbikefest.com
Polk County Chapter
Motorcycler Rodeo
May 6th, 2012
See page 23 for details
Peace River Chapter presents:
Run-A-Muck Friday, May 18th-20thgates close noon Sunday.
Peace River Campgrounds, 2998 NWHighway 70, Arcadia, FL . Bike Games,Live Bands, Vendors, Camping, Food,Safety and Membership Information,Make Your Own Tie-Dye Shirts FMI con-tact Darrell @ (941) 423-5569
Our stiffer penalties bill, SB 1754, died in the Senate CriminalJustice Committee on the last day of the legislative session,and Rep. Brad Drake, the chairman of the House Transporta-tion Committee, refused, once again, to hear our bill, even asan amendment.Rep. Drake is not up for re-election this year; however, Doc ishoping that redistricting will take care of this problem for us. At this point, it’s not clear why Rep. Drake has refused tohear this and other bills that come thru his committee. Onething seems to be for sure, he’s not talking to us about it. The vertical tag issue has remained unchanged. While someverbiage was added to this statute, riders with vertical tagswill still have to have an active pre-paid toll account and atransponder whether they use a toll facility or not. It’s notclear how the state of Florida intends to deal with out-of-stateriders with vertical tags at this point; however, Doc is still try-
ing to work this out.Our safety money is still in the state budget. They are stilltaking out $2.50 out of every motorcycle registration that has,in the past, gone to pay for this state grant. Hopefully, whenGov. Scott signs the state budget into law, our safety moneywill be included. Keep your fingers crossed.Budget negotiators sent their thorniest issues to the respec-tive budget chairmen this weekend, as both the Senate andHouse lined up priorities for the expected final week of thesession.On a few issues, there was some closure this week. Law-makers signed off on a $1.35 million compensation package
for William Dillon, who was imprisoned for 27 years for a mur-der he didn't commit. The Senate passed that bill early in theweek and sent it to Gov. Rick Scott – who signed it a coupleof hours later.The Legislature also this past week sent the governor a billallowing students to give "inspirational messages" on an ap-parently limitless universe of subjects from God and theFounding Fathers to the Flying Spaghetti Monster and KimKardashian. While the bill was pushed by advocates for moreChristian school prayer, hoping that more of that will happenat graduations, football games and other assemblies, theyacknowledge that in an effort to render it constitutional, the
plan will have to allow students to say anything they wantwith no interference from school officials.Other major issues remain to be passed (or failed) in the finalweek, including Scott's top priority – an overhaul of the per-sonal injury protection auto insurance system. The two cham-bers have different bills on PIP – the House limiting lawyer fees, for example, while the Senate doesn't. The House plan(HB 119) also caps physician visits and excludes a number of professions from accepting patients. The Senate has taken amore limited approach in its plan (SB 1869), but has yet totake up its version on the floor.The focus the last week, and through the weekend, however,
was the budget. Budget writers did agree over the weekendon a couple high profile items – keeping open Jefferson Correctional Institution near Tallahassee, while closing Hillsborough C.I. near Tampa. Another budget breakthrough over the weekend was for another of Scott's priorities: freeing up more than $61 million tolure businesses to the state. The economic developmenmoney had been in doubt, but Senate Budget Chairman JD Alexander, R-Lake Wales, said freeing up the cash for Scotwas a good idea.REDISTRICTINGThe state Supreme Court heard oral arguments from the Legislature on why political maps passed by lawmakers for thecoming decade are constitutional, and from opponents onwhy they're not. The court must let lawmakers know byMarch 9 what it thinks. Even if the court says before thenwhat its assessment is, any changes that lawmakers makeare widely expected to wait until a special session, probablylater this month.TEXT – AND ALSO DRIVE FASTEarlier this week the House passed the agency bill for theDepartment of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and thebody's most vocal advocate for highway safety, Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, lamented that the bill didn't includemuch in the way of actual highway safety requirements. Onebill he'd like to see passed – which looks highly unlikely – ione that would ban texting while driving. That wasn't part othe bill, he noted, so how could it really be called a highwaysafety bill?It could be argued that the inability to ban texting and drivinggoes beyond the immediate debate about the safety of thaparticular bad habit, and extends to a larger debate about therole of government in people's lives.
But, it might be that this Legislature just likes a little bit odanger, a little bit of speed.QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "Members, I'll be brief." At least four members of the House or Senate beginningfarewell speeches that then went on more than a half hour asthe clock ticked away on the session this week and bills gocloser to death for lack of time.From the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, Washington, D.C.
How’s the Federal Highway Bill? It's been a tumultuous few weeks, with Washington focusingall of its attention on the federal highway bill. The mammoth
piece of legislation that paves new roads and fixes crumblingbridges has been a ghost for the past three years, when theold law expired. Since 2009, the bill has lurched from temporary extension to temporary extension, and the most recenexpires at the end of this month. The Motorcycle RiderFoundation (MRF) believes that another extension is a foregone conclusion at this point. The only question is how longwill it be. Here is a quick rundown of where we are and wherewe have been.
The Senate passed a bill (S 1813) out of committee back inDecember. That bill is awaiting consideration by the full Senate, but it failed a cloture motion earlier this week. A vote
8/2/2019 Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida April 2012 Newsletter
against cloture is a vote to keep debating the bill and not be-gin voting on the bill. Failing a cloture vote is oftentimes thebeginning of the end. Not always though, as we may see withthis bill. Sources close to the MRF are saying that a deal hasbeen reached between Senate Democrats and Republicans,and votes on amendments may wrap up next week. The Sen-ate bill spends $109 billion over two years and has no anti-motorcycle language or helmet language of any kind.Meanwhile, over on the House side, their version (HR 7) of
the highway bill has an even more bizarre story. The Housebill would spend $260 billion over five years. This bill also haszero anti-motorcycle language. It does have the languagefrom HR 904 rolled into it, banning motorcycle-only check-points. Although the annual cost is actually less with theHouse bill, the overall cost proved to be too much for someRepublicans in Congress, and they planned a revolt. Thethreat of the revolt was enough to force Speaker Boehner todivide the bill into three smaller bills; an odd choice of strat-egy. None of those bills have been brought to the floor. Sup-posedly there is so much rancor that the House may nowtake up the smaller Senate bill as a supplement, as it's more
likely to get signed into law before the end of the month. Buteven that is long shot.In other news, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell signed intolaw a piece of legislation that bans law enforcement agenciesfrom conducting motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints. Theban takes effect July 1, 2012.The MRF will keep you updated on the progress of the fed-eral highway bill, and all federal motorcycling issues.Senate Highway Bill PassesThe United States Senate passed its version of a federalhighway bill today. The measure (S 1813) provides $109 bil-lion over two years for highway projects. The final vote was
74-22. The bill moved quite quickly, considering the speed of the Senate these days. There was some discussion over amendments, the bulk of which were rejected.The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) is pleased to reportthat no federal helmet mandates are attached to this bill,which in the past has been the case. Even the last version of the bill that was voted on in 2005 had a full floor vote on anamendment that would have required every state to have afull mandatory helmet law, or have millions of dollars of their highway funds withheld."This year the mandatory helmet law issue was only a smallpart of the very early discussion of the Senate bill," said Jeff
Hennie, MRF Vice President of Government Relations andPublic Affairs. "Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) filed a fewmotorcycle amendments during the committee phase, but hedid not bring them up for a vote," he added.The future is blurry for the Senate bill, as the House of Rep-resentatives has been flip-flopping on supporting it. Rightnow the House is supporting its own five-year bill, but it hasnot been brought for a floor vote.While the MRF supports the House bill because it containsthe language that would ban federal funding of mandatorymotorcycle roadside checkpoints, it's not likely to see the re-turn of the 2010 funds. Both the House and Senate bills send
all safety money in one pot back to the states to give theflexibility.The MRF will keep you updated on this and every other issuaffecting motorcyclists in the Nation's capital.The Definition of FreedomI was having a conversation with a good friend the other dathat is widely loved and respected in our community. He is awise old man. I really can’t stress the old part enough, I meathis dude is older than old but wise, well sort of wise.He asked me a question I have thought about almost dasince he asked me three months ago. "What is the definitioof freedom?" he pontificated. After thinking about it, I can sathat I do not have an answer. I think it’s a lot of things to a loof people. I think it is relative to everyone and totally limitlesBut can also disappear completely in a second.Freedom stands for something greater than just the right act however I choose.Certainly, freedom does mean the right to do as onpleases—to think, believe, speak, worship (or not worshipmove about, gather, and generally act as you choose—bonly until your choices start to infringe on another person
freedom. Abuse of freedom leads to its demise; think about someonyelling "fire" in a crowded theater. Think about laws that limsound emissions for motorcycles.Some say the sharpest interpretation of freedom is the asence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or actioI guess I could go along with that.For me, freedom is about living my life the way I want tohaving a government that is not oppressive (or too oppresive anyway), the freedom to own firearms, and riding a mtorcycle without the possibility of mandatory roadside checpoints. Right now I don't have all of those freedoms.
So ask yourself, what is your definition of freedom and dyou actually have it?NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTESCompiled & Edited by Bill Bish,National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)
FEDERAL HIGHWAY BILL PROGRESSESThe U.S. Senate has approved its version of a federal higway appropriations measure (S.1813, "Moving Ahead for Prgress in the 21st Century" or MAP-21) by a vote of 74-22 oMarch 14, and the $109 billion highway bill includes motorccle safety funding for states and would bar federal funds frobeing used to conduct motorcycle-only checkpoints.The measure now goes to the House of Representatives fofurther action, where a similar measure is also being consiered (H.R. 7, the "American Energy and Infrastructure Job Act of 2012”). Both bills contain motorcycle safety program funding anboth would prohibit motorcycle-exclusive roadblocks, anneither version has any anti-motorcycle provisions, but itunclear if the House will take up the Senate bill or advanctheir own legislation.MORE STATES MOVE TO BAN MOTORCYCLE-ONL
8/2/2019 Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida April 2012 Newsletter
CHECKPOINTSWhile Congress continues to consider passing a prohibitionon motorcycle-only roadside “safety checkpoints” by haltingfederal funding, several states are moving forward with their own laws to ban the practice.New Hampshire and North Carolina have both passed suchlegislation, and Virginia has become the latest state to pass abill to bar law enforcement agencies from setting up safetychecks that only stop motorcycles for inspection.Following a motorcycle-only checkpoint set up during lastyear’s Rolling Thunder POW/MIA rally en route to Washing-ton, D.C. over Memorial Day weekend, Delegate C. ToddGilbert (R-Shenandoah) introduced H.B.187, which passedand was signed into law on Feb. 28 by Governor BobMcDonnell.Most recently, New Jersey introduced companion bills in theSenate (S-1685) and the Assembly (A-508) to prohibit policefrom establishing checkpoints limited to certain types of vehi-cles and would require that all checkpoints include all typesof vehicles.Calling motorcycle-only checkpoints discriminatory and un-
constitutional, ABATE of California is likewise pushing a bill(AB-1047) that would ban state and federal funding of biker barricades. According to ABATE Lobbyist Jim Lombardo,“We passed out of the Assembly and are awaiting a hearingin the Senate Transportation Committee, probably nextmonth, and then on to Governor Brown.” Meanwhile on the legal front, New York A.I.M. (Aid to InjuredMotorcyclists) Attorney Mitch Proner told the AssociatedPress that he is preparing to appeal a federal court decisionupholding the constitutionality of motorcycle roadblocks inN.Y., and the issue may eventually be heard before the U.S.Supreme Court.
BIKER ANTI-DISCRIMINATION BILL HEARD IN COLO-RADOColorado legislation to ban discrimination against peoplewearing motorcyclist gear failed to pass its first committeehearing, but the bill’s sponsor told the AP that he was glad heproposed the bill because it raised awareness. He said bikersare unfairly judged to be criminals.State Rep. Joe Miklosi (D-Denver) says he didn’t propose themeasure to get attention but to help constituents who belongto motorcycle clubs and say they are being singled out un-fairly. "I'm motivated by doing the right thing," Miklosi said."They're being discriminated against."
Bikers say they're unfairly refused service at hotels, restau-rants and stores because of how they dress, and Miklosi’s bill(HB-1128) would have banned businesses from discriminat-ing against motorcyclists based on their style of dress.But his bid to add "unconventional attire" to the state law thatbars discrimination in public accommodations and put biker attire alongside such protected classes as race, gender andreligious affiliation, fell short in the GOP-controlled HouseState, Veterans and Military Affairs committee which isknown for rejecting Democratic proposals.GREEN MOUNTAIN SENATORS LEARN GANG DESIGNA-TION INCLUDES VETS
Members of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club may bsurprised to find themselves on a list of “security threagroups” recently offered by the Department of Corrections tthe Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee in Montpelier, VT. According to information offered to the committee, a definitiofrom the Department of Justice says a gang designation appropriate for a group three or more people with a commoidentifying sign, symbol or name who, individually or colletively, engage in criminal activity which creates an atmo
phere of fear and intimidation.Senator Alice Nitka (D-Windsor) wasn’t so sure that the aginvets of the motorcycle club back in Windsor are a menace society and warrant being “lumped in” with street gangs lik“the Bloods and the Crips,” reported vtdigger.org. If all it takes for a “gang” to make the list is for a few members of a group to commit a crime, Senator Jeanette White (-Windham) asked, “…will the Boys and Girls Club be next?” MINNESOTA ROAD GUARDING BILLS ADVANCETwo companion bills to allow trained and certified motorcclists to road guard during motorcycle runs (SF1719 anHF2008) were approved by the Minnesota Senate and Hous
Transportation Committees, respectively.Mack Backlund, State Coordinator for ABATE of Minnesottestified in favor before both committees and answered quetions from the committee members. While there were quetions and concerns brought up during discussion, in the enboth bills passed by unanimous voice vote with no amendments.The legislation creates a motorcycle road guard certificaunder which a person can stop and hold traffic during a mtorcycle group ride: “Permits holders of a motorcycle roaguard certificate who are acting as a flagger for a motorcycride to stop and hold traffic, and override traffic control d
vices to direct motorcycle operators or other vehicles. Requires drivers to remain stopped until directed to proceed.” “This language has a long way to go in the process beforbecoming law, but passage in the Senate and House Transportation Committees is a great start,” said Backlund. YOU CAN HELP MOTORCYCLE SAFETY STUDYVirginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) is working conjunction with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to condua long term, comprehensive Naturalistic Motorcyclist Study everyday riding in a wide variety of environments and condtions -- and they need participants.If selected, you will answer questions about your age, trainin
and riding experience to determine where you fit in the studTo gather information, several small cameras, radar, GPand a recording unit will be attached to your motorcycle fone year. Once the equipment is attached, your job is to inore it and ride like you normally would. The data is ecrypted as it is collected and kept confidential.They have selected a number of motorcycles representing cross section of riders and types of riding: beginners, spobikes, cruisers and touring, and designed their equipmeand mounting system to work with several specific modeland participants must live in or near the targeted study areathat cover different terrain and traffic patterns; Blacksbur
8/2/2019 Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida April 2012 Newsletter
ganization. Its aims are to motorcycling in apositive image along with safety and
awareness. The Southwest Chapter is a grea
group of people who are working hard for
the greater good of Florida motorcycle rid-ers. We would like you to join us and make
it an even better chapter!
Virginia, Orlando, Florida and Irvine, California. For moredetails, contact VTTI at www.motorcycle.vtti.vt.edu.FEDS PROPOSE DISTRACTED DRIVING GUIDELINESFOR AUTOMAKERSU.S. Department of Transportation chief Ray LaHood hasannounced a new set of proposed distracted driving guide-lines for automakers that would limit the use of in-car techsolutions that are “not directly relevant to safely operating thevehicle, or cause undue distraction by engaging the driver’seyes or hands for more than a very limited duration whiledriving.” From cell phones to GPS screens, distracted driving is anever-present road hazard in today’s techno-centric world,especially for vulnerable travelers like motorcyclists, but soonvideo games and Facebook friends could be within arm'sreach as drivers hurtle down the highway in the next genera-tion of cars from Detroit.Coming dashboard devices would deliver a whole new levelof eye candy and brain entrapment, as more than 90% of cars debuting in the next five years are expected to beequipped with Internet-connected screens and other cutting-edge wonders. Automakers are responding to surveys thatshow 75% of young adults want touch-screen technology intheir cars.But, not if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationcan hit the "Hold" button. The agency’s proposed guidelines -- which do not carry the weight of law -- call for automobilemanufacturers to make some dashboard electronic devicesautomatically shut down once a car starts moving, unlessthey're for passengers and cannot be seen by the driver.The guidelines cite six activities that should not occur whiledriving: text messaging, Internet browsing, using social me-dia, entering addresses in navigation systems, dialing phones
and reading display screens with more than 30 characters of text.Studies show that drivers double the risk of a crash if theytake their eyes off the road for more than two seconds, yet 41states still allow using a cell phone hand-set while driving andfifteen allow texting behind the wheel.WEIRD NEWS: FEELING THE WIND IN YOUR EARToday's phones can deliver the sound of a heartbeat, butsoon you’ll actually feel the throbbing. At the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Ve-gas, Artificial Muscle Inc. demonstrated how it can make mo-bile devices shake and rattle with great realism, employing a
technology that uses plastics that function like muscles, al-lowing you to feel the rumble of a Harley or the reverberationof a shotgun blast.The company showed off an iPhone it had modified by plac-ing one of its Vivitouch "motors" inside that shook a modifiedXbox controller to allow the user to feel what it's like to hold abeating heart. In another instance, it let the user experiencethe signature rumble of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle start-ing up.CHOPPERS FACE EURO-SION OF RIGHTSThey’re long and lean, and Europe is looking to ban them.Custom motorcycles are coming under fire across the pond,
according to Motorcycles.about.com. Along with proposals limit motorcycle emissions, force anti-lock brake systems oall bikes, and prohibit engine tuning for increased poweEuropean Parliament is considering a ban on extended forkThe issue will be voted on in April and the limits on modifictions could take effect by 2014; ABS rulings and stricter emisions could be enforced by 2016.“The proposed EU Regulation on Type Approval and MarkSurveillance of two and three-wheeled vehicles passed first reading, Committee stage, on 5th December evethough an impact assessment on many elements of the proposal was ongoing,” writes MAG-UK (Motorcycle ActioGroup), “and the Delegated Acts appear to have moved weoutside the scope of the Commission's original proposal.” 2012 NCOM CONVENTION IN INDIANAPOLISThe 27th annual NCOM Convention will be held MotherDay weekend, May 10-13, 2012 at the J W Marriot located 10 S. West St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. This annugathering will draw bikers’ rights activists from across thcountry to discuss topics of concern to all riders, so reservyour room now for the special NCOM rate of $99.00 by ca
ing (800) 266-9432 or (317) 860-5800.Registration fees for the NCOM Convention are $80 includinthe Silver Spoke Awards Banquet on Saturday night, or $4for the Convention only. All motorcyclists are welcome anencouraged to attend. Meetings, seminars and group discusions will focus on legislative efforts and litigation techniqueto benefit our right to ride and Freedom of the Road.To pre-register, call the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (800) 525-5355 or visit www.ONABIKE.com.The National Coalition of Motorcyclists is requesting thMRO's, motorcycle clubs, and riding associations submit thnames of those members and supporters who have die
since May 2011, so that we may honor their memories durinthe traditional “Ringing of the Bell” tribute to fallen riders duing the opening ceremonies. Dedications can be e-mailed [email protected] QUOTE: "The ultimate result of shielding mefrom the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools."~ Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)See you in the wind,‘TEDDYBEAR’
8/2/2019 Southwest Chapter of ABATE of Florida April 2012 Newsletter
12811 Kenwood Lane, Suite 212,Fort Myers, Fl. 33907-5648Phone: (239) 433-6775E-Mail: [email protected] Office of Governor Rick Scott
State of FloridaThe Capitol400 S. Monroe St.Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
(850) 488-7146E-Mail: www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott Office of Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll
State of FloridaThe Capitol400 S. Monroe St.. PL-05Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001Telephone: (850) 488-4711Facsimile: (850) 921-6114
E-Mail: www.ltgov.com/ContactUs.html Florida Senate Web site: www.flsenate.gov
Office of Senate President Mike Haridopolos404 S. Monroe StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-1100Phone: (850) 487-5229E-Mail: [email protected]
Florida House of Representatives Web site:
www.myfloridahouse.gov The Honorable Dean Cannon, Speaker Florida House of Representatives402 South Monroe StreetTallahassee, FL 32399-1300E-Mail: [email protected]
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