Please read ALL of these as ALL need our response. There has been much talk about a national helmet law and other issues limited our constitutional rights that need us to act.
Call to Action Alerts
Stiffer Penalties H403/S608 Updates
HB 403 update from the State Office: I know that you have been busy calling and e-mailing Rep. Drake to get our HB 403 on the agenda. But at this point he has not placed it on the agenda for the House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee. We all know how important it is to get passed this committee, because it will die if not passed by this committee. Doc is busy up in Tally with talks going on up there because our Bill has a lot of support. However, we can still do a big part by keeping the phones busy and e-mails humming. I have talked to some legislator's offices that told me they have been contacted by several ABATE people this week. I have asked a lot from you the past two weeks, but I need your help again! This time we are going to focus our calls on the OTHER members of the House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee. If we can get enough people to call and e-mail them about HB 403, maybe they will convince Rep. Drake to put up the Bill so the bikers will stop calling. I have already called each members office and asked for their help in getting HB 403 on the agenda. All the office were friendly and said they would pass the message on to the Representative. This is basically what I said:
“ My name is ______, I am a member of ABATE of Florida, the State's largest motorcycle rights organization. I am calling to ask for Rep. ____ help with HB 403. It is scheduled to go to the House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee, however, we are having trouble getting it on the agenda. I was hoping that since Rep. _____ is a member of that committee he/she could help us get it on the agenda. Thank you very much.”
Most asked about what the bill was about, which I explained and said they would make sure the Representative gets the information. Most said they already know about ABATE and Doc, so that made me very happy. One Representative from the Jacksonville area said they already knew about our Bill from the ABATE members there. So, again I stand before you with my hat in my hand, asking for your help. House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee Members and what area they are from. If they are your Representative, tell them that you vote and invite them to speak at your Chapter meeting this summer!!!
Rep. Irving Slosberg EMAIL 1-850-488-1302 Boca Raton Rep. Lori Berman EMAIL 1-850-488-1662 Delray Beach Rep. Jeff Clemens j EAMAIL 1-850-488-0260 Lake Worth
Thanks, I know we can do this!
Darrin "Scribe" Brooks, State Legislative Trustee, ABATE of Florida, Inc.
Hey it works, I got a note back from Berman with note “If you are a resident of District 86 and you have a pressing issue or are seeking immediate assistance, please contact my office at 561-266-6645. Thank you. Sincerely, Lori Berman” - so if you are in Delray as I am, call her also. Email AND call these reps, I have. Slo Motion. Meanwhile things are going over better in the Senate. From State Office:
SB 608 continues to roll through the Senate as it passes the Senate Criminal Justice Committee with a vote of 5 – 0. Doc again testified before the committee. You can listen to the pod cast of the meeting at Site and click on the pod cast link for the 3/22/2011 meeting. Our bill comes up at the 1 hour and 9 minute mark in the program, so you may just skip to that section. Doc told me that the Senators commented that they have received HUNDREDS of calls from ABATE members about this bill. Our voice is being heard in the Senate and I thank each one of you that have called and/or sent an e-mail to the legislators. We just have to keep this ball rolling until it passes. Then we can start calling the Governor!!! SB 608 will now be heard in the Senate Budget Committee. This committee is HUGE with 20 Senators sitting on it, so there is a good chance that your Senator will be on this one. As you know, a constituent calling to ask for support carries a little more weight. My Senator is on this, and I have already spoken and e-mailed his office asking for support of SB 608. Here are OUR Members of the Senate Budget Committee. Let's let them hear our voice!!!
Sen. Joe Negron (Vice Chair) EMAIL 1-850-487-5088 Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto EMAIL 1-850-487-5356 Sen. Ellyn Bogdanoff EMAIL 1-850-487-5100
Darrin "Scribe" Brooks, State Legislative Trustee, ABATE of Florida, Inc.
Urgent Call to Action: The Motorcycle Riders Foundation issues Urgent Call to Action
Please call your incoming Republican Congressmen and tell them to STOP a proposed change to the House Rules -- (Rule 21, Clause 3) -- that would break the TRUST WITH FUEL TAXPAYERS and undermine the Highway Trust Fund's funding guarantees for roads.
TO STOP THESE CHANGES, REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE MUST HEAR FROM YOU TODAY!
The Capitol Switchboard Number is 202-225-3121 -- ask for your NEW Representative! The change is terrible policy for highway users and it breaks the faith in the Highway Trust Fund. Highway user fees could be used for non-transportation purposes.
Highway funding could be reduced and the "savings" used for deficit reduction or other purposes; and the rule change would force highway funding to rely on the annual appropriations process rather than the established funding guarantees.
Motorcyclists pay into this fund with the guarantee that the money will be used for transportation related projects ONLY. This rule change breaks that promise and will allow fuel tax revenues be used for anything Congress wants.
WE MUST REACH THE FOLLOWING KEY DECISION MAKERS. Please call now! The Republican Conference will be voting on this on Tuesday, January 4th 2011.
Greg Walden OR (202) 225-6730 RHOB 2182
Rob Bishop UT (202) 225-0453 CHOB 123
John Campbell CA (202) 225-5611 LHOB 1507
Shelley Moore Capito WV (202) 225-2711 RHOB 2443
Jason Chaffetz UT (202) 225-7751 LHOB 1032
Tom Cole OK (202) 225-6165 RHOB 2458
Mike Conaway TX (202) 225-3605 LHOB 1527
David Dreier CA (202) 225-2305 CHOB 233 Rules Chairman
Bob Goodlatte VA (202) 225-5431 RHOB 2240
Doc Hastings WA (202) 225-5816 LHOB 1203
Jeb Hensarling TX (202) 225-3484 CHOB 129
Jim Jordan OH (202) 225-2676 LHOB 1524
Buck McKeon CA (202) 225-1956 RHOB 2184
Candice Miller MI (202) 225-2106 LHOB 1034
Mike Rogers AL (202) 225-3261 CHOB 324
Paul Ryan WI (202) 225-3031 LHOB 1233 Budget Chair
Pete Sessions TX (202) 225-2231 RHOB 2233
Pat Tiberi OH (202) 225-5355 CHOB 106
Tim Scott SC (202) 225-3176 LHOB 1117
Martha Roby AL (202) 225-2901 CHOB 414
Cory Gardner CO (202) 225-4676 CHOB 213
Adam Kinzinger IL (202) 225-3635 LHOB 1218
Take Action Now
Call the Capitol Switchboard Number is 202-225-3121 -- ask for your NEW Representative!
You may want to read a article in Florida Today newspaper, November 29th issue, page 13A by Bob Stover
Stover is the papers Executive Editor. The article is Express your opinion. Half way through the article there is: Sounding off on cyclist. The last paragraph in that section says And how can anyone who rides a bike or has a seat in the Florida Legislature possibly think they should be exempt from wearing helmets? Endanger yourself endanger all of us.
I take that statement to be bias and prejudice and believe it clearly states what the position of Florida Today is going to be on the current push by the Federal Government for Mandatory Helmet Laws.
I suggest that as many people as possible contact Florida Today and comment on this.
Mail letters to Your Views Florida Today P.O. Box 419000 Melbourne FL. 32941-9000 e-mail Stover – bstover@floridatoday.com or editorial page editor John J. Glisch at jglisch@floridatoday.com Comment on line at http://www.floridatoday.com/opinion
I can not stress how important it is to STOP This Now. Newspaper articles prejudice the readers and the newspaper is endorsing Helmet Laws.
Elsewhere The media campaign has begun. This link is to an article on the Huffington Post news site. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-c-senelick-md/motorcycle-and-bicycle-he_b_786402.html Those in favor of Freedom Of Choice need to actively speak out against this type of thing.
Rogue Sturgis Freedom Fighters Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
--------------------------------------------------------- Slo Motion – I have captured this article for you to read below. It is the PDF format so you need the common Adobe Reader to view. If you do not have download FREE
This is an urgent call to action, this is no idle threat. ABATE and the AMA have warned this was coming and it was no surprise to me to see that California would be the leader in this effort to ban any exhaust system that doesn't display an EPA stamp or sticker. Make no mistake about it, the EPA swings a big stick in California and they are a part of Big Government and Government's plan to intrude on our private lives and our rights.
This Bill would open the door to other states to draft similar legislation. I urge you to make the call or send an email ask the Governor to veto this Bill.
I made the call and sent an email.
Strongbow
9/22/2010
Call to Action
to veto California SB-435 Vehicles: pollution control devices
California-September, 2010 ABATE of Washington - B.O.L.T. of Washington - Sons of Liberty Riders of Washington - B.O.L.T. of Nevada have joined in issuing a National Call to Action regarding recently passed legislation, California SB-435.
SB-435 has passed in the California legislature and the Governor has until September 30th to decide to sign it into law, veto the bill or do nothing in which case the bill becomes law.
All motorcyclists in the USA are urged to call, email or fax California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to urge him to use his Power of Veto to stop this bill before the September 30, 2010 deadline.
Governor's Office Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 phone: (916) 445-2841 fax: (916) 558-3160 email: go to http://www.gov.ca.gov/interact#email Unchecked, this type of legislation will be spreading nation wide. Guised as a pollution control bill, it is actually a noise control bill and there are already laws in California dealing with noise. This bill places an undue burden on motorcyclists, endangers the cottage industry of after market manufacturers as well as custom builders and hobbyists and does nothing to control emissions.
Visit www.boltusa.org for more information on the bill and the Call to Action and call, email or fax today. We must unite and tell Governor Schwarzenegger this bill is not wanted or needed. He has stated that he is remaining neutral until he hears from the public before the September 30th deadline.
Please act on this request and post it on your social network pages and forward to friends.
This request is from Donnie "Mr. Breeze" Landsman, legislative1@ABATE-WA.org and BOLT Director of Washington State.
As founder of ABATE of Wisconsin (1974) and founder of BOLT (1992) I wholly support this call to action. Tony "Pan" Sanfelipo Sturgis Freedom Fighter Hall of Fame, 2002
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has issued the following Action Alert:
CONGRESSIONAL LETTER AIMS TO SUSPEND NHTSA PROGRAM TO FUND DISCRIMINATORY MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS
Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and some of his colleagues sent a letter to Sec. Ray LaHood urging him to suspend a grant program that would expand the highly criticized practice of creating motorcycle-only checkpoints by law enforcement agencies. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) strongly supports this important letter.
Along with Sensenbrenner, Reps. Tom Petri (R-WI), Walter Jones (R-NC), Aaron Schock (R-IL), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Paul Ryan (R-WI), Denny Rehberg (R-MT), Lee Terry (R-NE), Ron Paul (R-TX) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) signed the letter. To see the letter, click here:
The program is the Motorcycle Law Enforcement Demonstrations Grant (DTNH22-10-R-00386). Although the grant has been closed to new applicants as of August 13, 2010, you can view the grant notice here:(synopsis only) (full grant announcement)
The AMA has formally questioned the potential discriminatory and legal nature of this program, administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The AMA sent a letter to Administrator Strickland on August 9 urging him to suspend the grant program until questions have been addressed. To date, Administrator Strickland has not responded. To view AMA's letter, click here.
While law enforcement officials may defend the program as a safety measure to decrease motorcycle crashes, injuries and fatalities, there is no proof of its effectiveness. The practice, first modeled in New York State, has drawn the ire of thousands of motorcyclists nationally.
NHTSA is now seeking up to five other law enforcement agencies, besides the state of New York, to participate in motorcycle-only checkpoints, and is offering $350,000 in federal funding.
The AMA believes that the best way for NHTSA to reduce motorcycle crashes is to employ proven strategies, such as rider education and motorcycle awareness programs, that decrease the likelihood of crashes from ever occurring. These strategies must be research-based. Motorcyclists would be much better served by applying the funding to the national motorcycle crash causation study that is currently underway at Oklahoma State University. This is a sentiment supported by Sensenbrenner and many of his colleagues in Congress through recently introduced H. Res. 1498.
To urge your Representative to support this important resolution, click here:
Please send a prewritten message to either thank or ask why your Representative did not sign onto this important letter that urges LaHood to suspend federal dollars from being used to expand programs that discriminate against motorcyclists.
Change the Law to Exclude Youth-Model Motorcycles and ATVs! Write your Representatives Today! Take Action!
Soon, the 111th Congress will come to an end. Therefore, we have limited time to change the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, or commonly known as the lead law, to exclude youth-model motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). It is important Congress amends the lead law before the stay of enforcements, issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), expire February 10, 2011 for testing, and May 1, 2011 for distribution and sales.
While the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) applauds the CPSC for implementing the stays, they do not solve the real issue, which is the law itself. Despite the stays, it is unclear whether state attorneys general will also decline to enforce the CPSIA. The sale of youth-model motorcycles and ATVs is still technically illegal. Even though a stay means that dealers would not be subject to fines or penalties imposed by the CPSC, state attorneys general would still be able to prosecute violators if they chose to do so. Youth-model motorcycles and ATVs should be exempt from the law, and Congress needs to act now to make that happen.
The riding community needs to let Congress know that we remain concerned about the law, and we want youth-model off-highway vehicles excluded from the law. We need your help to let our lawmakers know how we feel. Riders should contact their Representative and ask them to support H.R. 1587, introduced by Rep. Denny Rehberg, to exempt youth-sized motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA.
The quickest way to reach your Representative is to call them. You can find contact information for your elected officials by entering your zip code on AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation. Additionally, a prewritten e-mail is available for you to immediately send to your Representative by following the "Take Action" option and entering your information.
For more ways you can help to exclude youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA or for more information about the issue, click here.
Please write or call your Representative today and ask them to support H.R. 1587 to exclude youth-model motorcycles and ATVs from the CPSIA lead content requirements.
On September 28, 2010, Administrator David Strickland of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) called for efforts to “actively work with Congress to promote helmet use.” Strickland made this comment at a Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance hearing titled “NHTSA Oversight: An Examination of the Highway Safety Provisions of SAFETEA-LU” of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Strickland's comment was part of his overall testimony regarding how safety provisions within the transportation reauthorization bill (SAFETEA-LU) played a role in reducing highway fatalities.
Strickland stated the following regarding motorcycle fatalities: “However, you will notice that there is one indicator that is moving in the wrong direction, motorcycle fatalities. Between 2004 and 2009, the number of motorcycle riders killed increased from just over 4,200 to almost 4,462, an 11 percent increase. The number of motorcycle fatalities did fall between 2008 and 2009, the first time we have seen a decrease in more than a decade. We need to work to build on last year’s progress. The most important step we could take would be to assure that all riders wear a DOT-compliant helmet, which are 37 percent effective in reducing fatalities. We estimate that helmets prevented over 1,800 fatalities in 2008, and that more than 800 additional fatalities could have been avoided if all riders wore helmets. NHTSA will actively work with Congress to promote helmet use.”
To view Strickland’s complete testimony, click here.
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is concerned that Strickland may be recommending the re-institution of a federal helmet mandate. If a helmet mandate is passed into law, it would penalize any state without a mandatory motorcycle helmet law for all riders by denying federal transportation and safety dollars to that state. The AMA supports states' rights to determine their respective helmet policy free from the threat of federal sanctions. Congress affirmed this right as recently as 1995 in the National Highway System Act when they removed federal penalties placed on states without mandatory helmet laws.
The best way for NHTSA to reduce motorcycle crashes is to employ proven strategies, such as rider education and motorcycle awareness programs, that decrease the likelihood of crashes from ever occurring. These strategies must be research-based, and motorcyclists would be much better served by applying the funding to the national motorcycle crash causation study that is currently underway at Oklahoma State University. This is a sentiment supported by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and many of his colleagues in Congress through recently introduced H. Res. 1498.
To urge your Representative to support H. Res. 1498, click here.
The AMA encourages you to contact your Senators and urge them to prevent the NHTSA from solely focusing on federal helmet mandate legislation but to employ proven strategies to reduce motorcycle crashes from occurring in the first place.
Contact information for your Senators is available at AmericanMotorcyclist.com > Rights > Issues & Legislation by entering your zip code in the "Find your Officials" box. A prewritten e-mail is available for you to send to your Senators immediately by following the "Take Action" option and entering your information.
To view an archived webcast of Strickland's comments at the hearing, click here.
Please write or call your Senators today and urge NHTSA to employ proven strategies, such as rider education and motorcycle awareness programs, that will be better served for motorcyclists.
April 9 2010
Hey Everyone, I just received an e-mail from Greg Borden the President of Peace River Chapter, that included a brief note from the daughter of George Rubin, a recently killed member of Peace River and ABATE of Florida, Inc. I have copied the note below:
"Just wanted to let you know....maybe you can spread the word to the right people.....I attended the Bond Hearing on the guy, William F. Doyle of North Port, who ran my Dad over....the Judge lowered his bond from $50,000 to $100. If that's not a slap in the face, not sure what is. I was so shocked that they would do that. I know a lot of the ABATE people fight for bikers rights....I think this information should be given to the newspaper. I have to be careful because I work in the Court system or I would be contacting them myself. Thanks, and hope you had a nice Easter." Lana
Unfortunately, we all have many stories like this... But it is time to end this injustice... Some of you have been fighting for Motorcyclist Rights for decades, others like myself are brand new... But I will tell you one thing for Damn sure, all of us, right now, have been brought together in this one time and place to stand up and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! All together, WE can make this happen... But it will take all of us... It is time for the Florida State Legislators to hear our voices... It is time to push this Bill home... It is time for us to stand up for all the George's that we have lost or seen maimed...
And we will start with one call or e-mail to Sen. Andy Gardiner who holds the power to added or not add SB 1918 to the next Transportation Committee agenda on Tuesday April 13th.
Just remember that we need to be polite and sincere when you call or e-mail him. Angry words will kill our Bill. So be brief and just ask him to please add SB 1918 to the agenda for Tuesdays Transportation Committee.
Sen. Andy Gardiner Tally Office 850-487-5047 ( I called the Tally number today and it is still out of order so call the District office) District Office 407-428-5800 E-mail address gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov
Darrin "Scribe" Brooks, State Legislative Trustee, ABATE of Florida, Inc.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have." ~ Gerald Ford
April 10 2010
Hey Everyone, Milton Gonzalez the Legislative Trustee for Hillsborough County Chapter passed this on to me. I think we all should take this survey and pass it on to those who ride. It is about road conditions and how it affects us as motorcyclist. It is a short survey.
The Motorcyclist Advisory Council (MAC) to the Federal Highway Administration has made recommendations to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and his predecessors on various topics, including items for the federal highway appropriations bill and encouraging the use of motorcycles as a form of congestion relief. Of special significance was the creation and approval of the yearly Motorcyclist Road Conditions Survey. The purpose of the survey is to better communicate to the MAC, road construction engineers, and transportation safety officials the specific needs of motorcyclists that should be considered when developing new roadways or altering existing routes. You can access the survey at http://tinyurl.com/ykbqsr6
Darrin "Scribe" Brooks, State Legislative Trustee, ABATE of Florida, Inc.
