Image Copyright 2007- Sons of Liberty Riders
January 28, 2007 ©I.M.R.A., Inc 2007
********************
SONS OF LIBERTY RIDERS E-NEWS
----------------------------------------
Contents:
----------------------------------------
1. Utah requests help against madatory helmet legislation
2. Virginia is requesting your out of state help with HB 2585
3. Nebraska - Bikers Lobby for No-Helmet Law
4. Videos and Links of Bikers Lobbying - Texas Style
5. Safety group ranks states‚ road laws
6. Virginia - Bills try to soften motorcycle-helmet laws
7. UPDATE - 2007 LEGISLATIVE BILLS Arizona
8. Kansas - Tougher Penalties Proposed to Save Lives
9. If crusaders win, look for a helmet law affecting cars
10. Motorcycle Helmets Effectiveness Revisited
11. Eight Traffic Ticket Tips
12. Motorcycle alarm set with built-in shock sensor
13. Older motorcyclists rev up deaths
14. LoJack Releases Results of First Annual Motorcycle Theft Study
15. Monster fine for 'Monster Garage'
16. Ex-S.D. Congressman's Probation Ending
17. Quotable Quote
18. Show your support for the fight.
http://www.solriders.com/products/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Utah requests help against madatory helmet legislation
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jeff Hennie
Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 1:29 PM
Subject: Urgent Call to Action
Call To Action
Mayor Rocky Anderson of Salt Lake City Utah is proposing mandatory
helmet
legislation for the city of Salt Lake. This is direct conflict with the
under 18 helmet law they currently have statewide. Please read the
proposed
statute and contact Mayor Anderson at:
Salt Lake City Council Office
451 S. State Street Room 304 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: (801) 535-7600 Fax: (801) 535-7651
Comment Line: (801) 535-7654
Email: Council.Comments@slcgov.com
ABATE of Utah has requested the MRF's help in swamping the mayors
office
with phone calls and emails.
12.80.067 Bicycle Helmets:
A. A person shall not operate or ride as a passenger upon any bicycle,
on a
street, bicycle path, sidewalk, public park or on any other public
right-of-way unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and
fastened
bicycle helmet. This requirement also applies to a person who rides
upon a
bicycle while in a restraining seat which is attached to a bicycle or
in a
trailer towed by a bicycle.
B. A bicycle helmet shall meet or exceed the minimum bicycle helmet
safety
standards set by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM), or the Snell Memorial Foundation.
12.24.130 Motorcycle or motor-driven cycle -- Protective
headgear -- Closed cab excepted -- Electric assisted bicycles, motor
assisted scooters, personal motorized mobility devices.
A. A person may not operate or ride on a motorcycle or motor-driven
cycle on
a street, highway or public park unless the person is wearing
protective
headgear which complies with specifications adopted under Subsection
(C).
B. This section does not apply to persons riding within an enclosed
cab.
C. The following standards and specifications for protective headgear
are
adopted:
1. For motorcycles a helmet shall meet or exceed the minimum motorcycle
safety helmet standards established by the United States Department of
Transportation in 49 C.F.R. 571.218; and
2. For electric assisted bicycles, motor assisted scooters, and
personal
motorized mobility devices a helmet shall meet or exceed the minimum
bicycle
helmet safety standards set by the US Consumer Product Safety
Commission
(CPSC), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), or the Snell Memorial
Foundation.
Salt Lake City Council Office
451 S. State Street Room 304 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: (801) 535-7600 Fax: (801) 535-7651
Comment Line: (801) 535-7654
Email: Council.Comments@slcgov.com
Please forward this email to anyone you like.
Jeff Hennie
Vice President of Government Relations
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
P: 202-546-0983
F: 202-546-0986
Mobile: 202-725-5471
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE Suite 510 Washington, DC 20002
www.mrf.org
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Virginia is requesting your out of state help with HB 2585
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Virginia is requesting your out of state help with HB 2585 (Allows
riders the choice of whether or not to wear a helmet on roads
designated Virginia Scenic Byways). Full text of the bill can be found
here http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+HB2585 You
can view maps of the highways designated as byways at:
http://www.vdot.virginia.gov/infoservice/prog-byways-map-printable.asp
Legend:
http://www.virginiadot.org/infoservice/prog-byways-map-legend.asp
Please write our Delegates and let them know that you would spend your
tourism in Virginia if allowed to choose whether or not to wear a
helmet on Virginia's beautiful scenic Byways. As always, please be
courteous - we are looking pretty good on this bill, but feel the
extra incentive of tourism dollars will be beneficial.
You will find the list of our delegates and contact info here
http://www.vfr-race.com/handouts/adoptarep.xls or use this link
http://www.solriders.com/va.html
Thanks in advance - and please spread the word!!!
Penny
--
Penny Adams
Virginia Freedom Riders - Legislative Officer
Member Sons of Liberty Riders
"Government is too big and too important to be left to the
politicians."
Chester Bowles (1901 - 1986)
"Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that
it
has to be us."
Jerry Garcia, (of the Grateful Dead)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Nebraska - Bikers Lobby for No-Helmet Law
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.nebraska.tv/news/local/5287701.html
Bikers Lobby for No-Helmet Law
Monday 1.22.07 9:06 a.m.
LINCOLN, Neb.(AP) _ The tailor-cut suits and clean-shaven profiles of
many lobbyists were replaced by leather jackets and scraggly beards in
the halls of the Capital this morning.
More than 100 bikers from as far away as Scottsbluff piled into
government headquarters to lobby for a no-helmet law.
After several failed attempts, some supporters of a law that would
allow people to ride without helmets say this is the year such a law
will prevail.
Larry Schutt is state director of American Bikers Aimed Toward
Education. He says the bill (LB253) introduced this year by Sen. Kent
Rogert of Tekamah is particularly well written.
The bill would let those 21 and older go helmet-free, while drivers 16
through 20 would have to wear helmets and take safety courses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Videos and Links of Bikers Lobbying - Texas Style
----------------------------------------------------------------------
VIDEOS
Austin VIDEO @ KVUE.com Biker Legislation
http://www.kvue.com/sharedcontent/VideoPlayer/videoPlayer.php?vidId=115465&catId=12
Austin VIDEO @ keyetv.com Bikers Arrive at State Capitol
http://keyetv.com/video/?id=11331@keye.dayport.com
Austin VIDEO @ keyetv.com Biker Legislation Day
http://keyetv.com/video/?id=11327@keye.dayport.com
NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
Odessa Bikers cruise into Austin for Legislative Day
http://www.oaoa.com/news/nw011907e.htm
Austin Motorcycles roll in to Capitol for Biker Legislative Day
http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=178072
Austin Bikers Take To The Capitol To Lobby For Bills
http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=5973657&nav=0s3d
Austin Bikers rally at Texas Capitol
http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/012207kvuebikerrally-cb.c691d1a.html
El Paso Bikers support revised helmet laws in Austin
http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_5065246
----------------------------------------------------------------------
5. Safety group ranks states‚ road laws
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.etrucker.com/apps/news/article.asp?id=57696
Safety group ranks states‚ road laws
By Jill Dunn
A safety group has chosen Arizona, Arkansas, South Dakota and Wyoming
as the states where lawmakers have done the poorest job of reducing
death and injury on U.S. roads.
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety released its fourth annual
Roadmap to State Highway Safety Laws Jan. 8. It rates each state and
the District of Columbia on the adoption of 15 laws known to
significantly improve road safety, according to the group.
The 15 laws counted by the group involve such problem areas as teen
driving and impaired driving and mandate the use of such devices as
seat belts, motorcycle helmets and child booster seats. None of the
laws specifically addresses commercial drivers or commercial vehicles.
No state had all 15 safety measures, the group reported. Ranked as
good, however, were Alabama, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina,
Tennessee and Washington.
Four of those states were ranked as the best because they each passed
at least two additional safety laws in 2006: Delaware, Hawaii,
Illinois and Kentucky.
Ranked as needing improvement were Alaska, Arizona, Colorado,
Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia,
West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Ranked as falling „dangerously behind‰ were Arkansas, South Dakota
and
Wyoming. Those states and Arizona were listed in a separate, new
category of "worst performing states," defined as "the historically
lowest rated states that have made little to no legislative progress
in recent years."
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is a coalition of insurance,
consumer, health, safety and law enforcement organizations. The group
says motor vehicle crashes remain the top killer of Americans ages 4
to 34, with a total annual economic cost of $230 billion -- the
equivalent of a yearly „crash tax‰ of $792 on every man, woman and
child in the country.
The complete report and a detailed list of all the laws the group
considers essential can be read at the group‚s website,
www.saferoads.org.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Virginia - Bills try to soften motorcycle-helmet laws
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=118273&ran=21652
Assembly briefs: Bills try to soften motorcycle-helmet laws
The Virginian-Pilot © January 27, 2007
Efforts to repeal a state law requiring motorcycle riders to wear
helmets are taking a new twist this year. Rather than take the helmet
law off the books, opponents are trying to water it down.
HB2585 would allow bikers to forgo helmets on state scenic highways.
On all other roads, police would be banned from stopping bikers for
not wearing helmets.
They could only cite a cyclist for not wearing a helmet if he or she
was stopped for another driving offense, such as speeding.
HB3077 would reduce the maximum $250 penalty for driving without a
helmet to $25 and make it a civil offense that does not assess demerit
points against the cyclist's driving record.
Both bills passed the House Militia, Police and Public Safety
Committee on Friday, which has approved several measures over the
years that would have repealed the helmet law. Those efforts have
never survived a vote in the full House of Delegates.
- Warren Fiske
----------------------------------------------------------------------
7. UPDATE - 2007 LEGISLATIVE BILLS Arizona
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----- Original Message -----
From: Bobbi Hartmann
As most of you know, the lobbyists have been diligently working on
legislation pertaining to Right of Way (ROW) violations. At this time
we would like to
announce that it is in motorcyclists best interest that we do not
proceed with the same.
After much discussion with Representative Biggs, chariman of the House
Transportation Committee and potential sponsor, we have decided not to
submit this
legislation.
History:
----------
Unknowingly, the passing of HB2208 in 2006, sponsored by Rep Biggs,
gave motorcyclists a comprehensive increase in ROW violations, via
increased penalties.
The Arizona Statute that pertains to ROW violations, ARS28-672,
currently refers to two statutes that truly effect motorcyclists. Left
Turns and Running Red
Lights. The penalties involved are for causing Serious Physical Injury
(SPI) and/or Death.
HB2208 increased the penalties of violating ARS28-672 changing SPI,
from a Civil Offense to a Class 3 Misdemeanor, making it criminal. He
also added two
sections of code, ARS28-775/776, which created a "classification of
driver". What this says is that if you are found guilty of violating
ARS28-672 and are
driving on a Suspended (for specific reasons) and/or Revoked License,
you will be charged with a Class 5 Felony for causing SPI and a Class
4 Felony for
causing Death.
As promised, the lobbyists submitted revisions to 28-672 to include,
Pulling Out from anywhere, Merging and Moving to another lane
unsafely. The latter would
cover "side swiping" and/or causing "head ons". We also had revised
the code to say that IF this was the drivers 2nd or more offense of
this statute, that
their license "SHALL" be suspended for 90 days for SPI and 180 days
for Death. The first occurrence would stand as it is today, which
states the Judge "MAY"
suspend for those times. In addition we included a "classification of
driver" that had "never had a license or proper endorsement", to
28-775/776.
However, in the recent weeks since session started, Rep Biggs has been
approached by as many as 6 different groups that are "seriously"
wanting to "Expound"
on HB2208. By submitting this legislation at this time, we would risk
the integrity of our revisions/code by providing these outside groups
with the
opportunity to attach amendments via committee and/or the floor.
With this in mind, we have decided not to risk loosing any of the
existing code, already gotten by HB2208 in 2006.
2007 BILLS:
-----------------
SB1161 - specifically states in Arizona statutes that motorcycles are
allowed in HOV lanes
HB2051 - The removal of the $150,000 cap on the Motorcycle Safety Fund
You Too Can Follow These Bills Through The Legislative Session:
LOGON TO - www.azleg.gov
ENTER THE BILL# - into the search box - top right corner of home page
CLICK ON - "Show the Bill Overview" - to see sponsors, committees
assigned, voting summaries for each House/Senate committee it goes
before, as well as the
floor votes.
CLICK ON - "Versions and/or Fact Sheet" - to see the contents of the
bill itself and/or the Fact Sheet as written by Staff.
Bobbi Hartmann
ABATE Designated Lobbyist
For the Lobbyists
----------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Kansas - Tougher Penalties Proposed to Save Lives
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/5301091.html
Tougher Penalties Proposed to Save Lives
Deadly Crashes
KAKE News
Reporter: Cara Kumari
Email: cara.kumari@kake.com
Twelve Wichita died on the roads last year, a huge increase from years
past. The majority of those accidents were due to a driver violating
the right of way, and now a local motorcycle group is hoping lawmakers
will enact tougher penalties for those deadly accidents.
Kevin McVeigh's life ended at 37th street and meridian in March of
2006. He was riding a motorcycle when someone pulled out in front of
him. His friends were shocked to learn what the driver received as
punishment.
Ray Thomas, one of those friends, told KAKE „If you violate the right
of way and happen to kill someone, well, you get fined $50.00.‰ After
writing to the DA‚s office, Thomas found that nothing in Kansas law
would allow for steeper penalties for right of way violations. Now,
he's made it his mission to change that.
80 percent of the motorcycle accidents in Wichita last year were ruled
right of way violations. A plan in the Kansas house would allow for
steep fines, a revoked driver's license and possible jail time if you
seriously injure or kill someone in a car accident. 16 states already
have enacted tougher penalties, and legislation is pending in 6
states.
Thomas has collected more than a thousand letters urging lawmakers to
pass the plan, a plan he says will apply to all vehicles and
pedestrians, not only motorcycles. Thomas believes that if penalties
are increased, people will start paying attention and be more aware.
Awareness, he says, saves lives.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
9. If crusaders win, look for a helmet law affecting cars
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.mcall.com/news/columnists/all-5crusaders-ajan21,0,4480919.column?c
Paul Carpenter
Email Paul Carpenter @ paul.carpenter@mcall.com
If crusaders win, look for a helmet law affecting cars
Paul Carpenter
If a case can be made for compulsory helmets for motorcyclists, an
even better case can be made to require helmets for the occupants of
cars.
I'll get back to cars shortly, but this month ˜ more than three years
after Pennsylvania let qualified adults decide for themselves whether
to wear helmets on motorcycles ˜ we saw the onset of a crusade to
again require the helmets.
The crusade is consistently justified by one catch phrase: ''Burden to
society.'' When bikers bash their heads, it is argued, some cannot
care for themselves, thus the burden.
Personally, I think the real reason for the crusade is that some
people absolutely detest freedom, and nothing illustrates freedom
better (worse?) than the sight of somebody on a motorcycle with the
wind in his hair ˜ or, in my case, with the wind dashing over his bald
spot. (Please note I've always opposed helmet laws on philosophical
grounds, even when I did not own a motorcycle.)
Currently, the ''burden to society'' crusade is keyed to a report by
an organization dominated largely by the insurance industry. As we saw
in a Jan. 10 story in this paper, the report by Advocates for Highway
and Auto Safety ranked Pennsylvania among ''yellow'' states (better
than red but worse than green) when it comes to state laws designed to
save us from ourselves.
The 31 yellow states, AHAS proclaimed, are guilty of such things as
preventing police officers from running amok to enforce seat belt laws
and of having libertarian motorcycle helmet laws. (I also oppose seat
belt laws for adults on philosophical grounds.)
The report precipitated hand-wringing editorials in a number of
newspapers, notably the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which said the state
''foolishly rescinded its mandatory helmet law for motorcycles in
2003,'' and it ridiculed anyone's ''right to be foolish.''
The Post-Gazette cited statistics showing a rise in motorcycle
fatalities after the helmet repeal, but conceded that the rise
coincided with more motorcycle registrations.
The AHAS report said that 43,443 people died in traffic accidents in
2005, plus another 2.7 million who were injured. ''The economic costs
resulting from motor vehicle crashes exceed $230 billion annually,''
the report said. It blamed the soft enforcement of seat belt laws and
the fact that all but 20 states now let adults decide for themselves
about motorcycle helmets.
In addition to editorials, the report generated movement on the
legislative front, including a measure announced by state Sen. Connie
Williams, D-Montgomery and Delaware counties, to require bikers who
ride without helmets to carry medical insurance.
Also, state legislation was introduced in the 2005-2006 session to
bring back the blanket motorcycle helmet requirement. It died without
action, but some lawmakers anticipate a new push. Three sponsors of
the earlier measure are from the Lehigh Valley, and I'll tell you what
they said about all this another time.
As for those 43,443 fatalities, however, only a tiny fraction involved
motorcycles, so most of that $230 billion burden stems from other
vehicles, and earlier studies have said the vast majority of car crash
fatalities involve head injuries, seat belts or no seat belts.
Even with seat belts and air bags, your head in a car is just inches
from a steel frame. So, it can be argued, your noggin could best be
protected with a helmet, thus easing our awful $230 billion burden to
society.
First, however, crusaders who want to dictate to adults what's in
their own self-interest must eliminate the most glaringly painful
reminder of freedom ˜ bareheaded bikers.
Once they have total victory there, they can go after the real burdens
to society ˜ the people who foolishly drive or ride in cars without
helmets.
paul.carpenter@mcall.com 610-820-6176
----------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Motorcycle Helmets Effectiveness Revisited
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Fwd: Helmet Effectiveness 04
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:30:25 -0500
From: Hawk
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/Rpts/2004/809-715/images/DOT%20HS%20809-715a.pdf
Motorcycle Helmets Effectiveness Revisited
Abstract
This report looks at the measurement of how effective motorcycle
helmets are in preventing fatalities in motorcycle crashes. Based on
a comparison of crashes involving motorcycles with two occupants, at
least one of whom was killed, the method uses data from the Fatality
Analysis Reporting System (FARS) to estimate helmet effectiveness.
Technological changes over the past 15 years have led to
improvements in helmet design and materials. Recalculating the
effectiveness of helmets in preventing fatalities, using more recent
data, shows that helmets have indeed improved in this respect. The
effectiveness of helmets has increased from 29 percent in 1982
through 1987 to 37 percent over the years 1993 through 2002. The
significance of this improvement is that over the same period,
helmets have saved the lives of 7,808 riders. The potential number
of lives saved over the period is even higher, at 11,915.
Unfortunately, the declining rate of helmet use among motorcyclists
has contributed to rising numbers of rider fatalities despite the
improved life saving qualities of helmets.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Eight Traffic Ticket Tips
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://autos.aol.com/article/general/v2/_a/eight-traffic-ticket-tips/20070118134109990001
Eight Traffic Ticket Tips
By MICHAEL ESTRIN
Nobody likes paying for tickets. But if you're a driver, they're a
fact of life -- especially at the end of the month or around the
holidays when cops scramble to fill their quotas. The odds are that as
a motorist you're going to have a run-in with the law.
While we don't condone unsafe driving, we do believe that there are
ways to make sure a bad day on the road doesn't lead to a bad day for
your wallet. Here are some tips on how to avoid getting a ticket. The
tips are divided between those you can use on the road when you've
been pulled over and those you can use in court, if it gets that far.
On the Road
Be polite
It may be a routine traffic stop to you, but the cop doesn't know how
dangerous the situation might be. So, when he pulls you over, keep in
mind that he's looking at it as a tense situation. If you're rude,
you'll only make it worse and lessen your chances of escaping the
ticket. Be polite; roll down your window and turn off your radio. If
you smoke, put out the cigarette. All of these things are common
courtesy and they all communicate something to the officer: You care
enough to give him your undivided attention. Talking on your cell
phone or insisting that he hurry up is a surefire way to land yourself
a ticket.
Don't talk too much
The more you talk, the more he can use against you in court. That
doesn't mean you have to be a mute, but sometimes cops will let you
think you're talking your way out of it when they're really just
giving you enough rope to hang yourself. Don't let yourself get into a
conversation in which you confess to breaking the law so that you may
get off with a warning. Once the cop has a confession, he has all he
needs to beat you in court should you contest your ticket.
A policeman pulling over a driver
Don't argue or plead ignorance
The side of the road is no place to argue. Sometimes a cop might try
to bait you into an argument (they're human and we all have bad days).
But, usually, an argument can be avoided. If you can't get the officer
to see things your way by calmly and clearly stating your case, don't
keep going. If you do, you will only antagonize him.
As for ignorance, think again. It might work if you're a cute girl,
but for most guys, it's just a lame excuse. When you get your license,
you agree to abide by the rules of the road, so ignorance just isn't
going to fly. Plus, it's a common excuse, which means cops hear it all
the time and are less likely to let you off with just a warning.
Ask for a warning
It never hurts to ask for a warning. But don't beg -- that's a sign of
weakness. It's also very annoying. When an officer gives you a
warning, he's doing you a favor, so try to approach asking for a
warning the same way you might ask a friend to help you move. It's a
big favor on his part, and you've got to make him want to help you.
In Court
Present a strong case
Presenting a strong case is about knowing the law. While it will help
to review the relevant portion of the driver's handbook, the judge
doesn't need you to tell him about the law; trust me, he knows it.
Instead, focus on making yourself an effective advocate: Be organized,
be on time, speak clearly, and dress appropriately. All of these
things will set you apart from most of the people the judge sees every
day, and he'll be more inclined to rule in your favor if you make his
job easier.
Accept a plea
If you're looking at multiple charges, ask to plead guilty to the
lesser charge in exchange for dismissing the others. You can do this
before your proceeding begins. Oftentimes, judges will do this to save
time. The benefit to you is that you can save money and points against
your insurance. But remember: The plea bargain only benefits you when
you're facing many charges.
Use an attorney
If you're facing serious charges that may result in you losing your
license, getting heavy fines or jail time, it's worth bringing a
lawyer. That should go without saying, but a lot guys think they can
fly solo because it's traffic court. Wrong: When your license and your
freedom are on the line, you need a lawyer. Ask a friend or consult
your yellow pages to find a lawyer who specializes in traffic
offenses.
Request a trial by mail
Most jurisdictions let you make your case by mail. The advantages are
twofold. First, you can sit down and think out your case without the
pressure of being on the spot and facing the arresting officer and the
judge. Second, if you lose, you can request a trial in person, which
means you get a second bite at the apple.
Getting ticketed
If there is a common denominator to these tips, it's that you need to
know how to handle yourself in a difficult situation. While many men
know how to handle a tough day at work or a fight with their
girlfriends, an encounter with the law can be a bit scary. The best
advice is to relax and fall back on what you've learned.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Motorcycle alarm set with built-in shock sensor
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.security.globalsources.com/gsol/I/Motorcycle-alarm/a/9000000082979
Motorcycle alarm set with built-in shock sensor
Posted : January 26, 2007
Motorcycle alarm
Taiwan ˆ Model AEC-00225-20 from Tung Thih Enterprise Co. Ltd is a
motorcycle alarm set featuring a built-in shock sensor with a
two-stage detecting mode.
The set consists of a main control unit, siren and two transmitter
keychains. Each component is housed in water-resistant rubber. The
product is capable of intelligent remote engine start, remote
lock/unlock and auto rearming.
The control unit has a voltage rating of 12V and a working range of 9
to 16V. Its radio frequency is at 315MHz. The standby current
consumption is less than 8mA.
The transmitter works on a 12V battery and has less than 8mA
transmitting current. It adopts permutations with about 59,000
combinations.
The minimum order is 500 sets, for delivery within 45 days after
receipt of an L/C. Price is provided on direct inquiry.
The company exports mainly to the US and Europe.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Older motorcyclists rev up deaths
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=83066
Older motorcyclists rev up deaths
By J. Craig Anderson, Tribune
January 28, 2007
Steve Shepherd sped through the morning chill on a borrowed Buell
motorcycle last weekend, his body still stinging from the previous
day, when he had lost control of the 300-pound contraption and sent
his body sprawling onto the cold pavement.
„That was a lesson,‰ he said.
More than 3,000 Arizona motorcyclists learned that same lesson through
serious injury and property damage in 2005, the most recent year for
which crash statistics are available. Of those cyclists, 150 did not
live to learn anything.
The deaths created an alarming 22 percent increase in motorcycle
fatalities compared with the previous year.
Overall, the number of fatal Arizona motorcycle collisions doubled
from 2001 to 2005, and transportation officials say they are
particularly concerned about a surge in driver deaths in the
45-to-54-year-old age group.
Deadly motorcycle crashes increased at 10 times the rate of other
vehicular deaths between 2004 and 2005, with more than half involving
motorcyclists age 35 and older. Those statistics differ significantly
from crash data for other vehicle types, in which older drivers died
at a far lower rate.
Luckily, Shepherd learned his lesson the easy way: on a closed
training course supervised by professional instructors at a school
called Riders Edge. In fact, on the final afternoon of training, four
of the six students attending the 25-hour class had taken a spill
while practicing basic maneuvers. Each survived with little more than
a bruised ego.
„I‚d love it if everyone got trained,‰ said Mitch Lanoue, one of
Shepherd‚s instructors and manager of the training program at
Chandler Harley-Davidson.
Motorcycle enthusiasts disagree about the reasons why their colleagues
are dying in crashes at an accelerating rate. Some blame a legal
system they say is too timid to punish unlicensed drivers or require
safety precautions.
Others say existing laws are adequate to encourage safe driving, and
that ultimately surviving the road is a matter of personal
responsibility.
Motorcycles are unique in that a large segment of firsttime buyers are
middle-aged men who may have ridden decades ago but have forgotten the
necessary skills or aren‚t prepared for today‚s larger, more
powerful
vehicles, said Michael Hegarty, deputy director of the Governor‚s
Office of Highway Safety.
„Not only have bikes gotten bigger and faster,‰ Hegarty said,
„but
traffic around them has gotten bigger and faster.‰
Arizona‚s legal system does little to require those so-called
„weekend
warriors‰ ˜ aging urban professionals who drive motorcycles solely
for
recreation ˜ to prepare themselves for the road ahead, critics say.
Those critics include Jack Frost, student services director at
T.E.A.M. Arizona, a Gilbert business that specializes in training
motorcyclists.
Frost said Arizona‚s lack of strict motorcycle safety laws ˜ and
selective enforcement of the ones that do exist ˜ have enabled those
he calls „bornagain bikers‰ to hit the streets unprepared, where
they
have been suffering ever-greater casualties.
„Everyone is going out on the street with no license, no
insurance,‰
Frost said. „There‚s no law that requires you to be licensed before
you buy a motorcycle.‰
He said 30 percent to 40 percent of his students take the course
because they have been cited for driving a motorcycle without the
proper license and ordered by a judge to attend training. In many
cases, he said, motorcyclists who lack the state‚s required
motorcycle
endorsement are simply given 90 days to get certified.
„There‚s no punishment,‰ he said. „They don‚t even give them
a fine.‰
Frost said properly trained and licensed drivers are 98 percent less
likely to be involved in a crash. He believes state lawmakers should
deter unlicensed drivers by making it a criminal offense, punishable
by mandatory incarceration, to operate a motorcycle without proper
certification.
Scottsdale Judge Mike Reagan said city judges cannot dismiss citations
for motorcyclists who are caught without the proper endorsements on
their licenses, but they can suspend the $105 fine in lieu of other
requirements such as attending motorcycle training.
Still, Reagan said increasing the punishment for uncertified drivers
would not necessarily lead to fewer deaths.
„The Arizona Legislature has consistently increased the penalties for
drunk driving, and in my opinion it has done nothing to stem the
number of people convicted of DUI annually,‰ he said.
Cydney DeModica, spokeswoman for the Arizona Department of
Transportation‚s Motor Vehicle Division, said Arizona law allows
drivers who operate a motorcycle to retain their motorcycle
endorsement for life, which means baby boomers who answer „the call
of
the chrome‰ later in life may be certified to operate motorcycles
even
if they haven‚t driven one in decades.
„There really is no requirement to update that endorsement,‰ she
said.
„There are people out there that haven‚t ridden on a motorcycle
since
they were in their 20s.‰
Motorcyclists need to be expert defensive drivers in complete control
of their vehicles, because they are often unseen or ignored by
surrounding motorists, DeModica said.
„It‚s so easy for motorists to miss a motorcycle, which is a large
percentage of the crashes that occur,‰ she said.
Arizona still doesn‚t have a mandatory helmet law, De-Modica said,
and
lawmakers who support a helmet law have faced consistent opposition
from motorcycle enthusiast organizations such as Harley Owners‚
Groups, or HOGs.
Hegarty said double-digit increases in motorcyclist deaths nationwide
have led to a push for mandatory helmet laws in several states, but he
said introduction of such a law in Arizona is unlikely this year.
Still, the state‚s highway safety office is preparing a spring public
awareness campaign that will encourage training and use of helmets via
billboard and radio ads.
„We‚d like to see these people wear the proper equipment, whether
the
law requires them to or not,‰ Hegarty said.
Lanoue, president of the Foothills Chapter HOG, said such groups
strongly encourage the use of safety equipment but do not believe
lawmakers should mandate it. „It‚s an individual‚s decision,‰
he said.
Contact J. Craig Anderson by email, or phone (480) 898-5936
----------------------------------------------------------------------
14. LoJack Releases Results of First Annual Motorcycle Theft Study
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://sev.prnewswire.com/auto/20070124/CLW10424012007-1.html
LoJack Releases Results of First Annual Motorcycle Theft Study
LoJack-Equipped Recoveries Enabled Police to Discover 76 Theft Rings
and Recover More Than $4.9 Million in Stolen Assets
WESTWOOD, Mass., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LoJack Corporation
(NASDAQ: LOJN) , the leading provider of tracking and recovery systems
for stolen mobile assets, today announced the results of its first
annual Motorcycle Theft Study, which documents facts and trends
derived from LoJack's stolen motorcycle recovery reports for the
calendar year 2006. According to the study, law enforcement recovered
292 LoJack-equipped stolen motorcycles in 2006 valued at close to $2.8
million and discovered 76 professional theft rings, enabling police to
reclaim an additional $2.1 million in other stolen bikes, bike parts,
accessories and miscellaneous items. In total, law enforcement
recovered more than $4.9 million in stolen assets through tracking
LoJack-equipped stolen motorcycles.
This report underscores the fact that organized crime rings view bike
theft as a highly lucrative business opportunity and that motorcycle
theft is growing along with the popularity of bike riding - which
today is at an all time high. Figures released by the National
Insurance Crime Bureau earlier this year indicated that more than
70,000 motorcycles were stolen in 2005. In fact, bike theft has risen
135 percent over the past five years. And not surprisingly, the LoJack
report indicates that theft is especially high in states including
Florida, California and Texas, where the riding season is year-round.
"Today's professional thieves view stealing motorcycles as a theft of
opportunity and an easy money-making proposition, which is why bike
theft is increasing at such an alarming rate," said Richard T. Riley,
LoJack's Chairman and CEO. "Motorcycles are relatively easy to steal
when compared to cars. In many cases, the thief will simply put the
bike in the back of a van and drive off with it. Because of this
issue, bike owners need to take as many precautions as possible to
protect their motorcycles - from employing simple common sense
measures to using proven tracking and recovery systems. We're pleased
that our recovery system helped police discover such a large number of
professional theft rings this year and ultimately put behind bars many
of the criminals responsible for these crimes."
Newer Sport Bikes are the Most Popular Theft Targets
While all motorcycles are vulnerable to theft, the report indicates
that the most popular theft targets are the newer sport bikes. Four of
the top five stolen/recovered bikes are sport bikes and 87 percent
were either 2005 or 2006 models.
Below are the top five stolen motorcycle makes:
1. Suzuki
2. Honda
3. Yamaha
4. Kawasaki
5. Harley-Davidson
"Newer bikes are top theft targets for a number of reasons," said
Riley. "To begin with, they are typically in high demand and parts for
new bikes aren't always readily available. So, thieves have an
opportunity to sell the bikes whole or disassemble them for parts,
sometimes even selling parts online. In addition, proud owners of new
motorcycles tend to ride their bikes a lot initially to show them to
friends and relatives, and they often do not take the necessary theft
protection measures. Unfortunately, these shiny, new bikes also catch
the attention of thieves who can strike while the bike is vulnerable
to theft. For all of these reasons, owners of new bikes need to be
particularly vigilant about theft."
LoJack Offers "BikeSmarts" Guide to Theft Protection
In an effort to help inform bike owners of the facts about motorcycle
theft and provide theft prevention tips, LoJack offers "BikeSmarts," a
theft protection guide available on LoJack's Knowledge Center for
Vehicle Security at http://www.lojack.com/ (click on the "Get the
Facts of Vehicle Theft" button).
How LoJack For Motorcycles Works
LoJack For Motorcycles features the core strengths that over the past
20 years have made LoJack's flagship Stolen Vehicle Recovery System
such a successful solution to the serious problem of vehicle theft.
The product is directly integrated into law enforcement agencies in
LoJack markets, is based on LoJack's tried-and-true radio frequency
technology, and is hidden on the bike so that thieves would not
suspect the device exists and, therefore, would not attempt to find
and disengage it. Taken together, these strengths enable LoJack to
deliver highly effective, proven recovery systems.
About the Study
The 2006 LoJack Motorcycle Theft Study is based on state theft
statistics and equipment recoveries documented by LoJack in 26 states
from January to December 2006. LoJack has been tracking theft/recovery
data for the past year and will continue to issue these reports
annually to provide the industry with valuable statistics and trend
information.
About LoJack Corporation
LoJack Corporation, the company that invented the stolen vehicle
recovery market, leverages its superior technology, direct connection
with law enforcement and proven processes to be the undisputed global
leader in tracking and recovering valuable mobile assets. The
company's Stolen Vehicle Recovery System delivers a better than 90
percent success rate in tracking and recovering stolen cars and trucks
and has helped recover more than $4 billion in global assets. The
system is uniquely integrated into law enforcement agencies in the
United States that use LoJack's in-vehicle tracking equipment to
recover stolen assets, including cars, trucks, commercial vehicles,
construction equipment and motorcycles. Today LoJack operates in 26
states and the District of Columbia, and in more than 28 countries
throughout Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.
CONTACT:
Paul McMahon.....Jeanne Bock..........Laura Feng
LoJack Corp......Tier One Partners....Tier One Partners
781-251-4130.....781-861-5249.........978-975-1414
Website: http://www.lojack.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Monster fine for 'Monster Garage'
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-pimpmysmog27jan27,1,6262907.story?coll=la-headlines-california&ctrack=1&cset=true
Monster fine for 'Monster Garage'
Show creator Jesse James is dinged nearly $300,000 for smog
violations.
By Andrew Blankstein, Times Staff Writer
January 27, 2007
With creations like the "Undertaker" and "666 El Diablo," Jesse James
and his West Coast Choppers team have become TV stars and automotive
icons by turning average motorcycles into pimped-up machines.
But California air regulators announced Friday a $271,250 fine against
James, the co-producer and host of "Monster Garage" and "Motorcycle
Mania," saying that 50 of his custom-built choppers ran afoul of
California's clean-air rules.
California Air Resources Board officials said their inspectors found
that the monster bikes sold between 1998 and 2005 did not have state
certified emissions equipment on their exhaust and fuel systems.
As a result, bikes were spewing hydrocarbons at up to 10 times the
state limits, said Paul Jacobs, chief of the board's Mobile Sources
Enforcement branch.
The market for custom-built motorcycles has taken off in recent years
as celebrities, athletes and other gilded age luminaries plunk down
$50,000 ˜ and far more ˜ for signature rides.
James, who is married to actress Sandra Bullock, could not be reached
for comment. Nobody who answered the phone at his Long Beach-based
West Coast Choppers would discuss the state action.
Regulators said James' celebrity status was not the reason he was
targeted. Souping up motorcycles has become a huge industry, and the
state has cited, sued or settled air pollution cases with more than 20
motorcycle customizers, Jacobs said.
In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has
fined other auto customizers ˜ including the similarly named but
unrelated West Coast Customs, which was then affiliated with the MTV
show "Pimp My Ride" ˜ for allegedly replacing steering wheel air bags
with TV monitors.
Despite James' maverick image, his hamburger joint next to the bike
shop is promoted as environmentally friendly, including using solar
energy.
Cisco Burgers' website says: "We use biodegradable paper products,
natural, no preservative meats, organic dairy and produce."
andrew.blankstein@latimes.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Ex-S.D. Congressman's Probation Ending
----------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2007Jan21/0,4670,JanklowProbation,00.html
Ex-S.D. Congressman's Probation Ending
Sunday, January 21, 2007
By CARSON WALKER, Associated Press Writer
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. ˜ Former Rep. Bill Janklow will emerge from his
manslaughter probation Monday with a clean record, more than three
years after he sped through a stop sign in a Cadillac and killed a
motorcyclist.
Janklow already regained his law license and can get behind the wheel
again, having obeyed all conditions of his release, his probation
officer said.
But the 67-year-old's political career is through.
"I think that it's good for everyone involved that this chapter has
come to a conclusion," said Ed Evans, the attorney who represented him
at trial.
Janklow told The Associated Press he did not want to comment about the
end of his probation.
Janklow was governor for 16 years, serving four terms in two
eight-year stints. In 2002, he was elected as South Dakota's only
member of the House.
His record will be cleared because Circuit Judge Rodney Steele, now
retired, issued Janklow a suspended imposition of sentence in 2004 _ a
one-time-only pass for a person found guilty of a felony.
A suspended imposition of sentence is similar to a pardon, and means
that a judge has placed the jury's guilty verdict on hold. There is no
conviction on record if a person complies with all conditions
specified as punishment by the judge.
State law allows a suspended imposition of sentence only once in a
person's lifetime. A judge can grant it if the judge believes justice
and the best interests of the public and defendant will be served.
Steele said some bikers thought Janklow's punishment wasn't severe
enough. But he said he researched similar cases and felt it was fair.
"I got probably 30 or 40 letters, most from the members of the
American Motorcycle Association, that thought it was way too lenient,"
he said.
On Aug. 16, 2003, Janklow's car struck a Harley-Davidson ridden by
Randy Scott, 55, of Hardwick, Minn., at an intersection near Trent,
S.D., about 30 miles north of Sioux Falls.
Scott was killed instantly. Janklow suffered minor injuries.
Janklow, who has diabetes, testified he had not eaten the day of the
accident and likely blacked out when he approached the intersection.
A jury in Janklow's boyhood home of Flandreau convicted him of
second-degree manslaughter that December. He resigned from Congress a
month later.
He served 100 days in jail, paid a $5,000 fine, temporarily lost his
law license and was forbidden from driving during his probation.
Scott's mother, Marcella Scott, declined to comment on the end of
Janklow's probation.
She and other family members are seeking $25 million in a wrongful
death lawsuit filed in federal court, which is set for trial in March
2008. The federal government would be responsible for any damages
awarded because Janklow was on official business when the accident
happened.
The Minneapolis lawyer representing the family, Ronald Meshbesher, was
out of the country and could not be reached immediately for comment.
Carrie Van Dyke, a friend of Scott's, said she hopes Janklow learned
from his mistake.
"We have to be forgiving. It's not like he did it on purpose, like he
woke up and said, 'I'm going to run a stop sign and kill somebody
today,'" she said.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
17. Quotable Quote
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without
bloodshed, if you will not fight when victory will be sure and not so
costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all
the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There
may
be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no chance of
victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.
Winston Churchill
----------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Show your support for the fight.
http://www.solriders.com/products/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.......................
If you need more info on this or any other subject just go to the Sons of
Liberty Riders Info Zone
http://solriders.com/ or http://bikers4row.org
-- Later Hawk
************************************************
Success is determined by EFFORT!!
******************************************************************************
Anything can be accomplished, if it's planned right and you have the desire and creativity to execute it. Jesse "The Governor" Ventura
******************************************************************************
Sons of Liberty Riders http://www.solriders.com/ or http://www.bikers4row.org
***********************************
Copyright 2007, Sons of Liberty Riders