"FREE AT LAST, FREE AT LAST, THANK GOD FLORIDA IS FREE AT LAST," exclaimed a jubilant James "Doc" Riechenbach III, President and Lobbyist for ABATE of Florida, moments after receiving a personal phone call from Governor Jeb Bush at 3:50 p.m. (EST) today, June 16, to tell him that he'd signed their helmet law repeal bill!
Doc, who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), said, "It's been a long time coming, 31 years, and we'd just like to thank our ABATE members, NCOM and every state that helped us win our freedom!"
House Bill 1911 will repeal Florida's helmet law for riders 21 and older who have a minimum of $10,000 in medical insurance, and will become effective July 1, 2000.
"The Bush brothers have now set two states free," exclaimed Doc, referring to Jeb Bush's brother and Presidential hopeful, George W. Bush Jr., who as Texas Governor signed a similar bill in 1997 to allow freedom of choice for responsible adult Texas motorcyclists.
Something tells me that Daytona Bike Week is gonna be one Helluva helmetless celebration!
NATIONAL COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS (NCOM)

NEW JERSEY SENATE VOTES TO DOFF LIDS The New Jersey Senate voted, 21-13, on June 8, to allow motorcycle riders the choice of whether they wear helmets or not.
Under the bill, riders would have the option only if they are over 21, licensed for more than two years or complete a state safety course.
2000 PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS INC.

MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE MOTORCYCLE SQUAD GUILTY OF WEARING "IMPROPER HEADGEAR? For too many years, Massachusetts has had a reputation throughout this nation for unfair police behavior towards motorcyclists. Residents experience it firsthand all too often. The state police have learned that 64 percent of motorcycle helmets on the market have failed D.O.T. compliance testing. They also know that most motorcyclists are not aware of this. Instead of recognizing consumer protections, they find bikers to be an easy target for "revenue enhancement" and ticket us for the helmets we wear.
Massachusetts state police motorcycle squad leader Lieutenant Bill Cederquist and a fellow motorcycle officer, on duty at the Earthfest Concert held April 16 at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in Boston, were photographed wearing the Bell Pro-Choice Helmet, Model SD-600V Motor Helmet. There is no D.O.T. label on the back of their department-issued helmets (as is clear in the photo). According to the D.O.T. list of approved helmets on NHTSA's website, SD600V was tested in fiscal year 1998 at the S.R.I. Testing Lab and failed for reasons related to performance (Highway Safety Report #633196). There is no record of a retest in 1999 and there is no record of any recall.
Massachusetts motorcyclists are crying foul. Recently, motorcycle riders have been subjected to a statewide frenzy of state police stops, ticketing, helmet seizures and towing for wearing alleged "improper headgear." State police prosecutors and police officers testify in court that proper helmets must have a D.O.T. label on the back, which the state police-issued helmets clearly do not. Massachusetts bikers are demanding an end to the double standard, the citations and the harassment.
According to Brook W. Chipman, public affairs director for the Department of Public Safety's Governor's Highway Safety Bureau, "The Commonwealth's universal motorcycle helmet law is based on the current D.O.T. standard for motorcycle helmets.
This is further proof of a state trooper's and court prosecutor's inability to understand the helmet standard and of their lack of helmet testing qualifications. This also refutes Captain Bird's statement to "The Patriot Ledger" on October 27, 1999, that troopers can tell by sight if a helmet is improper.
BACKFIRE, THE MOTORCYCLISTS POST

"ITS" H-E-E-E-R-E Some of you may have heard the term ITS America, others may not have a clue. ITS, is the Intelligent Transportation System. ITS America is the organization working in conjunction with the US Department of Transportation to improve highway conditions and safety across America. May 1st through May 4th ITS America held their annual convention in Boston, Mass. The MRF attended this meeting to see what is on the technological horizon. Transportation professionals, engineers, and equipment manufacturers gathered to exchange ideas and exhibit the latest and greatest technology. The transportation advancements being developed and in some cases implemented are using modern technologies such as wireless phone systems, robotics and satellite systems, just to name a few. The recent advancements in computers, software and electronic sensing devices have made possible such advancements as; Automatic Collision Avoidance Systems that maintain a specified distance from the vehicles in front and behind; Automatic Crash Notification that notifies the authorities of your location if the sensors indicate abnormal conditions of the vehicle; Side Impact Warning Systems that send a audible warning and visual warning lights in the side view mirrors; heads-up displays that can provide vehicle information and enhanced night vision; and Locator systems that help you find your way when lost or your car when stolen. Several of these products are being included as accessories on many of the more expensive models currently in production.
While safety is the rallying cause, other issues need to be addressed. Technology now allows for a black box device on vehicles that records, on a looping tape, all actions, and activities in the vehicle just before a crash. On board video recorders that create a record of what is going on inside the vehicle, and global positioning systems that can locate the vehicle at any time day or night raise questions of privacy. Not only is privacy an issue but also the question of who owns the information on the record becomes an issue. These "advancements" will change the tort system and how the courts view admission of the information into civil cases. In addition, how insurance companies will charge for coverage and settle claims should be considered.
Where it all will end is anyone's guess. Intelligent Transportation Systems are a "techno-geek's" heaven here on earth. The future is here and motorcyclists need to be aware that these advancements are being implemented now, either as production items or as experimental projects by highway departments. The Minnesota highway department currently has a 17-mile section of highway fitted with "tapes" on either side of the roadway. The state has attached sensors, which read the presence of the tapes, to an experimental snowplow and allows the driver to plow just the roadway. Because of the heavy snow at times in Michigan, the sensors will aid the plow drivers to stay on the road and not plow the shoulders possibly hitting parked cars. The advancements can in fact be a benefit to society and road safety, but we need to move slowly, and motorcyclists need to make sure we are included in the design and implementation.
MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION (MRF)

AN IDEA WHOSE TIME HAS COME An experiment carried out to help beat the automobile congestion on the streets of Tokyo, Japan has concluded that if just 1 in 5 car drivers turned to riding a motorcycle for their daily commutes, traffic speeds would increase by around 35%.
The experiment also estimated that pollution would decrease by around 30%.
Bounce that off your politicians next time you meet them!
BIKERS RIGHTS ORGANIZTION (BRO) OF ONTARIO

BLACK BIKE WEEK IN SOUTH CAROLINA IGNORES NAACP BOYCOTT Although the NAACP has called for a nationwide boycott of the state of South Carolina until the Confederate flag is taken down from atop the State House, Black Bike Week in Atlantic Beach went on as scheduled, with more than 150,000 riders from across the country attending the 20-year old event.
Though some of the black motorcyclists vowed to burn candles at midnight in support of the boycott, others took the attitude of Anthony Williams, who drove 10 hours from New Jersey to attend the event officially known as the "Atlantic Beach Bike Festival."
"The flag doesn't make any difference," said Williams. "It's been up all these years. For me, bike week is something I'm going to do every year for the rest of my life. No matter what."
According to the "CHARLOTTE OBSERVER," NAACP officials were reportedly disappointed, but not surprised by the attendance, stating it's an individual decision the bikers had to make.

CDC TO STUDY BIKE WEEK FATALITIES The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and authorities in Daytona Beach, FL are trying to determine why a record number of deaths and accidents occurred during Bike Week this year.
This marks the first time the CDC has ever studied a major tourist event. Of the 500,000 people attending the motorcycle gathering this year, 15 died compared to only five in 1999 and none during a week when no event was held. Health department official Dr. Bonnie Sorenson said they are looking at various factors to find out which ones increased risk - including age, gender, speed of travel, whether riders were wearing helmets, the type of motorcycle, and whether the accident occurred on a two-lane road or four-lane highway. Another factor being studied is alcohol consumption.
During Bike Week 2000, 451,995 gallons of alcohol were consumed. This compares to 408,185 gallons in 1999 and 269,918 gallons during the control week. The goal of the study is to prevent accidents during similar events in the future. Officials in Sturgis, SD and Laconia, NH are also interested in the study because of their large bike events held there. A final report is expected in a few months.
AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION (AMA)

BROTHERHOOD The much talked about, planned, and anticipated NFLCOC Food Run during Biketoberfest 1999 in Daytona Beach came off in grand style, and save for some nagging harassment by Florida's Highway Patrol, came off without a hitch. No trouble, no incidents, just one of the most tremendous shows of brotherhood I've ever seen...and I've been around a long time!
What's the NFLCOC you ask? Well, recently, a group of patch holders in Florida got together and formed a coalition to combat unfair discrimination against wearing, in certain public places, their club's colors. Officers were named, meetings were held, decisions were made, and the North Florida Confederation of Clubs was born.
Included in their planned events was a patch holders' run, officially called the NFLCOC Food Run, on October 23, 1999, out of the Tamoka Pub on U.S. #1, in Ormond Beach, a few miles north of Daytona. We rode in just before the run was to officially start, and the place was literally overflowing with scooters, over 1,000 of 'em, ridden by patch holders, independents, and just plain interested folks who want to see brotherhood prevail.
And prevail it did! I counted well over 40 different patches, including 1%ers who at one time simply DID NOT get along, but were now back slapping and shaking hands. It was as if conflicts of 25 years ago had never happened. It looked to me as if these men had somehow been released from the boundaries of their individual clubs without the worry of some sort of reprisal. Friendship and brotherhood now thrived, not only within one club, but among all clubs. Folks, as I said, I've been around for a long time, and I've never seen the likes of such a gathering.
A 1%er bro remarked to me, "Man, did you ever think you'd see anything like this?" I really got caught up in the moment, but managed, "No man...I never did!"
This run was the shot in the arm that we needed to convince the skeptics that things have changed, and it's time for them to change also; put aside all the discrimination and harassment that has plagued us for years.
Just about every Atlantic coast state, plus Louisiana, Indiana, Ohio and North Dakota, were represented. Ol' Tattoo Magoo from N.D. remarked, "This is the only party I attended."
Folks, there'll be other events, and we'll keep you posted. In the meantime, check out a motorcycle riders coalition group in your area - see what you can do to help.
Do you realize that if ALL the bikers in the country united, we could form our own political party and probably elect a U.S. President! Think about it.
BY MISERABLE, BIKER MAGAZINE

EDITOR'S NOTE: Since the inception of the Confederation of Clubs of Southern California back in 1988, patch holders throughout North America have realized that they have mutual goals that can be achieved by combining their manpower and brainpower. Today, the Confederation of Clubs has become the fastest growing segment of the bikers' rights community, with patch holders forming or in the process of organizing 56 Confederations in 38 States and three Canadian Provinces. Their unifying focus is to fight biker discrimination through the courts and the legislature. All Confederations are members of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) and support their state legislative motorcyclists rights organizations. A.I.M. Attorneys serve as Legal Counsel. Confederations of Clubs in various states have successfully fought "No Bikers Allowed" and "No Colors" signs in restaurants, bars, and hotels/motels; stopped harassment by specific law enforcement agencies or agents; lobbied for passage of biker anti-discrimination legislation; fought helmet tickets and assisted in the fight against mandatory helmet laws; as well as put together charity runs to raise money and gifts for the needy.

BIKERS ZOOM ACROSS SAUDI CAUSEWAY MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) - Wearing leather and biker boots, a motorcade of Harley-Davidson bikers roared across the King Fahd causeway Thursday from dry and conservative Saudi Arabia into more relaxed Bahrain to spend their weekend.
The 94 riders, including women and children, were executives, teachers, engineers, housewives and businessmen.
It is believed to be the first time motorcyclists have been allowed to ride on the 25-kilometer bridge, built in 1986 to link Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Traffic authorities of both countries consider the humped, windy causeway unsafe for motorcycles.
Larry Kelso, 45, of Waco, Texas, manager of the only Harley-Davidson dealership in Saudi Arabia, said it took more than 2 1/2 years to get approval from Saudi and Bahraini authorities.
?None of us slept last night in excitement,'' said Kelso.
Thursday's ride included Harley owners from the United States, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Australia, Britain, the Philippines and Saudi Arabia. They rode from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the border, to Manama, Bahrain.
Among the group were nine women who own Harley?s but could not ride on their own because of a Saudi law banning women from driving.
?It is a little frustrating, but I am happy to be a part of it,'' said Pamela Snakenberg of Tallahassee, Florida, a teacher. Despite the ban, Snakenberg managed to put 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles) on her Harley while riding it inside her Saudi living compound.
Once in Bahrain, the Harley owners stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe, where they clashed chilled beer mugs and feasted on hamburgers before roaring off again.
?This was a great feeling. I hope we can do it on a regular basis,'' said Warren Davis, 43, of Lakeside, Montana, an accountant for the Saudi Arabia Oil Co. and proud owner of five Harley?s.
BY ADNAN MALIK, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (AP)

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Pythagorean Theorem: 24 words

The Lord's Prayer: 66 words

Archimedes' Principle: 67 words

The Ten Commandments: 179 words

The Gettysburg Address: 286 words

The Declaration of Independence: 1,300 words

The U.S. Government regulations on the sale of cabbage: 26,911 words