NCOM NEWS BYTES

HELMET LAWS THREATENED  At least three state legislatures are already proposing to enact helmet laws in the early stages of their 2007 sessions: Arkansas, Montana and Pennsylvania. Spurred by a renewed federal enthusiasm in promoting helmet laws, and due to the increased popularity of motorcycle riding, state governments are seeking ways to curb rising motorcyclist fatalities.
New motorcycle sales have topped one million for the fourth straight year, and have experienced 14 consecutive years of record sales, now triple the number of new bikes sold a decade ago. But along with that boon has come a corresponding increase in motorcycle deaths, with the latest figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reflecting a 13 percent increase in rider fatalities from 4,028 in 2004 to 4,553 in 2005.
Currently, 20 states and the District of Columbia require all motorcyclists to wear helmets, while the other 30 states allow freedom of choice for adult riders.

SALT LAKE CITY WITHDRAWS HELMET PROPOSAL  Through the combined efforts of bikers across the country who took time to write, call and e-mail Mayor Rocky Anderson to oppose a Salt Lake City, Utah city ordinance requiring helmet use by all motorcyclists and bicyclists within the city, the proposed law has been withdrawn and the mayor's office has responded that they have "Abandoned the proposal, due to the immense amount of calls and e-mails both from local motorcyclists and motorcyclists nationwide. We are now looking into ways to better enforce the helmet law already in existence, (for riders 18 years old and under) and require the same for bicyclists and scooters."

NUMBERS GAME  Even if we accepted the government's claim that unhelmeted riders cost U.S. taxpayers $853 million last year, let's put that number in perspective. According to MAG-UK (Motorcycle Action Group of the United Kingdom), citing statistics from the BBC website, the United States spent $1.9 trillion on healthcare in 2004, so unhelmeted motorcyclists accounted for .00004% of the total costs.
For comparison, caring for smoking related health problems cost the government $12.9 billion, or .007%, making it 150 times more costly. Obesity costs the government $7.7 billion in healthcare expenses. Alcohol costs the government $12.2 billion in healthcare expenses. Medicaid fraud costs the government $140 billion in healthcare expenses.

S&S FIRST TO OBTAIN EPA ENGINE CERTIFICATION  S&S Cycle, Inc. has successfully procured EPA Certification on all three of its V-Series engine families, becoming the first motorcycle engine manufacturer to produce pre-certified EPA compliant engines for use by individuals and custom bike builders.
By using motors that are pre-certified to meet emissions regulations, individuals and builders can now build EPA compliant motorcycles without having to go through the complicated and costly emissions testing procedures themselves, thus allowing small volume manufacturers to build and sell as many custom motorcycles as they want to, and individuals can now own, ride and sell them without prior restrictions as long as the engine package is not altered in any way that increases exhaust emissions.
Under EPA regulations issued in 2003, custom bike builders are limited to building only 24 non-compliant motorcycles per model year, and individuals are allowed to own only one EPA exempt kit bike in their lifetime. But following a year of successful efforts between the EPA and industry and consumer groups, the "Certification Procedure for Highway Motorcycle Engines" EPA letter of guidance dated July 25, 2006 CISD-06-15 (MC), now allows builders of aftermarket engines to provide EPA-compliant engine packages to individuals, dealers and small volume motorcycle manufacturers (<3,000 annual units, excluding California), thus circumventing the strict regulations applied to non-EPA compliant motorcycles.
Therefore, the new Certification Procedure will permit certified engines installed in new highway motorcycle chassis to be operated or re-sold without onerous construction and ownership restrictions, provided the requirements of the procedure, as well as the federal Clean Air Act anti-tampering requirements, are met.

ALUDE POLICE, FORFEIT YOUR BIKE  The Florida Highway Patrol has developed a plan to fight fleeing cyclists without engaging in high speed pursuit or even taking them to trial. Florida police have a policy restricting high-speed chases, and police cars can't keep up with a sport bike's top speed or ability to accelerate.
But all the law requires is that police get the tag number, and then they can go pick up the bike later. Police seized 344 motorcycles last year by accusing their owners of running from police -- a felony -- initiate the seizure proceeding, then drop the charges. This allows police to keep the bike without the effort of a court battle or the danger of a not guilty verdict. Even an innocent motorcyclist will think twice about fighting an unjust seizure since the felony charges carry jail time and a permanent black mark on more than just their driving record.
Although police claim the confiscation policy is done to save the lives of innocent motorists, no automobile driver has been killed by a motorcyclist on the run.

NATIONAL ID ON THE WAY  Some state officials are giving the national ID system a cool reception, and hope Congress will reassess -- and perhaps repeal -- legislation it passed that establishes a national ID system by 2008.
The Real ID Act of 2005 is intended to deter terrorism and illegal immigration, but many deem the program unnecessary, costly and annoying.
Among the most alarming dilemmas, aside from privacy issues, is that under the Real ID system it could take weeks to produce a single identification card. Real ID would also put a major dent in states' coffers, costing tens of millions of dollars to implement the new system, including installing new machines in DMV offices to produce the cards, and each state will be responsible for footing its own bill.
Right now, no one's sure how long residents will have before they must convert to the new ID system or what types of documentation they must present, and are awaiting further direction from the Department of Homeland Security.

QUOTABLE QUOTE:  "Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom! I hope you will make good use of it! If you do not, I shall repent it in Heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it!"
John Adams, April 26, 1777