The GUNNY'S SACK

April 2004 This month I have to comment again on the needless slaughter of our brothers and sisters as they ride down our highways and byways. Too many of these tragedies are SINGLE-vehicle accidents. And too many of them are riders with little experience, or old-timers returning to the sport or lifestyle, after raising the kids and finally getting past the wife who is scared silly of these terrible, deadly machines. And, the sad truth is that they ARE terrible, deadly machines, for the families of all these dead folks, but it's because the RIDER wasn't an educated, trained rider.

What does it take, folks, to get people to use their GOD given good sense and take a rider course? We spend thousands for these bikes, and thousands more to put shiny stuff on them to give them our personality, but we refuse to spend one thin dime on education that just might keep us alive on the road. Why does our personal safety appear to mean so little to us? We bitch and bellyache - and rightfully so - about the value of personal choice, but then we make a bad choice when we don't get at least some brush-up rider ed! Nobody I know has EVER said it was a waste, no matter how long they've been riding. The courses are cheap, and it may even save you a few bucks on insurance. I hope I'm getting across to a few of you. Your lives are important to me. I hate it when I read or hear on the news that a brother or sister has been killed because they just didn't think to spend a little time on education.

NEWS BITS 'N' PIECES:

NHTSA: For once, they're doing the stuff they're SUPPOSED to do: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says Harley-Davidson is recalling 73,678 of its FL touring bikes from model years 2001 through 2003. A circuit breaker can open unexpectedly and cut off ALL electrical power to your bike! If you have a computer, go to www.safetyalerts.com. It's pretty nifty. You can check on recalls on nearly every kind of thing there is on the market. If you don't have a computer, you know you CAN go to your nearest library and use theirs. Just get to that site - or ask the librarian to help you - and then type in the rig you want info on and the site will take you right to it. Don't wait for the mail to arrive. It could arrive too late!

WARRNAMBOOL, AUSTRALIA: A local and very outspoken biker (WHAT? A biker who's outspoken? Who ever heard of THAT, huh?) here in this Australian town is a big anti-lane-splitter. Steve Rose says that many motorcyclists are, in HIS mind, putting their lives at risk by splitting lanes. "Cars need to be more on the look-out, but a lot of motorcyclists bring their own problems on themselves," he said.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: South Florida has a different approach to riding. Now you KNOW how you can ride year-round, which makes ME jealous. But here's a new wrinkle: There's one club that doesn't care if you are a conservative, reform, or orthodox Jew. It does matter whether or not you ride a motorcycle, though! If you are Jewish and you ride motorcycles, here's another organization for you: The King David Bikers, which you can find at www.kingdavidbikers.com, and they are lookin' for a Rabbi who rides!

Most groups have a biker chaplain, so why not a biker rabbi? How different is the idea of King David from Christian bike clubs? It's all about the brotherhood of the road, no matter what your religion. Too bad this old Marine's a gentile. Hell, I'll ride with'm anyway, if they'd have me!

WISCONSIN: Here is a winner for a change: Members of ABATE of Wisconsin witnessed the signing of S 223 into law. This forbids denying compensation for riders injured in an accident and not wearing a helmet. Wisconsin is a free state in all respects once again. Congratulations, brothers and sisters.

EUROPE: It's about time folks. Now in Spain we can pull a trailer behind our bikes. It's been awhile coming but they have begun to wake up to the fact it can be done with safety. Now we don't have to ship our stuff ahead to the next stop for the night!

ENGLAND: There is a problem here with the cost of city parking for bikes as well as here in the U. S. of A. In England, they are fighting the problem with demonstrations protesting the high cost of parking. Hope they meet with some success. Parking a bike in THIS country is usually still a bargain. My boss, Oregon AIM Attorney Sam Hochberg, used to pay a whole ten bucks a month to park his scoot, back when he started his law practice, 20 years ago. He insists it actually isn't much more now, at least in downtown Portland, Oregon.

UNITED KINGDOM: The Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) here has launched an inquiry into the secrecy of some insurance policies. You think you're covered under some scenarios and the way things are worded, you're screwed. This is a problem here too. Along those lines, think about asking for a comprehensive review of your scoot's policy here in the US. Call your local AIM (Aid to Injured Motorcyclists) lawyer. I know our Oregon guy Sam Hochberg does that all the time. Most any decent personal injury lawyer can do it, but why not get that for FREE from most any AIM Lawyer? They DO ride, and again, they're just a free call away, at 1-800-ON-A-BIKE.

IRELAND: Across northern Ireland now, bikers can use the bus lane for travel. What a great idea! Bikers here in the states have had access to High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) "diamond lanes" for years to help ease congestion and give motorcyclists a safer place to ride.

GUNNY AGAIN: By the time this missive is in your eager hands I should be home again in Oregon after the annual NCOM Convention, the National Coalition of Motorcyclists gathering in Oklahoma City, with all the AIM Attorneys as well as Bikers Rights Activists from all across the country and all over the world. I sure hope I see some of you folks there. In particular, those of you who've never been. It's a real eye-opener! For ME, it's my annual time of renewal and reorganization for the next year. It also is a time of learning and digestion of new ideas and information. C U there!

Also, as always, I remind you that the Aid To Injured Motorcyclists (AIM) attorneys across this land have been organized for our benefit. These people ride and are a part of our world. They know the difficulties we run into in any sort of accident or confrontation with the law. Call the AIM number if you have any questions about law of any sort. These folks will give you good advice and if they don't do the kind of law you need they will recommend someone for you who does and who you can trust to do the right thing. Nationally, call 1-800-ON-A-BIKE, or visit www.aimncom.com, and they will fix you up with a local AIM Attorney. On the Internet, you can ALSO find out a lot of other info about the various AIM lawyers, the Confederations of Clubs all over the country, and MRO news. If you've got any Gunny news, grab me at AIMGunny@aol.com.

Keep the round side on the bottom.
Gunny, Oregon A.I.M. Chief of Staff