Press Releases, News & Notes
May, 1997

12th ANNUAL NCOM CONVENTION

Richmond Hosts Gathering of Freedom Fighters

NCOM -- With the repeal of the federal "blackmail" helmet mandates in 1995, and the inclusion of motorcyclists in health care protections enacted by Congress last year, the theme of the 12th Annual NCOM Convention, held in Richmond, VA, May 8~10, 1997, was "Bringing It All Back Home," and focused on returning our attention to our own state legislatures and "bring home" the lobbying techniques used so successfully on the federal level.

Perfect examples of this would be Arkansas and Texas, where motorcycle rights activists got back to the basics and succeeded in repealing their state helmet laws this year, the first successful attempts in 14 years, since Wyoming repealed their helmet law in 1983. We are beginning to turn the tide, and several other states are now at various stages of the legislative process with their helmet amendments. Still others are lobbying for other proactive motorcycle legislation such as rider education, insurance reform, handicap tags, easing parking restrictions, handlebar height and other motorcycle friendly legislation. In addition, with the rapid growth of the Confederations of Clubs throughout the United States and Canada, several states intend to introduce biker anti discrimination legislation to prohibit discrimination against individuals based solely on their chosen mode of transportation.

Now is the time to redirect our energies on state legislative action, and this year's National Coalition of Motorcyclists Convention, hosted by ABATE of Virginia and the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists (VCOM), featured meetings, workshops and seminars geared toward improving our communications, cooperation, lobbying and overall political effectiveness to help us all achieve our own individual state's goals.

During the weekend, over 400 freedom fighters from more than 40 states, 2 Canadian Provinces and the United kingdom were regaled with information about the legislative process, lobby techniques, litigation procedures, campaigning for public office, and much more. An NCOM Board of Directors meeting kicked off the Convention on Thursday, followed by the NCOM Legislative Task Force Meeting and the A.l.M. Attorney Conference on Friday morning.

Immediately following the opening ceremonies at 1 p.m. on Friday, the first seminar was dedicated to clearing the air about certain product liability lawsuits that have created a stir within the motorcycle rights movement. After nearly two hours of presentations, followed by exhaustive

question and answer periods, the near-unanimous consensus of opinion was that it is time to put this divisive issue behind us and move forward toward our common goal of freedom and unity.

After that, it was business as usual, with attendees enjoying and benefiting from such presentations as "Lobbying 101 - How to Fight Adverse Motorcycle Legislation/How to Get a Positive Motorcycle Bill Introduced," "Advanced Computer for the SMRO/How to Create a Web Page, How to Get Our People Elected to Public Office" and "Bringing It All Back Home."

There were all sorts of special meetings on tap, including a Legal/Legislative Anti-Discrimination Task Force Meeting, Confederation of Clubs and General Patcholder Meeting, Regional Meetings and special meetings of the Retreads Motorcycle Club International, Brothers of the Third wheel and a black biker caucus to reach out to minority bikers to get them more involved in the motorcyclists' rights movement.

After all the lectures were over, and the ink was dry in everyone's notepads, it was time to kick back and enjoy each others company at the prestigious NCOM Silver Spoke Awards Banquet on Saturday evening. You could feel the excitement and camaraderie as everyone talked, compared notes, traded horror stories and tall tales, and reveled in the brotherhood that we all share.

Following a delicious meal, the festivities kicked off with the presentation of special awards to ABATE of Arkansas and the Guam Hawgs Motorcycle Club for their successful helmet repeal victories, and both announcements were met with standing ovations. Likewise, the crowd stood and cheered as ABATE of Florida presented Doc Reichenbach with a huge eagle sculpture in honor of his years of hard work and dedication to the cause.

This year's Silver Spoke Awards were then presented to the following individuals for their contributions toward improving the image of motorcycling:

Government - Rudy Garcia, Florida State Representative;

Media - "Twiggy," Easyriders Magazine;

Commerce - Dave Thomas, Founder of Wendy's Restaurants;

Entertainment - Hoyt Axton;

Legal - Tom McGrath, Virginia A. I. M Attorney & Founder of VCOM

One of the highlights of the Convention was watching as the 1997 Ron Roloff Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Jesse McDugald to this year's most deserving recipient, Sputnik of the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association, who orchestrated the movement to repeal Texas' mandatory motorcycle helmet law. If your eyes didn't tear up after listening to the Gospel of Jesse, then they certainly did after hearing Sputnik's acceptance speech. Among other things, Sputnik promised those in attendance that Texas riders would not rest until they have not only fixed the contentious provisions of their new helmet law, but to take over the political process in Texas!

Knowing Sputnik, and knowing what was learned, taught and shared at this year's NCOM Convention, our only limitations are ourselves.

If you missed out on the 1997 Convention, make plans now for next year's 13th Annual NCOM Convention to be hosted by the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association and the Texas Motorcycle Roadriders Association in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on May 7-9,1998.