Press Releases, News & Notes
July, 1997

MAY IS MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH

During the month of May, hundreds of proclamations have been issued by state, county and municipal governments to declare May as Motorcycle Awareness Month, and to call upon car drivers to be particularly aware of motorcycles during the opening weeks of the Spring riding season. Pictured to the left is a safety message displayed on the American General Building in Nashville, thanks to the efforts of Concerned Motorcyclists of Tennessee/ABATE and their Rider Education Coordinator, Rick Culwell. Similar projects to promote motorcycle awareness will take place across the country during the entire month of May.

COLORADO ACTS TO PROHIBIT DISCRIMINATION

While the U S Department of Labor was busy drafting a final rule to enforce legislation passed by Congress last year prohibiting discrimination against motorcyclists in employer provided health care coverage's, motorcyclists in the state of Colorado went forward with legislation of their own In March, Governor Roy Romer signed HB1131, sponsored by ABATE of Colorado and the Colorado Motorcycle Dealers Association, which prohibits any insurance company operating in Colorado from denying health care benefits to any individual based solely on that individual's casual or professional participation in motor- cycling, snowmobiling or off-highway vehicle riding" While the federal regulations bar employers from discriminating against motorcyclists in health insurance coverage, the state law extends the prohibitions to prevent similar abuses by insurance companies that offer private health care plans in the state.

NOISE ORDINANCE PASSED IN PHILADELPHIA

On March 25th the Philadelphia City Council passed a noise ordinance aimed at motor cycles and noisy cars. The ordinance, scheduled to take effect April 24th, establishes the decibel level as 80db and specifically targets the "South Street District" and "Delaware River Entertainment District" of Philadelphia.

HORSEBACK HELMET LAW PROPOSED BY FLAYED

Assemblyman Dick Flayed, the infamous author of California's motorcycle helmet law, is now trying to require horseback riders to wear helmets Assembly Bill 309 would prohibit a person under sixteen years of age from riding an equine upon a street, public horse path, or trail unless the person is wearing headgear meeting specific standards. Thanks to the alert actions of ABATE of California, the bill has been amended by the author to be advisory only

EUROPEANS TO MODIFY CRASH BARRIERS

According to the Federation of European Motorcyclists (FEM), European Commissioner Neil Kinnock recently launched a new road safety program which includes recommendations made by the FEM that crash barrier supports be covered as they are extremely dangerous for two-wheeled vehicles in the event of an accident." Known as "cheese graters" to motorcycle riders throughout Europe, French statistics showed that in one year alone, 62 deaths had resulted from riders impacting unprotected barriers.