Carolina Motorcycle Events - Articles - News & Notes for the Politically Motivated Motorcyclists

News & Notes for the Politically Motivated Motorcyclists - April 2002
Submitted by Joy Barbour

Please; at least read the first report & see just one example, of why we have to remain vigilante on every level. Thanks to American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) for the info.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) opposes efforts to change a law that bars federal employees from lobbying states for mandatory helmet laws or other traffic-related legislation. The National Association of Governors' Highway Safety Representatives (NAGHSR), a national group that represents the highway safety offices of most states, wants to repeal provisions in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) that bar federally funded employees from lobbying state legislatures. TEA-21 is being considered by Congress for reauthorization. Several years ago federal bureaucrats were traveling to state legislatures to testify in support of mandatory helmet laws and against repealing the laws, raising the ire of motorcyclists and prompting Congress to act to ensure such decisions are left up to the states. NAGHSR members are appointed by state governors to administer federal and state highway safety funds and to implement state highway safety plans. Maher wants motorcyclists to write to their state governors to let them know that NAGHSR is trying to change the lobbying language in TEA-21, which would lead to more federal involvement in state legislative processes. Motorcyclists can write letters on their own, or go to the AMA website at www.AMADirectlink.com to get a pre-written letter.

Natural-resource development and environmental preservation are believed by many to be incompatible ? two diametrically opposed camps populated either by strip miners and lumberjacks or tree-worshipping eco-freaks. But as recent statistics from the Department of the Interior (DOI) indicate, revenues generated by responsible resource development actually can enhance conservation. In fact, according to DOI, the $11.3 billion in receipts collected last year for resource-development activities on DOI lands exceeded the department's entire fiscal 2001 appropriated budget by nearly $1 billion. "Interior not only funds the nation's conservation initiatives with environmentally sensitive energy production, we also raise more money than all but one federal agency, the Department of Treasury," Interior Secretary Gale Norton said in highlighting the figures. "And that's because they have the IRS." Royalties from offshore oil and gas leases generated $7.2 billion. Onshore oil and gas drilling generated $2.1 billion. The sale of power, land and buildings last year generated another $270 million, according to DOI. Earnings from investments brought in $233.5 million, and entrance and user fees another $159 million (though that total fell from a year earlier). "Energy production on federal lands not only strengthens national security but also underwrites the conservation of wildlife and habitat, national parks, refuges and the recreation areas," Norton said in a statement. "Responsible energy development is a win-win for our nation and the environment." Fair enough. But where one might quibble with the Interior Secretary is on the question of whether user fees legitimately fall under the rubric of energy development. The once temporary, now permanent "fee-demonstration program" arguably can be viewed as a form of double taxation, drilling deeper into the wallets of visitors to national parks who already are paying for the maintenance and upkeep of public lands via federal income taxes. The fee program really would demonstrate some merit if participating parks could become self-sustaining through it and their funding through direct appropriations be cut accordingly. But that hasn't happened, and isn't likely to happen. Pointing out that $1 billion in offshore oil- and gas-drilling receipts get diverted annually to the Land and Water Conservation Fund also is a dubious boast by DOI since a portion of those funds are being used by state and local governments to gobble up ever greater quantities of land in the name of "preservation" ? thereby transferring private, productive, taxable lands into the public domain, where they'll likely be mismanaged. (Sacramento Bee)

Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and US Environmental Protection Agency have drafted a plan to clean up the air and bring the Houston-area's smog problem under control and in compliance with the Clean Air Act by 2007. The tailpipe test had been rejected by the Legislature in 1995, but now it is expected to be even tougher. The new tailpipe plan will follow an already unpopular measure with many motorists of lowering the speed limit in the area to 55 mph. The current price for a Texas inspection sticker is $25.50, but in May will rise to $39.50. Some of the money in the $14 increase will be used to help inspection stations buy equipment for the new emissions test. Cars and other gasoline powered vehicles are subject to the test, but motorcycles are exempt. (KPRC TV)

British motorcycling has been handed a massive potential boost with the news that bikes are excluded from controversial plans to make motorists pay per mile. The scheme, officially revealed by the Department of Transport's Commission for Integrated Transport (CFIT), would see all cars and lorries fitted with satellite tracking systems, allowing the Government to tax drivers depending on the amount they contribute to congestion. The busier the road you use, the more you'll get charges. But the 39-page report never refers to bikes. The CFIT reckons they help prevent congestion rather than adding to it. CFIT spokesman Martin Helm said: " Motorcycles haven't been looked at specifically, as we are mainly looking at cars and lorries. The decision whether to include bikes would be one for the Government as and when the plan is implemented. " But motorcycles are not part of the problem as they don't cause congestion ? in fact, they're part of the solution. " (MCN)

Idaho Senate Resources and Environment Committee Chair Laird Noh (R - Kimberly) introduced Senate Bill 1436. The bill would amend the Off-Road Vehicle Grant Program by requiring that grant recipients have an "adequate regulatory program (as determined by the parks and recreation board and director) ...to ensure that natural resources are not damaged". In an open letter to the Resources and Environment Committee, Ron Stricklin, writing on behalf of the Idaho ATV Association, expressed concern that any new regulatory requirements would be redundant and counterproductive. Citing the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Stricklin observed that, "land managers already have effective, though cumbersome, regulatory controls placed on their actions ...this bill would add another, unnecessary layer to the process." The Idaho ATV Association also told the committee that the problem is not a lack of regulations, but rather a lack of management. The public land management agencies don't have the resources to enforce the existing laws and regulations and yet SB 1436 would make it even harder for them to acquire additional resources. Concerned off-highway vehicle enthusiasts should contact the Senate Resources and Environment Committee and ask them to withdraw SB 1436.

New Jersey Assembly Bill 1061, introduced by Assemblyman Peter R. Biondi (R-District 16), provides for additional penalties for drivers involved in right-of-way accidents that result in injury or death. Revenue derived from the enhanced penalties would be dedicated to fund motorcycle safety education and awareness programs. A1061 was referred to the General Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee on January 8, 2002. West Virginia Senate Bill 260, introduced by Senator John R. Mitchell, Jr. (D-District 8), provides for an additional penalty for right-of-way violations in which the violator is found to have caused injury to another person. SB-260 was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 21, 2002. WV SB-260 & NJ A1061 are consistent with the AMA's 'Motorcyclists Matter' campaign, launched in 2001, which aims to curb right-of-way violations by increasing penalties for those who cause harm to vulnerable roadway users such as motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians. Legislation based on the AMA's model bill is pending in several other states as well. Your support for WV SB-260 & NJ A1061 is needed now to make sure motorists
and courts know that 'Motorcyclists Matter.' Letters in support of A1061 may be sent to your assemblyman at the New Jersey General Assembly, State House Annex, P O. Box 068, Trenton, NJ 08625-0068. Letters in support of SB-260 may be sent to your senator at the West Virginia State Legislature, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305.

Baltimore (MD) City Council has proposed to send confiscated Off-highway motorcycles to another hemisphere. "Get them out of Baltimore and send the message that we are not going to tolerate them anymore," said Councilman Melvin L. Stukes, a Southwest Baltimore Democrat, a supporter of the proposal to donate seized dirt bikes to groups working in Africa or elsewhere. "We want them out of the city, period." Two groups based in Africa are interested in taking the dirt bikes off Baltimore's hands. The bikes would help people in African countries where roads are not in good condition, council members and a representative of one group said. Baltimore outlawed the use of dirt bikes two years ago after two young men died when their bikes slammed into the back of a 10,000-pound delivery truck. Police have estimated that 1,000 such bikes are in the city and have resulted in several deaths. In the past two years, they have seized 119 dirt bikes and 18 unregistered motorcycles. City Council President Sheila Dixon said the council did not want them auctioned off by the Police Department because the bikes could return to city streets. If approved, the bikes would be given to students and teachers in Nigeria. (The Baltimore Sun)

Vermont House Bill 748 (HB-748), introduced by Representative Dan K. Darrow (D-Windham 3), would prohibit anyone under the age of 12 from being a passenger on a motorcycle. This bill assumes that legislators know better than parents at what age a child should be allowed to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle. Letters in opposition to HB-748 may be sent to your representative at the Vermont House of Representatives, State House, Montpelier, VT 05602.

Oregon's first ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) Training Center was dedicated February 2 in Tillamook. The center, constructed with a $100,000 grant, was built with the assistance of labor from the nearby Tillamook County Jail. By Oregon law, riders 18 and under are required to take such a course.

Let Your Voice Be Heard! That's the battle cry of a newly formed coalition of off-highway interest groups, OHV4 Tennessee. Supported by the AMA and ATVA, OHV4 Tennessee is a campaign to promote the creation of a managed trails program in the state of Tennessee for off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation. Presently, no state money is used to preserve or manage off-road riding areas. Without funding and management riding areas are in danger of being closed. OHV-4-Tennessee is asking you to sign up! It doesn't cost anything. You will be placed on a master mailing list so that when the time is right you can be contacted and asked to send a letter to your local representative or congressman. The OHV4 Tennessee web site will include updates and new information as it becomes available on www.OHV4TENNESSEE.com.

Missouri's Veteran's License Plate Bill on the House side, HB1214, is moving up on the House calendar schedule. The companion Senate bill (SB644) has not been assigned to House committee yet. There has been no change on either of the helmet modification bills. Testimony was presented two weeks ago by both the AMA and Freedom of Road Riders; Missouri motorcyclists are awaiting a vote in the House Transportation Committee and as soon as they go into Executive Session, it should receive a Do Pass vote.