April
2002
Region 5 Legislative News
There’s probably not too many of you out
there that really realize it, but your various county and region
ABATE legislators sometimes get to feeling like the grim reaper. We
stand before you each month updating you on what is going on, and we
rarely get the pleasure of passing on good news. Usually, we
are full of the kind of news that no one really likes to hear; the
various attacks on our lifestyle that are sure to spell the end of
the recreation that we hold so dear, motorcycling. Unfortunately,
this pattern is continuing in this barely four-month old year
already.
We have been plugging away for over a year now
on the dangers of the EPA proposal to motorcycling and other forms
of transportation and utility engines, i.e. snowmobiles, dirt bikes,
marine engines and the likes, and while our efforts have been
rewarded, sometimes we get to feeling like we are beating a dead
horse. The good news is that the folks over in D.C. ARE listening!
Some of the things we have brought to their attention is making
sense, and we are starting to make headway in our efforts. Let me
point out right here that I am very proud of ALL of you here in
Region 5 AND throughout the state for your cooperation in the effort
to EDUCATE our government officials! The time you spend writing
letters, emails, and making phone calls to them really DOES make a
difference! I cannot stress enough, though, that you cannot let your
guard down now! Not only is the EPA fight not over, the HIPAA bill
still needs attention, and there are more threats dawning on the
horizon for us to be concerned with!
That’s why the title this month is
“Let’s get ready to rumble”. The safety-crats are planning
another assault on us, and we must be prepared to do battle. There
are many issues arising, not the least of which is that there is a
move afoot to allow NHTSA to lobby the states for more stringent
legislation (a practice that was made illegal several years ago)
concerning motorcycles and other vehicles. Some of the hair-brained
ideas that these folks come up with are nothing short of astounding!
One of their most recent, and if I may say VERY sneaky ideas, was to
hide a recommendation for motorcyclists to wear orange reflective
outer garments while riding in the rulemaking portion of a TIRE
SAFETY bill! What does tire safety have to do with motorcycle riding
apparel? You’re right, brothers and sisters, nothing. Absolutely
nothing. I just want to remind you that if you enjoy riding, you
must be prepared to fight to keep the right! You cannot assume that
someone else will do it for you, because it’s going to take a
concerted effort by ALL of us to be able to defeat a lot of these
agendas. Don’t forget that, ever. YOU make the difference. Take
that little bit of extra time to make the whole thing worthwhile. If
you don’t, the day is approaching rapidly when your favorite
scooter will be nothing more than a museum piece. I don’t want to
see that happen, and I am pretty sure that you don’t either.
Don’t forget that the first Saturday in May
is the Awareness Rally and Ride to Columbus! Again this year, it
will be one of the highlights of the year, so make your plans NOW to
meet us and ride up as a group! The first staging area is the NB
rest area on I-71 @ MM 34 (just North of Rte. 123), and we will be
leaving there at 9 AM SHARP! The next staging area is the NB rest
area on I-71 @ MM 67 (just North of Rte. 35), and we’re pulling
out of that one at 10 AM SHARP! BE THERE!! You’ll have a great
time!
See ya on the two-lane,
Duke Jones
Region
5 Legislative Coordinator
Email:
region5mcrights@legislator.com
