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Biker Rights Corner (6/6/2011) By Jesse “Night Train” Lane Motorcycle-only checkpoints:
Any law-enforcement agency can obtain a federal grant to conduct motorcycle-only checkpoints but so far, none have been set
up in California. A bill in 2012 may prevent these discriminatory checkpoints from occurring in our state. New York and Georgia
have already seen these being set up, causing law-abiding motorcyclists to be detained for up to 45 minutes, while other vehicles
proceed without hindrance. Our lobbyist for motorcycle rights in Sacramento wants to know if we ever encounter any motorcycle-only
checkpoints, so let me know if this happens to you. I attended the annual
Motorcycle Freedom Rally on the steps of the Capitol Building on May 23rd. The motorcycling community has several
lawmakers on our side who gave speeches - to the cheers of the crowd of bikers who showed up from all over the state. The
founder of ABATE came all the way from Arkansas to encourage us. And from Texas, Gimmy
Jimmy, founder of the U.S.
DEFENDERS program, came to inspire us to keep fighting for our rights. Texas
just recently passed a law requiring passengers to have a motorcycle endorsement on their license but the grassroots US Defenders
are on the verge of having this ridiculous law overturned. Reporting discrimination – Have you ever encountered “No
Motorcycles Allowed” or been prevented from entering a public place because of your motorcyclist dress? Do you feel
you have been profiled for your mode of transportation, pulled over for no justifiable reason? Helmet or loud pipe ticket?
I need to know about these problems so I can take them back to the various MRO groups I participate in. Remember the words of Thomas Jefferson: “The
price of freedom is eternal vigilance”. -Ride Free!
Biker Rights Corner (4/2011) By Jesse “Night Train” Lane Coming to a California Near You – URGENT! “All motorcyclists
must exit” signs on US freeways. If you don’t exit, you’re arrested for fleeing a motorcycle checkpoint.
If you do exit, you are detained in a makeshift stockade for up to 45 minutes while they scour you and your motorcycle for
violations. They’re doing it right now in New York and in Georgia. A bill in Sacramento, AB1047, is pending that will
stop this discriminatory nonsense from starting up in California by blocking funding. Please show support for this bill by
sending a simple email to craig.deluz@asm.ca.gov stating “As a motorcyclist, I wholeheartedly support AB1047”. There’s more
information at www.abate.org if you’re interested in the details. Meanwhile, join an MRO (Motorcycle Rights Organization)
to stay informed on issues that affect your right to ride. Visit http://www.BikerRights.org to find an MRO in your area. Reporting discrimination – Have you ever encountered
“No Motorcycles Allowed” or been prevented from entering a public place because of your motorcyclist dress? Do
you feel you have been profiled for your mode of transportation, pulled over for no justifiable reason? Helmet or loud pipe
ticket? I need to know about these problems so I can take them back to the various MRO groups I participate in.
-Ride Free!
Biker Rights Corner (3/2011) By Jesse “Night Train” Lane Coming to a California Near You – You
might be surprised to learn about some things that are happening outside of California that could have a future impact on
the motorcycling community here. Let’s start with “Automatic Throttle Control”. No, I’m not talking
about cruise control over which you have ultimate control. I am referring to the technology being developed in Europe to discourage
speeding by wirelessly intercepting the control over your throttle! The fact is that they have already manufactured these
devices, including ones for motorcycles, which are actually being tested. Legislatures just don’t understand that the
throttle on a motorcycle is used to control more than just speed. Stay tuned for future developments. Meanwhile, join an MRO
(Motorcycle Rights Organization) to stay informed on issues that affect your right to ride. Visit http://www.BikerRights.org to find an MRO in your area. Reporting discrimination – Have you ever encountered “No Motorcycles Allowed”
or been prevented from entering a public place because of your motorcyclist dress? Do you feel you have been profiled for
your mode of transportation, pulled over for no justifiable reason? Helmet or loud pipe ticket? I need to know about these
problems so I can take them back to the various MRO groups I participate in. Slug shot – It is a felony to carry
the lethal weapon know as a “slug shot”. This is basically a whip with a piece of metal at one end. Many bikers
decorate their bikes with whips that clip to their handlebars. The law is very ancient, but I met one biker at an MRO meeting
last year who was arrested for this. It cost him dearly to fight this charge. If the whip is bolted to the handlebars, one
may be able to argue that it is not a weapon because it is not readily detachable, but that’s just an untested theory.
Even a helmet could be a deadly weapon and in fact, at one meeting, someone quipped that maybe we should start beating people
up with helmets, so that helmets would be outlawed!
-LOL Ride Free!
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