Hey,
If you want total confusion about the motorcycle market read Robin Bradley’s piece on AMD about the state of the industry, or mostly Harley and Polaris. He touches on stock prices, semi-conductor stock, the crash of 2007 and mentions naughty and the environment. Hang on.
For us custom, outlaw, chopper freaks, let’s see how the IMS show in SoCal fares this weekend. That it may or may not tell us a lot about the strength of the industry.
Let’s hit the news and see what that tells us, then find a frame and start another project. We gotta ride no matter what.
The Bikernet Weekly News is sponsored in part by companies who also dig Freedom including: Cycle Source Magazine, the MRF, Las Vegas Bikefest, Iron Trader News, ChopperTown, BorntoRide.com and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
For years we have followed and admired Vermont Glove, a 4th generation, family-owned, US manufacturer of the highest quality and most durable leather gloves on the market. We proudly announce our glove collaboration with Vermont Glove, Jason Momoa’s On The Roam, and Nash Motorcycle Co!
Vermont Glove is an over 100-year-old American glove manufacturing company. They are family-run and continue to manufacture the highest quality work gloves on the original machines used back in the 1920’s and 50’s. They continue to produce a quality US product while focusing on the future as they transition the company to running off 100% renewable energy, reducing their carbon footprint, only using US material supply chains, and building their gloves 100% in the United States of America.
Pre-sale starts today on these limited edition gloves! We will offer a limited amount of pairs for purchase. Pre-sale orders will start shipping January 2022. Each pair is handmade in Randolph, Vermont, USA.
The glove: durable and beyond comfortable gloves perfect for riding, working, whatever you can throw at them!
Durable 100% goatskin leather so your gloves stay soft and dexterous
Hand-stitched leather with heavy-duty nylon thread
Outside glove seams for superior comfort
Double-stitched fingertip seams for protection & durability
Vein protector for longevity
Whip overlock chain stitch detail on outer portion of gloves
Paracord cinch system for an adjustable fit
TALKING POINTS FROM THE COP 26 Agreement–5 reasons why the COP 26 agreement is pseudoscientific and anti-human.
Before and during COP 26, I have claimed that it is not a scientific conference but a pseudoscientific, anti-human conference that is pursuing mass-genocide.
The COP 26 Agreement has proven me right. Here are the top 5 reasons the Agreement is pseudoscientific and anti-human.
Reason 1 the COP 26 Agreement is pseudoscientific and anti-human: It calls for the rapid elimination of fossil fuels—the source of 80% of the world’s energy—without addressing the *cost* of doing so. In fact, the word “cost” is not mentioned once in the Agreement!¹
Reason 2 the COP 26 Agreement is pseudoscientific and anti-human: It totally ignores the benefits of low-cost, reliable energy in general and fossil fuels in particular. The value of energy is not discussed once, even though COP 26 is trying to eliminate 80% of the world’s energy!²
Reason 3 the COP 26 Agreement is pseudoscientific and anti-human: It portrays the world as destroyed by human impact, even though by the standard of human flourishing today’s world is the best ever. Why? Because COP 26 is based on the anti-human dogma that human impact is evil.³
Reason 4 the COP 26 Agreement is pseudoscientific and anti-human: It totally ignores any positives of CO2 emissions, treating emissions as all-negative. But this is clearly untrue given that our emissions contribute to “global greening” and prevent cold-related deaths.4
Reason 5 the COP 26 Agreement is pseudoscientific and anti-human: It totally denies the fact that adaptation and mastery have made us far safer from climate than we’ve ever been. No mention of the fact that climate-related disaster deaths are down 98% over the last century!5
Here’s what I said about COP 26 on the 2nd day of the conference. I was ridiculed, yet the COP 26 Agreement did exactly what I predicted: called for the mass-genocidal policy of fossil fuel elimination, invoking pseudoscience and driven by anti-humanism.
–Alex Epstein
In this 9-minute interview/debate on @GBNEWS, available in full on Twitter for the first time, I explain why COP 26 is not a progressive scientific conference but an anti-human, primitive-religious attempt to commit mass genocide.
Watch this, it will blow your mind. –Bandit
BDL’s high strength SG-4 ring gear is a must have if you’re running a big horsepower 2007 – current power plant without compression releases and with one of BDL’s chain or belt drive baskets.
These ultra-strong gears are heat treated to a precise Rockwell hardness standard that is called for when used in these high impact applications. The BDL ring gear is a direct “Heat & Shrink fit to the BDL basket and provides far superior strength and longevity to OEM ring gear.
Remember for starting, battery voltage and ignition timing or MAP are critical for any size engine. For complete details visit your local BDL dealer or check them out online a www.beltdrives.com
ART DEAL OF THE DAY “Independence” 20 x 30 Canvas Giclee’ Signed/Numbered from my 2021 Display, $600.00 / Frt. Normally $850.00
Completed on the 4th of July, contains hidden Americana imagery. Statue of Liberty, Musket, Tri-Corn Patriot Hat, Liberty Bell, Flag, and a Classic Blue Panhead. About American as it gets!
Eric@EricHerrmannStudios.com
(480) 575-7559
www.EricHerrmannStudios.com
— at Eric Herrmann Studios.
NEW FROM THE PRISM GANG–Linkert Snap Throttle Kit
This kit contains all the necessary components you will need to convert your Linkert carburetor from the push/pull throttle to work with a snap type throttle. If you’re looking for a snap throttle, make sure to check out our “Super Prism” Throttle and “Super Prism” Throttle Cable.
Comes with four stainless steel #12-24 x 3/8 bolts to mount to your Linkert carb. If you run an air cleaner with this kit, you may need to use OEM or longer bolts.
$89.99 USD
I need about three of these, maybe four. –Bandit
Powersports industry staff who have not yet had a taste of two-wheeling are invited to sign up for a special Ride With Us Moto Intro in Costa Mesa, California, on Thursday – the day before the activations open to the public, along with the year’s final IMS Outdoors.
In the last six months, more than 500 people across the country have participated in the MIC’s Moto Intros and many have started their journey to becoming a rider.
“We look forward to hosting anyone working in the powersports industry looking for their first ride experience,” said Cinnamon Kernes, MIC vice president of market expansion. “Those who already ride are welcome to come down and cheer on new riders, say hello to the Ride With Us team, and see what we do.”
The half-hour Moto Intros will take place 10 am through 4 pm at the OC Fair & Event Center. Please note that the IMS show will not be open during this event.
Find Out All the Details and Register.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ride-with-us-moto-intro-industry-day-tickets-206869852297
from https://www.cincinnati.com by Quinlan Bentley
On Friday nights, the Lawrenceburg Motorcycle Speedway comes alive. The smell of exhaust fills the air and bleachers vibrate from the deafening roar of motors revving, as motorcyclists of all ages line up to compete in a high-adrenaline, high-risk race around a smooth dirt track.
These are the nights that James Procopio lives for. The 74-year-old Vietnam War veteran started racing motorcycles in his 20s, but had to give it up after family and life got in the way.
Procopio says he was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2011 and needed surgery to remove his intestines. He returned to the race track about four years ago after receiving his final chemotherapy treatment.
“I came down here one night, said, ‘Man, I sure miss that,’ and from that night on I put a bike together and started racing,” Procopio told The Enquirer, sitting in the back of a pickup truck on a cold, dark November night, the orange glow of a portable heater at his feet, while waiting for his turn to race.
Procopio worked for two years fixing up a red, white and blue 1980 Honda XR 500 to get it in racing form. But he was only able to race the bike once before it was stolen, along with his pickup truck, from his apartment in Mount Healthy.
The truck was recovered not long after it was stolen but the bike was gone.
“Every spare dime went into that bike,” he said.
Working out of his garage on old and vintage motorbikes, Procopio is somewhat of a local legend. He got his first job when he was 13 working on bicycles and motorbikes at Bishop’s Bicycle Shop in Silverton, where he stayed until he was drafted into the Army at age 19.
It was through his part-time mechanic work that Procopio met Ben Groh, who’s since become a good friend and racing partner. In the past three years since Procopio’s bike was stolen, Groh said he had been working to track down the missing bike on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
“It’s popped up here and there for the past three years,” Groh said. “I’ve seen it come and go and I’ve been close to getting it and it slipped through the cracks.”
Groh’s brother spotted the bike at a local body shop, and he along with Rick Brun, another close friend of Procopio’s and fellow racer, were able to set up an undercover buy with Cincinnati police and retrieve the bike. It was returned to Procopio early last month.
Procopio describes the moment of seeing his motorcycle again as “totally amazing.” That same night he went down to the speedway and raced it.
Those who compete in flat track racing, in which racers drive on a dirt track with only rear brakes and must slide into each turn, describe it as more of a way of life than a sport.
“A lot of people don’t really understand it fully until you try it,” Groh told The Enquirer.
“It’s kind of like surfing: One good wave will call you back the rest of your life,” Brun said.
For Procopio, after surviving two heart attacks, two strokes and cancer, it’s become a source of relief.
“I’m in pain probably 24/7,” he said. “When I’m out there, I don’t feel a thing. Just everything goes away.”
The last race of the season in Lawrenceburg was held Nov. 5.
But Procopio says he’s going to keep racing “as long as I can.”
NEW FROM NAMZ– Speaker Tourpack Wiring
In the spirit of Halloween, we decided to play a trick on you…did you catch it? There was no information on the Speaker Tourpack Wiring!
So now in the spirit of Thanksgiving, we decided to give you a treat…all of the information you could ask for on our Speaker Tourpack Wiring harnesses!
We make it easy for you to do it right, this true more than ever with NAMZ line of Speaker Tourpack Wiring harnesses. With an array of model year coverage, our harnesses will allow you to install rear speakers on your touring model bike with ease. Below you will find our selection of available harnesses to get the job done. You can check out or Speaker Tourpack Wiring harnesses by clicking the blue link below!
NAP-SRRS-01 NAMZ Stock (’06-’13) HK Radio Rear Speaker Harness with OEM 35-Pin Connector. (**NOTE, customer will need to have their radio flashed by the dealer to activate rear channels in order for this harness to work.**)
NHD-69200489 OEM style Rear Speaker Harness Jumper, 100% Plug-n-Play. Fits 2014 – Up Touring Models with Fairing, (HD# 69200489)
NHD-70160-11 NAMZ OEM (AUDIO VERSION ONLY) Tourpack Rear Speaker Harness, Plug-n-Play. (Fits all models (2011-2013) with a Harman Kardon radio & using a factory speaker equiped Tourpack.) (Allows the use of Tourpack audio controls) 70160-11
NHD-70160-06 NAMZ OEM (AUDIO VERSION ONLY) Tourpack Rear Speaker Harness, Plug-n-Play. (Fits all models (2006-2010) with a Harman Kardon radio & using a factory speaker equiped Tourpack.) (Allows the use of Tourpack audio controls) 70160-06
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BIKER LID DEAL OF THE WEEK–POLO MOTORCYCLE HELMET DOT BLACK
BIKER LID DOT APPROVED LOW PROFILE MAYANS STYLE
SHIPS FROM USA DELIVERY 7-10 DAYS (LIMITED STOCK)
NO MORE MUSHROOM HEAD
POLO HELMET SITS LOW AND SNUG WONT BLOW BACK IN THE WIND
EPS Liner
Light & Comfortable
PROTECT YOUR BRAIN! The fact that this helmet meets and exceeds D.O.T. Safety Standards FMVSS 218
Simple! Mushroom or no mushroom look? Go for the Low-profile Polo No Mushroom Head Helmet
FOR SMALL & BIG HEADS – If you’ve been searching for a half-helmet with a wide range of sizes, then your search is over! comes sizes S,M,L,XL,XXL
Quick release helmet chin strap clip
WEIGHT: 600G
To measure your head for the correct size take a tape measure just above your brow around your head just at the top of your ears. If your head measures in between sizes order the size smaller. Our helmets should fit snug when new they stretch and mold to the shape of your head. Also see hat sizes below
PLEASE check size chart
S-55 -56 22 1/4″ – 22 1/2″ = hat size 7
M-57 – 58, 22 3/8″ – 22 3/4″ = hat 7-1/8 to hat 7-1/4
L-59 – 60 , 23 1/4″ – 23 5/8″ = hat 7 3/8 to hat 7 3/8
XL-61- 62, 24″ – 24 3/8″ = hat 7 1/2 to hat 7 5/8
XXL-63cm , 24 3/4″ = hat 7 3/4 to hat 7 7/8
WORD FROM THE YALE MONK–You Can Do It
Whether you think you can or you think you can’t your right Henry Ford
This is probably one of the best quotes of the last century. The message is so clear that one must just pause and digest the meaning of these words. Basically, we have a choice of how we are going to Live Life.
What is our Consciousness, where are we going to direct our energy and beliefs? How often do we say I can’t do it? Where does this thinking come from, do we have a consciousness of defeat before we even begin. Do we sometimes set ourselves up for failure?
Unfortunately, many of us have been conditioned from a very young age to believe that we have natural limitation. I heard sayings like “don’t expect too much and you won’t be disappointed” or “money doesn’t grow on trees”. Aren’t these the types of phrases that you grew up with? Do you really think this is your Truth?
Today Know: I change my Consciousness of who I think I am. As of this moment I Know I Can. I Let Go of all doubts, fear and limited conditioning. I honor the great Ones who knew they could and have accomplished great feats, who have expressed Life at a Higher level of Living.
I give thanks to the inventors, the engineers, the teachers, the scientist, the artist, the athletes, the business leaders, the Spiritual Leaders, to all the people who have made this world a better place to Live.
Pausing and thinking about the wonders of today I am inspired to Know I can. Today I express an attitude of confidence, knowing that I am Divinely supported, expressing Good in every area of My Life.
If you believe it, think it and dream it you will do it!
–YALE
Master Monk
Yale Custom Motorcycles
BRAND New Bikernet Reader Comment!–VETERANS DAY BIKERNET WEEKLY NEWS for November 11th, 2021
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/VETERANS_DAY_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_November_11th_2021.aspx
I wonder, I came home in ‘67 and was sent to Ft. Belvore. We were told we would be sent into DC as a show of force against protesters. Our commander did not send us. Will the government turn us against each other? Will it come too that?
How do we get our country back from the Washington crowd?
— A.J.
Deland, FL
ART FROM THE MASTER OF LIGHT–Here are today’s offerings! Please let me know if I can be of assistance.
“Wing and a Prayer”
** 20 x 26 canvas framed – normally $2,450 and Rare, this one is $1,450.
“Bikini Bike Wash”
Consignment return
** 30 x 40 canvas framed – normally $2,650, this one is $2,100.
–Greg
COP 26 FAILED–Physicist rips ‘absurdly pathetic ‘result’ of COP26′ & the ‘idiotic parasitic class that believes that they are doing a very important work’
Former Harvard U. Physicist Dr. Lubos Motl: “The format was the same one that we remembered in dozens of previous summits: 30,000 parasites arrived by private jets and have bullšited about the evil of CO2 emissions for two weeks. The content of their talks was just nonsensical irrelevant gibberish, there was no agreement about anything, the talks had to go to overtime, like always, and some “result” was announced afterwards…These statements are just would-be prophesies by idiots who think that they are about 1,000 times more important and powerful than they are. …
Billions of dollars were wasted for another farce, the CO2 emissions created by these morons are obviously the least of the problems because there exists nothing such as a global problem with the climate, let alone one caused by CO2, and even if there were a problem, the subtraction of carbon dioxide’s contribution, at most 0.01-0.02 °C, from the warming per year would clearly do nothing to avoid the problems. Do you really need to move 30,000 morons across the world and store them in hotels for 2 weeks if the only outcome is just another hateful remark about the fossil fuels which is completely detached from reality? ..
The degeneration of the society has led to the birth of an entire extraordinarily annoying and idiotic parasitic class that believes that they are doing a very important work e.g. if they fly to a distant hotel for 2 weeks, babble nonsense that reveals their complete scientific illiteracy…”
— Climate Depot
https://motls.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-absurdly-pathetic-result-of-cop26.html
By Physicist Dr. Lubos Motl
–climate Depot
CARDO ANNOUNCES NEW PRODUCT LINE-UP TO SET NEW STANDARD IN BLUETOOTH COMMUNICATION DEVICES
Plano, Texas (November 16, 2021) – Cardo Systems, the global market leader in wireless helmet communication for powersports riders, today announced a brand-new range of Bluetooth communicators, raising the bar for quality and innovation once again.
With Cardo’s continued commitment to its customers, the new range confirms its position in the market as the best option for those demanding the most out of their riding. The new generation of products will feature the most advanced Bluetooth 5.2 chip on the market and a new standard of features, including over-the-air software updates – meaning no cords or cables are needed. In addition, fast charging via USB-C means riders can quickly charge at a pit stop, as 20 minutes of charge time delivers two hours of ride time.
The Cardo Spirit is a brand-new product line that delivers all the qualities that made Cardo recognizable as the high-quality brand it is today, at an incredible introductory price of only $99.00. The Spirit is powered by the latest Bluetooth technology and brings all the essentials needed by a rider and combines them with unprecedented attention to detail, build quality and durability. With the ability to connect two riders up to a quarter of a mile, it allows riders to focus on the ride ahead and enjoy seamless connectivity.
The Cardo Spirit HD provides the unbeatable package, with everything a rider will ever want from a Bluetooth communicator at an affordable price of $149. The Spirit HD is powered by the latest Bluetooth technology and is combined with features such as high-quality sound from powerful 40mm HD speakers, FM radio, and 13 hours talk time.
The Cardo Freecom 2x establishes itself as the mid-range, and firm favorite in the product lineup, as the best Bluetooth communicator for two riders. Added benefits include premium Sound by JBL, live intercom and analogue jog-dial. At $209, the Cardo Freecom 2x sets a new standard for Bluetooth communicators with features such as live intercom, an auto-reconnecting Bluetooth connection for two riders. The Cardo Freecom 2x is waterproof and features over-the-air software updates which provides additional value to an already incredible package.
For more information about Cardo Systems, visit CardoSystems.com
–Zac Herndon
NEW FROM Twin Power— Introducing Scalloped Floating Rotors
Tucker Powersport’s Twin Power brand has introduced a line of Scalloped Floating Rotors which offer the look and performance benefits similar to those found on sport bikes.
While sized to fit most V-Twin motorcycles, the new rotors meet the needs of riders and customizers who crave the high-performance look which is becoming increasingly popular in the market.
The center carriers are 6082-T6 anodized aluminum and incorporate heavy-duty hardware for quiet operation and long life. The proprietary, stainless steel friction surface is precision, double-disc ground and heat treated, while the edges are laser cut, rather than stamped.
All machining is done to a tolerance of +/- .004” with high-tech CNC equipment. The new rotors are developed for Twin Power by engineers who specialize in braking products and are manufactured in Spain. Installation is hassle-free, direct bolt-on using stock or aftermarket calipers.
“These new scalloped floating rotors feature all of the performance benefits and aesthetics of those found on the world’s finest sport bikes. The black, mesh-style centers and high-tech look will really compliment a hot-rod V-Twin,” said James Simonelli, brand manager for Twin Power and Biker’s Choice brand products.
Twin Power’s Scalloped Floating Rotors are available for most 84-present V-Twins that are equipped with either 11.5” or 11.8” diameters. They retail for $209.95 and are available through Tucker Powersports dealer network in November. (Part numbers 666846 – 666849).
EXPOSING CORPORATE ENERGY LIARS— Budweiser
Budweiser claims its beers are “100% renewable.” In fact, most of the energy that goes into its beer is fossil fuel.
Thanks to a combination of ESG pressures and status-seeking, hundreds of prominent companies today effectively lie to the public about their current energy use and planned energy use.
This lying is bad not only because it involves winning customers via deception (the essence of fraud) but because it helps promote the dangerous idea that “100% renewable” or “carbon neutral” is possible and desirable–when in reality it is impossible, and dangerous to try.
This exposé of Budweiser’s “100″% renewable” energy lies is the first of many planned exposés of corporate energy liars. I’m going to keep exposing these liars until the lying—and its terrible influence—stops.
Today’s Budweiser cans and Budweiser ads are plastered with logos saying “100% renewable electricity”–leading customers to think that if they drink Budweiser they are not using any fossil fuel. But in reality, most of the energy that goes into a Bud is fossil fuel.
When you drink a Budweiser beer you are indirectly using energy in many ways: mining for aluminum, manufacturing cans, farming hops, brewing beer, transporting beer, and refrigeration. Most of this energy comes from fossil fuels. How can Bud claim “100% renewable”? Deception.
Budweiser falsely advertises its beers as “100% renewable” through 3 deceptions.
1.Only counting brewing—a small % of beer’s energy use.
2.Only counting the fraction of brewing energy that comes from electricity.
3. Falsely labeling its fossil fuel electricity as “renewable.”
Read the whole story at: https://alexepstein.substack.com/p/exposing-corporate-energy-liars-budweiser
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TEXAS 5-BALL WEATHER REPORT–Gotten to wear the 5-Ball Pit Crew vest a bit more, back out to the cousins & then a Walgreens run.
It would be so cool to live up there in South Dakota, until the winter! I’ve never experienced this putting my bike away for winter silliness.
–RFR
Texas Weatherman
HARLEY DEALER OF THE WEEK–Based in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Black Cat Harley has used up its nine lives and was reborn as Flying Iron Harley-Davidson on November 9.
“It is very bittersweet that today we announce the sale of ownership of Black Cat Harley-Davidson to Kevin Walsh,” was the statement to their customers.
The Cole Family of Harley-Davidson dealerships had owned Black Cat Harley-Davidson since February of 2017.
–Dealernews
LEGISLATIVE FRONT LINES–
COURT STRIKES DOWN 2019 EPA RULE ALLOWING YEAR-ROUND E15 ETHANOL SALES
The U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia found that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) overstepped its authority by issuing a rulemaking allowing gasoline with up to 15% ethanol to be sold year-round.
Previously, there was a summertime restriction on the sale of E15, due to fuel-volatility concerns that higher blends of ethanol combined with warmer temperatures may lead to increased smog.
The Court stated that it was clear that Congress did not intend for ethanol blends higher than 10% to be allowed to be sold year-round and thus struck down the 2019 EPA rule.
SEMA opposed the EPA rulemaking to expand E15 availability to year-round.
Ethanol, especially in higher concentrations such as E15, can cause damage to high-performance parts and vehicles manufactured prior to 2001.
The EPA requires an E15 warning label on fuel pumps in recognition that many older vehicles were not constructed with ethanol-resistant materials and could be subject to metal corrosion or plastic and rubber deterioration. In its comments opposing the rule, SEMA reminded the agency that there are millions of older vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, boats and machines with smaller engines still in the marketplace and that the warning labels should be even larger than currently required to protect against accidental misfuelling.
Complete list of Federal Legislative Action Alerts: semaSAN.com/Federal-Leg
NMA REPORT OF THE WEEK–A Data-Driven Approach to Transportation Safety
By Randal O’Toole, The Antiplanner
Editor’s Note: The NMA has received permission to post this report on recent findings on traffic safety in the US. Parts 2 and 3 will be featured in subsequent weeks.
About 20,160 people died in traffic accidents in the first half of 2021, according to an early estimate released last week by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This puts 2021 on track to be the first year since 2007 to have more than 40,000 annual fatalities.
Historically, fatality rates peaked at more than 450 per billion vehicle miles in 1909 and declined steadily to 10.1 in 2014. The 2021 rate of 13.4 represents a 33 percent increase over 2014 levels. This increase is partly due to changes in driving behavior during the pandemic, but rates had increased even before the pandemic, reaching 11.4 fatalities per billion miles in 2016. Although the evidence isn’t clear, many experts believe much of the increase, both before and during the pandemic, was due to people being distracted by smartphones.
Traffic fatalities have declined since 1969 and fatality rates since 1909, but the increase in fatalities and rates since 2014 remains a major concern.
Pedestrian Safety
I’ve noted in previous policy briefs that much of the increase in fatalities since 2014 was among pedestrians. Most of the rise in pedestrian fatalities occurred at night and involved pedestrians engaging in unsafe behavior such as jaywalking. Some say this is blaming the victim, but it is important to understand the problem before trying to fix it. Most of the remedies offered by urban planners—such as traffic calming, complete streets, and Vision Zero—don’t address the problem of unsafe pedestrian behavior.
NHTSA has not yet published detailed fatality data for 2020, much less 2021, but the recent estimate indicates that the biggest increases in fatalities took place in western states such as California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. These are the states that have most aggressively applied traffic calming and other anti-automobile programs, and the data suggest that those programs have failed to make traffic safer.
An article last week by journalist Erin Sagen claimed that Americans were in “collective denial about . . . how lethal our car dependency already is,” accepting “the carnage as an unavoidable fact of life.”
But that’s not true at all: thanks to great efforts by both highway designers and motor vehicle manufacturers, both highways and automobiles today are far safer than they were a few decades ago. Even if 2021 sees more than 40,000 fatalities, that will still be fewer than every year from 1963 to 2007. The worst was in 1969 when Americans drove only about a third as many miles as they do today, yet more than 55,000 people were killed in traffic accidents.
The improvement from 450 fatalities per billion miles in 1909 to 52 in 1969 to less than 11 in 2019 didn’t come about because people became safer drivers. It happened because both highways and motor vehicles were made to be safer. Recent motor vehicle improvements include curtain airbags, antilock brakes, and vehicle stability control.
One of the greatest improvements in safety came with the construction of the Interstate Highway System. Urban interstates and other urban freeways are the safest roads to drive on, seeing 4.6 or fewer fatalities per billion vehicle miles in 2019.
Unfortunately, such improvements have been stalled by the anti-highway movement. Urban areas whose transportation planners have made a conscious decision not to expand their freeway systems, such as Portland and Seattle, are allowing more people to die in a futile effort to discourage auto driving.
While programs such as complete streets call for greater mixing of bicycles, pedestrians, and motor vehicles, safety can be better improved by separating uses. Putting bicycles on bicycle boulevards, safeguarding pedestrians in clearly defined sidewalks and crosswalks, and even separating cars from heavy trucks in some places would do more to reduce fatalities than mixing them together by putting bike lanes on busy streets or allowing pedestrians free use of streets, as some planners advocate.
Chicanes and islands that narrow streets are supposed to make them safer by slowing traffic, but they can make them more dangerous for cyclists because they don’t leave room for both bicycles and autos at the same time.
Complete streets and traffic calming also are aimed mainly at collector and local streets, while in most places, the most dangerous streets are non-freeway arterials. This is another artifact of approaching traffic safety from a generalized anti-automobile mentality rather than addressing specific safety problems.
Part 2 of this report will focus on the safety record of transit modes.
Randal O’Toole, The Antiplanner, is an economist with forty-five years of experience critiquing public land, urban, transportation, and other government plans.
Some NMA members have commented on the value of using Patch.com, the growing local-news networking site, to further our community-based advocacy efforts. Patch includes a “Neighbor Posts” section and allows members to post articles where opinions are expressed and calls-to-action made, somewhat similar to “letters to the editor” with greater assurance of publication without modification.
LIFESTYLE DEAL OF THE WEEK–2020 Harley-Davidson® FXBB – Softail® Street Bob for $13,995.00
See it here: https://www.lifestylecycles.com/default.asp?page=xPreOwnedInventoryDetail&id=11297715
2020 Vivid Black Harley-Davidson STREET BOB SOFTAIL FXBB
ONLY 1799.00 Miles !!!!!
This bike is a super low mileage Street Bob
Some of the features/Add-on’s on this bike
* M-8 Motor
* 6-Speed trans.
* Chrome exhaust
* Solo Seat
* Wire wheels
* Mini apes
Just $13,995.00
Plus, license, and a $85.00 documentation fee and your local sales tax. NO HIDDEN FEES like dealers, We have no reconditioning or prep fees.
This bike has passed Lifestyle Cycles rigorous 92-point safety and mechanical/structural inspection.
You can fill out an online application with EZ FINANCING and EXTENDED WARRANTIES available to purchase!!! And you can ride today!
Lifestyle Cycles located at 1510 State College Blvd,Anaheim,CA,92806 NOT LOCAL WE HAVE
******SHIPPING AVAILABLE!!!******
Call today (714) 490-0155. **Open 7 days a week**
To view our current inventory, please visit www.LifestyleCycles.com or www.facebook.com/LifestyleCyclesUsedHarleys/
MIC BANKCARD
MIC Bankcard, the industry’s credit card processing service, is once again helping to fund the MIC’s Ride With Us market expansion program. This follows a substantial investment earlier this year from MIC Bankcard – powered by Pineapple Payments, now part of Fiserv – further demonstrating Pineapple’s commitment to helping grow the powersports industry.
Benefiting powersports dealers, MIC Bankcard also has expanded its suite of payment solutions.
“The MIC’s market expansion initiative is vital to the growth of the powersports industry,” said Ray Smith, director of sales and membership coordinator for MIC Bankcard. “Everyone in the industry, especially dealers, values the work the MIC is doing to inspire new riders. Our investment helps to ensure this work continues.”
–MIC
Cards are taking a hit due to higher fees, up to 4 percent. Take a look at what this new MIC Bank card will charge. – Bandit
ENTER TO WIN NOW– UNTIL NOVEMBER 25TH 2021! Longhorn Harley-Davidson and Law Tigers of Dallas.
NEWS FROM THE VA— Travel discounts, airfare deals for Veterans
Veterans can now get travel deals and discounts through, American Forces Travel, the Department of Defense’s MWR initiative offering a wide selection of discounted rates on hotels, air fare, rental cars, vacation packages, cruises and much more! Check out all the great deals and discounts available exclusively for those who served.
NEW AT THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM–1939 Triumph T100 Tiger
Edward Turner’s design for the new Triumph, the Speed Twin caused a stir when shown to the public in 1937 as a 1938 model. The Speed Twin was joined by this machine, the high performance twin carb Tiger, for 1939. The 100 referred to the Tiger’s available top speed.
Triumph made a bit of a spectacle of the new bike’s launch. Stock T100s, a Tiger and a Speed Twin made an 1800 mile run, stopping only for fuel and rider change. On roads and then at Brooklands race circuit the new Tiger…
See the whole story and more photos at the NMM web site.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS–Green Flag for the Infrastructure Bill and Key Funding Authorizations
The $1 trillion infrastructure bill signed into law by President Biden on Monday will direct billions to state and local governments for projects that will upgrade roads, bridges, transit systems, and more. It also means reauthorization for key transportation-related spending, including the Recreational Trails Program and the federal Motorcyclist Advisory Council – both of which are vital to off-highway powersports enthusiasts and on-highway riders across the country.
–MIC
LAPD Tells Citizens ‘We Can’t Help You, So Cooperate and Comply with Criminals and Be a Good Witness’
Los Angeles residents are living through a nightmare scenario. The local district attorney announced he’s releasing a 24-year-old convicted murderer after serving only six years of a 50-year sentence. Police are, at the same time, telling everyone, including would-be criminals, that they’re unable to quickly respond to calls for help and that crime victims should just “cooperate and comply” with the perpetrators.
That’s on top of the fact that California has some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation, all obstacles to law-abiding citizens wanting to buy a firearm for protection.
The Los Angeles Police Department tweeted a warning that they’re in the midst of a surging crime wave, including increased so-called “follow-home” burglaries. That’s where a criminal watches their victim leave a store, follows them home then robs them.
The paltry warning is frustrating for sure, but after caving to “defund the police” activists last year, the L.A. City Council voted 12-2 to cut $150 million from this year’s police budget. That’s left law enforcement reduced and resulting to public safety by press release.
“Due to an increase in violent street robberies, Robbery-Homicide Division has become aware of an ongoing crime trend of follow-home robberies,” an LAPD press release read. “If you are being robbed, do not resist the robbery suspects; cooperate and comply with their demands. Be a good witness.”
The release includes six more suggestions from LAPD for potential victims. All suggest the victims play nice with perpetrators or to change their behaviors while saying nothing about holding criminals to account.
–By Larry Keane
TTAG Contributor
BUY MADE IN AMERICA–Christmas isn’t just about the gifts (at least, it’s not supposed to be).
But if you’re looking to make your gifts more impactful (and meaningful), please consider buying products Made In the USA (not just ours).
I probably don’t need to tell you that small businesses are taking a serious beating in today’s economy. Now more than ever, Buying American Matters!
All our Best,
–Tim & Tracey
Leader Motorcycle Assessories
www.leadermotorcycle.com
P.S. Need gift ideas or tips? Check out our Gift Guides!
Besides, getting shit from overseas is turning into a real problem. –Bandit
LET’S ROCK—Life is nuts and then we die. I find it so fascinating. This year is one for the record books. How many proposals have we been bullied with and have failed miserably. But it demonstrates one distinctive fact. We can’t back down or ever give up. And when we see wrong happening, we must step up.
We don’t need to be pushy bastards, like them. We just need to point out the facts. The average citizen gets it. They just want to know the truth and they’ll figure it out.
Okay, I finally got to speak with my Grandson about his ride to Sturgis and about the products he installed along the way. He’s about to install this set of 16-inch Road Glide bars. He installed a new pipe from Sawika, and a whole new Legends suspension system front and rear. He rode from LA to Sturgis and back and discovered that no one can change his EFI mapping. The factory hasn’t allowed access to the software. Let me know if you know different.
We’ve got great stories headed your way from ex-outlaws, stolen bikes and I’m about to start to launch chapters of the third Chance Hogan novel, exclusively in Bandit’s Cantina. In addition we will post another Bob T story from the ‘70s with plenty of Girls of Bikernet from Barry Green. Hang On.
I haven’t shot a deer yet, but what about a Dragon head for the Chinese whorehouse? I’m working with Irish Rich for a VL frame set up to carry a Knucklehead engine. He has ways to hook up electric start on early models. I’m curious. I was thinking about a 5-speed trans with an Evo era starter. I’ll kick it around with him.
This is one of Frankie’s buddy’s Knuckle, sorta inspiring.
