police

Why motorcycle lane-splitting is Legal in California but Not in 49 other states

General Posts / By

Why California lets motorcycles legally split lanes while 49 other states do not from https://ktla.com by Tony Kurzweil If you’ve ever been startled out of the doldrums of your afternoon commute by a thundering, lane splitting Harley Davidson and cursed whoever is responsible, you’re not alone. But before you blast the California Highway Patrol with emails listing all the reasons why that congestion-cutting biker should be given a ticket and told to stay in his lane, there are some things you should know. First, not only is lane sharing or lane splitting legal in California but the CHP wrote the safety guidelines as instructed in AB51, which was approved by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2016. In fact, although lane sharing occurs in other states, California is the only place where the practice has been made legal. But why? Well, one reason is that lane sharing has been going on in California ever since motorcycles have been on the freeway, so it was important to set some ground rules, CHP Motorcycle Officer Brian O’Toole said. The second, and maybe more interesting reason, is that it makes time spent on the freeway shorter, not only for motorcyclists but for us four-wheel motorists as well. “As motorcycles are moving through, splitting the lanes … that’s one less vehicle occupying that lane,” CHP Motorcycle Officer Brian O’Toole said. “It’s saving the average motorist in a car time … If we were to all of a sudden not allow lane splitting anymore, that’s a motorcycle sitting in the lane ahead of them,” O’Toole said. But just because the motorcyclist has the CHP on their side when it comes to lane sharing, it doesn’t mean they can recklessly speed past you. “It’s still a privilege … We’re the only state left, so it’s a privilege for […]

Why motorcycle lane-splitting is Legal in California but Not in 49 other states Read More »

Totally amazing: Veteran, cancer survivor reunited with stolen motorcycle

General Posts / By

‘Totally amazing’: Vietnam veteran, cancer survivor reunited with stolen motorcycle after 3 years 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

Totally amazing: Veteran, cancer survivor reunited with stolen motorcycle Read More »

Our First Clubhouse: ’60s Satan Slaves

General Posts / By

Memories of Motorcycle Club from the early ’60s. by Dave Arthur Shortly after our club started in 1960, we got a clubhouse. I can’t remember if we got it in 1960 or 1961. It was an old house on about an acre. All the members in the club at that time were older than me, most had jobs and a place to live. I loved the new clubhouse, it was a wooden house and it was large and old. The driveway was dirt and long leading to the house. I decided to live there, and any member was welcome to do the same. We had parties there. The parties lasted a few days but there was always a straggler or two who might stay a week or so. CLICK HERE To Read this Article on Bikernet.com Join the Cantina for more – Subscribe Today ! https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

Our First Clubhouse: ’60s Satan Slaves Read More »

Veterans Day Bikernet Weekly News for November 11th, 2021

General Posts / By

It’s Crazy It’s Wonderful The world is nuts. Did you see that Germany won’t sign the declaration to eliminate internal combustion vehicles? Yet, none of our internal combustion organizations or publications in the United States, like the AMA, Rider Magazine, SEMA, MRF, Dice Magazine, NCOM, Easyriders, NHRA, Auto Club, MIC or the NMA will even question the elimination. If they don’t motorcycles will be toast in a decade. I don’t think our Veterans fought for this. They fought for open debate. They fought for men and women to be able to stand up and question the government. Ride Fast and Free Forever and never give up. I’ll leave it at that. Let’s hit the news: –Bandit CLICK HERE To Read the Weekly News only on Bikernet.com Join the Cantina for more – Subscribe and Support Riding Free !!! https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

Veterans Day Bikernet Weekly News for November 11th, 2021 Read More »

Showtime Bikernet Weekly News for November 4th, 2021

General Posts / By

It’s all Wild and Free It’s another magnificent day here in Deadwood, South Dakota. The deer are cleaning the fields, the sky is amazing blue and clear and if you step into the sun, you would think it was summer again. We started to take hikes. It’s all good. In the meantime, Ride Fast and Free Forever. — Bandit CLICK HERE To Read the Weekly News only on Bikernet.com Join the Cantina for more – Subscribe Today. https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

Showtime Bikernet Weekly News for November 4th, 2021 Read More »

Halloween Bikernet Weekly News for October 28, 2021

General Posts / By

Scary Shit from Glasgow to Australia I wonder if we sit down with a one-eyed, witchy woman who reads tea leaves for wide-eyed predictions. Would she say as the candle mysteriously blows out on her floating table, “This is Hitler’s birthday and all the evil, control freak ghosts have reemerged to take over the world again.” Hang on, let’s hit the news. Remember to Ride Fast and Free Forever, –Bandit 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. CLICK HERE To Read The Weekly News On Bikernet.com Join the Cantina for more – Subscribe Today. https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

Halloween Bikernet Weekly News for October 28, 2021 Read More »

MRF Update: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

General Posts / By

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation released an interactive website with data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). FARS, which became operational in 1975, containing data on a census of fatal traffic crashes within the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. To be included in FARS, a crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a traffic way customarily open to the public and must result in the death of a vehicle occupant or a nonoccupant within 30 days of the crash. Fatal crash data for motorcyclists and passengers from the years 2010 to 2019 is included on this website. Users of the website can sort the information on fatalities by a variety of categories, including: State where the crash took place Crash Characteristics Environmental Characteristics Month of Crash Time of Crash Helmet Usage Alcohol Usage Age and Sex of Victims Weather Conditions Single Vehicle v Multi Vehicle While this information can be useful in understanding when, why and where crashes are taking place, it’s important to note that this data includes not just traditional motorcycles but also mopeds, scooters, minibikes, and pocket bikes. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation believes crash avoidance is key component of rider safety. There are zero fatalities in crashes that never happen. To see the website and view the decade’s long data click here. About Motorcycle Riders Foundation The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. Visit MRF Website at: https://mrf.org/

MRF Update: Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Read More »

Stay Calm Bikernet Weekly News for September 30, 2021

General Posts / By

Screw it, Let’s Party I finally broke the ice with my Chopper Chronicles series about stolen motorcycles. Still some work ahead, but I believe it’s coming together. Steve Klein, Sierra Madre Motorcycle Company, is working on a story about all the cross-country motorcycle rallies currently available. Hang on. We’re getting there on several fronts. In the meantime, ride fast and free to the final party in the sky, –Bandit Click Here to Read the Latest News & Views on Motorcycle Industry on Bikernet.com Join the Cantina for more – Subscribe Today. https://www.bikernet.com/pages/custom/subscription.aspx

Stay Calm Bikernet Weekly News for September 30, 2021 Read More »

Contact Governor Gavin Newsom TODAY about AB43- Traffic Safety Bill

General Posts / By

National Motorists Association (NMA). California Immediate Attention: Contact Governor Gavin Newsom TODAY about AB43–the Traffic Safety Bill Dear California NMA Members, AB43 is a “hair on fire” situation. The bill, generically titled “Traffic Safety,” was passed by the state Senate and Assembly earlier this month by votes of 30 to 5 and 68 to 5 respectively, with a few abstentions in both chambers. AB43 was forwarded to Governor Newsom on September 17th and is awaiting his action. That’s why the urgency. (Please send this out to family and friends as well). Members should email their opposition to the bill to: Governor Gavin Newsom c/o Ronda.Paschal@gov.ca.gov –Deputy Legislative Secretary The main issue is that the bill would reverse nearly 100 years of California speed limits being based on fact-based engineering by allowing the lowering of limits without any particular rationale. By disregarding proven traffic engineering standards and posting unrealistic limits, many more drivers traveling at conventional, safe speeds will be stopped and ticketed for noncompliance. Police and community relations will be poorly served by a dramatic increase in traffic stops that serves no safety purpose. Speed traps will become much more prevalent. The forced lowering of speed limits will also create a surge in traffic accidents. Most drivers obey their instincts of what is a safe rate of travel on a particular road. That’s why the prevailing methodology for setting the safest speed limit is based on the prevailing behavior of 85 percent of drivers. Studies have shown repeatedly that the 85th percentile rule for establishing speed limits minimizes crashes. By reducing speed limits below those levels, there will be a wider variance of driving speeds on the road, some obeying the new numbers on the speed limit signs and more following natural driving patterns. The result will be more vehicular

Contact Governor Gavin Newsom TODAY about AB43- Traffic Safety Bill Read More »

Is the Highway Bill Moving Forward?

General Posts / By

On September 30th, numerous highway funding programs will expire unless Congress acts. Currently, there are two separate and dramatically different highway bills in Congress. These bills go by many different names but are often referred to as infrastructure bills by the news media. The first bill, passed by the House of Representatives in June with a price tag of $750 billion dollars includes six priorities of the MRF. Continued ban on NHTSA lobbying in the states 32% Increase of Motorcycle Safety Training Funds Reestablishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council at the Department of Transportation Increased restrictions on motorcycle only check points and the profiling of bikers Inclusion of the types of vehicles stopped to federally collected data on traffic stops Inclusion of the ability to detect and respond to motorcycles as a requirement of autonomous vehicle studies The Senate bill passed in August, with a cost of 1.2 trillion includes just three of those priorities. Continued ban on NHTSA lobbying in the states 32% Increase of Motorcycle Safety Training Funds Reestablishment of the Motorcyclist Advisory Council at the Department of Transportation There are four potential outcomes. First, the Senate can pass the House bill. This is unlikely as Senators have been forceful in their desire to take the lead on infrastructure. Second, the two chambers can merge their bills together, finding common ground. This too is unlikely as it is time consuming, and the deadline is fast approaching. Third, the House can vote on the Senate bill. Speaker Pelosi has scheduled a vote for next week to try this path. However, members of her party have voiced their concerns over moving this piece of legislation until they get a larger 3.5 trillion-dollar bill focused on what many are calling “human infrastructure.” If that vote fails the fourth option comes into

Is the Highway Bill Moving Forward? Read More »

Scroll to Top