September - October 2011 American Bikers Aiming Toward Education RIDERS www.abateofnorthidahobikers.org email: [email protected] ABATE of North Idaho EAGLE September-October 2011 2 SUPPORT THE EAGLE ADVERTISERS WHO SUPPORT ABATE ABATE of NORTH IDAHO The purpose of the corporation is to form an educational, charitable, and political group, to provide motorcycle safety, education, freedom STATEMENT Of PURPOSE of choice legislation and to provide a more favorable environment for motorcycle riders and the communities in which they reside. A.B.A.T.E of North Idaho A.B.A.T.E of North Idaho State Information Chapter Information Be Informed Be Involved State Officers: Clearwater Chapter Coordinator PO Box 2042 Motorcyclists Rod Haux Orofino, Idaho 83544 Mike Thacker Rights 208-699-4716 208-476-3630 Organizations [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Meeting 1st Saturday Deputy Coordinator Hoodoo Chapter Paul Riess PO Box 912 208-769-7048 Spirit Lake, Idaho 83869-0912 [email protected] Russ Haux Know Your Rights Motorcycle Riders 208 819 2772 Protect Your Rights Foundation SecretaryTreasurer [email protected] www.legislative.idaho.gov www.mrf.org Dave Cazel Meeting 1st Saturday Local Rep: Dave Cazel 208-771-1774 Kootenai Chapter [email protected] PO Box 2511 Hayden, Idaho 83835 American Motorcyclist Associationn Membership Sec Dan Ertz www.ama-cycle.org Ernie Crocker 208-659-8499 Local Rep: Tom McLaughlin 208-691-5008 [email protected] 928-580-7957 [email protected] Meeting 1st Thursday Sergeant-at-arms St. Joe Chapter John Baker PO Box 173 St. Maries, Idaho 83861 208-746-7866 Debby Hamburg 208-875-0831 Ambassador at Large [email protected] National Coalition of Idaho Coalition of Tom Taylor Meeting 1st Sunday Motorcyclist Motorcycle Safety 208-773-9512 www.idahobikerrights.com The Hells Canyon Chapter www.aimncom.com to m a n d s u e [email protected] PO Box 1713 Lewiston, Idaho 83501 ANI Newsletter Editor Dave Bremenour Idaho STAR 208-769-7048 208-827-0396 Motorcycle Riders Training [email protected] www.idahostar.org [email protected] [email protected] Meeting 1st Saturday Disclaimer: The Eagle is a bimonthlypublication of ABATE of North Idaho. The views expressed byadvertisers, or correspondents maynot necessarilyreflect those of ABATE of North Idaho. The content of the Eagle is based upon source material, believed to be accurate, however; no liability is assumed for accuracy or completeness. . All input is welcomed. Facts and statistics should include sources and references. Credit will be given to all writers. The Newsletter Editor reserves the right to edit all submissions for space, clarity, and content. Material will be printed as space permits. ABATEofNorthIdaho,itsofficersandstaffoftheEagleissuenowarrantyofsafetyinanyeventdescribedhereinorguaranteeanyproductorserviceadvertisedherein. Theabovenamed parties accept no liability or responsibility for death, injury, or other losses due to participation in event, or use of advice, products or services offered or advertised in this publication. Bi MONTHLY Advertising Ad Rates A.B.A.T.E. Number of Insertions 1X 3X 6X Of North Idaho JUMBO Ad (9.3” x 10.2” = 94 sq.in.) $135 $125 $115 Eagle Newsletter LARGE Ad (7.5” x 10” = 75 sq.in) $105 $95.00 $90.00 MEDIUM Ad (7.5” x 4.88” =36.6 sq.in.) $55.00 $50.00 $45.00 MUSTANG AD ( 3.75" x 4.75" = 18 sq.in.) $30.00 $25.00 $25.00 Adirect‘TARGET MARKET” of the motorcycle industry and all related subjects. Business Card Ad (12 months = 6 Issues) ------>$60.00 total Circulation of 2000 and growing. Direct mail to 300 ABATE members DOUBLE size Biz Card Ad (12 months = 6 Issues) ---> $120.00 Throughout Northern Idaho and Northeast Washington. Distributed and available for FREE at various locations through N.Idaho, Prices effective March -01, 2010 and subject to charge without Notice including motorcycle dealerships and repair & accessory shops. Ad dimensions may vary, but area will be equal or greater than the areas shown above (Please Add $3.00 if using PayPal) All motorcycling places of interest, rallies & events. Send Payment Check :to Choose ad size then send copy of your ad to address below ABATE of North Idaho We do have design staff if you need help with designing your ad. PO Box 2989 Please send ads in pdf or jpg format; high resolution (300 dpi at actual Size). Send camera ready copy (sized as above) or copy for original creation of an ad for you to the address shown Coeur D Alene, ID 83816 Call Paul Riess @ 208-769-7048 with any questions. Email ad inquiries, ad Artwork, & PAYPAL to: [email protected] ABATE of North Idaho EAGLE September-Octobert 2011 SUPPORT THE EAGLE ADVERTISERS WHO SUPPORT ABATE 3 Are you smart enough to be Summary Update on cautious when you should be? Impaired Riding Are you concerned about the Things that truly Matter? By Lane Triplett ICMS Fears Can Keep You Alive In its last issue the Two Wheel Advocate/ANI Eagle published a summary of the causes of Consider this, are you afraidof being blow up by a terrorist bomber when flying on a commercial fatalities in Idaho over the last two years. As it airliner? The chances of that are just about went to press updated information regarding rider ZERO. Forget it! impairment was provided by the Idaho For me, when riding, there are things 2 which Transportation Department. Impairment includes scare the crap out of me: those that had levels of alcohol above the legal a) Deer/Game darting ontothe roadway. limit and drugs in their systems at the time of b)A car/truck pulling out in front of me. Five Kootenai Chapter ANI Members death. In some cases riders that lost their lives to What makes you pucker? Attend Black Hills Chapter ABATE Social Rationally, true concerns should be based upon the action of another driver were under the Hour in Whitewood, (Sturgis)SD. facts, ie…be cautious of the right circumstancesin influence. The summary had stated that only about Each year, the Black Hills Chapter of ABATE of order to stay alive. 19% of Idaho’s fatal motorcycle crashes involved South Dakota host a social hour for MROs and Inmaking some sense and useful information from impaired riders. This number was heartening in SMROs to meet & talk about common concerns Lane Triplett’s “Idaho Motorcycle Fatality” study that the national average runs in the 30 percentile and legislative issuesineach oftheirStates. (July-August 2011 Eagle, pg 7), the single, greatest fatality group (40%) is mature riders and it was thought that we were doing much better Kirk “Hardtail” Willard, President of the MRF, was this year’s guest speaker. He reviewed the failing to negotiate a curve in the road. Stated in that that. This new information has revealed the other ways, in means going too fast for a rider’s current national issues, noting there were no ‘hot stark reality that we are not doing much better skill, or failing to follow the road with your eyes, or, button’ items raging in DC, right now, but intense, yes, decreased skills from maybehaving one-too- than the average. Idaho’s fatal crashes involving low profile work remains necessary to continually many beers. impairment for 2009 and 2010 are now at 29%. deflect unfriendly legislationby several legislators. Are you, generally, fearful of going too fast for your Following the event, the truly dedicated ‘Hardtail’ own skill level and conditions? If you are not, Some of those fatal crashes involved riders that got back on bike and rode 800 miles to Wisconsin MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE, if want to stay alive. were near or above double the legal limit and one for work the next day. Lane Triplett’s study shows excess speed & the over 3 times the limit. Why motorcyclists continue lack of concern (or excess ‘machismo’) kills more Five members of Kootenai Chapter on ANI often than anything else. to ride while impaired is unfathomable. The motor attended the Social Hour. skills necessary to operate a two wheeled vehicle BELIEVE THE EVIDENCE. "Hardtail" BE CONCERNED ABOUTTHINGSTHAT MATTER. cannot and should not be impaired at any level. Things I learned in Sturgis As the revision shownin a companion column, the Government uses serious injury and fatal crash A rider and his wife where Study shows ALCOHOL involved in 29% of statistics, regardless of the cause, to tell us that cruising along the road on fatalities is the second largest group. their way to Sturgis and then, more laws are needed to curtail the carnage. We KER-SPLAT! A big bug BELIEVE THE EVIDENCE. oppose any laws that restrict our freedoms but splatters. They slow down & BE CONCERNED ABOUTTHINGSTHAT MATTER. pull off the road…bug guts How about my own fears: some riders seem unwilling to take simple basic all over his shirt. According to the Study Deer/Game collisions steps to help our cause. As many as thirteen “WOW! Those June bugs ranked at 5%.,and Right-of-Way infringements riders might not have lost their livesin the last two really hurt at 75 mph!” he says, as he scrapes it off. ranks at 18% years if only they had not chosen to ride while The wife says“Gee, I hadno BE FEARFUL OF THE RIGHT THINGS. legally drunk. This would represent a 21% idea June bugs could fly 75 mph!” RIDEACCORDINGLY. decrease in fatalities. These numbers would go a long way towards proving to law and policy Runs and events 2011 See 'Spokanebiker.com" makers that we are addressing our problems for additional Events ourselves without their so called help. Sept. 3-5 Statewide Friendship Run, ICMS -Lane Triplett 208-869-5639 The ICMS implores all riders to end the all too Sept. 10 St. Joe’s End of the Sun Run-Moose-208 245-2320 common practice of riding while impaired. The Sept. 16-17 Good Sam Ride; [email protected] best bet is to not do it at all. If you do drink, do so Sept 17 Code 3 Run: [email protected] or phone: 208-755-5771 responsibly and stay under the limit. Watch your brothers and sisters for excessive impairment and Oct . 01 Kootenai/HooDoo Road Cleanup-Ron C. 208 699-2389 be willing to say something to them about their Oct. 02 ANI’s State Board Meeting, Pi ines RV Harvard, ID. noon- Dave C 208 771-1774 condition and their abilities to ride safely. Don’t let Nov.05 Kootenai’s Toy Run -Dan E. 208 659-8499 them ride impaired. There are ways available to ABATE of North Idaho EAGLE September-Octobert 2011 4 SUPPORT THE EAGLE ADVERTISERS WHO SUPPORT ABATE Abate of North Idaho Board of Directors Meeting Minutes July 10, 2011 Harvard, Idaho The Meeting was called to order by the coordinator at 1210 hrs. A quorum was expense incurred if your newsletter is returned. Our mission is to see that our present along with 16 member guests. The Ambassador @ Large was absent. advertisers are supported by our efforts to get the message out to the readers of the Eagle. Additional copies of the Eagle will be given to the requesting The secretary moved that the meeting’s agenda, as published be chapters. accepted. It was seconded and approved. The secretary moved that the minutes of the prior meeting be accepted as Legislative: The is not in session in Idaho. Last session we passed the printed in the last issue of the Eagle. It was seconded and approved. COVERED and SECURED LOADS law. It is effective 7/1/11. Guest Speaker was Jenny Williams, Representative from American Income Our focus in the off session is profiling. This is an effort, growing in various Life. AIL currently offers all active members of ANI in good standing a free states, to profile motorcyclists because of what they wear and that they ride. policy of $3000 for accidental death and dismemberment coverage. These Also some states actively participating in “MOTORCYCLE ONLY” checkpoints. benefits are cumulative and additive to other policies that maybe offered to There has been a motorcycle only checkpoint in Hayden Idaho already. These active ANI members who are afforded this same benefit by another have been disguised as safety checks, helmet checks and for registrations and organization. For $2 for the first year and $5 every year there after, active ANI insurance. It has proven to be, in some cases, just another way to run your members in good standing can have $10,000 additional insurance. This is also numbers. Also NHTSA has been denied, enacted by law, the right to spend our additive to other policies. The paperwork for such benefits will be mailed to tax dollars lobbying state governments for federal legislation. They are making members by AIL in August along with beneficiary declarations to direct the an end run around this prohibition by having the Center for Disease Control proceeds of the benefits, should they be issued. (CDC) lobby the states for helmet use stating it is a medical issue. Treasurer’s Report: ANI is in much better financial condition than it was at the Safety and Education: We have been asked to get out and get involved with beginning of the year. We had a successful Spring Opener and were able to awareness throughout the communities. Show and tell with the DVD on add to our bank balance. The timing of the cash flow for ANI is augmented by Awareness and driver’s ed. Clearwater has been active in Orofino and Weippe the revenue generated by the Eagle. We were able to conduct the business of for community awareness/ driver’s ed. with the DVD. The study done by ICMS ANI with this cash flow. was mentioned and it was noted that in 2009 40% of the deaths were caused Coordinator’s report: The Spring Opener was successful. Thank yous were by rider error, riding beyond our skill level, not autos. The leading cause extended to the S.O. committee and to Debbie and Roger Hamburg for their of death was riding off the road in a curve. The age group with the support and effort for the Spring Opener. ABATE is a volunteer organization and greatest number fatalities were in the over 40 group. will have it ups and downs and there are times when we struggle. There are By-Laws: Do we need by-laws to govern the Eagle publication? No, that is why many long term members and it’s their efforts that keep ABATE going forward. we have a newsletter committee. Paul needs help withthe physical distribution. We’ve got to raise the memberships in all the chapters. Jim Ingalls volunteered to help Paul Deputy Coordinator’s report:-none Products: We need a ABATE State banner. We have them only for the Secretary’s report:-none chapters. We need to inventory the trailer. State products will are available to Membership secretary’s Report:-ANI has 190 active members. the chapters to purchase to have them available for sale. Norm Burch moved Chapter Reports: that Pauline Durst be put in charge of the state products. Seconded by Mike Thacker- motion approved. American flags with ABATE Stamped on Clearwater: The chapter has 600 Facebook friends. ICMS is favorable to the staff might be available. Paul thought we could sell them and because having the Friendship run in Orofino in September. ABATE was on the flag pole, they cold be used as exchange items and thank Hoodoo:-none you gifts. It was asked that this be taken to the chapters for their ideas or nay Kootenai:- The chapter is very active and is supporting events throughout the and nays. If it is a go we will pursue an American manufacturer. community. They acted as road captains for the Dirne medical clinic ride. Website: The secretary is the contact person to the web master. To ease the St Joe: -The chapter will have a meeting immediately after the BOD meeting to flow of information to the website and to increase the flexibility of the updates, elect new officers. St Joe is having the END of the Sun Run at Hot Springs, the idea of an internal web master will be investigated. Go-Daddy .com is our Montana the 2ndweek of September. St. Joe wants all chapters’ support. domain host and they have a website construction and maintenance class Hell’s Canyon:-They had their Soldiers’ ride the day before and raised a good available. Being able to maintain the website internally would not only save ANI sum of money for soldiers returning from the war zone. Hell’s Canyon will be money but it would increase the timeliness and flexibility of the website changes riding to Montana tosupport the local ABATE chapter there. and updates. Committee Reports: Discussion was directed toward the “old” website, pre “ABATEOFNORTH Newsletter:The last two editions of the Eagle have cost less than the revenue IDAHOBIKERS.COM” and it was explained that the “old” web site is not under generated by the newsletter. It was noted that all chapters have to participate our control and we have no influence over it. Dave Cazel volunteered to pursue in the distribution of the newsletter for the benefit of our advertisers. Also all the web course this winter and see if it’s feasible. Mike Thacker moved that members should gather ads for the Eagle. Mailing of the bulk bundles is not Dave Cazel take the $50 web course. Seconded by Ernie Crocker-motion financially possible. Make sure your addresses are up to date because there is approved. ABATE of North Idaho EAGLE September-Octobert 2011 SUPPORT THE EAGLE ADVERTISERS WHO SUPPORT ABATE 5 Abate of North Idaho Board of Directors Meeting Minutes (continued) On going Business: and comments about Idaho legislation. Dave Cazel made the motion to write a Spring Opener final report:SO Committee chairman thanked the committee check for support of the Idaho Coalition of Clubs, seconded by Rod Haux, forall its work. The suggestions for next year are as follows. motion passed unanimously. The secretary asked for nominees to attend the Events schedule should be published and posted. ICOC as liaison to the ANI. Catherine Salomone nominated both Ernie Crocker and Dan Ertz. Dan declined as he is out of town and Ernie is already a member We need the full names and contact info for the event winners. of the COC thru his ministry, thus he declined. Paul Riess suggested Jim Ingalls, We have to focus on trophies. Dave Cazel made a motion that Jim Ingalls be appointed liaison to the Chapter can have raffles along with ANI COC, seconded by Dan Ertz, motion approved. PA system needs to be fully explored to make announcements throughout Open forum: the park. Best of the West conference in Salt Lake City. Bob and Julia Merkel and Dave We need half passes. How do we structure them, time period, price etc. Cazel attended the meeting from ANI. The break out sessions were really Road signs need to be more fully investigated and local businesses asked to informative with different sessions being attended, effective campaigning and support us with traffic sign in front o their businesses signs. Lobbying, getting your man elected, Working with your MRO’s and Sputnick’s” Volunteer compensation in lieu of comp passes. Five Steps to Freedom” video, outlining the best ways to know your legislators Pins need to be more thoroughly thought out. and how to get them to work for your causes. Bob Merkel recommended that all Trash has to be addressed for the final policing of the park at the end of the members interested in motorcycle rights watch the video. There are three bill is next years SO. Congress that need more push from SMRO’s HR 1449 Right to Repair Next years committee chairperson will be appointed after the seating of the legislation and HR 412to stop the consumer protection agency from ending the ANI officers for 2012. selling of motorcycles to children because of lead content, and HR 904 to stop New Business: motorcycle only checkpoints. Please contact your Congressmen and Senator. Nomination of State officers:Per the by-laws the nominations were opened The subject of MRF contributions came up and attendance at the Meeting of the andclosed at this meeting. Minds. Paul Riess suggested rather than send a attendee to Detroit it would be a Coordinator: Rod Haux Bob Merkel better use of our funds to give this money to the MRF rather than the airlines Deputy Coordinator: Paul Riess and hotel. It was agreed that it would bemore effective for ANI to make a cash Secretary: Dave Cazel contribution to the MRF in person at the Best of The West, rather than in the Membership Secretary: Pauline Durst mail, in lieu of attendance at the 2011 Meeting of the Minds. The chapters can raise the money, and they can make the contributions possibly in addition to Treasurer: Dave Cazel ANI. Mike Thacker moved that ANI reserve the expense monies saved for Ambassador @ Large: Catherine Salomone Tom Taylor the MRF, to be presented at the next Best of the West, seconded by Only the contested officer positions will appear on the ballot and the uncontested Pauline Durst, motion approved. The ANI coordinator wants to establish a officer officers will be seated at the October meeting. Contested officer position challenge for additional monies for the MRF and the winner to be announced nominees must submit their statement of qualifications to the State Membership next spring opener, one year away. Secretary within two weeks of today’s nominations and they will be printed in the next issue of the Eagle. The ballots will be mailed by September 1st to members Appreciation award: Beth Miller ANI charter member with #0004 membership in good standing as of August 1st. The secretary moved that the nominations was awarded a certificate of appreciation of all her years of service and be closed, seconded and the motion was approved. dedication to ABATE of North Idaho. She is part of the glue that holds ANI Future Disposition of the St Joe Chapter: At the conclusion of the BOD together. Meeting of 7/10/11 St Joe Chapter will elect new chapter officers. The Open Letter to the editor: a letter from a member of ANI was read to the BOD encouragement of continuation of the St Joe chapter was supported by all urging more cooperation within chapters and to encourage a greater emphasis present. on membership recruitment and involvement. Flag Pins w/ABATE: was put on the back burner until we have a count of the flag pins in inventory. We need more communication between the chapters and submit their ride Idaho COC discussion: In the spring of 2011 Idaho formed its first Coalition of sanctions to stop the planning of competing rides on specific dates. We’ve got to Clubs, a coalition of motorcycle clubs throughout Idaho. Their first meeting is support the other chapters. The ANI ride sanction forms must be submitted to July 30thin Coeur d’Alene. SMRO’s cannot be voting members for the COC but the BOD January so we can set the event calendar for 2012 and end the can support the COC. The liaison of the COC to SMROs has said that ASI has conflicting dates between chapters. The October meeting should be set the sent in a contribution to the COC and that ICMS intends to support. There was mechanics to accomplish to calendar in January. discussion as to whether ANI should support COC. The COC’s are a State’s Discussions pertained to membership have to be renewed earlier in the year. It organization within the framework of the National Coalition of Motorcycles (NCOM) to provide a common effort toward motorcycle advocacy. NCOM is a needs to be renewed earlier than at the SO, the first weekend in June. The reactive organization towards motorcycle rights and the Motorcycle Riders grace period continues to be extended. Phone calls are less expensive than the Foundation (MRF) is a proactive organization focused on motorcycle rights. mail and the chapters should be calling their members. The members know their These are two national organizations working for motorcycle rights from two chapter officers better than they know the state officers. It should be a chapter different sides of legislation. The MRF works prior to the enactment of laws to function. Get those renewals. ensure motorcycle freedoms and NCOM works to fight the laws after they are The October State BOD meeting will be held at the Pines RV. Park at noon enacted. The COC are the driving support for the design and encouragement of on Oct.2ndat 1200 Hrs. the US Defenders and its calls to action. A discussion was had about the benefits of having ANI supporting the ICOC to be able to listen to their concerns Meeting was adjourned 1635 hrs. ABATE of North Idaho EAGLE September-Octobert 2011 6 SUPPORT THE EAGLE ADVERTISERS WHO SUPPORT ABATE 2012 ANI Officer Candidates One ANI Officer Position will be Balloted. The contested position is ANI Coordinator Below, are the Candidates and their qualifications: Ballots will be mailed to members before September 15 and must be returned by mail or in person before the Teller Committee is seated at the October 2, 2011ANI BOD meeting. The 4 other ANI elected positions are uncontested and will be seated at the October, 2 BOD meeting as follows: Deputy Coordinator - Paul Riess; Sec. & Treas - Dave Cazel; Membership Sec. - Pauline Durst Amb@ Lrg: Tom Taylor ANI Coordinator - 2 Candidates Hello, Bob Merkel here. Most of you know me as a member of the HooDoo chapter for the last 7 years. Before HooDoo I was an ABATE member in 3 other states.I am also an AMA,American Legion,MRF, and ICMF member. I have learned a lot at mytravels to Bestof the West conferences,I’ve been a committeechair person and worked behind the scenes on this year ANI Spring Opener. I attend most ANI BOD meetings and have been HooDoo’s proxy rep, voting for you on key issues. I understand and deeply care for ANI, I am a good listener, and have good rational and Ibelieve in chapter unity. I know all the ANI board and am friendswith all,and being retired I’m easy to get a hold of and am prompt getting back to you. My wife Julia (Former State secretary) and I are seasoned riders and are aware of theneeds of the motorcycle communityfighting for our freedoms. I’m respectfully asking for your vote, a chance to continue ANI’s plight and success as freedom fighters. Sincerely, 509-442-2487 Bob Merkel Rod Haux ~ No Submittal ~ Aprilia Royal Enfield Moto Guzzi New Triumph Bikes Arctic Cat T he ers A ot u o to Sc M m oto Sy Pa air rts ep s R erv ce ic vi e R ser e s pa art ir Aprilia Royal Enfield Moto Guzzi New Triumph Bikes Arctic CatP ABATE of North Idaho EAGLE September-Octobert 2011 SUPPORT THE EAGLE ADVERTISERS WHO SUPPORT ABATE 7 All Rider Motorcycle Helmet Laws NHTSA estimates that 80 percent of motorcycle crashes injure or kill a rider.36 2008 was the 11th straight year in which motorcycle crash fatalities increased, rising to 5,290 motorcyclists killed and 96,000 injured.37 This is more than double the motorcycle fatalities in 1998 and a level not seen since 1981.38 While motorcycle fatalities finally decreased to 4,462 in 2009, that figure still represents fatality numbers that are more than double what the death toll was in 1997, the last year in which motorcycle fatalities experienced a decline.39 While fatality and injury rates for other types of vehicles have dropped over the years, the fatality and injury rates for motorcycles have generally been on the rise.40 At present, motorcycles make up less than three percent of all registered vehicles and only 0.4 percent of all vehicle miles traveled, but motorcyclists accounted for 13 percent of total traffic fatalities and 19 percent of all occupant fatalities.41 Helmets saved the lives of 1,483 motorcyclists in 2009 and 732 more in all states could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.42 NHTSA estimates that 148,000 motorcyclists have been killed in traffic crashes since 1966.43 In the years following enactment of federal traffic safety statutes, annual motorcycle rider deaths were much lower in part because most states had all-rider motorcycle helmet laws. Congress used the power of the sanction to require states to enact helmet use laws.44 When the sanction was repealed by Congress, the states followed suit with more than half the states repealing their helmet laws.45 Today, only 20 states and the District of Columbia require helmet use by all motorcycle riders. The map below indicates the status of the law in each state. In 2007, the NTSB recommended that all states without an all-rider helmet law should adopt one.46 Research conclusively and convincingly shows that all-rider helmet laws save lives and reduce medical costs. While helmets will not prevent crashes from occurring, they have a significant and positive effect on preventing head and brain injuries during crashes. These are the most life-threatening and long-term injuries as well as the most costly. In 1992, California’s all-rider helmet law took effect resulting in a 40 percent drop in its Medicaid costs and total hospital charges for medical treatment of motorcycle riders.47 RECOMMENDATION: Include a provision that requires states to adopt all-rider motorcycle helmet laws. 8 ABATE of North Idaho EAGLE September-Octobert 2011 SUPPORT THE EAGLE ADVERTISERS WHO SUPPORT ABATE 509-217-1937 P o k e r R u n s c6ru1i0s5e rEs@ Sreolatidcreu nWnaeyr.,coSmta oter liwnwe,w I.Dcruisersosrt a2t0e8li-n7e7.3c-o47m06 CRUISERS 2011 THUNDER THURSDAY EVERY THURSDAY STARTING APRIL 28th! Thunder Thursdays every Thursday with Taco's & Music at 7pm D I No One Under 21! For more vendor information or any questions please contact Sheri at 509-217-1937 or at [email protected] Beth Miller Accepts ANI Appreciation Award f l The State BOD meeting July 10th was held at Pines RV, in Harvard. This was o W such a nice change having it outdoors, and the attendancewas fantastic. We had a good show of members and it was a beautiful day for the ride there and back. Debbie and Roger were gracious hosts, as usual, and had a BBQ for us and everything we needed, to have one of our best BODmeetings in a long time. We allliked it so well, we are having it there again in October, which will be nice with the firepit and all. The fall ride there will be great! I plan on getting out the ‘apple cider’ for that one! The BOD and members were given the facts and figures for the Spring Opener and we are happy to know that we did really well this year. We plan to start another Spring Opener Committee at the next meeting, so all that want to help out and get on the committee, please show up at the next October meeting. Itwas great to witnessANI , present an Appreciation award ( see photo) to ANI Charter Member, Beth Miller, of Spirit lake. Beth has been with ABATE in Idaho since it first started in 1989, and after 22 years of membership, is still contributing to our organization, today. We had several Charter members at the meeting. Thanks to Beth,and all of our great members, for all you do and have done, and hope to see you at the next ANI state meeting, in Harvard! Chatty; ANI Eagle Ad Rep/ News Letter Committee Beth Miller Accepts ANI Appreciation Award from Rod Haux ABATE of North Idaho EAGLE September-Octobert 2011 SUPPORT THE EAGLE ADVERTISERS WHO SUPPORT ABATE 9 A Report: Motorcyclist Hits Deer, Totals Bike, ...... Below is an email we received todayfrom Dave Melcher,a high schoolclassmateofmy wife,and lives in eastern PA. I didn't know until recently that he is a big timem/c rider in his retirement yearsand does cross-country ridesevery year or two. This year's trip ended suddenly when they hit a deer south of Lewiston/Clarkston area.Below is his summary of the event. From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: End of Trip Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:49:19 -0400 We saw some things on this trip that were really great – as impressive and beautiful as anything we’ve ever seen. The ride down US 93 from Chief Joseph Pass to Stanley along the Salmon River is incredibly beautiful. Then across ID 21 and the Banks-Lowman Rd along the Payette River. Nice. Eventually into the base of Hell’s Canyon and up the 22 mile road to the northernmost dam. Just amazing being at the bottom and looking at thetop that’s some 6,000 feet higher. Halfway turned out to be a nice little town to stay in at the Pine Valley Lodge (pvlodge.com if you are ever in the area). Decent food across the street. Stayed in Mitchell two nights to explore the John Day Nat’l Monument Fossil Beds, especially the Painted Hills site west of Mitchell. There are painted hills there that equal the painted desert in AZ. Really. From Mitchell up 207, then 19 and then across 218 to Antelope. All amazing beauty and rides. So many twisties by the end you’re begging for mercy. Up along the east of Mt Hood, then east along the WA side of the Columbia River. Always impressive. If there was a disappointment, it was coming down the Oregon Blue Mtn Scenic Byway thru Ione, Heppner, to Sumpter. Dense pine forests with no views. Like riding thru the forests of Maine. Sumpter was OK to stay in – nice hotel and decent food. Then off to Joseph which was very nice. Just touristy enough to have several good restaurants and a couple motels to choose from without being too touristy (I know Jim will disagree). And the mountains surrounding the town were all still snow capped and very beautiful. Then up the famous OR 3 (well-deserved fame) and WA 129 toward Lewiston and looking forward to going thru Lolo Pass. All in all, this was turning out to be one of the best trips ever. Then we hit the deer. Just south of Clarkston, WA on 129. Gave new meaning to the words “out of nowhere”. I never saw the deer until I hit it –never even got the brakes on. Louise never saw it at all and she sees everything back there. At first,the roads were narrow with no shoulder at all. I recall one like that with a 65mph speed limit! I wouldn’t even go the speed limit on that road just because of deer. We saw plenty. Whole families in fact. On the other side of things, WA 129 opens up and the woods are set back from the road and there are alternate patches of fields. Not threatening at all. I believe there was literally this one clump of bushes right beside the road, the deer was in there or behind there, and leaped out as we were just about to pass it. We hit him head-on. I can say with fair certainty that our impact speed was 55mph +/- one or two. I say that because the WA limit on that road was 55 mph and the day and scenery were so beautiful that I was happy just to take it all in and ride at the speed limit. No traffic at all. Gorgeous. I recall seeing the deer as I hit it, I recall reaching for the brake but I’m sure I never got to it. Time of day was about 11:00 am. Not “deer time” at all. The short version is, we’re both fine. Louise has some nice bruises and sore ribs and took a good blow to the head –her Arai helmet saved her from much worse. I suffered several areas of “road rash” which really isn’t. Our full-face helmets, summer mesh armored jackets, Draggin’ jeans, Cruiserworks boots and Held & Olympia gloves all did their job. Wonderfully. I’ve got several areas of significant abrasion which must be from the fabric next to my skin. Although my jacket was torn and shredded on the outer layer, the inner layer was not compromised, the Kevlar in my jeans is perfect, and my t-shirt and underwear were fine. Yet I’ve got abrasions on shoulder, elbow and rear end. I’m sure not anything like the severity of true contact with the road but still pretty sore. Just can’t quite figure out the mechanism for how it happened. Also a torn ligament in my middle finger. Spent about three hours in the Lewiston ER getting x-rayed and bandaged up. Louise had aCAT scan of her head and they declared her fine. X-rays of her sore ribs (also fine) and x-rays of my shoulder that was really abraded badly – must have landed on it. No breaks there and x- rays of the finger showed no breaks or dislocations so they’re saying the ligament is torn and put it in a splint to keep it straight (tough to type!). Everyone we dealt with was wonderful – you’ve got great people out there! The first guy on the scene, the EMT’s, the ambulance driver, the hospital, everyone. The hospital even put us up in a hotel-like facility for the night that they keep for long-term visitors caring for loved ones. Free of charge –they’ll be getting a large donation you can be sure. The WA State Trooper couldn’t have been nicer. Came to the hospital later to visit and fill us in on the bike’s eventual location and how to retrieve our stuff, etc. The bike went to Lewiston’s impound lot and today or tomorrow will be trucked to Spokane where Progressive Insurance has motorcycle appraisers. I have no doubt it will be totaled. I hope it is – I certainly don’t want it “fixed”. Should have their official opinion in a few days. Darn –only 95,000 miles and we were really looking forward to another 95,000. We took all our belongings, tools, etc offthe bike and shipped it all home via UPS. We booked flights for both of us out of Spokane as it was much cheaper than re-booking Louise out of Bozeman and getting a new Bozeman ticket for me. Three flights later we’re home. All went well and we got inat midnight last night. Probably more detail than you wanted to know but since you’re riders and active moto people, I thought you might have questions that I might as well go ahead and answer. Take care. I’ll keep you posted on our “recovery” (can’t be too bad –I’ve got to cut the grass today!) and the bike’s disposition. Dave 10 ABATE of North Idaho EAGLE September-Octobert 2011 SUPPORT THE EAGLE ADVERTISERS WHO SUPPORT ABATE THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition ofMotorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of RichardM. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any kind of accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A- BIKE 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visitwww.ON-A-BIKE.com. NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish, NEW HAMPSHIRE PROHIBITS MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS In an unprecedented victory on the motorcyclists’ rights front, New Hampshire became the first state to bar motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints. HB 148, co-sponsored by longtime biker activist State Rep. Sherm Packard, prohibits the acceptance of federal funding for the discriminatory roadblocks. “No law enforcement agency of the state or a political subdivision of the state may accept federal funding the purpose of which is to establish motorcycle- only roadside checkpoints,” states the new law, which takes effect 60 days after passage. Packard was one of the first biker-legislators in the country, and as an original member of the NCOM Legislative Task Force he literally wrote the book on “Getting Elected To Public Office”, a pamphlet that can be ordered free of charge through the National Coalition of Motorcyclists at (800) 525- 5355 ( 8 0 0 ) 525-5355 or via the internet at www.ON-A-BIKE.com. On the flipside, however, Virginia recently joined New York, Georgia, Utah and Maine in conducting such controversial roadblocks, with the Arlington County Police Department setting up a motorcycle-only checkpoint on May 28th during the annual Rolling Thunder POW/MIA rally in Washington D.C. over Memorial Day weekend. Also, on May 16th ABATE of New York held their annual Freedom Rally/Ride to the Capitol and as participants departed in smallgroups to return home, law enforcement units pulled over many of the riders and issued numerous citations of dubious legitimacy, primarily for helmets and exhausts. “This ride has been held without incident for 15 years,” said Robert “Prospector” Boellner, a member of the NCOM Board of Directors representing the New England states, adding; “It is believed that this action by New York State Police was retaliation for a class-action lawsuit filed by AIM Attorney Mitch Proner against state police and DMV to stop the practice of motorcycle-only roadblocks.” CONGRESS CONSIDERS ALCOHOL PROHIBITION Recognizing that higher levels of ethanol in gasoline can cause engine damage and void warranties for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and many other small gas-powered motors, U.S. Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) has introduced H.R. 748 to prohibit the EPA from authorizing the use of gasoline containing greater than 10% ethanol. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently approved E15, gasoline containing 15% alcohol, for use in 2001 or newer cars and light duty trucks, though most on- or off-highway motorcycles and all ATVs are not approved for its use, and using the hotter-burning fuel could void the manufacturer’s warranty. Motorcyclists should be concerned about the availability of compatible fuel supplies if gas stations primarily provide E15 gasoline for the majority of their customers, and riders are urged to contact their Congressional Representative to support H.R. 748. MICHIGAN POISED TO REPEAL HELMET LAW After decades of protesting Michigan’s 42-year old helmet law at rallies at the State Capitol, motorcyclists converged on the statehouse on Wednesday, June 8 for a "Call To Victory Rally" in anticipation of a repeal bill making it to the desk of newly elected Governor Rick Snyder. Gov. Snyder has not committed either way, but he replaced Jennifer Granholm who twice vetoed repeals that were approved by the state legislature in 2006 and 2008. It appears that lawmakers are once again poised to approve legislation that will allow freedom of choice for many of Michigan’s 241,000 motorcyclists. The Senate Transportation Committee recently passed a repeal measure that will soon go before the full Senate, while a similar bill is pending in the House of Representatives. The Senate bill would allow those 21 and older to ride without a helmet if they have had a motorcycle endorsement for two or more years, or have passed a safety course. The House bill would allow those 21 and older to ride without a helmet if they have a $20,000 medical policy in place. Vince Consiglio, state director of ABATE of Michigan, said there are enough votes in both chambers to change the helmet law. "We're not opposed to helmets, but it should be a choice," Consiglio says, adding that the issue ought to be the education of motorcyclists and drivers of other vehicles to avoid collisions in the first place. ABATE pushes motorcycle training and education for riders, and awareness for those in other vehicles. The battle over helmets has also been waged in courtrooms across the state, with A.I.M. Attorney Larry “Katman” Katkowski challenging the enforcement of the law onbehalf of ABATE and the Michigan Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs. PENNSYLVANIA OKAYS SUNDAY BIKE SALES Governor Tom Corbett marked the midpoint of the 2011 legislative session in July by signing dozens of new laws, including legislation allowing Sunday sales for motorcycle dealers. Effective insixty days, licensed Pennsylvania motorcycle dealers will be allowed to sell, buy or trade bikes on Sunday. Current law allows the sale of motorcycle parts and other merchandise on Sunday, but not bikes. SB 419 is designed to give Pennsylvania dealers a level playing field with neighboring states that allow Sunday sales. Supporters have said sales have fallen in southeast Pennsylvania stores and have grown in New Jersey and Maryland since Sunday sales began recently in those states. FRANCE PARALYZED BY PROTESTING BIKERS Despite pouring rain, nearly 100,000 angry motorcyclists brought every major city in France to a standstill in protest of unfair proposals including requiring every rider to wear a fluorescent yellow high visibility vest, banning traffic filtering (lane splitting), and increasing the size of motorcycle registration plates. Organized by the Federation Francaise des Motards en Colere (FFMC –French Federation of Angry Bikers) through its highly efficient network of regional and local offices, Paris alone saw more than 15,000 bikers blocking the heart of the capital, with thousands more paralyzing dozens of cities across the country for hours with demonstrations against the French government and interior minister Claude Guéant for their anti- motorcycle policies and proposals.