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The information compiled in this newsletter is gathered from news publications on and off line. The information in no way suggests the views of the editor compiling the information; nor is she responsible for the contents. This eZine is just informational containing news from other sources which are credited for the origin.

Thank you!

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TUESDAY

01/05/2010

A HAPPY HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON TO ALL!! MAY 2010 BRING YOU ALL MANY BLESSINGS AND MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!

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PLEASE SEND ANY INFORMATION YOU'D LIKE TO HAVE POSTED TO ME AT: GYPSYPASHN@AOL.COM, THANK YOU!

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RECALLS:

http://www.allaboutbikes.com/everyday/industry-news/1495-bmw-recalls-4500-motorcycles BMW Recalls 4500 Motorcycles  Written by Ron Lieback Saturday, 02 January 2010 08:05

BMW is recalling 4500 motorcycles due to a possible stalling condition. Certain model years 2008 and 2010 F650 GS and F800 GS motorcycles manufactured between January 2008 and December 2009.

According to the recall notice released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during engine operation, a vacuum is created in order to draw fresh air into a canister. This air then mixes with the fuel vapors captured by the canister, and is subsequently combusted. Due to the routing of the ventilation hose, water near the end of the hose could be drawn into the charcoal canister, causing a stalling condition that increases the risk of a crash.

Dealers will inspect and add an additional hose, routing it so the present defect is prevented. This will be performed by BMW technicians free of charge. Owners may contact BMW at 1-201-307-4000.

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CALIFORNIA:
 

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/20110/Motorcycles_roar_into_town Motorcycles roar into town by Matthew Ceccato, published on January 3, 2010 at 9:13PM Storyline: Museums and Exhibits Community

The smell of rubber and motor oil fill the vast warehouse stuffed with cars, trucks and motorcycles. The battle between man and machine reaches its pinnacle under the I-5 freeway in downtown Sacramento. The California Automobile Museum, 2200 Front St., is featuring the Born to Ride exhibit through March 12. The exhibit is chronological, following motorcycles from their humble beginnings at the turn of the 20th century to the current world speed record holder. This impressive machine, BUB 7, reached 367.382 mph in September at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah. Bikes of all brands, spanning several countries and countless models, are on display. There's a 1912 Harley Davidson, once owned by Steve McQueen, and a 1942 Crocker. The Crocker is considered the rarest motorcycle on display. Fewer than 100 were produced in the months leading to the United States' involvement in WWII. They are valued for their quality and rarity. Jeff Hughes and Albert Miranda love motorcycles. They rode their BMW bikes from Modesto in the fog for the opening day of the exhibit. "I've been riding since I was a kid," said Hughes. "I actually got my motorcycle license before I got my car drivers license. I saw a lot of bikes inside that were amazing." "My favorite bike was the Ariel Mark II," Miranda said. "The square four design (of the engine) was revolutionary." Special events are planned throughout the exhibit in corroboration with Elk Grove Power Sports. On January 9, Flying Motorcycles' chief executive officer, Sam Bousefield, will be on hand for a meet and greet and demonstration. Also that day, Elk Grove Power Sports will offer demo rides (weather permitting). Machine mayhem doesn't end with motorcycles, though. Admission to the Born to Ride exhibit includes entry to the museum. Row after row boasts Fords, Chevrolets, Studebakers, Hudsons and more. Original Model A and T cars are on display, too. "Our collection is very impressive," Museum curator Amanda Moss. "We offer visitors an experience into the world of automobiles," she said. "We have an extensive exhibit on the 'green' aspect of automobiles from the EV1 to the 2009 Tesla."

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http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_cda22ae4-33e0-5c61-b9d5-a61fb753b192.html REGION: CHP receives grant to cut motorcycle crashes San Diego County among the top in the state for two-wheel crashes

 By EDWARD SIFUENTES - esifuentes@nctimes.com | Posted: Monday, January 4, 2010 4:10 pm

 California Highway Patrol officers in San Diego County will have a few extra resources to cut the number of motorcycle crashes in the region thanks to a two-year, $1.2 million grant.

The grant will pay for extra patrols, new public service announcements and more motorcycle safety operations. The grant covers four Southern California counties that have had a consistently high number of motorcycle crashes, said Jaime Coffee, a CHP spokeswoman.

Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties are the other three areas covered in the grant. From 2006-08, the four counties have had the highest number of motorcycle crashes in the state.

"The number of motorcycle crashes and fatalities in these four counties continues to be troubling," said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. "With the help of this grant and the cooperation of motorcyclists and motorists, hopefully we can reverse this trend."

In San Diego County, there were 1,279 motorcycle crashes in 2008, according to the CHP. Those crashes resulted in 54 deaths and 1,236 people injured.

Riverside County, which is not included in the grant, had 744 crashes resulting in 32 deaths and 581 injuries in 2008, according to the CHP.

Dozens of people are killed or injured in motorcycle crashes on North County roads each year. Some are members of the military.

At least four Marines and one Navy sailor died on local roads last year while riding motorcycles, according to news reports.

Military leaders have taken notice and have overhauled their approach to two-wheel safety, adding new training and skill-building sessions, some of them tailored to young sport bike riders.

With the money from the grant, the CHP will be able to pay for at least nine motorcycle safety enforcement operations in areas where there are a high number of crashes. It will also help pay to produce two public service announcements related to motorcycle safety.

The goal of the grant is to reduce the number of motorcycle-related deaths and injuries by 5 percent in the four counties, according to the CHP.

Officer Eric Newbury, a spokesman for the CHP in Oceanside, said the extra help was welcome.

"Any time we can educate the public when it comes to motorcycle safety, it's great news," Newbury said.

Funding for the grant comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Safety Administration.

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http://www.examiner.com/x-17351-Sacramento-Motorcycle-Examiner~y2010m1d4-Born-to-Ride-exhibit-opened-this-weekend-at-California-Automobile-Museum Born to Ride motorcycle exhibit opened this weekend at California Automobile Museum January 4, 4:05 PMSacramento Motorcycle ExaminerJack MartinPrevious Next 1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe Subscribe

"Born to Ride; Motorbikes Past and Present" opened this past Saturday and runs through March 12 at the California Automobile Museum. Regular readers of this column should not be surprised to learn that yours truly was there for the opening bell, given my expressed enthusiasm in previous columns.

I arrived a few minutes early and talked my way in for some photos before the onslaught of the riding public. My Triumph was down with some electrical glitches, so I drove the cage, but was heartened at the sight of a half dozen bikes in the parking lot. This in spite of gloomy, cold weather.

The museum placed the motorcycles prominently. In fact, a beautiful collection of Speedway bikes is just about the first thing one sees when walking through the front door. Speedway bikes have a certain appeal, as they are raw, bare-boned and make a bare-knuckled statement of purpose. Even the motorcycle-challenged can look at a Speedway bike and see how it works. Tip of the hat to curator Amanda Moss for that visual opening statement.

The collection has a great assortment ranging from 1912 to 2010 and from military to racing bikes. Please see the slideshow in this article for the vintage street bikes and please see related article for a slideshow with the racing bikes.

Until next time, stay tuned and upright,

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FLORIDA:
 

http://www.ocala.com/article/20100103/ARTICLES/1031010/1001/NEWS01?Title=Old-motorcycles-bring-back-memories-for-customers Old motorcycles bring back memories for customers

By Andy Fillmore Correspondent

Published: Sunday, January 3, 2010 at 6:30 a.m. Last Modified: Sunday, January 3, 2010 at 12:18 a.m. "You Meet the Nicest People on a Honda."

Earl Harrington, owner of Earl's Cycle shop, looks over a used fender in the bike parts yard Wednesday at his Highway 441 location in Ocala. Earl Harrington, owner of Earl's Cycle shop, looks over a used fender in the bike parts yard Wednesday at his Highway 441 location in Ocala. Buy photo JON SINGLEY The slogan was used in the 1960s by the American Honda Motor Company in advertisements for cycles, such as in a 1963 Life magazine for their $245, 200 mpg, 45 mph, lightweight 50cc model, often called a "step through."

The Honda 50 was typical of the reliable, ultra economical, lightweight cycles offered in the '60s, which introduced many riders to cycling.

Many customers of Earl's Cycle Center, in Ocala since 1978, enjoy the memories conjured up by the cycles of the '50s, '60s and '70s, made primarily by Japanese and British manufacturers.

"Oh yeah, this brings back memories," said Don Schmidt, 71, of Ocala, who recently brought his 1993 Honda Shadow into the shop for repair, and looked at a 1964 Honda 305 Superhawk on display while he waited.

Shop owner Earl Harrington, 49, explained that his family formerly owned a Honda dealership in Virginia. He and his father, Earl, who died in 1998, opened the Ocala shop in 1978, when the younger man was attending North Marion High School. His said his mother, Dorcas, worked at Honda of Ocala.

"I have a 1958 Honda 125 Dream," Harrington said as he provided a tour of his collection.

"Here is 1973 Triumph 750cc Hurricane designed by Craig Vetter, of the Vetter Fairing Company," Harrington said, pointing out the streamlined one-piece orange fiberglass body.

"This is a 1952 Triumph Thunderbird. This bike was ridden to embassies in England, Germany and Africa. I have the records," Harrington said. "Next to it is a 1954 Triumph 500 Speed Twin. It's the model similar to the one used by Steve McQueen in the movie 'The Great Escape.' Then next is a 1951 BSA Bantam."

"The Hollywood 16 Theatre and Ocala Civic Theatre have displayed some of our bikes for their plays and events," he said.

Customer Steve Pieratt, 59, visiting from Lexington, Ky., stopped at the shop on his way to Fort Myers.

"I have about 100 cycles, including a 1968 305 Superhawk Honda and a 1969 Honda S-90 that was purchased at a museum auction. It's like new," Pieratt said.

He described how, as a teenager, he "went nuts and loved" to ride his first bike, a Honda Sport 50. He still has the cycle, and it is in such good condition it has recently won awards.

Pieratt's interest was piqued as Harrington showed him bikes including two mid-1960s Yamaha Big Bear models, a 1971 CL450 Honda, a 1973 CB350 Honda and a 1960s lightweight cycle from Sears - bearing the Allstate name, and a Montgomery Ward cycle - branded Riverside, from a time when both stores sold items ranging from bedding to vehicles.

A 1965 Honda S-65 Sport in the collection has only 704 miles on the odometer.

"The 'nicest people on a Honda' slogan was (an attempt to shed) the leather jacket and cigar image" of cyclists following 1950s gang activity, Pieratt said.

He smiled when reminded of a '60s song by the Hondels, "Little Honda," extolling the virtues of the "groovy little motorbike."

Winter residents Larry and Alice Finley from Michigan stopped by the shop for service on their late model 400cc Yamaha Majesty and Honda 250 Reflex enclosed rear-engine cycles.

"That's the future of motorcycles," Pieratt said as the couple put on their helmets preparing to leave, "just twist the throttle and go."

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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/hollywood/fl-cn-motorcycle-0103-20100104,0,7697474.story Vintage Motorcycle Show to benefit proposed Dania Beach dog park

Topics Marlon Brando Bars and Clubs Gang Activity See more topics » XMotorcycling Harley-Davidson Incorporated History Dining and Drinking Vehicles Crimes Clubs and Associations By Randy Abraham, Special Correspondent

January 3, 2010 E-mail Print Share Text Size

Residents will be able to spend an afternoon with a wide range of classic two-wheeled road warriors during the fourth annual Dania Beach Vintage Motorcycle Show this month.

The event is being organized by the Sunshine Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, said organizer Clare Frost. Proceeds will go toward equipment for a proposed dog park in the city.

Those wishing to exhibit their bikes can register at http://vintage-rider.com/Dania.htm. Cost is $15, with discounts for multiple bikes. Exhibitors also can register the day of the event, space permitting, from 7 to 11 a.m. The event is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 30 at Frost Park, 300 NE Second St. For more information, contact Clare Frost at treeacat@aol.com or Clive Taylor at 954-830-8855.

Originally a part of the annual Arts, Antiques and Vintage Motorcycle Show, the bike expo outgrew the original venue and this year became a stand-alone event.

"Last year we overdrew the space; we were so packed that people couldn't walk around the bikes," Frost said.

According to the Antique Motorcycle Club of America, a motorcycle must be 35 years old to qualify as an antique. The oldest models at the 2009 show were a 1909 Harley-Davidson and a 1912 Pope.

The event got a boost recently when Frost and her husband Clive Taylor requested a $1,600 donation from the city to offset upfront expenses. Vice Mayor C.K. "Mac" McElyea, a vintage car and motorcycle buff, immediately agreed to write them a check for the full amount.

"It was a very nice show, and I want this one to be bigger and better," he said.

Frost said McElyea will be a name sponsor of the event.

Bikes on exhibit will be judged by a panel of AMCA members, and 50 trophies will be awarded in a variety of categories. Frost and Taylor, who has restored and collected motorcycles for 40 years, said they might exhibit one of their 16 bikes.

The event also will feature bike games for children, field games, "slow races" run at idling speed, prize raffles and vendors selling food and beverages, motorcycle parts, accessories and themed merchandise. The Dania Beach Optimist Club will have bicycle games and safety programs.

The event has grown rapidly since it was introduced in 2007. In its initial year, 24 bikes were exhibited, followed by 50 in 2008 and 87 in 2009. For this show, Frost has advertised nationally and said she expects the biggest turnout yet.

"We had a wonderful response from our exhibitors last year, and I expect all of them will be back with their bikes," she said.

Frost said her organization seeks to raise awareness and appreciation of motorcycles, as much for their function, beauty and place in history. Long before Marlon Brando popularized the image of the outlaw motorcycle gang member in The Wild One, motorcycles were a staple of America's manufacturing economy and industrial art. She noted the 2001 launch of the "Art of the Motorcycle" museum exhibit in the Guggenheim Las Vegas as testimony to the motorcycle's place in history and popular culture.

"When you look at these bikes and how they were made, you see them as works of art and history," Frost said.

For more information, contact Clare Frost at treeacat@aol.com or Clive Taylor at 954-830-8855.

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http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1408329.html Imprisoned bike shop owner works on state vehicles  http://www.floridatoday.com Similar stories: •Supreme Court case for Florida just got tougher Supreme Court case for Florida just got tougher In the wake of the massacre of four Tacoma, Wash., area police officers, there's been talk about the fallout for Republican Mike Huckabee. While governor of Arkansas, Huckabee commuted the prison sentence of the main suspect, Maurice Clemmons, with the result that Clemmons got out of prison in 2000, after about 11 years. Huckabee has faced criticism of his use of the pardon power; now, he'll face more.

But the case really puts the U.S. Supreme Court on the spot. The court is trying to decide, in a case regarding Florida inmate Terrance Graham, whether it is unconstitutional to sentence anyone under 18 to life in prison without parole for a nonhomicide crime. The basic issue is whether the U.S. Constitution allows states to conclude that some teenagers are so irredeemable and violence-prone that they may be locked up forever -- or whether that constitutes ``cruel and unusual punishment.''

Maurice Clemmons was never sentenced to life without parole, but he was given 108 years for a string of armed

•Prisoner who tried to divert passenger launch reported ill Prisoner who tried to divert passenger launch reported ill HAVANA, Cuba, April 29 (Ana Aguililla / www.cubanet.org) The mother of Luis Campos says her son, serving a 25-year sentence for trying to divert a passenger launch to the United States, is ill but refuses to go to the prison clinic with his hands manacled to his waist.

Gregoria Corrales said her son cannot keep down food, has dizzy spells and blurred vision. She says he refuses to go to the clinic because he would be humiliated before other prisoners if he were manacled.

Campos has served 15 years of his sentence for trying to divert the Havana-Regla launch.

•Prisons: Madoff leaves hospital, returns to cell Prisons: Madoff leaves hospital, returns to cell Bernard Madoff has left his North Carolina prison's hospital unit and returned to his cell.

The 71-year-old disgraced financier had been transferred to a prison hospital on Dec. 18. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Denise Simmons said Wednesday he was transferred back to the medium security section of the complex Monday. She declined to discuss Madoff's health.

Madoff's lawyer has said that Madoff had dizziness and high blood pressure. Prisons officials have said he was not assaulted.

•Prisoner’s son denied visit because his father refuses to wear prison uniform Prisoner’s son denied visit because his father refuses to wear prison uniform ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD, Cuba, August 17 (Lamasiel Gutiérrez, Isla Press / www.cubanet.org) - Political prisoner Rolando Jiménez, says authorities at the Guayabo prison deny him visits by his 10-year-old son because he refuses to wear a prison uniform.

Jiménez said in a clandestine letter that prison chief José Ondares told him there could be a visit on his son’s birthday August 11 if he wore a prison uniform.

“Once again I won’t see my son because I’m not going to change my ideals for the crumbs you have to offer,” he said he replied.

•Obama undecided on where to relocate Guantánamo prisoners Obama undecided on where to relocate Guantánamo prisoners White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says President Barack Obama has not yet decided where to send some of the prisoners now held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

Obama will address the nation on national security in a major speech Thursday and will detail plans for the closure of the controversial prison at the U.S. Navy base in southeast in Cuba.

The president signed an executive order on Jan. 22 instructing his administration to empty office the prison camps within a year. The detention center is reviled in the Muslim world as a symbol of poor American treatment of prisoners captured in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The Associated Press VIERA, Fla. -- A motorcycle shop owner who appeared on the Discovery Channel's "Biker Build-Off" is fixing Florida Department of Corrections vehicles while he's serving a prison sentence.

A state prison spokeswoman says Billy Lane was assigned to the corrections motor pool four months ago.

Lane is serving a six-year sentence, followed by three years of probation, for the traffic death of a biker. A judge also ordered his driver's license suspended for life, along with random drug and alcohol testing after his release from prison.

Police said Lane's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit when he crossed a double-yellow line to speed past three cars on a road south of Melbourne Beach in 2006. He crashed his pickup head-on into a motorcycle driven by Jerry Morelock.

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ILLINOIS:
 

The last day to register to vote for the primary election on 2 February 2010 is Tuesday, 5 January 2010. If are not registered or if you have changed your address, please go to your election office and register.

Also, remember state law now prohibits texting whilst driving or talking on your cellular phone in a construction or school zone unless you are using a “hands free” device.

Please come to Springfield on 10 January 2010 for A.B.A.T.E.’s annual “Legislation Day.”

Happy New Year!

George T.

-- George Tinkham Springfield, Illinois

coolbreeze@att.net

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http://www.cyclenews.com/articles/new-bikes/2010/01/04/roehr-to-go-electric Roehr To Go Electric

A new electric sportbike... and a racer too!

he following is from Roehr...

Roehr Motorcycles LLC, the maker of the fastest and most powerful American production sportbike, the 180hp,1250sc, will introduce a line of electric sport and racing motorcycles in the spring of this year.

The new eRoehr model range will consist of two models, the powerful eSuperbike and the lower spec'd eSupersport. Both models will feature state-of-the-art AC induction motor, and advanced high energy, Lithium ion battery technologies. Fresh, modern styling, combined with advanced electric vehicle drive technology will raise the standards of electric motorcycle performance and desirability to new levels.

The powerful new electric eSuperbike model will feature 96 hp, and 210 lb/ft of torque and a high energy discharge, 10 Kwh, lithium iron phosphate battery pack.This results in a machine capable of high top speeds, and blistering acceleration that only the seamless and instantaneous torque of electric motor drive can provide. The eSuperbike will also feature premium suspension and brake components, providing race level performance and safety margins.

The eSupersport model features a 48 hp, 105 lb/ft of torque, AC induction motor, with a high energy 6 Kwh Lithium iron phosphate battery pack. The eSupersport will be the entry level of electric sportbike performance, providing a 100 mph top speed with smooth and effortless acceleration.

The powerful eSuperbike will be the basis of Roehr Motorcycles' entry into the upcoming 2010 US TTXGP series. Roehr Motorcycles will also be offering race prepared versions of the eSuperbike for teams or individuals competing in the upcoming TTXGP, and FIM e-Power racing series'.

Pricing and additional information will be announced over the coming weeks. More information, as well as advanced ordering information is now available by contacting Roehr Motorcycles LLC at 1-708-212-7324 or through www.roehrmotorcycles.com

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KENTUCKY:
 

January "On the Road" Issue

This issue will also be snail mailed but due to certain items coming in after the print deadline the online version will be somewhat different than the print version. Most notably is a change in the dates for the Jesse James Bluff Boogie. This year it will be held on May 22nd as a 1 day event and poker run. Please pass this along to those who may not have the internet as the print version has the prior year's dates in it.

Here it is hot off the presses.

http://www.kmakba.com/index.php/downloads/category/3-on-the-road?download=81%3Ajan-2010-on-the-road 

If you know someone who is not getting these email alerts and would like to, please be sure to have them sign up on the website. Just put their name and email address in the newsletter box on the lower right corner of any of the webpages www.kmakba.com. A confirmation email will go out. Just confirm it and you are all set. It is absolutely FREE. We currently have about 1200 names on the email list. Let's try for 1500 by next month. We keep growing and growing. Thanks to all for passing to the word on

Thanks and be sure to stay informed of what your government is doing.

Jay Huber KMA/KBA President

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MASSACHUSETTS:

Monday, January 4, 2010

Hello MMA:

Our friends from the New Hampshire Motorcyclists’ Rights Organization (NHMRO) have alerted us that 2 bills have been filed that they intend to fight:

-          HB 1162 would make it Mandatory to wear Motorcycle Helmets

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MINNESOTA:

http://www.abatemn.org/events/2010-motorcycle-safety-conference 2010 Motorcycle Safety Conference 02/27/2010

2010 Motorcycle Safety Conference

When: Saturday, February 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Saint Paul College, 317 Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102 Cost: $45 Register Here

The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center and Saint Paul College proudly bring you the 2010 Motorcycle Safety Conference. The conference will feature a variety of topics of interest to motorcycle riders, such as new training opportunities, trends in motorcycle safety, group riding, age and riding ability, riding strategy, vision and conspicuity, basic motorcycle maintenance, and an open forum with the state's motorcycle safety advisory committee. Come join us and start your riding season off right!

Conference Topics:

1. What's New? Over coffee and rolls, learn about advanced training opportunities available in Minnesota, including sidecar/trike courses, civilian motor-officer training, the Total Control Advanced Riding Clinic, cornering seminars available at the Dakota County Technical College driving course, and more.

2. Group Riding. This workshop discusses how to have fun and stay safe when riding in a group. Topics include organizing rides, preparation, the rider's meeting, hand signals, formation riding, intersections, and parking.

3. Seasoned Rider. As you age, your riding ability changes in subtle ways. This session is a must for riders 40 and older. Topics include judgment, vision, reaction time, motor skills, strategy, and more.

4. Street Smarts. This session answers the question, "What do expert riders know that average riders don't?" Learn the three keys to riding safely and avoiding crashes. Topics include attitude, hazard awareness, riding strategy, riding skills, and protective gear.

5. See and Be Seen. Good visual skills are a rider's most important tool. Being highly visible will reduce surprises on the road. Topics include vision, perception, conspicuity, tips, products, strategies, and resources.

6. MMSAC Open Forum. The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee provides input to the State of Minnesota on motorcycle issues. This session is a panel discussion for riders to interact and share ideas with committee members.

7. Motorcycle Maintenance. Ideal for new riders or people who want to learn basic motorcycle maintenance. Learn pre-ride inspection, preventative maintenance, repairs on the road, troubleshooting, and winterization. This course is four hours long.

8. The State of Motorcycle Safety. During lunch, learn state and national developments in motorcycle safety, and what they mean to the individual rider. Topics include crash facts and statistics, trends, problem areas, contributing factors, and recommended solutions. Register online using a credit card at the Saint Paul College Web site, or mail the registration form and a check to the college. The fee is $45 and includes light breakfast and lunch.

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NEW YORK:

www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-c-2010-01-04-64549.113122_NYC_Bar_Brennan_Center_release_legislative_roadmap.html     NYC Bar, Brennan Center release legislative roadmap By Gazette staff writers

January 04, 2010 The New York City Bar Association and the Brennan Center for Justice have released a Legislative Roadmap - a chart to help New Yorkers navigate the new process by which a bill moves through the Legislature under new rules passed in July 2009.

If implemented, the reforms would alter the way bills are considered and could eliminate the way house leaders and committee chairs could indefinitely block legislation. The new rules are meant to open up the committee process and empower individual committee members and bill sponsors to move their issues forward.

"Now, senators have fewer excuses for not getting their legislation into the debate. They have multiple opportunities to push their issues forward, which means advocacy groups must work hard to make sure that controversial debates and votes are not avoided," said Loren Gesinsky, chair of the City Bar's State Affairs Committee.

The chart can be viewed at www.nycbar.org/pdf/report/uploads/RulesReformRoadmap.pdf 

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OHIO:
 

http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=122520&article=6531695 Ohio native one of the suicide bomber's victims

A memorial service for Scott Roberson takes place Saturday. Sunday, January 3, 2010 A former police officer who grew up in the Akron area has been identified as one of the seven CIA employees killed by a suicide bomber Wednesday in Afghanistan.

Scott Roberson, 39, served as a security officer and, while the CIA doesn't usually identify its employees, Roberson’s family members in Cuyahoga Falls say the agency gave them permission to publicly mourn his loss.

Before joining the CIA, Roberson was a detective with the Atlanta police department. He was also a member of the Iron Pigs, a group of police officers who enjoy riding motorcycles.

Roberson leaves behind his wife, Molly, who's expected to deliver the couple's only child next month. A public memorial service is planned for Saturday in Akron.

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http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/story.asp?id=1642 AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer featured in AmericanWay magazine

Posted January 4, 2010 Email Print

David Bailey (above) doesn't know the meaning of the word "quit." Despite suffering injuries that ended a championship motocross career several years too soon, the 1983 AMA Pro Racing Athlete of the Year has excelled at one of the few sports that rival motocross in physical intensity.

In 1998, Bailey orchestrated his first serious effort in the Ironman triathlon, which features swimming, bicycling and a marathon. Bailey, whose injuries have left him paralyzed from the chest down, competes in the paraplegic division. In 2000, Bailey won over two-time winner and former Navy SEAL Carlos Moleda.

Click here to read the full story at AmericanWayMag.com. http://www.americanwaymag.com/david-bailey-paralysis-cycling-los-angeles-europe

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SOUTH CAROLINA:
 

http://www2.scnow.com/scp/news/local/grand_strand/article/sc_supreme_court_to_hear_myrtle_beach_helmet_ordinance_lawsuit/95476/ Monday, Jan. 04, 2010 Supreme Court will hear Myrtle Beach helmet lawsuits By Lorena Anderson - landerson@thesunnews.com

The lawsuits against Myrtle Beach over the local helmet law are going to be heard by the S.C. Supreme Court.

The court released its February schedule today, and the lawsuits against the city and its helmet ordinance are on the docket for 10 and 10:30 a.m. Feb. 3.

The lawsuit filed by Business Owners Organized to Support Tourism and Bart Viers, and the one filed by a group of motorcyclists who were ticketed during a protest ride on the day the city's helmet law went into effect, will both be heard.

Because the court has already received - and presumably read - extensive briefs from all sides explaining their arguments, the hearings are short.

"A lot of appellate decisions are based on briefs, but oral arguments are a tradition," said attorney Thad Viers, who's representing his brother, Bart Viers, and BOOST. "We will probably make a small presentation, and the justices will ask us some questions. I don't know if they already know which way they think they are going to go, or if they are going to go into this with an open mind."

The plaintiffs are suing the city to stop it from enforcing the motorcycle helmet law it imposed last year as part of a package of ordinances designed to deflect the May motorcycle rallies from the city.

But Viers said the case will have a much farther reach than just whether people have to wear helmets.

Residents had complained for years about the noise, traffic, garbage and other effects of the rallies, which drew nearly half a million people to the Grand Strand at their peak. In 2008, the council took steps to quell the rallies, enacting more than a dozen new rules and ordinance amendments.

"The central question here is whether local governments can make their own laws when the state hasn't been clear or hasn't specifically prohibited it," he said. "This is either going to really broaden municipal power or the state is going to say cities absolutely cannot do things like this. This could revolutionize what local governments can do."

For more details, read Tuesday's edition of The Sun News.

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UTAH:

http://www.dealernews.com/dealernews/LATEST+NEWS/4-Ton-Statue-Taken-from-Timpanogas-Harley-Davidson/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/650191?contextCategoryId=48475 4-Ton Statue Taken from Timpanogas Harley-Davidson Publish date: Jan 4, 2010 By: Holly J. Wagner

A Utah Harley-Davidson dealer is missing an unusual monument, but the police chief in Lindon says it’s most likely not a criminal matter.

Employees arrived at Timpanogas Harley-Davidson Saturday morning to find the 4-ton statue of a vintage bike racer had disappeared, granite base and all.

Initially reported as a theft, police later determined that artist Jeff Decker, who owns Hippodrome Studios in Springville, Utah, had brought in a crane to remove it.

The confusion seems to owe to a discrepancy in paperwork related to the dealership’s bankruptcy last year.

“Somehow the artwork was listed as an asset of the business, which went through a bankruptcy,” Lindon Police Chief Cody Cullimore said. “We are, of course, preparing to screen the case with prosecutors, and will know more after that time.”

Cullimore said officers suspected the missing 6-foot-long bronze wasn’t just a theft because of the circumstances.

“We knew this dealership was going through the bankruptcy [and] it’s such an unusual thing to steal,” he said. Decker had gone to the dealership two weeks ago to demand the statue back, but left empty-handed.

The store was sold out of bankruptcy to new owners in November, Cullimore said, and “we have a copy of the agreement that said it was loaned to the dealership for display purposes.”

Bankruptcy documents listed the statue as an asset of the business and valued it at $100,000.

“It appears right now that the whole thing will possibly be a civil case and not a criminal case,” said Cullimore. “The artist basically repossessed the work, which was by written agreement, on loan to be displayed.”

The fledgling dealership originally opened as Monarch Harley-Davidson. New owners took control and changed the name of the 60,000-square-foot store in July 2008, according to the dealer’s website.

Owner/GM Rick Story bills the dealership, built partly with materials salvaged from a steel plant that was demolished from 2005 to 2007, as “Utah’s Only Harley-Davidson Resort.” He offers this description of it on the website:

“Built with reclaimed steel, trusses and fixtures taken from the old Geneva Steel plant and an old, steel water tower, Timp Harley has a historic feel that appeals to anyone who loves history, especially Harley-Davidson Motorcycles. But this dealership is anything but dated, with new technologies and amenities including a riders' lounge, which will have places to shower and check e-mail.”

Cullimore expressed sympathy for the original dealership owners.

“They sunk all these millions of dollars into this place right as the economy went down,” he said.

This statue, shown without its granite base, was taken from outside the dealership. The bronze alone is estimated to weigh 800-plus pounds.

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VERMONT:

International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training

IADLEST January 2010 Newsletter PDF 18 pages: http://www.iadlest.org/newsletter/jan10.pdf 

Motorcycle related only:

IADLEST is presently in negotiations with NHTSA for second year funding for the Enforcement of Motorcycle Laws grant, and we anticipate approval in the near future.

~June Kelly is coordinating the Motorcycle Grant and is finishing it up in the near future. NHTSA wants a budget to do this for the next two years at approximately $212,000.

 ------------------- Recap

Taken from: www.iadlest.org/newsletter/jan09.pdf 

Newsletter - Volume 20 Number 1 -January 2009 International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training 3287 Tasa Drive; Meridian, Idaho 83642-6444

Page 10:

NHTSA Training for the Enforcement of Motorcycle Laws: This grant, for $152,000, was contracted with the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council, and June Kelly, Assistant Director, was assigned as project manager. The purpose of this grant is to develop a train-the-trainer program for law enforcement officers that are presented nationally to train officers to proactively enforce motorcycle traffic safety laws and regulations and avoid precipitating pursuit situations. It is anticipated this training will reduce the number of deaths and injuries that result from motorcycle related traffic crashes.

June Kelly in conjunction with NHTSA has developed a list of subject matter experts, , to help develop the curriculum for a train-the-trainer course for law enforcement officers on the enforcement of motorcycle laws. A survey to determine existing motorcycle training programs was sent out during October, and feedback from the survey confirmed that a lack of training exists as well as little or no training materials specific to law enforcement covering the enforcement of motorcycle laws were found. She is asking all POST directors to notify her of any subject matter experts (SME) in their state who can assist with this project. Her first SME meeting is scheduled for Austin, Texas, in January 2009. June can be reached at (802) 483-6228 or email June.Kelly@state.vt.us

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 www.iadlest.org/newsletter/apr09.pdf 

Newsletter - Volume 20 Number 2 -April 2009 International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training 3287 Tasa Drive; Meridian, Idaho 83642-6444

Page 5-6: TRAINING FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF MOTORCYCLE LAWS - GRANT UPDATE by: June F. Kelly, Vermont Criminal Justice Training Center

Since the initial announcement of the grant award in September 2008, we put out a pamphlet to the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) members at their quarterly business meeting in November 2008. This pamphlet gave a quick overview of the existence of the "Training for the Enforcement of Motorcycle Laws" NHTSA Grant Project, who the grant was awarded to, and the project manager's contact information. The pamphlet highlighted the critical issues of motorcycle crashes, licensing, alcohol impairment, helmet use and effectiveness, and other related statistics. The project has been progressing with curriculum development well underway and a draft lesson plan and PowerPoint completed. Individual subject matter experts (SME) were identified with the help of NHTSA. A SME meeting was held on January 18 and 19, 2009, in Austin, Texas. The following individuals met to discuss the project drafts and provide their feedback: Mr. William H. Cosby, Motorcycle Safety Programs, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; Mr. Richard Davis, Director's Office, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council Chairperson; Lt. Jim Halvorsen, New York State Police - Traffic Services Section; Ms. June Kelly, Project Manager, Motorcycle Instructor & Assistant Director, VT Criminal Justice Training Council; Lt. Michael Turcott, Washington State Patrol; and Mr. John Young, Coordinator, Motorcycle Safety Unit, Texas Department of Public Safety.

The subject matter experts (SMEs) at the meeting on January 18 and 19 attended a presentation of the draft PowerPoint and the accompanying draft instructor's manual. During the meeting, each SME was given a hard copy of the draft of the instructor's manual for markup and an electronic copy of the materials to edit and respond to with a deadline. I received responses back from two of the SME experts by the initial deadline. The other two asked for more time and I have received one back. The other asked for more time and for me to send an electronic copy of the instructor's manual again. He advised he was working on feedback and I should have his comments soon. I sent out a list for materials needed from NHTSA that we discussed at our meeting. The request list was for six videos to get the high resolution versions and other resource materials to reproduce for the instructor's manual. Bill Cosby of NHTSA advised he was working on the materials list and should have them to me sometime this month.

Inquiries are coming in on how states can use this program, once approved. I am advising them that we have a draft done of the lesson plan and are in the works of finalizing materials. There will then be the approval process through NHTSA and the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST). The roll out will be through IADLEST and all the police academies and Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) facilities throughout the country.

The plan is to use a train-the-trainer approach, let each state use the curriculum, get the training out, and look to develop a cadre of trainers ideally in every state. This is a national project. I am working with subject matter experts from around the country to develop this course for all law enforcement. Each state will address the motorcycle law section/module in the course to their specific state's laws and come prepared to the train-the trainer to do so. We're excited about the prospect of sharing this program. Those that are inquiring about the program may ask to be added to the contact list as more information on training dates and sites become available.

We will be looking for pilot sites and then will move on to delivering the program. We should have the program ready for delivery by May 1, 2009, which is the goal date for piloting the train-the-trainers. If you're interested in participating and hosting the train-the trainer at some point, let me know.

Costs and training benefits: The cost to departments will be the time and cost to send your officers to training. The train-the-trainer will be funded from the grant funding IADLEST received. The training will be held at the various police academies/training sites that want to host across the country. The goal is to get regions together that might need the training first due to an upcoming motorcycle event, identify police academies that want the training and are willing to host the training. We'll then travel to conduct the Train-the- Trainer course. Agencies are responsible to pay officers' salary, meals, and overnights lodging. The train-the-trainer is proposed to be two days (16 hours) of training. The train-the-trainer cadre of new instructors will then bring the training to their own officers and other officers throughout the state. The training draft is structured in training modules that can be taught in one day (8 hours) or spread out in breakout training sessions over the course of a couple evenings or as training modules to train all law enforcement officers on all the basic issues related to motorcycle safety, motorcycle laws, equipment, helmets, crash investigation, pursuit issues, officer safety, best practices for stopping, DUI detection, and public education. Please let me know if you have any questions. June Kelly, Assistant Director & Grant Project Manager; Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council Vermont Police Academy; 317 Academy Rd; Pittsford, VT 05763; Email: June.Kelly@state.vt.us / Direct dial (802) 483-2733

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http://www.iadlest.org/newsletter/oct09.pdf 

Volume 20, Number 4, - October 2009 Enforcement of Motorcycle Law Training for Law Enforcement: Several surveys for training roll-out and police academies interested in hosting the trainthe- trainer were sent out via email, posted in the IADLEST Newsletter, and have been distributed at the IADLEST Conference in June. A total of 36 inquiries for training were received from the survey and other email notices.

The curriculum has been completed and some pilot training has been scheduled. A grant budget request was submitted for year two of this grant, to present training in each of the NHTSA regions. If you are interested in hosting this training and did not see the IADLEST survey, please contact June Kelly at the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Academy. She can be reached at email: June.Kelly@state.vt.us or call her at (802) 483-2733.

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http://www.lifesaversconference.org/handouts2009/Kelly.pdf  Lifesavers 2009 Conference

Presentation: Motorcycle Enforcement & Education Initiative Lifesaver's Conference - Nashville June Kelly, Project Manager International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training & National Highway Traffic Safety Administration --- Training for the Enforcement of Motorcycle Laws International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training & National Highway Traffic Safety Administration --- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project is supported by cooperative agreement DTNH22-07-H-000160/003 awarded by the Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Grantee: International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) www.iadlest.org --- Grant Purpose We're working with NHTSA. . to develop, implement, support and deliver training of motorcycle laws and the associated publications, activities and technical assistance requirements.

The goal. . provide sufficient train-the-trainer sessions . assure that each NHTSA region will have a cadre of available instructors . train law enforcement officers.

Grant Purpose . Training programs for the enforcement of motorcycle laws . Training goal is to reduce the number of deaths and injuries from motorcycle related traffic crashes. . Training courses to be offered: - Train-the-Trainer Level Program - Training Program for the Law Enforcement Officer --- Survey . Survey of Motorcycle Training . Police Training Content . What was the consensus?

The Concept Program rolled out in phases Phase I - Program Planning and Development Phase II- Pilot Delivery and Evaluation Phase III- Incremental Implementation Phase IV- Self Sustainability Updating of Materials

The Concept Phase I - Program Planning and Development . Research and Development of Draft Curriculum . Met with SMEs in January 2009 . Incorporating the feedback . Resource materials . Draft done of the lesson plan . We are in the works of finalizing materials . Approval process through NHTSA and IADLEST --- Course overview This training will look at situations unique to the enforcement of motorcycle laws such as the following: . Officer and Motorcyclist Safety . Strategies for traffic stops . Strategies to avoid pursuit situations . Motorcycle equipment requirements

Course overview This training will look at. . Motorcycle licensing and speeding issues . Detection of impaired motorcyclists . Detection of non-compliant helmets . Latest on enforcement & public education

The Concept Phase II - Pilot Delivery and Evaluation . We will be looking for pilot sites . Deliver the program . Roll out will be through IADLEST - Police Academies and - Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) facilities . Pilot program ready for delivery by May 1, 2009 --- Course contents - 8 Modules . Module 1: Introduction - Why? > National Statistics & State Statistics . Module 2: MTC Types and Characteristics . Module 3: Motorcycle Laws > Equipment & Operation . Module 4: Officer & Motorcyclist Safety > Strategies for stopping motorcycles; Avoiding pursuits > Gangs versus clubs . Module 5: Crash Investigation . Module 6: DUI Detection . Module 7: Helmets . Module 8: Public Education > Best Practices > Safety Checkpoints

The Concept Phase III - Incremental Implementation . This is a national project . Train-the-trainer approach . Let each state use the curriculum . Develop a cadre of trainers . Technical Assistance . Motorcycle law module - state specific . Trainer candidate will address their specific state's laws

Phase III - Incremental Implementation . If you're interested in participating or hosting the trainer at some point, please leave me your business card at the end of this workshop.

TRAINING COST . Your cost for training limited to personnel costs. . Time and cost to send officers to training . Train-the-trainer funded by the grant . Training to be held at police training sites . What regions need the training first? . Upcoming motorcycle events . Identify police academies willing to host the training

Training Train-the-trainer . Two days (16 hours) of training . Cadre of new instructors . New instructors will train their own & other officers throughout their state. . The training draft is structure in 8 training modules . Officer's Course taught in one day (8 hours) . Training modules breakouts

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WASHINGTON DC:

Motorcycle Helmet Use in 2009-Overall Results DOT HS 811 254 December 2009 PDF 5 pages: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811254.PDF  

NOTE: The survey data is collected by sending observers to probabilistically sampled roadways, who observe motorcyclists between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. Observations are made either while standing at the roadside or, in the case of expressways, while riding in a vehicle in the traffic. In order to capture the true behavior of motorcyclists, NOPUS observers do not stop motorcycles or interview motorcyclists. The 2009 NOPUS data was collected between June 1 and June 20, 2009, while the 2008 data was collected between June 2 and June 22, 2008.

Sites, Motorcycles, and Motorcyclists Observed Number of: Sites Observed: 2008- 1,865; 2009- 1,823 Motorcycles Observed: 2008- 1,450; 2009- 947 Motorcyclists Observed 2008- 1,698 ; 2009- 1,132

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State highway safety plans for 2010: all states are now listed.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/nhtsa/whatsup/SAFETEAweb/pages/SafetyPlans.htm 

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WISCONSIN:

http://www.allaboutbikes.com/ladymoto/womens-news/1503-biggest-loser-star-assisting-female-riders Biggest Loser Star Assisting Female Riders  Written by Ron Lieback Monday, 04 January 2010 20:35

Fans of “The Biggest Loser” know Jillian Michaels as an extreme motivator, one who works diligently with contestants to find the root of their overweight problem and overcome whatever issues are preventing them from losing weight.

Now Michaels has some additional motivating to do, although these contestants shouldn’t be a challenge. This March, America’s wellness expert will help females find their two-wheel soul. Michaels has partnered with Harley-Davidson to encourage women to ride motorcycles during National Garage Party Month.

“Learning to ride a motorcycle was an empowering experience for me, so I want to share that with other women,” Michaels said. “That’s what Garage Party events are all about. Women get to learn about the sport from other women in a non-intimidating environment, which is why I’m excited to be a part of this effort.”

Hosted by dealerships throughout the country during March, this Garage Party provides women with education about motorcycles in a social environment that features other women who are passionate about riding. This event has occurred year-round since 2005, but The Motor Company wanted to create national awareness to the event, declaring March as the special month.

Harley-Davidson will conduct a national contest to reward one lucky winner and three friends with a trip to Los Angeles to participate in the Rider's Edge New Rider's Course, spa treatments and motivational talks with Jillian. Information on garage parties and the sweepstakes can be found by logging on to the official Harley-Davidson Web site.

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http://www.motorcycleshows.com/motorcycleshows/Home+Page+News/New-Program-and-Website-Encourages-Motorcycle-Safe/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/650118?contextCategoryId=37889 New Program and Website Encourages Motorcycle Safety Education for Riders of any Skill Level RoadGuardians.org Provides the First Online, One-Stop Access to comprehensive Motorcycle Safety, Legal and Rider Networking Resources

Milwaukee, WI – January 7, 2009 Accident Scene Management Inc. (ASMI), a national provider of training for motorcycle safety related classes, today announced the launch of Road Guardians, a program aimed at reducing injuries and fatalities to motorcyclists by promoting safety on the road, and roadguardians.org, its one stop online for all motorcycle safety, legal and rider networking resources. According to ASMI, one of the principal values of the Road Guardian program and website is that it provides member’s quick access to safety education and rider resources whatever their skill level, supporting the beginner through the life-long enthusiast.

The Road Guardian program provides incentives and recognition to encourage educated responsible riding through continued education that extends beyond Basic Rider classes. Road Guardian members enjoy enhanced website benefits such as collaborative ride & event planners and over 1000 discounts! Members can work to achieve certification which includes Accident Scene Management Basic & Advanced Training, CPR, and Basic Rider Education. In addition, annual refresher courses are provided to members online and include updates to reflect the latest in techniques and recommendations. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only 3% of all roadway crashes involve motorcyclists yet 17% of traffic fatalities are motorcycle related. Statistically, another motorcyclist is first on the scene of a motorcycle crash. More than 15,000 students have completed ASMI’s ANCC accredited U.S. Department of Transportation, first-responder-based curriculum that teaches them how to start proper & effective emergency care until help arrives.

Vicki Sanfelipo, Co-founder and President of Road Guardians stated, “To date, 29% of all students having completed one of our safety courses has used their training within 3 years of being trained. Our goal is to promote safety education for all bikers through our Road Guardian program. It encourages life-long learning and saves lives.”

Roadguardians.org enhances the Road Guardian program by providing access to a variety of free resources including state and national safety resources, local and national events, biker-recommended legal resources, motorcycle-related businesses and offers members incentives and rewards.

Safety Resources. Training courses and programs organized in six education categories developed by the National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety (NAMS). Legal Resources. Access personal injury lawyers recommended by bikers and validated using a six point system which includes ethics and peer ratings. Biker-Owned Businesses. Members nominate businesses in their local community to connect bikers with bikers that can help with everything from a hair cut to home repairs. News and Events. Lists scheduled activities and motorcycle news impacting the biker community. Members Only. Access to group riding education, including real-time collaborative ride planners and event planning tools, online refresher course, vendor incentives and discounts, online ride and safety training recordkeeping, and other resources to support Road Guardian members. “ASMI’s reputation continues to grow as bikers experience the value gained from the curriculum offered,” said Chris Hawver, co-founder and business officer of Road Guardians. “Road Guardians provides the means to connect riders with resources to help them enjoy the ride safely.”

Road Guardians will be hosting the first national safety event, Biker’s Betterment Conference (BBC), on March 26-27, 2010, in Chicago, IL at the Doubletree Hotel & Convention Center O’Hare. Nationally recognized speakers will be sharing their knowledge on topics such as proper braking, ABS, Impairment & Awareness, and motorcycle crash situational learning. Vendors will be displaying safety related products and will give participants an opportunity to ask the experts questions about their products. Registrations are now being accepted at www.roadguardian.org and are open to all motorcyclists.

Basic Road Guardian program membership (which requires ASMI Basic training) is $19.95 annually and is available immediately for purchase at www.roadguardian.org. For a list of ASMI classes, visit www.accidentscene.org.

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MORE BIKERBITS:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/360/5406/Motorcycle-Article/Green-Speed-Air-Motorcycle.aspx Green Speed Air Motorcycle Bart Madson Managing Editor  Be it bike tests, feature stories or racing reports Madson has been scribbling at Motorcycle USA for almost a half decade. He rides whatever’s in the MCUSA garage - just don’t ask him to wheelie.

Monday, January 04, 2010

An industrial design course at Australia's Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology yeilded the Green Speed motorcycle concept, an air-powered two-wheeler meant to vie for a land speed record and Lake Gairdner.Looking to the future of transportation, there are many interesting alternatives to the traditional internal combustion engine. Engines powered by compressed air are one of the more obscure ideas. But how fast could a compressed air motorcycle go? It’s a question one Australian college classroom worked on this past summer, designing the Green Speed Air motorcycle.

Edwin Yi Yuan, a 23-year-old student at RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology), worked on the group project in an industrial design course. Lecturer Simon Curlis came up with the project idea a year after his own motorcycle accident. Wanting to get back on two wheels, his goal was to set a land speed record at Lake Gairdner, a dry lake bed in Southern Australia. He wanted his new racebike to be environmentally friendly, but eschew the typical eco-power routes of bio-fuel or electric. Instead, the team decided to harness an air engine.

A rotary air engine is the planned powerplant for the Green Speed design, with two high-pressure air tanks storing the "gas" that powers the concept bike.

With a stripped down Suzuki GP100 as a literal framework for the idea, the team got cracking. A total of 16 students worked on the project, during a 12-week span. Edwin, who grew up in Shanghai, China, before attending school in Australia, focused on the bodywork design. While the team was unable to get a finished working motorcycle completed within the course timeframe, the design work is complete with a rough prototype.

A rotary air engine from Melbourne engineer Angelo Di Pietro will power the Green Speed. The engine gets its power from the compressed air stored in a pair of high-pressure tanks, located under the spine of the frame. The interior of the air engine is made up of a series of chambers and as the compressed air is forced in the chamber it creates rotary power. The engine’s torque transfers to the rear wheel via a single gear, a sprocket mounted directly to the engine, and final chain drive.

The present design calls for an odd-looking 1:1 gear ratio, but with plans to race for a land speed record the team is contemplating gearing it even more aggressively for top speed. The goal, according to Edwin, is for a LSR record that crests 100 mph. Still in development, the engine is promised to rev up to 3000 rpm, and the team calculates a potential top speed of 112 mph.

Designed as a land speed racer, there’s no headlight, brake light or indicator lights to be found. Because of the air engine, there’s no gearbox or exhaust system either. Yi Yuan estimates the minimalist design to weigh somewhere in the 220-lb range, with hopes that the heavy steel frame and air tanks, might get swapped out for lighter materials on the finished model. The team looked to source carbon fiber tanks, but found the cost prohibitive for a modest college design experiment.

Designed with the pure intent of setting a land speed record, the Green Speed lacks any proper lighting. It does, however, have three video cameras mounted, with the intention of filming its planned 100-plus mph LSR attempts.So, according to Yi Yuan, what are the pros and cons of a potential air-powered motorcycle?

“The advantages is obvious, the compressed air is total zero emission. The thing from the exhaust is the same that we breathe.”

Yi Yuan points out air-powered systems are less toxic than the batteries powering electric designs. They’re also potentially lighter than electric designs, which must carry heavy batteries. In an air-powered design, the air tanks act as a battery, storing energy in the form of pressure. The high-pressure air tanks, however, are also a potential problem to the design too.

“Disadvantages is that the air is compressed, which makes it potentially explosive in accident,” Edwin acknowledges. “We all know that motorcyclists have more accident more often.”

Air power also doesn’t yield the same amount of energy per volume. All that stored energy from a single tank of gasoline, millions of years in the making, is still a bargain alternative power sources just can’t beat.

Edwin Yi Yuan (above) and Simon Curlis (below) continue work on the Green Speed.“It [air power] has lower mileage than petrol. I mean to cover the same distance, you need a lot more volume of compressed air than petrol. That means we’re either going to have to go to the gas station more often, or have a huge heavy tank on the bike which makes it very heavy. Even a dangerously high pressure air tank still cannot compare to petrol for power to volume figure.”

Yet the problems don’t hinder Yi Yuan’s belief in the potential of air-powered transportation:

“The future, I think, has lots of opportunity. We can ride our air bikes, charge up the compressed air tanks at home or office with a little air compressor. It should take less time then battery charging. Better yet, there might be possibility to have an air compressor on the bike, so we can just plug it on the wall. Or, we can go to a gas station, but instead of filling up with petrol, just use that compressed air that we use to pump up our flat tires to charge up our air tanks. Of course, in the future, that compressed air might not be free anymore. So your gas station does not sell “gas” as petrol, but “gas” as compressed air.”

As for the future of the Green Speed design, most of the students involved have since drifted away from the project. For his part Yi Yuan and Curlis are still game for a run at Lake Gairdner, but admit a serious LSR attempt would need to be built around a newer frame. Not to mention some money to push the design forward. Still, the student is enthusiastic about the Green Speed as a fun project, post graduation.

“If it works on Lake Gairdner in South Australia, we would also love to come to Bonneville to set the speed record of an air powered bike,” said Yi Yuan. “Next step? I even want to set up a factory to produce air motorcycles.”

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http://wmoon.wordpress.com/2010/01/05/the-mc-safety-puzzle-motorcycle-helmets/ « One more puzzle piece on motorcycle licensing The MC Safety Puzzle: Motorcycle Helmets Now we turn to helmets. Without a doubt, helmets are the most controversial of all the motorcycle safety puzzle pieces. Because they do have a beneficial safety effect (and even helmet-law opponents agree that at least in some cases helmets save lives), they have been seen as an important part of the safety puzzle. Here in the USA, NHTSA claims that helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatalities and other research found that helmets are 25% effective in preventing lesser head injuries. A few motorcyclists disagree and claim that in a given (minute) number of cases helmets can cause injury or death.

However, how effective helmets are is a separate issue than if they should be mandated by law.

That they are two separate issues is something few in either the motorcycling or motorcycle safety issue communities seem to appreciate, but is critical to this puzzle: as we’ll see, laws affect compliance but laws don’t mean there’s less fatalities.

Since 1997, six states weakened helmet laws until there are only 20 states and the District of Columbia have them. In contrast, 27 states have laws that cover only some users and three states have no helmet law at all. However, just because there is no universal helmet law—or partial one—doesn’t mean that riders don’t wear helmets in that state.

For example, in 2002, NHTSA DOT HS 810 887W cites a survey in Florida that followed the universal helmet law repeal in 2002. It found 47 percent wore “compliant” helmets and 47 percent wore no helmets.[i]

In 2008—six years later—52 percent of the fatalities were helmeted and 46 percent of the fatalities were unhelmeted.

In fact, since 2005, helmeted fatalities have been between 49-52 percent. Iow, even though the helmet law was repealed, helmeted riders appear to be dying in slightly greater proportion to the percentage of helmet use.

Nationally, NHTSA reports that helmet usage was at 63 percent in 1994, rose to 71 percent in 2000 had dropped to 51 percent in 2006 and then rose to 63 percent in 2008.

Iow, helmet usage is now again what it was back in 1994 despite the repeal in universal helmet laws. Helmet usage, though, seems to be rather volatile (though that may or may not be from the rather dubious methodology NOPUS employs in its survey).

But look what happened in helmet vs. unhelmeted fatalities during the past 15 years:

Helmeted fatalities are up 6.2 percent since 2002, which is just within the realm of statistical significance and but unhelmeted fatatlities dropped by 2.5, which isn’t statistically significant—except that both the rise and drop have been a trend for six years now. Helmet usage is up—and motorcycle safety experts would say that’s a good thing. But so are helmet fatalities, which is a bad thing.

So even though fewer states have universal helmet laws the ratio of helmeted to unhelmeted fatalities has remained basically the same despite the enormous surge in ridership, despite fewer universal helmet laws and despite the greater protection helmets give to crash-involved motorcyclists. That’s at least puzzling—if not mysterious.

Both the higher percentage of usage and fatalities could mean that new riders choose helmets regardless of the law. It could mean that more non-helmet use riders are retiring—so no more people are wearing helmets, it’s that less aren’t.

Or it could mean that those who choose to wear helmets as a safety precaution ascribe too much power to them to protect them in a crash—and there is evidence of this from rider responses.

Or it could mean that riders who do take safety precautions—such as gear/helmet, training and licensing—are over-confident and take risks they do not realize they’re taking.

And that brings me to an article in a 1986 issue of Safe Cycling by John Bodeker—at that time with the Illinois State Program—recounts a survey done in 1986 in Illinois of those who took basic training and passed and those who failed. When it came to helmet use the results were, perhaps, counterintuitive: they found that 34% of graduates that passed were for mandatory helmet use while 69% of those who failed were for it.

“This could indicate that the increased skill and knowledge level obtained by passing students may lessen their perceived need for use of safety equipment, while failing students may become more aware of their shortcomings and vulnerability and perceive a greater need for safety equipment.”[ii]

We’ve seen, then, that the vast majority of fatalities in this bloody decade are licensed and now we see they’re helmeted. Clearly these puzzle pieces are not performing as experts have thought they should.

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 [i] Since there was no universal helmet law, the meaning of “compliant” helmets is rather…well…meaningless.

[ii] Bodeker, John. A View From Illinois, p. 15. Safe Cycling. May 1986.

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WARNING!! MATERIAL BELOW MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, AND/OR DEATHS!!

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AZ: http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/north/story/Phoenix-police-ID-body-found-10-hours-after/vRvU9vngm0ygnewq5mEalQ.cspx

Phoenix police ID body found 10 hours after motorcycle wreck Reported by: Tim Vetscher Email: tvetscher@abc15.com Last Update: 1/04 10:01 am

Body found near 27th Avenue & Grand (Tim Vetscher) PHOENIX -- Phoenix police said they have identified the man whose body was not found until nearly 10 hours after he died in a motorcycle accident early Sunday.

According to investigators, around 1:30 a.m., 41-year-old Max Aragon was on a motorcycle and lost control near 27th and Grand avenues while taking the off ramp from Grand to Thomas Road.

When a tow truck came to remove the bike, Aragon wasn't anywhere to be seen.

It wasn't until about 10 hours later, around noon Sunday, when police say a homeless person found Aragon's body near the railroad tracks some 25 feet below.

When asked why the tow truck driver or the police officer who responded to the original accident didn't look for the driver, a spokesperson said it wasn't obvious there even was a body to look for.

"First of all, you have a huge area on Grand Avenue with all the overpasses," said Lt. Michael Rivera. "It's dark." "It may appear obvious to us, but when someone recovers a bike it could be anything," added Lt. Rivera. "A hit and run, a stolen bike."

Investigators still aren't sure what caused Aragon to lose control of the bike in the first place.

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CA: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/orange_county&id=7199070

OC officer survives fiery motorcycle crash Sunday, January 03, 2010 ABC7 Eyewitness News HD covering Los Angeles and Southern California. (KABC Photo)

Tags:accident, orange county news Comment Now Email Print Report a typo BUENA PARK, Calif. (KABC) -- A Buena Park police officer survived a fiery wreck involving his motorcycle and another vehicle.

Police say 28-year-old officer Ryan Herst was going south on Knott Avenue at San Bruno Drive Saturday evening, when his motorcycle collided with a Nissan Sentra apparently making a left turn.

The bike burst into flames on impact and was destroyed.

Police say officer Herst is in stable condition and his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

No one else was hurt in the crash, which is now under investigation

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LA: http://www.wdsu.com/news/22114576/detail.html

1 Dead, 1 Hurt In Plaquemines Parish Motorcycle Crash Speed Believed To Be Factor In Crash, Police Say POSTED: 5:16 pm CST January 3, 2010 UPDATED: 5:34 pm CST January 3, 2010 Email Print Comments (0) KENNER, La. -- One man was killed and another was severely injured Saturday evening in a motorcycle crash in Plaquemines Parish.

Trooper Melissa Matey identified the fatality as Rondell Isidore of Point a La Hache. Injured was 29-year-old Travis Hamburgh of New Orleans. The crash occurred at about 7:02 p.m. at Mile Post 1 in Plaquemines Parish.

Investigation showed that Hamburg was stopped on the shoulder of LA 39 north on a 2003 Suzuki motorcycle. A 2007 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Isidore was traveling on the same road approaching Hamburg. Hamburg then pulled into Isidore's lane, Matey said.

"The motorcycles collided and Isidore was pronounced dead on the scene by the Plaquemines Parish Coroner's Office," she said. "Hamburg was transported to University Hospital with severe injuries."

Speed is considered to be a factor in the crash, Matey said, adding that toxicology results for both drivers are pending.

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If you have any news you'd like to share, please send to me at:
Gypsypashn@aol.comthank you!

~~ Betsy/Gypsy

We try to make sure that you all are kept abreast
with what's going on in the Motorcycling community.

As I live each day, I will do my part,
to make a difference, and touch one heart.
Everyday it will be my goal,
to bring information and enlighten your soul.
Continuous news I'll disseminate
With the hopes that you will participate
One life to lose, is one life too many
If we don't fight for our rights,
pretty soon there won't be any!

----The News Gypsy