Police crack down on unsafe motorcyclists and drivers

FOUNTAIN VALLEY Police officials are planning to crack down on traffic violations by motorcyclists

MIC Launches Multi-media Campaign at Indy to Permanently Stop the Ban on Youth Motorcycles and ATVs

Members, exhibitors and dealers can text, e-mail, Skype, send letters, and make videos to voice their support at the 2010 Dealernews International Powersports Dealer Expo

NE – LB200 CALL TO ACTION – update

LB200 CALL TO ACTION

PAGE LAST UPDATED 2/08/2010 @ 4:30 PM…

2/08 update:

We have been getting the information to Senator Janssen’s office as requested.

Noise ordinance changes are pending

The Culpeper Town Council Ordinance Committee recommended last week that the town repeal its existing noise ordinance because it is legally unenforceable in light of recent court decisions.

Arizona: Speed Camera Companies Hide Behind Paid Victim Advocacy

Arizona: Speed Camera Companies Hide Behind Paid Victim Advocacy
Traffic camera industry pays for advocates to counter grassroots fight against automated ticketing. 

Helmet Bill For Minors Aims Tickets At Adults

Current Law Tickets Child For Not Wearing Helmet

Bikers miffed that State Fair turned them away

TAMPA — They rolled up on motorcycles Sunday, looking for a good time and fried goodies like everyone else at the state fair.

Wisconsin Appeals Court Limits Scope of Move Over Law

Wisconsin Appeals Court Limits Scope of Move Over Law
Driving into head-on traffic is not required by the Move Over statute in Wisconsin, according to the state court of appeals. 

Oregon, Germany, Italy, Poland, UK: Speed Cams Shot, Spraypainted, Stolen, Singed

Oregon, Germany, Italy, Poland, UK: Speed Cams Shot, Spraypainted, Stolen, Singed
Vigilantes use a variety of methods to disable and destroy traffic cameras in Oregon, England, Germany, Italy and Poland. 

Florida, Washington, France: Traffic Cameras Face Legal and Accuracy Problems

Florida, Washington, France: Traffic Cameras Face Legal and Accuracy Problems
Florida camera goes haywire, Seattle camera found illegal, and French speed camera tickets motorists who were not speeding. 

MN – ‘Nuisance Noise Ordinance approved by Chisago City Council

‘Nuisance Noise Ordinance approved by Chisago City Council; on-line reservation/registration reviewed

A large audience greeted the Chisago City Council at its meeting January 26. All but six Boy Scouts and their parents were present to comment on the proposed nuisance noise ordinance that the council has been debating. (The scouts were working on their Citizenship in the Community Merit Badge.)

Nuisance Ordinance Chapter 150 had its first reading two weeks ago by the council. On this night, several Lake Martha area residents, motorcycle ice racers, and a Becker, MN man a specialist in sound measurement, chose to make themselves heard during the public hearing.

One couple questioned why they pay such high property taxes if the council won’t listen to their concerns? Several lake residents threatened to pull up stakes and move from the city if this issue wasn’t dealt with seriously. And several people commented that they had been retaliated against since voicing their opinions. Some of the ice racers seemed to be “gunning” their engines, near the homeowners’ property.

Chisago City Fire Chief Bruce Peterson, who is an ice racer said that he had garbage thrown into his yard and nails put at the end of his driveway.

Jay Waalen of Becker, attended the meeting a second time to demonstrate how easy it is a use a decibel meter to determine a motorcycle’s noise level.

Plenty of research went into the council’s decision to unanimously approve the ordinance. Staff had spoken with the county attorney’s office, the Department of Natural Resources, Lakes Area Police Department, and consulted the state’s “Guide to Noise Control in Minnesota” over the last few years. Decibel levels relating to off-highway vehicles were also studied.

Two changes were made to the noise ordinance: the distance of 50 feet was removed from Section D, section 2 (numbers 1 & 2); the time designated allowing noise on the weekends was eliminated.

Although audience members were present to represent their stance on the weekend ice racing that takes place on Lake Martha, the noise ordinance will encompass other troubling noise complaints, such as “jake braking” by semi trucks on Hwy. 8, industrial use and other noise standards.

With the passing of this ordinance, the city will now have the ability to enforce noise violations utilizing trained city employees, police or others.

New software designed to allow on-line registration for reservations of facilities such as park pavilions, and the Community Center was discussed. Staff held a teleconference with Active Net to review their registration and reservation software. The program would also allow for ease in booking reservations for Camp Ojiketa.

Although the cost of the software is substantial at $6,900 for the initial purchase and a $3,000 annual fee, 4.49 percent of each registration fee would be applied as a credit towards the annual fee.

Administrator John Pechman said, “Although we are struggling to justify the hardware cost, we really like it.”

Also, the KiChiSaga 5K and the Turkey Trot 5K registrations could be completed utilizing the new software, generating revenue for the city.

Council members Marie Rivers thought that the software would pay for itself rather than paying a city employee to handle all of the different registrations and reservations. “We should go to the EDA and look into (other sources) for funds” to purchase the software, she suggested.

Council member Greg Freer added, “If it makes the (registration) process smooth for everyone, it’d be a good thing. If the DNR likes it, we could try it for a year. Everyone shops on-line. I think it’s very progressive. We’ll get more business if done on-line…it’s the wave of the future.” Skow agreed, and council member Larry Parker thought it best to get the Finance Committee together a few minutes before the next council meeting and discuss the software cost. Council voted to table the issue until February 9.

NE – LB200 CALL TO ACTION

LB200 CALL TO ACTION

PAGE LAST UPDATED 2/05/2010 @ 10 AM…updates in blue or red

PLEASE NOTE THE LINKS FOR POLLS!  there are now 3 polls going on!

NEWEST POLL – Scottsbluff Herald – http://www.starherald.com/

Grand Island poll – http://www.theindependent.com/articles/2010/02/03/ap-state-ne/ne_xgr_helmet_law.txt

OK, it appears this poll may be closed, but they have another one!

Grand Island poll – What is the top reason you would not wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle - http://www.theindependent.com/ap-state-ne/

10/11 poll – http://www.1011now.com/news/headlines/83366292.html?storySection=poll

KETV Channel 7 poll – http://www.ketv.com/news/22416007/detail…html

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -2/05/10

New York Freedom Riders New York Legislation and news -2/05/10

NEW YORK UPDATES:

Florida: Highway Trooper Busted For Writing Fake Tickets

Florida: Highway Trooper Busted For Writing Fake Tickets
Florida Highway Patrol trooper accused of faking traffic citations to meet a ticket quota. 

Missouri: Legislation Would Expand Use of Speed Cameras

Missouri: Legislation Would Expand Use of Speed Cameras
Missouri legislators hope to authorize speed cameras while pretending to ban them. 

Cops keep eyes on outlaw gangs

STURGIS – Outlaw motorcycle gangs might claim to be good ol’ boys who like to ride bikes, but law enforcement officers say that by definition, outlaw gang members are involved in crime. Kevin Thom, director of the Attorney General’s Division of Criminal Investigation, said that he considers outlaw gangs to be organized crime.

Counting Motorcycles Final Report [2010]‏

http://rip.trb.org/browse/dproject.asp?n=25029

Counting Motorcycles
http://www.trb.org/TRBNet/ProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=2639
Record Type: RiP [Research in Progress]

Motorcycle safety is receiving increased attention because of dramatic increases in motorcycle ridership and crash rates are increasing significantly. 

State’s high court hearing Myrtle Beach helmet cases

http://www.thesunnews.com/142/story/1296016.html?storylink=omni_popular

4:50 p.m.: The justices have recessed. No opinion was given, and there is no time frame for when it will be issued.

NH- helmet/exhaust bills- correction‏

www.nhmro.org/index.html

NHMRO
HOT TOPICS

CORRECTION! (2/3/10)
It has come to our attention that several radio stations have announced that both bills have been defeated.

This is MIS-INFORMATION!

Both bills have come out of committee with an the vote of ITL (inexpedient to legislate) and now need to go to the House floor for a vote.

As we mentioned in our email update sent out, it is important for you to contact your rep’s to be sure that they vote NO when it goes to vote on the “floor”.

NE- LB200 update‏

http://www.abateofne.com/lb200_call_to_action.htm

LB200 CALL TO ACTION

PAGE LAST UPDATED 2/03/2010 @ 5 PM…updates in blue or red

PLEASE NOTE THE LINKS FOR POLLS!  there are now 3 polls going on!