Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Legislation Confiscate bike for speeding?

Check this out. May have to move to another state. Link

If they pass this, they should have the same law for automobiles-they can do a whole lot more damage than a motorcycle. But the general perception is of loud, speeding motorcycles cutting in and out of traffic. For every bike I have seen do that, I have seen 50 cars-but I'm preaching to the choir.

Seems to be taking aim at crotch rockets..if these kids keep riding like fools, its only a matter of time before more laws like this come about. And sooner of later it will effect us all.

I agree and it's a shame. Ironically there is something that makes some fools want to pass every motorcycle they see. I drive some winding roads daily and it must be a state law that if you drive a BMW car you MUST pass a motorcycle. Ironically 'Vette drivers are among the best mannered.

Today I was going up a pretty steep hill at a normal rate of speed and when I drew even with Bubba and his twin brother/cousin/nephew/own grandpa Bubba in their '70 era Chevy pickup. In a choking cloud of blue smoke and roar of rotted out mufflers, he suddenly floored it to beat me to the top of the hill. I probably could have run his stupid a** down but what would that prove?

But the bikes get the police eye a lot more than the idiot cage drivers. If the police started confiscating cars and pickups-boy what an out out cry that would be.

Carlos.Lopez-Cantera@myfloridahouse.gov

There is the sponsors email. Flood him with negative mail and act like you live in Florida.

Big brother getting another hold of you and yanking hard.Communism again.More control over us.Better install seat belts on all bikes to make them safer! Why don't they do the big brother good deed and outlaw cell phone use while operating a motorvehicle.This seems like it would save more lives.That might even slow down business in a few hospitals and morgs.

Anybody bother to write him:
______________________________________________________

Dear Ron:

Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding HB 137, Offenses
Committed While Operating a Motorcycle. I realize some riders have
several concerns regarding my legislation. This bill aims to address
riders of high performance motorcycles that treat Florida's roads and
highways as their own personal stunt track. I am sure you can agree
that
popping wheelies at high rates of speeds or any other kind of stunt
riding has no place on Florida's roads. That is the type of reckless
driving this bill seeks to address. The goal of this legislation is to
target stunt riding and prevent motorcycle fatalities.

Currently, it seems HB 137 has been drafted in a way that would affect
all motorcycle riders. I feel that the poor actions of a few riders
should not punish all riders. Subsequently, I am currently working on
language that will amend the bill to clearly address the problem of
motorcycle stunt riding on public roads. The amendment will clearly
define what is considered stunt riding and require a motorcycle rider
to
maintain two wheels on the ground at all times. The speeding focuses of
the bill will not stand alone but will rather be in conjunction with
stunt driving.

Thank you for expressing your concerns. They will definitely be taken
into consideration. I recently met with James Reichenbach from ABATE,
and after I explained the true intent of this legislation he told me
that he would support it. I am open to meeting with any person or group
to discuss amendments to the bill. I believe that part of the process
of
creating a great law is being open to the ideas of others.

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to
contact
my office.

Sincerely,

Carlos Lopez-Cantera
State Representative, District 113

Quote:

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I believe that part of the process of creating a great law is being open to the ideas of others.

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Powerful statement.

Good job, Ron.

See folks, individuals getting involved in the process can make a difference.

So when you know of something like this coming up, don't just sit around sniveling . Get involved.

Ron, maybe you could post an outline/format of the letter you sent so some of the more excitable among us can see how to write an effective letter to pols without just p'ing them off and being counterproductive.

I am not gonna post my letter. Everybody has their own style Bill. I simply pointed out that targeting bikes and bikers was divisive. I said if its so critical in the area of public safety to impound the vehicle that all motor vehicles should be subject to that same law. I also observed that he would never include cars because they would run him out on a rail for that move, while expressing that the mass of a speeding car is exponentially more lethal.

I added a paragraph that once he passed this law: Bubba and Clem from the town of Jerkwater will setup radar on a curve from 70 mph to 40 and start a motorcycle collection for something to do. There would be fallout and press from the misapplication of his law and his name would be on it.

The biggest selling point was that in the past I had defended his actions when others said he was divisive or suffered from tunnel vision. I hoped my efforts were correct and his detractors were wrong. That was a very large lie because I don't live in Florida. He didn't need to know that.

Nobody ever challenges elected officials. If they get a dozen calls or letters they panic. You would be amazed at how few complain. They go into information overload with a dozen letters retreating very quickly.

The biggest thing with political types is to let them think you have defended their hard work in the past but they are starting to wear you out. If they think folks will stop carrying the water, so to speak, they retreat.

That bill is not over. The folks in Florida need to make sure they change the language. Politicians are not to be trusted, ever.

I wrote this letter because the law was an attack on everybody with two wheels that may go around the wrong curve meeting the wrong deputy.

You're so right about people not challenging elected officials.

That's why I wanted to be sure everyone understood that just a few can make a big difference.

(as you have shown )

P.S. All of my elected officials are in my e-mail address book.

Unfortunately,and we all know this one simple truth, once we allow these dopes to pass another stupid law aimed at some undesirable group of lawless nare-do-wells, it's only a matter of time before some cop whose wife likes to cheat on him with bikers (notice plural) attempts to jam-up one of us nice Triumph riders.
Here in MA we had a cop on Martha's Vineyard whose girlfriend left him for a leader of the local H.O.G. chapter. He returned in kind by writing up over sixty riders for wearing non-conforming helmets (brain buckets),not a primary infraction in MA. The A.M.A.stepped up and all citations were dismissed but not before some people had to take the ferry over to court to assert their rights. I don't think this cop has to worry anymore I heard he found himself a nice fella. No biker is gonna run off with his true love now!

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Seems to be taking aim at crotch rockets

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BINGO. Some of the crap these idiots pull is ridiculous. I would say this law is clearly aimed at some of the crotch rockets I see cruising up and down roads and in and out of traffic like they are in a music video.

You mean like the kid who rode a wheelie for about a half mile (kinda impressive actually) in a T-shirt with his buddies weaving in and out of traffic when they are actually on two wheels?

This is the kind of stuff they say they're targeting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLpnE2-4az0

Warning, not safe for work. He wads up his bike whilst naked.

Impressive in both his skills and total and complete lack of judgement.

OK are you all to old to remember what it was like to be 21
and bullet proof!...... Come on pick up a big stone.... Well im coming up on 50 fast and I still remember@#$%^&
*** I still like wheelies. If you need legislation
than make it where THEY cant use it against you. In Europe
they make new bikers start out on small 150cc bikes and work there way up.
It takes years of rider training before they can get a 1000cc Killer bike and yes this works! Yea and they are smart enough to outlaw cell phones and hamburgers while driving.
When are these so called lawmakers going to wake up and make some laws that take more than MONEY in to consideration

A "street racing" law was recently passed for ontario. It allows confiscation of cars or bikes caught at 50 kph over the limit (like doing 95 in a 65 zone say). Mostly the target is cars though. There has been a rash of related fatalities in Toronto.

In ONT CANADA they have recently passed a law that any motor vehicle that exceeds 50km(approx 35mph)over registered limit can have their vehicle impounded for up to a week,then have to go to court to fight a dangerous driving charge.I live in a remote area so when you cruise you cruise because it takes a long time to get anywhere.However I sure watch my speed now.On my bike I really dont go that much over,but I still like to bring it up once in a while.(It is a speedmaster not a moped).I have heard of several out of towners getting pinched,which in turn throws a curve into their plans.So if any of you fine folks decide to come into Ontario,best beware I would hate to hear of one of you loosing your wheels for a week.

At least they apply it to all motor driven vehicles, not just bikes.

Thats what your citizens wanted. You all sent your representatives there to make that law. If you didn't then advise them they are about to be unemployed on the next election. If you don't speak out, you deserve the government you get.

Deserve! just giving a heads up Ron....Merry christmas!
Northernmac

Yes, all societies deserve the government they get. Not a negative just a fact.

Merry Christmas to you too.