MC bill making it's way thru legislature in TX

[Gear Jammer]

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/82R/billtext/html/HB02470E.htm  


http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59215

[GreenLantern57]

It has 2 wheels, motor propelled, why have a definition separating it.  Is it so insurance companies can quadruple the insurance rates?

[Gear Jammer]

Here's the MC death prompting this bill


Petition for Malorie’s Law

Malorie Elise Bullock, a 19 years of age Honor’s College student at Texas A&M University of Commerce, tragically lost her life April 8th 2010, while a passenger on a light weight motorcycle (crotch rocket).  This petition is to help prevent further injury or death as a result of being a passenger on light weight motorcycles.

Riders and passengers of light weight motorcycles are required to obtain a permit for carrying a passenger or being a passenger on these motorcycles.  Riders carrying passengers may only be experienced riders with the knowledge of changes and adjustments which are needed to carry passengers.  A knowledge written test and rider’s skills test will be required, with a passing score, to obtain a passenger permit.

Riders and passengers will be ticketed when either one or both do not have a permit for passengers while riding on the light weight motorcycles.

[Red Diamond]

When they get away with that one, our big, proud we own, multi=colored cruisers will be next.

[Bullgoose]

Several comments were made about lane splitting. What's up with that in TX? I'm originally from CA and was lane splitting for 25yrs. I miss it and, on real hot days, if the need arises, take my chances.

[f-Stop]

Here's a link to what TMRA2 is doing about HB 2470...
http://www.tmra2.org/index.shtml
Just scroll down to "Legislative Update".
We should each contact the members of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security to help kill this bill.

Though I feel for Malorie's family, this ill conceived and poorly written piece of legislation would be a horrible law. 

[f-Stop]

Hey Bullgoose, I believe you're referring to HB 1571.  It basically would make lane splitting legal in Texas as long as you were wearing a helmet.  I think it is stalled in committee.

[Bullgoose]

Thnx dude. Too bad. And you know I always wear a helmet.

[Rocketman]

I don't see anything about a "passenger permit".  What I see is a requirement for ONE of the following:
Rider to have been licensed "M" for minimum of 2 years.
OR
Passenger to be licensed "M".

I like the concept that the rider should be more experienced before he takes a passenger.  Codifying it is problematic, as some folks gain more experience in 6 months than others do in 2 years.

On a side note, the specifying of type of bike is the worst part of it.  That will lead to different laws for different bikes, and different LEOs having different opinions on what class your bike falls into.  Simple laws are usually the best laws.  Easy to understand, easy to enforce.  Fewer gray areas.

[SideCar]

Three things are troublesome IMO. First, there is not a parental exception across the board. Second, the definition of being designed for more than one person requires "hand holds" which many bikes don't come with (which if it equated to love handles, I could get by with), and last is the definition of "sport bike", which is way too broad and discriminates.

This is a case of tragedy and stupidity finding its way into a law that overreaches.  It won't impact most of us directly, but if you're for motorcyclist rights (yes, including the right to do stupid things), call and write your state senator.

[RainMaker]

Emailed my representative, state senator, Lt.Gov and the Gov about this.  Then posted on the facebook page where the Grandmother allows no dissension and seems to kill any comments not pro bill.

Stupid law.  Having an M endorsement for 2 years does not equate to 2 years experience.  This will lead to profiling, plain and simple.  Emotional laws are the worst of all.

[RainMaker]

Well, grandma got my posts deleted and then made a smart ass comment about one of my comments after she deleted it.  Such a one sided deal.  I think I'm going to start a Defeat Malorie's Law facebook page!

[GreenLantern57]

While I feel for the grandmother, she and the law writers,obviously does not know what she/they are talking about.
I have not seen a crotch rocket that had a passenger seat that did not have passenger pegs. Doesn't mean they don't exist. I have ridden a few and the rear pegs were fun for standing up while doing a wheelie!  Though some do not look like they have passenger seats, some have a cover that you can put over the passenger seat. Or switch out the cover with a passenger pad.  Corbin makes a seat that looks like a solo rider, but lift the cover and the passenger seat is there and the cover doubles as a backrest.
If passed, how long before all motorcycles have to have "hand holds" on thier bikes.
 What defines a hand hold. To date, I have never had a bike that had hand holds.  Maybe the 75 scrambler's strap across the seat. In the eyes of some, the arm rests on the Interstates, Voyagers, Goldwings,  and Ultra Classics are not hand holds either.
Next up, seat belts for motorcycles. or maybe since they are so dangerous, out right ban from blacktop roads.

[f-Stop]

Word on the street says that HB 2470 is dead.   

[Hoser]

Several comments were made about lane splitting. What's up with that in TX? I'm originally from CA and was lane splitting for 25yrs. I miss it and, on real hot days, if the need arises, take my chances.

Lane  splitting was traded for the time honered tradition in Texas to move to the shoulder for faster traveling traffic.     hoser

[lucky_1_chris]

Emailed my representative, state senator, Lt.Gov and the Gov about this.  Then posted on the facebook page where the Grandmother allows no dissension and seems to kill any comments not pro bill.

Stupid law.  Having an M endorsement for 2 years does not equate to 2 years experience.  This will lead to profiling, plain and simple.  Emotional laws are the worst of all.

I do feel bad for the family, I really do, but in the end it was the girl's decision to get on the bike. This law wouldn't have saved her.

I agree that it will lead to profiling, and it opens the door for similar laws being passed for all bikes.

Aren't 'Busas classified as touring bikes in Europe...? I don't understand what difference it makes what kind of bike it is if they're gonna make it experienced based... Need a license for 2 yrs. to carry a passenger on a 500 ninja, but not a Concourse, FJR, ST, or 850 lb. full dresser? Dumb, dumb, dumb.

Gotta love it when people who have no knowledge or experience with motorcycles start trying to pass laws governing them.

[bigguy]

NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)
 
WASHINGTON STATE ENACTS NATION’S FIRST ANTI-PROFILING LAW
Motorcycle riders routinely report being profiled by law enforcement, but a new law in Washington State is intended to prohibit police from singling out bikers for stops without clear and legitimate reason.
 
Modeled after a 2002 state law outlawing racial profiling by police, the nation’s first “anti-profiling” bill passed unanimously through both the House and Senate, and was signed by Gov. Chris Gregoire on April 13. Sponsored by Rep. Steve Kirby (D-Tacoma), the new law will force local law enforcement agencies to adopt a written policy designed to condemn and prevent the profiling of motorcyclists, and it institutes training to address the problem.
 
Motorcycle enthusiasts presented compelling evidence to legislators, including a video of a state trooper crawling through bushes near the Legislative Building in Olympia two years ago and writing down motorcycle license plates while bikers were holding their annual “Black Thursday” legislative rally and lobby day.
 
Outsiders M/C member David “Double D” Devereaux, spokesperson for the Washington Confederation of Clubs and US Defenders of Washington State, testified in Olympia that almost every member of every club, and even motorcyclists who aren't in clubs, has been profiled. He said many lawmakers were unaware of the problem until they saw the video of police gathering information on the bikers as they were inside the Capitol building ironically seeking sponsorship for a bill that would stop motorcycle profiling.
 
Also lobbying on behalf of the bill was Donnie “Mr. Breeze” Landsman, Legislative Affairs Officer for ABATE of Washington, who told The News Tribune that he’s been denied service at restaurants for wearing a bandana and a leather vest; “Motorcyclists aren’t looking for special rights,” Landsman told the newspaper. “We want the same rights that are afforded to every other section of the population as American citizens.”
 
Double D and his club brother Jeff “Twitch” Burns, who produced an 86-minute video that chronicles the growth of the emerging anti-profiling movement within the motorcycling community, reported their success at the Patch Holder Meeting during the recent NCOM Convention in Albuquerque, N.M., to the resounding approval of bikers rights activists and COC reps attending from all across America. “This is something that could be done in every state,” Double D told the enthusiastic crowd…and should be.

[Rocketman]

Word on the street says that HB 2470 is dead.   

After discussing it with a relative who is the chief of staff for a state rep, he said that while HB2470 is not completely dead, time is not on its side.  If the Senate has not heard it by tomorrow, then it won't be heard this session.
Of course, certain bills have a persistence to them.  A negative never seems to be final.  It can always be brought up next session, or re-proposed as a new bill next time around.  Once anything passes, though, it is on the books forever (or thereabouts).

[TXFireman07b]

Sorry dont mean to be on my soap box. In my line of work I see results of people's mistakes and stupidity. You cant legislate stupidity. Our society has made it the responsibilty of the masses to be responsible for the absent of accountabilty for each person's errors in judgement and lack of accepting responsibilty for their actions. Anyone riding a motorcycle should know that it carries inherent dangers with the vehicle involved. Part of which is the responsibilty for any passenger that is riding with them. I see people with flip flops and shorts riding on back of motorcycles, with alot being Crotch Rockets as they are called. Not a wise decision, but who should be responsible for allowing it? the rider or the passenger? They both should. Should it be something that requires legislation? No Just common sense. That would be like legislating that anyone traveling in a sports car at speeds over 100 mph be required to have all passengers helmeted in the vehicle. some things dont make sense. My comment, use your head while you still have it intact. and use your eyes and ears while they still work. Be safe and keep the rubber side on the ground.

[bigguy]

On the way back from Oldman's house yesterday this guy on a crotch rocket is heading the same way I am for a few miles. I guess him in his mid-twenties. I'd describe what he was wearing as pajamas. He had on something that look like a mix between crocks and house shoes. Open at the back. Of course no helmet. The main thing I noticed was you could see the cord on a strip that ran the entire circumference of his back tire. As we got to a wide stretch of the road, he opened it up. Last I saw was him hitting at least 60 in a 45, engine screaming, still accelerating.
Just wonder how many fatherless kids he'll leave when the inevitable happens.

[f-Stop]

Now that the 82nd Regular Session is officially over and HB 2470 is officially dead in its present form, we can all have a big sigh of relief.  I'd like to think that the sponsor of this bad piece of legislation would now step back and realize that you can't fix stupid. 
Maybe they will now be a bit more reasonable in their thoughts and focus their efforts towards educating bikers and passengers on how to make riding two up more safe.  Working with bikers instead of working against bikers makes sense to me.  I'm just sayin'...

[Gear Jammer]

Good news indeed Charlie    But I wouldn't expect any change in thinking from most politicians who think they need to protect us from ourselves 

[GreenLantern57]

Good news indeed Charlie    But I wouldn't expect any change in thinking from most politicians who think they need to protect us from ourselves 

True, true, we rode 3wheelers and 4 wheelers for decades. Until a panhandle senator got hurt in a 4 wheeler accident. He then decided that the DEALERS had not given him enough training.  So now we have manditory training for people on these off-road vehicles. Just because he was too uncoordinated to be on anthing but his cars and trucks. 

[Wabbit]

(...) But I wouldn't expect any change in thinking from most politicians who think they need to protect us from ourselves 

Absent lawyers and their cronies in the legislature, stupidity is a crime punishable by up-to-and-including death.  The real tragedy here is an evident lack of capacity for critical thought, which is key to what we call common sense.  It's a skill to be learned... practiced... honed.  A lucky few youngsters pick up the basics from involved parents and exceptional teachers.  Otherwise, experience (the "school of hard knocks") is how most kids who consider themselves 10 ft. tall and bulletproof first develop any semblance of risk assessment skills.

Unfortunately, this "teachable moment" resulted in a fatality.  Laws can't fix stupid, and stupid *should* hurt (because that's the only way it *does* get fixed).  I sincerely feel sorry for the family, but I won't willingly suffer the increasing encroachment of the State on my freedom.  Fellow frogs: the water is boiling.

[Disco]

Well-said, Wabbit.