THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. For more information, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit us on our website at http://www.ON-A-BIKE.com.

NCOM NEWS BYTES
Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,
National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

NCOM CONVENTION RAISES THE BAR
“Large & In Charge” was the theme of the 23rd annual NCOM Convention in Houston, Texas, and in living up to the hype it drew 1,640 attendees from across the country making it the largest gathering of bikers’ rights activists in the world! Held Mother’s Day weekend, May 8-11, 2008, this annual gathering featured meetings, seminars and group discussions focusing on safety issues, legal rights, legislative efforts and litigation techniques to benefit our right to ride and Freedom of the Road.

Following the AIM Chief of Staffs meetings on Wednesday and an NCOM Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, the Convention kicked off Friday morning with the NCOM Legislative Task Force meeting and the AIM Attorney Conference. Afternoon seminars included “Lobbying 101” and “New and Successful Programs in Bikerland”. Special Meetings were convened for "SMRO Presidents," "Christian Unity Conference," "Women in Motorcycling," "Black Clubs and Minority Outreach," and "Clean and Sober Roundtable."

The Confederation of Clubs General Patch Holder Meeting on Friday evening was the best attended to date, and featured representatives of over 50 COC's from throughout North America.

This year's agenda was packed with interesting and thought-provoking sessions, including “Global Changes in the Laws Affecting Motorcyclists”, “Brothers Behind Bars”, “Defenders - A New Political Action Group”, a meeting of the American Biker Party and Slider Gilmore's always informative and entertaining “The Golden Hour” seminar teaching bikers how to save each others' lives.

Topping off the weekend's festivities was the traditional Silver Spoke Awards Banquet, recognizing the achievements and accomplishments of our fellow riders. South Dakota State Senator Jim "Putt" Putnam entertained the crowd as the dinner speaker during the Silver Spoke Awards ceremony on Saturday evening with his homespun humor. This year's Silver Spokes were awarded to: GOVERNMENT: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Seamus McCaffery; MEDIA: Bill & Darlene Bish, publishers of Ridin’ On Motorcycle Magazine; LEGAL: Texas A.I.M. Attorney William Smith; ENTERTAINMENT: Musician Jimmy Vaughn, who ignited the crowd with his new song about Freedom; SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Laura Reid, NCOM Board Secretary; and the RON ROLOFF LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD was presented to longtime freedom fighter Dave Breakiron of ABATE of Delaware.

Many thanks to ABATE of Texas, the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association (TMRA-II) and the Texas Confederations of Clubs for hosting this record-setting event. Thanks also go out to the Texas Confederations of Clubs and Soldiers for Jesus M/C for hosting Hospitality Suites during non-meeting times throughout the weekend.

The 2008 NCOM Convention was dedicated to the memory of Waldo Stuart, Longview Tom and Michael “Twanger” Hays.

Make plans now to attend next year's 24th Annual NCOM Convention next Mother’s Day weekend, May 7-10, 2009, in Reno, Nevada. For further information, contact NCOM at (800) 525-5355.

STUDY CLAIMS HELMET LAWS MAY SAVE LIVES, BUT NOT VERY MANY
A new study reported in the American Journal of Public Health finds that the repeal of motorcycle helmet requirements for adults has been associated with an increase in motorcycle fatalities, beyond the general increase that has been seen throughout the country in the last decade or so, although the impact they found looks pretty modest:

On average, when compared to state experience with no helmet mandate, universal helmet laws were associated with an 11.1% reduction in motorcyclist fatality rates, whereas rates in states with partial coverage statutes (applying only to riders younger than 21) were not statistically different from those with no helmet law. Furthermore, in the states in which recent repeals of universal coverage have been instituted, the motorcyclist fatality rate increased by an average of 12.2% over what would have been projected had universal coverage been maintained.

In terms of fatalities prevented each year, the effect estimated by this study is not very impressive. In 2004, for example, "an estimated 135 (or 5.8%) fewer fatalities would have occurred" in the 31 states without universal helmet laws had those states forced adult motorcyclists to wear head protection. That's just a handful of fatalities per state each year.

“Even the undramatic results of this study may over-estimate the impact of helmet laws,” wrote Jacob Sullum in the April 1, 2008 online edition of “reason” magazine, citing in particular that researchers did not take into consideration miles traveled.

Some anti-helmet-law activists argue that helmets, on balance, decrease motorcycle safety by making riders more reckless, making their heads heavier, or impairing their hearing and peripheral vision. According to this study, helmet laws reduce fatalities to some extent, but as Sullum points out; “It just does not seem to be a very big effect, which is one reason opponents of these laws have been so successful at rolling them back and preventing legislators from re-imposing them.”

WORLD’S FIRST VISION ZERO MOTORCYCLE ROAD OPENS IN EUROPE
“A milestone for motorcycle safety,” said FEMA President Hans Petter Strifeldt as he officially opened the World’s First Vision Zero Road for motorcycles along RV 32 in Norway on May 7, 2008.

The motorcycle community has long expressed concerns over “Vision Zero”, the strategy in which road authorities have envisioned how to achieve zero deaths and zero serious injuries on the roads. These concerns are due to the vision depending primarily on bans and regulations instead of adaptation of the road environment to suit all road users - motorcyclists included.

Viewed by European government officials as high-risk road users, motorcycles have been all but excluded from the Vision Zero document. The Vision Zero document has first and foremost given anti-motorcycle campaigners an opening to propose a ban on motorcycles as these, they claim, are not compatible with a Vision Zero. But today, with the opening of this motorcycle friendly road, these claims have been effectively quashed, stated the President of the Federation of European Motorcycle Associations (FEMA).

The Vision Zero Motorcycle Road is the brainchild of two passionate engineers at the regional Road Authorities, Jan Petter Lyng and Bjørn R. Kirste, who have successfully designed the road exactly as the motorcyclists themselves recommend. It is not much that is needed to make a motorcycle-friendly road with regard to preventing injuries in case of accidents: Crash barriers fitted with a sub-rail, forgiving side terrain, well thought out placing of signposts, cutting down sight-hindering vegetation - all in all small modifications and investments that are beneficial for all road users, including bicycles and cars. The price tag for modifying these 15 kilometres of road is estimated to 630,000 euros.

“The importance of this stretch of road in the middle of Norway cannot be overrated,” said FEMA in announcing the opening. “It is the first Vision Zero Motorcycle road, not only in Norway, not only in Europe, but in the world.” As the representative for Europe’s road riding motorcyclists, FEMA will do what it can to promote this road to other nation’s road authorities as an example of what is possible to achieve with relatively small means, FEMA President Hans Petter Strifeldt concluded.

CAR AIRBAGS CAN PROTECT MOTORCYCLISTS
Ask any motorcyclist what the most dangerous part of riding is and most of them will tell you; "People in cars that aren't paying attention." Not too long ago, an airbag suit was developed in an effort to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries to motorcycle riders. Now, Autoliv Inc., out of Sweden has developed a new airbag system for automobiles that could impact fatality numbers by reducing the impact on riders.

The system uses an airbag mounted in the A-Pillar of the car. When a front end impact is detected, the airbag will inflate, covering most of the car’s hood and some of the windshield. Studies show that many injuries and fatalities could be avoided if this simple measure was taken. In fact, the Dutch Cycling Federation estimates that over 60 lives could be saved and over 1500 serious injuries could be avoided every year by using these airbags.

The system won't only serve motorcycle riders however, it will cover pedal bikes and pedestrians as well. Obviously these accidents will be at a much lower speed, but the impact on the hood will still be reduced by a significant amount.

No official word on where or when the system will be installed, but with so much potential, it shouldn't take long.

ROW LEGISLATION PASSED IN MARYLAND
Leather jackets mingled with pin-striped suits as motorcyclists arrived at the State House to see their driving-safety bill signed into law by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley.

“The bill will impose a six-month suspension, a $1,000 fine or both on drivers who injure or kill somebody by violating road right-of-way laws,” reported the Washington Post.

Members of ABATE of Maryland have fought for the past five years to pass the legislation, but the fight became personal in 2006 after the driver of a sport utility vehicle was involved in an accident that killed their state director, Marty Schultz.

"As things would have it, we proceeded on with the bill," said Gary R. "Pappy" Boward, chairman of ABATE of Maryland Inc. "Everyone was getting very involved legislatively, this was [Mr. Schultz's] assignment."

“Pappy” told the Post that many bikers were disappointed when the person who struck Mr. Schultz received a minimal fine - less than $100 - and no other penalty.

The right-of-way bill passed the House and Senate unanimously this year, and had the support of Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration. The bill applies to all vehicles, but the motorcyclists advocated for it because bikes are tough to see at intersections.

The MVA reported 17,312 "failure-to-yield" accidents in 2006, resulting in 81 deaths and 8,015 injuries.

BIKERS BANNED FROM ATLANTA HOT SPOT
Metro Atlanta motorcyclists have been banned from Atlantic Station, a popular dining and retail district that no longer allows riders to drive through or park there.

Atlantic Station officials say they took action after facing ongoing problems. "They continually don't abide by the code of conduct down here, continually rev their engines really loud," said Brian Leary of Atlantic Station in a television interview with Fox 5.

Atlantic Station started telling motorcyclists about the change last month and will soon post signs and start ticketing violators. "I know it's tough. We do definitely apologize to the motorcycle owners and riders but in the meantime we are making the change," said Leary.

AUSTRALIA TO OUTLAW “BIKIES”
Police soon will have the power to "squash" bikie gangs and force them to move elsewhere after the Government's controversial anti-bikie legislation recently passed through Parliament.

Police Minister Paul Holloway said SA (South Australia) was on the verge of having the nation's and perhaps the world's toughest anti-bikie laws. "These are the laws that police have asked for and, finally, we are able to ensure police have exactly what they need to take on these criminal bikie gangs," he said.

When the laws are gazetted, it will be illegal for anyone to associate with known bikies six or more times a year. Bikies also will be banned from specific locations. The Serious and Organised Crime (Control) Bill 2007 also will enable Police Commissioner Mal Hyde to obtain orders from the Attorney-General, Michael Atkinson, declaring bikie gangs illegal.

The Government "hoped" to have the laws in place by July 1. The legislation was criticized as draconian by other states at a March meeting of State and Federal Government ministers.

The legislation now goes back to the Lower House for final approval.

WEIRD NEWS: LAWMAKERS GO NUTS OVER FAKE TESTICLES
With hot-button issues like immigration, the environment, and the failing real estate market crowding the "national conversation" these days, it's nice to see a few ballsy Floridians with the cojones to take on important issues like fake testicles.

The brave Florida state Senate passed an amendment to a transportation bill that would levy a $60 fine against anyone with TruckNutz or generic-made fake testicles dangling from their rear bumpers.

Of course, some naysayers are arguing that there are more important things to legislate against than fake balls, which are harmless decorations for your truck or motorcycle for those who suffer a genital inferiority complex.

Sen. Carey Baker, who proposed the amendment, acknowledged his critics' concerns and said that "I do have more important things to do this session. But I think this is important, too."

QUOTABLE QUOTE: "Life is a grindstone... whether it grinds you down, or polishes you up... depends on what you're made of."
Jacob Braude