Several of our surrounding States have recently been waging helmet modification bill battles and have asked for help. VA, MD, WV all were racing to become the 32nd lid free state. VA’s chances came up short this time around but as of this writing WV and MD are still at it. They have asked people from out of state to contact their legislators using the point of “tourism dollars”. With so many state economies in the dumper $$$ is always an attention getter to elected officials. A recent unscientific survey done by a biker from MI reveals 50 riders on weekend only trips spent $12,938.50 or an average of $258.77 a rider. Imagine what is given to a states economy in a years time, what do the big Bike Weeks generate? It can be used as a focal point in these battles. Out of state bikers do have the horsepower and influence to make a difference, and your cash is it. There are other states involved in helmet bill battles, who have asked for help also. For all the hot news going on in Bikers Rights, check out the Enews Archive on the website. Another new Enews feature is our Hero and Dork of the week, this idea was “borrowed” from the now canceled TV show Jesse Ventura’s America has gone over like gang busters. For those who are unaware of our Enews, it’s a once a week email compiled by SoLR’s Region 1 Director and Newsletter Editor T Moore. Enews covers the hottest M/C Rights issues of the week. Subscribe info is on the site or drop me an email and I’ll add you in. While talking about different states, SD just legalized blue dot tail lights. Blue dots are usually more of a nuisance item the man uses as probable cause for a traffic stop, well on this years trip to Sturgis you won’t have to worry about that problem anymore. ABATE of SD was successful in getting this law taken off the books.

Right of Way Bills are always in the news, 3 of the most notable cases as of late are the Janklow case from SD, the Tama Tragedy in IA and the Jarman hit and run in NC. Janklow got 100 days in jail and a miniscule fine, Gary Butler of IA was fined $70 or $11.67 for each of the 6 bikers he hit, and Jay Jarman’s killers got no jail time and 300 hours of community service. Does any of this get your attention? Is this all your life is worth? I don’t know how I can put this in your face any better, it’s time for serious change. Stiffer Right of Way laws are the only way it will happen and you need to get involved. Now…..here’s your chance for those in the local area, March 27th Irwin Eagles, Westmoreland County ABATE Meeting. Come hang out with Hawk and Rock and do something for Bikers Rights. After the meeting the Deanna Dawn Denning Band will be performing at the Eagles. This kid has a range of vocals that’s nothing short of astounding and their play list is wide in variety. No cover, cheap drinks and a good band, every bikers night out and you can do something for Bikers Rights too. Tracy and I have been on a mission to gather people up for this gig and I wouldn’t mind finding some more freedom fighters in the crowd……make sure you introduce yourself also.

TEA 21 is alive and well unfortunately, there have been 6 pages of Amendments loaded with pork. This bill is unconstitutional no matter how you look at it. These are States Rights Issues and that’s all there is to it. Bush may finally veto a piece of legislation if it either raises taxes or uses general fund monies for transportation, wrong reasons but I’ll take it. Since TEA 21 will most likely not include any biker friendly legislation we have no reason to not try and kill this bill. It won’t be easy to kill……but nothing good in this life ever seems to come easy. In the future if we get behind HB 110, the Congressional Responsibility Act of 2003, a bill that in short holds our elected civil servants to uphold the Constitution and their sworn oath. If HB 110 passes TEA 21 and all the other unconstitutional bills will never get to the table.