Hello, Everybody--

 

Here is my April Tiger Tales article for you to check out--don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding pending legislation.  I also wanted to send along to you some commentary I issued in response to an Insurance Journal forward I received yesterday.  In addition, the Missouri Freedom of Choice bill was passed by the full House this week, so their Helmet Law repeal attempt continues to advance.  That could end us up with all six neighboring states allowing Freedom of  Choice--lets hope our state doesn't descend back into the Stone Age.  Also, if you've been following developments in the Daily Oklahoman, SB 806, the Artistic Tattooing Regulation Act, passed out of House Health/Human Services Committee by a vote of 15-7 after being revived.  It's headed to the full House for a vote this month.  Both SB 806 and SB 1830 have to be initially heard by the full House no later than April 19, and the third reading must take place no later than April 26.  That means SB 1830 has to have the title put back on by April 19--let's fervently hope it isn't as a Mandatory Universal Helmet Law.  If that happens, that's when we'll need thousands of Oklahoma riders to lobby their House members to vote the bill down, or lobby Governor Henry to veto it if it passes.  If that DOESN'T happen, prepare to enjoy your Bike Nights, Biker Rallies, etc. with skid-lids jammed on your heads and no Freedom of Choice involved, and you won't be able to say you weren't warned!  So, the next two weeks are going to be extremely critical for Riding Freedom in our state.  That said, I want to thank from the bottom of my heart all my Brothers and Sisters out there for your efforts in contacting your elected officials regarding Motorcycling Quality of Life issues, turning out to participate in lobbying events like the Legislative breakfast and Freedom Rally, and supporting ABATE's fight for YOUR rights!  One more thing: Chris Coombs, NW #69 Chapter Rep and State Webmaster, was involved in a serious single-vehicle bike wreck yesterday, and just got home from the hospital in Perry, OK.  Chris suffered some broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a concussion, but is expected to fully recover.  His Suzuki wasn't totaled, despite his plunging down a 30-foot embankment.  I'll be like the newspapers and inform everybody that he was wearing full leathers and a full-face helmet.  I'll also add that his Motorcycle Course Instructor experience and his wearing full safety equipment saved his life.  Please remember Chris in thought and prayer, and wish him a speedy recovery--he's always been there to support ABATE, and I'm extremely glad his injuries weren't worse.  Ride Safely, sober and aware, and I'll see you on the Road sometime.

 

Take care,
Tiger Mike


SB 1830 is the bill that ABATE and other Motorcycling Freedom advocates in Oklahoma have been fighting against over the past month.  What is unsaid in the article below speaks volumes about an unenforceable bill that constitutes needless legislative baggage, yet exists as a primary threat to Motorcycling Freedom in the Sooner State: specifically that an Agricultural Exemption has been included, where farm families do not need to comply (obviously, this bill is NOT about Safety!); the age restriction has been compromised (originally, the bill would have prohibited ALL riders under 12 from using ATVs--with the age compromise, the AMA shifted it's position on SB 1830 from "adamantly opposed" to "neutral"); and the title is still off the bill, which means that before it "Moves to the Okla. House Floor", it's going to Conference Committee to be rewritten and have a title put back on the bill.
It'll only take a few minor changes to turn SB 1830 into a MANDATORY UNIVERSAL HELMET LAW proposal for Oklahoma.  With the bill coming out of House Health/Human Services with a "DO PASS" recommendation, ABATE now has to wait on what's going to transpire in Conference Committee.  Should it go to the House Floor as a Mandatory Universal Helmet Law, we're going to have to strenuously lobby for the House to vote down the bill, or for Governor Henry to veto the bill if it's passed.  Quite frankly, I'm doubtful that we can come up with the thousands of Bikers needed to derail this bill in the House--it was all we could do to get 400 to show up on a workday morning in mid-March, though I was very happy for the participation.  If SB 1830 is passed as a full-fledged Helmet Law, I'll find it ironic that the State Senate will have addressed this as an issue completely different that what's presently going before the House (namely, SB 1803 was considered in the Senate as an ATV-specific bill).  That, to me will illustrate that politicians are in the business of screwing each other as well as the constituency they were elected to represent, since I would've bet that, given its makeup, we had enough State Senate votes to defeat a Mandatory Universal Helmet Law.  It would be ironic for Oklahoma to take a step backwards in this area, especially since this year's bill to legalize Artistic Tattooing has been revived, passed out of House Health/Human Services by a vote of 15-7 over the objections of the committee chairman who derailed it last year, and is headed to the Oklahoma House Floor.  I have my own Oklahoma Freedom tattoo design that I intend to have put to skin, but it'll sure be embarrassing to have to get it done in a Helmet State.  I sure don't like the idea of SOBs like the Daily Oklahoman, the HMO and Insurance Lobbies, and the enemies we have in the Legislature winning a victory here, but it's tough having just a handful of motorcycling rights advocates attempting to keep Oklahoma a Free State.  One thing is certain: as long as our State Rider Education Program continues exist without funding, motorcyclists continue to ride under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and irresponsible motorists keep driving recklessly, hurting and killing Bikers and getting away with it, motorcyclists and trikers will continue to get killed and injured in escalating numbers in our state, and a Mandatory Helmet Law won't make a damn bit of difference!  Ride Free and Safely, and I'll see you on the road.

Yours in Freedom,
Tiger Mike
State Coordinator
ABATE of Oklahoma, Inc.



ATV Helmet Measure Moves to Okla. House Floor
April 4, 2006
A measure to reduce deaths and severe injuries among teenagers in ATV accidents sailed through the House Health and Human Services Committee, the Oklahoma House of Representatives reported.  Senate Bill 1830, by State Sen. Bernest Cain (D-Oklahoma City) and State Rep. Bill Nations, would require all ATV riders under the age of 18 to wear a
helmet  and prohibit riders under the age of 14 from carrying passengers unless the ATC  was specifically designed to do so.  Those using the ATV for agricultural purposes would be exempt from the law.

"I am pleased that my fellow legislators looked at this matter with the seriousness it deserves," said Nations, D-Norman. "It has been proven time and time again that helmets save lives at a staggering rate in ATV and motorcycle accidents."

A study published in the May 2005 Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association looked at traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries from 1992 through 2002. In that time, close to 400 people had traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries. Some were children as young as three years old. Sixty-two people were killed.  That same study showed that the numbers of injuries during that period tripled, from an average of 23 a year before 1998, to 69 in 2001 and 2002.  The study also showed that wearing helmets while riding ATVs can reduce deaths by 42 percent and reduce nonfatal head injuries by 64 percent.  State Rep. Doug Cox, an emergency room physician in Grove, treated two patients over the weekend who had been involved in an ATV accident. The 15-year-old female driver was knocked unconscious and required extensive care.  The 11-year-old female passenger was also treated for serious, non-life threatening injuries.  "Those who are wearing helmets in an ATV accident are 42 percent less likely to die," said Cox, R-Grove. "The problem is only 6 percent of ATV riders wear helmets. I can do the math and figure out that helmets save our children's lives."  Nations said 11 Oklahomans were killed last year in ATV accidents. None were wearing helmets.  "This bill gives parents leverage when dealing with this issue," said Nations. "If it is the law, the parents are more likely to enforce monitor the children and make sure they are wearing helmets."
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2006/04/04/67029.htm

 

                              TIGER TALES - APRIL, 2006

  Howdy, everyone, and Happy Spring to all in the Sooner State and elsewhere!  I hope everybody's starting to enjoy the increased riding opportunities that arise with the pleasant April weather, but I sure hope we also get a good bunch of rain to offset the drought conditions and the raging wildfires that are burning up our state and surrounding areas, like
the Texas Panhandle and a good chunk of New Mexico.  We even came out of March's Freedom Rally to a grass fire on the Capitol grounds south of the parking lot.  That one was probably started by someone's careless cigarette butt--it's amazing how many oblivious, uncaring people are out there, even with a statewide Burn Ban in effect!  Please remember those that are suffering in your thoughts and prayers.  As I write this, some of our prayers have been answered with around two inches of rain to herald Spring's arrival--the first measurable precipitation in Oklahoma since before Halloween!  April's bringing up a lot of fun riding events sponsored by ABATE's individual Chapters, starting with the Central OK District's Mystery Run on April 1, so log onto our ABATE State Website, www.abateofoklahoma.org <www.abateofoklahoma.org>  and check out what's happening, or link to the
individual Chapter sites from there and get more specific event information.  After all, all work and no play's no fun for anybody, even a workaholic like myself!  For that matter, please talk with all your friends about seriously considering becoming part of ABATE of Oklahoma--remember that Freedom isn't Free, and we can't earn it with out your help.

  We hosted the ABATE Freedom Rally March 15 at the State Capitol, and a large number of Freedom-loving motorcyclists turned out to support it--over 300 riders at my last count.  That attendance figure really wasn't too bad, considering we had only three weeks of lead time.  It was a nice surprise to see the event so enthusiastically supported, since our last Freedom Rally was conducted twelve years ago, when the more overt threat of a Mandatory Helmet law loomed in response to the Federal blackmail attempt of withholding highway funding from states without Mandatory Helmet Laws.  The present threat is more insidious, since SB 1830 was passed with the title taken off the bill.  If this bill comes out of House Rules Committee with a recommendation to pass, a Mandatory Universal Helmet clause can be included very easily.  Our day started early, with motorcyclists congregating in the Capitol South Parking Lot amid 40-degree temperatures.  Thunder Roads Oklahoma Magazine, one of ABATE's staunch supporters, donated an Appreciation Award plaque to the largest group to show up in colors, and that was won by the Oklahoma City H.O.G. Chapter, represented by thirteen members.  Thanks very much for your support of Riding Freedom in our state--you deserved your award!  After getting a Plan of Attack briefing from Holly, our Political Director, the attendees crowded every Capitol entrance to grace the metal detectors with leathers and chains.  Needless to say, it took a few minutes to get cleared to enter!  The Fourth Floor Rotunda was reserved already, but Holly was able to come up with one of the House Conference Rooms for us, and dozens of bikers filled the Capitol areas.  Jon Kirchen performed one of the most valuable services of the day by setting up his laptop computer to obtain legislative information for the attendees from the State of Oklahoma Website.  Over 150 riders became acquainted with their Representatives and Senators for the first time, and headed off to their respective offices to interact with them.  Many thanks, Jon, for your efforts--we couldn't have done it without you!  ABATE provided attendees with printed information to include: tips for networking effectively with Legislators; thumbnail sketches of the bills we're tracking; outlines for both Jaggers' Law and the ATV Helmet Bill; and questionnaires designed to pin down Legislator opinions.  The vast majority of motorcycling attendees were able to either meet with their Legislators in
their offices or call them out of Session to spend a few minutes airing their views, so I felt the Freedom Rally to be an overall positive experience.  Fox 25 News was there to cover the event, and we took a group photo of hundreds of Bikers on the steps leading to the Fourth Floor Rotunda.  ABATE received positive feedback on the event from both attendees
and Legislators, who complemented Oklahoma's Motorcycling Community on being both knowledgeable of the issues and passionate in their beliefs.  That's a fact I've been aware of for years!  I felt we were able to make a significant impact in the three hours we massed at the State House.  The fact that a bunch riders that are Registered Voters were able to register their opinions should definitely make a difference when the issues come up for a decision.  Many thanks Holly for laying the groundwork for a successful Rally, and to all those motorcyclists and trikers from various backgrounds who took time out of their busy schedules to stand up for Liberty--we're all in this together, and your involvement will help keep us
Riding Free!  

 

  Hopefully, SB 1830, the Off-Road Helmet Bill which passed the Senate, will have died a natural death in the House and we won't have to worry about a back-door Helmet Law  threat this year.  This bill has essentially become a waste of time, given that an Agricultural Exemption was included which states that Farm Families don't have to comply with the provisions and the prohibition against children under 12 from driving or riding ATVs, dirt bikes and scooters has been removed (STILL think this bill is about safety?).  Basically, the bill's authors state the primary goal now is to achieve parity between the street riding and the off-road riding environments with helmet use required for riders under 18, but Free Riding
for all of us will be under the gun as long as this bill is out there with the title off.  The latest other legislative issues we're continuing to track include these:  SB 1989, Jaggers' Law to increase penalties for irresponsible motorists that hurt and kill people, didn't get heard in committee due to a mis-communication that left it off the calendar, so this bill title no longer applies.  We're presently looking for help from Sen. Corn, the bill's author, to get it attached as a rider to other legislation.  Bills to reinstate Mandatory Vehicle Inspection and authorize Automatic Red-Light Cameras died in committee, whereas bills to require license plates front-and-rear on four-wheelers, mandate ATV registration and plates, authorize special Police Officer bike tags, drastically increase Seat Belt fines, and triple Motorcycle Endorsement fees came out of committees with "DO PASS" recommendations.  We're still working on verbiage so legislation authorizing Warning Signs for motorcyclists in construction zones will get passed, and unfortunately it doesn't look like we can get a law passed this
year allowing bikes to stop and proceed through an intersection if the vehicle doesn't trip the Red Light.  We'll give it another shot next year--until then, try attaching a speaker magnet to the underside of your bike to trigger the sensor.  Also, just as we were wrapping up the Freedom Rally, the bill to prohibit hand-held cell phone use while driving failed in the full Senate, by a better than 2-to-1 margin.  Keep checking the ABATE Website or contact me at: tigermike7@cox.net for future real-time Legislative Updates.  Send me an e-mail and I'll put you on my Oklahoma Bikers List. 

 

  I think I'd like to end this earlier than last month's marathon, so I'm going to blast off for now.  Take care, Ride Safely, and I'll see you on the Road.  We had a terrific OK Confederation of Clubs meeting in March, where over 220 riders representing 36 member organizations attended, and I'd like to encourage any groups out there that would like to further strengthen unity and increase political effectiveness of Sooner State motorcyclists to consider joining.  Oh yes--with great pleasure I'd like to announce that the
Muskogee ABATE Chapter Buzzard Patch design was approved at the OK Confederation of Clubs meeting. Congratulations, Muskogee Chapter, and I look forward to seeing you folks flying it with pride!  We're still gearing up for the 21st annual NCOM gathering in Louisville, KY May 11-14, and I'd like to give everyone a heads-up that we'll once again be ringing the Memorial Bell at this May's NCOM Convention in honor of all the Brothers and Sisters lost since last Spring.  Sadly, the list gets longer and longer every year, but we continue to dedicate the time because it's the right thing to do.  So far, I've forwarded the names of Roger Perkins, Ron "Buffalo" Praytor, Bill "TopHat" Boland, and NW #69's Jeff Smith to be remembered, as well as Logan Chelf from the CMA who was just killed on his bike a few weeks ago.  Please get me any names of dearly departed members of our Riding Community, and I'll make sure they are mentioned and the Bell is rung in their honor.  Also, make sure you put Monday, May 29 on your calendar--that's when ABATE will be conducting its annual Memorial Day bike parade to the State Capitol War Memorial.  We'll be departing the Skyline Restaurant parking lot in Oklahoma City at 10:30AM, as we usually do.  It will once again provide us with the opportunity to pay tribute to our Country's honored war dead, especially with the Iraq War entering its fourth year.  Tiger's Tip O' The Month:  With April Showers hopefully occurring more often after our drought, the initial arrival of rain won't nearly be enough to wash off months of accumulated oil and grease on the roadways, so carefully manage your speed and maneuvering, and increase your stopping distance.  Ride in one of the tire tracks of a lane and not in the middle, and pull over to the right lane and let the speeding maniacs that won't slow down for anything proceed onward to the just reward for their stupidity!  A couple of final things: the bill prohibiting picketing Military Funerals in our state was signed into Law (with widespread support from riders that have turned out to protect the families), and a bill outlawing Pit Bulls statewide died in committee.  Remember, this prohibition is similar to outlawing bikes (remember the old Danforth Bill?)--if you allow the Government to prohibit one breed of dog, you won't be able to prevent them from eventually coming around to take yours!  Thanks for your continued backing of Riding Liberty in this, one of the best states in our great Nation to be motorcycling in--see you next month! 

Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees,
Tiger Mike