Thunder Roads La/MS November TRLAMS_NOVW | Page 33

EWS BYTES
Signed by Governor Jerry Brown on October 3,
2017, SB 672 specifies that “Upon the first placement
of a traffic-actuated signal or replacement of
the loop detector of a traffic-actuated signal
[responding to the presence of traffic detected by
mechanical, visual, electrical, or other means], the
traffic-actuated signal shall, to the extent feasible
and in conformance with professional traffic
engineering practice, be installed and maintained
so as to detect lawful bicycle or motorcycle traffic
on the roadway.”
Advanced by ABATE of California, the motorcycle
rights organization says of the legislation;
“Thanks to Governor Brown for signing this
permanent extension,” stated Chairman of the
Board Glenn Phillips, adding that “With over a
Million Motorcyclists in our state, this legislation is
imperative to protect riders on California roads.”
NEW YORK MEASURE WOULD BAN
CHILDREN FROM RIDING
Assembly Bill 8700 would prohibit children under
the age of twelve from riding on a motorcycle.
Introduced by Assemblymember Aileen M. Gunther
(D-Dist.100), the bill states; “No person shall
operate or ride a motorcycle on a public highway,
road or street in this state with a child under the age
of twelve on such motorcycle.”
A8700 has been referred to the Assembly
Transportation Committee.
HELP “LEMON LAW” PASS FOR
RIDERS IN PENNSYLVANIA
ABATE of Pennsylvania has issued a Legislative
Call To Action regarding House Bill 74, a bill
introduced by Representative Pam Snyder that
would include motorcycles in the current PA
Automobile Lemon Law. HB 74 was introduced and
referred to the House Consumer Affairs Committee.
On June 12 the House Consumer Affairs Committee
approved HB 74, and the measure is now facing
consideration by the full House.
“Contact House of Representative members and
ask them to support HB 74 to include motorcycles
in the state’s “Automobile Lemon Law,” urges the
state office of ABATE of PA. “You can call them,
email them or visit them. But you have to do
something if we are to have success in having HB 74
pass the House and be sent to the Senate for their
consideration.”
MOTORCYCLE THEFTS ARE ON THE RISE
The annual theft report from the National
Insurance Crime Bureau shows bike thefts rose 2%
nationally across the U.S. in 2016, with a total of
46,467 motorcycles were reported stolen, up from
45,555 in 2015.
For the second year in a row, California is the
top state for stolen bikes, where 7,506 motorcycles
were reported taken -- compared with 4,482
stolen in Florida and 3,692 in Texas, the next most
troublesome territories. Vermont had only 24
motorcycle thefts in 2016, the least amount of all
the states.
New York was the most-plagued city, followed
by San Diego, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, while Los
Angeles County was the top county.
The NICB study reveals that the bulk of
motorcycle thefts predictably occur during the
summer months, when more bikes are on the
street. August was the top month, when almost
twice as many motorcycles disappeared than in
December or January.
Some bikes are more popular targets than others
or are simply easier to steal, and a disproportionate
number are Japanese models top the theft list:
Honda (9052 thefts), Yamaha (7,723), Suzuki
(6,229), Kawasaki (5,221), Harley-Davidson
(4,963).
The recovery rate for stolen bikes isn’t
encouraging, according to the NICB report, with
only 17,463 of the 46,467 motorcycles reported
stolen in 2016 being returned to their owners,
about a 40% nationwide rate of recovery. The
recovery rate in Hawaii was highest at 94%, while
the New York rate, at 19%, was the lowest in the
nation.
By brand, Honda owners had about twice as
good a chance of getting their bikes back than
owners of Ducatis, which had only a 29% chance of
coming home.
On a more positive note, bike thievery is down
considerably -- about 30% -- from what it was a
decade ago.
PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT SEEKS STRICT
HELMET LAW ENFORCEMENT
The Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG) in the Philippines is seeking to
strengthen enforcement of the Mandatory Helmet
Law (RA 10054) nationwide. In a Memorandum
issued Sept 6 to all governors, mayors and others,
the DILG directs local officials “to implement said
(Helmet Law) Act, and ensure that the provisions
are strictly complied with.”
Congressman Cesar V. Sarmiento directly
addressed DILG during the department’s budget
hearing in Congress and said he observed that
several motorbike riders and drivers forget to use
their helmet resulting in road accidents and deaths.
The Subject of the memo calls for the “Observan ce
of the provisions of Republic Act No. 10054; an Act
Mandating All Motorcycle Riders to Wear Standard
Protective Motorcycle Helmets While Driving and
Providing Penalties Therefor (sic).”
QUOTABLE QUOTE: “A man wearing a helmet
defending our country is more valuable than a man
in a helmet defending a football.”
~ Seen on a T-Shirt
www.thunderroadslams.com | November 2017 | Thunder Roads Magazine Louisiana/Mississippi
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