A publication supporting the rights, safety and freedom of all motorcyclists through education and not legislation.
MARCH 2012
VOLUME XX, ISSUE XI
Thank you
Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Permit #1662 Phoenix, AZ
u.s. Rep James Sensenbrenner
had introduced legislation to end the program by prohibiting any future Federal funding of any motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints. That bill is HR 904. The mammoth highway bill includes the same language as contained in HR 904.
abateofaz.org
ABATE of AZ. 7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ 85020
According to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation reports that Wednesday, February 1st, the US House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has rolled out the latest version of the highway bill. The bill is the long term funding bill for road construction and highway programs.
This version of the bill takes aim at a controversial practice of the Department of Transportation which funded motorcycle-only roadside checkpoints with taxpayer dollars. The checkpoints have drawn much criticism from the motorcycle community at large. So much so, that longtime motorcycle champion Representative James Sensenbrenner (R-WI)
Representative Sensenbrenner had this to say, "We need to focus on proven methods of motorcycle safety, including crash prevention, rider education, and training and proper licensing. Motorcycle-only checkpoints are an intrusive governmental overreach that place an undue burden on riders while doing little to actually improve safety," He added, "It is encouraging to see that the transportation reauthorization bill will encourage more efficient use of taxpayer dollars and smart motorcycle safety policy." Representative Tom Petri (R-WI), a staunch defender of the motorcyclists, had this comment on the issue, “Motorcycle riders are right to be outraged at being singled out for safety inspections," Petri said. "Nobody is suggesting flagging cars down for unscheduled inspections, and there's no good reason why motorcycles should be treated differently. It's unnecessarily intrusive, and not a smart way to use limited police resources."
At this point I can hear you saying “What the ***** do I care what happens in Wisconsin!” You should care, because if you don’t care and you aren’t vigilant in watching what happens
in other states, one day you’ll wonder how the hell a practice like “motorcycle-only checkpoints” got started in Arizona! It’s a money maker for the state and one day when the folks at the dome decide that we need to be protected from ourselves it’ll be like fishin’ from the pier. So this is the reason we have MRO’s and one of the reasons it is not enough to say “I don’t want to get involved in politics.” If we don’t pay attention we will pay the price of freedom.
To everyone that had the opportunity to attend Day at the Dome and visit with their Legislators, thank you. Remember, you don’t have to wait for this event to communicate with your legislators, let them know that you vote and that you are paying attention to how they vote on issues that are important to you. MDATD does not have to be a once a year event, this is your state, your legislature, “keep in touch” with them by, e-mail, visit or phone call, you can help them with their campaigns. You will be pleasantly surprised, by the results of your efforts. Stand up and be counted! Carole O’Reilly
Designated Lobbyist