Discrimination Against Bikers

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation
236 Massachusetts Ave. NE | Suite 510 | Washington, DC 20002-4980
202-546-0983 (voice) | 202-546-0986 (fax) | http://www.mrf.org10nr22/ - MRF News Release - MRF URGENT CALL TO ACTION - Mandatory Motorcycle Roadside StopsContact: Jeff Hennie, Government Relations and Public Affairs
MRF URGENT CALL TO ACTION - Mandatory Motorcycle Roadside StopsA mandatory roadside motorcycle stop may be coming to a town near you, reports the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF).  Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has asked for applications from law enforcement outfits to apply for a new pot of taxpayer money designated for pulling motorcyclists off the road to lecture them about safety.  The MRF strongly opposes this sort of discrimination against motorcyclists. “Pulling over law-abiding motorcyclists does not make anyone safer and is huge waste of taxpayer money,” said Jeff Hennie, Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs for the MRF.  

NHTSA’s request for applications asks law enforcement officials to submit plans similar to what New York State Police did last summer. They set up outside big public motorcycle gatherings and pulled every single motorcyclist over to the side of the road to lecture them about safety, drinking and riding, proper tire inflation, and so on. 

The MRF feels there are much more productive and less discriminatory ways to promote safety for motorcyclists, and is disappointed that this approach was decided upon behind closed doors by a group of federal employees who apparently did not consult anyone in the motorcycling community for their input and expertise in motorcycle safety. This particular project is limited to five law enforcement agencies, and total funding is capped at $350,000. In these tough economic times, that’s a ton of money. The deadline for applications is August 13, and to the MRF’s knowledge, no applications have yet been submitted. 

The MRF will be investigating to determine if NHTSA and the federal government have legal jurisdiction to fund states to single out one particular type of vehicle for clearly discriminatory practices over other vehicles, and will be working diligently to see that these proposed grants are never awarded. 

MRF encourages you to contact U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today to voice your displeasure, either by phone: 202-366-4000 or by email: http://ntl.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ntl.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php
Contact Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs, at Jeff@mrf.org if you have any questions or need further information.

Rebels in Australia

POLICE ordered to take a softly-softly approach to an outlaw motorcycle gang ignored bikies riding at up to 140km/h, they said yesterday.

At least 16 police cars and a helicopter costing $4000 an hour were used to "monitor" the Rebels bikies as they rode through Victoria late last week.

Police involved in tracking more than 400 bikies down the Hume Highway said yesterday they were told not to intercept them for minor traffic infringements.

Interstate Rebels members on their way to Victoria for the national run were stopped twice in NSW for alcohol and drug tests, roadworthy and registration checks and checks for outstanding warrants.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the bikies had been "monitored, not escorted", and no incidents of speeding had been reported, but several police involved in the operation have told the Herald Sun speeds of up to 40km/h over the limit were ignored.

One said he had seen bikies in the convoy travelling up to 140km/h almost a dozen times, but could not take action because of official instructions.

Police from Wodonga, Wangaratta, Shepparton, Benalla, Seymour, Craigieburn and Fawkner were involved in last Friday's operation. Police association secretary Greg Davies said some members were "less than impressed" at being directed to ride shotgun for the mob instead of enforcing the laws of the land. "It's astonishing the difference in police attitudes in NSW, where they deal with these people appropriately, and Victoria, where we are reduced to providing an escort for a royal tour of the state," Sen Sgt Davies said.

A police spokeswoman said the Rebels were expected to ride to Mildura, where extra resources had been placed and "interception activities" planned.

But police plans had to be changed on Friday when they learned the bikies and 30 support vehicles would be heading to Melbourne instead.

The Rebels have a clubhouse in Sunshine West, where police and ambulance crews were called to attend an injured man on Saturday morning.

When they got to the clubhouse, in an industrial estate, they were told they were not required and that the man's injuries had been self-inflicted with a knuckle duster.

The Rebels is Australia's largest outlaw motorcycle group, with about 2000 members and at least 70 chapters across Australia.