I have some action shots from GRCMMCC's visit to the extreme kayak race at the Green River Narrows. I hope to post them tonight. ~FF
1) Mike Hays the Legislative Director of CMT
2) Motorcycle Safety Task Force Unlikely to Recommend Helmet Law
3) Call for action in Beaufort, SC
4) 30th Annual Lowcountry ABATE Toy Run
5) Carol Hauptman memorial ride
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1) Mike Hays the Legislative Director of CMT
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Mike Hays the Legislative Director of CMT and a regular contributor to the Biker Republic (www.bikerrepublic.org) passed away unexpectedly following a kidney infection. He will be greatly missed by the motorcycle rights community.
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2) Motorcycle Safety Task Force Unlikely to Recommend Helmet Law
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FF Note: Kudos to Ralph Bell, Bad Bob Archer, and Jeff Coleman for a job well done. However we should not let up our guard just yet.
http://www.wspa.com/midatlantic/spa/news.apx.-content-articles-SPA-2007-11-14-0016.html
Motorcycle Safety Task Force Unlikely to Recommend Helmet Law
Members can't reach consensus to ask legislature to change law
After months of talking about South Carolina's rising motorcycle fatality rate and what to do about it, the state's Motorcycle Safety Task Force is not likely to recommend that state lawmakers pass a mandatory helmet law.
"I think that the task force certainly supports the use of protective equipment, including the use of helmets," said Ed Harmon, who's been acting chairman of the task force. "But as far as supporting a universal helmet law here in the state of South Carolina, I really don't think that the task force will be able to come up with a consensus to recommend that."
He says even if the group did make that recommendation, he doesn't think the legislature would pass a mandatory helmet law.
The number of motorcyclists killed on South Carolina roads is 109 so far this year, already past the 106 who died in all of 2006. Of that 106, 73 were not wearing a helmet.
But members of the task force who are against a mandatory helmet law, motorcycle riders themselves, say we don't know how many of those 73 would have died regardless of whether they had on a helmet.
Those task force members, who are also members of ABATE, which stands for A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments, say they're not against helmets; they're against a law requiring them.
"We get bogged down into the statistics about it when it's really a freedom of choice," says Ralph Bell, a member of the task force and ABATE. "And if we can promote the use of it more and more throughout the news and different motorcycle groups, then we'll accomplish the same goal and we'll still keep our freedom of choice."
He wears a helmet sometimes when he rides, depending on traffic and weather conditions, how far he's riding and how he feels.
ABATE members want more motorcycle rider training, as well as a new motorcycle awareness program for car and truck drivers.
That might have helped motorcycle rider Bob Archer. Back in January, a car driver pulled out right in front of him, leaving him nowhere to go but into the side of the car. He severely injured his shoulder, broke his right arm and right leg in multiple places and almost lost his right foot. He's only recently started walking with a cane and his arm is still in a cast.
"I was not wearing a helmet, and I don't think a helmet would have helped my injuries at all. I didn't hit my head," he says. He wants to see more education for drivers so they'll do a better job of looking out for motorcycles. ABATE also wants tougher penalties for drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to motorcyclists.
The opponents and supporters of a mandatory helmet law are approaching the issue of reducing fatalities from different angles. The riders are focusing on preventing accidents and say helmets won't affect that.
But supporters, like Harmon, say it's impossible to prevent every accident and helmets can help save lives when they do occur.
He says helmet usage is very much like seat belt usage in cars. "If we get to 100 percent seat belt usage here in South Carolina, which would be ideal, what that means is everyone who dies in an automobile crash will be buckled up. But statistics tell us that the numbers of people who die in traffic crashes would significantly be decreased."
The task force does agree that the state's motorcycle licensing process needs to be changed to close a loophole that allows someone to get a beginner's permit and renew it indefinitely, without ever passing a skills test.
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3) Call for action in Beaufort, SC
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Everyone, I just hung up the phone with Michelle Fraser who is the Victims Advocate for the Solicitor's office. I asked her if people who showed up to show support for Merry Deon would be locked out of the court room like at the original bond hearing. She assured me that this hearing would take place in Court Room #1 which is a large room and that all were encouraged to attend and would be allowed into the court room. She feels that any showing of support will weigh heavily on the Judges mind, and let him know that the community has not forgotten Merry, nor are they ready or able to forgive her assailant, Rodney Galimore.
THE HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR 9:00 AM IN COURT ROOM #1, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2007, AT THE COURT HOUSE IN BEAUFORT.
LETS SHOW OUR SUPPORT FOR MERRY AND FOR BIKERS RIGHTS.
CHUCK rebeldogcycles@hargray.com
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4) 30th Annual Lowcountry ABATE Toy Run
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Lowcountry ABATE 30th Annual Annual Toy Run Benefiting the Salvation Army
Sunday, November 25th
Registration begins at 10:00 AM
Parade leaves at 1:00 PM
Donation of $10 or new toy required. All donations go to the local Salvation Army.
Escorted Parade through downtown Charleston
Starting location: McMillan Avenue Parking Lot on Old Navy Base in North Charleston
Ending party on the Navy Base for participants.
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5) Carol Hauptman memorial ride
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Carol Hauptman memorial ride, will meet in Sumter S.C. at Westmark Plaza on Broad st., just behind Wachovia Bank. November 17,2007 Meeting time set at 8:30 registration for the ride 10:30 depart. The mileage on this ride is around 62 miles with no stops, so please have a full tank before registration and staging of bikes.
The route will leave, right out of Westmark Plaza onto Broad st., right on to Hwy 521 N. then right on to old Hwy 521, right on Brewington Road, follow Brewington rd. to Hwy 301, then right onto Hwy 521 S., where we will past the accident site, then left on Guignard Parkway to Hwy 15 to the Family Life Center.
There we will have food and drinks after the ride. A 50/50 draw, and door prizes and raffle gifts.
Thanks to all SCRC Southern Cruisers, BFC Bikers for Christ, CMA Christians Motorcycle Association and ABATE of S.C.
Roy Todd rtodd5@sc.rr.com
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