Biker Call to Action
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Motorcycle Red Light Bill Passes House and Returns to Senate with Amendments
S111 passed third reading on the House floor Thursday, May 15, 2008. We expect this bill to have a third reading Thursday, May 15, 2008. The bill has been returned to the Senate. Please contact your Senator and ask for a yes vote on S111.
S111 will address faulty traffic signal devices that fail to detect motorcycles. This bill will clearly increase safety for motorcyclists by reducing the chance of being struck from behind while stranded at a malfunctioning light.
Vertical Motorcycle Plate Bill Update
SC Senate Bill 605 will allow Palmetto State motorcyclists to have vertical license plates mounted on their bikes. S605 has passed the House Motor Vehicles and Public Works Subcommittee. The bill is expected to reach the House floor.
Please contact your representative and urge your representative to support of S605 "vertical motorcycle license plate bill"
S605 currently resides in the Education and Public Works Committee.
More information is available at http://www.abatesc.com/CallToAction.php
Reb deserves credit for helping get our other issues attached to S605. Please contact your representative urgin support for quick passage of S605.
Thanks also to Bad Bob, Ralph, and Screwy for providing timely reports and making these "Biker Ezine" updates possible.
~FF
1) REPORT: S 111 Second reading March 14, 2008
2) REPORT: House Education and Public Works Sub Committee meeting March 14, 2008
3) Myrtle Beach biker rally crowds swell, safety stressed
4) Police search for biker who caused crash
5) Attendance down at Myrtle Beach Bike Week because of gas prices, organizers say
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1) REPORT: S 111 Second reading March 14, 2008
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REPORT: S 111 Second reading March 14, 2008
S 111 which is the red light bill had it second reading today. Reb and Bad Bob have been following this bill and sat in the balconies of the house yesterday awaiting the reading across the desk which happens after it comes out of the full committee. Well after waiting for some time it was not read across the desk so Reb went and spoke with Mac Toole about this. Well after that Mac Toole must have worked some magic because it got put on the calendar for today.
Today representative Merrill Smith was going to read it for the first time but got stuck in a meeting. Well chairman Harrison did some quick study with the help from Mac Toole once again. Chairman Harrison spoke about this bill like he wrote it and had the amendments that representative Pitts wanted on both screens. Well of course after all this time of Reb going to the statehouse who would think anybody would say anything.
Well Representative Kenneth Kennedy from Williamsburg had some comments and they were not in favor of this bill at all. “What happens if a motorcycle is sitting at a light and after 2 minutes takes a left turn on a red light? Does the car behind him follow? Chairman Harrison said “No, the car would be issued a four point citation for running a red light.” representative Kennedy said “I just feel this is dangerous and people are going to get killed. I guess I am the only one that feels this way but I just think this is dangerous.” Now the one thing I did not mention was the fact that representative Mac Toole was standing next to representative Kennedy the whole time with papers in hand and talked with him afterwards although we could not hear what was said but can only imagine.
So everyone should thank their representatives and also Mac Toole who has been a man of his words. Reb has worked this long and hard and we are but a few weeks away of victory.
Ride Free
Ralph Bell
Midlands AC
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2) REPORT: House Education and Public Works Sub Committee meeting March 14, 2008
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REPORT: House Education and Public Works Sub Committee meeting March 14, 2008
S 605 which is the vertical license plate bill was voted favorably out of the subcommittee but with a twist. Julie Collins from SCMRO and I had papers in hand waiting to testify on behalf of this bill and the reason we need to legalize vertical plates. Representative Miller who chairs the subcommittee spoke about the benefits of allowing motorcyclists to legally have their plates displayed vertically as some individuals do on their custom motorcycles. She also stated that the DMV is going to print these plates vertically from the top down to make them legible.
To our surprise representative Miller also stated there was an amendment to this bill to add the provisions for specialty plates as outlined in H 4145. As many remember this bill did not make the crossover. There was some confusion from some of the representatives concerning the specialty plates but the DMV representative testified that this was only to allow motorcyclists the same opportunity to apply for a specialty plate as can currently be done for passenger cars and light trucks. He also made the comment that it allows for other vehicles but did not state what those may be (airplanes, tractors, who knows?). The DMV is in support of this bill and will help with it.
Well after the amendment was voted on and passed. That is all in favor except representative Ballentine who does not like the 100 plus plates we already.
Well to our surprise there was also another amendment made to add the provisions from the veteran’s plate to this bill also. This amendment was also voted favorably and now this bill will go to the full committee next week. We will work this and should go through as many members of the general assembly are familiar with it.
Ride Free
Ralph Bell
Midlands AC
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3) Myrtle Beach biker rally crowds swell, safety stressed
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http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/bikers/story/451211.html
Myrtle Beach biker rally crowds swell, safety stressed
Highway Patrol beefs up local police presence
By Aliana Ramos
aramos@thesunnews.com
By Wednesday's start of the Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers Association Myrtle Beach Bike Rally, two motorcyclists had died in crashes, and with hundreds more flooding to the Grand Strand, police stressed safety.
Not since 2005 have there been fewer deaths before the start of the Harley-Davidson association's annual event, according to Horry County's Emergency Operations Center. Over the next few days safety officials said they will remain vigilant to help keep motorists safe. The association's official event, which kicked off Wednesday and continues through Saturday, is shorter than the entire spring biker rally, which began May 9 and will end Sunday.
"We've still got a good five more days to go," said Capt. David Knipes, of the Myrtle Beach Police Department. "What we try to do is spread awareness to be extra careful and to keep your eyes open. Take your time. Look twice. We're only halfway through the event. Are we going to have any more deaths? I can't tell you what trend that is or what's going to happen."
Motorists also should be aware that beginning today and continuing through Saturday all traffic on Ocean Boulevard, between 2 p.m. and midnight, will be one-way, southbound, from 29th Avenue North to 17th Avenue South. Two-way traffic will resume from midnight to 2 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday.
Myrtle Beach police have increased their visibility for the event, and they will have help from dozens of S.C. Highway Patrol troopers. The troopers arrived Wednesday to prepare for increased traffic duty, patrols and enforcement efforts.
"The biggest issue we're going to have is pedestrian traffic. You have to keep an eye on vehicles and make sure they stop," Lt. Greg Caulder told a room of troopers Wednesday.
Today, the Highway Patrol also will begin to hand out information, fliers and posters about motorcycle safety at Hard Rock Park, a new location for the Highway Patrol this year.
In the past, troopers were posted at the Harley-Davidson dealership on South Kings Highway. The move to Hard Rock Park was prompted by the relocation of the rally's hub from the Myrtle Beach Convention Center to the park, said Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins with the S.C. Highway Patrol.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Horry County spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said there had been 47 wrecks related to the event since the spring rally began on Friday. Most of the collisions happened on U.S. 17, U.S. 501, S.C. 544 and S.C. 707, she said.
The biggest causes of crashes were driving too fast, failing to yield to the right of way and following too closely, according to data from the S.C. Highway Patrol.
The Highway Patrol strongly encourages motorcycle riders to use appropriate safety gear, including helmets. By S.C. law, helmets are required for riders under 21.
In 2005, five people were killed in crashes during the Harley-Davidson events. In 2006 there were seven deaths, and in 2007 three people were killed.
Motorcycle owner Donna Plaisted of Drexel, Pa., said she's already careful around motorists when she's riding her bike.
"You have to look at intersections," Plaisted said. "I flash my brake lights when I'm coming to a stop and I leave lots of room when I'm on the road. You just have to be really alert and don't drink."
John Freach, a retired police officer, also knows the importance of taking precautions.
"We travel in a group of eight bikes," he said. "I'm not looking at the vendors on the side of the road or the sights. I'm looking straight ahead."
Freach said he also tries not to travel in drivers' blind spots by keeping a fair distance from the vehicle ahead.
"You just have to be more alert," he said.
ONLINE
For more photos and coverage of the motorcycle rally, go to MyrtleBeachOnline.com/bikers.
Inside
The Coast RTA will suspend Route 15 along Ocean Boulevard from Friday through Monday because of the Harley-Davidson spring rally, according to a news release.
The bus service will also suspend the route May 23 through May 25 for the Atlantic Beach Bikefest, the release said.
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4) Police search for biker who caused crash
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http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/142/story/451008.html
Police search for biker who caused crash
One woman seriously injured
Kurt Knapek
kknapek@thesunnews.com
Surfside Beach police officers are searching for a man who allegedly caused a crash Wednesday night that sent two motorcyclists to the hospital, according to Chief Andy Christenson.
The crash occurred at 11:51 p.m. on U.S. 17 Business and Surfside Drive, Christenson said.
A man driving a motorcycle southbound on U.S. 17 Business was attempting to turn left on to Surfside Drive. But he struck two motorcyclists who were travelling northbound on U.S. 17 Business, Christenson said.
The suspect fled the scene at ``a high rate of speed'' after the accident, Christenson said.
A Greenville woman, 43, was airlifted Medical University South Carolina in Charleston and is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, Christenson said.
The woman's husband, 44, was also injured when the Harley-Davidson he was driving was also stuck. He is listed in stable condition at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, Christenson said.
Neither victim was wearing a helmet, Christenson said. S.C. law does not require motorcyclists over the age of 18 to wear a helmet.
The S.C. Highway Patrol's Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team is investigating the crash, Christenson said.
Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call the Surfside Beach Police Department 843-913-6368.
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5) Attendance down at Myrtle Beach Bike Week because of gas prices, organizers say
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http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8323986
Attendance down at Myrtle Beach Bike Week because of gas prices, organizers say
Posted: May 14, 2008 03:58 PM
Updated: May 14, 2008 03:59 PM
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WIS) - Attendance at the 68th Annual Myrtle Beach Bike Rally is down this year.
Rally organizers say that soaring gas prices are to blame for the dip in attendance. Bike Week Coordinator Mike Shenck says he understands the pain at the pump.
"If you say gas prices aren't hurting you, you're kidding yourself," Shenck said.
Thousands have already shown up this year despite the rising cost of fuel.
This rally is the first of two planned for the next two weeks with festivities lasting until Sunday, May 18.
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