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FRIDAY

02/03/2012

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STARTING NEXT WEEK AND FOR THE DURATION OF THE OFF SEASON I WILL ONLY BE DOING BIKERBITS TWICE A WEEK.

IN SEASON I WILL POST MORE!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND FOLLOWING FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS....

GO PATS!!!!
 

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AMA:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2/12152/Motorcycle-Article/House-Bill--Trail-Funds--No-Checkpoints-.aspx House Bill: Trail Funds, No Checkpoints

 Courtesy of American Motorcyclist Association Wednesday, February 01, 2012

. Renewed funding for motorized trails and a ban on funding for motorcycle-only checkpoints are included in a major federal transportation bill being considered by a key U.S. House committee, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) reports.

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is expected to vote Feb. 2 on a transportation funding authorization bill -- H.R. 7, the "American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012." If approved, the measure would go to the full House for a vote before moving to the Senate for consideration.

Since the Senate has its own version of the bill, the spending plan would eventually end up in a House-Senate conference committee where differences would be worked out before going back to both chambers for final approval.

The House measure includes $85 million a year through fiscal year 2016 for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which provides money to states to develop and maintain trails. Federal lawmakers had been looking at eliminating the dedicated funding for the program, which threatened to end the RTP.

"Motorcyclists and all-terrain vehicle riders by the thousands spoke, and federal lawmakers listened," said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president for government relations. "We want to thank the members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their hard work in putting together this massive transportation bill, and for including provisions that benefit our members."

Funds for the RTP come from the federal Highway Trust Fund and represent a portion of the federal motor fuel excise tax collected from non-highway recreational fuel use. In other words, taxes generated by fuel used for off-highway vehicle recreation -- by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway motorcycles and off-highway light trucks -- fund the RTP.

The RTP provides funds to the states to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both non-motorized and motorized recreational trail uses. The RTP is an assistance program of the U.S. Transportation Department's Federal Highway Administration. The RTP program benefits hiking, bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-road motorcycling, ATV riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.

Besides including RTP funding, the House measure bars the U.S. transportation secretary from providing grants to states and local governments for motorcycle-only checkpoints, which are opposed by the AMA. The AMA has been tracking the disturbing development of motorcycle-only checkpoints since they first appeared in New York several years ago.

"The AMA believes that strategies to promote motorcycle safety must be rooted in motorcycle crash prevention, and don't include arbitrarily pulling over riders and randomly subjecting them to roadside inspections," Allard said.

The House bill also provides funding for state motorcycle safety programs. The AMA has long promoted motorcycle rider education and motorist awareness programs as essential strategies to prevent motorcycle crashes.

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http://motorcycling.speedtv.com/article/bikes-ama-earns-grassroots-innovation-awar

BIKES: AMA Earns Grassroots Innovation Award

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and AMA Grassroots Coordinator Jessica Irving have earned a prestigious Grassroots Innovation Award for their inventive campaign to involve the public in overturning a federal ban on the sale of kids' dirtbikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). AMA Communications | Posted February 02, 2012 Pickerington, OH RELATED •AmericanMotorcyclist.com •Carburetor Products Catalog 2012 •The Enduro •Custom Street Glide For Daytona Raffle

The Public Affairs Council -- a nonpartisan, nonpolitical association for public affairs professionals -- presented the award to Irving in the "social media" category at its National Grassroots Conference held in Miami Beach, Fla., Jan. 30-Feb. 2.

The award was presented for the AMA Kids Just Want to Ride! grassroots campaign -- a national educational and recruitment movement that encouraged people nationwide to get involved in efforts to overturn the ban. Critical components of the campaign included the use of Facebook and YouTube videos.

The AMA Kids Just Want to Ride! campaign was instrumental in bringing hundreds of young motorcyclists, their parents and concerned riders from 20 states to Washington, D.C., on May 26 for the AMA Family Capitol Hill Climb to lobby their U.S. representatives. The event was a strong demonstration of public opposition to the ban on the sale of kid-sized motorcycles and ATVs.

"We're honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award from the well-respected Public Affairs Council," said Rob Dingman, AMA president and CEO. "We put an awful lot of effort into the Kids Just Want to Ride! campaign, but the true heroes are all the AMA members, individuals and organizations who came together as a community for the good of the children.

"We're extremely pleased that we were able to provide some of the critical tools needed to exempt kids' dirtbikes and ATVs from the law," Dingman said. "We certainly learned that, as a united community, we are unstoppable."

On Aug. 12, President Barack Obama signed into law H.R. 2715 to exempt kids' off-highway vehicles (OHVs) from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008, known as the lead law.

The CPSIA, which went into effect on Feb. 10, 2009, banned the making, importing, distributing or selling of any product intended for children 12 and under, including kids' dirtbikes and ATVs, that contained more than a specified amount of lead in any accessible part.

The president's signature ended nearly three years of intensive efforts by the AMA and its partner organization, the All-Terrain Vehicle Association (ATVA), their members and millions of advocates of responsible OHV recreation to change the law.

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MRF:

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.org

12NR01 – MRF News Release – US House Committee Targets Federal Funding of Motorcycle Only Roadside Checkpoints

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 01 February 2012

Contact:Jeff Hennie, Vice President of Government Ralations and Public Affairs

US House Committee Targets Federal Funding of Motorcycle Only Roadside Checkpoints

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation reports that Wednesday, February 1st, the United States House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 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) 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.

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.”

We at the MRF could not agree more. While swift passage into law is not likely, this is certainly an encouraging step.

The MRF will keep you updated on this issue.

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ALABAMA:

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Feb 18 Gadsden, AL. Pro-life Customs Mardi-Gras Feast. BBQ all day for our customers.  Visit www.prolifecustoms.com or email prolifecustoms @yahoo.com

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ARIZONA:

http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2012/02/02/news/local/doc4f2a3a3ad68f7786477129.txt Court upholds conviction in fatal motorcycle crash

By JIM SECKLER/The Daily News Published: Thursday, February 2, 2012 12:46 AM MST KINGMAN — An Arizona appellate court affirmed Tuesday the prison sentence of an elderly Kingman man convicted of leaving the scene of a fatal motorcycle crash.

William Eugene Shelley, 76, was charged with felony leaving the scene of a fatal accident and misdemeanor not having liability insurance. Shelley was arrested Dec. 29, 2009, at his Kingman home.

Superior Court Judge Steven Conn sentenced him in December 2010 to four years in prison after finding him guilty in a bench trial in October 2010. Shelley’s trial attorney had tried to suppress evidence, citing the detectives violated his Fourth Amendment rights by entering and searching Shelley’s property.

In his appeal to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Shelley’s attorney argued that Conn erred in restricting the cross-examination of police witnesses during a court hearing. Another argument was limiting the testimony of a defense expert. Shelley’s attorney also argued that the judge denied a motion to change judges.

The appellate court affirmed the convicted and four-year prison sentence but vacated a nearly $10,000 restitution order.

Shelley had been charged with leaving the scene of accident in which he turned in front of a motorcyclist Dec. 21, 2009, while driving on Andy Devine Avenue at Fairgrounds Boulevard. The motorcyclist, Kenneth Dean Grantham, 45, of Golden Valley, hit the rear bed of the truck and died 30 minutes later. Witnesses reported that a blue truck left the scene.

An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter spotted Shelley’s blue truck in a remote home north of Kingman the day before his arrest. The truck matched the description of the truck involved in the crash. Kingman police detectives searched the home and found Shelley dismantling the truck.

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CALIFORNIA:

http://www.ksby.com/news/suspects-identified-in-motorcycle-pursuit/

Suspects identified in motorcycle pursuit

Posted: Feb 2, 2012 7:34 AM by Madelyn Monteath, KSBY News Updated: Feb 2, 2012 8:09 AM

A man and woman are in custody after leading the California Highway Patrol on a high speed motorcycle chase Wednesday night on Highway 101.

The California Highway Patrol said it started on northbound Highway 101 at Broadway in Santa Maria, and ended on Atascadero Avenue near the library in Atascadero.

CHP arrested 31 year old Matthew Mahoney and 40 year old Yolanda and booked them into San Luis Obispo County Jail.

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FLORIDA:

February issue of Wheels On The Road has I been online since Tuesday night.
Deliveries start tomorrow.

MM
 

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GEORGIA:

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ILLINOIS:
 

http://evergreenpark.patch.com/articles/a-few-observations-on-the-new-motorcycle-red-light-bill A Few Observations on the New Motorcycle – Red Light Bill

Safety concerns are valid, but most motorcyclists are more afraid of you than you are of them.

Email Print 2 Comments ‹ Back to Article new Embed | Share Zero Motorcycles context Photos (1) Photos Credit Zero Motorcycles Upload Photos and Videos I read with interest the comments and the poll accompanying the story on Patch about House Bill 2860 taking effect as of Jan. 1. That's the bill that allows motorcyclists to treat a red light like a stop sign if the light fails to turn green "within a reasonable period of time."

Safety seems to be the primary concern for most weighing in, and rightly so. In the poll, 33 of 45 respondents said allowing motorcyclists to proceed through red lights if the bike doesn't trip the sensor to gain the green would make the streets more dangerous. Norman Kozlarek foresees T-bone accidents, with motorcyclists pulling in front of unsuspecting motorists piloting oncoming or crossing cars. The theory goes that the car drivers won't know the law, while motorcyclists surely will. "Thor themighty" also sees trouble and wonders who would be responsible if a motorist struck and killed a motorcyclist proceeding through an intersection.

I ride a motorcycle. So does my wife and so do a lot of people we know. I should preface what I'm about to write by saying that the people with whom we ride are not the morons you see weaving in and out of city street traffic at 50 miles per hour or popping wheelies on the interstate at 80 miles an hour. We are the motorcycling majority – cautious, responsible, safety-conscious. And I am here to tell you we are not about to pull out in front of you, or turn in front of you. We are more scared of you than you should be of us.

Studies of motorcycle accident statistics has produced a ton of data. Excluding alcohol and motorcyclist stupidity as factors, the most dangerous place on the road for a motorcyclist is an intersection. And the most dangerous thing that can happen at an intersection is for a motorcyclist to hit a car or truck. Note the way that sentence is phrased. The motorcycle hits the car or truck. In light of the concerns about cyclists proceeding through red lights and getting creamed by oncoming or crossing traffic, how can this be?

Well, according to a 2005 study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (PDF), more than half of all motorcycle cashes that year involved two or more vehicles, i.e. a motorcycle and another vehicle, most often a car or truck. Of all the motorcycle fatalities that year, 89% were the result of crashes involving more than two vehicles. In 75% of the deaths resulting from crashes involving a motorcycle and another vehicle, the motorcycle hit the other vehicle. Why? Because the other vehicle never saw the motorcycle and turned in front of it.

See, the overwhelming problem isn't motorcyclists turning in front of cars, it's cars turning in front of motorcyclists. As a motorcyclist, I am hyper-sensitive to the reality that motorists, by and large, aren't looking for me. They're distracted by the radio, or their cell phone, or the person next to them, or the kids in the back seat. I have had drivers turn left in front of me when I'm less than 100 feet from them. I've had motorists pull out from driveways and side streets right in front of me, causing me to swerve into another lane to avoid them. So far I've been lucky, which on many days has been better than being good.

Look, I understand the concern that impatient motorcyclists will pull in front of cars. But it doesn't happen often now and by and large I don't see it happening as a result of this new law. If a sober, responsible motorcyclist has waited through a light cycle that hasn't given him or her a green and is preparing to follow the law and turn or pull out on red, that motorcyclist is likely on high alert for any traffic in his or her path.

In the overwhelming majority of fatal accidents involving motorcycles, cars or trucks turn in front of motorcycles. That's just a fact. So as a car driver, I'm not too worried about a motorcycle pulling in front of me because its rider is tired of waiting for a green light. But I am constantly on the lookout for motorcyclists.

I hope you will be, too. As spring approaches, we'll be out there on our bikes. And we'll be depending on you to see us.

About this column: This weekly column will discuss all things Evergreen Park through the eyes of an Evergreen Parker. What does it mean to live in Evergreen Park? What does it mean to be from Evergreen Park? With your help, we'll explore. Join the conversation! Related Topics: Chris Clair, The Evergreen Parker, christopher clair, motorcycle law, new motorcycle law, and new red light motorcycle law

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KANSAS:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/feb/01/statehouse-live-family-cainan-shutt-urge-passage-b/ Family of Cainan Shutt urge passage of bill making K-10 safety corridor

Photo by Kevin Anderson. Enlarge photo.

A wreath stands where 5-year-old Cainan Shutt of Eudora died in April in an accident on Kansas Highway 10 east of Lawrence. A white cross for Ryan Pittman, 24, also killed in that crash, sits next to the highway. Carie Lawrence, the grandmother of 5-year-old Cainan Shutt, urged legislators on Wednesday to approve a bill that would double fines on the highway.

EmailComments (18)PrintFacebookDiggDelicious.By Scott Rothschild — Lawrence Journal-World

February 1, 2012

Advertisement

Photo by Scott Rothschild

Ali Shutt (left) and Carie Lawrence speak with legislators on Wednesday after a hearing before the Senate Transportation Committee on a bill that would designate highway safety corridors and double fines on those roads. Transportation officials say they want to make Kansas Highway 10 a safety corridor. Last April, 5-year-old Cainan Shutt was killed in an accident where a vehicle crossed over the median and struck the van he was riding in. His mother, Ali, and grandmother, Carie, attended the committee hearing. Related document

Senate Bill 342 ( .PDF ) .Topeka — Carie Lawrence, the grandmother of 5-year-old Cainan Shutt, who was killed in a traffic accident on Kansas Highway 10 last year, urged legislators on Wednesday to approve a bill that would double fines on the highway.

Before the accident last year, “We had a good life,” Lawrence said. Now, she said, the family is devastated.

“You can make a difference,” Lawrence told the Senate Transportation Committee. “Pass this bill.”

Cainan’s mother, Ali Shutt, sat in the audience. She had planned to speak to the committee, but her emotions took over and she couldn’t bring herself to talk. After the hearing, the committee took Senate Bill 342 under advisement.

The measure would allow the Kansas Department of Transportation to designate safety corridors on busy stretches of roads that have numerous crashes.

In those corridors, signs would be posted warning motorists that traffic fines for moving violations would be doubled along the route. The additional funds collected from the fines would be turned over to the state for enhanced enforcement, signing, education and other safety strategies along the corridors.

KDOT proposes designating K-10 and U.S. Highway 54 through Wichita as safety corridors.

Last April, a car driven by 24-year-old Ryan Pittman crossed from the eastbound to westbound lanes on K-10 near Eudora and struck a minivan in which Cainan was riding. Both Pittman and Cainan died. A toxicology report indicated that Pittman tested positive for a therapeutic level of methadone, an elevated level of tramadol and the active components of marijuana.

The accident spurred KDOT to move forward with a plan to install cable-median barriers.

But Eudora Mayor Scott Hopson said more was needed to slow down motorists on K-10.

Passage of the bill “is very important to our community,” Hopson said.

He said it is common to see motorists driving 80 mph and 85 mph on K-10. And, he said, many are inattentive because they are texting. He said that while riding his motorcycle on K-10 he had been run off the road several times by motorists.

Hopson said that because K-10 is such a wide and smooth highway, drivers get lulled into a false sense of security.

State Sen. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin City, testified for the bill, saying it “will ultimately save lives.”

Jerry Younger, deputy secretary for KDOT, said safety corridor programs in other states have reduced crashes and fatalities. Between 2002 and 2007, there was a 42.3 percent decrease in crashes in New Mexico’s Safety corridors, he said.

State Sen. Les Donovan, R-Wichita, said that while improvements to U.S. 54 have been welcome, the accidents have become “horrific.”

“I think this is a long time coming,” Donovan said of the bill.

State Sen. Mike Peterson, R-Wichita, said he thought the program would be more effective if it designated specific areas as safety corridors instead of long stretches of road. He said a safety corridor along Interstate 40 in New Mexico “appeared to be there just for the collection of revenue.”

Tom Whitaker, executive director of the Kansas Motor Carriers Association, said the bill should only double fines for speeding and not other moving violations.

And he said the bill should limit KDOT to designating no more than three safety corridors until the agency determines whether the program is effective in reducing crashes.

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KENTUCKY:

HB 328 is On The Move

H.B. 328 is scheduled to be heard during the next House Transprtation Committee meeting this coming Tuesday Feb. 7th at Noon in room # 149. The meeting will be held in Frankfort at the Capitol Annex building on the 1st floor. Check the signs hanging on the walls as to which room # since it can sometimes change, but should be in room #149.  

If you can make it to Frankfort and would like to see the legislative process at work then please be sure to come. We can use all the support we can get during this process. If you cannot make it to Frankfort then by all means be sure to call your State Representative at 1-800-372-7181 and ask that they please become a Co-sponsor of HB 328. The more co-sponsors the better chance the bill has of making it through both chambers.

Thanks for your support and look forward to seeing everyone there.

Jay Huber KMA/KBA State President

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MASSACHUSETTS:

US Army Air Force WWII Veteran Adrien L Lavallee, 87, Lakeville, MA 9
Feb '12

--

The family of US Army Air force WWII Veteran Adrien Lavalle,
including his son-in-law, fellow PGR member and Ride Captain Mitch
Plonka, has requested our presence at the funeral of their loved one.

Adrien served in the Third Army Air Force as a crew chief airplane
mechanic.

DATE: Thurday, 9 February '12

at: St. Bernard Parish
30 South Main Street
Assonet (Freetown), MA

followed by interment at Bourne National Cemetery

STAGING LOCATION/TIMES: TBA

For planning purposes, the church service will begin at 10:00 AM

Ride Captain: Dave Rumney Gufinof1@msn.com

Further details will be posted as they become available.

 

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For the PATRIOT'S FANS:

http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/story/_/id/7527345/former-new-england-patriots-mascot-tells-story-regret-1978Former Patriots mascot's story of regret

 By Paul Lukas

ESPN.com Illustration

Mark Occhipinti can still see it clearly in his mind's eye.

He'd spent the 1978 NFL season working for his beloved New England Patriots as SuperPatriot -- a superhero-ish live mascot who celebrated touchdowns by doing backflips and somersaults on the sideline. It was a fun gig, but he had something bigger planned for the Pats-Oilers game on Nov. 19: He was going to climb aboard a cherry red Harley-Davidson just before kickoff, scoop up a blonde cheerleader and ride onto the field while the TV cameras rolled and the crowd roared. Everything had been rehearsed, everything was set to go.

"You would still be seeing it today," says Occhipinti, his voice tinged with a thick Baahhhston accent and an even thicker veneer of regret. "I would've made that guy at the Snowplow Game look like nothing. They'd still be talking about it. They'd be showing it on NFL Films."

[+] Enlarge Courtesy of Mark Occhipinti SuperPatriot proudly adorns the Pats' 1978 press guide.

Unfortunately, SuperPatriot's powers were no match for a Boston traffic jam. Occhipinti arrived late at Foxboro Stadium and was then intercepted by nervous team officials who said they hadn't been fully briefed on the motorcycle maneuver. His grand scheme was scuttled, and the team brass, unnerved by Occhipinti's plans for what they viewed as a potentially unsafe stunt, decided it was time to retire SuperPatriot forever.

More than three decades later, Occhipinti sees this as the turning point in a life gone sour. "When I left the Patriots, I was devastated," he says. "My life went downhill, and I got really depressed. To this day, I feel sad when I see a Harley go by."

Did you ever become obsessed with a "what might have been" moment? The pretty girl you saw across the room and then lost track of, the winning lottery ticket that the next guy on line ended up buying, the diving catch that came up just short -- the ride on the Harley represents all of that and more to Mark Occhipinti. If Tom Brady leading the Pats to yet another Super Bowl appearance this Sunday represents the classic American success story, Occhipinti is the flip side of that coin: a regular guy who got a taste of the big time and has never stopped thinking about how it all went wrong.

This is his story.

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As the Patriots were preparing for the 1978 season, Pats marketing director Micéal Chamberlain was certain the team was on the cusp of a big year. And he wanted to promote it in a big way.

"The first Superman movie had just come out, so I wanted to create a character that would capture that excitement," says Chamberlain, who left the team in the 1980s and now works in real estate. "Superman, a super season, the Super Bowl -- SuperPatriot!"

That was the concept behind a cartoon character that NFL Properties created for Chamberlain. SuperPatriot, who looked like a cross between Superman, the Lone Ranger and Captain America, was promptly emblazoned onto ticket order forms, pocket schedules, the team's media guide, and just about any other flat surface. Promotional materials even started referring to the team as the SuperPatriots.

But Chamberlain didn't just want a cartoon character. He wanted a live mascot to get the crowd charged up during games.

"We had a contest -- it was all over the radio," he recalls. "We were looking specifically for someone who was built like Superman, had gymnastic ability and was really animated."

Enter Mark Occhipinti. The local 24-year-old had learned gymnastics in junior high, had played football at the University of Rhode Island and was a diehard Pats fan, so he fit the bill. He was also -- how shall we put this? -- enthusiastic to a fault.

"The thing about Mark was, he was unpredictable, so he had to be monitored," recalls Chamberlain. "He was such a likable guy, and he could definitely do all the gymnastics that the job called for. But I think his enthusiasm bubbled over and clouded his judgment sometimes."

Such reservations notwithstanding, Chamberlain chose Occhipinti out of a field of more than 1,100 applicants and then flew him to New York to be measured for a costume to match the one worn by the cartoon character. Occhipinti took to the role immediately.

"You felt larger than life wearing that costume," says Occhipinti, now 58. "The hat was kinda floppy, but aside from that I really liked it. And I even looked a bit like the cartoon guy. Once you're wearing a mask, you can be just about any character."

SuperPatriot made his live debut during the Pats' 1978 home opener against the Redskins. "They wheeled a phone booth onto the field, and I was inside it, all scrunched up," says Occhipinti. "They had another guy dressed up like Clark Kent. He went in, and I burst out of the top of the phone booth. Then I jumped onto a mini-trampoline and did a double somersault. The place was going nuts."

Opinions and memories differ regarding what happened next. Chamberlain says that first somersault resulted in Occhipinti landing on his butt; Occhipinti insists that he merely stumbled but never fell.

Either way, SuperPatriot was a hit. Fans loved his sideline antics, and the players enjoyed his easygoing manner around the team. Articles were written, promotional appearances were made and Occhipinti enjoyed his emerging status as a minor local celebrity.

But he wanted more. After college, he had unsuccessfully tried out for the Canadian Football League (rooming, he says, with bodybuilder and "Incredible Hulk" actor Lou Ferrigno, who had been brought in as a fan draw). That hadn't worked out, but he still had dreams of getting a shot to play for the Pats.

"My goal was to try out for the team, maybe make the team, like that movie about the guy who tried out for the Eagles, 'Invincible,'" he says. "It would be a real Rocky-type story."

The key to this, he was convinced, was the stunt with the Harley, which would catapult him to national attention. He persuaded a local motorcycle dealership to let him use a Harley free of charge ("It would be good publicity for them") and discussed the whole thing with the crew from NBC, which was televising the game ("They loved it"). Everything was ready to go.

Then it all went wrong. It's apparently been going wrong ever since. Occhipinti essentially views his life in two sections: before the Harley and after the Harley. BH and AH. He doesn't like to talk much about AH, except to drop hints about a mildly checkered past and a life story that hasn't worked out like he'd planned.

"Being SuperPatriot was fun, but I'm not proud of it," he says. "If one of my friends introduces me as the guy who was SuperPatriot, it makes me uncomfortable and brings up this feeling of sadness, because it didn't turn out like it was supposed to. I tell them, 'You would've known me a lot better, and I would've been a lot more famous, if I had pulled off my Harley-Davidson thing.' But I couldn't pull it off."

It's entirely possible -- maybe even likely -- that Mark Occhipinti's life would have turned out exactly the same even if he'd taken that ride on the Harley. And it's a fairly sure bet that he was never going to play in the NFL. It's easy enough to make fun of him, to label him a dreamer, or worse.

But here's something else about Occhipinti: You don't have to talk to him for very long to realize he's a total sweetheart. He has nice things to say about most of the people in his life -- in part, as he freely admits, because he's a sensitive guy and wants very much for people to like him, but also because he genuinely likes them back. Even his fixation on the Harley incident is sort of endearing, because he doesn't blame anyone but himself for his missed opportunity.

WHAT ABOUT THE UNIFORMS?

Super Bowl XLVI isn't just a rematch of the teams from Super Bowl XLII -- it's also a rematch of the uniforms from four years ago, as the Patriots will once again wear their home blue jerseys, and the Giants will wear their road whites.

The problem there is that the Giants' road uni features red lettering and red socks, which clashes with the team's blue helmet. This didn't make sense the last time the Giants were in the Super Bowl, and it still doesn't make sense now. For further details, check out what Paul Lukas had to say four years ago this week.

And here's another thing: After the team fired him from the mascot gig, it would've been easy for Occhipinti to say, "Screw the Patriots -- I'm through with them!" But for all his dashed hopes, however unrealistic they may have been, Occhipinti remains a huge Pats fan. He's enjoyed the Brady/Belichick era as much as anyone else in Boston, and he'll be cheering along when the Pats take on the Giants this Sunday. "I was SuperPatriot, but [team owner] Bob Kraft is like a real superhero to me, because he saved our team and kept them here in New England when it looked like we might lose them," he says.

So it's easy to root for Occhipinti when he says he still has some dreams. "For one thing," he says, "I wish they'd let me be part of the team's history down there at the Patriots Hall of Fame." (As it turns out, Hall curator Brent Hensel says a photo of Occhipinti was on display from September 2009 through February 2010, as part of a temporary exhibit on the team's cheerleaders and mascots. "Really?" says Occhipinti. "Wow, that's great, I didn't know that! But I'd still prefer something permanent.")

As we wrap up our interview, Occhipinti asks when this article will run, how he'll be able to find it on the Internet, and so on. "Do you think Bob Kraft will see it?" he asks.

"I don't know, Mark. I think he's probably pretty busy this week, you know?"

"Yeah, yeah, you're probably right," he says. Then, his voice brightening with hope: "If he sees it, maybe I can still get that Harley on the field. What do you think?"

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NEVADA:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/adesa-to-auction-harley-at-nada-convention-to-benefit-wounded-veterans-initiative-of-canine-companions-2012-02-02

ADESA to Auction Harley at NADA Convention to Benefit Wounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- ADESA will auction a 2010 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe FLSTN during the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention and Expo in Las Vegas.

The auction begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, at the ADESA exhibit (Booth No. 1141) in the Las Vegas Convention Center. There is no reserve.

The money raised from the auction will be presented to National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation on behalf of the Wounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence.

"It's an honor to auction this motorcycle to benefit the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation," said Tom Caruso, ADESA president and CEO. "Giving back is important to ADESA, and I appreciate this opportunity to support the NADA Foundation and the Wounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence."

"We want to thank ADESA," said Bob Mallon, chairman of the NADA Foundation. "This is creative way to raise money to support the Wounded Veterans Initiative."

The motorcycle can be viewed beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, when the NADA convention opens. The event is not open to the general public.

The NADA convention runs Feb. 3 to 6. For more information, visit www.nadaconventionandexpo.org .

Editor's note: Mallon will also present the Wounded Veterans Initiative with a $10,000 donation at the NADA Foundation exhibit (Booth No. 2052) in the Las Vegas Convention Center at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4.

About ADESA

ADESA offers a full range of auction, reconditioning, logistical and other vehicle-related services to meet the remarketing needs of both its institutional and dealer customers. With 70 auction locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, strategically located near metropolitan areas with a large concentration of used vehicle dealers, the company is well positioned to host physical and Internet auctions. ADESA LiveBlock simulcasts vehicles worldwide. ADESA DealerBlock offers two ways to buy: bid-now sales events or buy-now pricing 24/7. Through its related subsidiaries of AutoVIN® and PAR North America, it is also able to provide additional services including inspections, inventory audits and remarketing outsourcing solutions including a network of repossession agents, titling and auction sale representation. Visit ADESA.com for details.

About the National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation The NADA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of NADA established in 1975, is a non-profit organization that supports a wide variety of charities and causes, including the Wounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence and natural disaster relief for dealership employees. The NADA Foundation also provides grants to colleges and universities, including scholarships to the families of 9/11 victims. The NADA StoryThe NADA story began in 1917 when 30 auto dealers traveled to the nation's capital to convince Congress not to impose a luxury tax on the automobile. They successfully argued that the automobile is a necessity of American life, not a luxury. From that experience was born the National Automobile Dealers Association. Today, NADA represents nearly 16,000 new-car and -truck dealerships with 32,500 franchises, both domestic and international. For more information, visit www.nada.org .

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NEW YORK:
 

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http://massapequa.patch.com/articles/crime-nearby-glen-cove-man-sentenced-in-fatal-motorcycle-accidentA Glen Cove man has been sentenced to the maximum 2 1/3 to 7 years for the crash that claimed the life of a 19-year-old motorcyclist.

Juan Uribe, 37, was convicted by a jury last October of second-degree vehicular manslaughter and misdemeanor counts of driving while ability impaired by a combination of drugs and alcohol, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said that about 2:30 a.m. on May 1, 2010, Uribe was driving his Nissan SUV north on Glen Cove Road when he crashed into a tree at the corner of Midwood Cross in East Hills. A taxi and a motorcycle driving north on Glen Cove Road crashed into Uribe’s SUV.

The motorcyclist, Pietro Gaudesi of Glen Head, was thrown from his vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The taxi driver and one his passengers, as well as Uribe, suffered minor injuries.

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OREGON:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/17/1361/6/Motorcycle-Blog-Post/The-One-Motorcycle-Show-in-Portland-Feb-10-11.aspx

The One Motorcycle Show in Portland Feb.10-11

 Wednesday, February 01, 2012

If you're going to be in the Portland, OR, area on Feb. 10-11, be sure to check out The One Motorcycle Show where there will be a unique collection of motorcycles, artwork inspired by motorcycles, and the Bell 21 Helmets showcase. Admission is free. Thor Drake of SeeSee Motorcycles is getting ready to throw his annual shindig up in Portland. The One Motorcycle Show is quickly becoming the consummate hipster biker event fueled by plenty of PBR, rat bikes and café racers with interesting stories, and spontaneous burn-out contests.

One of the cool things about the One is instead of blinged-out showbikes, the motorcycles entered in the show are usually garage projects, vintage restorations, old racers and daily riders. Drake encourages people to bring in bikes that have interesting stories behind them and builders are encouraged to share the story behind their construction. They're even holding a best story contest where stretching the truth isn't only allowed, it's expected! The show is expanding to two days this year, if everybody’s not too hung over from Friday!

For the 2012 show, over 75 custom bikes will be on display. There will also be motorcycle-inspired art work and a custom painted motorcycle helmet show. The 21 Helmets showcase features the work of local artists who have used a Bell Custom 500 helmet as their palette. Admission is free, the PBR will be cold, and music will fill the walls of the Sandbox Studio PDX in Portland.

If you’re going to be in the Portland area that weekend, be sure to check it out. The address in 420 NE 9th Ave., Portland, OR 97523. Friday it starts at 5 p.m. with an estimated ending at midnight. The next day, doors will open at noon and close at 10. For more info, email info@theonemotorcycleshow.com

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PENNSYLVANIA:

http://www.goerie.com/article/20120202/NEWS02/302019866/Flight-93-tribute-motorcycle-sold-for-$50000-at-auctionFlight 93 tribute motorcycle sold for $50,000 at auction

 Erie Times-News Advertisement The Flight 93 tribute motorcycle designed by bike builder Arlen Ness sold for $50,000 at the nationally televised Barrett-Jackson auction on Jan. 22 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Proceeds benefited the 2011 Roar on the Shore charity -- the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville.

Roar on the Shore organizers said the motorcycle was purchased by Scott Madsen, brother-in-law of TV talk show host Dr. Phil McGraw. Madsen is a producer for the "Dr. Phil'' show and for CBS/Paramount.

Bob Johnson, a Georgia businessman, bought the bike for $40,000 in May 2011 at the Mecum Auto Auction and re-donated the motorcycle for auction at the Barrett-Jackson auction.

The auction capped a year of Flight 93 campaign fundraising by Roar on the Shore organizers.

In September, Roar on the Shore organizers presented Flight 93 campaign officials with a check for $250,000.

The money came from proceeds from the 2011 Roar on the Shore motorcycle rally held July 14-16 in downtown Erie, and the Let's Roll Flight 93 Memorial Ride, held Sept. 10-12, in which 300 riders from Pennsylvania traveled to Shanksville for the memorial dedication on the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

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http://www.goerie.com/article/20120202/NEWS02/302029950/Police-capture-Erie-man-wanted-in-car-motorcycle-crashPolice capture Erie man wanted in car-motorcycle crash By TIM HAHN, Erie Times-News tim.hahn@timesnews.com Advertisement Police have captured an Erie man wanted since December on charges of seriously injuring a motorcyclist in a hit-and-run accident in November.

Lawrence M. King, 32, of the 600 block of West 18th Street, is accused of leaving the scene of an accident after the car he was driving crossed the centerline and hit a motorcycle in the 1700 block of Cherry Street on Nov. 13, police said.

The motorcyclist, Eric S. Hall, no age or address available, suffered multiple fractures to his leg and lost a significant amount of blood when he was knocked from his motorcycle in the crash, Erie police Cpl. Anthony Letkiewicz wrote in the criminal complaint. Erie police said King's driver's license was under suspension when he was driving a 2002 Honda Accord, which hit Hall's 2007 Harley-Davidson. The motorcycle then hit a parked car, damaging it, according to the criminal complaint.

A witness told police that King stopped after the accident, walked up to where Hall was and stood there for about a minute. He then went back to the car and drove off, according to the affidavit of probable cause that Letkiewicz filed with the complaint.

King was charged Dec. 22 with accidents involving death or personal injury while not properly licensed, recklessly endangering, accidents involving damage to attended vehicle and accidents involving damage to an unattended vehicle. He was also charged with summary counts of failing to drive on the right side of the roadway, driving under suspension, duty to give information and render aid, failure to immediately notify police and reckless driving.

King was arrested in Millcreek Township on Tuesday afternoon. He was arraigned Tuesday night before Erie 5th Ward District Judge Joseph Lefaiver and placed in the Erie County Prison.

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http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/business/138478259.html

Police swarm Harley-Davidson dealership after tension rises between biker gangs

 By Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel Feb. 1, 2012 |(1) Comments

From McClatchy-Tribune Business News

Now this is something you don't see at a Harley-Davidson dealership every day...

Reading, Pa. -- Police officers from across Berks County swarmed to Classic Harley-Davidson in Bern Township to stop an argument between two motorcycle gangs from escalating into a 100-person brawl, investigators said.

Initial reports indicated that a fight was starting inside the dealership, possibly involving baseball bats.

But the two groups backed off before the argument turned physical, police said. Officers were called about 12:15 p.m., and the bikers cleared out by 1 p.m., authorities said.

No one was charged or injured.

The area around the dealership was teeming with state troopers and police from all over the county. The bikers stood in groups as officers walked around, some with shotguns drawn.

A manager at Classic Harley-Davidson declined to comment.

Bern police gave this account:

Officers were called for reports of a fight starting between the two gangs, which totaled about 100 riders. The dispute did not turn into a fight. Police were not sure what the disagreement was about or how it started.

A total of about 30 to 40 police officers and state troopers responded.

Police declined to identify the gangs. However, several bikers were wearing jackets emblazoned with "Wheels of Soul," a Philadelphia-based gang.

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SOUTH CAROLINA:

http://www.carolinalive.com/news/story.aspx?id=715075

Biker group calls for boycott of Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson

by Tracy Vreeland Posted: 02.02.2012 at 4:59 PMUpdated: 02.02.2012 at 5:20 PM

MYRTLE BEACH -- A motorcycle group is calling for a boycott of Myrtle Beach Harley Davidson.

Myrtle Beach Harley organizes the fall and spring rallies.

It decided to extend the spring rally this year to include Memorial Day Weekend, when the Atlantic Beach Bikefest is traditionally held.

Horry ABATE sent a mass e-mail calling for a boycott of the store.

They hope the boycott will force Myrtle Beach Harley to return to the original rally dates which start after Mother's Day and end a week later.

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http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2012/02/02/2637872/horry-county-abate-group-unhappy.html Horry County ABATE group unhappy about change to Harley rally

By Lorena Anderson - landerson@thesunnews.com By Lorena Anderson 

Horry County ABATE has decided to stage a boycott, not of the spring bike rally, but of the Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson store and its owner Phil Schoonover unless he retreats from his plan to hold the Harley-Davidson Spring Cruisin’ the Coast rally from May 18-28. Schoonover’s plan to hold biker rally events later in May than other Harley-related rally activities and to blend his rally with Atlantic Beach Bike Fest has angered the ABATE group because, Coordinator Gary Balcom said, it’s a bad idea and was not discussed with anyone else. “The dust just got settled with Horry County, and now this has upset the county council all over again,” Balcom said, recalling Councilman Gary Loftus’s recent comments.

Juan Salcedo (left) and Ricky Wooster (right) get motorcyles ready for transport to the North Myrlte Beach Harley-Davidson dealership from their Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson location in this 2011 photo Issac J. Bailey | New biker dates for a new era Similar stories: Sport-bikers: We’re not worried about blending the Harley/Bike Fest rallies Sport-bikers: We’re not worried about blending the Harley/Bike Fest rallies Grand Strand leaders and some residents are concerned about how things will go when the Harley motorcycle rally overlaps with Atlantic Beach Bike Fest in late May, but many of the sport-bikers planning to come to the area say there’s no reason to worry. Atlantic Beach wants to meet to talk about Bike Fest, Harley rally Atlantic Beach wants to meet to talk about Bike Fest, Harley rally A representative for Atlantic Beach said Thursday that the town was surprised by the Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson dealership’s plan to move its biker rally events into Memorial Day weekend, when the town has its annual Bike Fest, and wants to meet with the dealership and other area cities to talk about it. Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson addresses concerns over rally dates Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson addresses concerns over rally dates Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson dealership apologized Wednesday for any confusion among bikers that has surfaced over new rally dates it announced Friday, and said it had asked Horry County leaders last month for input on ways to lessen the rally’s impact on county resources. Nearby residents speak out about Myrtle Beach spring bike rally controversy Nearby residents speak out about Myrtle Beach spring bike rally controversy Long Bay Estates resident Robert DeCiero is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner himself, but he’s upset with the local dealership’s decision to start its part of the Myrtle Beach spring bike rally later than usual and carry it into the Memorial Day weekend. Harley-Davidson shifts dates for spring rally, sparking confusion Harley-Davidson shifts dates for spring rally, sparking confusion The local Harley-Davidson dealer has moved the dates of its official spring rally in Myrtle Beach into late May including Memorial Day weekend, sparking confusion among bikers, businesses and rally promoters over when the rally will take place. When Loftus heard about Schoonover’s plan to hold his rally later in the month -- leaving other Spring Bike Rally events to be held earlier and, in effect, adding 10 more days of Harley-related rally events -- he recommended council members discuss yanking vendor permits in the month of May. “They just don’t seem to want to play by whatever rules we set,” Loftus said at a meeting two weeks ago. But ‘there’s no ‘they’ in this,” Balcom said. “This was a one-man decision.” Schoonover is in Las Vegas this week at a Harley-Davidson expo and could not be reached for comment. In 2008, following the city of Myrtle Beach’s efforts to push the May rallies outside city limits, the county restricted the number of vending permits for May and limited the length of time for any one permit to seven days. The effect was to make the rally shorter and less impactful on the area, a move that angered motorcycle riders and their supporters. The city and county efforts, including Myrtle Beach’s now-defunct helmet law, stirred up a lot of controversy, and the first year after the changes, Spring Bike Rally attendance was noticeably lower than in previous years. But Balcom said the attendance was better last year and the controversy had died down. “We definitely don’t want to step on anyone’s toes,” Balcom said. “We had already hashed it out, battled it out, and it was fine.” Plus, he said, it’s too late in the game to change plans for this year, especially because other venues have already announced plans for the Spring Bike Rally. “I wish we could have all sat down together and talked about this,” Balcom said. The dates announced by the dealership carry the Spring Cruisin’ the Coast rally right into Memorial Day weekend, which has, for more than 30 years, been the weekend of sport-bike rider oriented Atlantic Beach Bike Fest. That weekend is also now shared with the culmination of the city of Myrtle Beach’s Military Appreciation Days, which draws military members and their families from several states. From the perspective of some residents and officials, that makes three whole weeks of rallies, because organizers of other non-sport-bike related rallies have plans for May 10-20. “Two bike rallies, Memorial Day events and the regular tourists who just like to come in May? That’s too many people in one place at one time,” Balcom said. “That’s what got this whole thing started in the first place.” Denise Medlin, marketing manager for Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson, the dealership just south of Myrtle Beach city limits, wanted to set the record straight: “We are not trying to run over anyone’s event,” she said. “We are trying to give tourists more options. It just happens that another event is going on, but the more the merrier.” The whole issue has become confused, she said, because people are thinking of this as an “extension” of “the rally.” As far as MBHD is concerned, the Cruisin’ the Coast rally is “the rally,” and all the other events that are organized by other merchants earlier in May do not have Harley-Davidson’s sponsorship. But Cruisin’ the Coast began in the mid-1990s, long after what was known simply as the Spring Bike Rally began 71 years ago. Myrtle Beach Harley-Davidson dealership owner Phil Schoonover branded the event Cruisin’ the Coast in the early 2000s, but the event overlapped with the spring rally. The first third of May included all the Harley-related “bike week” events that had blended into one large, if not centrally organized, rally that always ended the week before Bike Fest began. Many people say that when the dealership got involved is when the rally began to grow to the huge proportions that eventually riled residents and community leaders enough to spark new rules in 2008 and a ban on May vendors in Myrtle Beach proper. This year, Medlin said, Schoonover decided to change the dates for Cruisin’ the Coast, in part to “conserve resources for the county,” a goal she said county leaders had discussed with Schoonover for years, saying it would be less demanding on the county if Cruisin’ the Coast and Atlantic Beach Bike Fest were closer together. County spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said to her knowledge, there has not been any discussion about the bike rallies since the county changed the rules for vendor permits. “Yes, we’d like to see the rally go back to the length it was (before the new regulations, there were nearly three straight weeks of Harley-related events and gatherings on the Grand Strand), but he should use the earlier part of the month. Give the county a break in between the rallies,” Balcom said. There have already been discussions on social media outlets over which is the “real” rally. “We hadn’t even announced the dates yet,” Medlin said. “Some people just jumped the gun.” Some businesses, like SBB, have said on social media outlets that they are not involved with the dealership, that the rally is independent of the dealership’s plans, and that it doesn’t matter what the dealership plans to do, they are still going to hold their events when they want. All this has raised questions of vendor permits, which the county limits to no longer than seven days, and says must be affiliated with an event. The county considers the rally, no matter what it is called, to be the one that takes place between May 14 and 20, and it will issue vendor permits for that week starting in April, Bourcier said. Harley-Davidson can apply for its vendor permits in conjunction with Bike Fest later in the month, she said. But there are other concerns, too, Balcom said. The large crowd would overwhelm local law enforcement resources, he wrote in an ABATE statement sent out Thursday. “The last thing we want to see is any event getting out of hand,” Balcom wrote. The statement encourages bikers to boycott “all the dealerships and clothing outlets that are owned by Phil Schoonover, and we hope that the biker community as a whole will come together with us on this boycott until such time as Mr. Schoonover retracts his plan of the overlapping dates he has proposed for this year.” The statement calls Schoonover’s decision a “slap in the face to the county council,” and says it is not in keeping with the wishes of the larger part of the biker community. Balcom and many others hope the county will not pull the vendor permits all together, because that, they said would really damage many of the mom-and-pop businesses that cater to the motorcycle community. The county intends to discuss Schoonover’s plans, vendor permits and other rally-related issues at its committee of the whole meeting, 9 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Horry County Government and Justice Center in Conway.

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SOUTH DAKOTA:
 

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TENNESSEE:

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TEXAS:

http://www.dallasartnews.com/2012/02/el-paso-museum-of-historys-motorcycle-exhibit-makes-headway/El Paso Museum of History’s Motorcycle Exhibit Makes Headway

 Posted Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Local motorcycle owners have come forward and are excited about the El Paso Museum of History’s upcoming History of the Motorcycle exhibit this coming July 1 – December 31, 2012. It is estimated that the museum has room for 50 bikes. So far, development director Jim Murphy states, they have 25 promised. The goal of the exhibit is to provide a unique collection that will appeal to a wide audience. The bikes can be of any make or model. Being in perfect condition is not important; being unique is.

A short list of what has been offered:

•1939 Harley knucklehead •1942 WLA Harley war bike •a Russian ice racer with spiked wheels •1954 British Maxey •1959 650 Triumph •1975 750 Ducati •a Shovelhead blown fuel drag racer •a 1964 Harley panhead •and others If interested, remember that the bikes will be on loan to the museum for a six-month period. Old posters, parts, books, advertisements, clothing are also being sought. For information contact Jim Murphy at 915-351-3588.

The El Paso Museum of History exists for the educational benefit of the community and visitors. It promotes the understanding and significance of the rich multicultural and multinational history of the border region known as the Pass of the North.

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http://tti.tamu.edu/conferences/tmsf12/program.php

2012 Texas Motorcycle Safety Forum: Agenda [complete program]

Monday, February 6, 2012 10:00 – 10:10 a.m.

Opening Remarks Terry Pence, Director, Traffic Safety Section, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) 10:15 – 10:35 a.m. NHTSA Motorcycle Safety Initiatives Kenneth Copeland, Regional Program Manager, Region VI, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Fort Worth, TX 10:35 – 10:50 a.m. Statewide Motorcycle Safety Initiatives Patricia Turner, Associate Research Scientist, Center for Transportation Safety (CTS), Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) 10:50 – 11:10 a.m. Collection and Analysis of Motorcycle Crash Data James Lock, Collision Research Associates, College Station, TX 11:10 – 11:30 a.m. Rider Conspicuity Michael Kellett , Motorcycle Enthusiast, Bryan, TX 11:30 – 11:50 a.m. What's New In Training John Young, Program Director, Motorcycle & ATV Safety Unit, Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS), Austin, TX 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch 12:30 - 1:00 p.m. Guest Speaker Bill Allen, Owner, Bill Allen Motorcycle Company and star of The History Channel's "Hairy Bikers", Bryan, TX 1:05 - 1:15 p.m. Expanding the Share the Road Program Butterfly, State Safety & Awareness Liaison, Texas Confederation of Clubs & Independents http://ridesafeintexas.homestead.com/ 1:15 - 2:15 p.m. Breakout Session Action Plan to Increase Motorcyclist Safety Group A - Safety Awareness Group B - Education Group C - Research Group D - Legislation Group E - Roadway Design & Engineering

2:15 - 2:30 p.m. TMSC Platform Jude Schexnyder, TMSC Vice-Chairman 2:30 – 2:50 p.m. TMSC Elections 2:50 – 3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks

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WISCONSIN:

http://www.examiner.com/motorcycles-in-national/highway-bill-current-form-would-prohibit-motorcycle-checkpointsHighway bill in current form would prohibit motorcycle checkpoints

Ken Bingenheimer Motorcycles Examiner

Motorcycle-specific roadside checkpoints would be prohibited, according to wording included by Wisconsin Rep. James Sensenbrenner in the federal highways bill, in mark-up today in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Sensenbrenner applauded the committee's inclusion of his wording in the bill, stating that, "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. It is encouraging to see that the Transportation Reauthorization Bill will encourage more efficient use of taxpayer dollars and smart motorcycle safety policy."

As it currently stands, Section 5007 of the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012 reads as follows.

Advertisement

SEC. 5007. PROHIBITION ON FUNDS TO CHECK HELMET USAGE OR CREATE CHECKPOINTS FOR A MOTORCYCLE DRIVER OR PASSENGER.

The Secretary may not provide a grant or otherwise make available funding to a State, Indian tribe, county, municipality, or other local government to be used for any program to check helmet usage or create checkpoints for a motorcycle driver or passenger.

Because the wording of the measure says simply "checkpoints," as opposed to "motorcycle-specific checkpoints," it raises the question of whether such checks might also be prohibited in a broader, all-vehicle checkpoint. Opponents of such motorcycle-specific checkpoints have frequently stated that their opposition is to the singling out of motorcyclists, not the enforcement of existing laws.

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), both of which have spoken out against motorcycle-specific checkpoints, have voiced their approval of the prohibition.

Speaking for the AMA, Wayne Allard, vice president for government relations, said that "The AMA believes that strategies to promote motorcycle safety must be rooted in motorcycle crash prevention, and don't include arbitrarily pulling over riders and randomly subjecting them to roadside inspections."

The MRF, in a release yesterday, had this to say.

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."

We at the MRF could not agree more. While swift passage into law is not likely, this is certainly an encouraging step. .

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http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/01/4232358/harley-davidson-introduces-two.html

Harley-Davidson Introduces Two New Motorcycle Models Seventy-Two™ and Softail® Slim™ Cue on Garage-Built Custom Trends Share

By Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Last modified: 2012-02-02T00:13:21Z Published: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012 - 4:12 pm Copyright 2012 . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. MILWAUKEE, Feb. 1, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) today announced the introduction of two new motorcycle models, the Seventy-Two™ and the Softail® Slim™, each inspired by current trends in the American garage-built custom motorcycle scene. Both new models are mid-year additions to the 2012 Harley-Davidson motorcycle line-up, and will be available immediately at authorized Harley-Davidson dealers.

Harley-Davidson™ Seventy-Two™

Based on the Harley-Davidson Sportster platform, the Seventy-Two™ introduces Hard Candy Big Red Flake, a sparkling, metal flake color option applied to the fuel tank and fenders. A solo seat and side-mount license plate bracket leave much of the chopped rear fender – and more of that paint – exposed on the Seventy-Two. The Evolution® 1200 cc V-Twin powertrain is finished in Gray powdercoat with chrome covers and a new round air cleaner with a dished cover. A classic Sportster 2.1-gallon fuel tank, narrow white wall tires, Chrome Laced wheels, and high mini-ape handlebar complete a look that nods to chopper custom motorcycles of the 1970s.

Harley-Davidson Softail® Slim™

The Slim represents the Harley-Davidson Softail motorcycle paired down to its essential elements in the style of custom bobbers of the 1950s, from its trimmed front fender to its narrow rear end, solo seat and minimal chrome. A cross-braced Hollywood handlebar and headlight nacelle are finished in gloss black. Other period styling cues include a "cat's eye" tank console, half-moon rider footboards, and gloss black wheel rims and hubs. The 1690 cc Twin Cam 103B™ powertrain is finished with polished covers instead of chrome. The Softail chassis mimics the clean lines of a vintage hardtail frame, but utilizes rear suspension control provided by coil-over shock absorbers mounted horizontally and out of sight within the frame rails. With the combination of a 23.8-inch seat height and rider foot boards, the Slim comfortably fits a wide range of riders.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

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http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/harley-davidson-to-celebrate-110-years-of-great-motorcycles-and-epic-riding-experiences-138531479.html

Harley-Davidson to Celebrate 110 Years of Great Motorcycles and Epic Riding Experiences

 110th Anniversary Celebrations in 2013 in Rome, Milwaukee and More MILWAUKEE, Feb. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Harley-Davidson will celebrate 110 years of great motorcycles and epic riding experiences with an array of global events and activities in 2013. Among the events during the year-long celebration will be a rally in Rome, Italy, June 13-16, and a massive party over Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, in Milwaukee.

Harley-Davidson will also celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) globally, including during the Labor Day weekend in Milwaukee in 2013. H.O.G., the official riding club of the Motor Company, boasts about one million members worldwide.

"Harley-Davidson is synonymous with adventure, passion and the experience of the open road," said Mark-Hans Richer, Harley-Davidson Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "For this 110th celebration, our customers all around the world – with our support – are going to be taking everything to the next level and making their own history."

Information on housing options in Milwaukee and Rome is available at www.harley-davidson.com/110. Further details about the global 110th Anniversary will be announced in the coming months.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company produces heavyweight custom, cruiser and touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.

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http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2012/02/02/harley-offers-early-details-of-110th.htm Harley offers early details of 110th anniversary plans

The Business Journal by Stacy Vogel Davis, Reporter Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012, 10:19am CST - Last Modified: Friday, February 3, 2012, 6:01am CST

 Harley hosted a massive celebration in Milwaukee for its 105th anniversary and is planning another for its 110th anniversary in 2013.

Related News •Harley CEO still cautious about rebound •Harley’s Wandell confident mandatory layoffs will be minimal •Harley-Davidson earnings, sales show continued strength •Harley-Davidson earnings, sales show continued strength •Frontier naming rights up in the air

Stacy Vogel Davis Reporter - The Business Journal Email | Twitter Harley-Davidson Inc. Harley-Davidson Inc. Latest from The Business Journals Harley introduces two new motorcycle modelsAce Distribution in New Berlin to cut 32 jobsFront Burner gathers prime ingredients for growth Follow this company ’s 110th anniversary is still a year away, but the company already is making plans for the celebration, according to a news release issued Thursday.

The company is planning a “massive party” in Milwaukee over Labor Day weekend Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, 2013, and a rally in Rome from June 13-16, 2013, the release said. It also will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Harley Owners Group in 2013. HOG has about 1 million members worldwide.

A website has already been set up for the anniversary and will be updated with more details in the coming months. People can start booking accommodations for the Milwaukee rally through the site on Feb. 17, with HOG members able to book accommodations starting Feb. 9.

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http://www.beloitdailynews.com/community/stateline-area-community-calendar/article_446af958-4dbf-11e1-bd51-001871e3ce6c.html ABATE OF WISCONSIN SAFE RIDER INC. 9th Annual Chili Dessert & Salsa Challenge will be held at Stables in Orfordville. Register from noon-1 p.m. Tasting begins at 1 p.m.; $5 admission fee, $2 donation to vote. For more information, call Jeff Egler at 608-921-2654.

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MORE BIKERBITS:

http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Economy&title=Motorcycle-listings-up-in-2011;-locals-worried-over-cheap-China-imports&id=46134

Motorcycle listings up in 2011; locals worried over cheap China imports

NEW MOTORCYCLE registrations grew last year, hitting the one-million mark, even as sales of locally assembled two-wheelers from a group of automakers fell due to cheap Chinese imports. "LTO (Land Transportation Office) registration of new motorcycles actually went up by 16% last year to around 1,050,000 units," Alfredo O. Lejano, Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association, Inc. (MDPPA) president, told BusinessWorld yesterday at the sidelines of the business group’s induction of officers.

The association, however, reported a 2.9% decline in sales to 731,130 units in 2011 following a strong 18.1% rise in 2010 to 753,111 motorbikes.

Last year’s sales slump, however, was not driven by supply chain disruptions from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami or the Thai flood, the official explained.

"Motorcycles weren’t that much affected compared to four-wheeled vehicles. Our parts imports come mostly from Indonesia, but I suppose it depends per company and model," Mr. Lejano said.

"Our primary concern is intellectual property (IP) infringement because last year we saw the large entry of cheap motorcycles from China and some of them looked exactly the same as some of our models," he continued.

"This is why we’re working with the IP Office of the Philippines (IPOPhil) to curb the entry of these copycats that duplicate our industrial designs and patents," he noted.

IPOPhil Director-General Ricardo R. Blancaflor, meanwhile, assured MDPPA members government assistance in cracking down such unlawful duplicates.

"The Philippines is number three in the whole of Asia and Oceania in terms of patent protection after Japan and South Korea," the public official said in his speech.

"Since IP is a private right, we cannot act on our own, so companies must report to us these violations. Once they’re reported, we can act on them quickly," he added.

Around 80-90% of motorbikes produced by the six-member MDPPA are locally assembled. Local content of these two-wheeled vehicles can range from 35-40% to as much as 50-80%.

Members of the MDPPA are local arms of Honda Motor Co., Kawasaki Motors Corp., Suzuki Motor Corp., Motorstar Eastworld Motor Industries Corp., Yamaha Motor Co. and Kwang Yang Motor Co. (Kymco). -- Eliza J. Diaz

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

Japan: http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2012/jama-projects-2012-motorcycle-demandJAMA Projects 2012 Motorcycle Demand

 Staff 02/01/2012

Click the images below for bigger versions: Motorcycle Industry News

Each month, the Japan Automobile Manufacturer's Association releases information about domestic motorcycle sales, production and exports from the Big Four (Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Kawasaki) and others.

But JAMA also projects the future of motorcycle demand in Japan. Following is the report, which makes for a very interesting read to those who follow news in the motorcycle industry.

Total Demand for Motorcycles

Japan's domestic motorcycle market continues to struggle with a protracted slump, attributable not only to structural factors but also to higher vehicle prices stemming from mandatory compliance with new emissions regulations enforced in 2007 and the resulting smaller range of available models. Nevertheless, motorcycle sales in Japan in 2011 surged 5.1% from 2010 to 445,000 units, marking the first overall increase in six years, with year-on-year gains posted in both the Class-1 motor-driven cycle and mini-sized motorcycle categories.

Despite the growth registered in 2011, owing in part to manufacturers' efforts to market products closely tailored to consumer needs, total demand in 2012 is projected at 433,000 units, down 2.7% from 2011. The decline will likely be seen in the Class-1 motor-driven cycle segment, while demand in the Class-2 motor-driven cycle and mini- and small-sized motorcycle categories is expected to remain firm.

Class-1 Motor-Driven Cycles (50cc & under)

Demand in this category in 2011 stood at 257,000 units, a gain of 11.2% over the previous year, attributable not only to the introduction of new models but also to consumers' focus on economy and energy conservation, driven by Japan's ongoing economic doldrums and the impact of the March 11 earthquake, among other factors. The impact of new models in the marketplace is expected to run its course in 2012, resulting in a projected demand in this category of 236,000 units, a decrease of 8.2% from 2011.

Class-2 Motor-Driven Cycles (51cc-125cc)

In 2011 demand for Class-2 motor-driven cycles totalled 96,000 units, dipping 0.7% from the previous year, attributable to a decline in the impact of new models introduced in 2010. On the other hand, new models introduced in 2011 should help raise sales in this category to 103,000 units in 2012, up 7.6% from the previous year.

Mini-Sized Motorcycles (126cc-250cc)

Mini-sized motorcycle sales in 2011 reached 39,000 units, rising 3.3% from 2010. This growth is attributable to favorable consumer response to sports-type models, even as the demand for scooters in urban areas continues to slide.

In 2012 the appeal of sports-type models should continue to drive demand in this segment, resulting in projected sales of 40,000 units, a gain of 2.9% over 2011.

Small-Sized Motorcycles (over 250cc)

Sales of small-sized motorcycles in 2011 finished at 53,000 units, down 8.2% from the previous year. The decline in this segment in particular reflected consumer response to the continued sluggishness of the domestic economy, affecting employment and personal incomes, and the impact of the March 11 disaster.

An increase in the number of small-sized motorcycles on the market in 2012 should help boost demand in this category to 54,000 units, a 1.2% rise from 2011.

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FL: http://www2.tbo.com/news/news/2012/feb/01/1/deputies-say-man-drove-motorcycle-into-vehicle-fou-ar-354104/ Man accused of driving into cruiser, fighting with deputies

By TBO.com Published: February 01, 2012 Updated: February 02, 2012 - 6:06 AM  A Zephyrhills man was arrested Wednesday night after he reportedly fought a Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy.

George Arthur Farmer, 46, was charged with aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, grand theft and possession of a controlled substance, the sheriff's office said.

Deputy Craig Lariz spotted Farmer driving a motorcycle on Interstate 4 near McIntosh Road. Lariz learned that the tag on Farmer's motorcycle was stolen.

Farmer exited Interstate 4 at Alexander Street. Lariz tried to pull Farmer over, but Farmer drove his motorcycle into Lariz's cruiser, the sheriff's office said.

Lariz forced Farmer off the motorcycle. Farmer stood in a fight stance. Lariz confronted Farmer and they got into a fight, the sheriff's office said.

Other deputies arrived at the scene and Farmer was arrested. He was found in the possession of a large quantity of a controlled substance and money, deputies said.

Farmer was released from state prison in January 2011. He had been sentenced to one year on charges of fleeing law enforcement and battery on a law enforcement officer.

Lariz suffered minor abrasions in the incident, the sheriff's office said.

Farmer is being held in the Hillsborough County jail with no bail.

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IA: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2012/02/01/young-man-hit-killed-by-motorcycle-on-busy-kent-road/ Man hit, killed by motorcycle on busy Kent road Post by Stacey Mulick / The News Tribune on Feb. 1, 2012 at 8:40 am  February 2, 2012 6:12 amUPDATED: A 69-year-old man was killed Tuesday night after he was struck by a motorcycle in Kent. Kent police officers and firefighters were called to the 23400 block of Pacific Highway South just before 8:45 p.m. The man was trying to cross Pacific Highway just south of the Kent Des Moines road intersection, police reported. He reportedly stepped in front of a southbound motorcycle and was hit. The motorcyclist and pedestrian were thrown to the ground, police reported. The pedestrian died at the scene. The motorcyclist was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries, police reported. Kent police closed part of Pacific Highway South for several hours to investigate the crash. Investigators found no evidence that drugs, alcohol or excessive speed contributed to the wreck.

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KS: http://www.wibw.com/localnews/headlines/Motorcycle_Accident_Kills_Man_Closes_Highway_138554604.html Silver Lake Rallies Around Family Of Motorcycle Accident Victim The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a motorcycle accident that killed a man late Wednesday night. Posted: 5:53 AM Feb 2, 2012 Reporter: Chris Fisher / Melissa Brunner Email Address: chris.fisher@wibw.com

 Fatal Motorcycle Wreck On Highway 75 North

: TOPEKA, Kan (WIBW) - The Silver Lake community is coming together to help the family of man killed in a motorcycle accident.

The accident happened just before 11:30 pm Wednesday. Authorities say 50-year Todd Larson was driving a motorcycle north on Highway 75 when, for an unknown reason, he veered off the road at the Highway 24 interchange. The Kansas Highway Patrol says the bike went through the grass median, around a curve, then hit a metal guardrail.

KHP says Larson was wearing a helmet.

He's survived by his wife and four children, three of whom are in grades 7, 9 and 12 at Silver Lake. The school district says extra staff was available Thursday to assist grieving students. The grade school office is accepting monetary donations to help the family

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LA: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Update-DPS-names-victim-of-Orange-motorcycle-2888682.php Update: DPS names victim of Orange motorcycle fatality

Nevil Meghani, 26, of Vinton, La., died at Baptist Hospital in Orange after losing control of his motorcycle and colliding with a sports utility vehicle Tuesday evening, according to Trooper Stephanie Davis with the Department of Public Safety.

At about 7 p.m. Tuesday, Meghani crashed into the back of a 1999 Chevrolet SUV driven by Raymond Butler of Orange. Butler was not injured, Davis said.

Previous reporting:

A man was killed Tuesday after he lost control of his motorcycle and slid into the rear of a stopped sports utility vehicle in Orange.

The accident occurred at the intersection of FM 105 and TX 62 at around 7 p.m., said Trooper Stephanie Davis, with the Department of Public Safety.

Reports show that the victim lost control of his motorcycle while driving northbound on TX 62 and slid into an SUV that was stopped at a red light.

The medical condition of the SUV's passengers is unknown at this time, Davis said.

The identity of the man will be released once a family member has been notified.

Troopers are in preliminary stages of investigation and will continue to figure out the details of the accident.

Stay with The Enterprise as more information becomes available.

Read more: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Update-DPS-names-victim-of-Orange-motorcycle-2888682.php#ixzz1lJeT9dul

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OH: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120131/NEWS01/120131056/Two-motorcyclists-killed-cement-truck-collision?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE Police ID those involved in fatal Clermont motorcycle crash

OHIO TWP. – Two motorcyclists were killed in a fiery crash and a third is fighting for his life, police said, following a crash along U.S. 52 in Clermont County, just east of New Richmond.

James Hensley, 39, of New Richmond, and Daniel Frazee, 56, of Bethel, died at the scene. A medical helicopter flew their companion, Larry Gillinger, 53, of Fayetteville, to University Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition Tuesday night, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

The three cyclists were following each other, eastbound on U.S. 52 around 2:25 p.m. when the lead cyclist, Hensley, failed to negotiate a curve and went left-of-center, head-on into the path of a westbound cement truck, the patrol said. The truck overturned and struck Frazee, and a sliding motorcycle struck Gillinger; two of the motorcycles caught fire.

Carl Watson, 58, of Seaman, Ohio, was driving the truck, which is owned by Sardinia Concrete. The Pierce Township life squad took Watson to Clermont Mercy Hospital. He was treated and released.

Hensley and Gillinger were both wearing helmets; Frazee was not, the patrol said.

Alcohol use was unknown, but was not suspected, the patrol said.

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UK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/northern-ireland/16840969

Ian Hutchinson suffers sustains broken leg at Motorcycle Show

 Ian Hutchinson has sustained a broken leg during a rehearsal for a London Motorcycle Show.

The multiple Isle of Man TT and North West 200 winner is reported to have twisted his leg awkwardly while riding an off-road bike during practice for a stunt show at the Excel Arena.

The leg is the same one he spent more than a year recovering from after being run over by a bike at Silverstone.

The fresh fracture is understood to be well away from the original breaks.

Hutchinson had signed to ride for the Swan Yamaha team for the 2012 season.

The Yorkshireman is scheduled to compete for Shaun Muir's outfit in the British Superbike championship, the North West 200, Isle of an TT and the Ulster Grand Prix.

The incident is understood to have taken place on Wednesday morning, although it is thought that Hutchinson did not crash, but just tweaked his leg.

Hutchinson crashed at Silverstone in 2010, just months after securing a historic five TT wins in a week.

Since his crash the eight-times TT winner has undergone 16 operations to fix his tibia and fibula and had to wear an external cage to hold the bones in place while they healed.

The 31-year-old returned to racing action in November and finished third in the Macau Grand Prix.

His participation in this season's major racing events must now be in serious doubt.

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If you have any news you'd like to share, please send to me at:
Gypsypashn@aol.comthank you!

~~ Betsy/Gypsy

We try to make sure that you all are kept abreast
with what's going on in the Motorcycling community.

As I live each day, I will do my part,
to make a difference, and touch one heart.
Everyday it will be my goal,
to bring information and enlighten your soul.
Continuous news I'll disseminate
With the hopes that you will participate
One life to lose, is one life too many
If we don't fight for our rights,
pretty soon there won't be any!

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The News Gypsy

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