AMA news letter

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:18 pm

Just got this in a news letter from AMA. There are a bunch of other bills to be amended through various states

Albany, N.Y.: Senate Bill 6114, sponsored by Sen. Adriano Espaillat (D-New York City), would amend the administrative code of the city of New York to prohibit more than 50 motorcyclists from gathering as an assembly and riding without paying for and obtaining a permit from the New York City Department of Transportation.

Also, Senate Bill 6180, sponsored by Sen. Adriano Espaillat (D-New York City), would define an “illegal maneuver” on a motorcycle as any maneuver performed by the operator that requires the front or rear wheel of the motorcycle to leave contact with the road. It provides that any motorcycle operator who causes property damage or bodily harm of another would be punished by a fine not to exceed $2,500 and an automatic revocation of the operator’s license and registration for one year. A second or subsequent conviction within 18 months would result in forfeiture of the operator’s motorcycle and automatic revocation of the operator’s license and registration for two years.

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:36 pm

Unbenownst to many, there are actually laws out there that forbid the assembly of people over a certain number or at least require a permit. This is just citizens gather on the sidewalk!
While we are all a little sensitive about laws restricting anything we do with our motorcycles, one can see a reasoning behind the 50 limit. Not even considering the recent issue about the guys in NY getting into a contest with the SUV.
Personally, I would find it all that bad,if we can do away with a horde of over 50 Harleys with loud pipes, for example.

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 8:45 pm

I've participated in my share of charity rides, as I'm sure many here have. They were always well organized, had police escorts, and there were zero issues. That being said, charity rides are much different than the (supposedly) organized ride that Hollywood Stuntz had going on when they encountered the SUV. Did they have a permit or give the local police any sort of heads up on their ride? And what was the actual purpose of their ride?

I have no problem with the requirement for permits, especially if it will prevent future idiotic events (like the one mentioned above) from making the motorcycling community look bad.

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:20 pm

I think the bad behavior of a few is going to wind up having inconvenient consequences for all motorcyclists.

Does a stunt MC club event require the same security as a group of middle aged Harley riders? Should their risk factors for bad behavior be characterized equally? Could it be legally be unequally characterized ?

I think needing a permit is a major hassle..As a town/city/county official, I would never grant such a permit unless the group could come up with the thousands of dollars needed to Provide Security for the event. Otherwise you are spending unnecessary money that nobody wants to pay extra taxes for.

After all, your event now requires x number of EXTRA cops that wouldn't be needed otherwise. Who should pay for that?

Those imbeciles that attacked that SUV driver are going to cause a lot of hassles for all bikers before this gets better.

Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 11:58 pm

f4fast wrote:

I think the bad behavior of a few is going to wind up having inconvenient consequences for all

Wish there was a word for that.

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 1:06 pm

So you're saying you limit your group rides to 49 bikes, and if you've got over flow, label them a separate event? i.e. "Northeast Spring Ride" and "East of North Spring Ride". 2 separate groups happen to meet at the same hotel on the same weekend, strange coincidence, but you are innocent until proven guilty right?

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:47 pm

Wonder why they wouldn't try to apply that rule to more than 50 cars traveling together - oops, there goes the highways. Shocked

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 6:45 pm

Quote:

Wonder why they wouldn't try to apply that rule to more than 50 cars traveling together - oops, there goes the highways. Shocked

Or along the same lines, car shows held at events like state fairs or even weekend shows in parking lots. Those events always draw 1 or 2 A-holes who like to show off, make a bunch of noise and do burnouts and rev their engines like crazy. Selectively applying this motorcycles groups sounds like profiling, or something illegal like that.

Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 10:22 pm

You blokes think your are getting screwed, out here in QLD, new laws have just been passed that 3 motorcycles riding together are now classed as a gang and can be jailed under the new association laws.

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 12:41 am

MinnesotaF wrote:

f4fast wrote:

I think the bad behavior of a few is going to wind up having inconvenient consequences for all

Wish there was a word for that.

Like the statistically insignificant nut job who,goes on a shooting rampage has inconvenient consequences on the 10's of millions of honest, legit and legal gun owners?

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 1:55 am

norm wrote:

You blokes think your are getting screwed, out here in QLD, new laws have just been passed that 3 motorcycles riding together are now classed as a gang and can be jailed under the new association laws.

That's beyond ridiculous, laughable, foolish, ludicrous and silly. roflmao

Chico

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 8:22 am

Chico,
Tell that to all the little coffee shops/cafes etc that rely on weekend trade from bikers riding out through the hills every weekend. They are hurting big time, some are saying business has dropped 60% since the laws were introduced

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 11:40 am

norm wrote:

You blokes think your are getting screwed, out here in QLD, new laws have just been passed that 3 motorcycles riding together are now classed as a gang and can be jailed under the new association laws.

Remember those politician at the next election cycle

Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2014 4:07 pm

norm wrote:

You blokes think your are getting screwed, out here in QLD, new laws have just been passed that 3 motorcycles riding together are now classed as a gang and can be jailed under the new association laws.

Cause.........Mad Max