Opinion

When not confronted with imminent threat of loss of freedom, one may become complacent in their environment, sometimes so complacent that they are not aware that they may be promoting their own doom. But when the shit hits the fan who is it that yells the loudest?

As summer gets into full swing so are the local politics concerning motorcycles in several cities. It is up to every motorcyclist to know the actual laws…and be willing to fight for their right to ride their motorcycle.

Editor:

I am a retired airline pilot who just happens to ride one of those “nasty, noisy Harleys”. At 64 years of age and with nearly 50 years of accident and incident-free riding and a spotless DMV record, it came as quite a surprise to me when I was stopped last Sunday in Golden for a motorcycle that was deemed to be too loud by the arresting officer and his partner.

Colorado is a very good place for motorcyclists to live and ride. We have fairly good roads, weather conditions good for riding all year around, and for the most part little hassles by the government/law enforcement. It is up to every individual to be aware of issues across the country that will sooner or later affect our way of life. Thus COIR is a very good resource to ensure you are up to date on motorcycle related issues.

The City of Golden like so many cities and towns lately, is trying to rid themselves of motorcycles noise. With more people moving into Golden, business owners are finding motorcyclists bring in a great deal of revenue, but there is a price to pay, motorcycles are not as quiet as a few residents would like. It seems that the newcomers to the City of Golden are making more noise than the motorcycles. Is this noise actually noise or just a ploy on the part of the City of Golden and some business owners to rid Golden of motorcycles? It certainly appears to be the case.

By Tim Anderson

There is no polite way to put it, so let’s just put it out there: Senate Bill 040 introduced by State Senator Lois Tochtrop is a poorly conceived and ill-considered piece of legislation that should be stopped cold. Killed, if you prefer.

Senate Bill 10-040 sponsored by State Senator Lois Tochtrop glided thru the Colorado Senate without many questions, but it landed in the House Transportation Committee with a thud. The lack of preparations by the authors of the bill has more than a few members of the motorcycle community—and the Colorado House Of Representatives--wondering what the real objective of SB-040 is. This is an unnecessary piece of legislation, which will cost motorcyclists more money in the long run, and perhaps damage the integrity of the various rider training operations in Colorado.

It seems there’s more than a little unrest within ABATE of Colorado. This letter, authored by Steve Turner, found its way to us unsolicited. It seemed important enough to share here. Could it be the unorthodox ways of that groups’ leadership are finally causing serious damage to the organization that is supposedly dedicated to protecting the interests of all Colorado motorcyclists? Read for yourself.

Dear ABATE Members and Rider Coaches,

By Matt Danielson
Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group
Reprinted with permission

Lately, it seems that wherever I go, people want to know what is happening in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Some are concerned, others are curious, and many are angry. It seems that motorcyclists everywhere have been watching what is going on there.
However, I have also met those who don’t really care. They don’t go to Myrtle Beach, and therefore, could not care less about what happens there. They often ask, “Since I can go elsewhere, why should I care what Myrtle Beach does?”

By Tim Anderson

With the summer winding down, and cold weather certainly on the way, it is time for all of us to take pause and think about what we need to do to protect our option to spend time out prowling back roads on two wheels.

What each of us must do is to carefully consider joining the Coalition Of Independent Motorcyclists.

COIR came to Colorado last spring, a new idea in unifying motorcyclists, giving them one large, unmistakable voice, while maintaining the independence that is at the core of us all.