Opinion

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.

By Tim Anderson

Once again the motorcycle community has turned its collective eye to the courts, hoping for a sign that the criminal justice system will finally see motorcyclists a part of American society worthy of the same justice expected by the mainstream.

The following letters were sent to Scooter News from Deb “Tiger” Chandler, Undersecretary of COIR-Colorado. The topic is one of concern to all riders, and present ideas that should force all of us to give pause and consider them carefully. In the interest of healthy debate, Scooter News is printing them here.

Hello Tiger,
I saw an article on your work in the Southwest Scooter News and was impressed with your organization.

The state of Colorado released motorcycle fatality totals for 2008 on April 23, and the news was not good. 98 of our brothers and sisters didn’t make it to 2009.

Normally, calling attention to a climbing death toll is a move towards a bigger step, like a helmet law. And while that certainly could be in the cards in the near future, it seems the state has finally whole-heartedly embraced the idea of rider education and training, as a means to stemming the rising tide of bikers killed on Colorado roads.

By Joe Maher

While starting to read my copy of the March 2009 issue of Scooter News, I got stuck on the editorial entitled, “Riding A Motorcycle Isn’t What It Used To Be.”

By James “Deuce”Bronder
from aikenstandard

There is more to aging than just gray hair. Wistful yearning for something past, or nostalgia as it is known, is also part of the aging process.

By Tim Anderson

There have always been people around the world who have taken it upon themselves to regulate the lifestyles and behavior of others. We in the motorcycle community see more of this than do some other segments of society. And while there are certainly other groups more targeted and oppressed, bikers have recently come under more and more scrutiny and regulation at the hands of our own elected officials.

It's illegal for the government to listen in on Americans' phone conversations or track their phone or online activities without a warrant. That statement should be beyond dispute. But it isn't. Beginning in September 2001, President Bush ordered the National Security Agency, among other government agencies, to spy on Americans' communications.

By any reasonably interpreted legal standards in place then or now, he was breaking the law.