Republican Carlos Lopez-Cantera, from Miami, has proposed a measure that could lead to the forfeiture of motorcycles if riders exceed the speed limit by 50 mph or more, or are charged with reckless driving. The measure also could lead to them losing their licenses to ride motorcycles for 10 years, if convicted. The proposal is designed to address high-speed stunt riding. He played a video from South Florida that showed motorcyclists buzzing in and out of traffic at high speeds and doing tricks such as popping wheelies. But the measure drew opposition from motorcycle advocates, such as James “Doc ’’ Reichenbach, President of ABATE of Florida, a group that has long lobbied on motorcycle issues. Reichenbach said the State shouldn’t single out motorcycle riders for increased penalties, as it also has problems with people in cars driving recklessly. “This is a discriminatory bill” he said. I understand that Rogue, our Freedom Fighter, was also present, answering questions and arguing to defend equality of rights and obligations between motorcyclists and automobilists. The House Infrastructure Committee did not vote on the bill Thursday and it seems that Lopez-Cantera has already scaled back the bill from an initial proposal that would have increased penalties for motorcyclists riding 30 mph or more over the speed limit!!! ABATE OF Florida
What a waste of my tax dollars… The beauty of “high speed stunt riding” on a motorcycle? It thins the heard by itself…….
This is the problem with this discrimination- while we’ll see plenty of news clips of wheelies and stoppies, designed to titillate the public, politicians will divert attention from the REAL problems, statistically- the 17 yr olds in beater Hyundais and Kias.
REALLY want to clean up “high speed stunt riding”? Make helmets and seatbelts ILLEGAL for those who engage in reckless driving;
Darwin was right……..
Smart remark mr. J.
Perhaps the voters in Florida are bright enough to make sure old “Carlos Lopez-Cantera” finds a new job.
I seroiously doubt that such legislation could survive a court challange.
Perhaps Carolos isn’t the sharpest knife in the Florida leagal drawr.
-nicker-
Interestingly, the plan is to seize bikes under the contraband laws.
This looks as though the govt. is considering classifying all motorcycles as contraband depending upon whatever infraction they deem as reckless usage.
At some point in time any offense could be considered reckless usage.
Things have been hot and heavy here in Florida pertaining to HB 137 and I am happy to say that it has been tabled.
That is a victory for motorcycle riders BUT the bills sponsor is re-writing it and re-submitting
What we are doing now is ask people to e-mail members of the committee hearing the bill and thank them for tabling it and request they do not take any action on it in the futue.
If the bill dies in committee it is a lot easier than fighting it all the way through the process.
I post a list of committee members to contact in a seperate post.
This bill has to be stopped. If it passes things will be added every year.
There are already laws to cover everything being mentioned except the confiscation, so that seem to be what this is really all about.
Thanks
Rogue
House Committee on Infrastructure Represenatives
Rep. Richard “Rich” Glorioso
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4343&SessionId=57
Rep. Gary Aubuchon
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4363&SessionId=57
Rep. Susan Bucher
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4182&SessionId=57
Rep. Greg Evers
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4247&SessionId=57
Rep. Ed Hooper
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4390&SessionId=57
Other Members
Rep. Jimmy Patronis
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4369&SessionId=57
Rep. Stephen L. Precourt
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4384&SessionId=57
Rep. Scott Randolph
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4378&SessionId=57
Rep. Michael Scionti
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4397&SessionId=57
Rep. Nicholas R. “Nick” Thompson
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4373&SessionId=57
These yoyo’s will thin the gene pool and if they go out in a spectacular will make the Darwin Report
hey going through the same thing in our lil town except it’s over pipe’s here. shhhhhhhhhhhhhh lol under the table stuff some of the riders here have found out that if a cop is with in 50 feet of your bike and can here the the pipe’s you are to be given a tictet for loud pipe’s no question’s ask just write it so when the first one is written we the people will show up in court with our pipe’s at least 200 strong to back the person