AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 2010THE I.C.M.S.

Two Wheel Advocate“SAFETY THROUGH AWARENESS, AWARENESS THROUGH EDUCATION”

™

© 2010 ICMS. All Rights Reserved

Best of the West 2010 The Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety (ICMS) recently hosted the Motorcycle Riders’ Foundation (MRF) regional conference, Best of The West. ICMS has hosted Best of the West in 1995, 2005, and again in June of 2010. Best of The West is a regional conference designed to provide premier training opportunities for activist motorcyclists committed to protecting the freedoms and rights to ride free. These conferences provide opportunities for networking with other activists from neighboring states, allow coordination of rights efforts, educate on current laws and regulations related to motorcyclists, inform on national and international issues, and offer ideas and information assisting those who want to be involved in the political and legislative processes. Best of The West conferences and seminars are designed to provide the knowledge basis and collective experiences to allow MROs, SMROs and other activist groups to be stronger and more effective in grassroots motorcyclist activism and freedom fighting. By hosting and attending events such as Best of The West, ICMS members and board members stay aware of current issues and acquire new, progressive tools and knowledge to continue to protect motorcyclists’ rights and freedoms in Idaho!

I.C.M.S.Board of Directors

These are the people who are willing to give their time and energy to help protect your rights and Keep Idaho Free.

BOARD MEMBERS TERMChuc Coulter Legislative 345-6232 2010-12Justin Crawford Awareness Rally 863-4280 2010-12 Vice-ChairmanAllan Green Entertainment 2009-11Brooke Hanson Editor 2008-10Chris Lambing PSA Promoter 794-8074 2010-12Bart Patrick Distribution-East 344-4032 2008-10Judy Petersen Treasurer/ 375-6117 2009-11 MRO/Club LiaisonKen Phillips Distribution-West 403-1235 2009-11Larry (Stix) Platt Rodeo/Fun Runs 573-4191 2009-11Lane Triplett Chairman 336-0052 2008-10Robert (Pee Wee) Merchandise 954-7066 2010-12 Whaley OFFICERS DaVon Thompson Membership 462-3995 2010 Kim Young Secretary 343-7452 2010 Events Coord.

The Board meets the 1st Monday of every Month (provided it’s not a holiday) at 7:30 p.m.

at Lindy’s Steak House, Boise (west of HP). Members’ attendance is encouraged.

Everyone is welcome!The following are Area Reps for I.C.M.S. and make

this an effective statewide effort. Brenda Bolton Twin Falls 208-733-0151R.F. Bonney Idaho Falls 208-526-0135Norman Burch St. Maries 208-245-5094Terri Calkins Pocatello 208-478-4928Mike Kelly Hailey 208-788-1642

For More information on this publication or to submit a letter to the Editor please write to:

P.O. Box 2732, Boise, Idaho 83701 or fax them to: (208) 345-2003. Also visit us at... www.idahobikerrights.com

Dear Readers-Feel free to use any articles or items in The Two Wheel Advocate. Remember to give credit where it is due, to Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety!

Newsletter Editor – Brooke HansonDesign & Layout by Paula Triplett

2010 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Statewide Friendship Run – 9/4-6/2010Orofino, Idaho

Fall Memorial Run – 10/3/2010

(More information on page 7)

Annual Can Dance – 11/13/2010,Location to be announced

COMING EVENTS:September 25, 2010

18th Annual Wood River Valley Toy Run. Starts at Grumpy’s in Ketchum and ends at the Silver Dollar in Bellevue. Music, food and an auction will follow the Toy Run at the Silver Dollar. For more information contact Mike Kelly at 208-788-1642 or 208-721-1136.

NOTE: LOCATION CHANGE

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK:http://www.facebook.com/Idaho.Coalition.for.Motorcycle.Safety

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As much as we might hate to admit it, motorcyclists are much like the rest of Americans. When we Americans elect someone to a public office or speak out on any number of social and political issues we often find ourselves on one side or the other of a near 50/50 split. These opinions do not always reflect a straight party line platform. We often can be a GOP on one issue and a Dem on another, sometimes far right, sometimes far left, or a moderate. It is no wonder that the majority of Americans classify themselves as independents. We find our truths, as we see them, to be self evident. We motorcyclists are fiercely independent. Yet we have many issues that are of vital importance to us. Some of them seem to be no-brainers on the surface but subtleties can sometimes make folks on the same side have differences. For instance we know that the non-riding public would like to put helmets on our heads by law. The motorcycle rights community fights to repeal such laws or keep them out of those states that are fortunate enough to not have one. But in our own ranks we have different opinions about helmet use. Many would say that they encourage the use of helmets when it is by choice, we just don’t want a law, and others would say that a helmet on a head is a lethal weapon to the wearer and should be outlawed. Noise is another issue that splits the motorcycling community. Long has the cry “Loud Pipes Save Lives” been heard. Many can attest to an incident where a loud motorcycle received the attention of a motorist therefore saving the life or preventing the injury of a motorcyclist. Yet there is a growing thought that “Loud Pipes Risk Rights”. Bans on motorcycles because of noise in some cities and roads that we would like to travel have been an increasing battle in recent years. The 17 mile drive and recent problems in New York are but two cases. Government…………..Government. We often decry the invasion of government into our lives. We use terms like “Nanny State”. We want it to create no laws that restrict our lives in a free society. We want agencies to let us make our own decisions about what is right and safe for us. But then when we want something we look to government to help. We want things like “Right of Way “ laws, federal funding for safety issues (2010 money), the incorporation of motorcycles into new traffic systems, studies to be done (as long as they reinforce our position), and many other works that enhance our

lifestyle and safety. So while we scoff at government we have the audacity to want to use it to our benefit. Alcohol finds way to divide us as well. The culture of many includes poker runs to bars and casual rides with friends that start at a bar and move on to others throughout the day. So it’s our culture, it’s OK, it’s what we do. It’s just us. Others see alcohol as a scourge. It accounts for over 1/3 of our fatalities nationally (if we trust those darn government statistics). The theory is that even one drink affects our judgment and motor skills, thus making it unsafe to ride. So “Impaired Riding Campaigns” draw praise from some and raise the ire of others. Is it safety or is it freedom? Driver’s license endorsements also divide us. It is thought by some that an “M” endorsement is an unnecessary invasion into our rights. “I know how to ride so I don’t need no stinking endorsement”. Others see endorsement as a way of insuring a certain level of training to all riders, thus making us safer and reducing crashes and fatalities. More of those pesky government statistics would bear this out. After all, “The more crashes and fatalities there are the more chance that government will want to create laws that we don’t like”. Is it safety or is it freedom

or is it both? I could go on and on, but here is my real point. We in the motorcyclist rights and safety movement cannot be all things to all people. We find it impossible to satisfy the complete needs, thoughts and beliefs of every biker on every issue. Hell, we rarely find consensus within our own organizations and committees. We are individuals too. We each have our own belief system. So we come together to try to do the best we can for our movement. We bring our varied beliefs to the table and work out a way forward on divisive issues. This sometimes leaves some of us frustrated but we don’t quit because of it. We understand that we need thinkers of all different persuasions for without them we can have no debate, no chance to see things through another’s eyes, no opportunity to learn from others, and above all else no right to say that we speak for our peers. As imperfect as you may see us, you need to know that we care passionately about motorcyclist rights and safety. We will strive to do the best we can for the people that count on us to get it right. You, the riding public, are those people. This is not and never has been about those of us in the movement. It is and always will be about you. Lane Triplett

The Independents

Country Repair & Towing Geisler Auto RepairFoothill Motors Albertson’sWhitewater Saloon Greg Oyama, IBEW Local 291Chuc Coulter & Kim Young Bill’s Bike WorksCruisin’ Biker Wear High Desert Harley DavidsonBig Twin Cycle Center Lone Wolf Harley DavidsonABATE of North Idaho Happy TrailsLane Triplett Chuck GilmoreProPower Performance StixChris Lambing Shirley Simmons, Best Western Vista InnDoug Stark, United Heritage Mo Shamseldin, PostalAnnexCrow’s Motorcycle Repair Bad Ass BikesBarb’s Barr Dink Ink Graphic DesignDamen, Holiday Inn El Gallo GiroPeeWee & Ellie Whaley Victor’s Hogs & HornsSnake River Harley Davidson Rigert Law CharteredCrawford Network Consulting Dave CazelRedmon Aviary & Gamebird Farm Elli Dutcher, FNPL and L Construction,Fred Lindsey Boise CycleEdwards Greenhouse Jumpin Janets4E’s CMALonghorn Bead BuddiesCreekside Common Ground Biker ChurchDave & Lori Idaho STARMRF Heather, Terri & Piper

We are very grateful for our contributors who donated items, time and talent for Best of the West and Fun Valley.

Readers, support those who support us!

ABS and the Urban Myths of Braking By Sunshine Gillett, Idaho STAR

TheIdahoSTARProgramwouldliketothankICMSandMRFforinvitingustoconductaneducationalseminar/demosessionattheBestoftheWestConferenceinJune.Thecrowdwasexceptionallyfriendlyandengaged,andwesincerelyappreciatedtheaudienceparticipation. ThisbriefseminaraddressedsomeofthecommonmythsaboutbrakinganddiscussedABSasaviableoptionforhandlingthe‘issues’oftenseeninemergencybrakingsituations.Herearethosecommonurbanmyths: •“Ihadtolayitdowntoavoidthecrash” •“Youcan‘control’arearwheelskid” •“Ifyoulocktherearwheel,keepitlocked” •“Idon’tneedABS.Icanstopfasterwithoutit”Ifyounoddedinagreementwithanyoftheabovestatements,considerthefollowing: If you have to ‘lay it down,’ isn’t that also a crash? When you lay it down, you give up control of the bike. When the bike is sliding on the ground, you can’t change speed or direction (the basics of motorcycle control). So, in short, laying thebikedown really isn’t a goodalternative. What is a goodalternative is scanningwellaheadandhavingamentalstrategythatallowsyoutoanticipatehazardswellinadvance.Thiswillallowyoutoreactappropriatelyandavoidhavingtouseradical‘evasive’maneuverssuchaslayingabikedown.Canwepredicteverything100%ofthetime?No,butbeingassertiveinscanningandanticipatingwhatcouldgowrongcansignificantlyreduceyourchancesofa‘gravityattack.’ If the rear wheel is locked up, you also give up much of your control. You can’t change direction, and you can’t accelerate. Ultimately,aslidingreartireequatestoalossofvehiclecontrol,becausetheridercannotsteeroutofaskidorchangespeed.Theridercancontinuetomakesteeringinputs,butthebikewillsimplyfollowlawsofphysicsandmovealonginthesamedirectionthefronttirewaspointedwhenthewheellockedup.Whileyoucanstillusethefrontbrake,applyingmorerearbrakeonlyincreasesthedurationoftheskid. If you keep the rear wheel locked, will that keep you from high-siding? No.Infact,chancesare,therearwheelwilleventuallycatchonsomething–arockoragrooveinthepavementorwill‘grab’asaresultofweightshifting,partsdragging,etc.Thefurtheroutofalignmentyoubecome,themoreviolentthehigh-sidewilllikelybe.Thelongeryoukeeptherearwheellocked,thegreaterthechancesoftherearfishtailingoutofalignment,hencethemoreabruptthe‘grabandtoss’effectwhenthatreartiredoesregaintraction.So,yourbestbetistoimmediatelyandfullyreleasethebraketoregaincontrolandreapplymoresmoothlywithlesspressure. Can you outperform ABS - every stop in every surface condition?Sorry,answerisno.NotevenprofessionalriderscanconsistentlyoutperformABS,everystop,everytime-andcertainlynotonpavementwithlessthanidealtractionconditions,orwhengoingfrompavementtogravel/grass/dirt/oil,etc.SkilledriderscansometimesstopabikefasterwithoutusingABS,butthehardandfasttruthisthatcrashstatisticsshowuswe’rejustnotthatskilledatstoppingquickly.ABSenableseventheinexperiencedridertoshortenstoppingdistancestoaminimumwheneverfacedwithanemergencysituation–oftenpreventingwhatcouldhavebeenanastycrash. WithoutthevisualimpactofaliveABSdemonstration,it’shardtoimaginethepowerandeffectivenessofABS-assistedbraking.However,westronglyencourageyoutocheckitout–dosomeresearchonyourownanddecideforyourselfifit’sacureforthecommonurbanmyth.Wethinkitis.

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Results from the Fun Valley Rally Rodeo:

Slow Race: 1st - Jay Martin 2nd - Pauly Sitz 3rd - Ken JonesWeenie Bite: 1st - Dirty Girl & Lucas Francke 2nd - Stix & JenniferRail Ride: 1st - Captain Jack Martin 2nd - Ken Jones 3rd - Al WormanBin Ladin Shoot: 1st - Chris Lambing & Midge 2nd - Ken & Jaime JonesToilet Paper Race: 1st - Jennifer & Steve Graybeal 2nd - Amber & Captain Jack Martin

Overall Cowboy: Ken Jones

FUN VALLEY 2010

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10NR21 - MRF News Release - US EPA Considers Lowering Motorcycle Sound Emissions LevelsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE15 July 2010Contact: Jeff Hennie, Government Relations and Public Affairs

US EPA Considers Lowering Motorcycle Sound Emissions Levels

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has learned that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun collecting data from the industry to consider lowering the allowable decibel level for motorcycles. Currently the allowable sound any vehicle can generate is capped at 83db. The EPA has sent letters to nine companies that either import or build aftermarket exhaust systems or complete motorcycles. This small sample size is troubling for a couple of reasons. First, it is not representative of the much larger motorcycling community that will be affected by changing the regulation, rendering the survey results questionable at best. Second, any time a federal agency wants to spend taxpayer money to survey a group of 10 or more individuals or organizations, they must obtain approval from the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The approval process isn’t easy and can often be drawn out, giving American citizens the right to weigh in on the agency’s application for permission to survey. However, when an agency only contacts nine organizations, they don’t have to tell anyone or get permission from the OMB to move forward on the survey, making the process lack transparency. Why just motorcycles? It appears that the EPA doesn’t want to curb all noise, or even all vehicle noise, just noise coming from two-wheeled vehicles. We at the MRF find that distinction discriminatory and simply unacceptable, not to mention that it suggests a more personal agenda and not an agency-wide push. What sort of impact will new decibel levels have on retailers and ultimately motorcycle owners? Alarmingly, this does not appear to have been addressed. After reviewing the survey questions, it appears that the EPA is only concerned with the impact on manufacturers. While public correspondence has not revealed the EPA’s true intention to lower the allowable decibel limit, the EPA indicated in a private phone call with the MRF that it would certainly not be raising the standard or keeping it the same. That leaves one option, lowering the decibel standard for motorcycles. The MRF is working with Congress to get the EPA to explain their intentions and motivations. The MRF is also working to meet directly with the EPA to further determine exactly is going on with this issue. You can view the actual EPA questionnaire on the MRF website at http://www.mrf.org/pdf/EPA_questionnaire_June2010.pdf

10NR22 - MRF News Release - MRF URGENT CALL TO ACTION - Mandatory Motorcycle Roadside StopsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE23 July 2010Contact: Jeff Hennie, Government Relations and Public Affairs

MRF URGENT CALL TO ACTION - Mandatory Motorcycle Roadside Stops

A mandatory roadside motorcycle stop may be coming to a town near you, reports the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF). Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has asked for applications from law enforcement outfits to apply for a new pot of taxpayer money designated for pulling motorcyclists off the road to lecture them about safety. The MRF strongly opposes this sort of discrimination against motorcyclists. “Pulling over law-abiding motorcyclists does not make anyone safer and is huge waste of taxpayer money,” said Jeff Hennie, Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs for the MRF. NHTSA’s request for applications asks law enforcement officials to submit plans similar to what New York State Police did last summer. They set up outside big public motorcycle gatherings and pulled every single motorcyclist over to the side of the road to lecture them about safety, drinking and riding, proper tire inflation, and so on. The MRF feels there are much more productive and less discriminatory ways to promote safety for motorcyclists, and is disappointed that this approach was decided upon behind closed doors by a group of federal employees who apparently did not consult anyone in the motorcycling community for their input and expertise in motorcycle safety. This particular project is limited to five law enforcement agencies, and total funding is capped at $350,000. In these tough economic times, that’s a ton of money. The deadline for applications is August 13, and to the MRF’s knowledge, no applications have yet been submitted. The MRF will be investigating to determine if NHTSA and the federal government have legal jurisdiction to fund states to single out one particular type of vehicle for clearly discriminatory practices over other vehicles, and will be working diligently to see that these proposed grants are never awarded. The MRF encourages you to contact U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood today to voice your displeasure, either by phone: 202-366-4000 or by email: http://ntl.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/ntl.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php Contact Jeff Hennie, MRF Vice President for Government Relations and Public Affairs, at Jeff@mrf.org if you have any questions or need further information.

MRF E-MAIL NEWS Motorcycle Riders Foundation236 Massachusetts Ave. NE | Suite 510 | Washington, DC 20002-4980202-546-0983 (voice) | 202-546-0986 (fax) | http://www.mrf.org

FRIDAY: Livemusic(RoadHouz)attheOasisSATURDAY: BreakfastattheVFWhall Statewideplanning&informationmeeting11amattheCommunityCenter Rodeo PokerWalk Livemusic(RoadHouz)attheOasisSUNDAY: Churchserviceatthepark ParadeandvisitwiththeresidentsatBrooksideLanding (VFW Veterans and all riders are welcome and encouraged to participate in the parade.) PokerRun Livemusic(RoadHouz)willplayatthepark 50/50&raffleFOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

MikeThacker208-476-3630● JamesHutchinson208-476-4805● LaneTriplett208-336-0052

FRIENDSHIP RUNSeptember 4th, 5th, 6th 2010In

OROFINO, IDaHO

PURPOSE:Anopportunitytoexchangeideas&worktogether StatewideforMotorcycleRights&Safety

&TO HAVE SOME FUN!

Sponsored by ABATE of North Idaho&

Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety

Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety

FALL MEMORIAL RUNSunday-October 3, 2010

First StopVeteran’s Park-Boise 10:00 a.m. To 12:00 P.m.

Last Stop and Route to be Announced at First Stop

$10.00 First Entry $5.00 For Each Additional Entry

1/2 Proceeds to I.C.M.S. 1/2 To 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Winners

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 573-4191 “STIX”, 336-0052 Lane, 343-7452 Chuc

© 2010 ICMS. All Rights Reserved.

RIDE SAFEBy Chuc Coulter

Every year the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) publishes its statistics reflecting traffic crashes, and more particularly, motorcyclists in crashes. Last year, in 2009, 34 motorcyclists (riders or passengers) lost their lives in crashes. This was an increase over 2007 and 2008 of 29 each year. This was not a function of increase in motorcycle registrations as it went down 12.9%. It was not a function of the increase in the number of crashes as that went down 15.8%. So what is it? Even though we have experienced a significant increase in efforts to make the general traffic public aware of motorcycles, and that may be working, the numbers tell us that 24% of those fatalities involved impaired motorcyclists and 52% of those fatalities were single-vehicle crashes. Are we killing ourselves? Is it a lack of skills, trained skills? Some of it may be so. The published statistics from ITD do not provide that information. The Idaho STAR motorcycle training program has attempted to track that and did so covering 1996 through 2006. (See www.idahostar.org). That effort shows that of 4,282 motorcycle crashes, 875 had not had training; that STAR training is associated with a 71% reduced crash risk and an 81% reduction in risk of a fatal crash. Those numbers indicate that if the 185 “untrained” fatalities had training, 159 would not have experienced the fatalities. So if we continue the public awareness of motorcycles program; if we get rid of the impaired riding; if we take seriously the skills training that is available to riders so we don’t crash ourselves in single-vehicle accidents, the number of fatalities could be more like 6 to 10. And even that may be too much. The side benefits of such decisions and a plan by each rider are endless. It looks like the biggest factor is what each rider decides. Let’s do our part to reduce crashes and fatalities this year. Ride safe and sober.

Best of the WestBy Chris Lambing

There were several seminars during Best of the West. These seminars are designed to provide education and information for those involved in motorcyclists’ rights. I attended social networking and Lies, Damn Lies and Politics. The social networking seminar helped explained the use of social networking sites. Best of the West is an opportunity to network with other motorcyclist rights activists around the country. I was able to give presentations of ICMS’s Motorcycle Awareness Video to various individuals and groups. I gave members from ABATE of Nevada copies of the video. They have plans to see if it can be incorporated into their driver’s education curriculum. Nevada does not have motorcycle specific training in their driver’s education programs. I was also able to distribute approximately 20 copies of the video to other individuals and organizations. Best of the West was a great way to gain general knowledge and awareness of what is occurring at a national level for motorcyclist’s rights. 7

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Boise Police Ban Texting While Driving http://local.nixle.com/alert/2838135/

BOISE, Idaho – Boise Police Department employees have been barred from using their cell phones or other handheld devices to text or e-mail while driving the agency’s vehicles, a move the force says sets a good example for all drivers. The police force in Idaho’s largest city is making the move just three months after the Idaho Legislature failed to enact a statewide texting-while-driving ban. Boise Police Chief Michael Masterson says employees can still use handheld electronic devices while driving to get GPS information. He says a variety of communication tools help his officers protect the public, but texting-while-driving isn’t one of them. Boise Police employees were in 37 crashes last year, fewer than other forces in similar-size cities. None of those crashes involved texting, either by the employee or citizen.

ATTENTION ALL RIDERS!The Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety has been informed that there will be a summer motorcycle enforcement project, focusing on aggressive & impaired riders within Boise County. It started several weeks ago, and runs through Labor Day weekend, for about two months. Please be careful while enjoying Boise County.

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DON’T FORGET TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP! QUESTIONS? CALL

DaVon (208)-462-3995

Address Change? Please update your contact information!

Email icms.editor@gmail.com.

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If you have a Harley-Davidson or American V-Twin, we can:

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Since 1972

Interesting Stats Idaho Transportation Department Office of Highway Safety 

Quarterly Report* For Fatal Crashes Reporting Date: April 1, 2010 through June 30, 2010  Second   Second   Year   Year  QUARTER   QUARTER   TO DATE   TO DATE  2009   2010   2009   2010  Fatalities   47   43   92   73  All Fatal Collisions  

42   40   78   68  

Pedestrian Fatalities  

2   1   2   1  

Pedalcycle Fatalities  

4   0   5   1  

Motorcycle Fatalities  

11   6   15   7  

Truck & Truck‐Tractor Fatalities  

2   3   6   5  

Truck & Truck‐Tractor Fatal Collisions  

2   3   6   5  

* Data is preliminary and is subject to change.   

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JOIN US ON FACEBOOK:http://www.facebook.com/Idaho.Coalition.for.Motorcycle.Safety

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The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the leading voice for you, the street rider, in Washington, D.C. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is committed to less federal government involvement in your daily life. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation firmly supports the rights of the individual state governments to enact legislation without the threat of federal intervention. We stand for freedom of choice, freedom from unsafe highways, and freedom from unfair and overly restrictive federal and international regulations. Support the National Lobby Group for SMROS!

www.m r f . o r g

It’s time you did something more to protect your rights!Join and Support Motorcycle Riders Foundation… RegiSteR, Vote, and Ride!

Annual Individual Membership ...........$30 3-Year Individual Membership .............$80 Annual Joint Membership .....................$50 3-Year Joint Membership .................... $130 Annual Sustaining Membership ....... $100 Freedom Fighter Donation: $10 $25 $ ___________________

PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE YOUR INFORMATION:

Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Phone

E-mail Address

New Renewal (Member #______________)

Are you a member of a state motorcyclist’s rights organization? Yes No If yes, name ____________________________________

Mail remittance to: Motorcycle Riders Foundation, 236 Massachusetts Ave NE, Suite 510, Washington, DC 20002-4980 • Phone 202-546-0983 / Fax 202-546-0986 Internet: www.mrf.org / Email: mrfoffice@mrf.org

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Referred by __________________________________________

Date ________________________________________________ Check No. __________________________________________ MRF # _____________________________________________ Exp. Date __________________________________________

Member was given: Pin Patch Year Rocker Newsletter

What issue? ________________________________________

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Idaho Traffic Crashes 2009The Idaho Transportation Department has released “Idaho Traffic Crashes 2009”. Table 39 on page 60 of the report shows data for motorcyclists involved in crashes from 2005 to 2009. It states “The number of motorcycle crashes decreased in 2009 by 16%, but motorcycle fatalities increased 17%. Of all motorcyclists involved in crashes in 2009, 87% received some degree of injury. Of all motorcycle crashes, 10% involved impaired motorcyclists, while 24% of fatal motorcycle crashes involved impaired motorcyclists. Just over half (53%) of all motorcycle crashes were single-vehicle crashes and 52% of fatal motorcycle crashes involved only a single motorcycle. Of the motorcyclists killed in 2009, 52% were over 50 years old.” The entire report may be seen on the web at http://itd.idaho.gov/ohs/2009Data/Analysis2009.pdf . Scroll to page 60.

Despite the efforts of many, the fatality rate has increased from 29 in 2008 to 34 in 2009. This has happened while motorcycle registrations dropped from 62,673 to 54,568 and the total crashes were down from 678 to 571. The dramatic increase in fatalities is baffling.

On a percentage basis, the fatalities rate that involves alcohol or other drug impairment is down from 31% to 24%. But we still lost just one less rider, 8 vs. 9. It is unacceptable and tragic that we still continue to do this to ourselves or allow our friends to ride under the influence.

More discouraging news is that 52% of the deaths were the result of single vehicle crashes. This tells us that we are often making our own mistakes. We might then conclude that 48% of the deaths involved another vehicle but that doesn’t mean that it is always the other vehicles fault. It also doesn’t mean that all of the 52% were the sole fault of the rider. There may be circumstances beyond the operators control. All of us would like to see fatalities decrease in the State of Idaho.

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

IDAHO COALITION FORMOTORCYCLE SAFETY, INC.PO BOX 2732 BOISE, ID 83701-2732A non profit organization

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