Well, a lot of interesting things are churning away in the local and federal government buildings. First and foremost, the ROW bill is still looming in our Congress here at home. The Right Of Way Bill, again, is very important for motorcyclists, bicyclists, and even pedestrians. This Bill would dish out stiffer penalties for those people who cut you off, hit you from behind, or make a left turn in front of you. Right now, the law merely slaps these people on the wrist, even if a serious or fatal in jury occurs. Be sure to call your senators and representatives and let them know they should support this Bill.
    Second, SB 207 and HB 278, the Seizure bills have been reintroduced into the Ohio Congress. These bills would modify the current obligations of police officers when a situation arises where they have to "seize" a motorcycle. If an officer cannot identify a motorcycle or who the bike's owner is, they have a right to seize the motorcycle until that identity can be determined. Currently, there are very lax guidelines for these officers concerning the handling and storage of these bikes. These two bills direct law enforcement to transport, secure and store the motorcycle to avoid any damage to the bike. In addition, these bills would actually impose civil liability upon the officers and even the state, if the care guidelines are not followed. Which means, if they didn't care for your bike the way they should have, they are liable to fix it! Currently, there is no liability on the part of law enforcement if they damage a bike.
    Third, on the federal level, the U.S. House of Representatives have reintroduced the Right to Repair Act, HR 2694. This bill would allow you to get your bikes fixed anywhere you wanted. Cur rently, certain manufacturers hold a kind of monopoly on the information necessary to fix your vehi cles. They don't want to give up the information for two basic reasons. First, they are calling it a trade secret. This information deals with the way they make their vehicles. Secondly, and most im portant, money. These manufacturers want nothing but money. They don't want you to be able to go to the neighborhood mechanic or even do it yourself. They want you to pay them. This bill, and the companion bill in the Senate, would eliminate that monopoly and let you go anywhere you want. Again, freedom of choice is everything.
    Fourth, again with the Feds, the HIPAA bill, H.R. 1076, has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill is extremely important. Right now, a health insurance company can deny you health benefits if you take part in certain recreational activities. And, yes, right now, they consider riding a bike a "recreational activity." This is an outrageous attack on hard working, premium paying health care recipients. Again, this is an example of our rights being taken away. What makes this worse, is that they are being taken away, not by the Feds, but by huge health insur ance, money grubbing companies. We cannot stand for this. Be sure to call your Representatives and make them listen to you.
    These are the things that need immediate attention. We have changed things in the past, and we will continue to get things changed in the future. We can do this.
   

'Til next time, ride hard, ride safe, ride free.