The Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists (VCOM) strongly opposes this bill. In an effort to understand the reasoning behind this bill, Jim Cannon and I met with Delegate Stolle this morning. He advised us that the bill was introduced at the request of the Chief of Police of Virginia Beach. The Delegate also clearly believes in this bill. His reasoning was that Virginia
Code already requires children under age eight to be restrained when traveling in any motor vehicle and that this bill merely clarifies the code. He also felt it was a safety issue. Despite our arguments he held firm to his position.

Let’s look at the Delegate’s arguments. First, Virginia Code Section 46.2-1095 requires that any person who drives on the highways of Virginia any motor vehicle manufactured after January 1, 1968, shall ensure that any child, up to age eight, whom he transports therein, is provided with and properly secured in a child restraint device. (emphasis added). You do not
place a child in a motorcycle. It is impossible to get in a motorcycle. You get on a motorcycle and therefore the child is being transported thereon not therein. As such this section does not apply to motorcycles. When this legislation passed not a single member of the General Assembly was considering motorcycles. If the delegate wants to clear up the code he can do so by adding motorcycles to section E of the statute which lists vehicles
to which the statute does not apply, such as taxicabs, school buses and limousines.

The Delegate’s safety argument also fails. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles there have been fourteen children age eight and under injured as motorcycle passengers over the past three years. That is an average of less than five per year. There have been no deaths in the past three years. How is this safety issue? It seems to me that the motorcycling parents of this Commonwealth are doing a pretty good job of deciding for
themselves when their children are ready to be motorcycle passengers.

I would urge all motorcyclists to call and/or email Delegate Stolle and voice your concerns over HB 1850. Delegate Stolle’s phone number is (804) 698-1083. His email address is DelCStolle@house.virginia.gov

I would also urge you to contact your legislator and let him or her know how you feel. You can find the contact information for every legislator at the following link:
http://lis.virginia.gov/111/mbr/MBR.HTM

It is of great importance do this now. The session is only 45 days long and this bill could come up in sub-committee soon. When VCOM receives notification of the subcommittee meeting we will put out another notification so that anyone who wishes to attend can. The more motorcyclists we have in sub-committee the more likely we can defeat this assault on the rights of motorcyclists. You can also follow VCOM on twitter @VAMotorcyclist.

I would also strongly urge you to attend Lobby Day this Monday, January 17, 2011. Come to the Capitol with other motorcyclists and tell Delegate Stolle and other legislators how you feel about this bill and other matters of interest to Virginia Motorcyclists. There will be a legislative meeting starting at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday January 16 at the Holiday Inn Airport in
Sandston, VA. We will discuss all upcoming legislation and how to speak with your legislators. After the meeting there will be a free BBQ Dinner cooked by Stewart Newton. The next morning we will depart for the Capitol where you will have access to members of the General Assembly and their aids. After we speak with the senators and delegates we will go to Penny Lane Pub where lunch will be served compliments of Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group. I hope to see you there.

If you have any questions or comments concerning this or any other matters please feel free to contact me.

Matt Danielson
Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
www.motorcyclelawgroup.com

Prep session starts at 1:00 PM on the 16th, leave for the Capitol at 8:00 AM on the 17th.

Holiday Inn Airport
445 International Center Drive
Sandston, VA 23150
(804) 236-1111

Flyer available here: http://www.vcomonline.org/LobbyDay2011Flyer.pdf

On January 19th, 2009 the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists (VCOM) will give you a chance to have your say. We start Lobby day with a conference on Sunday afternoon, this year it will be January 18th at 12:00 noon at the Holiday Inn Crossroads in Richmond. We will go over the basics of lobbying, address every bill in consideration that affects motorcyclists and the ins and outs of what they will mean if passed. That evening we have an absolutely top notch BBQ dinner prepared by Stuart Newton of Hampton Roads Harley Davidson. This year he is adding beef brisket and mustard based BBQ sauce. Should be the best yet!

The next morning we leave the hotel for the Capital at 8:00 am sharp. We spend the morning talking to Senators, Delegates and legislative aides. When the days session convenes at noon some of us go into the house chamber for introductions while the rest of us head to Penny Lane Pub for an Irish lunch compliments of Tom McGrath and his Motorcycle Law Group.

Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in the process. If you don’t stand up for yourself you can’t expect anyone else to.

Host Hotel is;
Holiday Inn Crossroads (804)359-6061
2000 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, VA 23230

Ask for the VCOM rate.

Feel free to contact VCOM with any questions (804)353-3971 or jim@vcomonline.org

On January 19th, 2009 the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists (VCOM) will give you a chance to have your say. We start Lobby day with a conference on Sunday afternoon, this year it will be January 18th at 12:00 noon at the Holiday Inn Crossroads in Richmond. We will go over the basics of lobbying, address every bill in consideration that affects motorcyclists and the ins and outs of what they will mean if passed. That evening we have an absolutely top notch BBQ dinner prepared by Stuart Newton of Hampton Roads Harley Davidson. This year he is adding beef brisket and mustard based BBQ sauce. Should be the best yet!

The next morning we leave the hotel for the Capital at 8:00 am sharp. We spend the morning talking to Senators, Delegates and legislative aides. When the days session convenes at noon some of us go into the house chamber for introductions while the rest of us head to Penny Lane Pub for an Irish lunch compliments of Tom McGrath and his Motorcycle Law Group.

Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in the process. If you don’t stand up for yourself you can’t expect anyone else to.

Host Hotel is;
Holiday Inn Crossroads (804)359-6061
2000 Staples Mill Rd.
Richmond, VA 23230

Ask for the VCOM rate.

Feel free to contact VCOM with any questions (804)353-3971 or jim@vcomonline.org

Lot of bikes out on the road these days. Just over the past week I have posted a few articles about how motorcycle and scooter sales are up because of the gas prices. People need to start watching out for us out there.

This is a great motorcycle awareness PSA spot put together by the Motorcycle! VA! folks featuring some of the Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists folks and Governor Tim Kaine.

If you want to check out a couple of other Motorcycle Awareness PSA check them out here. Unfortunately the download links do not work.

Stay cool and be safe out there!

RIDE FREE!