Body: Date: Jan 9, 2008 10:26 AM
Subject: Florida - The Seizure State-Please Read - Repost If You Want
Body: Hey all,

A couple of months ago, I sent out a bulletin about a bill in the Florida House that would have allowed police to arrest and seize the bike of any rider deemed to be driving recklessly and / or going 30 miles an hour over the speed limit. A whole bunch of people sent emails to the sponsoring representative, showing their disapproval of any such law. The representative wrote back, stating that he never meant for the law to affect ALL bikers, just the ones who drive recklessly, and said that the wording would be changed.

Now we are faced with the "changed" bill, now up for voting in the Florida state Senate. While the speed limit wording is no longer in place, the bill is still way too vague. Florida SB 802 "Provides that if a person is operating or is in actual physical control of a motorcycle while driving recklessly, a law enforcement officer shall arrest the person, take him or her into custody, and seize the motorcycle. Requires that a person riding on a motorcyle or moped must ride while sitting astride the seat with one leg on each side and with both wheels on the ground at all times, etc." However, this bill, if passed, allows any police officer to judge for himself if a person is deemed to be reckless, whether for popping wheelies or just for trying to get around the cages that pay no attention to riders. It also gives them the right to confiscate your motorcycle and terminate your motorcycle endorsement permanently.

Don't get me wrong. I understand that a person doing 90 mile an hour wheelies in traffic on major highways is reckless, but motorcyclists and car drivers should have the same rules, regulations and penalties. A reckless driver in a car does not have to worry about his car being seized without recourse, and the penalties are certainly not as dire as what this bill would allow law enforcement to do to us. It's singling out riders, especially sport bike riders, and could certainly be used against club members and riding groups, since the "recklessness" is judged at the discretion of the individual officer.


I urge you to contact your local state senator, or one of the sponsors of the bill, and tell them your opinion on this bill. And for those who don't live in Florida, if it happens here, it can happen where you live too.

Thanks, and please repost if you share my opinion,
Jeff
Bars4bikers

LINKS TO THE SPONSORS OF THIS BILL ARE AT THIS URL:

http://bigbendbikersforfreedom.blogs...iding-for.html

"FLORIDA SB 802 - Motorcycles or Mopeds/Reckless Driving
GENERAL BILL by Garcia
Motorcycles or Mopeds/Reckless Driving: Provides that if a person is operating or is in actual physical control of a motorcycle while driving recklessly, a law enforcement officer shall arrest the person, take him or her into custody, and seize the motorcycle. Requires that a person riding on a motorcyle or moped must ride while sitting astride the seat with one leg on each side and with both wheels on the ground at all times, etc.
Effective Date: 10/01/2008"

Glorioso, Richard (R) Chair
Aubuchon, Gary (R) Vice Chair
Bucher, Susan (D) Democratic Ranking Member
Evers, Greg (R)
Hooper, Ed (R)
Patronis, Jimmy (R)
Precourt, Stephen L. (R)
Randolph, Scott (D)
Scionti, Michael (D)
Thompson, Nicholas R. (R)

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lol nothing to keep cagers from driving better i see. what a load of shit.

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"Sin City Sportbikes was founded by Las Vegas sport bike enthusiasts in response to a desire to promote a positive and safe image of the sport. Riders and enthusiasts from all over the Las Vegas Valley have joined together in an effort to give back to a community that has helped and nurtured us. "

-Sin City Sportbikes

I say apply the law to both bikes and cars and make it federal so its nationwide

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+1

They need to make this law for ALL motorized vehicles. There are just as many asshats in cages driving recklessly as bikers.

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And i think a cager is alot more dangerous to others than anyone on a bike. While it is possible to hurt others on a bike, it is more likely in a car. Apply the rules to all vehicles and I will bet my bank account it will never pass. Here is a rule of thunb to keep in mind when it comes to the government. They will not take all your rights away at once!! There would be too much resistance. No, instead they do it little by little when before you know it, BAM, no more rights. Think about it for a second....You put a frog in boiling water and it will jump right out...If you put a frog in warm water, slowly heating it up it will stay in and boil to death. WATCH OUT, here comes the government protecting us against ourselves.

what the hell happen to our free country

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