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Vetoes Helmet Law Repeal</a></li> <li><a href="#Ready">Tribute to beloved biker</a></li> <li><a href="#hobe">Hobe Sound motorcyclist killed</a></li> <li><a href="#GNCC">GNCC Racing Motorcycles</a></li> <li><a href="#dragon">Lure of the "Dragon"</a></li> <li><a href="#GNCC1">GNCC Racing ATV's</a></li> <li><a href="#anamosa">Motorcyclists gather in Anamosa</a></li> <li><a href="#funding">Motorcycle event funding approved</a></li> <li><a href="#charged">Man charged in motorcyclist death</a></li> <li><a href="#chase">Motorcyclist flees police, crashes</a></li> <li><a href="#mufflers">Mufflers to be monitored</a></li> <li><a href="#4crash">Motorcycles crash on bridge</a></li> <li><a href="#thief">Thief takes wrong motorcycle</a></li> <li><a href="#GNCC2">GNCC Snowshoe Mountain</a></li> <li><a href="#deputy">Deputy strikes deer</a></li> <li><a href="#Smilie">Smilie arraigned in Ohio court</a></li> <li><a href="#Lane3">Lane to enter Plea</a></li> <li><a href="#RTWD">Ride to Work Day</a></li> <li><a href="#AHRMA5">AHRMA to Ensure Future</a></li> <li><a href="#AHRMA4">AHRMA Replacement Events</a></li> <li><a href="#MIC">MIC Survey</a></li> <li><a href="#MSTA">HSTA gets a new name</a></li> <li><a href="#katyw">Wood named manager for Museum</a></li> <li><a href="#cpsc1">CPSC Votes to Stay Law</a></li> <li><a href="#AHRMA3">AHRMA/AMA Split</a></li> <li><a href="#Mederski">Mederski resigns at Museum</a></li> </ul> <h1>EVENTS</h1> <ul class="sidemenu"> <li><a href="/events/floridaevents.html">Florida Events</a></li> <li><a href="/events/national.html">National Events</a></li>  </ul> <h1>Pictures</h1> <ul class="sidemenu"> <li><a href="/lightbox/VMMC/index.html">Victor McLaglen Motor Corps</a></li>  </ul> <h1>SCHEDULES</h1> <ul class="sidemenu"> <li><a href="/schedules/gnccschedule.html">GNCC 2009 Schedule</a></li> <li><a href="/schedules/ahrmaschedule.html">AHRMA 2009 Schedule</a></li> <li><a href="/schedules/ftr2009schedule.html">Florida Trail Riders 2009 Schedule</a></li>  </ul> <h1>Wise Words</h1>   <p>"It is not who is right, but what is right, that is of importance."</p> <p class="align-right">- Thomas Huxley</p>  <p><span title="Sign Up Today"><a href="http://www.floridabikernetwork.com/ccount/click.php?id=1" target="_blank"><img src="/images/FREEAMA_160x600.jpg" width="160" height="600" alt="AMA Free Roadside Assistance" /></a></span></p> <p><span title="Florida Biker Network offers affordable ads"><a href="http://www.floridabikernetwork.com/ccount/click.php?id=4"><img src="/images/ads/fbnadadv1.jpg" width="160" height="150" alt="Your ad could be here" /></a></span></p> <p align="center"><span title="Your source for vintage parts"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.floridabikernetwork.com/ccount/click.php?id=9"><img src="/images/ads/miketxt_bn.jpg" width="160" height="503" alt="Mike's Cycle Vintage Parts" /></a></span></p> <p align="center"><span title="Stats Provided By"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.statcounter.com/"><img src="/images/statcounter.gif" width="88" height="31" alt="StatCounter.com" /></a></span><br><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE="1" FACE="arial"><b>Statistics provided by StatCounter.com.</b></font></p> <p><span title="Florida's Best Bikefest"><a target="_blank" href="http://leesburgbikefest.com/"><img src="/images/leesburgbikefest_Ad_09.jpg" width="160" height="600" alt="Leesburg Bikefest" /></a></span></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.floridabikernetwork.com/ccount/click.php?id=2" target="_new"><img src="/images/ads/stop_ban_banner.jpg" width="150" height="562" alt="Stop The Ban" /></a></p> </div>  <div id="main"> <h1 id="top">WELCOME</h1> <p>Welcome to the <strong>Florida Biker Network™</strong> website. Our goal is to keep you informed about the Florida and National biking scene. Add us to your bookmarks or favorites for quick access.</p> <p>When using any of our advertisers please tell them you saw their ad on Florida Biker Network™.</p>   <p class="post-footer align-left"> <b>To Bookmark this page press CTRL - D</b>  <span class="date">Feb 8, 2009</span> </p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="Nixon">Missouri Governor vetoes bill to let motorcyclists ride without helmets.</h1> <h3>Health, law enforcement officials argued change would increase fatalities.</h3> <p><div class="articleImage" style="width:72px; float: left;"><a href="/images/news/govnixon.jpg" rel="lightbox[Nixon]" title="Gov. Jay Nixon (D) MO"><img src="/images/news/thumbs/govnixonth.jpg" alt="" width="72" height="108" /></a><br />Governor Jay Nixon (D) MO</div><strong>Jefferson City, MO (June 2, 2009) -</strong> Keep that helmet handy.</p><p>Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday dashed the hopes of many Missouri motorcycle riders by taking the veto pen to legislation that would have relaxed the state's helmet laws.</p><p>Nixon cited rider safety and the specter of soaring health care costs as reasons for his veto of Senate Bill 202.</p><p>Trumpeted by many as a boon to personal liberty, the legislation would have lifted the helmet requirement for riders 21 and older when they weren't travelling on interstate highways.</p><p>"In terms of lives and of dollars, the cost of repealing Missouri's helmet law simply would have been too high," Nixon said in a written statement. "By keeping Missouri's helmet law intact, we will save numerous lives, while also saving Missouri taxpayers millions of dollars in increased health care costs. Keeping our helmet law in place was the safe and cost-effective choice for Missouri."</p><p>When the bill passed in late April, the governor's office was inundated with e-mails and letters, most of them urging Nixon to sign the legislation.</p><p>At the same time, law enforcement and health officials clamored against it, claiming a lax helmet law would spur a rise in motorcycle-related fatalities.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/Nixon.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 2, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="Ready">900 pay tribute to beloved biker.</h1> <h3>Tattooed, wind-burned, black-leather-clad bikers wept openly and hugged one another at the funeral for Roger Ready, a brother in several ways to many of the 900 or more people who filled the high school gym here Wednesday.</h3> <p><strong>LARIMORE, ND (June 30, 2009) -</strong> It was the largest funeral in the history of this city of 1,400, longtime residents said.</p><p>The 90-minute service was a celebration and a tribute to a remarkable man who clearly affected many people by the way he lived his life. </p><p>Ready died riding.</p><p>It was midmorning last Friday, and he was with biker brothers, tooling down state Highway 200 near the center of North Dakota on his way to an American Legion legacy ride when they hit a bad patch of road. </p><p>“It was a pothole 2 feet wide,” said a biker familiar with the story that immediately spread through the region’s biker community. Ready and one or two others went down. Ready was hurt badly and died later at a nearby hospital. He wasn’t wearing a helmet.</p><p>He was 61. </p><p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/Ready.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 30, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="hobe">Hobe Sound motorcyclist killed in accident.</h1> <p><strong>Hobe Sound, FL (June 28, 2009) -</strong> A Hobe Sound man died after apparently losing control of his motorcycle shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday.</p><p>Charles E. Thompson, 42, was killed in the accident that occurred on Southeast Seabranch Boulevard, about two miles west of U.S. 1, according to a Florida Highway Patrol release.</p><p>Thompson was driving his 1986 Honda east on Southeast Seabranch Boulevard when he reportedly lost control of the motorcycle, struck a curb and traveled onto the grass median. The motorcycle then struck a large tree and Thompson was thrown off, hitting a tree, according to the report.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right">   <span class="date">June 28, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="GNCC">Knighter Welcomed Back With A Win.</h1> <h3>Knighter Welcomed Back to GNCC with $10,000 MotorcycleUSA.com Snowshoe Win. Whibley and Kanney also on podium.</h3> <p><img src="/images/gncc_logo2.jpg" width="157" height="67" alt="GNCC LOGO" class="float-left" /><strong>Snowshoe, WV (June 28, 2009) -</strong> The MotorcycleUSA.com Snowshoe GNCC, round nine of the Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, yielded big surprises for some and heartbreak for others, as David Knight returned to the podium with a dominant win on his privateer Kawasaki KX450F, followed by GEICO/JG Racing Monster Energy Kawasaki's Paul Whibley taking a surprise second and Shock Doctor KTM's Nate Kanney's first appearance on the podium since round one.</p> <p>Defending GNCC champion Knight who just recently left a BMW ride in Europe to make this GNCC trip possible, took home the $10,000 overall win prize, as well as an additional $1000 for topping the XC1 class. The big-purse Snowshoe event, the only off-road race of its kind to take place at a ski resort, also paid a $5000 bonus to Whibley and $3000 to Kanney.</p> <p>"The first thing is to have fun on the bike again," Knight said. "The track wasn't difficult. I just had to use my head a little bit."</p> <p>Knight battled with FMF Makita Suzuki's Josh Strang for most of the race, until Strang crashed into a deer on the fifth lap, knocking the four-time race winner on the season out of the running in shocking fashion.</p> <p>Strang and his teammate Charlie Mullins, Whibley and his teammate Jarrett and Am-Pro Yamaha's Barry Hawk made up the first line to take off in the modified start, which took place on a blacktop road with a live-engine start next to the Snowshoe ski village. Hawk led the pack around the first corner and into the toughest track of the 2009 season, where mud bogs, almost vertical hills and even wildlife challenged the riders. The double loop course was more than 20 miles in its entirety and riders needed more than endurance to make it six laps.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/GNCC.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 28, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="dragon">Riders explain lure of 'The Dragon' after fatal crash.</h1> <p><strong>Tallassee, TN (June 27, 2009) -</strong> Motorcycle riders from across the country say they're lured to U.S. Highway 129's section called "The Tail of the Dragon" with 318 curves in 11 miles, although Saturday it claimed another life.</P> <P>The body of Michael Crioux, 55, of Miami, Florida was found down a bank near mile marker six after he was reported missing by his family.</P> <P>Riders say it's the thrill of "The Dragon" that drives the attraction.</P> <P>"If it was named the cotton ball, I wouldn't be as attracted to come ride it," says motorcyclist Adam Powell.</P> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/dragon.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 27, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="GNCC1">Wolf Wins Wild Race.</h1> <h3>Privateer Wolf Takes $10,000 Victory at MotorcycleUSA.com Snowshoe GNCC. First-Ever XC2 Pro-Am Rider to Win GNCC Overall.</h3> <p><img src="/images/gncc_logo2.jpg" width="157" height="67" alt="GNCC LOGO" class="float-left" /><strong>Snowshoe, WV (June 27, 2009) -</strong> In an unprecedented surprise, privateer Brian Wolf on a Yamaha took home the overall win at the MotorcycleUSA.com Snowshoe GNCC, round 9 of the 2009 Can-Am Grand National Cross Country Series, making him the first XC2 Pro-Am ATV rider ever to take a GNCC overall win.</p> <p>Wolf was welcomed on the podium with wolf howls and thunderous applause by the largest podium crowd the 2009 season has seen so far.</p> <p>Wolf, speechless at first looked around at the crowd before making his victory speech.</p> <p>"I'm so pumped, so excited to be here," he said as he accepted his $10,000 purse prize from MotorcycleUSA.com. "I'm really not going for the overall. I'm going for the XC2 Championship. This is just a bonus."</p> <p>Making the win even bigger, Wolf said this would be his last year competing in GNCC and when asked if he thought he would return for the next season because of his big win, Wolf still didn't have any definite answers.</p> <p>"I always told myself, the pro guys are so fast," he said. "Bill and Chris are so fast. I said there would be no sense to keep racing if I can't be up here with these guys. I guess I stuck my foot in my mouth!"</p> <p>"I just promised my wife some things though so... but she's phenomenal so maybe she will let me," he finished with a laugh.</p> <p>Wolf took the first overall and first in the XC2 Class, while Rockstar/Makita Suzuki's Chris Borich took first place in XC1, followed by defending GNCC champion, Yamaha's Bill Ballance in second and Ballance's teammate Brandon Sommers in third.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/GNCC1.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 27, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="anamosa">Thousands of bikers gather in Anamosa.</h1> <p><strong>Anamosa, IA (June 27, 2009) -</strong> A family-owned Eastern Iowa business welcomed thousands of motorcyclists Saturday, many of them with family members in tow.<br><br>J&P Cycles, owned by John and Jill Parham and their son, Zach, is hosting a two-day “open house” this year to mark its 30th anniversary and thank customers for their business. Cyclists from as far away as Utah and Florida are expected to make the trek to the company’s headquarters off Highway 151.<br><br>Travis Horner of Cedar Rapids brought his children Saturday, the second year they have attended the open house as a family.<br><br>“It’s a complete family event that everyone can enjoy,” Horner said. “The kids like to see the stunt shows and all the custom bikes. They really enjoy it.”<br><br>Pushing a stroller, Charlene Perreault brought her granddaughter after hearing about the open house earlier in the week.<br><br>“My husband and I are full-time retirees from Minnesota who travel in a motorhome,” Perreault said. “We stopped over here earlier this week and they were absolutely wonderful people. We decided it would be the perfect place to bring our grandchildren.”</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/anamosa.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 27, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="funding">Tourist council approves funding for motorcycle event.</h1> <p><strong>Sebring, FL (June 24, 2009) -</strong> The Run to the Heartland is moving forward as organizers of the sixth annual motorcycle rally continue to seek donations for the Oct. 2-4 event in Sebring.</p> <p>The Highlands County Tourist Development Council approved a $5,000 sponsorship, which is contingent on the approval by the Highlands County Commission, during the council's meeting next week.</p> <p>If approved, the money will be used for advertising, according to Lora Todd, marketing director for Run to the Heartland.</p> <p>Todd, who noted that the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency contributed $5,000, said the community has come together in supporting the event. She added a lot of businesses "are giving what they can."</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/funding.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 24, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="charged">Man charged with firefighter motorcyclists death.</h1> <p><strong>Volusia County, FL (June 24, 2009) -</strong> A 61-year-old Seville man already in jail for domestic violence offenses has been charged in the February death of an Orange County firefighter in DeLand, court records show.<p>Raymond Thomas Youngblood was charged Sunday with DUI manslaughter by Florida Highway Patrol investigators. He also was given two citations, one for driving 86 mph in a 45 mph zone and another for driving on the wrong side of the road, court records show. Youngblood is accused of crashing into a motorcycle driven by Michael Priester, 53, of DeLand.<p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/charged.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 24, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="chase">Motorcyclist clocked at 185MPH flees police and crashes.</h1> <p><strong>Ocala, FL (June 24, 2009) -</strong> Local troopers say Davall Montrell Pinkelton was taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center with serious injuries to his left arm. Officials say the 26-year-old is expected to have surgery on his arm and will be transported to the Marion County Jail.</p><p> Pinkelton will be charged with reckless driving, resisting without violence, habitual traffic offender, felony fleeing and eluding and no motorcycle endorsement.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/chase.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 24, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="mufflers">Motorcycle mufflers will be monitored.</h1> <p><strong>Indian Rocks Beach, FL (June 24, 2009) -</strong> On the eve of one of the loudest weekends of the year, Indian Rocks Beach residents might experience a little more quiet this Fourth of July – but just a little.<BR /><BR /> Pinellas County sheriff’s deputies are poised to begin enforcing a state law regarding motorcycle mufflers.<BR /><BR /> Two weeks ago local innkeeper Jim Labadie presented a petition to city commissioners with more than 50 signatures asking Sheriff Jim Coats to crack down on loud motorcycle operators. The commission agreed.<BR /><BR /> Last week the city was informed by the sheriff that a limited enforcement policy would be put in place and deputies would be on the watch for motorcyclists operating unlawful, modified muffler systems sometimes called straight pipes.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/mufflers.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 24, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="4crash">Motorcycles crash on Bayside Bridge.</h1> <p><strong>Clearwater, FL (June 21, 2009) -</strong> Four motorcyclists crashed into each other on the Bayside Bridge late Saturday night, seriously injuring two of the bikers.</p> <p>The Florida Highway Patrol says the four motorcycles were traveling south on the bridge at a high rate of speed when one of the drivers started to brake. The other three motorcycles could not stop in time and collided, causing all four bikes to slide several hundred feet across the bridge.</p> <p>Troopers say that all four <img src="/images/news/4crash.jpg" width="300" height="240" alt="Bridge Crash" class="float-right" /> drivers and one additional passenger were thrown from the bikes. The Florida Highway Patrol said three of the motorcycle drivers and one passenger received serious injuries when they were all thrown from the motorcycles. One motorcycle driver received minor injuries and at least one was taken to an area hospital by helicopter.</p> <p>Witnesses say one biker was treated at the scene and another was not injured in the accident. All were wearing helmets and the FHP said alcohol was not a factor. The crash remains under investigation.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/4crash.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 21, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="thief">Thief in Palm Bay, FL picks wrong motorcycle to rip off.</h1> <p><strong>Palm Bay, FL (June 20, 2009) -</strong> A suspected motorcycle thief picked the wrong victim when the 2007 model Honda CBR-1000 RR he stole was rigged with a LoJack that led police right to him.</p> <p>Just before 7:30 a.m. Friday the victim called police to report someone had stolen his motorcycle from outside his apartment located at 220 Interchange #103. The victim told police the bike was equipped with the LoJack system, a small radio frequency transceiver hidden on the vehicle. The device has a unique code that is tied to the vehicle identification number (VIN). When a vehicle theft is reported to the police, a routine entry into the state police crime computer results in a match which automatically triggers the device to send an inaudible signal that can be tracked by law enforcement.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/thief.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 20, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="GNCC2">GNCC Round 9 comes to Snowshoe Mountain, WV June 27th and 28th.</h1> <p><img src="/images/gncc_logo2.jpg" width="157" height="67" alt="GNCC LOGO" class="float-left" /><strong>Snowshoe Mountain, WV (June 19, 2009) -</strong>Can you believe they let us race here? The toughest, most spectacular and most unique race on the whole GNCC tour, the MotorcycleUSA.com Snowshoe GNCC made its debut in 2007 and will not soon be forgotten. The race is set in the upscale ski village at Snowshoe, West Virginia’s largest ski resort. The surroundings are not only several steps above the typical GNCC course, they’re also plusher than many luxury resorts. The array of hotels, shops and restaurants provide plenty of entertainment off the race track, and the facility also hosts an amazing golf course and some of the best mountain bike trails in the country.</p> <p>An all-new, innovative 20-mile race track will challenge racers at next weekend's <a href="http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/442/Motorcycles/Snowshoe-GNCC.aspx" target="_blank">MotorcycleUSA.com Snowshoe GNCC</a>, round nine of the Can-AM Grand National Cross Country Series. The brand-new track, twice the length of a normal GNCC course, will include an amazing 1000 foot climb and a dizzying array of rocks, mud holes and hill climbs, promising to put the world's top off-road racers to a true test. </p> <p>The afternoon ATV (Saturday) and bike race (Sunday) will use the 20 mile double loop, which consists of 10 miles on the traditional east side of the facility, and a new 10-mile loop on the west side. The pro pits lie in the center of the two loops, so fans and teams will still see the racers every ten miles, similar to a regular GNCC. </p> <p>"It's difficult to build the right track at Snowshoe because the terrain is so steep and so tough," says GNCC Trail Boss Jeff Russell, the 1991 AMA Enduro Champion. "Snowshoe has given us access to the west side of the property for the first time, which opens up a network of trails with a great flow to them. I'm really confident this track will work." </p> <p>The new track joins the unprecedented $50,000 prize purse and an unmatched setting at West Virginia's largest ski resort to form an off-road race like no other in the world. </p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/GNCC2.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 19, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="deputy">Orange County deputy strikes deer with his motorcycle</h1> <p><strong>Geneva, FL (June 10,2009) -</strong> An Orange County sheriff's deputy is recovering at a local hospital this morning after he struck a deer with his motorcycle on a dark road.</p> <p>Deputy Chuck Kochanowski had been working security at the Magic game Tuesday at the Amway Arena and was on his way home to Seminole County.</p> <p>Kochanowski struck the animal on Old Mims Road, just east of Snow Hill Road in Geneva, shortly before 1:40 a.m.</p> <p>Rescue crews transported Kochanowski to Orlando Regional Medical Center. He is in stable condition. Kochanowski suffered broken ribs and a broken collar bone.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/deputy.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 10, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="Smilie">Former AMA chairman Dal Smilie arraigned in Ohio court</h1> <p><img src="/images/dalsmilieth.jpg" width="88" height="105" alt="Dal Smilie" class="float-left" /><strong>Fairfield County, OH (June 8,2009) -</strong> American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) former Board of Directors Chairman Dal Smilie was arraigned today at 9:30 a.m. in the Fairfield County Hall of Justice on two felony charges related to evidence discovered by the AMA that Mr. Smilie submitted unsubstantiated expense reimbursement claims over a period of years.</p> <p>Mr. Smilie is accused of grand theft by deception and receiving stolen property from the motorcycle group, based in suburban Columbus, between January 2003 and December 2007. Smilie was a member of the association’s board of directors for 25 years, including a term as chairman, before he resigned in November 2007.</p> <p>Mr. Smilie entered a plea of not guilty in response to the Fairfield County grand jury indictment. He was freed on a $25,000 surety bond and a $10,000 recognizance bond.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/Smilie.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 8, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="Lane3">Judge Robert Burger accepted Billy Lane's plea of no contest and will face 9 years as part of plea deal.</h1> <p><img src="/images/billylane1smth.jpg" width="75" height="118" alt="Billy Lane" class="float-left" /><strong>** UPDATE ** Melbourne, FL (June 9,2009) -</strong> Circuit Judge Robert Burger today accepted motorcycle builder Billy Lane’s plea of no contest to a single felony count of vehicular homicide. He faces a cap of about nine years in prison when he is sentenced at 9 a.m. Aug. 14 by Judge Burger. Prosecutors dropped a DUI manslaughter charge under the terms of the plea bargain. The deal also mandates a lifetime license suspension, though defense lawyer Greg Eisenmenger said Lane might be able to retain use of it for specific purposes, such as work. Probation, house arrest or alcohol and drug provisions will be up to the discretion of the judge.</p> <p><strong>Melbourne, FL (June 8, 2009) -</strong> Billy Lane the 39 year old motorcycle builder is facing up to nine years in prison on a single felony charge of vehicular homicide in connection with a Labor Day 2006 car crash that left a Melbourne Beach man, also a motorcyclist, dead. After several delays, Lane is expected in court Tuesday morning to change his not guilty plea. He would then be sentenced at 9 a.m. Aug. 14.</p> <p>Lane working out of his shop in Melbourne was featured on The Discovery Channel's motorcycle-themed reality competition series "Biker Buildoff" and "Monster Garage". He built choppers in the US 1 location going for $30,000 and up.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/Lane3.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 8, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="RTWD">Motorcycle and Scooter Annual Ride To Work Day is Monday, June 15.</h1> <p><img src="/images/rtw_09crlg.jpg" width="101" height="100" alt="RTWD LOGO" class="float-left" /> On June fifteenth of this year, the number of motorcycles and scooters on roads and highways will more than double as many riders become two-wheeled commuters to help demonstrate that riding is an efficient, economical form of personal transportation which makes parking easier and helps traffic flow better. This year marks the eighteenth annual worldwide event, which involves riders of all ages occupations, and from all walks of life.</p> <p>"Motorcycles and scooters consume less resources per mile than automobiles, and they take up less space in parking areas and on roads. Rider's seek employer support for this efficient form of transportation, and more government and public awareness about ridings many benefits," states Andy Goldfine, the program organizer.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/RTWD.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 8, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="AHRMA5">American Historical Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) announces new programs to ensure their future.</h1> <p><img src="/images/ahrmalogo.jpg" width="150" height="121" alt="AHRMA" class="float-left" /> <p><strong>Goodlettsville, TN (June 3, 2009)</strong> – The Board of Trustees and the Executive Director of AHRMA have defined several new programs in an effort to raise funds to offset the cash flow loss due to the cancellation of the AHRMA events at Vintage Motorcycle Days in 2009. Due to the cancellation of the AHRMA events at Vintage Motorcycle Days, AHRMA will suffer an estimated cash flow loss of $45,000. To offset this cash flow loss, AHRMA is implementing these new programs.</p> <p>The new programs are a fund raising program, a lifetime membership program for members 60 and older and raising the membership dues effective December 1, 2009.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/AHRMA5.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">June 3, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="AHRMA4">American Historical Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) announces replacement Ohio Off Road events.</h1> <p><img src="/images/ahrmalogo.jpg" width="150" height="121" alt="AHRMA" class="float-left" /> <p><strong>Goodlettsville, TN (May 21, 2009)</strong> – AHRMA has announced that it has secured replacement off road events for those lost due to the cancellation of the AHRMA events at Vintage Motorcycle Days.</p> <p>These events will be held on July 17, 18 and 19, 2009 and will include Cross Country, Trials, Vintage Moto Cross and Post Vintage Moto Cross.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/AHRMA4.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">May 21, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="MIC">Motorcycling in America Goes Mainstream Says 2008 Motorcycle Industry Council Owner Survey.</h1> <p><strong>IRVINE, Calif., May 18, 2009 </strong> – Motorcycling is growing and rapidly becoming more mainstream at the start of the new millennium, says the latest census of two-wheeling. The number of American households that own motorcycles jumped 26 percent from 2003 to 2008, while the overall number of U.S. households increased roughly 5 percent. During the same period, the motorcycle population grew 19 percent while the U.S. population rose by about 5 percent.</p> <p>These are some of the findings of the latest Motorcycle Industry Council Owner Survey, the powersport industry’s most comprehensive resource for information on U.S. motorcycle ownership, usage, demographics and trends. Motorcycling is changing with the times and along with millions more riders there are increasing percentages of women and youth and a shift toward riding to get around, not just to have fun.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/MIC.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">May 18, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="MSTA">Honda Sport Touring Association (HSTA) is now Motorcycle Sport Touring Association (MSTA).</h1> <p><img src="/images/msta_logo_sm.jpg" width="256" height="81" alt="MSTA" class="float-left" />Formally known as the HSTA they are now the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association or MSTA. HSTA was an acronym for Honda Sport Touring Association which was formed in the early 80's by Honda V-4 owners who enjoyed touring on their sporty bikes. Nearly thirty years later a whole genre of motorcycling now calls itself "sport-touring" but back in the day, it was just some riders who liked going places on their sporty Sabre, Magna and VFR motorcycles. Today as an "all brands" organization it would be hard to name a modern motorcycle brand not represented within the membership. It is primarily for this reason that the name was recently changed to the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association. MSTA has grown to an international organization of over 1700 members. There are members in almost every state and even a few in other countries. MSTA prides itself on it's skilled riders, rigorous use of safety gear and safe riding practices. </p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/MSTA.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">May 11, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="katyw">Katy Wood named operations manager for AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.</h1> <p><img src="/images/katywoodth.jpg" width="120" height="124" alt="Katy Wood" class="float-left" /><strong>Pickerington, OH (May 6, 2009) -</strong> The AMA announced that Katy Wood has been named the Operations Manager for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum. Wood will be responsible for managing the museum's vast motorcycle, literature and memorabilia collections and ensuring care of all loaned objects. Wood will also oversee museum staff, volunteers, and the online store and gift shop.</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/katyw.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">May 6, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" />    <h1 id="cpsc1">The vote is in: Consumer Product Safety Commission votes to stay enforcement of law making sale of youth model off-highway vehicles illegal</h1> <p><font size="2">PICKERINGTON, Ohio - </font><font size="2">The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to stay enforcement of a lead law that currently bans the sale of youth-model motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The stay, which extends through May 1, 2011, follows a unanimous vote by Acting Chairwoman Nancy Nord and Commissioner Thomas Moore.</font></p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/cpsc1.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">May 4, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="AHRMA3">American Historical Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) and the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) will part.</h1> <p><img src="/images/ahrmalogo.jpg" width="150" height="121" alt="AHRMA" class="float-left" /> <p><strong>Goodlettsville, TN (May 1, 2009)</strong> Dave Janiec AHRMA Chairman and CEO announced today that AHRMA will be moving forward for the rest of 2009 and the future as an independent sanctioning organization without affiliation with the AMA. This follows notification and announcement this evening from the AMA that they will no longer do business with AHRMA. In his announcement to AHRMA members he stated AHRMA members should be assured that we will be conducting all our currently scheduled events this year, in all disciplines, with the exception of those associated with Mid-Ohio in July, where we had previously teamed with the AMA to help build that event up to its current status. We have obtained full insurance coverage for all our disciplines, and at a reduced cost to what was available through the AMA. We are also working toward offering a competitor personal injury insurance option. AHRMA members will no longer be required to obtain annual AMA membership in addition to AHRMA membership. Look for additional announcement of new membership program options from AHRMA in the very near future. Mr Janiec said, "While AHRMA regrets the termination of a mutually beneficial past relationship with the AMA, we also now have the opportunity to take a fresh look at rejuvenating our programs for 2010 and beyond".</p> <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/AHRMA3.html" class="readmore">Read more</a>  <span class="date">May 1, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" /> <h1 id="Mederski">Mark Mederski resigns from AMA's Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.</h1> <p><img src="/images/markmederskith.jpg" width="120" height="153" alt="Mark Mederski" class="float-left" /><strong>Pickerington, OH (April 30, 2009)</strong>The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that Mark Mederski has resigned as executive director of the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation (AMHF), which operates the AMA's Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.</p>  <p class="post-footer align-right"> <a href="/news/Mederski.html" class="readmore">Read more</a> <span class="date">April 30, 2009</span> </p> <p class="align-right">[<a href="#top">Back to Top</a>]</p> <hr style="text-indent: 0pt;" size="6" color="orange" />     <BR><BR> </div>  <div id="rightbar"> <br>    <h1>U.S. House committee to hold hearing on closing 24 million acres of public land</h1> <FONT SIZE="1"><p>The U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources will hold a hearing on May 5 to consider a bill that would designate more than 24 million acres of public lands in western states as Wilderness or Wilderness Preservation System land. If approved by the full Congress, the measure would close off more than 24 million acres in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming to off-highway vehicle (OHV) riders. <br /><br />This is equivalent to a land grab the size of the state of Indiana. <br /><br />Even though H.R. 980 -- The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act -- only affects western states, Rep. Carolyn Maloney of New York City introduced it.<br /><br />"This is one of the biggest OHV land grabs in our nation's history," said AMA Vice President of Government Relations Ed Moreland. "Even more disconcerting than the fact that the bill is being proposed by a representative from a densely populated urban area, New York City, is that the bill is being considered without the support of a single member of Congress who represents the affected districts. Shouldn't the people who live in these areas have some say in whether or not they should be banned from riding in it?<br /><br />"To keep OHV riders from being shut out of even more public land, we have to act immediately," he said. "Concerned motorcyclists, ATV riders and others must let their lawmakers know that they enjoy motorized recreation, and that we have a right to do so responsibly on America's public lands."<br /><br />Additionally, Moreland said, there are other bills on the legislative horizon on Capitol Hill that would close even more public land to responsible riding. They include:<br /><br />Senate Bill 799 -- America's Red Rock Wilderness Act -- and its companion measure, H. R. 1925, would designate some 9.4 million acres of Bureau of Land Management land in Utah as Wilderness.<br /><br />Senate Bill 721 and H.R. 1769 would add 22,000 acres to the 394,000-acre Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area in Washington State.<br /><br />Riders and AMA members can contact their federal lawmakers and tell them what they think by going to the "Rights" and then <a target="_blank" href="http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/rapidresponse.asp">"Issues and Legislation"</a> section of the AMA website. There, the names, addresses and telephone numbers for members of each congressional delegation appear. There is even a pre-written letter that can be sent via email.<br /><br />The AMA also encourages individuals to sign up for the AMA Government Relations Department's Action E-list so that they can be notified by e-mail when their support is needed to make a difference on important issues.</p></font>  <p align="center"><a href="http://www.floridabikernetwork.com/ccount/click.php?id=10" target="_new"><img src="/images/ads/ahrma_frbn.jpg" width="160" height="293" alt="Friends of AHRMA" /></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://www.floridabikernetwork.com/ccount/click.php?id=13" target="_new"><img src="/images/ads/vmd_bnad09a.jpg" width="160" height="191" alt="Vintage Motorcyle Days" /></a></p>    </div>  <script type="text/javascript" > var s_sid = 620890; var st_dominio = 4; var cimg = 0; var cwi =150; var che =30; </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="http://s10.histats.com/js9.js"></script> <noscript><p> <img src="http://s4.histats.com/stats/0.gif?620890&1" alt="cool hit counter" /></p> </noscript>   </div>  </div>  <div id="footer"> <p> © copyright 2009 <strong>Florida Biker Network™</strong> Design by: <a href="http://www.styleshout.com/">styleshout</a> | Valid: <a href="http://validator.w3.org/check/referer">XHTML</a> | <a href="http://jigsaw.w3.org/css-validator/check/referer">CSS</a> <a href="index.htm">Home</a> | <a href="index.htm">Sitemap</a> | <a href="index.htm">RSS Feed</a> </p> </div>   <script type="text/javascript"> var sc_project=4768681; var sc_invisible=1; var sc_partition=54; var sc_click_stat=1; var sc_security="3c5946d2"; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/counter.js"></script><noscript><div class="statcounter"><a title="blogspot visitor counter" href="http://www.statcounter.com/blogger/" target="_blank"><img class="statcounter" src="http://c.statcounter.com/4768681/0/3c5946d2/1/" alt="blogspot visitor counter" ></a></div></noscript>   <div id="dropinboxv2cover"> <div id="dropinboxv2"> <p align="left">Thanks for checking out <b>Florida Biker Network™</b>. 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