HARDROCK BOSTON - Fight the exhaust noise stamp law tonight Aug. 5th 7-9pm.

[DuncanMoto]

Everyone that can make this tonight really needs to go.
Even if you think you never ride in Boston so who cares.
This will set a precedent for other towns to follow.

Ted Duncan
DUNCAN MOTO, LLC

______________________________________
Please review and pass onto other Riders on your lists . . .

Keep the ROARS going - be the straw that breaks the camel's back -

Make some 'meaningful' NOISE ! - Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Stop the repugnant EPA Ordinance before it comes to your city of town !

Help www.JusticeRider.com lawsuit to REPEAL Boston's $300 fine - EPA Stamp Tax !

EPA means "Either Pay or Act !"

Citizen Biker Rally, Monday, August 10, 7-9 p.m.
Hard Rock Cafe, 22-24 Clinton St.,
(Fanuiel Hall area), Boston, 7-9 p.m.

Thanks - PC
_________________________

Two (2) new calls to make Wednesday, August 5th - to these at-large (representing the entire City) Councillors - both running for Mayor !

Note, it would be inappropriate to discuss campaign matters on their city phones - please REFRAIN for direct reference to their campaigns.

Sample script below . . .


Michael F. Flaherty (617) 635-4205

Sam Yoon (617) 635-4217

There was no word today from the City of our trade-off offers - to extend the time to answer our discovery request in exchange for a 'moratorium' on enforcement; and to voluntarily repeal the Ordinance and we'd drop the suit (so they don't have to answer discovery). So Wednesday, we'll begin noticing the Councillors and Mayor for depositions.

ROARS needed on Wednesday, August 5th to Councillors Yoon and Flaherty - numbers above - sample script:

"Hello, my name is _____________, and I'm from ________________. I'd like to talk with you, the Councilor or his chief aide, about this EPA stamp tax act they passed in June. I'm a motorcyclists and my bike is fine. You might not be able to readily see the EPA imprint, but its there, and I'm concerned enforcement officials will just give it a 'quick look-see,' write the $300 tax, and make me contest it. It's my understanding from the Judge's ruling , if I win or the Justice Riders lawsuit wins - which we believe it will - the taxpayers of Boston will have to pay me back my costs and expenses. How much sense does this make ? Putting the City's taxpayers at greater risk because of the haste to enact this REPUGNANT Ordinance that clearly conflicts with state law is wrong. I urge you to stand apart, and voluntarily repeal this Ordinance. Please let me know the Councilor's position on this. I can be reached at _______________ ."

Let us know you've made the call at http://justicerider.com/Guestbook.php or write me directly at Claimscote@aol.com

ROAR ON - Make some 'meaningful NOISE' by calling them !

Justice Riders - Plaintiffs
Paul W. Cote of Amesbury, former Director of Govt' Relations, MMA / Current AMA MA Community Council
Bill Gannon of Quincy, former MMA Chairman, Life AMA Member, Columnist, Motorcyclist post, advocate
Mike Longtin of No. Easton, former MMA Treasurer, AMA member
Vince Silvia of Bradford, former MMA Clerk, current MMSF Treasurer, AMA member
Larry Cahill of Medford (www.BostonBiker.com) AMA member

Treasurer - Betsy Lister (http://www.listerins.com/)
Advisor - Georgia Sophis
Attorney - Joseph S. Provanzano - Peabody

Committee of Justice Riders
Bubba of Waltham
Jimmy Carr of Jamaica Plain
Chuwee of Boston Divaz MC (www.bostondivazmc.com)
Jacky Kieras of Newburyport
Eddie Murphy of South Shore
Patrick Van Tyle of Sharon, former MMA Treasurer

Honorable mention / supporters

AMA - www.ama-cycle.org

TONS of thanks to you who believe and live by, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything."

Make the stand here and now - sign on at http://www.justicerider.com/Add_me_to_your_List.html

[ɹǝʍoןandɹǝʍoן]

hmm I'll tell some friends

[Kham]

i dont get it.

[njsrikar]

i dont get it.

[Wanderer]

While the bone of contention seems to be around the visibility and potential for at-fault default fines, this does honestly seem like yet another loud pipes fight, albeit from a slightly different arngle.

I dearly wish the various motorcycling lobby bodies would for once actually take note that there are other issues that affect us, other than the dubious right to be a noisy asshole, and the right to splatter my brains after deciding not to wear a helmet. Once we stop beating those rather tired drums and move on to something else, we might get legislation that benefits the *majority* of motorcyclists. Not simply defending those who chose, for whatever reason, to be a negative impact to others (noise) or themselves (helmets).

Boston has a totally ass-backward approach to motorcycle parking. No consistancy, no sensible enforcement, nothing. We're allowed to ride inthe HOV lane..yet do so at your peril - car drivers are not aware of this at all, and I've got their wrath more than once.

Same goes for lane splitting in otherwise stopped traffic in boiling weather. Options - stop and wait, and slowly cook in leathers etc, or overheat your motor. Keep moving = break the law.

I do understand the need for motorcycle centric lobby groups. I just feel that nine times out of ten, the 'freedom' adjenda gets pushed above all others - to whit, no-helmet laws, and bloody loud exhausts.

Edit:

The MMA should also be specifically taken to task. Ok, we know they have a very strong anti noise-ordinance stance, and fight these where they can. Fine. But the cause of the ordinance? Aftermarket/straight exhausts generally. And they're also fighting this ordinance, which, while imperfect, is aimed squarely at those same components. Surely regulation of the *cause* of the noise-ordinance problems is in the MMA's best interest? But no - we fight both ends. We decry the ordinance at the same time as we attempt to prevent stronger regulation of that which caused it.

[spydah]

What he just say?!?!?

[SP GSX-R]

is this on tonight? i can stop by after work

[DucDave]

While the bone of contention seems to be around the visibility and potential for at-fault default fines, this does honestly seem like yet another loud pipes fight, albeit from a slightly different arngle.

I dearly wish the various motorcycling lobby bodies would for once actually take note that there are other issues that affect us, other than the dubious right to be a noisy asshole, and the right to splatter my brains after deciding not to wear a helmet. Once we stop beating those rather tired drums and move on to something else, we might get legislation that benefits the *majority* of motorcyclists. Not simply defending those who chose, for whatever reason, to be a negative impact to others (noise) or themselves (helmets).

Boston has a totally ass-backward approach to motorcycle parking. No consistancy, no sensible enforcement, nothing. We're allowed to ride inthe HOV lane..yet do so at your peril - car drivers are not aware of this at all, and I've got their wrath more than once.

Same goes for lane splitting in otherwise stopped traffic in boiling weather. Options - stop and wait, and slowly cook in leathers etc, or overheat your motor. Keep moving = break the law.

I do understand the need for motorcycle centric lobby groups. I just feel that nine times out of ten, the 'freedom' adjenda gets pushed above all others - to whit, no-helmet laws, and bloody loud exhausts.
Edit:

The MMA should also be specifically taken to task. Ok, we know they have a very strong anti noise-ordinance stance, and fight these where they can. Fine. But the cause of the ordinance? Aftermarket/straight exhausts generally. And they're also fighting this ordinance, which, while imperfect, is aimed squarely at those same components. Surely regulation of the *cause* of the noise-ordinance problems is in the MMA's best interest? But no - we fight both ends. We decry the ordinance at the same time as we attempt to prevent stronger regulation of that which caused it.

Well said Giles....you are so right. There are so many really important issues facing us and yet, our fights continue to be hijacked by helmetless assholes with loud (life saving) pipes. Give me a fucking break...

[DuncanMoto]

i dont get it.

If you don't have an EPA sticker on your exhaust in Boston you can get a $300 moving violation. Even if you are parked.
This is a new law passed quickly and quietly. It was originally meant to protect against the loud straight pipes of those "Helmet-less a-holes" wanderer and DucDave are speaking about, but it was passed to effect all aftermarket pipes....... Oh and by the way a large majority of factory sport bike pipes as well. 82-86 decibels is the acceptable limit.

My 1098 from the factory is 97 decibels from the exhaust and the clutch is louder than that. The factory pipes do not have a visible EPA sticker on them.

[bostongixxer]

I understand what Ted is saying, given that my stock MV and Aprilia pipes are fairly loud. That said, I suspect the aftermarket folks are going to get more harassment out of this ordinance.

On a side note...can someone tell me who is running the show on the lawsuit? I saw mention of depositions of the Mayor and City Councilors. It sounds to me like an overly simplistic and pointless litigation strategy, given that the City can outspend the MMA...and the low chance that the ordinance will be repealed simply so some politicians can avoid a deposition. In an election year when they are running against each other, that is less likely to happen. No one wants to be seen as caving to lawless bikers. Has anyone explored a legal angle on this (i.e. does it violate some federal law or regulation...or perhaps a constitutional angle), as opposed to a simplistic paper/cost-drive strategy? If the MMA is being billed by the hour, it won't be cheap. I don't get it.

[Pittenger5]

Oh and by the way a large majority of factory sport bike pipes as well. 82-86 decibels is the acceptable limit.

I cant see how any of that would hold up in court. If its allowed from the factory, it meets federal approval, I cant see how a city can circumvent that

[Sheppo]

Well said Giles....you are so right. There are so many really important issues facing us and yet, our fights continue to be hijacked by helmetless assholes with loud (life saving) pipes. Give me a fucking break...

as a helmeted ahole with loud pipes ( not straight ) Lets also not forget the tshirt wearing, flip flop wearing aholes with the hindle/DD systems bouncing off the rev limiter...

[bostongixxer]

I cant see how any of that would hold up in court.

It would not...the City ordinance would likely be preempted by federal law if it reached beyond the scope of the federal law. It would depend upon how the federal law is crafted.

[Kham]

that's messed up. ok where do we go to threaten the politician?

[Pittenger5]

Lets also not forget the tshirt wearing, flip flop wearing aholes with the hindle/DD systems bouncing off the rev limiter...

Im all for passing an ordinance taking their bikes away until they learn to stop being a douche.

[Wanderer]

as a helmeted ahole with loud pipes ( not straight ) Lets also not forget the tshirt wearing, flip flop wearing aholes with the hindle/DD systems bouncing off the rev limiter...

I agree totally - this does not single any one demographic of riders or style of rider out - antisocial noise is just that, regardless of where it comes from

[Danno]

I understand what Ted is saying, given that my stock MV and Aprilia pipes are fairly loud. That said, I suspect the aftermarket folks are going to get more harassment out of this ordinance.

On a side note...can someone tell me who is running the show on the lawsuit? I saw mention of depositions of the Mayor and City Councilors. It sounds to me like an overly simplistic and pointless litigation strategy, given that the City can outspend the MMA...and the low chance that the ordinance will be repealed simply so some politicians can avoid a deposition. In an election year when they are running against each other, that is less likely to happen. No one wants to be seen as caving to lawless bikers. Has anyone explored a legal angle on this (i.e. does it violate some federal law or regulation...or perhaps a constitutional angle), as opposed to a simplistic paper/cost-drive strategy? If the MMA is being billed by the hour, it won't be cheap. I don't get it.

I remember hearing that one or more of the attorneys also rides. I suspect it's pro bono or low/flat fee work.

I agree, the discovery docs are less than intimidating and announcing settlement terms attempting to leverage the presumed "burden" of discovery is pretty amateur at best.

Gathering a group of motorcycles to protest by making noise is pretty suicidal for the general public's opinion. Makes as much sense as an organized speeding run to protest an unfair speed limit - not helpful for gaining sympathy.

What is probably most effective (and suggested on their website) is having people contact city council members in an election year about a bill that nobody heard about for six months until the enforcement date is an excellent strategy.