Of National Interest

Sometimes people need to be skeptical about institutions. Not cynical, because there's already too much negativity in the world. But a healthy shot of skepticism now and then is a good reality check. So let's shine a light right on up into the very stratosphere of the biker's rights movement.

When it comes to advocating our rights, several national organizations serve the motorcycling community. When it comes to our rights, three that come to mind are ...

- American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)
- Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)
- National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

They all share the same basic approach to our rights, and therefore some duplication of effort exists. But there are differences.

My humble opinion about these differences is based on more than just what they say about themselves, which is a matter of record. I also go by what they don't say.

Since actions speak louder than words, I put a high value on what they do ... as well as what they don't do. And being a student of human nature, I look for the underlying motivations that drive their agenda. If you want to see where someone's going, take a look at where they're coming from.

Finally, I'm a member of all three myself. That's because I value them, believe in them, and support them. But I'm not a chump who believes I'm going to win the lottery. And I won't sit around singing Kumbaya when my ass is getting wet.

Bikers are easily offended, but that's not what this article is about. Criticism is NOT the same as condemnation. I just want to openly discuss what's right, what's wrong, and where we go from here. The goal is to improve, not damage.

READ THIS: I give great credit and thanks to everyone who keeps these organizations going and growing. I also acknowledge that there is more to what these organizations do than just rights and, even then, just helmet laws. Motorcyclists would be totally screwed if not for you folks. I am truly grateful.

American Motorcyclist Association (AMA)

The AMA probably has the most diverse membership of any national motorcyclist organization. It includes street riders and off-roadsters, adults as well as kids. Then throw in their sanctioning role in all types of motorcycle racing, their proactive role in government relations, and even their curatorship of a fantastic museum.

Their flagship magazine, The American Motorcyclist, is produced entirely in-house. Add major corporate sponsorship, and it leaves no doubt that the AMA is the elite national motorcyclist organization.

But with elitism can come despotism. Benevolent or otherwise, the AMA is the national power player in the world of motorcycling. As an example, they have taken the lead on sound regulation. Many bikers believe (as I do) that, within limits, loud pipes save lives. But not all motorcyclists share this opinion. And given the diversity of AMA membership, there is no consensus.

The AMA wants to improve the image of motorcycling and stave off draconian sound regulation from the bureaucrats in Washington. So the AMA came up with a good way to regulate motorcycle sound levels. It's a scientifically sound way to keep the politics of noise at bay. While it's controversial within the motorcycling community, the powers that be at the AMA have decided. And that's that.

This very practical decision makes perfect sense, from a business standpoint. It's founded upon the presumption that motorcyclists are going to get stuck with some kind of sound regulation, so we'd better go along with our opponents ... but in a way that's not so bad for us. After all, it could be a lot worse.

It's a wise approach as long as motorcyclists are politically weak. And for now, we are.

The RIDE2REPEAL.COM approach is to make bikers politically powerful in the first place. Then we can call the shots. But until that happy day arrives, we'll have to take what we're given ... whether it's coming from the AMA or the EPA.

One last note about the AMA and rights. Their softly spoken words favor helmet law repeal, but their corporate policies and institutional actions say otherwise.

As an example, AMA policy is to never show the image of a helmetless rider in their magazine. The only exception to this rule is where it's obvious that the motorcyclist isn't about to ride.

Riding without a helmet is forbidden. Sound familiar?

On the flip side, The AMA heavily promotes the "all the gear all the time" (ATGATT) safety philosophy. Whole articles, sidebar columns, and product reviews perfectly align with the underlying philosophy of "safety first." Which of course is the mantra of universal helmet laws. Since there's only room for one at the top, freedom comes in at second place.

It is what it is.

There's nothing wrong ... and a lot of good ... in promoting rider safety and ATGATT-itudes. But added to their silence and passivity in the helmet law fight, don't count on the AMA to help you make repeal a reality. In that fight, you're on your own.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)

The MRF is primarily focused on protecting rights, and it's in the old school biker tradition. Its members are mostly the black leather Harley-Davidson crowd.

Sure, they welcome everyone as a matter of policy and principle. But for whatever reason, there really isn't that much diversity in the rank-and-file. Yes, they have members who don't wear black and don't ride Harleys. But go to any MRF event, take a look around, and make up your own mind. If you look or act differently, you'll stick out.

Again, it is what it is.

This membership makeup is almost identical to what you'll find in most State Motorcyclist Rights Organizations (SMRO). And the way they operate is also pretty much the same -- old school. So too are their priorities. The basic difference between the MRF and any SMRO is that the MRF deals mostly with Federal legislators and agencies. SMROs, on the other hand, are mostly state-level.

They both keep an eye out for legislation that's harmful to motorcycling. But when the Feds come after your aftermarket engine, you can count on the MRF to be your last line of defense.

Like SMROs, the MRF gets its members involved in the legislative process. They work with biker-friendly legislators to get bills considered. Then they encourage bikers to call, fax, and visit their legislators to support or oppose bills. Like most SMROs, they watch the legislative process within the "sausage factory." But they don't hire (or fire) the folks on the assembly line.

This is a tried-and-true approach that works as well as can be expected. But the rules of engagement are based on the acceptance that bikers are politically weak. And we are. We must beseech our legislators, using morality, logic, and humility to get our point across. While there's always a hope of a mass biker uprising, for now we just do the best we can.

And how else could bikers approach sitting incumbents, who are safe and secure in their positions? We can't touch them, can we?

At any level, legislators wield such power over our lifestyle, it would be foolish to alienate, antagonize, or anger them. So we tip-toe, so as not to wake the baby.

This too is a wise approach ... so long as bikers are politically weak. And for the time being, bikers are. But getting large numbers isn't the only path to political power.

But more on that later.

National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)

This organization is a lot like the MRF in its membership makeup. Mostly leather and Harleys, it is actually a coalition of SMROs as well as other motorcycle clubs. But it has a twist. Unlike the MRF and the AMA, it gets its resources from the courts. Specifically, from damages awarded in accident and injury cases.

That means it's run by lawyers. Biker lawyers, of course.

Now there's a lot of common interest between bikers and biker lawyers. We're all on the same side, whether it's in the court, fighting the insurance industry, or looking at motorcycle legislation. And there are plenty of bikers who are damned lucky to have them in their corner.

But lawyers are good at fighting in a court of law, which affects their approach to legislation somewhat. While they will always advocate a biker's interests, it's no different than a lawyer who represents a client's interests. Same goals for sure, but perhaps different priorities.

Most of the time, there is no difference between what a biker wants and what a biker's lawyer wants. In court, anyway. And outside of court, NCOM really is in a supporting role for bikers.

NCOM hosts annual conferences at very nice hotels, and pretty much lets the bikers drive the agenda. The payback is getting more bikers to use the services of Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM). That's the legal side of the whole picture, and it's how the bills get paid.

Between the conferences and the legal aid, it's a good way for lawyers to "give back" to the motorcycling community. The system works pretty well, and there's no reason to expect otherwise.

The Missing Link

National motorcycle organizations operate very well, given the way the world works. But right now that world includes universal helmet laws and politically weak bikers.

That's got to change.

But the national organizations have no need to change, and therefore have no motivation to change. The status quo is working pretty good for them. Sure, they could use a few more members. But even that is still the status quo.

Thomas Jefferson once said, "a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." Bikers need to be a little rebellious, right now.

As patriotic as bikers are, and as much as we love our country, it is our duty to stir things up. But we're getting soft. We've become institutionalized ... pacified ... domesticated! But that is something we have done to ourselves -- by allowing others make decisions for us. By letting others act for us. By accepting what cards others have dealt to us.

That's a path that has led us to weakness. Stagnation. Sterility.

But the good news is that we can change that ... right now. There are no shackles binding our limbs. There are no bars keeping us caged. We ARE free. Free to stand on our own legs as well as free to collapse on the couch.

But there's a catch. Nobody -- not an individual person nor a national organization -- is going to hand you your freedom. You have to go get it yourself.

And for that, you need political power. Nothing else will do.

That's what RIDE2REPEAL.COM is here for. When we unite in our actions, and take a path that leads to change, we get where we want to be. And that place is called Freedom.

You can act right now.

To get started, click on the red  SUBSCRIBE  tab at the top of RIDE2REPEAL.COM. When there's an election near you, you'll be the first to hear about it. And do something about it.

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The most important place to get info is on our  ELECTIONS  page. Scroll down to your state, and every race is listed. Click on a candidate's name to visit their website ... so you can contact them about becoming a campaign volunteer.

Why is campaign work so important? Because ELECTIONS are the key to political power. Show me a king, and I'll show you a kingmaker.

It's how the "Gray Panthers" keep Social Security benefits intact, no matter how bankrupt the system becomes. It's how the entertainment industry keeps royalties flowing from generation to generation, long after Elvis has left the building.

But bikers aren't a majority like the elderly, and we aren't flush with cash like the mega-corporations. Our strength lies in our ability to work ... as campaign volunteers.

That's something our political opponents won't do. And the only way they can beat us is if we don't, either.

-RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com