PO BOX 114

Marlton, N.J. 08053

www.gardenstateabate.org

Tom Gordon

Legislative Coordinator

ABATE of the Garden State response to Lautenberg’s letter to the Governor.

On September 12, 2006 Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey sent a letter to all the Governors discussing the increase in motorcycle fatalities. He stated the need to have all states have a mandatory helmet law and how “society as whole pays for the price of motorcycle crashes.” (See our website for a copy of this letter.) ABATE and members of the motorcycle community went to work. We contacted Lautenberg’s office and Governor Jon Corzine of New Jersey.

I received a response from Governor Corzine dated September 20, 2006 on this issue. I finally received a telephone call from David Matsuda (Legislative Council for Lautenberg) on September 21after several phone calls, E-Mails and faxes.

David informed me that he had received numerous phone calls on this subject. I requested an immediate meeting with Senator Lautenberg and his Staff. I told David that I would meet in his New Jersey or D.C. office.

                I had previously send E-mails and faxes to David Hennie ,vice president government relations of the MRF( Motorcycle Riders Foundation) and to Ed Moreland vice president government relations of the AMA( American Motorcyclist Association).  I wanted to know their response to this letter.  I had no response by September 26 from either. I contacted Steve Zurl the MRF rep for P.A. He got in touch with David Hennie. David gave me a call back apologizing for the delay. The MRF just had their annual Meeting of The Minds Legislative conference.  He informed me that Lautenberg’s office was ignoring the MRF and AMA but they had to meet with me because I am a constituent. It was agreed that I would come to Washington DC to meet with Lautenberg’s Staff. The MRF and AMA would accompany me.

                On October 5 I traveled to Washington DC and met with David Hennie at the MRF headquarters. We then went over to the Senator Lautenberg’s office and met with Peter G. Nonis, Senior Legislative assistant for the AMA. Senator Lautenberg was not available but we had over an hour meeting with his Aids. (Benjamin J. Wilensky, Legislative Correspondent – D. Gray Maxwell, Legislative Director- David T. Matsuda, Legislative Council.)

                We went over discrepancies in the Governors Letter and asked why they are bringing up this National helmet issue when it got only 23 votes last time. We would put up a stronger fight if it was introduced again. We then discussed if the Senator is so concerned about motorcycle safety why not work together to help prevent motorcycle accidents. Helmets do not prevent accidents!

                As of October 23 I have received no response from our meeting.  We will start bugging them after the November election to see how they want to work together on Motorcycle Safety.

 ABATE / New Jersey Motorcyclists Alliance is fighting for motorcycle rights on several state level issues. While the helmet issue at the top of our agenda, there are other issues also being brought to the attention of our legislators. Most of these issues will not only help all motorcyclists, but will either directly or indirectly help all motorists.

1. Re-enforce covered load laws

2. Improved public training programs for all motorist and motorcyclist

3. Raising awareness of motorcycles to reduce accidents

4. Modification of the mandatory helmet law

5. Legal lane splitting when motorcyclists are stopped in a traffic jams

6. Go on Red with unresponsive red lights.

7. Make it legal to pump your own gas

8. Handle bar heights, make New Jersey law conform to other states

9. Make it legal to park multiple bikes per spot

10. Is New Jersey misusing funds dedicated to motorcycle safety?

Remember, that the NHTSA has stated that education and training is the most effective way to reduce motorcycle accidents.