Motorcycle Only Checkpoints

April 29, 2009

Motorcycle Only Checkpoints

NEW YORK FREEDOM RIDERS PRESS RELEASE April 16, 2009 New York State Motorcycle Only Checkpoints 2009 New York State Police, local and county police will be conducting motorcycle only safety enforcement checkpoints again this year. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee has awarded the New York State Police $227,084 for statewide motorcycle enforcement details along with grants given to the Greece PD, Suffolk and Warren Counties. [1]

These motorcycle only checkpoints target a particular group of individuals which has been determined to be unconstitutional. The Supreme Court of the United States of America has repeated held that “the citizen who has given no good cause for believing he is engaged in (criminal) activity is entitled to proceed on his way without interference” Bandrinegar, supra; see also Terry v. Ohio, supra.

New York State Police have claimed that with the rise in motorcycle fatalities, these motorcycle only checkpoints are to increase motorcycle safety by insuring compliance with applicable Vehicle and Traffic Laws. We have read The New York State 2009 Highway Safety Plan and the state has determined that the most common contributing factor in police reported motorcycle crashes was “unsafe speed” followed by “failure to yield the right of way”.[2] New York’s motorcycle only checkpoints are not addressing the two major causes of motorcycle fatalities in our state. The State Police have also said in their press release in 2007 that “Approximately one-quarter of all fatally injured motorcycle drivers were unlicensed in 2005.”The Highway Safety Plan has addressed the issue of licensed motorcyclists and the extent of the unlicensed motorcyclist problem in New York has not been determined and more research is needed.

The motorcycle only safety enforcement checkpoints are being conducted at the same time as large motorcycle events. The reason given by law enforcement is they need a sufficient volume of motorcycle traffic to justify the substantial number of resources involved.[3] This includes Americade in Lake George and the Harley Rendezvous in Duanesburg. Last year a motorcycle only checkpoint was done along the Niagara Thruway at the Peace Bridge where 780 motorcyclists headed for Canada were stopped. Law enforcement will be looking for the following violations at the checkpoints:

Inspection stickers and placement of the sticker
Insurance
375 (35c) -unsafe tires
381(1a) -front headlamp not deployed Rear plate illumination
381((3) lights- only white or yellow
381(4)-approved red reflector in the rear
381(5)-handlebar height
381(6) – unapproved or no helmet:
381(10) – rear view mirrors
381(11) – exhaust pipes
402(1a)- plate must be secure and mounted between 12-48 inches on the rear of the vehicle- not at the rear axle 402(1b)-plates must be clean and easily readable
410(1)-registration
411(1)-plates are required to be “conspicuously displayed on the rear” not on the rear axle
411(3) – switched plates
509(2) – license -operating out of class

The New York Freedom Riders do not condone this type of program to improve motorcycle safety. We feel it is unconstitutional to stop anyone at checkpoints, including motorcyclists, for no reason other than to issue tickets. These checkpoints give the police an opportunity to target a specific mode of transportation which is discrimination and is not about motorcycle safety. The majority of motorcyclists are legal and they have the right to travel freely. As always, The New York Freedom Riders promote motorcycle education and informing motorists to watch for motorcycles as a solution to the fatalities and injuries in New York  State. We have received complaints about these motorcycle only checkpoints and understand the frustration many are feeling while traveling to an event. If you would like to voice your opinion about New York’s new safety initiative, we would like to suggest contacting the following:

To Write To The Governor: David A. Paterson State Capitol Albany, NY12224 518-474-8390
Click here to email the Governor.

For more info: NEW YORK FREEDOM RIDERS

ALR189.com Breaks the 2000 Page Views Mark!

April 21, 2009

*** 2000 Page Views ***
May 16th

We have installed a “hit counter” today. But we have also hit a small milestone of breaking 2000 page views today! Below is a snapshot  showing the stats that the webmaster sees. The hit counter that you see on the right side will always be 2000 hits less than actual.

Garage Sale for Relay for Life

April 17, 2009

* Garage Sale for Relay for Life *
May 16th

The American Legion Riders and Sherburne Wheelers are holding a “garage sale”..all proceeds go to our Relay for Life team. We are looking for donations to sell. We will take anything that is in good shape…cloths, furniture, toys…what ever..so get busy and clean out those closets.

The sale will be held at Sophie’s house at 117 Galena Manor Rd,  Norwich on May 16th. Be there for some great deals!!!

* Please get your items to Sophie Liberatore or Marge Root. *

Sophie 607-336-6969
Marge 607-334-9180

Interested in Joining?

April 6, 2009

Interested in Joining?

The first step in becoming a Post 189 American Legion Rider is to become a member of American Legion Post 189. You can become a member as one of the following:

• American Legion member.
• Sons of the American Legion member.
• Auxiliary American Legion member.

To learn about the requirements and benefits of joining the American Legion Post 189 please look at our orientation page.

Reminder

April 4, 2009

Reminder

4th Annual Benefit Poker Run

May 2nd, 2009