We are losing our Freedoms Comrade!
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6/15/09 The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) announced that thanks to its members’ efforts, Senate Bill 435 has been abandoned by its sponsor. The measure was introduced by state Senator Fran Pavley and required motorcycles to undergo periodic exhaust emissions testing, which would have forced motorcyclists to always have a stock exhaust system. This is actually quite unfair, as the automobile owners are allowed to install aftermarket systems. The measure, implying testing at every two years, would have applied to all model year 2000-and-newer on-road motorcycles with engine displacements of more than 280cc. The AMA members were not alone in their fight against this proposal. ABATE of California and the California Motorcycle Dealers Association supported them all the way. California has the strictest motorcycle engine emission standards in the nation and motorcycles have the lowest emissions of any motor vehicle category in the state. "California's motorcyclists are willing to do their fair share to keep our skies clear, but this bill asked motorcyclists -- whose two wheels are far less of a resource drain than four-wheelers -- to shoulder an extra burden," said Nick Haris, AMA western states representative. "The California Legislature has already raided $90 million of user-generated fees from the state's OHV fund. Some legislators saw this as an opportunity to create yet another motorcyclist-funded program with no thought as to the burden it placed on the backs of motorcyclists." Moreover, at least one senator was against the proposal, as it considered it expensive, unfair to those who ride motorcycles for recreation, and just another tax. Senator Pavley was informed about the 3,000 motorcyclists opinion though the AMA Action Alert section at AmericanMotorcyclist.com. However, the fight is not over yet, as the bill is on its way to the state Assembly, where it could be further amended. HISTORY A Bill has passed the State of California Senate Transportation & Housing Committee which will call for motorcycles over 280cc to become part of the every 2 years smog check requirement just like your car. SB 435 is now going to the Senate floor to be voted on- Hurry, write your senator today to stop this bill! Go to this weblink to send a message to your State Senator: http://capwiz.com/amacycle/issues/alert/?alertid=12937506 Rancho Cucamonga District 32: http://dist32.casen.govoffice.com/ Write your opinions and email or fax your Senator today!!
California Senate Bill 435 (Pavley, District 23, D), if
adopted as written, would mandate all model year 2000
and newer motorcycles be smog tested biannually. The
smog test would be required despite the lack of any
evidence that motorcycles are a significant source of
mobile emissions statewide.
The only two counties to ever smog test motorcycles
nationwide, Pima and Maricopa in Arizona, have already
shown that motorcycle testing leads to no significant
reduction in measured emissions levels. Pima County has
already dropped their testing program and Maricopa is
awaiting EPA’s approval to do the same.
Other important points to consider include: Motorcycles, because of their relatively low yearly mileage totals when compared to other classes of vehicles, already have the lowest emissions of any motor vehicle category in California. This bill has no specific information regarding the test method to be used, emissions levels to be enforced or the test’s potential costs to either the state or the individual owners. The deadline proposed for creating a testing procedure is slated for July 1, 2011 in the bill, and this is simply too close to the proposed test implementation date of January 1, 2012. California’s motorcycle engine emission standards are already the strictest in the nation, and were just reduced again for model year 2008 and newer motorcycles. If a smog check program is implemented, motorcycles constructed prior to the implementation date should be exempted from the testing. We all know that this has NOTHING to do with cleaner air or less pollution- it's all about trying to restrict motorcycle use and trying to eliminate modified exhausts. It will increase our States already Bankrupt budget with NO appreciable reduction to Smog! Tons of additional costs, no way to pay for it, and nothing back in return. Q. Why don't they do something about Trucks? A. It's called "Unions" and their Lobbying Power! We are "1 percenters" with no cohesive lobbying force. Get together NOW and Voice your concerns to your State Representatives. REMEMBER, this is just the start of our loss of freedoms. Get active today SOCIALISM SUCKS- I'll die fighting for my freedoms- what about you?! |