Quig et al vs. CHP - Sweet Victory

The most concise and legally accurate description of the helmet law problem in any state, as explained by Richard Quigley....


" ....the government cannot make any objective standards for helmets without taking on liability, and since they are expressly forbidden from taking on any liability, they can never make an objective standard for helmets. There it is.

Without an objective standard it all becomes ad hoc and arbitrary - Ad hoc and arbitrary is the foundation of vague law - Vague law is Unconstitutional." Quig (1943-2007)



Today, February 8, 2008 marked a hearing date in the contempt case of Quigley et al vs. CHP.

It seems a California Attorney General (AG) got a little too big for her "knickers", as you will see. Read on....

This hearing, titled "Summary Judgment Hearing", was for the AG to request dismissal of the case, based on her opinion that the Plaintiffs failed to prove they have a case.

At this same hearing, the Plaintiffs planned to seek a motion to compel compliance with discovery. Great move, and here's why.

And Don Blanscet, CA Abate Executive Director, comments:

"Ask any Attorney what his chances are for Summary Judgment when he is pissing off the Judge by refusing to comply with simple basic discovery rules, to the extent that we are faced to seek a motion to compel."

Here's some history on this case, from the keyboard of Tony "Pan" Sanfelipo himself, founding member of BOLT, when asked for the long and short of it. You'll find the outcome of this hearing below.

(Of course, if you are really into the detailed side of things, there are many informative articles you can read on the BOLT of CA website).

"As you know, the NTSB issued a recommendation that all states should adopt or amend helmet laws to meet compliance with the FMVSS 218 (helmet standard). That's exactly what North Carolina did in January [2008]. Anyway, the boys in California have been fighting tickets there for 17 years...and winning.

"Now comes the great Quig et al vs. CHP, set for trial in May, 2008. That calls for an injunction and declaratory relief, which in road language means, the CHP would be enjoined (stopped) from writing tickets for non compliance with the DOT standard. Quig beat a number, I think 9, of them tickets with his BOLT baseball cap and DOT embroidered on the back. That case had the judge rule to dismiss the tickets, but Quig didn't want a dismissal, because that would just go away for him and not do anyone else any good. So he asked for an injunction, which would stop them from writing everyone up. So be it.

"Meanwhile, the judge was pissed at the CHP for ignoring his earlier ruling that they stop writing helmet tickets unless they sign them off as correctable.

"In California, you can get a fix it ticket for an equipment violation (remember, helmets are listed by NHTSA as motor vehicle equipment, not safety equipment). So it should be a $10 fix it ticket. The problem is, the biker has the right to ask the cop, "officer, how do I fix this?" In other words, tell me what a helmet is or where I can buy one that complies with the law. Since there is no list, there is no law, or at least any way for a cop to tell you how to fix your problem. So we have them right where we want them.

"Then, along comes the Attorney General (AG) and takes this contempt case on in the 6th Appellate Court. The court rules that there is an exclusion in the evidence rule that says, even if it's an equipment violation, if the condition presents an immediate safety hazard to the biker, the cop doesn't have to sign off as correctable and can refuse to let you drive off until you put on a helmet he likes. Wow. The AG thought she had it in the bag at this point.

"The 6th Appellate also ruled that, although Quig's soft cap presented an immediate danger in their mind, as a matter of law if a helmet has a hard shell, it's correctable. That's what we wanted to hear, because the other plaintiffs in Quigs case, Blanscet, Barron, Bianco and Holmes, were ticketed with hard shell helmets. And so were hundreds of others, despite the injunction against this in the Easyriders F.I.G.H.T. Freedom case (an earlier injunction).

"Are you still with me? This ain't easy to explain. Anyway, the AG thought, hey, Quig is dead now, and the 6th [Appellate] ruled that the cops have discretion on whether the helmet is compliant, so let's motion for summary judgment. That means, the Quig et al vs. CHP is no longer relevant. It's a moot case according to the thinking of the AG.

[And the outcome? .... drum roll please....]

"So this motion for summary judgment came up today in court, and if the court granted this, it's all over now, baby blue. Of course, we were on pins and needles because you never know what a judge is going to do. You know what he's supposed to do, but it don't always work out like that. Anyway, low and behold, the judge dismisses the summary judgment and asks why he shouldn't issue the injunction right there and then. That must of blew the AG out of her knickers. I'm sure Quig is dancing in the clouds. So, we go to trial in May.

[After learning the outcome of today's hearing, Don Blanscet went out trolling for another helmet ticket, and I wondered if he could still get one, given the ruling today...]

"Don could still be cited for non compliant helmet, because this still has to be settled in court. He'll have to troll long hours though if the word is out about the summary judgment loss.

"We also want to ask the Supreme Court to retry the 6th Appellate ruling on Quig's soft helmet because, under Buhl vs. Hannigan, and Bianco vs. CHP, followed by the Easyrider case, it was determined that a cop cannot pull you over without probable cause that your helmet didn't comply. The probable cause was, according to the earlier cases, there was no DOT sticker (which later was found not to be necessary anyway) and that the cop knew the helmet didn't comply or he knew there was a recall of that particular helmet, and that the biker knew the helmet didn't comply.

"Whew! How is anyone going to know all that?

[I can hear Tony taking a big breath as he prepares to continue this narrative.]

"As for the baseball cap, it did have a DOT on the back, so there was rebuttable presumption of compliance, because the earlier cases ruled that fabrication isn't an issue. In fact, for a cop or consumer to consider fabrication of the helmet, is absurd (judges words).

"The FMVSS 218 is a performance standard. It tells you what a helmet has to do or prevent to be compliant. Nothing in the standard talks about fabrication. There is nothing in there about a hard shell, 1 inch thickness or any of that nonsense cops say a helmet has to have. They do mention a retention system (chin strap) and that's why Red and Quig and Don have some sort of lace or chin strap attached to their baseball cap, coconut shell or yamaka cap. These guys are characters...I love them."

Let me tell you folks, if you think this has been easy, think again.

And so, as described above, this is a huge victory.

The Judge dismissed the Summary Judgement. And he put the AG in her place by asking why he shouldn't issue an injunction right then and there.

How I wish I could have been a fly on the wall in that courtroom!

And as Don wrote to me today, before firing up the scooter to go "hunting" for another helmet ticket [Got Ticket?]:

Quigley vs. CHP won Big !!!!! I mean we won Big!!!! BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Judge says perhaps an injunction is in order for the plaintiffs (thats you !!!!!!!!)

He was very happy with the outcome (ya think?).

As Don says, "we" are the Plaintiffs, and he is right on that point. For this victory was not just for California Bikers, it was for ALL Bikers, as Quigley intended. "Brotherhood knows no boundaries", as is evident here. And this writer is grateful for the work they've put forth to achieve this victory.

What does this mean to you and me? Considerable ground was gained today, through perseverence, a refusal to back down, and a refusal to compromise. They have beat back law makers and law enforcement with the very laws they wrote and [try to] enforce.

But there's no relaxing, as the show is not over.

Trial is set for May 2008. CA Abate and BOLT must still pay their Attorney fees, and they must still keep vigilance. The way looks clearer, but it won't be over until the fat lady sings. They must still fill the Judiciary Fund coffers, to pave the path for the May trial.

Check out the information on the Judiciary Fund and make a much needed donation. Any amount helps. There are hundreds of thousands of bikers out there. Show them you appreciate what they are doing, what Quigley devoted his life to, and help them beat this down to the "whale dung" level (lowest place on earth) where it belongs.

Ya know? I'm hearing the theme for "Rocky" in my head right now... but I hate those musical tunes that play when I open a web page, so I'll let you remember that tune on your own.

And now for the quotes - and I so love good quotes.....

This quote by Napoleon Hill is for the Freedom Fighters in California, and for all those who had/have faith in them and contributed to this cause.

Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting.

And this one by Theodore Roosevelt, is for everyone else. But it's not too late. Send your donation today!

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.


Great job guys!
Florida Freedom Fighters salute you.

More On The Steffey Case

http://www.salemnews.net/news/articl...articleID=9849

Couple sues over Stark County incident

By LARRY SHIELDS, Salem News staff writer

SALEM — A Salem couple cited Stark County commissioners, the sheriff, a deputy and 15 unnamed John and Jane Does in a federal lawsuit claiming violations of their rights under the Fourth, Eighth and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.

Hope and Greg Steffey filed the action last October in the United States District Court in Cleveland.

Greg Steffey is the athletic director at Salem High School.

According to court documents, Hope Steffey claims assault, battery, unreasonable seizure and deliberate indifference by failing to provide adequate medical care, while both claim damage from “unreasonable governmental actions by the defendants.”

Named as defendants are Sheriff Timothy A. Swanson, the three commissioners, Deputy Richard T. Gurlea, along with John and Jane Does numbers one through 15.

The Stark County Sheriff reportedly denied the allegations.

The narrative of court documents said that on Oct. 20, 2006 Hope Steffey was allegedly assaulted by another woman on Weimer Dr. S.E. and Gurlea responded, questioned Steffey and asked for identification and she “mistakenly” produced the driver’s license of her dead sister, which she kept as a personal memento.

She immediately recognized her mistake and asked for it back, but Gurlea allegedly refused.

Documents say she “begged” for the return of her license but it wasn’t returned.

The deputy then ran a computer check of the right license and Steffey’s cousin noticed a bald spot on her head from the assault.

The cousin “reminded” the deputy that Steffey was the victim while advising Steffey of the hair loss which made her visibly upset.

The documents alleged Gurlea failed to call for medical assistance despite knowledge Steffey was injured.

Gurlea the, documents allege, warned Steffey to calm down and Steffey replied she was upset and could exercise her freedom of speech and her cousin again attempted to remind the deputy that Steffey was the victim and she had been knocked unconscious by the assailant.

The deputy allegedly refused to acknowledge her injuries.

Court documents said that after searching Steffey’s car, he turned to the two and questioned the cousin when Steffey asked for her sister’s license back.

Gurlea allegedly turned angrily and responded “shut up about your dead sister.”

Steffey pointed her finger at her sister’s license in the deputy’s pocket and said, “she was here, she was someone” and Gurlea allegedly, suddenly exploded into a rage and allegedly slammed her face into his cruiser breaking a tooth, and pinning her against the cruiser, allegedly saying, “are you going to stop?”

The documents allege Gurlea then threw her to the ground causing cuts and bruises and with the weight of his body on her she could not breathe.

Steffey was then handcuffed and told to sit in the cruiser.

At the county jail, court documents allege she was knocked to the ground with male deputies/guard/staff present.

She was questioned and allegedly strip searched without authorization, pursuant to law and policy.

Steffey was allegedly held to the ground and stripped completely naked and left inside the jail cell for six hours without a blanket and “in order to try to keep warm, and regain dignity” she “wrapped herself in toilet paper to prevent the Sheriff’s deputies/guards/staff from seeing her naked.”

The documents allege she was not permitted access to a telephone; was not “booked” for six hours; didn’t receive “reasonable” medical attention for six over hours; repeatedly called for help; went without clothing; spent the entire night in jail naked; and was “eventually” advised by a guard she was charged with resisting and disorderly conduct.

The documents allege she was physically and emotionally brutalized while Gurlea and the John and Jane Does “sought charges against” her to cover up their “unreasonable acts and omissions.”

Greg Steffey claims to have lost the love, society, affection and consortium of his wife as a direct result of the actions and inactions of the defendants in one of the six claims for relief.

The 16-page complaint notes in the fifth claim for relief that the sheriff produced thousands of pages of requested records, but “specifically failed to produce the videotape of the strip search.”

It added, “The available public records indicate the videotape camera that would have captured the incident was functioning.”

Since the October filing, Cleveland television Channel 3 WKYC obtained and posted a video clip of the strip search at: http://www.wkyc.com/news/news_articl...?storyid=82447

The Cleveland station featured the incident on its Thursday night news program and also was to air a second part Friday night.

The couple demands a trial by jury with damages for medical care, incurred bills and future expenses, while demanding judgment in an amount in excess of the courts jurisdictional minimum; punitive damages to be determined at trial; equitable relief; attorney’s fees, costs of action and other associate costs; and any and all other relief the court deem equitable, necessary and just.

Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net

See videos here.

Victim of Assault - Assaulted by Police

This video and story was posted on Big Bend Bikers For Freedom today. In hopes that more will see it, I've posted it here as well.

CANTON, OH -- Hope Steffey's night began with a call to police for help. It ended with her face down, completely naked and sobbing on a jail cell floor.

If you live in Stark County, Ohio, you'd better hope you don't have need of Police protection. Don't live there? It could happen in YOUR town. In fact, count on it.

Please watch the video below. It might make you angry, it might make you feel rage. And it should. How long will YOU allow public office in this country treat innocent citizens this way?



Upon searching, I found the second part video below.



Do you think a victim should be treated this way? How about a criminal? Voice your opinion of what happened to this woman.

The Story in the news.


Write to the Stark County Sheriff Department and express your outrage.

Write to Ohio Governor, Ted Strickland, and express your outrage.

Next time, this could be you, or me.

While President Bush sends more our sons and daughters overseas to fight for someone else's freedom, our own country is doing away with ours. What's wrong with this picture?

No Compromise, No Surrender

Recently I posted on Bruce-n-Ray Biker Forum that I was in full support of MADD Ray Henke, who declared "no compromise, no surrender" in response to the Delray Beach biker ban fiasco.

Read Ray's post here.

Ray replied that my words defined a "fire" that he and many others believe the legendary Quig instilled in many bikers today.

Although my fire was lit months before I knew who Quig was, perhaps this is true in the reasoning behind Quig's lifelong fight against biker discrimination and the right to ride free.

I really don't know what initially fueled this passion in me. Perhaps it was the sudden and conclusive realization that law makers didn't really care about stopping the frequent "murders" of bikers by distracted drivers, but instead insists on forcing helmet laws. Perhaps it was just the idea that government continually tells me what I can and can't do without just cause, as in so many other piddly laws that get shoved down my throat without my consent.

Perhaps it is because I live in a country where we often hear the words, "Land of the Free, Home of the Brave", which I know I have to fight for every day.

I am a passionate woman, in most things I do, and believe in. Freedom is a hard won option in life. If you don't fight for it, and fight hard, you will lose it. It's not going to always be there for you just because it says so in our Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem. To believe so is naive at best.

I've been told that because I have red hair, my temper is one to avoid, and perhaps that is true on occasion (however, I doubt the red hair has anything to do with it since it is actually very gray underneath the Ms. Clairol). Most times I think my anger, or passion, is justified, for it is truly rare for me to be fired up about trivial things. I have some basic rights that spark my temper on occasion; such as the right to free speech, the right to fair and honest service for those I pay for, and the right to be treated with dignity and respect as a human being. I don't view those rights as trivial. Freedom is not trivial by any sense of the word and I will fight for it as long as I breathe, red hair or not.

History is full of men and women who were "fired up" about their potential loss of freedom.

Joan of Arc led French soldiers into battle to defeat the English. The English were convinced she was supernatural because she rallied a second time in spite of being wounded. Joan was not supernatural - Joan was fired up. She fought for freedom.

Bunker Hill pitted common farmers against trained military and sparked a war that won America its freedom from British oppression. Were they more disciplined than the British soldiers and thus knew they would win? No. They were fired up. They had much to gain, but even more to lose; their freedom.

I could go on, but you know where I'm going with this. We have to be fired up about all the injustice going on against bikers. Delray Beach wants to ban bikers from their restaurant row on Atlantic Avenue because a few restaurants decided to put tables outside, right next to the road. Diners want a peaceful meal.

Wait, isn't eating out at restaurant a lifestyle choice, just as riding my motorcycle is? You have the right to choose where you eat based on the food, service, and/or ambiance, and the government does not tax you on the maintenance of those restaurants, while I do pay for the maintenance of those roads. So I say, diners, find another restaurant, or go home and eat, for your personal demands infringe upon my personal freedom! I don't tell you what your rights are because I don't like what you drive, what you wear while driving it, or what it sounds like.

This focus is not on all the noise on this stretch of road either, but just bikers. Though, they would have you believe otherwise. Does that fire you up? It's clear discrimination. Do these restaurants (and diners) focus on the noise a local train makes? Other vehicles? No. They know they'd lose that battle. How about now, fired up yet?

They focus on bikers because they dislike us, as a group, and because IT IS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. Why is that, do you think? I'll tell you why. Because the majority of bikers are complacent in their comfortable existence and won't get involved. "I don't go to that city", or "I'll just ride a stock bike", they say. It's always someone else's fault, or "I can't get involved because of my job", is another one I hear, but many fight anonymously. Shall I go on?

Because of a Call-To-Action at the last minute, the city commissioners were inundated with emails and letters of protest against this ban. A small number of bikers rallied to the city meeting (and I say small because, given the number of bikers in the local vicinity, it was a paltry number). A small victory was won that day, as the commissioners voted to table the ban for now. What might have happened if ALL of us were sitting home snug in our complacency, waiting for others to take action???

This war is not over folks. Delray Beach's solution now is to implement a severe noise ordinance. This means that I, with my after-market pipes, which are not noisy at all, will be targeted. Law enforcement in Delray Beach will, with no scientific justification, pick us off one at a time and issue outrageous fines for perceived noise, while ignoring the other sources of noise also present on this Avenue.

Yes, we won this first round, because enough bikers rallied together to fight it. Now we must regroup, discuss a new strategy, and attack again before they can gain a foothold. We must not waffle on this issue!

But wait, now I'm hearing voices in the wind, crying "compromise, compromise!".

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

What this says to me is, "Gosh, you were so nice to drop the [illegal] ban of bikers on Atlantic Avenue, I'll just give up a small portion of my rights in return".

As Ray Henke says, "I spit". Except, I'll go further and say, I spit ON YOU for even suggesting such a thing.

NO WAY should we compromise and allow this to happen! In doing so, we invite every city in the country with roadside restaurants (or any other perceived reason) to follow suit. We invite law enforcement to indiscriminately target us and collect huge fines for sound that is part of our heritage. And our right!

Can they differentiate between those who truly are in violation? No. They don't have the expertise or equipment to do so. Therefore I say to you now, do not compromise on this issue. it is unlawful and still very much discriminatory. If this law is passed, many of us will pay the price to restore our freedom, while filling the coffers of this small bigoted town. Will you be willing to fund my court costs?

Do we, as bikers, want our right to ride where we choose severely limited? While those with boom boxes in their cars go thumping merrily down the road wherever they choose? And so diners can sit on a busy road and not have to see or hear bikers on it? What about the "bad biker" image this law substantiates if successfully passed? That all bikers are a nuisance and should be "under the control" of others?

I know I don't fall into that category. And I won't allow this to violate my freedom to ride wherever I choose, after-market pipes or not. If I am ticketed and fined in Delray Beach for my after market-pipes on my otherwise stock Harley, I will fight it. And I will win. My video camera will be running, and I WILL ride wherever I please. Bring it on!

I will protest the unlawful search and seizure should they touch my bike, or shove a night stick up my pipes. I will demand to know how they've determined my bike is too loud. I will have witnesses. And I will win. I still hope it does not have to come to that. And when things get tough, I'll just keep fighting, and look up to the sky and give Quig the "thumb's up".

I may be a woman, but I still have the "cajones" to fight for my freedom. Do you?

Fight for the right to ride free, or get off your bike and sell it to someone who cares enough to join me.

Flex Your 4th Amendment Rights

I ran across this website tonight and liked what I saw:

http://www.flexyourrights.org/

Given that bikers are often in the cross hairs of law enforcement these days, and those "public servants" might feel more inclined to harass you rather than shake your hand, this website can give you some insight on your 4th Amendment Rights and keep you out of trouble.

And while you're there, check out the videos on bad cops. Simply astounding, given it was a 20 year old who had the cajones to take on the local law enforcement in his town.

Check it out and remove any doubts about your rights when you are confronted with law enforcement. Whether it be a traffic stop on the highway, an illegal checkpoint, or an approach while you are stopped, there's some great advice here.

It surely can't hurt to be prepared for those times when you can't resist cruising that boulevard where bikers are banned, or wearing your favorite DOT baseball cap in a helmet state.

I had to wonder: Is searching your pipes for baffles illegal without consent?

And when you've got about 45 minutes or so, watch the video. It's well done and I have to say I learned a great deal from it. I'm almost looking forward to an opportunity to try these new skills out.

Sponsors on Boycott List Respond

I plan to update this list as I receive responses from other sponsors, so check back periodically to see any new responses.

Favorable Responders:

My Girlfriend's Kitchen
Lone Star Vino, LLC

To see the original post about this boycott, click here.

---

Dear Heather,

I appreciate you sending me this message. I will note your response on my blog, as you have written. Your business is listed on The Alice website as an advocate/sponsor of that radio station. I would suggest you notify them of your wish to have your business name removed and sever all links with them. You may also wish to post a notice in the window of your business noting your position in this affair. I know the local motorcyclists will appreciate your good will in announcing your opposition.

Best Regards,
Sam
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: chleonelli [mailto:noreply-comment@blogger.com]
Sent: 2007 Sep 13 2:18 PM
To: fxdwgrider@comcast.net
Subject: [Sam I Am] New comment on Boycott Sponsors of Motorcyclist Hate Radio.

I am 1 of the owner's of My Girlfriend's Kitchen, we have never paid for advertising with Alice 105.9, what we did was sell Gift Certificates online with them and sister station giving our customers money saving offers. We would appreciate not being held responsible for what Howie said. I do not agree with him, and I appauled by what he said and how he has reacted about what he said. My father is an avid Sunday Harley driver, and would die if anything happened to him. Let me know if there is anything we at My Girlfriend's Kitchen can do.

Thank you,
Heather Leonelli

Posted by chleonelli to Sam I Am at September 13, 2007 11:39 AM

---

Subj: Alice 105.9 Boycott
Date: 9/12/2007 7:36:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: winery@winerydenver.com
To: soeastbiker@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)

I would like to sincerely thank you for bringing this disturbing situation to our attention. We do not support Alice 105.9. We had donated some wine tasting party certificates to Alice 105.9's Cyber Sidewalk Sale over two months ago and have never advertised with the radio station. Our logo is no longer up on their website and I will be calling the station tomorrow to have them cease and desist from using our name in conjunction with their organization.

We have many customers from the motorcycle community and we support this boycott. Furthermore, we have several motorcycle enthusiasts within our organization and we enjoy participating in the Lone Star Rally on Galveston Island in Texas.

We respectfully request that you remove us from the boycott list and forward this email throughout your organization to show our support for the motorcycle community in this disturbing matter.

Sincerely,

Steve Barton
Managing Partner
Director of Sales & Marketing
Lone Star Vino, LLC
Texas & Colorado Winery Operations

www.dvinewineonthestrand.com
www.wineryindenver.com
www.wineryinsilverthorne.com

Posted on Bruce-n-Ray's Biker Forum Sep 13, 07 - 12:31 PM

---

Boycott Sponsors of Motorcyclist Hate Radio

Recently, in Denver, Colorado, a radio station DJ incited the public to call in and tell how they would like to "off" a motorcyclist. The outrage from motorcyclists in Denver, and subsequently everywhere is overwhelming, as it should be.

The radio station refuses to produce the transcripts of the aired segment, nor make amends for such a horrific act on the part of one of its DJ's. As a result, The Colorado Sport Bike Club is calling for a boycott of the radio station's sponsors. Some are local to Denver, some are nationwide. Whether you live in Colorado or not, please consider boycotting these sponsors.

Full text reprinted below:

September 7, 2007

Over the past two days, one of the DJ's on Alice 105.9 Radio named "Howie" has been inciting quite a bit of hateful calls from the community, specifically directed towards sport bike riders. Now, everyone has a right to their opinion, however he has actually been suggesting that people take violent action against anyone they see riding a sport bike - this is completely uncalled for, and many of us who ride such motorcycles now have a real and legitimate fear for our safety on the road, and possibly even our lives.

Typically the CSC respects everyone's right to an opinion, however this is serious enough that the Colorado Sportbike Club is calling for a statewide (or beyond, if you so choose) boycott of not only Alice Radio, but the companies that advertise on their station. Advertisers are where the money in any radio station comes from, and only by threatening or removing that source of funds will the radio station get the message that we're serious.

The CSC will not lift this boycott until the following conditions are met: 1. The management of Alice 105.9 Radio issues a statement that this type of hateful and dangerous speech will not be tolerated on their station ever again. 2. The DJ Howie and his producer(s) that stood by and allowed this to continue issue a formal, written apology to sport bike riders in the state of Colorado.

As you may be aware, our motorcycle site reaches thousands of motorcyclists across the state; we are also hoping that other clubs and organizations will follow suit and join us in making sure Alice gets the message that this will not be tolerated.

If even one motorcyclist's life is saved or spared from years of debilitating injury, then this boycott will have served its purpose. It also sends the message to Alice and other radio stations that we are not open to ridicule and acts of violence just because we choose a different mode of transportation, and will make it known financially that this is the case.

Below is a list of the companies we know to advertise on Alice's station or web site, and are the ones that you should not only avoid, but make known to them why you are doing so. This list will be updated as we get new information, so check back often!

Panera Bread
Geico Insurance
Wendy's
Foresters Financial Partners
TLC Laser Eye Centers
Isle of Capri
Jose Cuervo Tequila
Hacienda of Colorado - 3 locations
Cinema Grill - E. Alameda
My Girlfriend's Kitchen - 8555 W Belleview Ave
Water 2 Wine -8130 S. University Blvd
D'Vine Wine - 1660 Champa St
BJ's Resaurant - 14442 E. Cedar Ave
Miyama Steak House & Sushi Bar - 9101 Kimmer Drive
Texas de Brazil - 8390 East 49th Avenue

Also, here is a PDF file you can email or print and hand out to any establishment you avoid as a result of this boycott: Letter to Alice Advertisers

Thank you for supporting us in this unfortunate but necessary step to ensure our safety on the road, and our place as legitimate motorists.

Weblink: Open call for a BOYCOTT of Alice 105.9 Radio and their advertisers!

Tennessee Highway Patrol - Just Go Away

Bikers everywhere are rearranging their vacation and travel plans to avoid the extreme harrassment and unwarranted tickets while traveling through The Tail of the Dragon (in Tennessee). Once again, and yet another state (along with CA & MA), is showing it's law enforcement colors.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday August 3-6, there were some 14 Tennessee Highway Patrol vehicles and a couple of Blount County Sheriffs cars blatantly harassing both motorcycles and cars on the 11 miles of the Dragon. They promise to be here for the next month. Talk about showing your ignorance...
Tail of the Dragon

Snippet from a letter to the THP:

"Over this past weekend there were two traffic fatalities within 65 miles of the Dragon. If you had not saturated this 11 miles of US129 with Troopers perhaps these other accidents could have been avoided.

Your program will continue to be presented on our TailoftheDragon.com website for what it is. Perhaps someone in power will see the ridiculous extremes presented by your governmental bureaucracy and take action."
Big Bend Bikers For Freedom

Please add your voice to this issue, whether you ride or not. At the very least, send a letter or email to the authorities listed on this website, and to your own state. Judging by the trend lately, this could be YOUR state.

[I found the photo above on another site containing useful information about motorcycle laws in California (Ducati Girl). You'll notice, if you haven't already, that the cop in the photo is a cardboard cutout. I don't recommend that you do this to a real cop, unless you have the need to spend the night in jail. However, the image struck me as appropriate, and made me laugh in light of the above horific actions of Tennessee's Highway Patrol. You go, Ducati Girl!]