MOTORCYCLES – THE HISTORY

Just a little winter time Motor Cycle history to give you something to think about.  From time to time will add a decade or so for your education.

Early Pioneers – Bicycles had reached an advanced stage of development by the 1880’s, most of them closely resembling machines we still ride today.  As soon as a small internal combustion engine was invented, it was a logical step to attach it to a bicycle, creating the first motorcycle.  Almost all early development took place in Europe, and the brilliance of some designs and the impracticality of others – was breathtaking.

1885 – Daimier Reitwagen, Germany, 264cc, single-cylinder, top speed 7mph

Gottlieb Daimier and Wilhelm Maybach were inspired pioneers, designing a high-revving (600rpm), benzene-fueled engine that they added to this “riding car”.

1894 – Hildebrand & Wolfmuller, Motorrad, Germany, 1489cc, inline twin, top speed 28mph.

The work’s first production motorcycle used the rear wheel as its flywheel/crankshaft with a direct drive from the two connecting rods, and the rear mudguard to carry water.

Veterans Day Specials

 For veterans and active-duty military personnel

Note that most of these offers require a military ID or other proof of service.

• Applebee’s: Free entree from a special menu [11/11 only].
• Bakers Square Restaurant & Pies: Free slice of pie [11/11 only].
• California Pizza Kitchen: Free pizza and nonalcoholic drink when you dine in [11/11 - 11/12 only]. You get to pick any pizza on the menu, which is a great deal.
• Carrows Restaurant: Free slice of pie with any purchase [11/11 only].
• Champps Americana Restaurant: Free cheeseburger and fries [11/12 only].
• Coco’s Bakery Restaurant: Free slice of pie with any purchase [11/11 only].
• Einstein Bros. Bagels: Free classic or signature bagel [11/11 only].
• Famous Dave’s BBQ: Deals vary by location [11/11 only].
• Friendly’s: Free breakfast and coffee when you dine in during breakfast hours [11/12 only].
• Golden Corral: Free dinner between 4 and 9 p.m. [11/12 only].
• Hooters: 10 free boneless wings with the purchase of a drink [11/11 only].
• Hoss’s Steak and Sea House: Free meal and drink from a special menu [11/12 only].
• LongHorn Steakhouse: Free Texas Tonion appetizer and nonalcoholic drink [11/11 only]. There’s no link to this deal at this time, but I was informed about it directly by a spokesperson from Darden Restaurants, which owns LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, and Red Lobster.
• Olive Garden: Free entree from a special list of five [11/11 only].
• On The Border: Free entree coupon worth up to $10 [11/11 only]. The coupon is valid Nov. 12 through 30.
• Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin’ Onion appetizer and nonalcoholic drink [11/11 - 11/12 only].
• Red Lobster: Free appetizer from a special list of 10 [11/11 only]. There’s no link to this deal, but I was informed about it directly by Darden Restaurants.

·  Sizzler: Free lunch until 4 p.m. [11/12 only].

·         Texas Roadhouse will be giving away Veterans Day free meals for lunch on Monday, November 12, 2012 to active, former, or retired military.

·  Twin Peaks Restaurants: Free meal up to a $10 value when you dine in [11/11 only].

• ·  Uno Chicago Grill: Free entree or individual-size pizza with the purchase of one entree or pizza [11/11 - 11/12 only].

·         Food Lion is having a Veterans Day Appreciation event.  This is a one day only event on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2012.  Active and retired military personnel receive a 12% discount on their entire shopping order.

For everyone

• National parks: Free admission [11/10 - 11/12 only].

Helmet Bill

I am happy to report that we have a patron for our helmet choice bill.  Delegate Ben Cline as agreed to patron the bill.  Delegate Cline’s District Office is in Amherst Virginia and he has been a longtime supporter of individual rights.  He sits on the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee and is the chairman of the sub-committee in which the bill would most likely be heard.  That is the same sub-committee that unanimously killed the bill to prohibit children under eight from riding on motorcycles.  He is a well-respected member of the House of Delegates and will make a strong patron. 

We continue to believe that this year presents the best opportunity we have ever had to bring Virginia in line with the majority of other states that allow motorcyclists to choose how to best protect themselves.  We have worked with our lobbying team through the summer and fall to shore up support from longtime friends and to get commitments of support from key members of the Senate.  Martin, Chip and Susan have done an outstanding job of getting commitments from legislators whom in the past have shown no inclination to support such a measure.  Their help has been invaluable.  That being said we are a far cry away from being able to declare victory.   It is one thing to get commitments in September.  It is another thing to have them stay with you through January. 

As you know, VCOM has spent a considerable amount of money in this effort.  Much has been raised by Virginia motorcyclists and we are extremely grateful for that.  Our law firm has donated the $25,000 to VCOM that we pledged last year.  The amount needed to keep our lobbying team through session is $24,000.  We have $12,000 in the bank.   We are asking motorcyclists to raise an additional $12,000.  We know that this is a lot to ask but without help our chances of success decrease dramatically.  We have made much progress this summer and fall (my wife jokes that I need to get back to my paying job).  But this progress has been made without active opposition.  It’s like the difference between shooting at the range and in combat.  So far we have been at the range.  Come January we will have people shooting back.  And if in this analogy we consider money ammo, they have a lot more than we do.  That is why it was so critical to lay our foundation early. 

I will make this suggestion again.  If everyone on this list could get ten people to donate $10.00 that would be $100 per person.  If you are a member of an organization, get each member of your organization to collect $10.00 from ten people.  We could raise the money in no time. 

Again, I want to thank everyone and every organization who has worked this year to help this effort.  Your work has brought us closer than we have ever been.  I am not guaranteeing victory but I am guaranteeing, with your help, a hell of a good fight.  As I said before, there is no other group of people I would rather be fighting next to than you.

I was asked to include where to send donations.  The address is below:

 

Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists

PO Box 4851

Richmond, VA 23220

Matt Danielson

Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists

1-800-353-3971

Motorcycle Fatalities Down on Virginia Roadways
November 3, 2012

Preliminary Data released by the Virginia Highway Safety Office (VAHSO) shows that motorcycle fatalities for 2012 are down by 17.86% as compared to motorcycle fatalities for 2011 at this same time last year.  As of October 31, 2012 there have been 69 motorcycle fatalities in Virginia.  As of October 31, 2011 there were 84.  This is very good news for Virginia Motorcyclists.  By contrast, fatalities involving car occupants has increased by 3.11 % while fatalities involving bicyclists have increased by 33.33%.  While occupants of pickup trucks, vans and SUVs also saw decreases in fatalities, those decreases were not as large as the decrease in motorcycle related fatalities.

While even a single motorcycle fatality is one too many, we all understand that fatal crashes are a risk taken by every person who uses the public roadways regardless of the type of vehicle used or occupied.  We also understand that from year to year there will be a natural rise and fall in these numbers that are beyond human control.  For instance, some years will have more days that are conducive to motorcycle riding than others.  We would naturally expect to see a rise in fatalities during such years simply because there are more motorcycles on the roadways.

That being said, a drop in motorcycle fatalities is good news for motorcyclists on two levels.  The first and most important is that fewer of our brothers and sisters are dying.  That is good news for us and our loved ones.  The second is that when fatalities drop our state government is less likely to use its legislative power to attempt to protect us.  As we are only two months away from the Virginia General Assembly’s 2013 session we should all be sensitive to that.  Many of you remember the bill a few years ago that would have prevented motorcycles from using certain bridges when the weather forecast called for high winds.  That legislation was the result of a single motorcycle fatality.  Luckily the bill was ultimately withdrawn by the patron after sitting down with motorcyclists who were able to explain that high winds had not been a problem, and that motorcyclists do a very good job of determining when, and when not to use certain routes depending upon conditions and their own riding skills and experience. 

The Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists has long taken the position that education is the single most effective measure to prevent motorcycle fatalities.  That means both rider education and awareness education.  We are lucky in Virginia.  We have a very strong rider education program, and a driver’s education system that makes motorcycle awareness part of its curriculum.

I think that I speak for all Virginia Motorcyclists when I say that I hope that we continue to see a decline in not only motorcycle fatalities but crashes as a whole.  Let’s each do our part to help that happen.  If you know a rider who has not yet taken a rider education course, encourage them to do so.  If it has been a while since you have taken one yourself, consider doing it.  The worst thing that could happen is that you will have spent a weekend riding and brushing up on your skills.  The best thing that could happen is that you could be Virginia’s next non-statistic.

As always, if you have any questions concerning the information in this article or on any other matter please feel free to contact me at 1-800-321-8968 or email me at matt@motorcyclelawgroup.com.
Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com