We're all motorcyclists.....

[dmp221]

Hello everyone:  This post appeared on the V-Star board that I look at.  As it is an important subject for all of us I thought I'd pass it along.
As always, ride safely...

This is for all us that ride motorcycles, wether it be Harleys or
any brand, so please take the time to read this. Three weeks ago, I
had the opportunity to take a ride with the ABATE of Ohio group from
Warren Co. Ohio. It was a beautiful fall day, sunny and clear, not
cloud in the sky. About half way thru the ride Bob Bryant told us
that he had to leave, he had a prior engagment. So we all said our
goodbyes and split up. Less than an hour later, we were informed Bob
had been in an accident. A car had cut across in front of him at an
intersection. Of course this put damper on the remainder of the
rdie, cause we were concerned for Bob and his family. Less than an
hour later, we were told Bob didn't make it to the hospital, we were
shocked that a good man like him had been taken from us. He was the
kind of man that would do anything for anyone especially kids. Last
night at the Fairfield Chapter meeting of HOG, were Bob was also a
member, we were told that the sentencing of the girl that hit Bob
was to be on the 28th of Oct. She is to recieve 90 days (suspended)
and a fine. Now I don't about you guys and gals, but I think my life
is worth more than 90 days (suspended) and a fine. But her parents
had hired two mouthpieces and they had cut a deal with the local DA,
your tax dollars at work. The Judge said it's was all Bob's fault
for riding without a helment, and for riding a motorcycle in the
first place. This is after the girl admits to being on her ear held
voice activated life support system (cellphone) and cutting in front
of Bob. Now, if you ask me this smacks of prejudice. So the HOG
group is going to be there for the sentencing, we are going to ride
up to be a public but silent protest of this miscarriage of justice.
Now, here comes the part that chaps my ass. The girls mom was
interviewed and made some reamrks to the effect, that her daughter
was such a sweet young thing and should be given every second chance
she could get, because "all bikers are nothing but druggies anyway".
Now what gives this woman the right to generalize and make these
statments about people she doesn't even know? Let her come to a HOG
meeting, or a Toys for Tots Run and say these things. She doen't
know people like Bob, who qwned a soccer field and would do anything
for anybody, so we need to get this out and hope something can be
sone in the future to stop this kind of prejudice and foul use of
justice against bikers. I hope you guys read this and get it out,
forward it to anyone and print it off and post it on bulletin
bouards something has to be done. Thank you...... Michael Estes
Covington KY.

[vtlion]

That's terrible!!!

If there's one thing I can't stand it's people who do something foolish or negligent and then try to blame the victim for the consequences of their own stupidity  :x  Add a human life the the equation, and it is inexcusable to act like that.

"all bikers are nothing but druggies anyway".

Just remember to keep it classy at the demonstration.  You wouldn't want to give the mom a chance to say "see, i told you so".

peace

[dgyver]

That kind of crap really pisses me off! Bob didn't get a second chance, so why should she?
"The Judge said it's was all Bob's fault for riding without a helment, and for riding a motorcycle in the first place"...What gives the judge the right to pass judgement on someones personal desicion? She admitted not to be paying attention while driving, talking on a cell phone.

I take this very personally. In '87 a drunk turned left in front of me and stopped. Hit the side of the car and she took off. Totalled my bike. I had a broken arm and severed ligament in my hand when my arm went though the side window as I went over the top of the car. She was only charged with a illegal left turn because she turn herself in within 24hrs and was sober by then.

[Manix]

I can't believe this! 90 days and a fine!

What a world we live in...

*turns off the stereo and holds a 1 minute silence for Bob*

[Zarathustra]

jesus christ that's wrong.  man i'm pissed off now.

[The Antibody]

wow....... thats all I have to say. wow.

I don't know what I would do if he were my Bro/friend.

 -Anti

[Rich500]

SO... she is distracted, and kills a man with a car. Criminal negligance anybody? That is appauling. Everyone who rides a motorcycle should fight the system in Bob's name when they here of attrocities like this. I hope to god that her killing Bob scars her for the rest for her life, and that she thinks harder about the decisions she makes.

[bbanjo]

It pisses me off as well, but just to put it in perspective, it doesn't just involve bikes.

I was the only witness for the State (out of more than 100 vehicles who ACTUALLY saw the accident) that came forward to tesify at a trial in which (thankfully) no one was seriously injured. A couple of broken bones, etc. However, through the stupidity of a driver (trying to squeeze between a concrete barrier and a stopped lane of traffic that I was in to merge ahead of slow, legal drivers, the driver in question was doing at least 50 mph).

Said driver went airborne when they hit the rear of a STOPPED Pathfinder (the Pathfinder was totalled) and skidded into lanes of traffic on it's roof. The driver at fault said that they "didn't even remember the accident" so my testimony was the ONLY thing that the State had against the driver. The DA actually thanked me for showing up.

Point being, the fact that I became involved was the difference between the driver at fault ACTUALLY WAKLING AWAY WITH NO CHARGE, and not being able to afford to drive for at least a few years (got max points on the insurance and you can't afford it after they give you your license back)!!!!!!! I shaZam! you not.

Be involved. Stand up. Ride or drive, it's us who let these morons hurt people again.

[Rashad]

ive said a prayer for Bob..and all like him, who share a similar unjust fate.

Most of my posts here are humorous and in fun.. but this one isnt.

Im not gonna talk about how appalled and disgusted i am, as that would only add to the negativity associated with things like this, and future readers of this post should really be uplifted and send on the path of STANDING UP.. and FIGHTING for what they/I/we BELIEVE IN.

There is a perfect balance of decision-making when emotions and logic cross paths, and i know how hard it is for all those distraught bikers who had to bear witness to this 'legal' judgement. My heart goes out to all of you. BBanjo is right...

STAND UP!!! Be HEARD!!! DONT LET THIS NEGATIVE GARBAGE HAPPEN!!!

Most of all.. give at least one minute as said above.. its worth it. And if you were BOB... youd appreciate it.

Im done with this...

[JohNLA]

How many people must die before using cell phones while driving is outlawed

[96gs]

what is this. some stupid thougtless girl pulls out in front if him, kills him, and she only gets 90 days and a fine. ok the thing im trying to say this was a KILLING. most people get 25 to life for killing somebody. i think this is discriminatory. the judge actually said he shouldnt be riding a motorcycle in the first place? yeah there are some pain in the neck motorcyclist riding out there but that doesnt mean they deserve to die. this girl outta get at least 20 years for this. prayers to bobs family.

[Cris]

   

[Afterburner]

In the eyes of the law (which should be the eyes of the judge) the girl was in the wrong, and the consequences were that she killed an innocent person.  She should get the same punishment she would get if she had killed the judge's mother.  

So, if I understand the judge and the mother's opinions, they think it's okay to break the law and kill bikers because bikers deserve it, for one reason or another.  Sounds like war jingoism to me.

And, just my opinion, but I think teenage girls in general and those with cellphones in particular are the most dangerous things on the road today.

[Mat]

And, just my opinion, but I think teenage girls in general and those with cellphones in particular are the most dangerous things on the road today.

no kidding...  

i have seen some girls on cell phones stop traffic because they were in the wrong lane to turn into the mall :x  :x

[Mat]

and one more thing its not always the teenagers

sometimes its the soccer moms with their burbs on the phone causing the problems

[vtlion]

I totally agree.  Why should being a biker struck by a car make it any more ok?!?!!  

We wouldn't go giving a break to a negligent dumptruck driver who T-boned a miata and killed somebody.  You wouldn't hear anyone saying "well (s)he got what (s)he deserved, taking such a risk driving a small car".  It's a bunch of crap and we shouldn't have to defend our choice of conveyance to anybody.

Sorry for the rant, but its homecoming and i nearly got plowed twice tonight by (i suspect intoxicated) drivers... one ran a stop while looking right at me, and another started to turn left while I was oncoming and stalled his car right in front of me  :x  If I had been hit and those drivers had walked, I would have been ticked-off big-time.

Bikers get no respect on the road or in the courtroom.  Until that changes, our only recourse is to avoid trouble whenever possible.  BE CAREFUL OUT THERE GUYS AND GALS!!!  As my friend's mom always used to say to me when I left the house "watch out for the other guy".

sucks man
really sucks

peace

[mes_423]

that is a out rage, have any of you heard of giant biker rally in canada that raises money for curing diseases. and she has the nerve to call all bikers druggies. that is one of the most disrespectful things you can say, that is a form stupidy on another level. i can understand her need to protect her duaghter but to lash out at bob (the victim) is like going up to every rider and spitting in there faces. im going to stop writing befor this turns into a 20 page responce on how this is wrong on all levels


to sum it all up this is  :x  :x  :x

[pantablo]

they think it's okay to ...  kill bikers because bikers deserve it....

It's outrageous to hear such stories as Bob's with the frequency they seem to come up. But put into perspective: For every law abiding motorcycle rider out there [that usually doesn't get noticed] there's a half dozen that are speeding in and out of traffic, wheeling, burning out or the noobs on R1's tossign their bikes into a canyon [and generally acting like buffoons]. There are plenty of riders that only help those negative attitudes propogate.

Set a good example whenever you can [on and off the bike].

[yamahonkawazuki]

Manix wrote:

I can't believe this! 90 days and a fine!

What a world we live in...

*turns off the stereo and holds a 1 minute silence for Bob*

i second that!                       i hope that "innocent" :x girl goes through hell with that on her conscience for the rest of her natural life :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x  :x ....... okay i had better stop now, before i get myself all worked up, and do something id regret.lets all set a good example and ride respectably so another judge wont have this classification to pin upon us

[Cal Price]

Real real bad news. It sounds like the sentencing we get over here where it is almost acceptable to kill with a car, it seems to be accepted as "one of those things" Speeding bikers on the other hand have recently been jailed. I've long held the view that our judges and magistrates could benefit from a Stalinist style purge, perhaps some of yours should join them. And as for the mother............