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It appears that the anti-motorcycle trend we've been seeing is becoming far worse than I had imagined. Recently, a Bill has been introduced in the Florida Legislature. It is entitled: "Offenses Committed While Operating a Motorcycle." A link to the actual bill is below, but here are the "highlights:"
1. The bill applies to anyone operating a motorcycle that is charged with reckless driving or exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 mph.
2. The bill requires the rider to be arrested and taken into custody; the officer on the scene is not allowed to use his or her judgment or discretion.
3. The motorcycle will be seized.
4. The motorcycle will be subject to forfeiture under the " Florida Contraband Seizure Act."
5. The motorcyclist will lose the right to ride a motorcycle for TEN years.
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Secti...ocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0137&Session=2008
This is the most blatant, outrageous piece of legislative discrimination I have ever heard of. The penalties (again, this "special treatment" is ONLY FOR MOTORCYCLISTS) exceed even the already draconian penalties for drunk driving. The Florida Contraband Seizure Act is already notorious for abuse. There are countless cases of personal property seized, which are never returned, even after the person charged is acquitted or the charges are dropped.
I have contacted the author of this outrage via email. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, [[email protected]]. He advised me that this legislation is intended:
"to address riders of high performance motorcycles that treat Florida's roads and highways as their own personal stunt track."
The motorcycling community has a clear and present threat to our chosen hobby / sport / lifestyle. I have contacted the AMA regarding this, but they have not responded as yet. I invite you to take a moment to email this "lawmaker" and share your feelings about his contempt for motorcycling. You might say this type of discrimination has been going on for years, but it has always been done in the context of the existing traffic laws, which apply to all vehicles. I sincerely doubt motorcyclists have ever been singled out like this before, or that such an outrageous infringement on personal liberty or property rights has been considered.
1. The bill applies to anyone operating a motorcycle that is charged with reckless driving or exceeding the speed limit by more than 30 mph.
2. The bill requires the rider to be arrested and taken into custody; the officer on the scene is not allowed to use his or her judgment or discretion.
3. The motorcycle will be seized.
4. The motorcycle will be subject to forfeiture under the " Florida Contraband Seizure Act."
5. The motorcyclist will lose the right to ride a motorcycle for TEN years.
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Secti...ocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0137&Session=2008
This is the most blatant, outrageous piece of legislative discrimination I have ever heard of. The penalties (again, this "special treatment" is ONLY FOR MOTORCYCLISTS) exceed even the already draconian penalties for drunk driving. The Florida Contraband Seizure Act is already notorious for abuse. There are countless cases of personal property seized, which are never returned, even after the person charged is acquitted or the charges are dropped.
I have contacted the author of this outrage via email. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, [[email protected]]. He advised me that this legislation is intended:
"to address riders of high performance motorcycles that treat Florida's roads and highways as their own personal stunt track."
The motorcycling community has a clear and present threat to our chosen hobby / sport / lifestyle. I have contacted the AMA regarding this, but they have not responded as yet. I invite you to take a moment to email this "lawmaker" and share your feelings about his contempt for motorcycling. You might say this type of discrimination has been going on for years, but it has always been done in the context of the existing traffic laws, which apply to all vehicles. I sincerely doubt motorcyclists have ever been singled out like this before, or that such an outrageous infringement on personal liberty or property rights has been considered.