Info Item - Mandatory Motorcycle Roadside Stops

[chiba]

In all honesty, while I respect motorcycle officers, they are hardly bastions of "safety". They ride around in half helmets with no jackets or other safety gear besides gloves and (at least locally) routinely ignore the "no riding 2 abreast" law. Yes, they are highly trained, and that DOES mean something as far as safety is concerned, but how am I supposed to listen to a guy that isn't ATGATT lecture me about safety?

And if it's a cop in a car, how do I know he has any motorcycle experience at all? I don't let regular people with no m/c experience lecture me about motorcycles, but I'm supposed to let a cop do it just because he's a cop? I don't think so.

At any rate, I agree w/RM. I don't think cops are gonna want to get involved with this one much, and $350,000 for a nationwide program won't even buy paper cups for the people involved.

As far as civil disobedience goes, I've found that most people that advocate it have never been in jail, so I don't really listen to them. I'll stick to making phone calls & writing letters to my legislators, thank you very much. Getting arrested and prosecuted doesn't really further any motorcycle causes *I* can think of, so I'll definitely pass on that.

--chiba

[RocketMan]

Ok, lets put this one to rest. I searched all over various web sites and called US DOT today and asked them about this, got the typical call this agency, transfer to that agency, it boils down to nobody knows anything about this program. I'm going to chalk this on up to somebody stirring the pot.

The initial announcement went everywhere, HOG boards, Goldwing Rider Assoc, etc.

What? just when we were having so much fun with it? Kill joy!

Unfortunately, this is a prime example of how easy it is to disseminate information on the net, whether there is any basis for its validity or not makes little difference. I've already seen several other sites post this and enjoyed watching the mayhem its caused as people react without bothering to check it out. "I read it on the net, so it Must be true". I'm quite sure the email was sent in good faith but perhaps it should have been researched a bit first?
No biggy, thou, we all get caught up in this at times.

RM

[chiba]

Unfortunately, this is a prime example of how easy it is to disseminate information on the net, whether there is any basis for its validity or not makes little difference.

Exactly why I tell my students the internet is not a valid or reliable source for their papers!!

--chiba

[JSWillis]

I found the material announcing the program.

Here is the internet link:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/announce ... !268013801

See pages 4 and 6 of the PDF version of the full announcement for the discussion about safety stops.

Steve

[Deano]

I found the material announcing the program.

Here is the internet link:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/announce ... !268013801

See pages 4 and 6 of the PDF version of the full announcement for the discussion about safety stops.

Steve

Link Fail:

[ServletException in:/announce.jsp] Cannot find bean sesval_current_opportunity in any scope' javax.servlet.jsp.JspException: Cannot find bean sesval_current_opportunity in any scope at org.apache.struts.util.RequestUtils.lookup(RequestUtils.java:938) at org.apache.struts.taglib.logic.EmptyTag.condition(EmptyTag.java:123) at org.apache.struts.taglib.logic.NotEmptyTag.condition(NotEmptyTag.java:94) at org.apache.struts.taglib.logic.ConditionalTagBase.doStartTag(ConditionalTagBase.java:218) at org.apache.struts.taglib.nested.logic.NestedNotEmptyTag.doStartTag(NestedNotEmptyTag.java:95) at jsp_servlet.__announce._jspService(__announce.java:263) at weblogic.servlet.jsp.JspBase.service(JspBase.java:34) at weblogic.servlet.internal.StubSecurityHelper$ServletServiceAction.run(StubSecurityHelper.java:226) at weblogic.servlet.internal.StubSecurityHelper.invokeServlet(StubSecurityHelper.java:124) at weblogic.servlet.internal.ServletStubImpl.execute(ServletStubImpl.java:283) at weblogic.servlet.internal.ServletStubImpl.execute(ServletStubImpl.java:175) at weblogic.servlet.internal.RequestDispatcherImpl.invokeServlet(RequestDispatcherImpl.java:528) at weblogic.servlet.internal.RequestDispatcherImpl.include(RequestDispatcherImpl.java:454) at weblogic.servlet.jsp.PageContextImpl.include(PageContextImpl.java:163) at org.apache.struts.tiles.TilesUtilImpl.doInclude(TilesUtilImpl.java:137) at org.apache.struts.tiles.TilesUtil.doInclude(TilesUtil.java:177) at org.apache.struts.taglib.tiles.InsertTag.doInclude(InsertTag.java:756) at org.apache.struts.taglib.tiles.InsertTag$InsertHandler.doEndTag(InsertTag.java:881) at org.apache.struts.taglib.tiles.InsertTag.doEndTag(InsertTag.java:473) at jsp_servlet._template.__searchtmpl._jsp__tag4(__searchtmpl.java:328) at jsp_servlet._template.__searchtmpl._jspService(__searchtmpl.java:167) at weblogic.servlet.jsp.JspBase.service(JspBase.java:34) at weblogic.servlet.internal.StubSecurityHelper$ServletServiceAction.run(StubSecurityHelper.java:226) at weblogic.servlet.internal.StubSecurityHelper.invokeServlet(StubSecurityHelper.java:124) at weblogic.servlet.internal.ServletStubImpl.execute(ServletStubImpl.java:283) at weblogic.servlet.internal.ServletStubImpl.execute(ServletStubImpl.java:175) at weblogic.servlet.internal.RequestDispatcherImpl.invokeServlet(RequestDispatcherImpl.java:528) at weblogic.servlet.internal.RequestDispatcherImpl.forward(RequestDispatcherImpl.java:261) at org.apache.struts.action.RequestProcessor.doForward(RequestProcessor.java:1069) at org.apache.struts.tiles.TilesRequestProcessor.doForward(TilesRequestProcessor.java:274) at org.apache.struts.tiles.TilesRequestProcessor.processTilesDefinition(TilesRequestProcessor.java:254) at org.apache.struts.tiles.TilesRequestProcessor.processForwardConfig(TilesRequestProcessor.java:309) at org.apache.struts.action.RequestProcessor.process(RequestProcessor.java:279) at org.apache.struts.action.ActionServlet.process(ActionServlet.java:1482) at org.apache.struts.action.ActionServlet.doGet(ActionServlet.java:507) at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:707) at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:820) at weblogic.servlet.internal.StubSecurityHelper$ServletServiceAction.run(StubSecurityHelper.java:226) at weblogic.servlet.internal.StubSecurityHelper.invokeServlet(StubSecurityHelper.java:124) at weblogic.servlet.internal.ServletStubImpl.execute(ServletStubImpl.java:283) at weblogic.servlet.internal.ServletStubImpl.execute(ServletStubImpl.java:175) at weblogic.servlet.internal.WebAppServletContext$ServletInvocationAction.run(WebAppServletContext.java:3395) at weblogic.security.acl.internal.AuthenticatedSubject.doAs(AuthenticatedSubject.java:321) at weblogic.security.service.SecurityManager.runAs(Unknown Source) at weblogic.servlet.internal.WebAppServletContext.securedExecute(WebAppServletContext.java:2140) at weblogic.servlet.internal.WebAppServletContext.execute(WebAppServletContext.java:2046) at weblogic.servlet.internal.ServletRequestImpl.run(ServletRequestImpl.java:1366) at weblogic.work.ExecuteThread.execute(ExecuteThread.java:200) at weblogic.work.ExecuteThread.run(ExecuteThread.java:172)

[JSWillis]

Sorry about the link failure - it worked earlier.

The information is available at http://www.grants.gov. On the page click "grant search" (on the right side of the page). In the serch box search by funding number. That number is DTNH22-10-R-00386.

It looks like this:

Open Date Opportunity Title Agency Funding Number
07/13/2010 Motorcycle Law Enforcement Demonstrations DOT/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration DTNH22-10-R-00386

Here is another shot at the link:

http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.d ... &mode=VIEW

It worked for me.

I found the material announcing the program.

Here is the internet link:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/announce ... !268013801

See pages 4 and 6 of the PDF version of the full announcement for the discussion about safety stops.

Steve

Link Fail:

[RocketMan]

OK, now that puts a different light on the matter. Amazing how knowing the facts can change ones perspective on an issue!
[rant]
The original email is somewhat misleading (I'm being kind here ) by its use of words such as Mandatory and the “behind closed doors” phrasing etc..and doesn't really spell out clearly what the organization is offering. In actuality this is totally voluntary by the police organizations, they have to formally request funding to do this and the reporting and such that would need to be done by the police every quarter and such makes me doubt many police orgs will go for the funding. Then all the follow-up work with creating stats etc etc. That’s a hell of a lot work and time beyond just doing the stops. Plus it says turning in applications to the program are due to expire soon. Given all that it seems doubtful it will have many takers.
And again the way the email was written is very deceptive, why couldn’t they state the case and provide the details more clearly and honestly? Well, we all know why..don’t we? If it had it would have lent a lot more credence to the writer and probably gotten my attention rather than my current reaction. I really think he did us, the motorcycling community an injustice, we’re smart people and being “duped” or mis-informed is Not the way to gain our support. Give us the facts and let US be the judge of its significance, don’t spoon feed us garbage to meet someone else’s ajenda.
[/rant]
Much to do about nothing…but again if it were to happen in our area, then yeah, I’d raise a complaint with my local government representatives. And knowing the facts now I might just email my rep. with my thoughts on such a grant being taken by the local police force.

RM

[RocketMan]

Unfortunately, this is a prime example of how easy it is to disseminate information on the net, whether there is any basis for its validity or not makes little difference.

Exactly why I tell my students the internet is not a valid or reliable source for their papers!!

--chiba

And the really sad thing about this is that it Can be an excellent resource if used with a critical eye and the ability to filter and research the source(s). there is a ton of useful information out there, it just getting more and more difficult to identify which is which. I keep reading about how one of the greatest concerns about kids coming out of school these days is their inability to process data in a manner that allows them to reach their own conclusions. What I refer to as critical thinking skills for a lack of a better term. But you knew that already, being a teacher and all.

RM

[Anton]

This exact thing (singling out bikes for a roadside safety lecture/inspection) happened as the crowd left the WSB at Miller a few months ago. It was a tremendous fiasco, tied up all of the traffic for hours and the governor's office had to get involved to get it shut down. There are threads on Soup about it, and elsewhere on the web.

http://superhawkforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22731 and then there are a few other links from there.

Now if the checkpoint only pulled over minivans, SUVs and Subarus, that would be different.

[guitardad]

The AMA has weighed in on this issue as well. Story from this month's American Motorcyclist is here. Rep Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) has introduced a resolution on the issue - you can click the "Take Action" button to learn more.

[RocketMan]

This exact thing (singling out bikes for a roadside safety lecture/inspection) happened as the crowd left the WSB at Miller a few months ago. It was a tremendous fiasco, tied up all of the traffic for hours and the governor's office had to get involved to get it shut down. There are threads on Soup about it, and elsewhere on the web.

http://superhawkforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22731 and then there are a few other links from there.

Now if the checkpoint only pulled over minivans, SUVs and Subarus, that would be different.

yeah, it would, if pulling over bikes would cause problems imagine a 30 mile long line of SUV's clogging up the lanes!

RM