ABATE of FL, Inc 2023 January

ABATE of FL, Inc American Bikers Aiming
Lake Cnty Chapter Towards Education
PO Box 492
Astatula, FL 34705 A Brotherhood Against
http://lake.abateflorida.com/ Totalitarian Enactments
Volume 23 Issue #01 January 2023





NOTICE, NOTICE, ABATE of FL, Inc. Accepts no responsibility for the comments or opinions contained in this publication. Donations
to ABATE of FL, Inc. are not deductible for Federal Tax purposes. This is the official publication of ABATE of FL, Inc Lake Cnty Chapter,
It is published monthly & is free to Chapter members.


WHY ARE WE HERE?
The purpose of this Corporation
shall be: A) Promote motorcycle
safety through education.
B) Elimination of unfair motorcycle-
related legislation.
C) Protection of personal rights of all
motorcyclists. D) Improve the image
of motorcyclists to the general
public.
E) To provide for a Lobbyist to
represent ABATE OF FL, INC., & to
work with Legislators in the interest
& protection of all motorcyclist rights
on the State & National levels.







ABATE of FL, Inc – State Office

PO Box 614

Cantonment, FL 32533
Phone: 386-943-9610 FAX: 850-361-1118

President: Will “Griz” Deaver 352-516-2982
[email protected]
https://abatefloridainc.com



Check out our website: http://www.lakecountyfloridaabate.com/


ABATE OF FL, INC. DOES NOT CONDONE DRINKING & RIDING. DONATIONS TO ABATE OF FL, INC. ARE NOT DEDUCTIBLE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. A
COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION & FINANCIAL INFO MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN THE
STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. WWW.800HELPFLA.COM

ABATE of FL, Inc – Lake County Chapter
PO Box 492
Astatula, FL 34705
https://www.facebook.com/AbateOfFloridaLake CountyChapter
http://lakecountyfloridaabate.com

Check out our new website: http://www.lakecountyfloridaabate.com/


President Tate 352-409-2055 [email protected]
Vice President Tramp 352-228-0463 [email protected]
Secretary Marie 352-818-9410 [email protected]
Treasure Hotcakes 352-279-7497 [email protected]
Sgt@Arms Big Smo 352-636-9711 [email protected]
Sgt@Arms-Assit Bronx 347-582-1368 [email protected]
Membership RonJon 352-617-4354 [email protected]
Products Bon Bon 928-420-5567 [email protected]
Newsletter “V” 352-516-4240 [email protected]
Legislative Joyce 352-630-1449 [email protected]
State Delegates Tate – Joyce ----------------------
PR/Communication OPEN ---------------------
Safety Director & Chaplin Pilgrim 352-793-3600 [email protected]
Billing Jessie 352-227-7214 [email protected]
Hospitality Lil bit 740-507-1709 [email protected]
Community Safety Brat 740-398-2900 [email protected]
Road Captain Russ 352-391-7151 [email protected]
Web Master Bob F 715-272-2047

One Nation under “GOD” – Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ & the American G.I. One died for you soul, the other for your freedom.
~~ If you do not stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them ~~~

Are you expired? Email RonJon to find out. Don’t

lose your $4,000 ADA insurance, renew on time.
Win chapter products – participate in the membership
drive that ends at the Dec 2022 general meeting
Different levels of prizes, ask RonJon.
[email protected]


>>> Chapter ‘Membership Drive’ starts at our April general mtg goes to Dec mtg –
ask RonJon on how to win certificates for Chapter Products.


VETERANS CRISES LINE AVAILABLE-- No Veteran should go through a crisis alone. The new Veterans
Crisis Line nu—Dial 988 then Press 1—in your phone in case you or a Veteran needs support.

President & Vice President Reports
I’d like to thank y’all for a Hello ABATE brothers & sisters,
successful year. We’ve had Now that 2022 is in the books have to say it was an
some speed bumps but we interesting year, we rode some great rides helped
stuck together & made it a few charities, state meeting was a lot of fun. We
through, that being said it’s time had good participation, but it could always be
to look towards next year. We better. Thanks to all who helped out. I’m looking
have Mil Vets annual coming up forward to 2023. We have a lot of planning to do,
also St. Augustine chili cook off, so let’s all get together & make the new year even
then the Shrimp Boil. Tally in better than the last. As always keep the rubber side
April & campground. Let’s get to down & I’ll see you out there Ride Safe—
work y’all. Merry Christmas & happy New Year Tramp --Chapter Vice President
Tate – Chapter President

























Welcome our newest advertiser..
South Lake Moose, thank you
for your support!
If you have not renewed for 2023,

please get with Jessie 352-227-7214.
Thank you in advance.
$100 per year for a business size ad.

LAKE COUNTY ABATE CHAPTER MEETING December 4, 2022

Smo called the meeting to order, followed by pledge/moment of silence.
Pilgrim gave a blessing, with 40 members present.
PRESIDENT: Craig (Tate) Hehl: Tate turned the meeting over to Joyce & RonJon for a special announcement. There
was a great turnout 350 – 400 bikers at the Toy Run. We will have a committee meeting for our Shrimp Boil on Dec. 18
at Crossroads 44 at noon. The last weekend in Jan will be Vintage’s Chili Cook-off.
VICE PRESIDENT: James Tramp Rogers: Shrimp ride was great & we’ll be doing it again next year.
SECRETARY: Marie Baxter: Marie was absent; Jane asked for any corrections or additions to the minutes posted in the
newsletter. Minutes were approved.
TREASURER: Charlotte “Hotcakes” Meyer: gave her report.
SGT AT ARMS: David ‘Smo’ Carpenter: Smo mentioned we should be good with security for the December State
Meeting. There was a discussion on the Shrimp Boil & it was tabled.
MEMBERSHIP: Ron “RonJon” Knab: We had 7 new members last month & are still running with approximately 300.
Would like to have a committee the first of the year to go over by-laws for our Chapter.
PRODUCTS: Yvonne (BonBon) Spyker: BonBon has new products. Absent
NEWSLETTER: Vera Deaver: It was posted on the Web & FB.
LEGISLATIVE: Joyce Sharpe: Discussed the changes in local, state & congress.
STATE REPS: Please be at the State Mtg this weekend. Meet & Greet Friday 7-9, meeting on Sat at 2 pm
WEBMASTER: Bob Farris: Bob was present to report & needs input for articles & photos.
PR: This position is open.
COMM/SAFETY: Tracy “Brat” Whitehurst was present & reported on the Toy Run.
SAFETY DIRECTOR: Mickey “Pilgrim” Meyer: Reminded everyone about our free safety products.
ROAD CAPTAIN: Russ Sharpe: Since we were having pizza today, he will not be going on a ride later.
BILLING: Jessie: Reported she had still not received any renewals for our ads.
HOSP: Jan ‘Lil Bit’ DeLancey spoke on the cards she sent out for
condolences, & she has a sign-up sheet for deserts for State
Meeting. Also, if coming to Meet & Greet, you can bring an
appetizer.
OLD BUSINESS: There were changes to the calendar. Our April meeting
has been moved to March 26 & the Gator Harley Chili Cook-Off to March
th
18 . NEW BUSINESS: There was no new business.
th
GOOD OF THE ORDER: Vintage & Forest Chapters Chili Cookoffs, A
Motion to close meeting was called for. Pilgrim closed the gathering with
a prayer.
These minutes have been summarized by
Jane “Shortcake” Smith Ride Safe everyone.

Once upon a time, a man walking by the side of a lake spotted a scorpion struggling to get out of the water it had slipped into.
The man knew it would drown against the deep lake & steep climb. So, the man went & tried to get the scorpion out. Since he
had nothing but his bare fingers to use to pick the scorpion out of the water, he got stung by the creature. The man persisted
in trying to save the life of this poisonous scorpion which did not understand the man was trying to save it from drowning.
Another man sitting at a distance trying to catch fishes with his equipment saw this curious situation & approached the man
rescuing the scorpion. "Clearly, every time you try to fetch the scorpion out of water, it is attacking you with painful stings.
Why do you persist in saving such an ungrateful creature? Leave it to its fate!" The telson of the scorpion got entangled in the
swollen skin of the man & he was finally able to place him on dry land. Free from his pursuit, the man replied to the wayside
fisherman, "It is in the scorpion's nature to sting. I am a human & know better." --Wayfarer

------ WHAT HAPPENED IN THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON AMF YEARS? During the ’70s, with the American economy in a
recession, Japanese bikes like Yamaha & Honda were proving to be very popular with consumers. This created significant
tension within the company, which led to the company coming back to its original owners in the 1980s. In Feb1981, a group
of Harley-Davidson senior executives purchased Harley-Davidson from AMF. Driven by passion & a true belief in the brand,
the executives were able to rescue the company from debt. While AMF’s arrival did save Harley-Davidson from impending
bankruptcy, the AMF years were arguably the most not-so-fond period in Harley-Davidson’s history. While there were, & still
are plenty of fans of the AMF-era Harleys, there were also lots of Harley purists who weren't too thrilled with the whole idea of
a sporting goods manufacturer producing the classic American motorcycle. --the Lowbrow Crew "There’s a very cool book
about this era called, “Well Made in America.” It’s a terrific book about business in general & Harley-Davidson history."
Well Made in America by Peter C Reid https://www.amazon.com/dp/0070518017/




DEC 26 – NO Board Mtg
th

January 1 Happy New Year
st
January 7 – US Mil Vets Perfect 10 Open House
th
January 8 – General mtg – starts at noon, Eagles in Okahumpka
th
January 23 – Committee for LSBG campground & Board mtg, 7pm – all welcome
rd
January 26 – Bike Nite, @ The Warehouse – see you there 
th
January 28 – ABATE, Vintage Chili Cook off, look for more info to come
th

------- FOR VETERANS --the president signed into law S. 1198, the Solid Start Act (Public Law 117-205), which permanently
authorizes & expands the Solid Start program, a VA outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the
military. The law specifically requires the VA to coordinate with the Department of Defense to prioritize outreach to veterans
who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces. Transitioning from the military to
civilian life can be stressful & navigating the VA health care & benefits systems can be difficult. The Solid Start program has
proven to be effective in assisting those separating from service & providing valuable outreach. In fiscal year 2021, the VA’s
Solid Start reached out to over 32,000 veterans who had mental health treatment prior to separation & successfully contacted
over 24,000 transitioning service members. DAV provided testimony & support for this legislation in accordance with 2021-
2022 DAV Res. No. 128, which calls on Congress to monitor & improve services for transitioning service members. To view
the Solid Start Act (P.L. 117-205), click here. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1198

------- LOUD PIPES & HORNS SAVE LIVES-- When I retired in 04 my wife & I moved to the Ft Myers area. I thought it
would be the cat’s meow because I could ride my beloved Ultra year round. While this is a great biking state it has
very dangerous obstacles I never considered before moving here: Cotton Tops, the elderly automobile drivers who also live
in FL. Although most are safe, sensible drivers there are a bunch who don’t see (or care to see) motorcyclists. After too many
close calls with Cotton Tops that turned in front of me, pulled out without looking either way & generally made a nuisance of
themselves, I installed the loudest air horn on my Ultra. On my first ride with the horn, a little old lady who could barely see
over the dashboard pulled in front of me from a stop light. I hit the horn & the old gal slammed on her brakes to let me pass.
Best 60 bucks I ever spent. P.S. The hurricanes chased us back to Wisconsin. — Jack Mrozinski, Mosinee, Wis.

-------NEW MONEY & NEW BLOOD COMES TO DAYTONA H-D--BREAKING NEWS *** New owners of the World Famous
& Largest Harley-Davidson (Bruce Rossmeyer’s Harley Davidson) Now called Teddy Morse's Daytona Harley-Davidson
(they also own dealerships in Texas)

Bike Nites at ‘The Warehouse’ Leesburg 4 Thursday of each month.
th



Towns county really? I went to the gas station to get some snacks. As I walk up, I noticed 2 Sheriffs
watching a woman smoking while pumping her gas. Anyway, I mind my own business & went in for my
snacks....As I was paying I heard someone screaming!! I’m talking violent death screams!! I looked up
& saw the woman's arm was on fire!! She was swinging her arm, running around going nuts!! After I got
my snacks I walked out the door. The Officers had the woman on the ground putting the fire out!! Then
they put handcuffs on her & threw her in the patrol car....I was thinking, arrested?? I was thinking,
Shouldn’t she be in an ambulance, not a patrol car?? Being the nosey person I am, I asked the Officer
what they were arresting her for....The Officer looked at me, dead serious, & said,
"WAVING A FIRE ARM IN PUBLIC!"
-----A Little 10-year-old girl was walking home, alone, from school one day, when a big man on a black motorcycle pulls up
beside her. After following along for a while, turns to her & asks, "Hey there little girl, do you want to go for a ride?" "NO!"
says the little girl as she keeps on walking. The motorcyclist again pulls up beside her & asks, "Hey little girl, I will give you
$10 if you hop on the back." "NO!" says the little girl again as she hurries down the street. The motorcyclist pulls up beside
the little girl again & says, "Okay kid, my last offer! I'll give you 20 Bucks "&" a Big Bag of Candy if you will just hop on the
back of my bike & we will go for a ride." Finally, the little girl stops & turns towards him & Screams Out... "Look Dad" "You're
the one who bought the Honda instead of the Harley... YOU RIDE IT!!".......

-----A man goes to a marriage counselor, worried about his wife’s temper. The counselor asks, "What's the problem? The
man says, "I don't know what to do. Every day my wife loses her temper for no reason. It scares me." The Counselor says, "I
have a cure for that. When it seems, your wife is getting angry, take a double shot of Jack Daniel's bourbon & swish it in your
mouth. Swish & swish, but don't swallow it until she either leaves the room or calms down." Two weeks later, he goes back to
the counselor, looking fresh & reborn. He tells the counselor, "That was a brilliant idea. Every time my wife started to get
angry, I swished the Jack Daniels & she would start to calm down. It was amazing! What is it about Jack Daniels that makes
it work like that?" The counselor said, "The Jack Daniel's does nothing. Keeping your mouth shut is the trick."

----Blessed are those that can give without remembering & take without forgetting. One day a florist went to a barber for a
haircut. After the cut, he asked about his bill, & the barber replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community
service this week’ The florist was pleased & left the shop. When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there
was a 'thank you' card & a dozen roses waiting for him at his door. Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, & when he tries to pay
his bill, the barber again replied, 'I cannot accept money from you, I'm doing community service this week.’ The cop was
happy & left the shop. The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a 'thank you' card & a dozen donuts
waiting for him at his door. Then a politician came in for a haircut, & when he went to pay his bill, the barber again replied, 'I
cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service this week.’ The politician was very happy & left the shop.
The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozen politicians lined up waiting for a free haircut.
& that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the citizens of our country & the politicians who run it.
As Ronald Reagan said: "Both politicians & diapers need to be changed often & for the same reason.”

-------- A blonde walks into the police department looking for a job. The captain says they can’t just turn her away, & orders to
desk officer to ask her a few questions as if doing an interview. Not having any idea what to ask her to disqualify her
application, the officer asks, “What’s 2+2?” “Ummm… 4!” the blonde says. Dang, the officer thinks, so tries a harder one:
“What’s the square root of 100?” “Ummm… 10!” the blonde says. “Good!” the officer says, deciding to switch from math to
history. “OK, who killed Abraham Lincoln?” “Ummm… I don’t know,” she admits. “Well, you can go home & think about it,” he
says, “& come back later & tell me what you’ve figured out.” He figures that’s the last he’ll see of her. The blonde goes home
& calls up one of her friends, who asks her if she got the job. “Not only did I get the job,” the blonde says, “but I’ve already
been assigned to a murder case!”

Tramp’s Shrimp Ride Nov 2022
















©2022 The News Service of Florida. All rights reserved; see terms. TALLAHASSEE --- Incoming Senate
President Kathleen Passidomo rolled out her leadership team, as the Senate prepares for an expanded
Republican majority next week. Passidomo, R-Naples, will receive the president’s gavel during a
organization session, succeeding Trilby Republican Wilton Simpson, who was elected state agriculture
commissioner last week. Passidomo on Monday named Sen. Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Republican who
is slated to become president in 2024, as majority leader & Sen Baxley, R-Ocala, as president pro
tempore. Meanwhile, Sen Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, will chair the Appropriations Committee, Sen. Debbie
Mayfield, R-Rockledge, will chair the Rules Committee, & Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, will head
a new Fiscal Policy Committee, which will provide another avenue to review funding proposals. Sen
Perry, R-Gainesville, also was named as one of Passidomo’s lieutenants, but his specific role was not
defined. “His common sense perspective on a variety of issues will be an incredible value to my leadership team,” Passidomo
said of Perry in a prepared statement. The post-election organization session will include swearing in lawmakers & formally
selecting leaders. The House is scheduled to go into session at 10 a.m. Nov. 22, while the Senate will follow at 10:30 a.m.
Republicans, who have controlled both chambers of the Legislature since the 1990s, will head into the 2023 session with
“supermajorities” in the Senate & House. That will include a 28-12 edge over Democrats in the Senate, after coming out of
last week’s elections with four additional seats. First elected to the Senate in 2016 after 6 years in the House, Broxson was
chairman of the Education Appropriations Subcommittee the past 2 years. “His approach to the K-12 budget showed me that
Sen. Broxson is not content with simply readopting the status quo,” Passidomo said Monday. “He wants to dig deep &
innovate, & that is exactly what we need at this important time in our state.” Mayfield, who was first elected to the Senate in
2016 after 8 years in the House, was described by Passidomo as “a loyal adviser, a trusted confidante & good friend.” First
elected to the Senate in 2015 after three years in the House, Hutson was called by Passidomo as “a go-to senator for tough
issues & leadership priorities.” In his new role, Hutson will run a committee that Passidomo described as a path for
“legislation that may contain a fiscal impact.” “This structure will allow time for robust discussion & debate on both budget
items & policy initiatives prior to consideration by the full Senate,” Passidomo said. The committee is expected to be equal in
size to the Rules & Appropriations committees, “providing as many senators as possible the opportunity to review critical
legislation before the floor,” Passidomo said. As president pro tempore, Baxley will be a top lieutenant to Passidomo. Baxley,
first elected to the Senate in 2016 after two stints in the House, served as Ethics & Elections Committee chairman the past
two sessions. Albritton has been in the Senate since 2018 after eight years in the House. He chaired the Senate Agriculture,
Environment, & General Government Appropriations Subcommittee the past two sessions &, as a citrus grower, is
considered a leader on agriculture issues. Senate spokeswoman Katie Betta said in an email Monday that Passidomo is
finalizing committee appointments. Incoming House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, has not announced his leadership
team. – Darrin "Scribe" Brooks - State Vice President -State Legislative Trustee, ABATE of Florida, Inc. abatefloridainc.com

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/SPIRIT_OF_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS__2022.aspx
A BROTHERHOOD AGAINST TOTALITARIAN ENACTMENTS REPORT-- As summer turns to fall, the cool evenings &
cold mornings remind us that riding season, while not over just yet, is again coming to an end. This time of year, with the
trees turning color & the air getting a bite to it always makes me want to get one more ride in, even if it’s just for an hour or so
on the roads close to home. Years ago, my partners & I felt obligated to go for at least one ride a month even in Jan & Feb if
the thermometer wasn’t supposed to get too far down below freezing. We had some great times doing those winter rides,
usually stopping somewhere along the way for lunch to warm up, & then making it home before the sun went down. I must
admit I’m a lot less likely these days to get the bike out on those cold days. Just another reminder that things do change.
With that in mind, while some things have changed over the years, governmental overreach has not.

At this year’s Meeting of the Minds in Des Moines, we spent a lot of time talking about the challenges facing motorcycling
in 2022. MRF President Kirk ‘Hardtail’ Willard gave an excellent presentation on the advent of electric vehicles. While we all
realize that electric cars & motorcycles are coming in a big way that doesn’t mean there aren’t battles yet to be fought & won.
CA, NY, & other states are already well on their way to forcing internal combustion engines off the road in favor of an all-
electric future. In the minds of some, the best way to get the driving & riding public to go electric is to force the question, as
CA is doing. They also want to eliminate gas powered engines on our lakes & in our backyards.I have nothing against electric
motorcycles. I haven’t ridden one yet, but they look like big fun, torquey & fast. What I do have a problem with is seeing my
internal combustion bikes being forced off the road by a government hell-bent on deciding what’s best for me & other riders.
I’ve read estimates that several trillion dollars - that’s trillion, not billion - will be required to build an infrastructure capable of
supporting an all-electric vehicle population. The US national debt currently stands at over $31 trillion & is growing
exponentially, yet government’s solution to the all-electric future they seek is simply to print more money, further devaluing
our currency & putting our children’s & grandchildren’s future even further risk. When the motorcyclists’ rights movement was
getting started, people like Keith Ball & Lou Kimzey at Easyriders Magazine came up with the acronym of ABATE, which
stood for A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments. Some of our SMROs still use that definition. I don’t doubt that a
time will come when internal combustion engines will be anything but the norm but let that happen when we are ready to
support such a future, not now with so many questions yet to be answered. I might not be taking those cold winter day rides
as much as I used to, but there are still people in this world, many of them in our state & federal governments, whose mindset
hasn’t changed. They still want to force their personal agendas on the rest of us. Totalitarianism marches on.
--Mark Buckner Executive Director Motorcycle Riders Foundation

---------NEWS FROM THE HOMELAND--The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the enforcement
deadline for REAL ID Act of 2005. Again. The DHS announced it would not begin enforcing REAL ID requirements until May
2025. After 15 years of delays due to opposition in the states, the rules requiring a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license to
board airlines & access federal facilities were supposed to go into effect in May 2023. “DHS continues to work closely with
US states, the District of Columbia, & the US territories to meet REAL ID requirements,” Secretary of Homeland Security
Mayorkas said in a press release. “This extension will give states needed time to ensure their residents can obtain a REAL
ID-compliant license or identification card. DHS will also use this time to implement innovations to make the process more
efficient & accessible. We will continue to ensure that the American public can travel safely.” Practically speaking, it means
that people with non-compliant driver’s licenses or ID cards will still be able to use them at airport TSA checkpoints for
another two years. At least. DHS said that the extension was necessary “to address the lingering impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic on the ability to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card.”

We’ve heard this song before – many times. The DHS has delayed the full implementation of REAL ID multiple times since
Congress passed the act in 05 with an original implementation date of 08. The federal gov has used the threat of turning
states into virtual no-fly zones to compel the adoption of REAL ID. But even with badgering & threats, the feds have found it
difficult to coerce states into compliance. The act signed into law by President George W. Bush essentially mandates a
national ID system & puts the onus of implementation on each state. Things didn’t go smoothly after the passage of REAL ID.
States rebelled for several reasons, including privacy concerns, along with the fact that Congress didn’t provide any funding
for the mandates it expects states to implement. Many states simply chose not to act. New Hampshire, Missouri, Maine &
others took things a step further, passing laws expressly prohibiting compliance with the national ID standards. By any
conceivable measure, the implementation of REAL ID has been an abject failure because of this widespread state resistance.

THE AIM/NCOM MOTORCYCLE E-NEWS SERVICE is brought to you by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) & the National
Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), & is sponsored by the Law Offices of Richard M. Lester. If you’ve been involved in any
kind of accident, call us at 1-(800) ON-A-BIKE or visit www.ONABIKE.com.
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/NCOM_Biker_Newsbytes2022.aspxhttps://www.bikernet.com/pages/NCOM_Biker_Newsbytes_for2022.aspx

NEW STUDY REVEALS SELF-DRIVING CARS ARE NOT SAFE FOR MOTORCYCLISTS A white paper analyzing the
ability of self-driving cars to detect motorcycles has been released by the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC),
revealing several shortfalls in the autonomous technology. Concerns remain that autonomous vehicles do not yet have
sufficient detection capabilities to make them safe around powered two-wheelers (PTWs), & as the European Association of
Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) said, “reliable detection of PTWs by passenger car ADAS (Advanced Driving Assistance
Systems) is absolutely essential to avoid car-PTW collisions & to decrease the number of motorcycle accidents. Passenger
cars must be able to appropriately recognize motorcycle maneuvers in ordinary traffic, such as weaving in, leaning while
cornering or splitting lanes.” The conclusion of the CMC paper is that it will be necessary going forwards for ADAS vehicles to
have a “special focus on PTW detection” in their testing. “Under certain circumstances,” the CMC paper reads, “the detection
of PTWs is challenging for ADAS due to the different way of motion, the slim shape & as a result the smaller radar reflectivity
of PTWs compared to cars.” The CMC considers that, currently, “one of the most effective ways [to improve PTW safety) is to
improve conspicuity of PTWs by automotive systems.”


CA VOTES TO BAN NEW GAS CAR SALES BY 2035 CA air regulators voted in August to approve stringent new rules to
ban the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035, & set interim targets to phase those cars out. The measure is a historic
one in the US, & would constitute one of the first such bans worldwide. These new CA Air Resources Board (CARB) rules
would also set interim quotas for zero-emission vehicles, focusing on new models. Starting with 2026 models, 35% of new
cars, SUVs & small pickups sold in CA would be required to be zero-emission vehicles. That quota would increase each year
& is expected to reach 51% of all new car sales in 2028, 68% in 2030 & 100% in 2035. CA has laid out an audacious goal: In
13 years, it should no longer be possible to buy a new car that runs purely on gasoline anywhere in the state. Failure to meet
those targets carries the threat of stiff penalties. The rules would not impact used vehicles, allowing them to stay on the
roads. The rules won't be immediate, & will go into effect in 2026. Multiple states are expected to follow suit, including
Colorado & Minnesota, as well as states on the Northeast & West Coast that followed CA's previous zero-emission vehicle
regulations. NJ & Maryland officials said they were reviewing CA's decision, while public comment has opened in Washington
state on a similar plan. NOTEWORTHY: OUT OF CHARGE -- Immediately following the announced ICE (internal
combustion engine) ban, in favor of electric mobility, a heat wave’s strain on the electrical grid led CA’s Independent System
Operator, which runs the state’s power grid, to issue multiple bulletins alerting residents to voluntarily reduce their power
consumption by avoiding using “large appliances & charging electric vehicles” during peak usage hours.

TEN ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES DUE FROM HONDA BY 2025
Honda has announced its intention to add 10 electric motorcycles
to its global lineup by 2025. Most models will be scooters destined
for the Asian & European markets as commuter vehicles. For the
United States, Europe, & Japan, four models are expected to
debut in 2024 & are described as Fun EV Models. Expect to see
three street-legal plug-in models in the United States. ICE-
powered motorcycles are not done yet, though gasoline will have a
lower priority as a fuel in Honda motorcycles. There are already
E100 flex-fuel motorcycles in Brazil, & they’re coming soon to
India. Honda plans on introducing E20 flex-fuel models in India
next year, & E100-fueled powerplants in 2025.

ILLINOIS ANNOUNCES ROUND 2 OF ITS EV REBATE PROGRAM, INCLUDING BIKES In June, 2022, the state of Illinois
announced the first round of its Electric Vehicle Rebate Program in 2022. That first rebate application period started on July
1, 2022, & will continue through Sep 30, 2022. Unlike some other EV rebate programs (both past & present), the Illinois
program includes used vehicles. It also includes on-road motorcycles -- not just cars or other 4-wheeled passenger EVs.
As for motorcycles, only on-road electric bikes qualify -- off-road bikes & mopeds are not eligible. For all vehicles, only full
electrics qualify -- no hybrids. Rented & leased vehicles do not qualify. On Aug 29, 2022, John Kim announced the dates for
the second round of Illinois EV Rebate Program applications. If you’re an Illinois resident & you won’t be able to make the
deadline first round, that means you’ll have another chance for this rebate as the 2 -round caps off 22 & charges into 23.
nd
"We are leading the electric vehicle revolution,” gov JB Pritzker said; “Thanks to our EV Rebate Program, we are making
electric vehicle adoption accessible & cost-effective -- putting us on the path to getting 1 million EVs on the road by 2030.”

BIG BROTHER MAY PUT AN END TO SPEEDING IN NY Legislators in NY are mulling a bill that would mandate speed
limiters in new vehicles that would be set to the local maximum allowable limit. The system, called “Active Intelligent Speed
Assistance” (ISA) would use GPS & traffic sign recognition technology to determine the speed limit. NY City is already
running a six-month trial with 50 vehicles from the city’s fleet fitted with an ISA system. Introduced by Manhattan State
Senator Brad Hoylman on Aug 12, if passed, would require any vehicle manufactured or registered in the state of NY to be
fitted with the ISA system, starting from Jan. 1, 2024. It cites the results of a study that show such a system could reduce
traffic fatalities by 20%. The bill also calls for existing active safety systems like automatic emergency braking, active lane
control, blind-spot monitors with pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness detection, & even a data event recorder to be
mandated from the same date. Notably, safety standards for new vehicles, unlike emissions standards, are set at the federal
level, which brings into question whether NY officials will be able to implement the bill even if passed.
QUOTABLE QUOTE: "It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your
friends." ~ J.K. Rowling (b.1965), British author & philanthropist

https://www.bikernet.com/pages/CHILLY_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_December_15th_2022.aspx
MOTORCYCLE RIDERS FOUNDATION ALERT-- ALL BIKERS
ABATE of Wisconsin has been asking the State Dept of Transportation to fully investigate all
crashes involving not only Tesla's, but all vehicles with Autonomous Technology built in, to learn
the impact of this technology on Wisconsin roads. The Co-Chairman of the House Motorcycle
Caucus, Rep Walberg, is sending a letter to the NHTSA regarding self-driving cars &
motorcycles. Crashes involving self-driving cars & motorcycles have made news over the last few
months & Rep. Walberg & his colleagues on Capitol Hill are seeking answers. In the letter to Ann
Carlson, Acting Administrator of NHTSA, lawmakers are asking basic questions like, “Should
motorcyclists take extra precautions when sharing the road with this new technology?”

-------- THIS JUST IN FROM THE NATIONAL MOTORIST ASSOCIATION-- Guns in Motor Vehicles--What Are Your
Rights --- On June 23, 2022 the US Supreme Court ruled in NY State Rifle & Pistol Assoc Inc. v. Bruen that NY’s law
requiring citizens to show a “Special need” to obtain a gun carry permit/license violated the 2 Amendment. Writing for the
nd
majority, Justice Clarence Thomas said, “We know of no other Constitutional Right that an individual may exercise only after
demonstrating to government officers some special need." How will this decision affect a motorist's right to legally carry a gun
when traveling within their state & from state to state? Prior to this ruling, each state set its own laws. Now, each state will
have to revise its carry laws to cover both residents & non-residents driving in their state with a legally owned gun. This
change will create many discrepancies, arrests, court fights, & federal court cases that potentially could run for years, if not
decades, before being clearly resolved. The first volley fired in response to this Supreme Court ruling came on August 1,
2022, when NY Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill requiring anyone who wants to get a carry permit to provide the State
with access to all their social media accounts for the previous 3 years. The new laws went into effect in September & by
November, legal challenges, & temporary injunctions, went to the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The 3-judge
panel ruled to reinstate the enforcement of NY's carry law amid the ongoing legal challenge. For me, the new laws appear to
violate an individual’s Fourth Amendment right to privacy & First Amendment right to free speech.

GUN NUT REPORT-- The Swiss Mini Gun holds the Guinness World
Record for the smallest functioning revolver in the world. It measures
5.5 cm long, 3.5 cm tall & 1 cm wide, weighing only 19.8g. While its
reduced size may be unusual, this tiny firearm has all the same
features as a normal-sized double-action revolver.

What's the Carry Law in Various States?
Some states, like NY & CA, will do everything they can (as they have
been doing) to make owning a gun, & especially carrying/driving with
a gun, by a resident or visitor, almost impossible. In Texas where I
live, we already have a “Constitutional Carry” law that allows any
adult that is legally allowed to own a gun to carry it--open or
concealed—in a vehicle (with minor & reasonable limitations).
Currently 25 states have “Constitutional Carry." They are Alabama,
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, GA, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas,
Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire,
North Dakota, Ohio, Ok, SD, Tennessee, Tx, Utah, Vermont, WVi, & Wyoming. Remember each state has different age
requirements & other possible restrictions. Also, if you have a concealed carry permit & plan to travel out-of-state, check out
this website, usconcealedcarry.com for more details on states that permit reciprocity (includes a map for easy access).

Advice for Carrying Firearms during an Interstate Road Trip My advice to all motorists who would like to travel
armed is to call the state’s Attorney General’s office in each state you intend to travel to for clarification on current carry laws
in vehicles. I would not call the state police as they are often uninformed, misconstrue what the law actually is, or are not
current with the latest state law updates, or court rulings. You will likely be directed to a state website that has the latest
updates of that state’s laws on the carrying of a weapon, both on your person & in your vehicle. I suggest that you make
written notes of the date, name of whom you spoke to, & a detailed account of those conversations just in case you have an
issue, & carry them with you. I see great confusion & inconsistencies all across this country as states try to comply with this
latest Supreme Court ruling while at the same time protecting the public’s right to carry a gun on their person & in a motor
vehicle. It's important to learn how to navigate the ever-changing landscape of gun ownership & transporting your personal
firearms in vehicles. Drive safely. A Final Thought Another issue not addressed yet by any court is how states will handle
legally owned guns in motorhomes, fifth-wheels, & conversion vans, which are considered a “home” or “castle” when used as
a temporary residence versus a car, pickup truck, or SUV. By Texas Member, Ted Levitt-NMA

--------- BIKERNET GUN NUT REPORT--NSSF Sues Delaware, NJ Over ‘Public
Nuisance’ Laws Intended to Bankrupt Gun Makers One of the great frustrations of
the Gun Control Industry is its general inability to get around the Protection of Lawful
Commerce in Arms Act. That’s the law that protects gun manufacturers & sellers
from lawsuits when firearms they legally build & sell are used in the commission of a
crime. The PLCAA keeps gun makers & sellers in business. Without it, the Civilian
Disarmament Industrial Complex, using its own attorneys & those in the tort
business, would sue them into bankruptcy while people like the President & like-
minded politicians cheer them on. Because of the PLCAA’s robustness, enemies of
the right to keep & bear arms seeking to wage lawfare against gun makers have
been forced to take other tacks in their efforts to get at them, using other legal
angles of attack. One of the most prominent ploys is “public nuisance” laws that claim the criminal misuse of gun makers’
products presents a hazard to society…one that firearms manufacturers are somehow liable for. Two of the most recent
states to enact such laws are Grampy Joe’s home state of Delaware & the state that takes unending pride in its never-ending
push to further limit Second Amendment rights, NJ. Yesterday, the National Shooting Sports Foundation sued both states,
challenging their public nuisance laws as transparent violations of the PLCAA.

Here’s the NSSF’s press release announcing the suits . . . NSSF, The
Firearm Industry Trade Association, filed suits against the attorneys
general of Delaware & NJ, challenging recently-enacted “public
nuisance” laws in both states that are “specifically designed to evade
the judgment of Congress – & the Constitution.” Both Delaware & NJ
enacted public nuisance laws allowing the state & private parties to
sue firearm manufacturers for the harm caused by the criminal misuse
of lawfully sold firearms. In 2005, Congress barred these sorts of
baseless lawsuits when it passed the bipartisan Protection of Lawful
Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). Delaware & NJ’s laws are
preempted by the PLCAA under the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy
Clause. Public nuisance lawsuits brought by municipalities against members of the firearm industry arose in the late 1990s &
early 2000s to “regulate through litigation.” None of those dozens of lawsuits, including those by Wilmington, Del., & Newark,
Camden County & the City of Camden, N.J., were successful. These municipal lawsuits intended to bankrupt the industry
members or, through the massive cost of litigation, force them to accept settlement agreements that contained gun control
provisions rejected by Congress & not supported by the American public. Delaware & NJ’s new laws are a blatant &
unconstitutional attempt to return to an era of “regulation through litigation.” “These laws enacted by the Delaware & NJ flout
the will of Congress & undermine the U.S. Constitution,” said Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel.
“These state laws are at odds with bedrock principles of American law, which does not hold manufacturers & sellers legally
responsible for the actions of criminals & remote third parties over whom the manufacturer & seller have no control when they
misuse lawfully sold products.” Delaware & NJ’s laws also violate the First Amendment, 2 Amendment, Due Process
nd
Clause & Commerce Clause. These laws would impose liability on industry members for firearms lawfully sold in other states
that later find their way into Delaware or NJ through the independent actions of remote third parties & criminals.
These laws are in violation of the PLCAA, the bipartisan law Congress intended to stop these frivolous claims. Its
constitutionality has been upheld by every appellate court in the nation to consider the issue. The PLCAA simply codified
black letter law. The PLCAA keeps activist lawyers from placing the blame on members of the firearm industry for the criminal
misuse of legal firearms lawfully manufactured & sold. No other industry in America had been targeted by such baseless,
politically motivated lawsuits. NSSF is also filing motions for preliminary injunction to stop the states from enforcing these
laws. --By Dan Zimmerman Truth About Guns

-- NEWS FROM THE MIC--The midterm elections will affect you, your co, & all of powersports, in the year ahead & beyond.
But what should you expect in 2023? The Republicans have taken the U.S. House of Representatives. The Democrats have
increased their hold on the U.S. Senate. Across the states there are new governors & new legislatures. Looming are new
regulations & reporting requirements for the PFAS chemicals used in many of the products we make & sell every day. Tariffs
on Chinese imports still threaten to raise prices & drop sales on parts, accessories, & apparel. Right-to-repair bills could
create huge service & warranty problems, & even lead to damage for brand reputations. Members of the Biden cabinet will
still have a tremendous impact on what happens with our nation's highways & with public land access. Politics matters to the
bottom line for each & every company in the powersports industry. These issues matter to riders & drivers everywhere. So
you will want to know what's going on in Washington, D.C., & in states from coast to coast. Scott Schloegel, the MIC senior
vice president at the Government Relations Office just outside Washington, will be online & will summarize it all for you in one
well-packed presentation that should not be missed. --MIC

------ ELECTION UPDATE--2022 Mid-Term Elections RPM Act The 2022 mid-term election has been an exciting &
somewhat puzzling one for political prognosticators as votes are still being counted in many key U.S. House of
Representatives races. It is clear, however, that SEMA is well positioned for success during the next two years as a result of
our support for lawmakers who have stood with the hobby. From grassroots advocacy through the SEMA Action Network to
digital advertisements for our strongest allies to highlighting all the RPM Act cosponsors who were on the ballot this
November, SEMA & automotive community did our part to help shape the 2022 elections.

Republicans have regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives. At present, Republicans have won 218 seats in the
House, while Democrats won 210 seats in the mid-term elections. Seven races are still too close to call. Republicans will
control at least 49 Senate seats in the next Congress, & Democrats will control at least 50 Senate seats. Democrats will lead
the Senate in 2023–2024 regardless of the outcome of the December 6 runoff election in Georgia, since the vice president is
the tie breaker vote in the Senate. There were 110 RPM Act House co-sponsors up for re-election, & 15 RPM Act sponsors
either ran for re-election to the Senate or competed for a Senate seat this year. The results have been overwhelmingly
positive for lawmakers who have supported the bill. Thirteen RPM Act sponsors won their Senate races while the Alaska race
is still being decided. More than 100 RPM Act co-sponsors in the House were re-elected, three lost & two RPM Act
cosponsors are up in their races where votes are still being counted. A closely divided Congress in 2023–2024 increases the
chances that the final month & a half of the current legislative session will be productive, as lawmakers from both sides of the
aisle have priorities that they will seek to have enacted before the end of the year.
Looking forward to next year, we are encouraged that the narrow margins in the House & Senate will prevent extreme
policies that would be detrimental to the hobby (such as aggressive federal efforts to favor ZEVs over ICE vehicles, closing
roads & trails for motorized recreation, etc.). One cautionary note regarding divided government is that it will encourage
President Biden to rely on his executive powers to implement partisan policy changes, particularly from his environmental
activist base. SEMA & the SEMA Action Network will be monitoring these efforts closely. We are grateful to everyone who
has supported SEMA’s advocacy efforts. We are making incredible strides to boost the industry’s political horsepower in
Washington. To learn more & get involved, visit www.SEMASAN.com. --SEMA

------- EWS DIRECTLY FROM THE WHITE HOUSE--White House proposes blocking sunlight to fight global warming
The White House recently announced that it was funding a five-year research plan for a controversial proposal to fight
climate change by geoengineering — i.e., technologies & processes that can be used to artificially modify the Earth's climate.
This research would be dedicated specifically to a form of geoengineering known as "solar radiation management," which
involves spraying fine aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight away from the Earth. The hope is that, once the
sunlight is reflected, less heat will be generated, & ergo temperatures will go down. Presto: actual anthropogenic climate
change! A global SPF 100, as it were! The research reportedly will attempt to model how solar radiation management might
impact the atmosphere, as well as assess its viability as a potential technique to be employed to "manage near-term climate
risk." They're hoping to fight the scourge of climate change by blindly trying to change the climate? What is it with
Democrats? They're also fighting racism with racial quotas & making race the primary consideration in, well, everything.
That's working well, isn't it? Next, they'll propose fighting drug abuse by giving out free needles & crack pipes. Oh wait,
they're already doing that. Why haven't they yet suggested we combat STDs by having indiscriminate sex with as many
other people as possible? Now they're going to "cancel" the sun, without which life on Earth would be impossible? What
could go wrong?! See more at wearetopple.com

-- According to Kelley Blue Book, though, automakers sold 576,000 EVs in the last 9 months--a whopping 70% increase
during the previous year. If we continue buying electric vehicles (EVs) at this pace, we will need electric chargers on a much
larger scale. The Biden admin is pushing the electrification of half of all new cars by 2030 & plans to give funding to build a
network of half a million fast-charging stations in the same time frame. 7 years is a short time frame to make all this happen.
EV industry consultant McDonald explained to the LA Times that a large chain could add chargers at a lower per-unit cost
due to economies of scale. Chargers cost $70,000 to $150,000 per unit. He said that once installed, electric chargers need 2-
5 years to become profitable, mainly in part due to their infrequent use. McDonald noted that chargers are currently only used
about five to ten percent daily. Until recently, most states had laws preventing businesses other than regulated electric
utilities from selling electricity. A proxy battle has already started between electric utilities, EV charging-provider companies
such as EVgo & ChargePoint, truck stops, convenience stores, & traditional gas stations. Offices, restaurant chains, & even
stores are also joining the EV charging trend. In a recent post, Politico claimed gas station owners & other businesses who
put in chargers find themselves at the mercy of an opaque, regulated, & monopolistic electric utility system that is unlike the
gas supply system. The gas price fluctuates based on market conditions. If an ICE owner doesn't like the price at one station,
they can drive down the street & find the price of gas per gallon they want.

An electric charge costs what it costs, & there's no use trying to find a different price point. 3,000 local electric
utilities in the US determine how much each charger can charge depending on its geographic location in the individual utility
network. Right now, EV owners are just happy to find a charger. Reason Director of Transportation Policy Poole pointed out
in his Nov 2022 email that electric vehicle charging, even fast charging, can 'fill up' only 1/6 as many EVs in a 14-pump
scenario. The 14-pump electric charge station would only be able to charge 1,680 EVs in a 12-hour cycle. If it were gas
instead, 14-pumps could refuel 70 cars in 5 minutes, & in 12 hours, it could handle refueling 10,080 vehicles. If the average
price for a charge were the same as gas, the station owner would lose money. Of course, gas stations are no longer the gas
stations of the 1970s. 80% of all gas is now sold at convenience stores, which make their real money on other goods &
services. If folks stick around because it takes longer to charge, then convenience stores can make up for some of the
difference by providing more goods & services. Unfortunately, expanding stations to accommodate more electric charging will
be challenging because affordable l& adjacent to gas stations is likely unavailable in many scenarios.

Also, chargers need standardization, which currently does not exist. Owners need a similar payment system, pricing
information, & charging speeds to make EVs easier to use & own. The Biden administration announced last summer that
drivers need real-time information on station pricing & location to better plan trips to help alleviate 'range anxiety.' Stations will
also need a minimum number & type of chargers. Home charging & charging during the day at places of work might also hurt
the bottom line of the 'gas station' of the future. In the meantime, several cities in CA will no longer allow the building of
new gas stations to discourage the use of gas vehicles in the hopes of curbing climate change. Northern CA's Marin
Cnty is the hotbed of banning stations. Novato's city council will vote in a few weeks to enact a ban. The town currently has
12 stations & two more pending construction. In March 2021, the nearby community of Petaluma was the first in the country
to enact a ban on gas stations. Since then, the Bay area cities of Cotati, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, & Windsor
have all followed suit. In Aug, the CA Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to require all new cars & light trucks sold in the
state to be zero emission by 2035. More than 5,000 mom-&-pop gas stations dot the state, & many have indicated this zero-
emission requirement will expedite the closing of their businesses. Even after the new car mandate, CARB predicts the
number of ICE vehicles in CA will drop to less than 16 million by 2035. Currently, 24 million are registered in the state.
Despite what you read in the press, gas stations will survive even in CA. They might all be national or regional chains that
can afford to have a dual gas/electric charging system in place. As electric charging speeds increase & a comprehensive
networked system comes online, more people will buy EVs & likely still make a run to the 'gas station' as needed.--NMA
https://www.bikernet.com/pages/THINK_TANK_BIKERNET_WEEKLY_NEWS_for_November_17_2022.aspx --------------

----- NEWS FROM EUROPE--Motorcycling Must Be Affordable To Prevent Transport
Poverty Authorities should not limit motorcycling by taxing them as much as cars or
by restricting access to certain roads & cities. Motorcycles should be treated as a
solution for urban congestion & as the affordable alternative for driving a car, public transport & cycling. Everybody who
visited a car dealer recently, or who had a look at the pricing list of new or used cars must have noticed: cars are getting
expensive & small cars are also getting scarce. Cars are getting more expensive, larger, & heavier. We also pay a lot more
for petrol, diesel, parking & taxes than we did only a few years ago. The result is that soon people will abandon the car
because they cannot afford to own one anymore. Despite promises from policy makers & tax incentives in many countries,
electric cars may be cheaper to run, they are still very expensive to buy. ‘To fulfil the task of providing transport to the
masses, motorcycling must be affordable.’ S&P Global Mobility reported on 31 Oct 2022 that the price of lithium, a major
component of batteries, has increased sevenfold. It also reports that mining & refining it is mainly done by Chinese
companies. The same is the case with nickel, which will create a large dependency of China. With growing prices for the raw
materials that are needed to manufacture the batteries for electric cars it is doubtful that prices will decrease soon. To the
contrary, they probably will rise even more. What will happen when people cannot afford their own car anymore? Many will
switch to public transport. They will be confronted with several problems. In many countries, public transport has become
more expensive during & after the Covid pandemic. Less travellers meant less income, to which the providers reacted with
higher fees & a reduction in lines &/or frequency. Not only it is getting harder to reach your destination with public transport, it
has or will be in many places also become (much) more expensive. Many people will not only not be able to afford a car
anymore, but also public transport will become (too) expensive for them.

There is a name for the situation that citizens are not
able to pay for transport. It is called transport poverty. On 27
October 2022, the parliamentary committee on transport &
tourism (TRAN) of the European Parliament had a hearing on
‘Preventing Transport Poverty & Increasing Fairness in
Mobility’. A mouthful, but then this is an important topic. Not
being able to travel has consequences for work, study, social
relations, sport, etcetera. Not being able to travel to work or
school means that you are not able to earn your own income or
to study for a better job which leads to more poverty. We have
seen the same in Europe in the decades after the 2 World
nd
War, when motorcycles were the transport mode for the working
people, & we still see it in other parts of the world. In Asia, (light)
motorcycles are the most common way of transport. Of course,
to fulfill the task of providing transport to the masses, motorcycling must be affordable. Electric mopeds & small motorcycles
with an internal combustion engine are still very affordable. Larger motorcycles can be quite expensive & larger electric
motorcycles are, just as with cars, even more expensive. Given the current development of prices of raw materials combined
with a rapid growing demand from the car industry, it will stay this way for a long time. All the more reason not to focus on
battery electric vehicles and abandon the internal combustion engine for motorcycles, but also leave room for alternatives like
eFuels. Perhaps more important: Legislators, road authorities, and city councils should not limit motorcycling by taxing them
as much as cars or restrict access to certain roads & cities but treat them for what they are: a solution for urban congestion &
the affordable alternative for citizens who cannot afford other means of transport &/or for whom public transport & cycling are
not the solution for their transportation needs. Written by Dolf Willigers FEMA

-----DIRECT FROM FEMA IN EUROPE--Has Europe Banned The Combustion Engine? Maximum confusion in Brussels
whether the sale of cars & small vans with an internal combustion engine will be actually banned from 2035. & what about
motorcycles? Oct 2022, the European Commission, European Parliament, & the member states, united in the Council of the
European Union, reached an agreement in the so-called trialogue about the emission limits for cars & vans. After a few steps
to lower the emission of the fleet, from 2035 the sale of new cars that have no zero CO2-emission will be banned in the
European Union. Many parties, especially NGOs like Transport & Environment, who have lobbied for battery electric vehicles
(BEVs) for years & the Greens in the European Parliament celebrated this as a victory of electric vehicles against vehicles
with an internal combustion engine & said that this meant that this was a ban on combustion engines. Consequently, this
would not only affect cars & vans, but also motorcycles. However, the agreement does not state that motorcycles could not
be sold from 2035. It states: “The agreement includes wording on CO2 neutral fuels whereby following consultation with
stakeholders, the Commission will make a proposal for registering vehicles running exclusively on CO2-neutral fuels after
2035 in conformity with EU law, outside the scope of the fleet standards, & in conformity with the EU’s climate neutrality
objective.” In our view, this means that new vehicles with an internal combustion engine, including motorcycles, that run on
eFuels or hydrogen can still be sold after 2035, but that the European Commission must provide the legislative framework for
this ‘FEMA will resist any attempt to ban the internal combustion engine for motorcycles.’ Dolf Willigers, FEMA’s General
Secretary, said: “It is (now) only cars & vans that run on fossil fuels (petrol, Diesel) that may no longer be sold after 2035.
From experience, & signals from the European Commission, we know that the chance that motorcycles will escape this fate
is very small. Nevertheless, FEMA will resist any attempt to ban the internal combustion engine for motorcycles. In our view,
the emissions of motorcycles are already negligible & the alternatives for both fossil fuels & electricity are still in the
development phase. To focus solely on battery electric vehicles the problems of air quality & climate chance will just be
redeemed to other, equal serious problems: the social & environmental aspects of the mining of raw materials that are
needed to make batteries & the geo-political consequences of getting dependent to countries like China to acquire these raw
materials & the batteries should not be underestimated. Already, a delegation of members from the EPP party in the
European Parliament has asked questions about this to the European Commission & asked how the Commission thinks to
decrease the dependency of other countries. To give room to other options like eFuels, Europe can be the forerunner in the
development of valuable alternative techniques.” Written by Wim Taal -- FEMA

--------- ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST POPULATED NATIONS SET TO BAN ALL MOTORCYCLES Nigeria -- the 6
th
most populous nation in world -- is set to ban the use & sale of all motorcycles in an effort to hamper the actions of terrorist
'bandits.' The federal government of Nigeria is strongly considering a ban on the sale & use of motorcycles across the country
as an unusual new tactic to stop terror attacks. Nigeria’s Minister of Justice, Malami, recently told reporters that by banning
the predominant mode of transport as used by terrorist groups across the country, it would severely hamper their logistical
efforts. “Placing a ban on the use of motorcycles & mining activities will cut the supply of logistics to the terrorists,” reports
Nigeria’s Times newspaper. “This will be done in the national interest. We are Nigerians because Nigeria as a country exists
and any issue that will translate into a threat to national security or the corporate existence of the country requires certain
sacrifices.” The plans come as Nigerian authorities attempt to curtail the efforts of various jihadist terrorist groups -- such as
Boko Haram and Islamic State -- responsible for numerous attacks across the country, with offenses ranging from killings,
kidnappings and sexual violence committed by members known as ‘bandits’ who mostly use motorcycles to launch attacks
quickly and without warning to devastating effect, as well as move around the area without detection. The actions of the
federal government come after Governor Bello Mattawale of Zamfara State introduced a curfew for the use of motorcycles in
the town of Gusau, and directed his security personnel to shoot on sight anyone caught riding a motorcycle between 8pm and
6am. With a population of more than 200 million people, Nigeria is the world’s sixth most populous nation with an annual
motorcycle sales figure of more than 500,000.

------ NOTEWORTHY TOO: MAJOR HEATWAVE IN CHINA DISRUPTS SUPPLY CHAIN “Supply chain issues” is now a
commonly understood concept, ranging from the ongoing semiconductor shortage to shipping woes, but now a new supply
chain disruption is rearing its head as China experiences the worst heat wave in recorded history, reaching triple digits for
over 2 months & leading to industrial shutdowns to conserve energy. Drought anywhere is bad news -- but it’s even worse
news in Sichuan, a major international manufacturing hub in central China which derives approximately 80% of its electricity
from hydropower. As temperatures climb, the local government has instructed factories in various industries to shut down so
that the available power can be used by the people living in the affected areas. From EV batteries to steel & aluminum, a
host of industries are being affected.

--------- SELF-DRIVING CARS ARE COMING, SOONER THAN LATER The U.K. government has announced that it is
planning to introduce self-driving vehicles on the country’s roads starting next year, with full implementation planned for 2025.
As well as the 2025 goal for fully-self-driving vehicles, the gov says that “Some vehicles, including cars, coaches & lorries,
with self-driving features could be operating on motorways in the next year.” “The benefits of self-driving vehicles have the
potential to be huge,” said Transport Secretary Shapps. “We want the UK to be at the forefront of developing & using this
fantastic technology, & that is why we are investing millions in vital research into safety & setting the legislation to ensure we
gain the full benefits that this technology promises.” The news of the UK government’s latest self-driving plans come after the
United Nations (UN) announced in July that self-driving cars would be allowed to drive faster, but would also have to undergo
more stringent tests to make sure they can detect motorcycles. Ultimately, autonomous vehicles are very much a part of the
future of transportation, & boils down to responsible legislators passing reasonable legislation, especially in the initial
crossover phase when they mix with human-driven vehicles.

https://www.rideapart.com/news/618230/thailand-motorcycle-sales-september-2022/ By: Dustin Wheelen New COVID-19 cases have ultimately
declined in 2022. Thanks to the lower infection rates, more countries have opened their borders to tourism this year. While
many industries continue to recover from the pandemic’s economic hit, the manufacturing sector still struggles with resource
& supply chain issues. Despite these hurdles, Thailand’s motorcycle segment outperformed expectations in 2022. In Sept
alone, manufacturers moved 150,297 units. That figure equates to a 35.8% increase when compared to the same month in
2021. However, that year-on-year improvement doesn’t mean that sales numbers are on the upswing. Thailand outpaces its
2021 sales performance by 13.3 % through the first 9 months of 2022. The country currently claims 1.36M units sold this
year. With such progress, reaching 2021’s 1.61M units shouldn’t prove difficult. That is, as long as microchip
manufacturing doesn’t trip up Thailand’s pace moving forward. "The semiconductor shortage is still a major problem for
motorcycle makers as it affects production of big bikes & other new motorcycle models,", FTI (Federation of Thai Industries)
Automotive Club vice-chairman Surapong Paisitpatanapong.

After all, Thailand doesn’t just rely on domestic sales but also exports motorcycles worldwide. In September, 2022,
the nation exported 92,659 units, accounting for a 33.9% growth over the same period a year ago. To date, Thailand has
shipped 762,202 units abroad this year, keeping exports positive by 5.81%. The new sales data also reinforces the idea that
returning tourism helps fuel Thailand’s economic recovery. Rising tourism improves citizens’ spending power within the
country. In turn, the motorcycle industry experiences growth. Nowhere is that more evident than the electric motorcycle
category, which has recorded a 193-percent sales increase with 792 units moved in 2022. Thanks to the gains in both
industries, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry & Banking (JSCCIB), raise its GDP growth forecast from
2.75-3 Percent to 3-3.5 percent. Of course, Thailand’s motorcycle sector will need to solve the microchip conundrum to
maintain its momentum, but it’s encouraging to see the industry forge ahead despite the supply shortage.

Neighbors want to nip this vandal in the bud. A mystery man who residents
have dubbed “Edward Scissorhands” has been bizarrely snipping branches off
residents’ trees late at night in Fort Worth, TX — stumping cops & neighbors.
The self-appointed arborist oddball has trimmed at least a dozen trees on
streets in front of homes in the area & was caught on camera several times mid-snip. “Sometimes he’ll just take a little bit, but
then in other people’s trees he’ll take massive gobs,” neighbor Ashley fumed. In home surveillance footage, the branch bandit
can be seen doing the deed— normally at around 3 a.m. with an unleashed dog — before stepping back to admire his work.
Residents just want him to leaf them alone. “I was talking to my wife, Emily & I was like, ‘Hey we had a storm last night,’’
Balkenbush said, referencing downed limbs in front of his home. “& she was like ‘Oh no that’s Edward Scissorhands,’ & so I was
like ‘uh what?'” His wife, said the limb lifter had earned the nickname — a nod to the 1990 Johnny Depp movie — due to his lust
for slicing. “People in the neighborhood were talking about it & it seems like he was just hitting certain streets,” Police are now
using the footage to investigate who the unwanted tree trimmer may be, the station reported. Other residents are peeved
because they have to pay for the trees through their homeowners association, & say the incidents are becoming more frequent.
Neighbors wish the man would stop cutting down their trees.
----- A FL teenager accused of trying to kill his mother because she kept asking him to clean his room allegedly beat her with a
frying pan & stabbed her with a pocket knife. Tobias “Toby” Jacob Brewer, 17, was arrested & booked
into juvenile detention on Nov. 30 after allegedly attacking his mother & then leading authorities on a
pursuit. His case has been transferred to adult court, the news outlet said. Brewer allegedly told
investigators that he stabbed his mother multiple times & hit her on the head with a frying pan because
she was “constantly on his case about cleaning his room.” “The suspect advised that he does not like
cleaning his room & was tired of the victim (his mom) constantly harping about it,” the report stated.
Brewer told detectives that he then took both of his mom’s car keys & took money out of her purse “so
that he can have money once he left the area,” a probable cause affidavit said. He also admitted to
texting a friend to bring a gun to “shoot the victim,” the report said. Brewer also allegedly led
authorities on a chase through several counties before he crashed into a wooded area. The mother
was hospitalized in critical condition. She allegedly told investigators that “Toby did this.”

She closed at least one case — her own! A fugitive wanted for fraud was busted when she
walked into a New Jersey sheriff’s office and asked to be hired, according to police. Zyeama
Johnson, 27, a former Postal Service worker from Jersey City, was on the run for the crime in
Monroe County, PA, when she applied to work at the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office,
according to the Jersey Journal. She sent in paperwork to be a security guard at the law
enforcement agency. She was called into the station under the guise of a job interview and
arrested Tuesday, county Sheriff Frank Schillari told the outlet. After the alleged foolhardy
fraudster was busted, the officers allegedly discovered two stolen credit cards and she was
also hit with credit card theft charges, Schillari said. Prior to applying for the job, she was also
wanted on 10 bench warrants for failure to appear in court on traffic charges in Jersey City.