Law makers are not riders.

[Water Warrior 2]

A new law is coming into effect June/01/2012 in B.C. It will be illegal to stand on the footpegs of a bike. A rider and passenger must always be seated. Sounds like a smart law except it isn't smart at all. Anyone who has ridden on any surface besides a smooth paved road will be shaking their head at this. Standing on the pegs is a common exercise that promotes safer passage and control on any rough road. Only 1 in 6 km of our roads are paved and not all of them are smooth. I have ridden on pavement that is all bumps and potholes. Not a road to be on when seated.
I wonder if any of our elected officials ever rode a bicycle when they were kids.

This law came into effect because of the insistance of one woman. Sadly this mother lost her son who was stunting on a sport bike and was not seated at the time. I can not imagine her grief but the law as it stands is going to cause more grief and possible fatalties in the long run.
Stunters are a little nuts in my opinion but don't penalize other riders for riding with their safety and control in mind.

[dentheman]

Here in Texas that law would be quashed quickly, not so in BC? Don't you have motorcycle organizations that give inputs to lawmaker's? Our state legislature seeks input from the MSF, Texas Dept of Public Safety motorcycle division, other motorcycle organizations, and riders, before making such laws. Once in a while an odd bill gets introduced, like requiring proof of health insurance with MOTORCYCLE printed across the top of it (I personally got involved with that one even before I owned a bike). That bill died before becoming law and I have not heard any more about it.

It is probably academic since LEO's wouldn't give tickets to those standing on pegs to go over roughness, pot holes, rail crossings, etc, or would they?

Anyway, you and other riders still have until June 1 to deluge your lawmakers with emails and phone calls. Sometimes that's what it takes.

[Water Warrior 2]

I'm sure this law is aimed at stunters primarily but it is too broad in it's scope. The actual wording is unreasonable and should be challenged in court soon after the first few riders are ticketed when they are riding with safety and control in mind. We already have laws regarding stunting, sitting on the tank, the bars or standing on the rear pegs during a wheelie. I say "Get Em and Get Em Good". Using your legs as a suspension system for your body on a rough surface is a no-brainer.
At least most LEO's will use common sense and know there are worst things to watch for besides a rider trying to save his/her spine on a rough road. I would have to say nearly half the LEO's in this area are riders so they will understand the situation.
I have ridden with LEO's on their days off and they are great folks. I have also mentioned that I am just another rider when they are working. If I do something wrong and they stop me, we are not friends at that instance in time.

[dentheman]

Our law enforcement doesn't even chase crotch rockets that have broken the law. They can't catch them without endangering them or others!

[Water Warrior 2]

Our law enforcement doesn't even chase crotch rockets that have broken the law. They can't catch them without endangering them or others!
Sounds like a chopper is needed. The RCMP have one to follow and video some of the real go getters. They also have a couple police bikes that can really move so it makes for entertaining U-tube vids from the air.

[Skunkhome]

I can hoist myself up off the seat for a moment or two to keep my rump from being driven up around my ears but riding while standingq on the pegs of a cruiser seems to me to be near impossible. Now if I'm on a standard or sportster standing on the pegs that are directly under the rider is a breeze. Law sounds too broad to stand up in court.

[Water Warrior 2]

I can hoist myself up off the seat for a moment or two to keep my rump from being driven up around my ears but riding while standingq on the pegs of a cruiser seems to me to be near impossible. Now if I'm on a standard or sportster standing on the pegs that are directly under the rider is a breeze. Law sounds too broad to stand up in court.
Bikes like my Vstrom are ideal for standing. Dirt bikes are even better. Trials bikes are specifically designed for standing and have an almost seat just for show. Our law makers painted everyone with the same brush. Given enough public outcry the law should be eventually rewritten with a more sensible view or just filed in the garbage where it belongs.

[alantf]

Our law enforcement doesn't even chase crotch rockets that have broken the law. They can't catch them without endangering them or others!

It was in the English newspapers the other day, that the police spotted a thief who had stolen a quad bike, but refused to chase him because he wasn't wearing a helmet (an offence in itself) & were afraid that he might hurt himself!!!!!!!

[Water Warrior 2]

Our law enforcement doesn't even chase crotch rockets that have broken the law. They can't catch them without endangering them or others!

It was in the English newspapers the other day, that the police spotted a thief who had stolen a quad bike, but refused to chase him because he wasn't wearing a helmet (an offence in itself) & were afraid that he might hurt himself!!!!!!!
I think the system is broken. What about the victim of the theft? Maybe the thief will come back and steal a car without wearing a seat belt and get a pass by the cops.

[Rionna]

Our officers won't pursue a crotch rocket either. They will attempt to call ahead and have it intercepted but normally they just get away. An officer has to weigh the benefit vs the detriment of continuing a hot pursuit chase. Too many innocent folks have been critically injured in needless police chases. Hopefully the victim had insurance.

[Water Warrior 2]

I agree with not pursuing a high speed chase due to collateral damage or injuries but I find it really dissappointing that the ones that are caught do not get a much harsher penalty. There are just too many folks out there who will pay the fine and continue breaking the laws while taking no real responsibility for their actions.
I was talking to one of the local LEO's about the twit who was apparently the high speed Utube racer on Vancouver Island. He pays the fines and continues to ride with no license or insurance. Why can't a law be passed that allows for the bike to be impounded and destroyed. At least he will be off the streets till he can afford another bike.

[Rionna]

I totally agree WW! You are right the penalties and consequences should be stiffer.

[alantf]

Why can't a law be passed that allows for the bike to be impounded and destroyed.

This law exists in England. All police vehicles are fitted with licence plate recognition cameras linked to the central computer. The insurance, annual tax, safety inspection, & registered owner's details, etc, of every vehicle in England is on the computer. If the camera recognises a licence plate with something not right, it sounds an alert so that the vehicle can be stopped & checked. If there is a problem, the vehicle is immediately towed. The owner then has 14 days to get the insurance etc to release the vehicle (and pay the fine, plus towing & storage) If nothing is done within 14 days, the vehicle is crushed.

[dentheman]

Speaking of stolen bikes, I thought I would throw this in:

My daughter has a friend who bought a 2011 sport bike (I don't know the make). A couple weeks ago it was stolen. Then the thief and his girlfriend got into a fight and she turned him in. The police recovered the bike.

The owner will have to pay over $1000 to replace the ignition switch and the messed-up bodywork (forgot what the plastic 'shroud' is called). He doesn't have comprehensive insurance coverage.

ALSO: I am usually against gov't regulations and the big brother mentality, HOWEVER; I think there needs to be some restriction on the top speed capability of ANY motor vehicle. Does anyone really need a cage or a bike that will do 100+ miles per hour? But, the way gov't works, they would write such a regulation in such a way that it would be detrimental to the law-abiding, as such regulations/laws usually are, WW's original post being a case in point.

[Water Warrior 2]

Old guy preaching again. Most sport bikes are just a race bike with street legal lighting added. They are far too fast for the street in the hands of dare devils and new riders blah blah blah. Take it to the track and really have some fun while being legally allowed to go fast.
It isn't just sport bikes that are too fast though. It is the rider not the bike. Anyone with 400cc's under their butt can usually top 160km(100 mph) and this applies to scooters as well.
I am all for useable power. The kind that allows me to maintain my speed going up the side of a mountain or fighting a strong headwind. I'm all for the power that allows for safely passing that transport truck or bus but just plain speed type of power is not my bag. End of sermon.

[alantf]

Does anyone really need a cage or a bike that will do 100+ miles per hour?

Yes, the government does! How else are they going to swell their coffers with the speeding fines if vehicles were restricted? :whistle:

[Water Warrior 2]

Does anyone really need a cage or a bike that will do 100+ miles per hour?

Yes, the government does! How else are they going to swell their coffers with the speeding fines if vehicles were restricted? :whistle:
I never looked at it that way. I guess we will always have fast machines to play with and make the gov happy.