Support our City Council!
Jan 21st, 2009 by Leo
Yesterday was a good day for this country. And hopefully it might encourage you to believe in our system of government. I hope so. I wrote about Proposition 416A a while back. Well it turns out that many people in law enforcement think this is a done-deal. They think this law will surely pass sometime this summer. Motorcycles and scooters without “DOT approved” exhausts can be ticketed (first offense $1000) and towed.
This law unfairly targets the minority of the NY population that rides motorcycles and scooters. Although it claims to enforce local noise ordinances it does not stop those who like loud pipes from drilling holes in their baffles, or removing the packing of their stock exhausts. Instead of targeting vehicles that exceed the noise limit, it targets any anyone who no longer has a stock “DOT approved” exhaust. Proposition 416A has been embraced by City Council members who do not ride motorcycles or scooter, and who resent those who do. It is an example of how people often misunderstand and oppress those who are in the minority.
Now some of you CityBikers started writing City Council members, and have started to get responses. What I want to do is compile a list of our “friends.” People in City Council who are willing to listen to our concerns and oppose 416.
Friends of CityBikers (City Council Members who oppose 416A):
- Tony Avella - representing North Eastern parts of Queens, such as Bayside, College Point, Whitestone, and parts of Flushing – initially sent out a letter saying he was willing to listen to the concerns of motorcyclists (January 6). But recently decided, after hearing our concerns, to oppose Prop 416A. He is also open to ideas and suggestions to help with motorcycle parking. Thank you Mr Avella!!
- Help us get this list going… Contact your City Council people, let them know what you think, and let us know where they stand.
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Nothing from Inez E. Dickens, District 9 – Council Member – Democrat.
Her office doesn’t do emails, reply to written letters, or picks up the phone.
Its very disappointing, to say the least.
Jessica Lappin of the 5th District, representing the UES of Manhattan, supports prop 416A. Her response to my letter was basically that she is sorry we don’t agree. The problem is that many council members do not understand our opposition is that it is unfair to ticket a PARKED, NOT RUNNING, NOT MAKING ANY NOISE motorcycle because it doesn’t present a DOT approved stamp on the exhaust. If their main purpose is to reduce “noise”, how is it fair to ticket a bike or scooter because it doesn’t have a stamp when it’s not running??? Nobody is addressing this part of the issue. More political bullshit to keep these idiots busy.
Nothing from David Yassky’s office, despite several attempts to contact them. Also, nothing form the AMA, despite two attempts to contact them.