October 2005
Welcome to the first installment of Bruce on Bikers’ Rights™!
This exclusive online series is going to be about motorcyclists’ rights: the legislation, the issues, motorcycle rights organizations (MROs), and when, where and how you, the individual motorcyclist, can make a difference in Washington D.C., your state capitol, and wherever you may ride.
Let me begin by challenging you all to make a commitment to be freedom fighters and not welfare riders. By that I mean our rights, liberties and freedom come at a cost–a cost paid by those who are willing to step up to the challenge. If someone asks you what you are doing to preserve our freedom of choice regarding helmets … or to protect our right to build choppers with ape hangers … or to maintain our HOV lane privileges … or to assure that soccer moms with cell phones glued to their ears think twice (and look twice) before they force us off the road … I want you to have a better answer than “I don’t know…” And, I sure as hell hope you wouldn’t say “I don’t care!”
Don’t be a welfare rider, taking advantage of all the privileges, and leaving others to pay the price. Don’t be some REMF (rear echelon mother f***er), hiding in the rear with the gear. And don’t cruise around like some garrett trooper, all shine and no substance. Come on up to the front lines, folks! Take the point! Get involved! Make a difference, for Christ’s sake! Here is a great way to get started:
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF.org) is the leading voice for bikers in Washington, D.C. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is committed to less federal government involvement in your daily life. The MRF firmly supports the rights of the individual state governments to enact legislation without the threat of federal intervention. They stand for freedom of choice, freedom from unsafe highways, and freedom from unfair and overly restrictive federal and international regulations. The MRF’s nationwide membership email alert system, for example, was instrumental in the defeat of the Lautenberg Amendment this year, thereby saving us all from a universal helmet law.
Are you a member of the MRF? I am proud to say that I am, and I encourage all my brothers and sisters in the wind to sign up as well. For only $25.00 a year, you’ll get MRF reports, email alerts, a patch, a pin, and most importantly, the pride of knowing that you are a freedom fighter and not a welfare rider! Logon to this web page to join the MRF today (be sure and put “Bruce sent me” in the comments field):
Show me your MRF patch at any of these events, and your next cup a’ joe is on me:
- Daytona Beach BikeWeek
- Hollister Independence Rally
- Laconia Motorcycle Week
- Myrtle Beach Bike Week
- Republic of Texas Rally
- Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Until Next Time … Ride Long, Ride Free!