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US Congressman challenges ethanol
US Representative Jim Sensenbrenner has introduced legislation to require the Environmental Protection Agency to seek independent scientific analysis on the effects of 15 percent blend ethanol gasoline (E15), which the EPA recently allowed to be sold for use in 2001 or newer vehicles; though motorcycles and ATVs are not approved for its use, nor are most small air-cooled engines. Using the hotter-burning fuel could cause premature wear, engine damage and void the manufacturer’s warranty. There are serious concerns that
the EPA used only one test and rushed E15's introduction into the market place. This test was limited in scope and ignored evidence that shows E15 gasoline has a negative effect on engines, according to
Sensenbrenner who introduced the legislation to ensure that “a decision of this magnitude will be vetted by independent scientific research, rather than political expediency.”
Bike or health care in USA
Akin to some Unions that have negotiated lower health care costs by excluding insurance coverage for so-called ‘risky’ behavior such as horseback riding, skiing and riding motorcycles, the State of Georgia may soon exclude motorcyclists from their healthcare benefits. The chairman of a House study committee looking at Georgia's health benefit plan said the State might require employees to disclose dangerous activities like skydiving and riding motorcycles.
State Rep. Carl Rogers said that the panel is looking to bring down skyrocketing costs in the state health plan. Earlier this year, lawmakers were forced to scramble to fill a $300 million budget hole for the health benefits.
Rogers told the Associated Press that State employees who take part in risky activities might eventually pay higher premiums.
Shanghai bans motorcycles not only from elevated highways but also the historic Bund district and the financial district. Beijing hasn’t allowed new bike registrations for some time. And Guangzhou banned motorcycles in 2007 after a surge in drive-by purse snatchings.
Swiss Body surfing
A Swiss motorcyclist is facing prosecution after being caught speeding – while sliding along the ground without his motorcycle.
An incredible image released by police shows the 38-year-old man careering helplessly towards the side of the road at around 66mph. Traffic police believe he would have been going a great deal faster when he first saw the camera.
Police confirmed that the man was still facing a fine and the withdrawal of his driving licence for up to three months.
Michigan closer to freedom
The latest attempt by Michigan lawmakers to repeal the State’s helmet law has passed the State House and cleared a key hurdle. The measure approved by a 69- 39 vote would allow riders 21 or older to go without helmets if they meet certain insurance and experience conditions.
Riders must have been licensed to operate a motorcycle for at least two years or have passed a safety course to go without helmets.
The House bill calls for motorcyclists to have at least $20,000 of first party medical cover in the event they are involved in an accident. The bill returns to the Senate, which has already passed the bill in a similar form. If the Senate agrees with the House-backed changes, the legislation would be sent to Gov. Rick Snyder. If supporters of the helmet repeal want the measure to become law, they may have to pass other proposals pending in the Legislature that would change elements of Michigan's auto insurance laws.
Pericles (c. 495 – 429 BC), Greek Statesman
QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you!”
US TV show questions green claims for motorcycles “In the popular belief that since
motorcycles get better mileage they must be greener than cars, people are trading in their cars and driving motorcycles instead because they believe that's the more environmentally friendly choice," said ‘MythBusters’ television host Adam Savage in the season opener of the popular Discovery Channel show. "The logic is because motorcycles are generally more fuel-efficient than cars, they burn less gas and thus they must be better for the environment," continued Savage. As the MythBusters have done with each of the show's previous seven seasons, Savage and his co-host Jamie Hyneman set out to test the theory, and the Los Angeles Times recently reported the show’s findings.
The MythBusters duo selected three motorcycles and three cars that were common in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s and put the undisclosed vehicles through a 30-minute, 20-mile real-world course, 75% of it consisting of highway driving and 25% city driving.
Savage drove all three cars while Hyneman trailed him on the bikes. Each vehicle was equipped with portable emission- measuring systems that tracked exhaust gases from a probe in the tailpipe and collected engine information from the engine control unit. The objective was to determine each vehicle’s fuel economy and emissions profile. The upshot of the experiment
was that the newer two-wheeler was indeed 28% more fuel efficient than the comparable car and emitted 30% less of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. However the same motorcycle emitted 416% more smog- forming hydrocarbons, 322% more oxides of nitrogen and 8.065% more of the toxic air pollutant carbon monoxide. The MythBusters’ conclusion: "At best, it's a whitewash. Motorcycles are just as bad for the environment as cars," Savage said on the show. "At worst, they're far worse."
But emissions are only one factor in the equation that measures a vehicle's true impact on the environment, and as LA Times columnist Susan Carpenter concludes. “Despite the MythBusters’ findings, emissions are only part of the story of a vehicle's true green credentials. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, motorcycle manufacturing requires thousands fewer pounds of raw materials than automobiles. They require less fossil fuel, so they require less energy to pull that fossil fuel out of the ground. They use fewer chemicals and oils than cars. And motorcycles produced today are 90% cleaner in California than they were 30 years ago. Note to MythBusters: How about a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment for cars and motorcycles for the a future show?”
Thanks to The National Coalition of Motor- cyclists in the USA and Ray Douglas of the West London Harley-Davidson Riders Club for these new items
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