Heads up to anyone headed to Americade

[st2sam]

How do you figure?   Many "novelty" helmets are easy to identify visually from a distance -- they lack the thickness that's intrinsically required for a helmet to be able to meet the DOT specs.    And loud pipes, well, they're loud.   So in both cases, probable cause can be established from a distance, even prior to the stop.

-Uwe-

AB-SO-LUTLY, but then again that makes to much sense and it's more work than just setting up a road block.
I remember when I was a kid reading about how in Russia they could set up road blocks for no reason and thinking how lucky I am to be in America were that was illegal.
I DON'T FEEL AS LUCKY ANYMORE.  
I do still feel I live in the best country in the world but I'm just not happy about the direction we're heading.......

[Clint]

I think this all stems from past events at Americade. Providing this is effective, I'd gladly deal with a short delay to eliminate what Americade has become in the last couple of years.  It used to be a very civil and laid back event but when I went up there last year, it was complete chaos-burnouts, loud pipes, fights.  During the week isn't so bad but once Thursday rolls around the place gets turned upside down.  A huge amount of Americaders now leave early and only spend part of the week because of this.  

I'm not counting on it but maybe these crackdowns will turn things around.

Just my 2 cents.

While that's all true and very regrettable, harassing ALL motorcyclists coming into town is the wrong way to address the problem. All it's going to do is to convince law-abiding Americaders (who far outnumber the problem element) to stay away next year. If a NYS trooper sees a guy with a possible non-DOT helmet and/or loud pipes, he should be pulled over individually. Leave the old farts wearing full-face helmets aboard Goldwings alone.

[googus]

Lets just see what Laconia week after does?!


Always in point people who Ride respect their suroundings or should period.

[Snowbird]

I think this all stems from past events at Americade. Providing this is effective, I'd gladly deal with a short delay to eliminate what Americade has become in the last couple of years.  It used to be a very civil and laid back event but when I went up there last year, it was complete chaos-burnouts, loud pipes, fights.  During the week isn't so bad but once Thursday rolls around the place gets turned upside down.  A huge amount of Americaders now leave early and only spend part of the week because of this.  

I'm not counting on it but maybe these crackdowns will turn things around.

Just my 2 cents.

I quit going after listening to Lake George shopkeepers bitching about the event not being for Goldwingers any more. I asked a one if I should just send my money and stay home? They hit you for every conceivable charge on top of the fact that they raise room rates for the week. It's a game of gouging the motorcyclists, gouge the vendors. But I don't like rallies, so perhaps my view is too harsh.  

[BillToLast]

 Or when LE sets up truck enforcement check points and remove unsafe trucks?  Or checking details where the main goal is to remove unlicensed drivers from the road.  Just curious?

I'm so glad that you brought that up.  Interstate truck traffic is regulated by the ICC, and part of the deal is that all commercial truck traffic is subject to random inspection. We all know this.  Cargo manifests, log books and safe equipment all contribute to the efficient operation of business.  If you don't like that, you can always get another job.

As far as removing unlicensed drivers from the road, a fine, noble cause, but if that were the goal, wouldn't it make more sense to check the vast majority of drivers (automobiles) then single out a minority group for no other reason than that they are a minority?  Sorry, apply that to ANY other subset, and it really doesn't pass the smell test.  

   

[SteveG]

+1

I remember when I was a kid reading about how in Russia they could set up road blocks for no reason and thinking how lucky I am to be in America were that was illegal.
I DON'T FEEL AS LUCKY ANYMORE.  
I do still feel I live in the best country in the world but I'm just not happy about the direction we're heading.......

[JETSET]

Lets just see what Laconia week after does?!


Always in point people who Ride respect their suroundings or should period.

Just remember these words "LIVE FREE OR DIE".
I'm leaving for NH on the 18th

[JamminJere]

Trev,

Maybe you'd want to borrow my new Cobra "Skank Buster" for the trip?  

It goes off WAY early to give you LOTS of warning...

Have fun and be careful my man!

JJ

[highside]

Problem is, a law enforcement officer can cite you for almost ANYTHING and say that is the reason they stopped you.  Whether it holds up in court is another thing, but you can be given a ticket for almost anything.

The sad fact is that there is probably something illegal on MOST bikes in the country, be it aftermarket turn signals, exhaust pipes, windscreens, license plates, you name it.

[nnjhawk02]

To follow up - Below is AMA email back to me.

Dear Rhino:

 

Thank you for using the "Contact Us" feature at www.AMADirectlink.com
 to share your concerns regarding the New York
State Police motorcycle checkpoints.

 

The New York State Police held their first mandatory motorcycle checkpoint on
Interstate 84 in East Fishkill on October 7, 2007.  A total of 280 motorcycles
were stopped, 225 inspected, and 104 citations issued during a four hour period.  
Coverage of the checkpoint was provided in a report online at
http://www.troopers.state.ny.us/Public_Information/2007_News_Releases/10-11-07_Results_from_State_Police_Motorcycle_Safety_Checkpoint.cfm.

 

In April, Sergeant Jim Halvorsen of the New York State Police gave a
presentation at the Lifesavers 2008 conference (see  http://www.lifesaversconference.org/handouts2008/Halvorsen.ppt).  
He indicated the police planned up to fifteen of these checkpoints during the
2008 riding season and stated that New York authorities believe these
motorcycle-only checkpoints are legal.

 

During the Memorial Day weekend, the first 2008 mandatory motorcycle checkpoint
was conducted at the AmJam Rally in Cobleskill. The second appears to have been
held May 30 on I-87 north of Albany in the Glens Falls area (between exits 17
and 18), snagging riders heading to the Americade Rally at Lake George.  Yet
another has been announced, targeting those returning from the Americade Rally.

 

While the AMA and various groups plan how to address these motorcycle-only
checkpoints, here are a few steps you can take to make your displeasure known:

 

1)     Contact the office of Governor David A. Paterson:

Telephone: 518-474-8390

E-mail: visit http://161.11.121.121/govemail and enter your message.

Write: Governor David A. Paterson, State Capitol, Albany, NY 12224

 

2)     Contact the superintendent of the New York State Police, Harry J.
Corbitt:

Write: Harry J. Corbitt, Superintendent, New York State Police, 1220 Washington
Avenue, Building 22, Albany, NY 12226-2252

 

3)     Contact the New York State Police Internal Affairs Bureau using e-mail
(see http://www.troopers.state.ny.us/Contact_Us/Compliments_or_Complaints/Pro-ConEmail.cfm)
or complete the form (see http://www.troopers.state.ny.us/Contact_Us/Compliments_or_Complaints/Pro-ConForm.pdf)
and mail it in.

Note from their Website: "It is the policy of the NYSP to respond to compliments
or complaints received from the public."

 

Talking points:

*   If these checkpoints are really about safety, then all motor vehicles should
be stopped, not just motorcycles.
*   Singling out only motorcyclists for special screening is discriminatory.
*   If the New York State Police have cause to believe a motorcyclist has
committed a violation, the individual rider should be stopped.  A motorcycle
dragnet to check for violations is unjust and unfair.
*   Unnecessarily entering and exiting rest areas is dangerous, especially when
unsuspecting motorcyclists are forced off the highway with little notice.

Take a few minutes to register your dislike of this discriminatory practice by
the New York State Police.

 

Thanks again for contacting us and for your many years of membership support.

 

Sincerely,

 
Mr. Imre F. Szauter
Government Affairs Manager
American Motorcyclist Association
13515 Yarmouth Drive
Pickerington, OH 43147-8214
1 (800) AMA-JOIN
1 (614) 856-1900, ext. 1125

[nnjhawk02]

I just emailed the NYSP Internal Affairs & Lake George C of C

I have contacted Lake George Chamber of Commerce to notify them, that I have canceled my plans to ride to Lake George this year, due to NYSP stopping only motorcyclist for safety checks.

This is a discriminatory!

If a safety check is enacted it should be for all vehicles.

I and many other motorcycle riders will be staying away from New York State this riding season and take our money else where.

Hit them too

IAFFAIRS@troopers.state.ny.us

info@lakegeorgechamber.com