(can't hurt to write to your local "rep" and remind them ever so nicely about the possibility of jumping over a dollar to save a dime on this one as well as the specter of a vocal minority of moto heads that will not forget that they got buggered by their rep's vote(s) in the current session... where i live seems like an entire institution was built around this moto-customs --west coast choppers-- and it is probably one of the the larger employers in town, since Boeing is on its way out it can't hurt to remind my particular fool about this important thought...you know "bite the hand that feeds" etc... in my case i figure it helps to appeal to the particular lefty bias of the rep, show them an alternative perspective from their own perspective rather then a simple negative reaction to thier dumbphucked idea. at least this guy actually publishes his stinking email... phone calls are probably in order too...all this is probably farts in the wind but it can't hurt to get busy, alas it may be that we were caught with our pants down, busy riding rather than keepig an eye on these morons just like those with great regret in the gay scene asleep at the wheel last year when prop 8 came out... bottom line : ) no matter who you be these guys cannot be trusted to do the right thing... at least I heard about it here first, many thanks for posting the info!!--wt)
Subject: Some thoughts on SB 435 from a constituent in Long Beach
Sen Lowenthal
As an independent who has voted for you in more than one election a vote cast in favor of SB 435 will have me giving my support to alternative representatives in the future.
This unfair and ill-planned legislation was written no doubt by someone unfamiliar with the multifaceted issues at hand including the loss of good paying jobs and state revenue for a return of negligible pollutants and revenue.
To be clear I don't mind paying higher taxes to live in CA.
I DO reject out of touch "safety-zealot" legislation such as SB 435 which targets people who contribute such a tiny fraction of all carbon released in the state.
Motorcyclists commute to work through an overloaded transport system conserving gasoline, space and emitting negligible carbon and other pollutants compared to those of us who choose to use much heavier and inefficient automobiles.
SB 435 is the very type of sloppy safety-zealot lawmaking which causes the Democratic party to appear so out of touch to the average taxpayer just like the moral-zealot legislation made by those in the GOP. Both parties tend to fall back on these issues to ACT like they are actually doing something rather than actually solving HARD problems. This is the equivalent of a flag burning statute, worse really when you consider all the business lost by the Custom Motorcycle parts and service employers in your district on Anaheim st —TAXABLE business—compared to what my local Mr. Smog (good guy by the way) on Anaheim st. will generate for the state. On one hand you have an employer who creates MANY skilled jobs with good wages by servicing a disproportionately active group of motorcycle enthusiasts (not to mention the some good press for our hometown from over the years) vs. the small benefit to already existing tiny smog check sole proprietor/sole employee outfits. Easy to see the negative impact this would have in a unique district such as our 27th.
Given that this issue also has a more important REAL safety impact as well (mind you I don't ride a loud glitzy Harley, but rather a relatively quiet and inexpensive pragmatic motorbike as transport) it is TRUE that people distracted by phones, food and myriad other commuting safety issues perceive the fragile presence of the motorcyclist which they would otherwise miss without modified exhaust system. This would be different in other countries (Europe, Japan etc) wherein bicycling and motorcycling are common for all walks of life and therefore more care and thought to look out for these modes is a given for a better trained and more strictly regulated auto driving public. Sure enough, some hot rods on two wheels AND four are TOO LOUD and downright obnoxious but as I write this in your district i don't hear the motors of the "wild bunch", rather i hear the constant "Boom Boom" of urban car stereos (yet another argument for modification). In my experience Law enforcement (a group intimately aware of their comrades who ride motorcycles daily in the line of duty) are the best judge of what is too loud on the street and use the many laws already on the books to address this problem intelligently and fairly.
I sincerely hope that you will reach out to your constituents who ride to get to work from places like the 27th district as well businesses who specialize in motorcycle service and parts here and try to understand that the effects of this legislation will have dire consequences for
A. Common-sense Motorcyclists who pride themselves in using a more efficient mode of transport than the vast majority of Californians
B. Motorcycle service and parts businesses unique to your district and to California
C. Legislators who will appear more and more out of touch with their real constituents
Many thanks for your time and attention.
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