NHTSA updates motorcycle helmet law

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has updated its laws regarding motorcycle helmets.

The final rule, which went into effect on May 13, targets novelty helmets that feature similar labels to that of the current Department of Transportation (DOT) label, which shows compliance with the current motorcycle helmet safety standard. From the report filed with the Federal Register:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-05-13/html/2011-11367.htm “…Some motorcyclists use noncompliant helmets known as novelty helmets. These helmets are not certified to the agency’s helmet standard and have been shown in testing to fail all or almost all of the safety performance requirements in that standard. Some novelty helmet users attempt to make their helmets appear to law enforcement agencies and the courts to be compliant by misleadingly attaching labels that have the appearance of legitimate `’DOT’’ certification labels. This final rule revises the existing requirements for the “DOT” certification label and other labels and adds new requirements to make it more difficult to label novelty helmets misleadingly.”

According to the report, some helmet sellers have imitated the current certification label — which only features the word “DOT” — by using a label that includes the acronym “D.O.T.” to make it look like the helmet is FMVSS No. 218 compliant. “People who obtain these labels can simply attach them to their novelty helmets to create the appearance of compliant helmets,” the report says.

Under the final rule, certification labels will include the manufacturer’s name, helmet model, and the more informative labeling of “DOT FMVSS No. 218 Certified.”

Polaris to produce Indian motorcycles in Spirit Lake

Polaris Industries plans to produce Indian motorcycles at its Spirit Lake, Iowa, factory, where it makes Victory bikes.

Polaris bought Indian Motorcycle last week. The company doesn’t know yet how many jobs will be added at its northwest Iowa plant, where it introduced Victory 13 years ago.

Polaris spokesperson Marlys Knutson told the Des Moines Register it’s not set when Indian production will begin in Iowa. The company reportedly will move machinery and equipment from North Carolina, where 25 employees worked, to Iowa over the next two to three months.

Polaris CEO Scott Wine told analysts the company “will accelerate growth of both brands” over time.

The Easter Bunny

As your preparing to take your children to see the Easter Bunny you might want to keep these photos in mind. Just a little fun, no children were harmed.

Motorcycle Taxis come to LA and New York

A motorcycle concept from Europe is riding into two of the most famous American cities as motorcycle taxi services are introduced to New York and Los Angeles by Moto Limos Club.

While the company isn’t trying to make avid bikers out of everyday executives, Moto Limos Club are promising to move professional business types through the heavy congestion and daily traffic jams that plague most major cities.

First, the motorcycle details; the fleet will include 15 2012 Honda Goldwing motorcycles and an undetermined number of the three-wheeled Bombardier Can Am Spyders.

And the top executive of the hottest company won’t have to worry about a grey beard flying in his face or hang onto a pinned and patched leather vest. According to the website, the chauffeurs are ‘highly skilled and qualified riders each possessing over 15 years of riding experience coupled with extensive histories in related motorcycle activities.’

‘Our chauffeur riders are trained to take every care and precaution with their passengers and trained to react correctly in case of any emergency,’ states the website, ‘Our riders aren’t just enthusiasts, but professional daily riders.’

The concept isn’t a new option to business people around the world with motorcycle taxis regularly seen in England, Sweden, Indonesia, Cambodia and India.

Read More here

Lake County officials host outreach sessions to enroll seniors in assessment freeze program

Lake County officials have scheduled outreach sessions across the region to help senior citizens with the senior citizen assessment freeze and homestead exemption programs.

The chief county assessment office and the Lake County Township Assessors Association are hosting 14 informational meetings where seniors can get one-one-one assistance in filling out the forms on homestead exemption freezes.

Aimed at helping seniors who have a household income of less than $55,000 save money, the Senior Citizen Assessment Freeze could be taken advantage of by many more seniors, said Chief County Assessment Officer Martin Paulson.

“We have about 13,000 people enrolled in the program now out of 33,000 people in our senior homestead exemption who could potentially be in” the assessment freeze program, Paulson said.

The homestead exemption lowers the assessed value of properties by $4,000, but the assessment freeze could hold the assessed value of a home over several years, even if the true assessed rate increases.

“Let’s say you and I have the same assessed value – and it’s $100,000. I’m on the assessment freeze program because I’m 70 and I’ve been in it for 5 years. In that period, my assessment went from $80,000 to $100,000, so essentially that $20,000 — I get off of my assessments,” Paulson explained.

However, if valuations do not increase, and actually decrease, the lower assessment will be entered as the frozen rate, Paulson said. The assessment freeze begins when residents are accepted into the program. It’s not retroactive.

Residents do not have to re-enroll each year for the homestead exemption application, but do have to reapply for the assessment freeze every year, in case household incomes change.

“It’s a tremendous benefit for seniors, we’re in a time like right now people when many more could’ve benefited from it,” he said.

Filling out the paperwork for either program involves filling out applications that look like a simple tax form, Paulson said. Those who are eligible for the assessment freeze and homestead exemption must be age 65 or older, own the property of principal residence for the last two Jan. 1, have a household income of $55,000 or less. Participants should bring copies of income such as a 2010 federal income tax form and a social security statement.

In the meantime, he said seniors can ask for help at his office or at township offices.

For more information, go to http://www.lakecountyil.gov/assessor , call 847-377-2050 or e-mail assessor@lakecountyil.gov.

The following is a list of outreach session locations and dates:

Vernon Hills

1 to 2 p.m. April 11 at Vernon Hills Village Hall, senior center, 290 Evergreen Drive, Vernon Hills

Lake Villa

9 to 10 a.m., April 13 at Lake Villa Township West, 37850 North Route 59, Lake Villa

North Chicago

1 to 2 p.m., April 13, Foss Park District, 1730 Lewis Avenue, North Chicago

Antioch

10:30 to 11:30 a.m., April 18, Antioch Senior Center, 817, Holbeck Ave., Antioch

Mundelein

1 to 3 p.m., April 20, The Regent Center, 1200 Regent Drive, Mundelein

Fox Lake

10 to 11 a.m. April 21, Fox Lake Lakefront Park, 71 Nippersink Blvd., Fox Lake

Waukegan

9 to 11 a.m., April 25, Park Place, 414 South Lewis Ave., Waukegan

Round Lake

1 to 3 p.m., April 26 Round Lake Area Park District Senior Center, 814 Hart Road, Round Lake

Highland Park

10 a.m. to 12 p.m., April 29, Recreation Center of Highland Park, 1207 Park Ave. West, Highland Park

Zion

Noon to 2 p.m., May 4, Zion Park District, 2600 Emmaus…, Zion, Illinois

Libertyville

10 to 11 a.m., May 6 Libertyville Civic Center, 135 West Church Street, Libertyville

Deerfield

9:30 to 11 a.m., May 10, Patty Turner Senior Center, 275 Elm Street, Deerfield

Grayslake

10 to 11 a.m., May 16 Grayslake Park District, 240 Commerce Drive, Grayslake

Lake Forest-Lake Bluff

1 p.m. to 3 p.m., May 19 Dickinson Hall, Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Senior Center, 100 East Old Mill Road, Lake Forest

IDOT and Motorcycle Advocates Launch First “Gear Up” Campaign

SPRINGFIELD (IDOT) — The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA), A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education (ABATE) and other motorcycle advocates joined forces to kick off a statewide campaign called “Gear Up,” designed to promote continuing rider training and proper gear use. The campaign is highlighting and encouraging motorcyclists to prepare for the upcoming riding season through free training courses and educational materials available to improve motorcycle safety on Illinois roadways.

“IDOT is dedicated to motorcycle safety in Illinois and has developed a proven and effective traffic safety program to positively impact motorcyclists and the general public as a whole,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable of highway users, and we want to work together to promote motorcycle safety and help protect all of the motoring public.”

“Our goals are to educate our members in proper riding techniques and safe operation and to improve public acceptance and awareness of motorcyclists while maintaining a friendly, fun atmosphere,” said GWRRA Illinois District Director Dan Ribbing. “The Illinois District of the GWRRA is proud to cooperate with the State of Illinois and all of its departments in educating the motoring public.”
“The mission of the members of ABATE. of Illinois is to preserve the universal right to a safe, unrestricted motorcycling environment, and to propose and advocate actions that can be taken by elected and appointed officials to protect and conserve the natural resources of the State of Illinois, and ensure through professional management that sustainable use, recreational opportunities and enjoyment of these new resources is available for this and future generations,” said ABATE of Illinois, Inc.

Motorcycles represent slightly less than 3 percent of total vehicle registrations however motorcycle fatalities approach 14 percent of all vehicle fatalities. Statistics show that about half of motorcycle rider deaths occur in single-vehicle crashes. While causes of such crashes can be many and sometimes difficult to determine, statistics reveal several problem areas over which riders themselves have a degree of control. When properly trained, they can improve their chances of a safe ride.

IDOT offers the following tips as part of the “Gear Up” campaign:

-Dress with the proper riding gear. Riders should employ the use of a quality DOT-approved helmet to protect from devastating head injuries. Goggles or glasses constructed of shatter-resistant materials will help protect eyes. Jackets, long pants and gloves constructed of sturdy material will help protect the rider’s body in case of a fall. Strong over-the-ankle footwear will help protect ankles and feet. The use of high-visibility clothing for riders is an effective tool to enhance safety by alerting other drivers of your presence.

-Utilize a reputable preventive maintenance program for motorcycle equipment. Before the first ride of the season, motorcycles should be thoroughly inspected and serviced by a professional mechanic.

-Riders should take advantage of free training opportunities to help improve riding skills and to outline proven strategies to manage the inevitable risks of the sport. IDOT will make 25,000 free Motorcycle Training Slots available for all skill levels during the 2011 training season. To learn more about the free training courses, visit http://www.startseeingmotorcycles.org/Courses.asp.

-Make sure all motorcyclists are properly licensed. About 20 percent of motorcyclists killed in crashes are not properly licensed.

-Obey traffic laws. Motorcyclists who obey traffic laws significantly improve their chances for a safe ride.

-DON’T DRINK AND RIDE. The use of alcohol plays a negative role in about 40 percent of motorcycle fatalities.

-Never ride beyond your ability. Riding skills improve with experience and training. Riders who are patient and gain these skills before trying advanced maneuvers increase their chances for a safe ride.
IDOT encourages all Illinois motorcyclists to get actively involved in creating a safe motorcycling environment for all. To learn more about IDOT’s motorcycle safety program, laws and regulations, statistics or additional educational materials please visit www.startseeingmotorcycles.org.