Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/1150496
26 | WheelsOfGrace.com | Issue 46 HANDLEBAR NEWS PROPOSED BILL WOULD ALLOW LANE-SPLITTING IN CT When the Connec cut General Assembly was back in session, bill proposals were being submi ed. So far, at least two pertain to motorcycles; one involving helmet usage and the other regarding lane spli ng. Sen. Cathy Osten, who represents Norwich and nearby towns, today proposed that current law "be amended to permit the operator of a motorcycle to operate between lanes of traffic," presumably on divided highways "as is permi ed in California and other countries and thereby ease traffic conges on." Only one state, California, currently allows lane-spli ng and has done so since 2017. A total of 12 other states, none of them in the northeast, have not deemed lane-spli ng to be illegal. Riders everywhere commonly do it. Lane-spli ng primarily occurs when traffic has come to a halt or is moving slowly, and California guidelines have suggested that riders lane-split at no more than 10 miles per hour faster than traffic is moving and at not more than 30 miles per hour. Osten's bill would "require motorcycle operators and passengers under twenty-one years of age to wear protec ve headgear." The current law requires operators and passengers under 18 years to wear lids. Cook's bill has also been referred to the transporta on commi ee. Meanwhile, more than a dozen bills have been introduced to modify or repeal the exis ng "Passport to the Parks" fee, which adds $10 on every vehicle registra on ($5 per year) with the money going for the maintenance and opera on of state parks. The fee can be costly to collectors who want to ride their many motorcycles. Proposed bills would change the fee to a per household basis, exempt senior ci zens and veterans from having to pay, and even repeal the fee. HARLEY-DAVIDSON ACQUIRES STACYC INC., MAKER OF ELECTRIC- POWERED TWO-WHEELERS FOR KIDS Harley-Davidson, Inc. has acquired StaCyc, Inc., producer of the 12 and 16 EDRIVE, electric-powered two-wheelers specifically designed for kids. StaCyc, which entered the market in 2016, currently designs, markets and sells their EDRIVE models for kids, with an MSRP range of $649 to $699. StaCyc EDRIVES are sold in the U.S. through powersports, dealerships, including 29 Harley- Davidson® dealerships, online and in specialty bicycle retailers. SCIENCE PROVES RIDING A MOTORCYCLE IS GOOD FOR YOU AND INCREASES FOCUS By Sabrina Giacomini We've all felt it before: this uncontrollable need to smile, breathing in the air of freedom, feeling the interior peace and weightlessness that comes with being on the road and sharing a moment alone with yourself to the sound of a mix of exhaust note and wind. This might all sound a li le sappy and over-poe cized, but you know exactly the feeling I'm describing. Apparently, it's not just a "feeling"—riding actually is good for us. It would make perfect sense for Harley-Davidson to fund a research about the physical benefits of riding considering the brand's notoriety for making ride-friendly bikes, right? Well, that's exactly what the Milwaukee company has done. In collabora on with the UCLA's Semel Ins tute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, a study among over 50 experienced riders was conducted to determine the effects of a motorcycle ride on the brain. More on this ar cle on page 16. PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE SHOCKER: ANGELLE SAMPEY JOINS VANCE & HINES HARLEY-DAVIDSON TEAM Three- me world champion Angelle Sampey will join the Harley- Davidson Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Pro Stock Motorcycle for the opening four rounds of the 2019 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series as a showcase rider, compe ng alongside team veterans Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec. With 42 wins to her credit, Sampey is the most successful female compe tor in motorsports, and has undoubtedly been one of the fiercest rivals of the Harley-Davidson Vance & Hines crew over the years. Beginning with the tradi onal Pro Stock Motorcycle season opener at the 50th annual Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatorna onals, Sampey will be featured as a showcase third rider on the Harley-Davidson Street Rod Pro Stock bike with plans to also compete at both of the Four-Wide events in Las Vegas and Charlo e, as well as the Southern Na onals at Atlanta Dragway. "It's surreal to be ge ng ready to race one of these Harleys a er lining up against them for so many years," said Sampey on news of the announcement. "I'm so mo vated to get out there and see what I can do on the same bike as Eddie and Drew." "I'm truly thrilled for Angelle to have this opportunity to run with us on the Harley-Davidson Street Rod," said Vance & Hines founder Terry Vance. "No ques on, Angelle has been one of the toughest riders we've ba led with for so many seasons out on the track. I have so much respect for her and what she has accomplished in this class, and I'm really looking forward to seeing her give the boys a run for their money on the Harley." Sampey made her professional debut in 1996 and collected three-straight championships from 2000-2002. During that me, she established a fierce rivalry with the Vance & Hines team, including then rider Ma Hines, who also captured three championships during his career. Sampey le the sport for nearly a decade in order to start a family but returned in 2015. Her most recent win came at the 2016 Englishtown event. With the addi on of Sampey, the Vance & Hines team now has three of most successful riders in the history of the class with Andrew Hines, Krawiec, and Sampey combining for 12 NHRA championships and 137 na onal event tles. DUCATI TO LAUNCH PRODUCTION ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE The Italian manufacturer's electric future was confirmed by CEO Claudio Domenicali at an event in Spain. DUCATI is 'not far' off launching its own electric motorcycle, the Italian manufacturer's CEO has revealed. Rumour of an electric Duca have been afoot since 2017, when Managing Director of Duca Western Europe Edouard Lo hé revealed plans for both an electric motorcycle and scooter by 2021. And now CEO Claudio Domenicali has confirmed Duca 's commitment to its electric future while speaking at a Motostudent event in Spain. "The future is electric, we're not far from star ng series produc on," he