Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/695454
WheelsOfGrace.com June/July 2016 33 campaign ads include snapshots of life-enriching moments, as well as the unique and unforgettable bonds of friendship that riders develop by riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. As the newest member of the Dark Custom lineup, Roadster combines modern performance and retro-inspired styling with premium suspension components, an air-cooled 1200cc V-Twin engine that delivers a strong pulse of mid-range torque and a profile reminiscent of vintage racing motorcycles from the 1950s and 1960s. "We wanted to give the Roadster some DNA from the high-performance KHR models of the mid-50s, and later Sportsters tuned for the drag strip," said Richards. "ose bikes had fenders cut to the struts, the small fuel tank, and were stripped to their bare essentials to achieve a singular performance purpose." e Roadster model will be offered in four color choices: Vivid Black with a charcoal denim pinstripe; Black Denim with a red pinstripe; Velocity Red Sunglo with a red pinstripe; and two-tone Billet Silver/Vivid Black with a burgundy pinstripe. To test ride a Roadster or any of the 2016 motorcycles, visit a Harley- Davidson authorized dealership or schedule a test ride online at H-D.com. Chaya Jacobs About Harley-Davidson Motor Company Since 1903, Harley-Davidson Motor Company has fulfilled dreams of personal freedom with cruiser, touring and custom motorcycles, riding experiences and events, and a complete line of Harley-Davidson® motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise, riding gear and apparel. For more information, visit www.h-d.com. OPTIONAL HELMET LAW FOR MOTORCYCLE RIDERS PASSES HOUSE COMMITTEE e decision to wear a seat belt when you drive a car is mandated by law. e decision to wear a helmet while operating a motor- driven cycle is also mandated by law. Both of these items have been proven to help save lives. A Louisiana House committee passed legislation to the full House that would change mandatory use of a helmet to an option. e bill that would allow any motorcycle rider over the age of 21 to choose whether or not to wear a helmet. Randy Postelwaite the president of the motorcycle group ABATE suggested that the helmets that are mandated do very little good for the rider. His group cites evidence that 31 other states currently have optional helmet laws. He believes Louisiana should become the 32nd state to adopt that policy. States that have a freedom of choice also have a smaller motorcycle fatality rate, that's from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. States with helmet requirements also have a higher number of severe neck and spinal injuries. Postelwaite also suggested in his comments to the Louisiana Radio Network that a helmet-optional law could provide an economic boost to the state's tourism industry. He believes motorcycle rallies would become more common in Louisiana if the choice to wear a helmet was le up to the rider. "Helmets are not the answers, other states have proven that. Louisiana needs to support increased motorcycle awareness and education, putting out share the road signs. is is how Louisiana should support protected citizens" said Randy Postelwaite. Meanwhile John LeBlanc feels the repeal of a mandatory helmet law would be a deadly decision by the legislature. LeBlanc who is Executive Director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission told reporters that he believes a helmet-optional law would add additional deaths to Louisiana's highway fatality rate over the next ten years. Governor John Bel Edwards supports LeBlanc's assessment and is on the record as opposing this legislation. LANE SPLITTING ONE STEP CLOSER TO REALITY IN OREGON e state of Oregon is one step closer to becoming the second U.S. state to allow motorcycle lane splitting. A bill that would allow the riding technique under certain conditions was passed by the Oregon Senate. e bill will now go to the Oregon House of Representatives for final approval. Passing the Senate comfortably with an 18-10 bipartisan majority (11 Democrats and 7 Republicans), the bill would allow rather limited lane splitting in the Beaver State. Riders would be allowed to lane split only when surrounding traffic is stopped or moving at less than 10 mph, and only on roads with a posted speed limit of 50 mph or more. Riders would not be allowed to split lanes at speeds any greater than 20 mph, nor would they be allowed to ride between two lanes going in opposite directions. California is presently the only U.S. state where lane splitting is officially allowed, though the technique is nominally tolerated in certain East Coast cities. Oregon state senators credited effective and intelligent campaigning by supporters for the bill's success in the Senate. Advocates will now turn their efforts to educating members of the Oregon House of Representatives. Lane splitting, also known as "lane sharing" or "filtering," is the act of riding between lanes of cars. When done effectively and intelligently, the riding technique has been shown to help decrease traffic congestion, as well as a rider's risk of being the victim of a rear-end collision. e practice is common in most countries around the world and is seen as one of the major benefits of motorcycling in the traffic-choked cities of Europe and Asia. Recent years have seen an increasing number of riders calling for the technique to be allowed in the United States, and within just the past few months, lane splitting bills have Industry Industry Industry Industry Industry Industry