Riders tell Yamada to forget smog bill
Posted by ABATE - Local 27 (admin) on Oct 03 2009
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Motorcycles riders are hoping lawmakers steer clear of a state Senate bill that would put extra smog regulations on their bikes.

That's the message Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada got Sunday as she attended an ABATE meeting in Vacaville, to listen to input from riders opposed to the bill.

ABATE (American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) members had attended Yamada's town meetings in the last few months, trying to get her to pay attention to the bill and finally convincing her to meet with the group face-to-face.

"The environment is key, but I haven't made a decision on the bill," Yamada said in front of almost 100 ABATE members Sunday morning. "I wasn't sure why any group would want to follow me around. But for the sake of the environment I am here. ... I will make a decision based on what is best for the most people."

The bill, SB 435, authored by Senator Fran Pavley, D-Santa Monica, would be retroactive to 2000 and would require that all motorcycles be smog-checked every two years.

Currently the Department of Consumer Affairs exempts motorcycles from being checked until the department implements test procedures applicable to motorcycles.

The smog-check program under SB 435 would begin Jan. 1, 2012, and would impose a state-mandated local program that would not be reimbursed by the state.

Several questions were asked, including how much the program would cost.

"The cost to implement and conduct a motorcycle smog-check program will cost
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California more than the value of the emissions it's estimated to save," read a flier distributed during the meeting. It also noted that "motorcycle owners will undoubtedly have to replace any non-stock emissions parts that were installed to improve performance and fuel economy."

There are other potential bumps in the legislative road. They include the fact that the bill would be retroactive and questions who should be responsible for having an environmentally safe bike.

Some in attendance agreed that, if the bill passes, the retroactive part should be voided, while others said the state should consider going to bike manufacturers instead of "penalizing" people who have already bought a bike.

The flier also noted that motorcycles constitute less than 3 percent of the total number of vehicles in California and travel less than 25 percent of the rate, on average, compared to cars and trucks.

Yamada said the group brought up interesting points that deserve consideration. She also said that because the bill is a two-year bill, the issue won't be brought back for a vote in the Legislature until next year.

"It's always good to get input from the people most affected," she said after the discussion. "I've been given useful information direct from the source."

She also added that everyone should share responsibility to keep the environment clean, but said she is willing to work with people on figuring out where the limit is.

"I want to achieve a win for the larger community good," she said.

Vincent Garrett, president of the Napa Solano Iron Riders, said having Yamada at the meeting was positive.

"We're not going to stop until a decision is made," he said. "We'll keep hitting her with statistics and facts."

He added, "I believe we already do our part environmentally."

Meanwhile, ABATE member Greg Coppes said the meeting also served another purpose.

Coppes told the group that probably the most important reason for Yamada coming to the meeting was to show that, "Motorcycle clubs are not street gangs."

Last changed: Oct 03 2009 at 4:38 PM

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