Motorcycle Headlines: More Moto Commuters. Will Sales Boom Continue? Hydrogen-Powered Bike. More States May Allow Lane-Splitting.

Loud pipes draw laws. Cars ram riders on purpose. Helmet-law season. Callous cop gets suspension. Motorcycles in trees.

Soaring Gas Prices Fuel Drive to Motorcycles as Commuters
The spike in gasoline prices has more people turning to two-wheelers for their 40-plus-mpg fuel mileage, though past experience indicates the effect may be minor.
KOTV TV, OK
Marshfield News-Herald, WI
Jacksonville Daily News, NC
NorthJersey.com, NJ

How Long Can Motorcycle Sales Growth Continue?
Some see slowing already. Others think it could continue for another 10 to 15 years—until baby boomers start to quit.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI

Hydrogen-Powered Motorcycle Unveiled
On display in London's Design Museum, the Emissions-Neutral Vehicle (ENV) has a top speed of just 50 mph and a range of 100 miles.
Fuel Cell Today
Engadget
ExtremeTech
Platinum Today
Fuel Cell Works
Bellona, UK
Fuel Cell Works

Noise Annoyance Prompt Calls for Continued Bike Ban in Pennsylvania
A Pennsylvania Parkway that is closed to motorcycles may remain that way because locals don't want to deal with loud pipes, even though it means lost revenue.
Doylestown Central Bucks Life, PA

New Hampshire Moves Against Loud Pipes...
Unmuffled bikes will face fines starting at $200 and rising to $500, with jail time also possible.
Portsmouth Herald News, NH
Laconia Citizen, NH
Union Leader, NH

And Allocates $100,000 for Motorcyclist Safety
Most of it will be spent to remind other drivers to watch for motorcycles. According to the NHTSA (see link below), over half of fatal motorcycle accidents still involve another vehicle.
WNNE TV, VT
NHTSA Study

Other States May Permit Lane-Splitting
At the moment, California is the only state where it's legal, but Texas is considering legalizing lane-splitting. Washington's bill apparently has stalled.
San Bernadino Sun, CA

Teen Deliberately Rammed Father and Son Motorcyclists
He didn't know them, hadn't had any sort of altercation with them, just got mad during an argument with his girlfriend.
KOMO TV, WA (Original report)
AMA DirectLink
KOMO TV, WA

Colorado Riders Threaten Boycott of New Mexico Event After Charges Dropped in Fatal Crash
Two Colorado motorcyclists were killed by a teenager driving on a learner's permit. When charges against the 15-year-old were dropped and he was allowed to keep his driving privileges, ABATE of Colorado warned its members not to ride in New Mexico citing "several" similar incidents.
Albuquerque Journal, NM
ABATE of Colorado

Trooper's "Too Bad" Response to 911 Call about Rider's Deadly Crash Nets Suspension
A 911 call for help after a rider's crash that caused his death received a callous "too bad" reply and a hang-up from a Connecticut Trooper got the cop a 15-day suspension. Some think it's not enough, especially since the second call received a similar response—and no indication that help was on the way.
WTNH TV, CT
AMA DirectLink
Wired News

Helmet Laws on State Legislature Agendas
The annual confrontation over mandatory helmet use is underway.

In Michigan, the helmet law appears likely to be diluted, even though most voters favor it:
Lansing State Journal, MI
Michigan Journal, MI
MLive, MI
Lansing State Journal, MI
Detroit News, MI

Nebraska bill would loosen its helmet law:
KETV TV, NE
Yankton Daily Press, SD

Nevada motorcyclists want to ride uncovered:
Las Vegas Sun, NV
WRNV TV, NV

Motorcycle in Tree Causes Problems
Art or nuisance?
News and Observer, NC

More Drivers Using Cell Phones
Of course, after being run off the road a couple of times, you probably already knew that.
NHTSA Site

If you have questions or comments about the stories referred to here or know of an article or event that you think we should include, email Motorcycle Cruiser's web editor at Art.Friedman@primedia.com or at ArtoftheMotorcycle@hotmail.com.