Oregon Motorcycle Riders Converge on Capitol

(SALEM, Ore.) - Motorcycle club members, independent riders and even non-riders alike came together in solidarity Monday to protect rights specific to bikers.

The first “call to action” by the US Defenders motorcycle group brought out over 70 bikes to the Oregon State Capitol on Monday making a positive statement of unity between clubs and independent riders. Quiet Mike, the Information Officer for US Defenders said he was pleased with the show of bikes, “It was an excellent turnout, the most motorcyclists we’ve had here for a long time.”

US Defenders is a movement formed from within motorcycle clubs from every state to implement and support motorcycle rights.

The grass roots organization is made up of a nationwide Confederation of Clubs, composed of state “citizen biker manpower” from Motorcycle Clubs and Coalition of Independent Riders (C.O.I.R) representatives.

Quiet Mike, who also serves as Vice-Chairman for Confederation of Clubs said this was a well-planned event.

“We set up in room 150 in the capitol so people could come and meet with their state representative or state senator. Several people set up appointments in advance, and they were able to express their concerns about how bikers’ rights are being affected.”

Some of the issues important to Oregon bikers include Senate bill 603 which affected firearms allowed on ATVs and motorcycles. That bill went back to committee.

“It was a poorly written piece of legislation,” Quiet Mike said, “but it’s important that our reps know we’re paying attention.”

Many people were there to discuss helmet laws, others for civil rights where profiling motorcycle club members is concerned, and, some brought up that deaths by vehicles should be regarded as crimes across the board, and the responsible party should receive more than just a traffic fine.

“It needs to be vehicular manslaughter,” Mike said. “When someone gets killed whether they’re walking, driving a truck, or riding a bike, the traffic infraction is inequitable for everybody. Motorcycles are not the only issue. If your mother, your sister, or your brother gets killed at a red light, it’s not a crime, it’s just a traffic fine.”

The motorcycle riders showed up in unison, to make their voices heard by their elected officials. They were organized, polite, and made a not-so-subtle statement that they are a large contingency – over 17,000 strong - within the state that stands together on policies that affect motorcycle enthusiasts of all types, ranges and ages.

Citizens in Oregon showed how a well-intentioned group can make a positive difference for their community, even if that community doesn’t fall within the stereotypical mainstream.

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Comments Leave a comment on this story.

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Little Bit September 14, 2010 2:51 pm (Pacific time)

Loud Pipes save lives... if you don't like it, go get your beer and your readers digest and find some other article to rant about that's worth your time and others :0)

V-twin thumper April 26, 2010 12:49 pm (Pacific time)

we who ride are two wheeled ground pounders appreciate you! well done and gett'er done compliments Bonnie King

jj February 26, 2010 11:45 am (Pacific time)

vic your an idiot. Did you not notice Mike Kondash? If you knew what you were talking about you'd know who that is.

RAW February 21, 2010 12:04 am (Pacific time)

Tip of the hat to Ya Bonnie,keep it up.

Vic February 19, 2010 7:07 am (Pacific time)

Who are "The US Defenders"?? What a stupid name....Funny how now every idiot who buys a stock Harley is now a "biker"...Were there any REAl motorcycle clubs there or just a bunch of beer-bellied posers? Were there any Gypsy Jokers, Brother Speed, Outsiders, Ravens? I doubt it.......

EDITOR: What's in a name? Yes, Vic...they were there, and a big part of the event. Maybe you can't see patches in the shots, but take a closer look. That's the point of the 'Confederation of Clubs', to bring them together for things like this.

Clint February 17, 2010 10:34 pm (Pacific time)

Man, I wish I'd known, I would have come down too. I've been riding on and off road since the late '70s. Great job on the report and well done to the people who organised the meet, looks like it went well.

Blind Mellon Chittlin - TUMC-NOMAD February 18, 2010 5:32 am (Pacific time)

Kudo's Bonnie! Outside the obligatory annual articles one sees about Toy Runs, this is one of the those rare pieces I can count on my other hand that was written from a postive perspective regarding motorcyclists in Oregon. Very well done - thank you.

Michelle February 17, 2010 7:17 pm (Pacific time)

Thank you...a job well done

Badman February 17, 2010 6:40 pm (Pacific time)

Nice piece Bonnie, good reporting

Daniel Johnson February 17, 2010 1:31 pm (Pacific time)

I live in a large city and living with such a concentration of people means that consideration for others is important. Consideration for others is not what we get with Harley riders. I live on a main thoroughfare and once spring hits and the bikes come out, it's the Harley riders who make all the noise. Why do they have to accelerate or decelerate in the middle of a block, except to make more noise--Look at me! Look at me! There are lots of other bikes that go by and they make no more noise than regular automobiles. Harley owners seem to have only one objective--to make as much noise as possible. If they just want to ride a bike, there's lots of quiet ones they can buy, but they choose the noisemakers.

Spring is near and it's going to be another disruptive spring and summer when I try to sit out on my balcony and enjoy a book and a beer as the anti-social Harley owners interfere with everyone's rights to have as quiet an environment as possible in a city setting.

Jeff Kaye~ February 17, 2010 12:44 pm (Pacific time)

I'm not a biker, per se, but that story made me want a Harley real bad. I had a dirt-bike as a kid; once jumped it into a tree. That's the extent of my wild biker ways -- but --- Great Story! That was awe-inspiring; nothing like the gut-thumping rumble of a Harley to get a body ready to roll. Nice to see bikers portrayed in an orderly, law-abiding gathering.

panhead ric r.b.m.c. February 17, 2010 12:01 pm (Pacific time)

thanx , bonnie

TATTOO USA February 17, 2010 10:27 am (Pacific time)

THANK YOU BONNIE KING,SO MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO.

Juls Wildish MC February 17, 2010 9:27 am (Pacific time)

Thank you Bonnie King for your article. You did a fine job. Black Monday was a great day!

THUMPER February 17, 2010 6:52 am (Pacific time)

very well done Bonnie King... my compliments...

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