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EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DIRECTIVE ALERT: I don't think anyone with a restored classic car, or for that matter without a restored classic car, could be against protecting the environment. Highways littered with discarded plastic cups and other modern junk don't improve the looks of the countryside. With these ideals in mind, the European Parliament based in Strasbourg passed a law called (ELV) End of Life Vehicles. After vehicles pass a certain age they are to be scrapped and not recycled or restored as happens to many old cars. This law also affects MOTORCYCLES in many countries. You say, OH, IT'S JUST IN EUROPE!! Don't be smug simply because you, Mr. or Ms. Biker, don't mess with old cars. Look around carefully at your next ride or rally and if you know the difference between the various models of Milwaukee Iron and other machines, count the number of bikes that are over 20 years old. Harley-Davidson is well known as the most recyclable motorcycle in the world and holds its value mainly because of that fact. Some Junker proposals have included motorcycles.

VENICE BEACH, CA: Here we go again folks. The Italian motor scooter Vespa (built by Piaggio) is invading our shores again and starting in California the land of the fad beginnings in this country. Rising fuel prices, clogged freeways and smog might be a good reason for some of the rest of us to save a bag full of coin and get one of these cute little critters for ourselves.

BRASILIA, BRASIL: China isn't the only country that's making hay while the sun shines when it comes to the motorcycle. Brazil's exports of motorcycles rose to 51,404 units in the first 10 months of the year (2000), a 94-percent increase over he same period of last year. I wish I could get that kind of interest on my piggy bank.

SUPERMAN HELPS LIAM NEESON WALK AGAIN: CHRISTOPHER REEVE is helping LIAM NEESON recover from a near fatal motorcycle crash. Neeson was riding his motorbike earlier this year when he slammed into a deer and shattered his leg - and he's still learning how to walk properly after the accident. After talking with Reeves on the phone Neeson said "He got my head in order."

JAKARTA: If you buy a motorcycle in Indonesia, watch out. Seems money isn't the only thing you can find that's counterfeit. Apparently there are fake motorcycles being sold here under the guise of legitimate Chinese manufacture. Hah! My boss Sam Hochberg likes odd bikes -- we should find him one of these scooters. It's right up his alley.

NEW HAMPSHIRE: UPI has sent out a copyrighted story that says a University of New Hampshire study blames that state's lack of a helmet law as the reason they have TWICE the national average of brain injuries in the "Live Free or Die" state (11% compared to 5% nationally, claims the report). I'd like to read that study -- and I'd also like to know if maybe NH has a LOWER rate of broken necks in motorcycle accidents there -- maybe they have a LOWER rate of paralyzed people. Maybe too, they have twice as many riders out there enjoying their Freedom of the Road. I'd like to know ALL those things, before setting up New Hampshire's freedom to ride as a target.

HANOI: When President Clinton was here in November, he gave a little talk to the embassy people there. He teased his new ambassador, Pete Peterson, because after Peterson was in the media rallying for his safety campaign there, he was nailed by a TV crew riding a motorcycle without a helmet! Maybe Pete Peterson has his heart in the right place.

GUNNY AGAIN: I keep telling folks that the best friends we have are our hard working AIM lawyers. That statement isn't entirely true. The best friend we have is RIDER TRAINING. Our AIM folks are there for us when we are involved in accidents. Get the training first and then if you're involved in an accident call 1-800-531-2424 for your nearest AIM Attorney. Sam Hochberg in Oregon can be reached at 503/224-1106 or if it's a toll call use 1-800-347-1106.


Keep the round side on the bottom,
Gunny, Oregon AIM Chief of Staff