Blog: Posts in Gear

MMA Legislative Agenda For 2011

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:41:52 +0000

The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association has released it's legislative agenda for 2011 and The Motorcycle Lawyers would like to highlight a few of the issues we find important for you. The first is called SD1694 The Motorcycle Safety Fund Bill, it's purpose is to recreate a secure fund for motorcyclists in Massachusetts that would be separate from the "General Fund." The second is called SD1699 The Helmet Choice For Adults Bill, it's purpose is to simply provide adults the freedom to choose whether or not to wear a helmet while riding their motorcycle. The third is SD1545 The Motorcycle Safety Training Bill, it would provide junior motorcycle training at no cost to the Commonwealth. The last one that we'd like to explain today is SD681 The Right Of Way Bill, this would provide harsher consequences for motorists who invade a riders travel lanes, which could cause serious injury or death. The Motorcycle Lawyers represent bikers all over Mass. including cities like Boston and Hingham.

Roof Collapse At MA Harley Dealership

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:38:42 +0000

The roof of Tibby's Harley-Davidson in Springfield, Mass. collapsed early Wednesday evening. Luckily, the only person inside the building at the time was co-owner Kathy Thibodeau, who was not injured. The roof of this two-story building was covered with snow and the weight brought the roof down into the second floor, all the motorcycles are housed in the first floor and none of them were damaged. For safety reasons, the bikes have been moved to an adjacent building. The Motorcycle Lawyers represent bikers in cities all over Massachusetts including Springfield and Cambridge.

Mass. Motorcycle Lover Opens Own Shop

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 12:28:49 +0000

Robert Williams of Orleans, MA has loved motorcycles since he bought his first Suzuki when he was 17 (in 1972). His fun was short-lived, though, because he decided to spend time raising his family and became a carpenter. Now, almost 40 years later, his kids are grown and he decided to rekindle his passion for motorcycles. He spent 18 months in Arizona attending a school for motorcycle mechanics and has come back to Mass. to open his own motorcycle shop called Flatheads to Fatheads. The shop is set to open full-time April 1st. The Motorcycle Lawyers represent injured bikers all over Massachusetts including cities like Orleans, Brewster and Chatham. Feel free to call us anytime for advice at 1-877-BIKERLAW

MMA 2011 Raffle Bike

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:47:49 +0000

For all our fellow Mass. bikers, The Motorcycle Lawyers would like to remind you to register to win the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association's 2011 Raffle Bike! This year they will be giving away a 2011 H-D Road Glide in Custom-Sedona Orange! Tickets are only $20 a piece and can be found at http://www.massmotorcycle.org/content.aspx?page_id=586&club_id=769540&item_id=1391 Only 2500 tickets will be sold so act now!

MMA Supports Call To Action

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:18:10 +0000

The Motorcycle Lawyers have been informed that the MMA (Massachusetts Motorcycle Association) is supporting a Call To Action, released by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) at the beginning of January. Many of our fellow bikers may recall the outrage of our Motorcycle Safety Fund being used for non-motorcycle projects, well this is a similar situation. Changes have been proposed to the Highway Trust Fund that would no longer allow States to oversee and plan highway projects, therefore, using our (the taxpayers) money for whatever they please, including non-highway projects. Voting on this proposal was supposed to have taken place on January 5th but as of now there is no update as to the result. For more information on this Call To Action and to learn how you can help visit www.mrf.org

Springfield, MA Bike Show

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:33:25 +0000

The Motorcycle Lawyers want to make sure that all our fellow bikers know about an upcoming motorcycle show in Springfield, January 21-23. Winters in Mass. make most of us bikers long for the open road so this is a perfect way to get your motorcycle fix until the weather breaks. Tons of manufacturers, builders and retailers will be there showing off and adding to this fun atmosphere. All riders and enthusiasts are welcome. The show will be hosted at the Eastern States Exhibition, 1305 Memorial Avenue in West Springfield, MA. Cost is $15 for adults and $5 for kids ages 12-5, kids 5 and under are FREE. Get full details at http://www.osegmotorcycle.com/ We hope to see you there!

MA Bikers Get In Gear For The New Year

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:36:22 +0000

The Massachusetts Motorcyclists' Survivors Fund is an organization that raises money for families who have lost loved ones due to motorcycle accidents. The money raised can go to funeral arrangements, bills or just simply to help until life insurance money kicks in. In order to keep the funds going, this group holds events year round. They already kicked off the New Year by having a motorcycle run on New Year's Day, their 10th Annual "First Ride of The Season." Next, the MMSF will host a bike night with the help of their friends the Aces & Eights RC on Saturday, January 15th from 7pm-11pm. They ask for a $5 donation for food and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy themselves! To learn more about the MMSF and their events visit http://www.massmsf.org/index.html

If you go to any of the MMSF events let The Motorcycle Lawyers know about it!

Motorcycle Expo in Boston

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:18:15 +0000

The Motorcycle Lawyers want to make sure all our fellow bikers know that January 29th and 30th the Northeast Motorcycle Expo will be in Boston, Mass. for the 9th year in a row! Doors open at 10am both days, ending at 7pm Saturday and 5pm Sunday. The expo is being held at the World Trade Center in Boston. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for kids 12 and under. To learn more about this exciting biker event go to www.kevmar.com or call 978-688-8888 and ask for Ryan. No Massachusetts motorcyclist should miss this event!

Congrats MMA

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:34:44 +0000

The Motorcycle Lawyers would like to congratulate the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association (MMA) on receiving a Legislative award at the 2010 MRF Meeting of the Minds. They have been recognized for their achievements in defeating multiple Bylaws and Noise Ordinances against bikers throughout the state of Massachusetts this year. Keep up the good work!

Fatal MA Motorcycle Accident

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 14:14:59 +0000

Saturday night, Route 190 in Worcester, MA was closed for nearly 2 hours. This, unfortunately, is because a man lost control of his 2010 Harley-Davidson and crashed in to a guardrail. After being taken to the U Mass Medical Center he was pronounced dead. Very few details about this fatal accident are unknown but The Motorcycle Lawyer would like to remind everyone that when riding a motorcycle safety is NUMBER 1! Also, Massachusetts law requires riders and passengers to wear a DOT approved helmet so please remember to do so.

Serious Motorcycle Crash in MA

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:35:21 +0000

Unfortunately, The Motorcycle Lawyers received news today of another serious motorcycle/car crash on the Mass. roadways. On Route 95 in Lexington a car slammed into a motorcycle, sending them both to the hospital. The accident happened last night around midnight and we've yet to receive word on the cause of the crash. We'd like to take this time to remind all our fellow bikers to always wear proper safety gear so you can be protected in the event of an accident.

The Basics of the Mass. Helmet Law

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:21:23 +0000

Massachusetts is one of 20 states in the U.S. that has a Full Mandatory Helmet Law. The law states that every person operating and/or riding a motorcycle (including in a sidecar) is required to wear "protective head gear." The helmet must be "conforming with such minimum standards of construction and performance as the registrar may prescribe..." which basically means that the state of MA will set a minimum standard with which the safety helmet must comply. The fine in Massachusetts for riding a motorcycle without a helmet is $35.

Helmet laws are a very controversial subject among bikers. Whether you agree or disagree, the current law is that you must be wearing a helmet while riding in Mass. so The Motorcycle Lawyer encourages all bikers to do so.

To learn more about MA helmet legislation visit http://www.wibig.com/extra/offsite/helmetlaws.html

Mass. Bikers Holiday Party

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:33:43 +0000

Are you a motorcycle rider in Massachusetts? Then The Motorcycle Lawyer wants to make sure you don't miss the MMA's (Massachusetts Motorcycle Association) annual holiday party this year! You don't have to be a member to come and enjoy the festivities; this party is open to the public. Tickets are only $30 a person which includes dinner and entertainment. Also, the MMA has arranged for discounted rooms to be available for guests at the Day's Inn in Chicopee, MA near the party. For more information and to purchase you tickets go to www.MassMotorcycle.org

Bruins/Aerosmith Bike Raffle

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:51:47 +0000

Guess what the Motorcycle Lawyer just heard... The Boston Bruins and Aerosmith front man, Steven Tyler have teamed up to create a one of a kind motorcycle! The Dirico motorcycle will be on display at the TD Garden for every Bruins home game and then will be auctioned off on March 31, 2011. Tickets for the raffle can be purchased at the Bruins' Raffle website and all the proceeds will go to The Bruins Foundation. http://www.nhlalumniraffles.org/Raffles.aspx?id=100 Check it out and learn more about the bike!

New Law for Massachusetts Drivers

jason@motorcyclelawyersmassachusetts-ma.com (Jason Waechter) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:19:38 +0000

The Motorcycle Lawyer wants to remind everyone that as of September 30, 2010 the "Safe Driving Law" is in effect in Massachusetts. This law bans all texting while driving and also makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 18 use their cell phone at all while driving. As many bikers know a distracted driver creates a HUGE risk for motorcyclists as we are already much more vulnerable on the road. A first offense will result in a $100 fine which increases with every offense within the next 12 months, however, these charges will not increase your Mass. insurance costs.

Although many motorcyclist make it a general rule not to use cell phones while on their bikes, the riding season is coming to a close so The Motorcycle Lawyer would like to encourage everyone to ride/drive with caution and always LOOK TWICE!

Helping Your Fellow Bikers

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:35:55 +0000

Most bikers will agree that the unfortunate downside of hitting the open road on your motorcycle is the increased risk of being in an accident. Fortunately though, there are many courses popping up all over the country to teach bikers how to react in the case of a crash. The Motorcycle Lawyer has heard about a class that starts this fall in Massachusetts. On October 23, 2010 "Crash Course for the Motorcyclist" will be held at the Merrimac Fire Station on Main St from 8:30am to 4:30pm. This course is a pre-requisite for the advanced course called "Advanced Bystander Assistance" which will be held November 7, 2010 from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the Merrimac Fire Station. To register for these courses or to find out more information you can call 978-346-9760 or email

gail@accidentscene.org

Safety Courses for Biker Teens

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:50:03 +0000

In August, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed new legislation stating that all prospective motorcycles riders between the age of 16 and 18 MUST take a safety course before applying for their junior operator's license. The Massachusetts Motorcycle Association backed this legislation because, much like The Motorcycle Lawyer, they feel very strongly about the need for all motorcycle riders to be educated on biking safety. The bill has been named "Ryan's Bill" after a Massachusetts teen who was killed in a motorcycle accident. Before now, young riders were only required to pass a vision test and written exam. Statistics state that in the past 10 years almost 25% of all fatal motorcycle crashes in Massachusetts involved bikers under the age of 21. To find one of the 15 locations offering the safety course you can call your local Department of Transportation.

Regaining Motorcycle Funding

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:06:10 +0000

Massachusetts bikers have been told for some time that the money they pay to register their motorcycle with the state of Massachusetts will go, in part, into a "Motorcycle Safety Fund." At the beginning of this year the MMA (Massachusetts Motorcycle Association) discovered that the Governor of Massachusetts had "reformed" this law and was using this money for other things. Safety for Massachusetts bikers is extremely important and this money was supposed to go solely to them. As a result, the MMA has filed a complaint against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts stating that all the money taken from motorcycle registration from 2000-2010 must be accounted for and returned to the Motorcycle Safety Fund. MMA Chairman Dave Condon stated "Our number one mission is to protect the motorcyclists of this state. This is their money and we will not back down." To learn more about what the MMA is doing to help all bikers in Massachusetts visit www.massmotorcycle.org

An App That Let's You Work On Your Bike?

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:21:15 +0000

Access over 8 million parts in the palm of your hand.

Now there's a free application for Bikers with smart phones. A product called BikeBandit.com allows you to view diagrams of motorcycle parts and then order the parts you need all while standing next to your bike. The application offers OEM parts and after-market solutions. Just go to the App Store on your phone and search "motorcycle parts." www.bikebandit.com