The Texas Legislative Session is over and we now have new helmet laws, yay. I like helmet laws about as much as I would like sniffing a wet fart, but these are actually in our favor as bikers. Either someone in Austin was listening, or they are just sympathetic, either way the new laws that became effective as of September 1, 2009, are in my opinion, a blessing. Here's a link to the states website and the page that details all of the new changes. www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/analysis/html/SB01967I.htm. I want y'all to read this because it also has other changes as well, they just don't apply to this article.

The old laws basically said that a biker could go without a helmet if he either (1) Had completed a motorcycle safety course, or (b) Had 10,000 dollars of health insurance coverage to counter the cost of any accident related injuries, then that rider could purchase an exemption sticker. As revised now, a biker can "legally" go without a helmet only if he has 10,000 of insurance, and they did away with the exemption sticker. The Motorcycle Safety course is no longer an exemption, it's required to receive a new license. Notice I said, new license. If yours lapses, and you go to get the "M" endorsement again, you have to take the course, just like any snot-nosed kid right outta high school, or anyone else for that matter, will have to do the same thing to get his or her first motorcycle license.

To best serve people with diabetes in our community and ensure the best possible biker event experience, it has been decided to postpone Rip's BAD Ride. This allows us to continue to provide diabetes resources and services in Northern California and the resources to plan for a future BAD Ride.

if you have any questions, please call 916-924-3232 ext. 7403

American Diabetes Association
Cure. Care. Commitment.


Visit us at http://diabetes.org
Or Call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383)