How Deep Would the Ocean Be Without Sponges?

 

I've been writing this column for a couple years now, and all I've got to show for it is this lousy t-shirt and an undeserved rap (Record of Arrest and Prosecution) as the King of Rant & Rave.  My reputation has become so incredibly tarnished that ABATE of California Local 14 cornered me at the Freedom Rally in Sacramento and introduced me to their own up and coming rant & rave guy, “Bear”, saying, “Hey, you guys should like each other, you both like pissing on rattlesnakes.” Have I become that much of a stirrer of strife?  This month’s column might shock, surprise, and inspire you.

 

Now, I have no clue where Orinda, CA is, but I’m looking to MapQuest® the place for one reason; Orinda recently established 3 “MOTORCYCLES ONLY” parking spaces thanks to ABATE Local 15’s Life Member, Big Wayne.  Big was instrumental in working with the Orinda City Council and various city agencies to get ‘er done, and shares the secrets of his success with a few easy to follow steps;

• One or two people need to attend a city council meeting and ask to speak.
• Tell ‘em that parking in your city could be better and you have a solution for them.
• Tell ‘em that they need to use all the snips and bits of space not big enough for an RV or SUV, sometimes painted red, and use those slots for motorcycle and scooter parking.  
• Tell ‘em you know they can’t respond right now, but that you’ll contact them and set up a meeting.
• Go out and actually find those snips and bits of space and document them so you won’t be blind-sided when they ask where these spaces might be.

Wayne’s inimitable humor as a statesman then shines through, “Ask the politician how long it might take to get the parking spaces designated, then multiply that answer by TEN.”

 

What’s really cool is that the city went out and repainted the street with a little motorcycle riding stick figure. I’m pretty sure it’s the same stick-guy you see riding the wheel chair in handicapped slots, so he must be doing better these days. Never underestimate the therapeutic value of riding a motorcycle! Much thanks to Greg Howe for helping out with photos and such.  Theirs is a victory for ALL motorcyclists, especially when there are cities like San Jose and Sacramento which operate parking garages that don’t allow motorcycle parking at all.  However, thanks to Deacon and ABATE Local 25 of Sacramento, there is a half block of MOTORCYCLE ONLY parking in Old Sacramento, right next to the Pony Express statue. Old Sac is a great place to visit if you’re touring Nor-Cal, and now it’s incredibly easy to find a parking spot.  Again, we all benefit from the selfless efforts of the few.

 

Bakersfield, affectionately known as “Bikersfield” is the home of country music’s “Bakersfield Sound” thanks to legends Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. Bikersfield is only 4 hours away from me, and though I’ve ridden Highway 99 at least 100 times, I’ve only cruised downtown Bakersfield maybe once in my entire life.  ABATE Local 40 has provided me incentive to give Bakersfield another chance after working hard to establish TEN motorcycle only parking spots. Studebiker Steve gives credit to 2nd Ward Councilperson Sue Benham for initiating the process with the Council Committee, and to the Planning and Development Committee of the Council for approving this motorcycle friendly project for inclusion in the downtown parking plan. ABATE Local 40 received support from the AMA for this “trial program” which will yield even more spaces in the future should it prove successful. So, ride to Bakersfield and park your motorcycle downtown, sometime soon!

 

Oh, we still have a myriad of motorcycle issues before us, and all those sponges who fancy themselves as “riders”, in our sport merely to soak up some attention, will long remain smug and content in their custom painted fantasyland while the rest of us “little fish” do all the work; loud pipes, high handlebars, smog check, emissions tampering, lanesplitting, “Motorcycles OK” signs in the HOV lanes, an out of touch industry, getting the M$F out of OUR rider training program, HIPAA, discrimination, motorcycle AWARENESS month (NOT “Safety” month), ROW violations, inoperative traffic signals, slippery slurry seal, wondering where our SAFETEA-LU grant money went, charities that suck us dry every weekend, a rogue cop in Fremont that’s phishing for a civil suit, our own Quigley lawsuit and, oh yeah, that dreaded lid law. I’m sure my rant & rave style will return for next month’s article. Me and the Wild Child sorta switched places this month, so read her column if you came to this page expecting mine.

 

Those of you (lucky ones) who don't know me should exchange your pocket analysis of me for a more accurate portrayal - as being the stunningly handsome, sophisticated, worldly and extremely positive individual that I play on TV. Yeah, I rant a lot, but like a junior college swimming coach, it's only because I expect a whole lot better from our little swim team than we're puttin' out. To put it bluntly, it's sink or swim out here in the shark infested waters of Biker politics, and the sponges on TV and in the magazines ain’t helpin’ matters much. There are no floaties or waterwings in the rider's rights movement and I ain't wearin' any Coast Guard "Approved" floatation device, either.  I know, with certainty, that we can achieve anything we set our minds to, and I expect excellence on your behalf because, after all, you are a VOLUNTEER, and the job pays so well!  But don’t laugh. Throughout history, an atta-boy or a pat on the back has proven more valuable than gold, and simple praise often serves to inspire in strange, unexplainable ways. Simple praise for a job well done has won battles and built empires. So in keeping with the spirit of positive and simple praise, I dedicate this month’s column to all the “little fish” out there in the sea, who become big fish in our hearts and minds by swimming against the current for ALL of us, while the selfish sponges continue to lay at the bottom - trying to hoard all the water for themselves.

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Copyright © 2007 Splatt. Reproduction permitted with attribution

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