Bikers make annual ride into Olympia
Sunday, January 20, 2008 11:35 AM PST
By Stephanie Mathieu
Printable version
E-mail this articleOLYMPIA -- The rebels of the road roared up to the State Capitol for their annual "Black Thursday" visit to the Legislature, protesting helmet laws, proposed sobriety check points and a measure they say unfairly profiles bikers.
Some 400 members of 11 different motorcycle clubs from across Washington stood casually outside the Capitol building proclaiming their causes. Wearing jeans and black jackets, they provided a sharp contrast to the state's snappily dressed elite.
"They just pass bills thinking it's for our own good," said Bill Peppers of Longview, a member of Cowlitz County ABATE, which stands for American Bikers Aimed Towards Education.
Pacific County ABATE leader Lenny Pletsch of Naselle stood nearby puffing a cigarette.
ABATE also stands for A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments, and this year bikers are fighting several pieces of legislation they say are unfair and heavy-handed:
-- A gang-prevention bill allowing police to arbitrarily pull over bikers traveling together.
-- Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposal for "sobriety check points" to cut down on drunk driving accidents.
"My rights are more important than her catching a couple drunks," Pletsch said.
The group, which opposed the state's mandatory motorcycle helmet law, is trying to derail a proposal to require motorcycle riders to wear full-face helmets rather than the "beanie buckets" they typically sport, Peppers said.
"Let those who ride decide," said Gil Carter of Kelso, reciting one of his group's mantras.
The group supports a bill to let bikers turn left through a red lights after yielding to traffic because motorcycles often aren't heavy enough to trip signal sensors.
Pletsch said Black Thursday -- so-named because bikers usually gather at the Capitol on the first Thursday of each legislative session -- has been successful.
"If it didn't work, we wouldn't be here."
Learning the ropes
Newly appointed state Rep. Jaime Herrera, R-Ridgefield, says her strategy this session is to listen and learn.
She didn't file any bills her first week in Olympia, but the 18th District representative she will propose some healthcare legislation before the 60-day session ends.
Following the governor's State of the State address Tuesday, Herrera said she's still trying to get a grasp for the tradition and nuances of the Legislature. Sitting in nearly the front row during the address, Herrera said she wasn't sure when to clap for Gregoire and when to hold her applause as a way to support fellow Republicans.
So far, she has supported seven bills, most of which crack down on sex offenders.
Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, a friend of the family who has served as a mentor to Herrera, said the new representative has great potential.
"But it does take time for somebody to learn the process," he said Thursday, adding that Herrera only has been at the job four days. "I think she'll do an excellent job."
Local clout
Lawmakers are in their brainstorming stage, when their committees decide what bills pass on for full House or Senate consideration.
Locally, the 18th and 19th districts could have the most power in:
-- Natural resources: Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, is the vice chairman of the Senate Natural Resources, Oceanic and Recreation Committee; Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, is chairman of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee, on which Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, also serves.
-- Transportation: Rep. Dean Takko, D-Longview, and Herrera are on the House Transportation Committee.
-- Taxes: Hatfield and Zarelli are on the Ways and Means Committee, and Zarelli is the ranking minority member. Orcutt is the ranking minority member on the House Finance Committee.
-- Economic development: Zarelli is the ranking minority member on the Senate Economic Development, Trade and Management Committee; Hatfield is vice-chairman of the Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Committee.
-- Technology: Herrera and Takko are on the House Technology, Energy and Communications Committee.
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