Bill 117 is a new proposed law in Ontario. It prohibits passengers under 14 years of age on motorcycles.
"No person shall drive or operate a motorcycle on a highway if another person under the age of 14 years is a passenger on the motorcycle."
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On December 4, 2008, Private members Bill 117, An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit riding a motorcycle with a child passenger under 14 years of age was debated. There was a voice vote and it was determined that the "Yes" voice vote had it so the bill has passed and will move on to Justice committee.
Continued pressure on local MPPs over the next week could also help if we want this bill to silently go away and not be added to the list of Bills that will be kept alive for the next session.
Biker Radio Magazine conducted an interview with MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek about Bill 117. Click here to listen to the interview (MP3 format, 11 MB).
Listen to what MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek had to say about her motives for attempting to pass Bill 117. A proposed law that would make it illegal for anyone 14 years old or younger to ride as a passenger on the back of a motorcycle.
She was interviewed by Ken on Biker Radio Magazine. If you would like to hear the show in its entirety , it is 'Show 55'.
She admits that she does not know where the statistics from 'Smart Risk' came from i.e. ATV's, dirt bikes, etc.
As a motorcycle community, we need to band together to stop injustices to our sport. Please tell all the motorcyclists you know to send their MPPs letters asking them not to support Bill 117.
Bill 117 was introduced as a Private Member's Bill in the Ontario Legislature on Oct. 27, 2008, by MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek, a Liberal member representing Oak Ridges-Markham who is also Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Promotion. She was previously Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Region of York for 18 years until her election to the Legislature in 2007. In other words, she might have enough pull to get this law passed. Second reading is Dec 4.
Basically she wants a law that makes it illegal for anyone under the age of 14 to be a passenger on a motorcycle in Ontario.
Family trips and riding memories are in jeopardy, economic options of commuting would be restricted, Ontario tourism from family riders would likely be impacted and worst of all, the General Manager of Canada's Safety Council has even written Ms. Jaczek, the Premier and the Minister of Transportation stating that there is no statistical evidence to support this legislation.
This proposed law applies to Ontario, but if it passes it could spread to other provinces.
For those out of province, what happens if you have your child on the back while passing through Ontario and a police officer stops you. For sure you would not be allowed to travel by bike with your child, leaving you stranded at the side of the road.
Here is a good article, written by the Toronto Star Wheels editor, that was in the Saturday Star.
You can help! Please write your MPP. Remember, a letter to an MPP does not need a stamp.
The addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses for all members of the Legislature can be found at www.ontla.on.ca. Send them an email or write a letter to them.
There is a petition form available for download on the Brittan Appraisals web site.
Thanks to:
Duke's Harley-Davidson and Brittan Appraisals.
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