Continued From Page 1
MORE AMMUNITION FOR THE LOUD PIPES SAVES LIVES DOCTRINE–Electric Cars Are So Quiet, They Could Be A Safety Hazard. GM Works With The Blind To Develop Possible Solution.
Electric cars might change the world, or at least drastically change how we fuel our vehicles. Putting a charge into our “tank” instead of a few gallons of fossil fuel will not only shift our dependence on foreign oil, it will bring out unintended changes to our daily drivers that might end up creating additional challenges.
Since there aren’t any “charge stations” like there are gas stations, most electric vehicle antogonists point to a problem with range. That is to say, where will we fuel them? It’s difficult to consider how you’d get an electric car started if you were in the middle of nowhere with no charge (a spare tank of fuel is transportable, while they haven’t yet invented an extension cord that stretches down the highway).
But one group that’s speaking up makes us realize that we haven’t fully considered the massive changes associated with moving from internal combustion engines to electric propulsion. Since electric motors are incredibly quiet, they’re almost imperceptible on the road from an ambient noise perspective.
This lack of road noise ends up becoming a safety concern, especially for blind citizens who rely on sound as a primary sense when crossing roads and navigating streets.
If electric cars are too quiet, how will we know they’re coming?
GM, soon to launch their Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle, is working to help with this issue. Earlier this year they invited members of the National Federation of the Blind into their engineering studios to come up with a solution to the Volt’s soft-spoken motor.
“They are a group that relies on sound cues to travel,” said Doug Moore, GM’s vehicle performance engineer for the Volt. “And vehicles like the Volt have a drastically different sound cue, or nothing at all compared to traditional vehicles and they have a lot of good ideas about what we might do in the future.” GM invited several members of the federation to their Milford, Michigan proving ground to experience a sound the company is developing for use on the Volt, a vehicle that is extremely quiet at low speeds.
“We want it to be more of an ‘excuse me’ sound as opposed to a ‘hey you!’ sound,” said Andrew Farah, the Volt’s chief engineer. “And we also want something that is more automotive in nature. We don’t want it to sound like birds; we want it to sound like a car.”
The early version of this sound is similar to a short horn honk, almost like bit of Morse code played through an automobile horn.
The NFB is confident that in working with companies like GM they can develop a solution.
?We are confident electric vehicles can produce a safe and acceptable level of sound to alert blind pedestrians to their presence,? said John Par?, NFB executive director of strategic initiatives. ?We look forward to working with Chevrolet and GM to identify an appropriate sound that will alert pedestrians in the most effective and least disruptive way possible.?
GM is doing the right thing by thinking about these issues early on and, as the NFB points out, the sound solution that comes out of this process will benefit everyone, not just members of the blind.
By Reilly Brennen
AOL Auto.com
–from KC
BIKER SANTA SPREAD CHEER– A friend of mine just stopped by work to spread a little Christmas cheer. His name is Mike Dube and he lives in Palmyra. Every year no matter WHAT the weather is like ( today being 16 degrees ) he loads up his sidecar with toys he has bought over the year.
He rides the bike into downtown Rochester right into the hood and looks for any kids that are walking down the street and gives them a stocking loaded with all kinds of things. He also goes to several Childrens homes to help them out.
Yesterday he rode to Syracuse! He doesn’t have much money but he does what he can every year. Now THAT’S some Christmas Spirit right there!
–Guardrail
Rochester , NY
MRF REPORTS ON RARE SATURDAY SENATE SESSION– Washington DC Saturday, December 19, 2009 The US Senate passed a two month extension to the Highway bill in a rare Saturday Senate session. Just after the break of dawn, in the middle of one of Washington worst snow storms on record, the US senate passed a last minute extension of the Federal Highway programs.
The House passed a similar measure earlier this week. The extension was needed because current programs expired on Friday December 18th, the extension will fund the programs through February 28th 2010. The measure will fund important road programs for the next two months, which is good; however these stop gap spending bills barely keep the highway projects and programs on life support. What we need is the full 6-year Highway Bill that Chairman Oberstar has written.
However, with the House and Senate and Obama administration spending tax dollars on everything but Transportation, that seems unlikely. President Obama had threatened to veto the spending bill due to some other, non transportation issues. The President is not expected to follow through on those threats. The legislation also contains some defense spending, and an extension to the Patriot Act. The MRF will keep you informed on this issue.
SPRINGER EXTENSION SLUG MYSTERY– Any idea where a guy could have the extensions made? That is a great way to repair and lengthen springers. I have about four old fucked up one that could phoenix themselves off the welding table, if I could cop some. They are rolled some how I guess?
— FB
We reached out to some of our Bikernet connections. Rick from U.S. Choppers responded:
I have done a bunch on my table as you know and made the tooling a while back… you (I) have to make the insert pieces…. here’s some recent snaps
–Rick
DID YOU KNOW BIKERNET HAS A FARM? WE DO, BUT WON’T TELL WHAT THE CROP IS–Old Farmer’s Advice: Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered…not yelled.
Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain’t never gonna happen anyway.
Don ‘t judge folks by their relatives.
Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life.. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll enjoy it a second time.
Don ‘t interfere with somethin’ that ain’t bothering you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you’ll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin’.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin’ it back in.
If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around..
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
–from Jim Waggaman
EVERYTHING IN OUR STORE IS ON SALE THROUGH CHRISTMAS!–
Shoes & belts 25% Off!
Leather vests now $40-$54!
Biker clocks for $35, Great Gift!
Leather chaps on sale just $54-$74!
DOT full face helmets now $109-$124!
Ed Hardy and Miami Ink Shirts 20% Off!
Novelty helmets/Skull Caps from $39-$59!
Unique Biker Gifts; picture frames, biker flags, cookout aprons,
warm face and glove accessories!
Renegade Gift Cards are always a great gift for the Rider on your list, $5 to $50,000! Ladies, nothing will put a smile on your man?s face like a new motorcycle under the tree! (Well, almost nothing…)
Holiday hours are 9:30 to 6:30 daily, 9:30 to 3 on Christmas Eve. Visit our Dealership at I-20 & great Southwest Pkwy in Grand Prairie or tour our web site at; www.RenegadeCycles.com
Ride Like a RENEGADE!
2618 I-20 West, Grand Prairie, Texas 75052
At the NW Corner of I-20 and Great Southwest in Grand Prairie
Local 469-348-2222, Toll free 877-976-BIKE
Or visit us online at www.renegadecycles.com
BANDIT’S CANTINA SANTA ANSWERS HIS MAIL– Dear Santa, I wud like a kool toy space ranjur fer Xmas. Iv ben a gud boy all yeer.
Yer Frend, BiLLy
Dear Billy, Nice spelling. You’re on your way to a career in lawn care. How about I send you a fucking book so you can learn to read and write?
I’m giving your older brother the space ranger. At least HE can spell!?
— Santa
Dear Santa, I don’t know if you can do this, but for christmas, I’d like for my mommy and daddy to get back together. Please see what you can do.
Love, Teddy
Dear Teddy, Look, your dad’s banging the babysitter like a screen door in a hurricane. Do you think he’s gonna give that up to come back to your frigid mom, who rides his ass constantly? It’s time to give up that dream.
Let me get you some nice Legos instead.
–Santa
–from Chris T.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DELTA REGION WEATHER REPORT– Went out riding in the fog (which has had us riverfolk socked in for a few days) late today and caught this. I watched them putting it in place a few weeks ago. This is a HUGE statue was build entirely with rebar tied together, then strung with lights and hoisted into position over a gate in nearby Walnut Grove.
It’s another riverside community where artistic folk etch out a living about 10 miles upriver from us. It’s taller than all the surrounding buildings and has a spirit to it that awes folks. Drivers pull over to take pictures and just soak up the magic it emanates into the night.
Makes ya remember what Christmas is supposed to be about.
–River Rat
MJ Lloyd-Reynolds has invited you to the event ‘Hot New Daytona Bike Week 2010 Charity Event’ on BikersPost Central Florida!– I am using “Bikers Post” to help promote a friend’s new Daytona Bike Week 2010 charity bike show – bikini contest with great cash prizes! Please check this out.
Time: March 4, 2010 at 8am to March 6, 2010 at 7pm
City/Town: Daytona Beach, Florida
Organized By: Artistic Choppers – Children’s Miracle Network
Event Description: FREE BIKE WEEK BEACH PARTY – Custom Bike Show and Bikini Contest – March 4th & 5th during Daytona Bike Week 2010 at Americano Resort, 1260 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, FL 32118.
Please help me spread the word about this new charity event to benefit Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network …especially to bike builders interested in entering the custom bike show on Thursday, March 4th – $500 cash/best of show! Plus 3-day/2-night stay at Americano Resort to ALL top categories (8 categories) Bike registration ($20 fee) is 8 a.m. to Noon. ALL PARTICIPATING BIKE BUILDERS receive a FREE Bike Week T-Shirt.
Calling ALL Beautiful Women!! Win $300 first place or $100 second/third place in the Bikini Contest – Friday, March 5th! Live Music Both Days – FREE PARTY! OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! 50-50 drawing, Trophy Tattoo Contest, On-site vendors … Bikini Bike Wash! Proceeds go to the Children’s Miracle Network.
Then on Saturday, March 6th, Dan Haggerty will draw the LUCKY K-MOTO DRAGON CHOPPER WINNER.
Every year, Artistic Choppers builds a custom chopper for the Children’s Miracle Network, an organization that helped he and his wife, Gaylyn save the life of their young son, 13 years ago.
You will find more details at ArtisticChoppers.com.
CHRISTMAS WEEK KICK–OFF–You would think we might escape during this holiday week and relax, but no. We can’t. The bottom line: Take the Holiday off and have twice as much work waiting the following week. So here’s what on the loading dock for Christmas week. We are working on an exciting, sexy Girl of Bikernet from Gard Hollinger, of LA Chop Rods. For the free side of Bikernet we will post all of Gard’s new Products for 2010 and some teaser shots.
I believe we can step up and publish a new fiction from India this week. If I’m lucky I’ll kick off our Bonneville effort for 2010. The River Rat promised a report on the David Mann Chopperfest, and I’m working with an old bad ass on his story and metal art. I need to post Rebel’s tech on his 127-inch Shovelhead build. I should complete that project tomorrow. Doc Robinson is due to send me a feature from Australia. Can’t say Bikernet doesn’t reach around the globe.
I know more stellar content is in the wings, but I ran out of Jack Daniels last night. I need to hit a liquor store, so I can think straight again. Just mentioning whiskey inspired me. We watched the SmokeOut DVD the other night, and we will deliver a review. This story will blow your mind and it’s true. We watched the DVD about the long Road Cross country experience from the SmokeOut West in Cottonwood to North Carolina. When it was over, I flipped the channel to TCM, for my old movie fix. A B-rated Black biker flick was just starting. It was called the Darktown Strutters. Incredible. If you ever get a chance to see this flick, don’t miss it. It was the Animal House of black biker flicks. Wait a minute, this just in: Betsy covered the Glendale Toy run, and Ray Wheeler shipped his AMA Racers’ Banquet coverage, and it landed on my desk today.
So hang on for all the action covered on Bikernet next week. In the meantime party your asses off. We only get one week like this each year. And don’t forget the code of the west, Buy American, and if you can, support your H-D dealership (or give K&G a shot). They have some killer gifts.
Ride forever,
–Bandit
