Active Legislation
How does the Charlotte CBA affect legislation?
Charlotte CBA works with law makers at the state level to introduce legislation that will help protect all riders in the state of North Carolina. Not only do we work with legislators on safety matters, we also lobby and advocate for legislation that gives motorcycle enthusiasts more freedoms.
2023 Legislative Agenda
Road Guard Certification Course
On any given day, we can see large groups of motorcyclists riding to raise funds for charities, for local community members, or in funeral processions. Depending on the location and number of riders, a police escort may be required. This takes our law enforcement agents away from doing what they do best — protecting and serving our communities.
In Minnesota, for instance, the Road Guard Certification Program instructs and certifies riders to take the place of those police escorts. It is a one-day course, provided at a small fee per person. The course also would provide an endorsement on that driver’s license, indicating they received the proper training as a Certified Road Guard.
We at the CBA are capable, qualified, and ready to provide this course. We do have several non-profit groups (including law enforcement agencies) who wish to take part in this educational endeavor with us. There will be no cost to the state. We ask for no funds, nothing other than the legislation providing this opportunity to motorcyclists.
Motorcycle Awareness Education in Defensive Driving
Statistics are changing. It is no longer teens, but middle and older ages causing most collisions. And people who offend and re-offend are most likely to cause a fatal collision. Often those offenders will, at the behest of the court or voluntarily, take a driver improvement course (also called defensive driving), offered at commercial driving schools, to remove points or demerits.
We at LookTwiceNC have been teaching teen drivers how to “Share the Road” with all vehicles for over 30 years — nearly 500,000 drivers live, in-person. Just as SL2011-145 requires this education for all drivers’ education students, let’s require it for adults taking defensive driving courses. Again, this is free education. We will provide live instructors where available and videos/links elsewhere.
Lane Filtering
Lane filtering is not to be confused with lane-splitting, which is when a rider travels between lanes on a white or yellow line. Lane filtering, however, is a proven method that saves lives.
While motorcyclists are most often hit because a vehicle turns in front of them, the secondary cause of collisions is rear-end crashes. People simply do not see us. We need the ability to protect ourselves. At a traffic stop or traffic jam, lane filtering would permit a motorcyclist to filter to another lane, in between, or to the shoulder area, to avoid being rear-ended.
Motorcycle Equal Access
Many public parking garages, built with taxpayer funds, are not accessible to motorcycles. Motorcycles are vehicles, must have registration, and must obey the same rules and laws as cars. However, at those public parking garages, the gates will not register for them, the parking attendants will not permit access, and there is no motorcycle parking.
We seek equal access to the buildings our taxes have funded.
Recent Accomplishments
Right-of-Way Protection for Motorcyclists
CBA/ABATE of NC racked up a major victory in the 2011 Session with the enactment of House Bill 113 (SL2011-361), a bill that significantly increases the penalties for crowding a motorcyclist out of his/her lane or causing injury to the motorcyclist. This bill was introduced at the request of and was actively supported by CBA/ABATE.
No More Motorcycle-Only Checkpoints
CBA/ABATE scored another major victory with the enactment of House Bill 381 (SL2011-216), legislation that prevents law enforcement agencies from establishing patterns for vehicle stops at checking stations based on a particular type of vehicle. This bill was actively supported by CBA/ABATE of NC.
More Protection from Drunk Drivers
CBA/ABATE successfully supported Senate Bill 16 (SL2011-16), expanding authority to acquire blood samples in alcohol-related death-by-vehicle cases, and House Bill 49 (SL2011-191), which mandates active jail time for DWI offenders with three or more grossly aggravating factors and provides enhanced penalties and permanent license revocation.
Face Mask Bill
The most recent accomplishment was in the 2019 session: HB 257 / SB 321 Face Mask Bill. Previously it was illegal in NC to wear a mask covering your face. This bill, which has been signed into law, exempts motorcyclists from not wearing face masks due to cold weather.
Expansion of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Training
At the request of CBA/ABATE of NC, House Bill 200, enacted as SL2011-145, included a provision that requires drivers education instruction to include at least one hour of motorcycle safety awareness.
Helmet Exemption for ATV Users & Awareness Signs
CBA/ABATE of NC successfully supported H 407, enacted as SL2011-68 — providing helmet exemptions for eligible ATV operators off public streets or on beaches as described in that law.
CBA/ABATE also successfully supported the use of DOT electronic message signs to deliver motorcycle awareness messages.