Biker Lives Matter Inc. would like to announce the new 2022 Officers of the organization. We thank all the old officers for their sacrifices and commitment to our growing organization and know that the new officers will be just as committed in helping the organization grow to new levels promoting safety and awareness to all motorist across the country. We also would like to thank our members for joining and helping us promote Biker Lives Matter.

President – Rev John “Rogue” Herlihy

From… Bridgeport, CT

Lives… Palm Bay, FL

Do You Know Him or Of Him?

To many he is the person who has been taking photographs and writing articles for motorcycle publications since the late 60s under the name “Rogue” 

To others because in 2005 he was inducted in the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Freedom Fighter section for fighting for motorcycle rights. 

How about because he is an Ordained Minister and on March 1, 1975, he started Bikers Church in Bridgeport Connecticut. It was started to help bikers and the people they associated with.

Veteran, father, grandfather great grandfather, friend, brother to many others who have different mothers and so on.

He is a Biker and lives the lifestyle, works and has worked in many jobs that involve motorcycles, attends motorcycle and veterans functions and supports both while being involved in many humanitarian issues.

Now he has agreed to be the President of Bikers Lives Matter and work with others to lower the injury and death rate on our roads.

From… Bridgeport, CT

Lives… Jupiter, Fl moving to Ft. Pierce 

Graduated CCSU, B.A. in Political Science, Army combat medic training Ft. Sam Houston, TX, also various leadership and activist courses over following years 

Served overseas in the Army 71-74. In and after my service I’ve traveled to Thailand, South America, Central America, Africa, Europe. 

Been riding since late-60s. My first “legal” motorcycle was a 1965 used Police trike. 

Was a member of C.M.R. in CT in the 70s and rode with Don “Pappy” Pittsley, head of C.M.R. and John “Rogue” Herlihy protesting and fighting the helmet law in CT. Attended various helmet protests peaceful and antagonistic. Became an ordained minister by Rev Herlihy of Bikers Church in 1975 helping the biker community locally. 

Was co-founder of T.O.R.A.W., The Organization for the Rights of American Workers, which fought the bringing in of foreign temp workers for cheap labor taking American jobs from hourly and professional workers. Met with many state legislators and Congressional reps getting legislation at least introduced on state and federal levels to protect workers from getting displaced in their jobs. 

I’ve lost many close friends, brothers and acquaintances to motorcycle accidents caused by reckless driving, inexperience/inadequate training, drunk driving & drivers, careless drivers, laws that don’t adequately address these conditions and lack of awareness as to how to help people on the road at the time of a serious accident. 

I hope to be able to help Bikers lives Matter in organizing more safety awareness, training, seminars, activism with the past experience I’ve had as a medic, activist, over 50 years of motorcycle riding and love for my fellow motorcycle riders. 

Biker, Father, Disabled Amputee

From… Bridgeport, Ct

Lives… Melbourne, FL

Been on 2 wheels since I was 6

Born and raised around motorcycles, started riding minibikes when he was 6 and continued riding small bikes until he built his first Harley with his dad when he was 18. A former Operations Manager of a local aerospace facility when struck by a SUV making an illegal left turn into him, resulting in the loss of left foot on the scene in September of 2018, as a result 8 operations later he still cannot perform fulltime or part time work consistently. He has firsthand knowledge of what a victim can go through.

A family man with a dedicated work ethics. Highly skilled in business operations, ISO9000 and AS9100 practices, design, all aspects of manufacturing, computers, and software. He has agreed to join Biker Lives Matter as Treasurer to help the organization run smoothly and help promote it continually so that the injury, and death rates across the country can be lowered and make an impact on how the victim doesn’t suffer financially also due to relaxed laws of insurance coverage.

From… Roebling, NJ

 Lives… Tampa Bay, FL

 Let those who ride decide!

 Lead Instructor/Florida – Accident Scene Management/Bystander Assistance Program.

 On two wheels 39 years… Legally endorsed Motorcyclist 23 years

 Over the years, biker voices were heard across America!! The changes to restrictive laws didn’t happen overnight. The blood, sweat, and gears of bikers gone before us helped us pave the roads that we now ride on.  Helmet laws were modified in many states after many a protest and much lobbying and legislative change!!! The lifestyle evolved.  Motorcycle Safety and Awareness are infinitely important, now, more than ever!

 Motorcycle Safety and Awareness participant over the years with MROs, Motorcycle Legislation/rights supporter 30+years, American Legion Member 50 years, ALR, MRO life memberships and chapter charter member, graduate of Pennco Tech – auto body and paint technician, Executive Board member– organization/non-profit, NRA, Motor Maid, HD licensee rep, Downed Biker Organization supporter, Non-Profit Fundraising

 Living the life, a life that I love, and 29 Forever

 Motorcycle Awareness/Rights, Veterans, and animals are my supported causes.

 Accepted the invitation to join the Board of Biker Lives Matter because “I want to continue ensuring that my brothers and sisters on two wheels remain safe and have the freedom to choose when it comes to all things motorcycle. “

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The more information the better but a minimum of what state, what issue exactly does the bill address, what is the bill number or numbers and the name of legislator who introduced it etc.

A way to view the actual wording of the bill would be very helpful. As an example in Florida I start with the senate at https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2020 and also the House of Representatives at https://legiscan.com/FL
I also contact my State Senator and Representatives and inquire with them of any new bills.

If possible, add a way to contact people involved in the pending legislation so if readers have questions, they have someone to ask. This could be the actual legislator or possible a motorcycle rights or safety organization who got the legislator to sponsor the bill.

We will be sharing on Biker Lives Matter, Facebook and our media sources so that we as motorcyclist can react to pending legislation that affects us.

We Can and Will Make A Difference.
Please respond to https://bikerlivesmatter.com/contact/

Please check out the updated section for this https://bikerlivesmatter.com/legislative-updates/

THANK YOU AND RIDE SAFE
Rogue

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We are actively letting others know about Bikers Lives Matter through numerous sources and our membership continues to grow daily. We are thankful for those of you who have joined and shared information on our organization and also for asking others to join Bike Lives Matter.

I would like to thank the multiple media that support us and have articles on us on the internet and in printed publications.

A short time ago we got shirts for promoting Biker Lives Matter. We have opened a store on the website and had a vendor tent at Tropical Tattoo during their Biketoberfest ride in bike show. We will also be at other motorcycle events in the near future as well.

We know that everyone has plenty of shirts and with that being said I am still going to ask you to consider buying one for yourself or as a gift for some one. These are high quality shirts we are selling slightly over the cost with shipping charges. The reason these shirts are being sold so low on cost is they are a great form of advertising and we are more interested in getting them out to so that others will know about us and you can be proud that by wearing one you are helping support our cause.

The direct link to the store is store.bikerlivesmatter.com.

If you purchase a shirt we request you send us a photo of you wearing it so we can share on our website.

Please send your photo to webmaster@bikerlivesmatter.com

On another subject motorcycle collisions with other vehicles continue to dominate the news. Some of the reporting states clearly, that a vehicle violating the motorcycle right of way was at fault and struck the motorcyclist. But in many cases there is wording that infers the motorcycle was wrong for striking the vehicle even though the vehicle had violated the motorcycles right of way and the motorcycle could not avoid striking it.

We have been contacting the source of these articles and suggesting errors in their reporting in hopes they will change in the future. The more we comment on these collisions the more public awareness we create. This is something that we hope you will help with by doing it in your area as well.

RIDE SAFE

Rogue

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I belong to many organizations and groups that I actively participate in involving Legislative, Safety, and Social. I will continue to be involved in all these organizations.

Because of a vehicle making a left turn and striking my son on his motorcycle in September of 2018, causing him to lose a foot and almost killing him, I have decided to concentrate more on safety issues at this time

Myself and some others have started a group named BIKER LIVES MATTER. We will be based out of Florida and address issues there and also on a National Level.

We will Not Be Charging A Fee to Join and people do not have to own a motorcycle to join. We are looking for people who want to help reduce crashes and collisions on all kinds of motorcycles. The more people we have, the more our voice will be heard.

We have released our new website https://bikerlivesmatter.com

We need our friends to share this and hope you will be able to help

As we move forward, I expect some things to happen quickly while others are going to take some time. I am confident in my ability but more so in our motorcycle family that this will be very successful.

Please Help Me and Others with This Important Issue.

–Rogue

Senior Editor

Bikernet.com(TM)

Original article from Bikernet blog https://blog.bikernet.com/biker-lives-matter/

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While there may be other organizations working on the issues that affect all of us, this organization is going to help by making people aware of the issues through rider and driver education, promoting look for motorcycle campaigns and supporting legislation that makes the roads safer.

We are also promoting teaching people what to do at the scene of a crash or collision.

We will be working with Motorcycle Rights Organizations to help promote the many things they are working on.

The President of this organization is John “Rogue” Herlihy and he says he is going to use the experience he gained by being one of the original founders working with Easyriders when they formed the organization A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments (ABATE)

The Vice President is Bob “Badd Bob” Simmonds has been heavily involved for over 10 years with Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.)

The Secretary Sharleen Mitchell besides being a rider for 48 years was Vice President of a motorcycle shop and very active in the motorcycle community.

The Treasurer is Kenneth Simmons who has been riding since the 90s and is a business man.

While there are numerous others working and we do appreciate all who are there is just too many to list here.

Numerous well know people in the world of motorcycling have joined as members and that is sincerely appreciated.

Biker Lives Matter is open to all who want to help promote safety, you do not need a motorcycle to join and JOINING IS FREE so please visit the website at bikerlivesmatter.com and join. Please also let as many people that you can about us.

Original article from Easyriders Blog http://paisanopub.com/blog/2019/06/12/biker-lives-matter/

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Biker Lives Matter welcomes Chris Gibbany as Ambassador of Arkansas. A motorcycle enthusiast and journalist, riding since the age of 16. Thank you Chris for helping Biker Lives Matter make a difference!

My name is Chris and I live in Harrison, Arkansas. For the last 12 years, I have dedicated my life to volunteering to causes I am passionate about. I decided years ago to use my passions to help others by volunteering or through charity. For over 20 years I was a hedgehog breeder, and I used the proceeds to fund the only IHA (International Hedgehog Association) and HWS (Hedgehog Welfare Society) approved rescue in Arkansas. I was a member of both organizations and the HBA (Hedgehog Breeders Association) for years and even served as the Health and Education officer.
When I was an extreme couponer, I donated almost all of my couponing freebies to the soldiers, public schools, police departments, domestic violence shelters, animal shelters, tattoo artists, and just random people I met coming out of the stores or while in the checkout line. In 2009, I started having couponing parties and organizing coupon trains to get coupons into the hands of more people who could use them. I had a blog teaching people how to coupon and turned down an appearance on ABC Nightline News in 2010 about couponing. The segment was so popular that the TV series “Extreme Couponing” was born in April of 2011!
I spent 10 years as a wedding photographer; I’ve worked in a body shop, a photo lab, and an attorney’s office. I love doing anything involving motorsports; from drag racing, riding enduros, hot-rodding my ‘73 Dodge Challenger to dirt-roading Baja bugs; but my passion is riding and building vintage Harleys. My husband and I host many events within the motorcycle and car community for like-minded individuals. We started a Camaro Club in 2005, and I served as president the entire time. I served for five years as the Arkansas Representative for the Worldwide Camaro Club and later spent 12 years as the rep for the Chevy Classics Club. During this time, I was one of only five women representatives. I am the official ambassador for motorcycle tourism for the entire state of Arkansas; the Arkansas representative for the Global Women Who ride project since 2015 and just recently resigned as a CoolRidesOnline (CRO) Champ after four years so I could pursue other opportunities.

I am a motorcycle enthusiast and moto-journalist who has been riding motorcycles since I was 16; learning to ride before I learned to drive. Although my love is motorcycles and cars, I believe each person can use their God-given passions to better the world. As the Arkansas Ambassador for BIKER LIVES MATTER, I intend to use my media connections to help spread awareness of this important issue. I am an activist who wants to evoke change and will strive to solve this social problem that is killing thousands of people a year! I give 110% to anything I do and BIKER LIVES MATTER will be no exception. Please support this cause!
Be Passionate and Make a Difference

-Chris

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Rogue, Bikernet Staffer Wants to Promote Education and Awareness by Chris Gibbany

BIKER LIVES MATTER is a new safety organization formed to help lower injury and deaths of motorcyclists on the highways. I recently became the Arkansas Ambassador for this important and much-needed group. John “Rogue” Herlihy is the President who has spent many years working at EASYRIDERS and was a founding member of ABATE while working with other motorcycle advocacy groups to fight for the rights of riders. He was inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame as a Freedom Fighter in 2005!

Motorcyclists face unique challenges when compared to other drivers because they are smaller and less visible than other vehicles, plus a motorcycle offers almost no protection from outside forces. Drivers on their cell phones, either talking or texting, are the biggest concern to motorcyclists and are the most common reason for distracted driving crashes and collisions. It is estimated that 40%-66% of all motorcycle crashes with four-wheeled vehicles involve the driver using a cell phone. According to research, distracted drivers kill at least nine people each day. That equals 3285 people A YEAR dying to be seen!!!

Another common and dangerous situation is when vehicles make a left-handed turn in front of the motorcyclist. Statistics show that these irresponsible turns account for 42% of collisions but it’s hard to say, if not impossible, to also include that these same drivers might have been on their phones WHILE making a left turn. Rogue started this organization after his son was struck and almost killed on his motorcycle by a vehicle making a left turn in September of 2018. He ended up losing a foot. Rogue and some friends decided too many people they knew were getting injured or being killed while travelling on motorcycles.

Most drivers never think about motorcyclists while driving. Someone must teach upcoming and current drivers to look for motorcyclists at all times. BIKER LIVES MATTER hopes to increase efforts with education and awareness to both drivers and riders, promote campaigns that encourage drivers to pay attention, and support legislation that will help keep motorcyclists safer on the road. Research shows that current laws don’t do enough to combat distracted driving and that we need stiffer penalties for those fatalities caused by distracted driving.

After I emailed all of my friends introducing them to BIKER LIVES MATTER, I received a response from Ron Jungbauer, a member of FORR (Freedom of the Road Riders) in Missouri. He told me about his best friend Scott Lambert. Ron writes, “We took this first picture of Scott on June 29th, and it was the last time my wife Louise and I would ride with him.

A distracted driver killed Scott on July 12th, while Scott and his girlfriend Debbe Massimiano were on their way to FORR’s Local #15 and #30 Hootontown Rally.  The man turned left in front of them.  Two other cyclists witnessed the crash.  This was the fourth fatality in our area in the last three weeks.  All but one were vehicles turning into the bikes.”

Let’s not allow Scott’s death or anyone else’s to be meaningless.  Let’s work towards getting legislation passed to increase the industry standards of keeping motorcyclists safe.

Until the government or car manufacturers enact the technology to block phone signals for drivers; education and legislation is the only form of action that we have.  BIKERS LIVES MATTER believes that all driver courses should teach motorcycle awareness and that riders should have the skills to avoid crashes when possible while riding defensively.   Another weak link and something that needs attention is getting riders AND bystanders trained on what to do at a scene of a crash or collision.    

BIKER LIVES MATTER is partnering with some other well-known people, companies, and organizations.  The more people we have, the louder our voice will be.  We ALL have to do our part to keep each other ALIVE!  It is free to join BIKER LIVES MATTER and you do not have to own a motorcycle to sign up-https://cba.myo.mybluehost.me/

Original article from Bikernet’s Cantina

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Gathering your contact information allows us to keep you up to date with an email. We know you are busy and do not want you to have to visit the site regularly to keep up. What we are doing is a slow process, but we are moving forward and will continue to do so.

I am happy to say all the above is done and want to thank all those involved.

We networked prior to the Sturgis Rally and while I was there, covering the event for Bikernet, I attended the Sturgis Hall Of Fame Induction Breakfast.

During the breakfast and awards I was able to meet with individuals and groups to explain what the goals of Biker Lives Matter are. I am pleased to announce this was well received and we will be moving forward one step at a time with our new supporters.

There have been articles about Biker Lives Matter in numerous motorcycle publications and I have been informed that more are in the works. This lets more people know about us and encourages them to get involved. Hopefully you are sharing our site with other as well.

Our store is officially open and selling Biker Lives Matter gear, check it out at store.bikerlivesmatter.com.

Our new shirts are popular and as people asked me about them it gave me an opportunity to explain about the organization. This will work for anyone wearing one. Many people wanted one and you can see photos of some people wearing them on the website. I am sure you will see many more as sales continue. Send your photo in to webmaster@bikerlivesmatter.com when you get a shirt.

We are now also set up to receive donations. People are not being paid but there are a lot of expenses to get us to where we are and will be a lot more going forward.

As we move forward, we will be accepting advertising from businesses. If you are a business that you believe our members would be interested in or know of one please have them contact president@bikerlivesmatter.com or webmaster@bikerlivesmatter.com for more details and rates.

RIDE SAFE

Rogue

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