Motorcyclists Loose Sputnik, Motorcycle Rights Leader Extrordinaire
The man who set the standard for motorcycle rights activists everywhere has passed on.
Sputnik, leader of the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association, Firebrand, and unarguably the most effective biker rights activist ever was found dead early June 24, 2010 from what appears to be a massive Heart attack.
The loss is devastating, not only to friends, family and TMRA, but to mototcyclists nationwide, as Sputnik was a powerhouse leader in the cause of all things related to motorcycling.
Sputnik will be remembered by history as the greatest Motorcycle Rights Activist ever. His accomplishments are many, and is name is already a household work among many bikers.
Freedom was Sputnik’s top priority in life. It only took one look at him to realize that. He had “FREE” tattooed across his forehead.
A Viet Nam Veteran, Sputnik took freedom and protecting our rights deadly seriously. He moved to the Austin, Texas area to be where the action is. Sputnik became a daily fixture in the Texas State Capitol during legislative sessions, walking the halls of the Capitol building, greeting State Representatives, poking his head in their offices, relentlessly reminding them of important issues coming on the docket that effected motorcyclists and pointing out the fact that many thousands of bikers were watching.
Some of the many issues Sputnik successfully addressed were:
• Opened HOV Lanes to Motorcycles
• Changed tolls on new toll roads for bikes with trailers or sidecars
• Caused Breckenridge Park to change their ban on motorcycles
• Joined with Senator Patterson in passing SB 60, the Right To Carry Bill
• Convinced SW Memorial Hospital to lift their no motorcycle parking rule
• Helped kill "No Fault" insurance during two consecutive legislative sessions
• Received Handicap License Plates for Motorcycles
• helped to kill Road Block bills during two sessions that would allow any police agency in the state to set up road blocks for four hours at a time and search anyone stopped by the officers without probable cause
• Increased Budget for Rider Training by $ 424,000 annually during two sessions
• Passed Bill to allow the motorcycle safety course to count as the road test to get your motorcycle license. Also, you can take the ERC for ticket dismissal
• Modification of the state helmet law in '97 so you have a choice to ride without your helmet
• Active in repeal of the ISTEA federal helmet mandate
• Passed Bill to require DPS Officers to take Sensitivity Training to prevent profiling motorcycle riders for traffic stops
•Helped draft and pass legislation to allow any person who can legally own a gun in Texas to carry it, concealed, in/on your personal vehicle without a Concealed Carry Permit for protection when traveling
Most recently, Sputnik hosted the Austin-area television program, Texas Politics Biker Style, which airs weekly. Find out more about this great legislative warrior and much more, at www.texaspoliticsbikerstyle.com.
Sputnik will be missed.
