Chicago looks to crack down on motorcycle hijinx

With 2003 Illinois motorcycle fatalities up 47% since 2002 (now the sixth-highest number (143) of deaths in the nation), and several well-publicized motorcycle accidents (1, 2, 3, for example, not to mention the “205 MPH” asshat and Indian Larry) in the last week or so, Alderman Edward Burke has proposed a city-wide helmet law. Mayor Daley has already come out in support of the law, and suggests extending it to bicycles and inline skaters. (Skateboarders and roller disco skaters are apparently exempt.) Stories appeared today in the Tribune (reg. req, so screw them), the Sun-Times, and
WLS, as well as a special report on Channel 5 Monday night called “Night Riders.” While 2sb would never be caught without a helmet, and can’t believe anyone would, we nevertheless thank all you asshole showoffs and shitty drivers for likely making it mandatory. A helmet law is no solution, it’s like putting pillows along the side of the road, the real solution is mandatory rider instruction, stricter licensing, and insanely high fines for anyone caught riding illegally.

Piaggio targets commuter market

AutoWeek, unlike 2strokeBuzz, was invited to Piaggio’s recent conference on the scooter’s role in easing traffic congestion in American cities. Their reporter, after conceding “that’s like the fox holding a conference on free-range chickens” agrees that they might have a point. I can’t find anything else about the conference, but it sounded more like an X9 press party to me.

Vincent Auction

Matthew “Pierce” Wysocki sent this link to The Philip C. Vincent Collection. The article is from April, so I don’t know if it sold yet, but I hope whoever buys/bought it catalogues it on the web. I wonder if Corazino D’Ascanio kept similar records. I do, but I doubt ebay is ready for two file drawers of 2sb crap. That reminds me, I have more old letters to 2sb to post!