"Enough is enough," has become the campaign slogan by residents of Myrtle Beach, SC and members of the City Council as they considered options to put a stop to local motorcycle rallies and deter bikers from attending.

One option under consideration is the passage of a local ordinance to require motorcyclists to wear helmets within the city limits even though the state's helmet law, which says no motorcyclist 21 or older is obligated to wear headgear.

The city cannot now pass any law more restrictive than the state's, though according to The (Myrtle Beach) Sun News which reported on the meeting, Mayor Pro-Tem Wayne Gray said there are efforts underway to allow municipalities to do just that.

No one in the audience spoke in favor of the rallies, and each of the council members agreed they want to put an end them - neither of which is sponsored by the city. "We're going to do what we can to shut the sucker down," said councilman Chestnut, who also received a standing ovation.

City Manager Tom Leath, City Attorney Tom Ellenburg and Police Chief Warren Gall are planning to come up with options to present to the council, which will likely include higher taxes to pay for a permanent solution to the problem.

Motorcycle groups and clubs from across Southeast Texas gathered at Cowboy Harley-Davidson in Beaumont to kickoff a motorcycle safety awareness campaign to focus public attention on the need for increased caution on the part of motorists and bikers alike.

David Die, a member of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, along with members of ABATE and the Confederation of Clubs banned together to secure a grant from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to work with local media in supporting a nation-wide initiative in promoting motorcycle safety.

"For years, during the month of May we have joined local, county, state and federal government in proclaiming May 'Motorcycle Awareness' month. However, we just felt like we needed to take it a step further," said Die.

The MSF grant will allow this group to sponsor a public awareness campaign, attend special events and provide educational information on motorcycle safety and awareness, reported The Examiner newspaper.

"My friends' deaths have made me intent on getting vehicular drivers to be more attentive where motorcycles are concerned," said Die. "To put the cell phone down, to put the makeup down, to not finish the last piece of sweet roll and coffee and to put both hands on the steering wheel and your mind on driving."

The public awareness campaign's message is two-fold: it advocates responsible motorcycle riding and reminds vehicle drivers "to look out for motorcyclists," said Robin Troy of Neil-Troy Advertising. The campaign, which begins June 16 and runs through the end of the summer, includes outdoor billboards and television spots

Over in Oakland they like it loud - so loud that all 45 of the Police Department's Harley-Davidson motorcycles have been equipped with shiny new tailpipes, at a cost of $500 apiece, to rev up their roar. It seems the cops just didn't feel safe on toned-down bikes.

Oakland's cops had a long tradition of riding their Harley-Davidsons with the modified, louder tail pipes, earning them the nickname "Rolling Thunder." But after an officer complained about a loss of hearing and others around town questioned whether the police force was violating the very noise standards it was supposed to enforce, the department brass ordered a switch to the quieter stock mufflers.

According to Kozicki, the decibel drop sparked a chorus of complaints from other officers, who said they felt less safe. Kozicki cited an accident three months ago in which an Oakland officer riding a toned-down cycle was struck by a motorist who said he hadn't heard the officer approaching.

So last year the department launched a $1,200 study in conjunction with the city's risk management division to determine whether A) the louder motorcycles contributed to officers' safety, B) were detrimental to their hearing, and C) complied with noise standards.

Kozicki acknowledged that whatever safety-related findings the study produced were largely anecdotal. Still, after everything was taken into consideration, the department concluded "it was in the best interest of the officers to put more-audible pipes back on," Kozicki said.

More than 100 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have co-sponsored a bill that would end health insurance discrimination against motorcyclists and others who participate in legal recreational activities or use their motorcycles for transportation.

While the action is significant, there is still much work to be done, according to AMA Vice President for Government Relations Edward Moreland.

TAKE ACTION NOW. You can easily contact your U.S. Representative on this issue through the AMA Rapid Response Center:

"The AMA is calling on motorcyclists and others who face health insurance discrimination to urge their U.S. Representatives to support H.R. 1076, known as the HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act," said Moreland. "Time is short. The bill has broad bi-partisan support but we need 218 votes for passage. If we don’t act by April, we will likely miss our chance for legislative action in 2008."

"No one should be denied health coverage for no reason other than they enjoy snowmobiles, motorcycles or other recreational activities," said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), the lead Democrat sponsoring the bill. "This legislation would enforce the original intent of Congress and ensure recreational enthusiasts are not discriminated against."