Motorcycle owners in South Carolina have long been at the mercy of local officials who had broad authority to limit where riders could take their bikes. In some communities, motorcycles were not allowed on certain highways or city streets; in other places, motorcycles could not be brought into community parking garages. Now everything has changed thanks to a new law just signed by Governor Nikki Haley.
The new law, dubbed the Motorcycle Equal Access Bill, essentially prevents local law enforcement officials from denying access to motorcycle riders from any public space where cars are allowed. Any publicly funded area that provides access to other motor vehicles now must make the same accommodation for motorcycles. What's more, counties and municipalities must now make a reasonable effort to accommodate motorcycles in parking lots and garages where space for bikes has otherwise not been made available. This means officials will not be able to turn away motorcycle simply because there are no dedicated motorcycle spaces. The same space that could hold a car can now also hold a motorcycle.
Leaders of one motorcycle club in Columbia told WISTV they welcomed the signing of the new legislation. They told the station that in their local community, officials have been barring them from parking in publicly funded garages and lots simply because they do not like motorcycles around. The club believes that every taxpaying citizen should have equal access regardless of the vehicles they drive, as long as those vehicles are legal to operate on the street.
Club members hope the signing of the legislation will attract more bikers to their state. They believe not having equal access in the past has discouraged some bike purchases out of fears of discrimination. The new legislation hopefully changes that for good.
Negative Stereotyping?
It is great to see South Carolina establish a system that treats all road users equally. However, one has to wonder why the legislation was necessary to begin with. Could it be that bikers are victims of negative stereotypes? No one knows for sure, but it seems a reasonable assumption.
It is true there are some motorcycle riders who cause trouble and generally make life miserable for the local community. Nevertheless, like any group, the troublemakers are a very small minority. The average biker is a safe, law-abiding citizen who simply prefers to drive with two wheels under him rather than four. There is no legitimate reason for bikers to be excluded from public areas where cars are allowed.
If you are a biker in South Carolina, you can let the governor and your legislature know how much you appreciate their willingness to enact this new law. A quick phone call or letter of thanks will go a long way and making sure motorcycle owners continue to be treated fairly in the future.
In the meantime, summer has arrived all across the United States. It is time to get out there and ride. As always, be safe and respect others on the road at all times. Everybody will get where they're going that way.
Are you a proud citizen of South Carolina? Then why not add this South Carolina Patch to your motorcycle jacket sleeve.
