DERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE- The New Hampshire Motorcyclists' Rights Organization has announced Plans to drop its support of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) and Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (AIM), the legal services organization which provides NCOM's Funding.

In an emergency meeting on August 10th, 1996, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to end its association with AIM/NCOM, including canceling the proposed 1997 NCOM convention in Manchester, NH, after learning of AIM's involvement in product liability lawsuits filed against Harley-Davidson Motor Company concerning, among other things, the lack of leg protection devices as standard equipment on motorcycles. The NHMRO Board of Directors all agreed that AIM/NCOM stopped working for motorcyclists when they filed this litigation.

NHMRO President Robert Letourneau, speaking on behalf of the directors said, "Those of us that are involved in motorcyclists' rights are concerned about these lawsuits because, in addition to the leg protection issue, this litigation claims that motorcycles sold without leg protection were negligently designed, inherently dangerous, and not of merchantable quality when sold, which made them dangerous to the users and the general public. These lawsuits also claim that Harley-Davidson, not the Plantiff(s), was responsible for the accidents in question and the resulting injury to the rider. This goes against one of our core philosophies, which is adult personal responsibility. Personal responsibility has been one of the cornerstones in our argument for freedom of choice."

Letourneau went on to say, "Many of us feel that we have been deliberately misled and used by Richard Lester and his nationwide Aid to Injured Motorcyclists network of attorneys for their personal financial gain. AIM/NCOM has gone beyond the limits of serving motorcyclists, and through the filing of these lawsuits has begun laying the groundwork for what could become legislation to restrict the use of motorcycles around the country. This litigation is paving the way for potential new legislation and/or requirements which will prove damaging to all who love motorcycling. AIM is no longer working for motorcyclists. We believe that money is the driving force".

Several people who helped bring NCOM to International status have resigned their positions in protest over these lawsuits. In a meeting in Las Vegas on July 27, 1996, the NCOM Board of Advisors were handed several resignations after attempts to sever the funding and business relationships between AIM and NCOM failed. These resignations included, NCOM Board of Advisors Chairman Ed Netterberg, board member Bob Letourneau, MRF Liaison to NCOM Mark Buckner, and Legislative Task Force members Sherman Packard, Wayne Curtin and Butch Olson. Also resigning from NCOM over the litigation are Executive Director Pepper Massy-Swan, Industry Liaison to NCOM Bob Jackson, and Craig Clinch European Coordinator for International Coalition of Motorcyclists (ICOM). ICOM has reorganized its activities and is no longer involved with AIM or the Law offices of Richard Lester. Since the meeting others have resigned over these issues including, BOA member and recent Silver Spoke Award recipient Etta Vanesky, National Council member Dave Dwyer.

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