My Nu-Ness Ride in Second Life

Are you unhappy with your first motorcycle life?  Then join others who are in the same camp ground and trade-up in Second Life. 

What is Second Life?  It’s a 3-D virtual world created by its Residents.  From the moment you enter the World you’ll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity.

For hardcore gamers this virtualization of life is not difficult to wrap your head around, but for us old road geezers – the joining of physical and virtual space in meaningful ways is something unexpected and the linking of virtual and the physical worlds means augmented reality overload!

But, hey I’m hip to this new immersive world gig…I didn’t like my under-powered “first life” on the Fatboy and traded-up…in the above picture I’m cruising around on my massively-high-powered Nu-Ness bike. It’s a 9-foot-long, black-and-white, chrome-covered custom motorcycle designed by Arlen Ness – easily one of the most innovative customized bike builders on the planet.  In my first life I could never afford to own a bike like this, but in my second life I can have my own star on Hollywood boulevard…

I have become particularly interested in the work that Harley-Davidson is doing on MySpace and I anticipate there is a conference room full of marketing guru’s who decided they can make a lot more money if they purchase (using: Linden Dollars) some land in Second Life and create cool rides in the virtual world for people who can’t afford a Harley in the “real” world! 

Rather than trying to target the right people in the marketing messages they can setup a Second Life space so that the right people find them ….one idea they should explore is the notion of bringing customers into the virtual service department.  An environment where a highly trained service tech’s can “virtually” install my performance parts or fix my problems and charge me without ever leaving my home!  Or maybe I could be a traffic cop and run around ticketing bikers who exceed the 80dba noise emission level…I’ll be rich…in Harley land!

There are many examples of corporate mixed reality showcases at Xerox and IBM Impact 2007,, but popular motorcycle culture mash ups with Harley that virtualize my real life sensors (riding in the wind) in a more meaningful way won’t get me off this keyboard… I think these online chat and virtual worlds facilities “are for people who drive cars.”

Nu-ness biker photo courtesy of Ugotrade.

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I See Motorcycle Haters Everywhere

Like many “Average Joes” on the street, if you ask them to name a well-known motorcyclists I suspect most would connect-a-dot with actors who have played bikers in movies (Brando, Fonda, McQueen, Travolta), but if you ask them to name something relevant about the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) or what they have done for motorcyclists — I believe you’d get the perverbial deer-in-the-headlight look.

In the early days (circa: 1920’s) only members of AMA chartered motorcycle clubs were permitted to race, and professional racing with its world-class competition was a prime factor in the formation of motorcycle clubs. The AMA imposed strict rules on its members in the interests of racing safety as well as for public image, specifically to promote an image of a family-friendly and wholesome sport.  This was especially true after an organizational rift within the AMA apparently occurred in reaction to media coverage of the 1947 incident in Hollister, CA.  

So what is AMA today?  Basically they promote and protect the motorcycling lifestyle and freedom on two wheels. AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations and the court of public opinion. Through its member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions many motorsports competition events around the world.

It’s the AMA promotion of motorcyclist interest and the HIPPA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act that brings me to blog today.  There is a rule making it possible for health care benefits to be denied to those who are injured while participating in motorcycling.  That’s not right and I’m soliciting your help.  Write your Congressman.  I’ve supplied a form letter below or you can go HERE and leverage the easy to use form at AMA.

 

Subject:  Cosponsor S. 616, “The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act!”

Dear,  [Congressmen Name HERE] Oregon is: Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)

I live, ride and work in your district and I am urging you to support motorcyclists by co-sponsoring S. 616, “The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act.”  

U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and U.S. Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) recently introduced S. 616, “The HIPAA Recreational Injury Technical Correction Act.” Identical legislation passed the full Senate in the 108th Congress and obtained 177 bipartisan cosponsors in the House. 

S. 616 aims at ending health care discrimination for individuals participating in legal transportation and recreational activities-activities like motorcycling, snowmobiling, skiing, horseback riding, and all-terrain vehicle riding. 

This legislation addresses a loophole caused by a Department of Health and Human Services’ rule making it possible for health care benefits to be denied to those who are injured while participating in these activities. 

On August 21, 1996 an important opportunity arose when President Clinton signed the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), prohibiting employers from denying health care coverage based on a worker’s pre-existing medical conditions or participation in legal activities, such as motorcycling. 

In 2001, the Department of Health and Human Services released the final rules that would govern the HIPAA law.  The rules recognize that employers cannot refuse health care coverage to an employee on the basis of their participation in a recognized legal activity.  However, the benefits can be denied for injuries sustained in connection with those activities!  Therefore, you were guaranteed the right to health care coverage but not guaranteed any benefits in return for your monthly payments.   

This legislation will fix the loophole for people like me in your district!  Please cosponsor and support S. 616.  Thank you very much.

Your [Name/Signature]

Whether you agree or not with the AMA charter to promote a motorcycle image of a family-friendly and wholesome sport…I think reasonable minded motorcyclists will all agree that your health provider should NOT be able to deny you medical coverage just because you are a biker.

Thanks for supporting!

Full disclosure: I don’t work for the AMA or am I a member.

Photo courtesy AMA advertisement.

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