As a group, motorcyclists tend to have a bad reputation. But an Iredell County organization seeks to dispel those negative notions.
As a chapter of the Concerned Bikers Association of North Carolina, the group works “toward the elimination of prejudicial attitudes toward motorcyclists,” according to its bylaws, but that’s not all.
The CBA also lobbies for new biker laws in the state legislature and promotes biker safety.
“We try to keep people up to date on events we have and our main purpose is to educate the public on safety and awareness of motorcycles,” said chapter President Lane Stutts. “It’s basically a grassroots political organization to affect change within laws for motorcyclists.”
One law Stutts said the organization would like to change are motorcycle-only check points conducted by law enforcement agencies.
“It specifically singles out motorcyclists,” he said. “We don’t mind pulling over so long as everyone has to do it, and we feel it should just go ahead and include cars and trucks.”
The Iredell County chapter is fairly new, chartered in April 2009, and is one of 25 chapters across the state.
Stutts said he has been riding street bikes since 2008, but was mainly a dirt bike rider in years prior.
“I just wanted to continue riding as I got older and I prefer that method of transportation,” he said.
As a chapter, Stutts said the organization holds bike runs to help raise money in order for them to do other events such as the Tools for Education Drive which benefits Iredell-Statesville Schools and their annual Toy Run to benefit the Barium Springs Home for Children.
“We also raise money to help injured bikers who may not have insurance even if it’s just a small amount compared to what larger organizations can do,” he said.
The chapter has 49 members from Iredell, Catawba and Rowan counties. Though both Catawba and Rowan have local chapters, Stutts said those who live closer to Iredell tend to come to monthly meetings here. The group meets at River City Bar and Grill the first Wednesday of each month to plan events.
“We’re just a group of bikers who like to come out and have a good time and have a passion to ride,” he said.
In the past, the group would normally participate in six runs but Stutts said they have now limited it to just three big runs throughout the year starting with their Polar Bear run in February, followed by a summer run at the end of June and beginning of July and ending with their Toy Run in December.
Members from the organization have also participated in rides with local Patriot Guard and Combat Veterans organizations.
“We’re just like-minded people who love motorcycles and have a reason to get together and be apart of something larger that ourselves,” said Stutts.
Most runs the organization puts on average close to 30 miles. Stutts said the largest run he’s been on was put on by the Patriot Guard for Donald Shue whose remains were taken back to Kannapolis after being found in Vietnam nearly 40 years later.
Stutts noted that at their Jan. 4 meeting he will be stepping down as chapter President and a new president -- Chris Ingram -- will be taking over for the coming year.
For more information about the CBA visit www.cba-abatenc.org. To contact the local Iredell Chapter contact Lane Stutts at 704-818-7475 or Don Brooks at 704-746-1743 or visit www.cbairedell.org.
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