400 Attend Simi Valley Event : Bikers Gather for Burgers, Advice

More than 400 motorcycle aficionados gathered Sunday afternoon in Oak Park in Simi Valley to eat free hamburgers, listen to rock bands and get free legal advice.

Riders from all over Ventura and Los Angeles counties lined hundreds of bikes in gleaming rows in the center of the picnic area. Many of the men sported beards, and leather jackets and heavy boots were in abundance. Many bikes were individualized with decorated gas tanks, elongated exhaust pipes and front-wheel extensions. The bike of choice was overwhelmingly Harley Davidson.

For the third year in a row, Encino attorney Richard M. Lester, a motorcycle enthusiast, sponsored the event to hand out information on motorcycle-related issues, such as a proposed California law requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

Lester, who owns a modified 1975 Porsche three-wheeled bike, mainly handles motorcycle personal injury cases. Last year, his firm handled about 1,000 cases for bikers.

Free Safety Program

Five motorcycle-riding attorneys from Lester’s office, wearing jeans and T-shirts, signed up bikers for a free safety program that enables rescuers of a fallen motorcyclist to obtain information on an accident victim’s blood type and medical insurance by calling a 24-hour, toll-free number.

The afternoon passed peacefully, with only one minor altercation between two bikers reported.

“The first time I took on one of these events, I was a little edgy,” said Tom Manwell of First Priority Security, the firm hired to supervise the event. “But it was simple. . . . I’ve worked weddings here that were worse.”

Several bikers wore patches on the backs of their leather or denim jackets identifying motorcycle clubs, including Hell’s Angels, the Monks, the San Fernando-based Sundowners and Brothers of the Sun from Pasadena.

“I’m having a blast,” said Penny Trotter of Simi Valley, who rides a three-wheeled motorcycle with a purple buggy cab, mag wheels and a beer keg for a fuel tank. “I love it here. Everyone’s real friendly.”