Letter Threatens Life of Helmet Law Author

State police are investigating the origin of a letter that offers a $25,000 reward for the “death” of Assemblyman Richard Floyd (D-Carson), author of a new state law requiring motorcycle riders to wear safety helmets.

The unsigned letter, turned in to police by a Gardena businessman who received it in his mail Friday, bears an insignia of the Vagos motorcycle club, one of many bikers’ groups that oppose the helmet law.

But Vagos members angrily denied Tuesday that the letter came from anyone in their club. The leader of ABATE, another motorcycle group, suggested that the assemblyman himself may have arranged the mailing to get election-year publicity--a charge rejected Tuesday by Floyd’s office.

The new law, which took effect Jan. 1 over the bitter objections of bikers, requires motorcycle riders to wear safety helmets on streets and highways. Those who break the law face fines of $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $250 for the third.