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Carlisle, PA - The Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education (ABATE) hosted its Annual Leadership & Legislative Seminar on January 25 & 26 in Carlisle, PA. The sold-out event attracted 350 motorcyclists from Pennsylvania and the surrounding states, all with a common interest - Motorcyclists’ Rights.
Attending the seminar were representatives from the American Motorcyclists Association (AMA), the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), and PA’s Motorcycle Safety Program.
The L&L Seminar has been an effective way for ABATE of PA to prepare its members and officers to properly represent ABATE, and update the members on current legislation affecting motorcyclists. It’s a way to ensure, as lobbyists, bikers are familiar with the details of proposed legislation and issues, and have the knowledge to support or oppose it. It’s also the way ABATE trains the chapter officers, and future officers, to manage chapter business.
Among the challenges facing PA’s motorcyclists in 2008 will be legislative responses to excessive motorcycle noise in communities, closing the HIPPA loopholes, and ensuring proper licensing of PA motorcyclists. The L&L Seminar allowed ABATE to present the details of its 2008 agenda to the lobbying members, and explain the impact on motorcyclists.
To address current motorcycle safety issues, ABATE hosted a Panel Discussion with members of PennDOT, the PA State Police, Representative Mark Keller, and representatives from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and the American Motorcyclist Association. Representatives from PennDOT included Gary Modi, Highway Safety Division, Scott Shank, Division Manager Driver Safety, and John Munafo, Vehicle Inspection Division. Representing the PA State Police were John Spishock and Brad Lawver, from the PA State Police Legislative Affairs Manager
Among the many interactive training workshops offered at the seminar were legislative sessions addressing issues at the state and federal level, promoting motorcycle safety through Operation Save A Life, communications & public relations, insurance, and motorcycle noise control. The focus was on current and proposed legislative issues, and how to manage ABATE as a successful organization to deal with the legislation.
To wrap-up the events on Saturday evening, retired Wisconsin State Senator Dave Zien gave an energizing speech on freedom and motorcyclists’ rights at the Awards Banquet. Mr. Zien has traveled 2 million miles on motorcycles! The highlight of the Awards Banquet was the presentation of the prestigious Ed Fruecht, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award. Ed was a well-known motorcyclist and senior member of the ABATE of PA Board of Directors who suffered fatal injuries in a motorcycle collision on May 2, 1998, while on his way to Harrisburg to attend the annual Rights Rally. Ed was an MSF certified motorcycle safety instructor, an active member of the Harley Owners Group, member of the American Motorcyclist Association and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation and a supporter and fundraiser for the Shriners Children’s Hospital. This year, the award was proudly presented to John Andrews from the Ridge Runners Chapter for his tireless efforts and contributions to the motorcycling community. John was the founder of ABATE’s Operation Save A Life (OSAL), a program that has promoted motorcycle safety in the schools for over 20 years. As a promoter of the annual Rights Rally, John organized the annual Freedom Weekend near Harrisburg. Freedom Weekend provides accommodations for motorcyclists, and made it possible for motorcyclists from the far corners of PA to attend the rally in Harrisburg.
By the end of the L&L Seminar, approximately $28,000 was raised for BikePAC, thanks to the generous contributors of auction items, including those of past State Coordinator Joe Dickey. Since its inception in 1986, BikePAC has contributed to biker-friendly candidates for the State Senate and House of Representatives.
A.B.A.T.E. is the "Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education". It is an organization of motorcyclists dedicated to the protection of the individual rights of motorcyclists through political change, public education, and charitable works. ABATE is active in the elimination of unfair legislation as it concerns motorcyclists; promoting motorcycle safety through both motorist and rider education; and improving the image of motorcyclists to the general public.
ABATE’s goal and purpose is to keep motorcyclists, members, and the public informed, to promote safe riding habits, and to encourage favorable legislation for motorcyclists. This is accomplished through a monthly newsletter, e-mail alerts, safety & education programs, working with the state and federal legislators, and voter registration promotion.
Since 1983, A.B.A.T.E. has represented the interests of motorcyclists riding Pennsylvania's roads. Through a variety of programs, A.B.A.T.E. is working to protect and preserve the rights of over 800,000 licensed motorcyclists.
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