 
 I'll Wait
By Dave Chubby Charlebois 
Sometimes the more you know, the more you wish you
didn't know. Now that summer's finally
here and the scoot is running fine, I find myself
in the wind attending events around the State and
even at our nation's capitol. Normally
getting in the wind clears my head and makes
everything all right, but lately it's just
given me more time to stew over the things that I
normally just shrug off. If it's not the glacial
movement of the DOT pretending to work towards a
goal of zero fatalities in Wisconsin, it's opinion
editors of media monopolies using hearsay and half
truths disguised as facts to sway public opinion
against my freedoms. As much as I'd like to
activate our membership to circle the Capitol or
picket the DOT headquarters, sometimes I have to
be reminded to slow down and wait. Not sit on my
laurels and ignore it, but wait for the right time
to act. So, in the wake of incessant denial from
the DOT over the building of another REF and ten
different very strangely worded helmet polls from
Gannett Media, I'm not going to shout from
the rooftop or whine like a five year old.
I'm going to wait, but not for long.
Motorcycle awareness month went well, for us at
least. Governor Walker once again proclaimed May
as Motorcycle Awareness Month in Wisconsin, and the
legislature also showed their support of
motorcyclists by passing a joint resolution
proclaiming the same. Regions once again held
rallies throughout the state, starting in April, and,
although many were plagued with poor weather,
turnouts were great, and I think we accomplished
our awareness mission. I've already seen our
billboards and of course yard signs throughout the
state, and many radio stations statewide are
playing our awareness PSAs (Public Service
Announcements). I look forward to reading more
about the rallies in this month's regional
reports, and I'd like to thank everyone that
helped us spread the awareness message. Now, if
only WI DOT would quit dragging their feet. As of
the time of writing this, I haven't heard
even one m/c awareness PSA from the WI DOT.
Haven't seen a one on TV either, nor is
there any message about awareness on any
billboards or on our multi-million-dollar
ozone/amber/water/fugitive/traffic alert system in
the Milwaukee area. (Although, it was nice seeing
them in every state I rode through on my way to
D.C. last month.) I'm sure the DOT cares
about motorcyclists; I read many of their comments
about the need for us to wear the proper gear and
get trained and licensed. I just don't see
the awareness message out there. Maybe a
half-million dollar REF trailer that the DOT has
been showing off left them without funds to
promote safety? So far it sure doesn't seem
like it has encouraged anyone to get trained or
licensed, because, although m/c fatalities are down
from this time last year, the number of unendorsed
fatalities remain the same (almost 40% to date). I
think we should step up the pressure and ensure
that we see an awareness message next year from
our state motorcycle safety program. I hope the
motorcyclists of WI appreciate ABATE members as
much as I do for getting that message out this
year and every year.
I got my riding season jump-started this year with
six other ABATE of WI members on a great ride to
our nation's capitol. Besides excellent
weather for almost the entire trip, which is rare
for early May, our efforts in DC went well with
positive comments from all offices that we
visited, and we visited all of the Wisconsin
Offices in both the Senate and the House. Bikers
in the Beltway and National motorcyclists lobby
day were excellent, empowering events, and I was
glad to share the experience with some of my
closest friends. It was great having newcomers Bob
and Linda Aprill along with us. I know they
enjoyed the experience as much as we enjoyed them
helping us lobby. Also, a big thank-you goes out
to BOD member Andy Mathiassen for setting up all
of our appointments even though he couldn't
ride there with us this year. With over thirteen
states represented at BIB, I think I can safely
say that Wisconsin was one of the few that hit
every legislative office in two days and was still
able to make the event where we saw Congressmen
Petri along with other biker friendly legislators
address bikers from around the nation. Next year
I hope to see more bikers from Wisconsin at this
important national event.
While I was away in our nation's capitol,
Gannet Media ran a series of articles aimed at
motorcycle safety in Wisconsin. This is not
unusual this time of year, and, although the
original piece was slightly slanted, I was glad
that they contacted and interviewed us for the
story. After months of work and running the piece
in at least four of their Wisconsin newspapers, I
thought there was a fairly accurate expose on
motorcycle safety and helmet laws in our State.
That is until their opinion editor got a hold of
it. If you are reading this, you surely know that,
although we fight strongly against mandatory
helmets in Wisconsin, there is a myriad of other
things we do for all motorcyclists in this state.
I'm shocked at being labeled a single issue
organization and even more shocked at their
antiquated approach at "informing" the
public about the costs we all share with regards
to medical care and the un-helmeted rider.
According to the 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation
study of daily inpatient hospital expenses by
state, Wisconsin and seven other states without
mandatory helmet laws are in the twelve least
expensive states for hospital expenses. So, who am
I costing money? I'll save my public burden
rant for another day, but we should all be aware
that the argument is out there and it is up to us
to change public perception with facts. This is
not an issue of whether or not a helmet works or
who pays the price; it's about freedom.
Freedom as an adult to choose how you want to live
is worth fighting for. And, rest assured, ABATE of
WI will always be vigilant on this issue.
Although we could bitch all day about politics and
religion, summer's here, and the road is
calling. Sure, many of us will be busy
strategizing for the next legislative session or
even getting ready for a mid summer lobby trip to
the Capitol. But this summer I hope we all get to
concentrate our efforts on biking and brotherhood.
After all, that's why I lead the life I do,
and it's what my family and I believe in. I
hope the anger in me subsides enough to enjoy the
ride while I wait. Wait for the DOT, wait for the
press, and wait for my legislators to do something
about how our money is spent. Keep an eye on our
legislative alert system; I'm not going to
wait long. But for now, it's time to ride.
Until next month ... Ride Free.
Charlebois, Dave Chubby. "I'll Wait." ABATE of Wisconsin Newsletter Jun. 2013.
|
