Bikers Vote

by Steve Panten

Well, we finally made it to the official start of summer in Wisconsin! The start of summer starts a whole new season. Campaigning season! This year we have another very important round of elections in the State. Residents will be voting for President and Vice President, District Attorney, all members of Congress, even numbered State Senate seats and all of the members of the State Assembly. Do you know who our friends are? Do you remember who helped us with our issues? Do you remember who took the time to meet with us and listen to our concerns? Since candidates are in campaign mode, now is an important time to approach them and introduce yourself.

So you ask.…..”What are some questions that I can ask them?” Glad you asked! Here some examples:

• How do you feel about requiring motorcyclists over the age 18 with a valid motorcycle endorsement to wear helmets?
• It is illegal to use gas with a higher level of ethanol than E15 in a motorcycle. Would you work to ensure that E10 or lower will always be available in all gas stations in the state?
• Who do you feel should own the information in your vehicle? Would you be willing to take on any group that feels that information about where and how you travel should be available to anyone with access?
• Would you support legislation to ensure that all road users are being considered in the testing of autonomous vehicles, even if it slows the implementation of this technology?
• How do you feel about drivers ed students getting their license without taking the road test?
• Would you support a resolution drafted to ensure that a person is not stopped by law-enforcement members strictly because they are operating a motorcycle or because of the clothes they are wearing?

I could fill the front page of this newsletter with other questions to ask, but this is a good start and any candidate or incumbent, will take notice. Remind them that bikers VOTE, and we vote our lifestyle which includes motorcycling. Speaking of bikers voting, did you know that the partisan primary election will be on August 11th? As you probably know, this will reduce the list of people running down to just one person from every party, so time is short to learn about the candidates. Summertime is a great time to get the information since most of the candidates will be at community parades and picnics. And don’t forget to tell them that you are a member of ABATE of Wisconsin. Better yet, wear your ABATE clothes so they can see us everywhere. To see people in ABATE clothes at every public event is a very powerful message.

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is monitoring the draft for the Federal Highway Authorization Bill (Highway Bill). This is a very large piece of legislation that encompasses many things including funding for our roadways. With such a large piece of legislation there are many things in it including the make-up of the motorcycle advisory council, the ban on NHTSA lobbying states with our tax money, and funding for autonomous vehicle testing. We would like to see anti-motorcycle profiling added to this bill and the MRF is working with our friends in Washington DC to see if we can make that happen.

In the “year of the cancellation” one thing that is still on is the MRF’s Meeting of the Minds. ABATE of Wisconsin will be sending 15 members to Indianapolis on a scholarship in September to interact with freedom fighters from across the nation. We are very excited to be able to send such a large group to this great conference to be able to share thoughts and ideas with others to make us a stronger organization.

One final thing on elections. This year is also an election year for ABATE. Now is the time to vote for District Director and look for your opportunity to shape ABATE’s Leadership by voting for all of our elected officers (including myself). Remember, bikers vote.

That’s it,

Steve