The Time Has Come

by Chubby

Procrastinate; to put off, delay. If that word seems familiar to you it’s probably because you’re honest with yourself and realize that you could do better. Since its beginnings in 1974, ABATE of WI has always been about legislation. Through the years we have grown and taken on more responsibility as an organization by adding safety and education to our mission. All of this, Legislation-Education-Safety, lends credibility to our organization. You can get on your soapbox all you want, but if you don’t back up your stance with some effort to change, your rants will fall on deaf ears. It’s human nature to procrastinate, at least biker nature, we all seem to want to wait to see if someone else will come through and step up so we can sit back and relax, or just go riding. We all seem to wait until the last minute to make reservations or even to just sign up for things just in case something better comes along. And in the new millennium with communication supported by technology you’d think we could get a substantial number of contacts with legislators with bills supported and passed. Well, I’m here to tell you that the time has come to activate, not procrastinate. ABATE’s legislative agenda for 2021 will be substantial and we’re going to need strong participation from our members to get it done next session.

Not everyone joins ABATE of WI to support legislative action, although I think it’s pretty obvious that effecting change legislatively is our primary focus. But, if you joined for the fun, there is still plenty for you to do next month. October 9-11 is our Annual Meeting weekend hosted by our regions in District 3 and held in Green Bay. More info is on our website, social media, and in this newsletter. There is a lot of biker fun planned and it’s a perfect opportunity to meet your representatives on our Board of Directors. It will be your last chance to vote for Board at Large members and elected State Officers including my replacement. There will be plenty of time to enjoy local food and sites and even some time in the saddle with the help and support of the Magnetos M/C. I’d like to give a big thank you to everyone involved in planning this event. Don’t procrastinate, make your reservations now.

This month the first meetings of the new WIDOT Governors Steering Committee on Autonomous and Connected Vehicle Testing and Deployment (assuming they’re keeping the original name) will be held and I’m proud to say that ABATE of WI will be present not only in the room, which will be virtual (the new norm) but also on the committee. Our current webbie and IT guru, Damon Payne has been appointed to the committee and will be spending a lot of time in Madison (virtually) looking at what legislation will have to be passed or removed to make room for the future of transportation. Damon will be making sure that we are aware of any actions that adversely affect the motorcycle culture and our ability to safely enjoy Wisconsin roads far into the future. No action by our members is needed at this point, but in the near future we may need you to get loud and help ensure that our motorcycles continue to have the ability to navigate all of Wisconsin’s roads. Please take the time to thank Damon for stepping up to this very important task.

Our legislative committee chair has spent a significant amount of time in his articles this year educating our members on our current legislative agenda, what may be next, and what we will need to do to get things done in the future. 2020 will end up as a fruitless year for us. Aside from elections and campaigning it would seem that the current legislature wasn’t interested in getting much done. We can only hope that after elections we will see a re-invigorated state and federal government and get back to at least a modified normal. I hope everyone has taken the time to review the candidates that you will vote for and how they have or will work for you. I can’t assure you that there will be a lobby day in 2021 or that anything will change from the new norm of 2020 but I sure hope so. I can assure you that ABATE of WI will keep you up to date on legislation introduced that effects motorcyclists whether positive or negative and let you know how you can activate to effect that change. Be ready, the time is near and there’s will be no time for procrastination.

Speaking of elections and your involvement, I’ve seen a lot of one-sided promotion of political events on Regional Facebook pages. Most members and officers that have been around for a while know our rules on this. Although I am conservative in nature and consider several Republican legislators friends, I also know that being one sided in a political climate that is ever changing is not any more productive than having a closed mind as to which political party helps us the most. All legislators and candidates should have an equal opportunity to address us and call us friends. Our bills over the last two decades have passed through our legislature with unanimous votes. That means we have support from all parties that work there. I commend those that feel strongly about candidates that they support and urge individuals to do what they can to get friends elected. But, we should always remember and keep in mind that alienating legislators, and members, is a disservice to the organization and will not be tolerated in meetings or social media that has our name on it. Respect is much easier lost than gained and it’s been a long hard road for the last forty six years, remember that please.

If you have a computer at home, take the time to sign up for ABATE Alerts to your email. They pretty much take the place of the old phone tree and only alert you to important motorcycle information. No solicitation. Best of all its free and if you know a motorcyclist that’s on the fence about joining ABATE they can sign up also and see how they too can effect change. Go to www.abatewis.org and sign up now. If you’ve always wanted to be more involved, now is a great time, there will be new regional reps and officers in October and I’m sure they can use your help. Contact your current regional rep and find out how you can help all motorcyclists’ in Wisconsin.

Don’t just sit around whining about your rights being trampled on and ignored. Get up and do something about it. There has never been a better or easier time to get more involved in ABATE and I know you’ll regret it if you let some of the great opportunities coming up pass you by. Attend an event or meeting, sign up for lobby day, and register for alerts on our website. Don’t let fear keep you home, everyone will be accepted at our meetings. Apathy and procrastination will not keep your bike on the road or the man off your back. Activate and become a part of history. We’re all in this together. Until next month…Ride Free

Chubby