Come Together, Right Now, Over Me

by John Reblin

The temps are starting to ramp up, the skies are getting clear, and everyone’s calendar of events are filling up, right?? Same here. It is great to get on the bike and cruise over to some events, participate in awareness rallies, educate the riding public about motorcycles being back on the road and remind riders to “Ride Their Own Ride”.
Thank you to the regions holding their awareness rallies, reminding all road users to pay attention while out driving their cars. They need to look, look, and look again for the motorcycles that are getting back on the road. Riders can assist by helping make themselves visible and staying out of the other road users’ blind spots. Some regions are even getting some support from local media, picking up the message and sharing it on TV, radio, and print media. The articles and interviews that I have heard are spot on, great job to all. Remember it is not too late to have an awareness rally, because every day of the year we need to look for motorcycles.
I was able to help Steve Panten and his Future of Motorcycling in Wisconsin Summit, and he did a great job setting this up. This meeting was only open to motorcycle clubs and riding groups. Steve was also to get some help from Dave Dwyer, ABATE of Wisconsin and MRF board member, and Russel Radke from the National Council of Clubs. I was able to keep the meeting on time, and those three people really shared what was going on in the clubs, in the state and in the nation, making sure that we can, hopefully, keep riding our motorcycles 10-15 or even 50 years down the road. With the success of this meeting, another is being planned for the club and riding groups in October. As we access the feedback, I am sure Steve will give thought to a public forum of sorts, to all groups. The issue would be timing and an affordable adequate space.
What does the future hold for us? We look at different things going on now like the pushing of E15 and higher fuels that are illegal to use in our motorcycles. Sure, future stations plans may have an E10 or lower pump somewhere hidden next to the air pump, but how long of a line will be waiting to use it. Will the fuel we need be readily available to use, every time we pull in? Will the pump be running, or will it be out of service?
What about the possibility of the loss of your motorcycle when it needs certain repairs or parts that are no longer available? Right now, over in Europe, that’s the direction things are going. If your bike needs repair the possibility is there that the government will seize your bike and destroy it. The beat on the street is, that option could easily make its way across the ocean to the United States.
Another distinct possibility is that autonomous vehicle technology which has a hard time seeing or communicating with a motorcycle along with other things, will make decisions on the future for us riding on the road. How will these vehicles interact with a motorcycle if something happens?
When you arrive at your destination, maybe for a bit of lunch or something to drink to get the dust out of your throat, will you be welcome? Will your road gear deny you access to the establishment? Or will you be bothered by getting pulled over for maybe not using a turn signal or under the guise of your bike being a little loud leaving the stop sign? These are things that are concerning.
When we were just looking at the helmet law repeal, it took the work of the clubs and people like Tony Pan and others, that were successful in getting this done. We need the help from the clubs again to beat these other problems. We need the help of other groups that this will affect. We need the help of other riders and we need the help of our membership. What kind of help? We need voices at our Lobby Day. We need people to make the calls, send the emails and letters. And of course, we need money. Money from events and from an increase in membership. So, sign up a member or two, get them to do the alerts and emails, and go hang out at some ABATE of Wisconsin events.
Biker Day at the Capital was different this year with Covid and the Capital not being open for visitors. I was at the capital a couple of weeks ago to testify in support of the Assembly version of a paddlewheel bill and it was tough to get in for that. Doris and Steve worked hard making sure we had Zoom lines set up and ready to light up the internet on May 11th. Hopefully, you got together with regional people and took advantage of this. The meetings I participated in had a different feel to them. I am not sure if it was because we were not in the office speaking face to face or not. Steve had all the talking points for us and had folders sent to the State Legislature and Doris had the technology taken care of. Our organization would be hurting without Steve and Doris Weber’s particular skills with these items.
One event right around the corner is our Summer Hummer June 17-20th at our own ABATE Acres. Everyone has been working hard planning, getting the bands signed, vendors booked, and the land ready. I look forward to seeing everyone there and hearing some great music. This is one of our larger fundraising events and in the past, we have always been successful in raising money here, along with making new friends and renewing old friendships. I am sure this year will have a similar outcome. Of course, if I win the hummer raffle and get all that money, I will be a happy camper!! If you see me around walking or helping out at the gate, or cleaning the restrooms, stop to say hi and give me a hand.
More on the Hummer next month, after getting some rest from all the fun being had there!!

John