Counterpoint… We’re Responsible

In a few years ABATE of WI will be celebrating its 50th anniversary of being the premier states motorcyclists’ rights organization in the United States. Whether called motorcyclists, riders, or bikers our members have been at the center of the motorcycle culture for almost half a century. That culture has changed and evolved somewhat, maybe not as much as mainstream America, but the way we do business and the way we have fun are not exactly the same as they once were. We have refined and really defined grassroots lobbying at the Capitol with much success, even though our beginnings boasted some of the greatest successes in motorcyclists’ rights history. And I believe we have scaled down on some of the wildness and fun from our history without shutting off that spigot entirely. ABATE of WI is a responsible organization with many members that care enough about each other to call us a family although brotherhood will probably suffice.

In WI, ABATE stands for A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments which is the acronym Easy Riders magazine came up with in the late sixties when they started gathering information on how bikers in different states were fighting the federal laws that came out of the very totalitarian Safety Act of 1966. I would say my favorite acronym, but I’m biased after spending fifteen years as a state officer. Another acronym I’ve heard for ABATE is Always Bring Alcohol To Everything. Of course, that’s always something I read in print and I can’t remember it being said in conversation, but very upsetting to me none the less. Not upsetting because of the way our organization promotes and encourages drinking and riding, because we obviously don’t. But, upsetting because someone that normally writes or thinks this doesn’t truly understand us. And, hasn’t really taken the time to get to know our organization, its policies, or our members enough to realize that we have done more to promote personal responsibility than I would dare to say almost any other organization in the state. Since the eighties our newsletter has always had at least one add reminding our members that “I’d rather bury a tradition than a brother”, “the ride is intoxicating enough” or similar reminder that the decision to drink and ride could have dire consequences. Around 2006 we developed a program to combat drinking and riding that uses our trademarked “THINK” logo that you will often see in our newsletter and is a must have on all event flyers where there may be alcohol present. Although a lack of volunteers has left the program somewhat on the back burner, many of the original policies such as utilizing the logo for a reminder, always having a hotel or camping along with shuttle busses if necessary at large events where alcohol is offered, and always offering the ability to choose a non-alcoholic beverage are policies that are still enforced to this day. Our policy and procedures manual that is given to all regional and state officers as a guideline as to what is expected of our volunteers has always had a section that gives suggestions as to where to hold regional meetings. Quoting directly from this manual some suggestions for meeting places would be as follows: VFW or Legion halls, town meeting halls, outdoor parks and pavilions during warm weather, a member’s home, libraries, motorcycle dealerships, and taverns. In that order. Directly following these suggestions are the general rules and guidelines for effective meetings and the first thing stated is” limit or eliminate drinking”. I like going to a meeting at a tavern because they offer food, and since the meetings that I regularly attend normally start just after what would be my dinner time, I find it convenient. Also, a lot of brotherhood is shared after most meetings that I attend, and a bar isn’t as likely to want to rush you out the door as a reserved time at a meeting hall or dealership may be.

I’m not a drinker. If you catch me with a drink in my hand, there’s a good possibility your tent is pitched near mine or your room is just down the hall. I got my last DUI in 1999 and told myself that’s enough. Since then, I have been on dozens of rides with ABATE and others and probably hundreds of ABATE meetings in every corner of the state. I’ve never been pressured to drink, and I’ve never ridden with anybody that has had too much to drink. I’ve seen members relinquish their bike keys at the request of a brother, and I’ve seen members call cabs or friends with four wheels to give a ride home to someone that had one too many. I’ve never heard of anyone crashing because of drinking after an ABATE of WI event or meeting. All of this says to me that we’re responsible without taking away that adult freedom of choice.

I don’t like riding with people wearing shorts, flip flops, or a big video screen on their handlebars used for directions and music. I also don’t ride with people that don’t belong to a motorcyclists’ rights organization. And, I don’t ride with anyone that has had too much to drink. But, as a freedom fighter and as a biker I respect you enough to make your own choices and decisions and to ride your own ride even if I don’t agree with your choices. I would be a hypocrite if believed otherwise. Choose wisely, ride safe, and of course Ride Free….

Dave “Chubby” Charlebois

Past Executive Director

ABATE of WI