Point… Are we being Hypocrites?

The definition of Hypocrisy – the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one’s own behavior does not conform.

I know to some people what I wrote here may come off as me standing on a soap box preaching and lecturing, but this is not really my intent. My intent is to stress safety and responsibility. ABATE of Wisconsin, as we all know, is a rights and safety organization. I think for so long we have been more focused on the rights aspect of motorcycling, and less focused on the safety portion in one respect – alcohol, namely Drinking and Riding. Many ABATE meetings and events are held at establishments that provide the availability, sale and consumption of alcohol. How much is safe to consume and how much is too much? Is it safe to say one beer or cocktail every few hours is fine? That being said, how many of us just have one drink every few hours? Which is my point. I have seen the majority of people in attendance at an ABATE meeting have a few drinks, then after the meeting was finished got on their bikes or in their cars and drove away. Were they legally impaired at that point? Now I am not saying that you don’t have a right to do what you want to do. I absolutely believe in one’s freedom of choice to have a drink or even two or more, provided that your choice to have those drinks does not interfere with someone else’s right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

We, as ABATE members, need to lead by example! We can’t proclaim to care about safe motorcycling if we ourselves have a few drinks and potentially ride impaired. I know I am asking for a lot here, and I know not everyone will necessarily agree, but I would like to see every ABATE member think about practicing what we preach and if they drink, to drink responsibly, and not ride afterwards.

As the old saying goes – Be the life of the party tomorrow.

Bronson Smith

District 3 Director

ABATE of Wisconsin