Lobby Day is Almost Here!

by Steve Panten

Are you ready? You are running out of time to make plans to attend. Our success is dependent on motorcyclists showing up. We have the free bus schedules printed in this newsletter if it is easier for you than driving yourself. If you are driving and do not want to deal with parking near the Capitol, the CC Riders will be opening their clubhouse where plenty of parking is available, and a shuttle bus will take you right up to our headquarters at the Park Hotel across from the Capitol.

February 17th, 2022 is the most important day of the year for motorcyclists in Wisconsin because this is when we gather in Madison and present our Legislative Agenda to our elected officials. It is our chance to ask them to work for us in creating a safe and enjoyable environment for motorcyclists.

Since ABATE members are the experts on motorcycle related issues in the state, this is our opportunity to express to Legislators what changes need to be made to protect our mode of transportation. And this year in Madison, that is all that we are bringing. How are they protecting our mode of transportation?

As hard as it is to believe, if we look at what is happening along with what the conversations are, the future of motorcycling as we know it may not survive. ABATE of Wisconsin has been involved in every aspect of what the future of transportation will look like and unfortunately, we are the only ones realizing that motorcyclists are not part of these discussions. As the old phrase goes, “if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” We are at the table whenever possible, but the discussions never revolve around how to advance vehicle technologies without hurting motorcycling or combustion engine motorcycles – which means; we might be the meal.

So here is our chance. On February 17th we ae going to let our elected officials know the value of motorcycling in Wisconsin, and how decisions that are being made will affect the roughly 500,000 residents with an “M” endorsement on their driver’s license. We are going to explain how motorcycling affects the economy with manufacturing jobs, gas taxes, tourism dollars from residents and others that visit our state. We will remind them about all the charity work that comes with motorcycling and how we are not a burden on the transportation system.

While we are the motorcycle issue experts, it is important to also note that we ARE NOT the experts on autonomous vehicle technology, nor are we the experts on how the state is going to be able to charge electric vehicles. Our mission for Lobby Day is to make sure that whatever decisions are being made, they need to understand that our transportation means is extremely valuable to the state and needs to be protected. As much as some would like to believe otherwise, our position cannot be trying to stop technology, but rather to make sure that technology advances will include motorcycling as we know it. Stick to what we DO know and fight for your ability to continue safely operating your combustion engine motorcycle in a sea of cars driving themselves. I know it is tough to imagine that but seriously, if you have not seen the show “The Last Motorcycle on Earth,” find someone with Amazon Prime and take the time to see where motorcycling is heading.

Show up in Madison. Stop in at the Park Hotel and find out when the meeting is scheduled for your elected official. Every meeting will already have a presenter with all the information, and they will have people there to present the information. Filling the meeting rooms with constituents that they represent is how we are going to be successful. When we do our Grassroots Lobby Training sessions, one important point that we teach is the difference between information and influence. I can give your elected representation the information, but it will take you being there as a constituent to influence them.

OK, I could fill my space here on the front page at the top of the fold with all the reasons that you should join us in Madison on February 17th, but there are other things that need to be shared. First off, Thank you to Hupy and Abraham for their continued support on the cost of the busses. Also thank you to the AMA District 16 for their generous donation to help offset the cost of our Lobby Day. This is a very expensive day for ABATE and its members, but this is what we do. It is the most important day for motorcyclists, so donations like these are very much appreciated.

We are watching the mask mandate closely and talking with the hotel and Capitol officials. As I am writing this, we know that masks are required in the public areas of the hotel, but it is not clear if they are required in our headquarters area on the second floor. In the Capitol, masks are recommended but not required in public spaces, but Legislators may require them in their individual offices. We cannot let the mask mandate stop us from using our right to meet with our elected officials this year, so please recognize how important this day is for us and plan on attending.

What else is going on? If you are interested in attending the Heartland Steam Conference this year, please let me know (legis@abatewis.org or 262-933-2086). It will be held in Springfield, Illinois on April 1-3. We have scholarships available to cover the cost of the conference, travel, and the hotel. If you have never been to one of these conferences, I would recommend planning to attend. It is a great opportunity to learn from the best motorcycle rights leaders across the Midwest. Also, watch for the Future of Motorcycling in Wisconsin event that we are planning for some time this Spring. This summit is going to be open to all motorcyclists in the state and should be very informative. We will have more information coming out soon if I can get my act together. I will have all the details next month, so now you have something exciting to look forward to.

That’s it,

Steve