Legislative Report

by Steve Panten
The world is run by those who show up. On February 17th, this year motorcyclists showed up in Madison to do our part in forming our future. The message to our elected representatives was simple. How is motorcycling as we know it going to be protected? How are they going to protect our fuel supply? How are we going to be able to use the same roads alongside vehicles being driven by sensors and algorithms that may or may not recognize us?

The questions are easy to ask, but much more difficult to find an answer. Technology is here and it is not going away. Electric vehicles are here, and, even with all the questions surrounding charging them and disposing of them, they most likely are the future. Our question is, “how are our elected representatives going to protect the 500,000 licensed motorcyclists who may choose to operate a combustion engine motorcycle on Wisconsin’s roads?”

The answer is not simple, but we will continue to need to show up if we are going to protect our mode of transportation, and our lifestyle. As the Federal and State governments push for electric charging stations, what is going to happen to the gas stations, and more important to us, the cost of low or no ethanol fuel? We aren’t trying to stop autonomous technology or electric vehicles. All we are asking from our legislators is to make sure that whatever decisions are being made, consider our right to choose to operate a combustion engine motorcycle and figure out how that is going to be possible. Motorcyclists in Wisconsin contribute a lot to the state in the form of manufacturing, tourism (especially in the more rural areas that don’t get a lot of benefit from large urban events) and charities.

As we start to see our mode of transportation and lifestyle being forced out, our only hope is to engage ALL motorcyclists. On Sunday, April 24th we are hosting a free seminar at the Sheraton Hotel in Brookfield. It is going to be called “The Future of Motorcycling in Wisconsin” and it is open to anyone. This Summit is going to start at noon, and it will not go any later than 4 pm. It probably won’t last that long, but we need to make sure that we have time for people to ask questions, because what is happening in this country is going to be eye opening for some. We are having postcards printed to hand out for our summit in April. Please, if you have the opportunity, grab a stack and hand them out to all motorcyclists across the state. Leave a handful at your local motorcycle dealership or repair shop. This event is for anyone interested in learning more.

Like I have said before, when Ric Mellon was first talking about this happening before 2017, I could not fathom this really happening. Now we are bringing what he started almost 5 years ago for an open discussion to all motorcyclists, in what I hope is a packed house. We are hoping to make this informative and educational. We hope to explain what we are seeing, and what we are learning in the State and across the nation. ABATE of Wisconsin has been engaged in motorcyclists’ rights for almost 50 years so who better to know where motorcycling is really heading.

2022 is also an election year. Do you know who the candidates are that are running for State, Federal or even your local elections? Now is the time to get serious about learning which candidates have the same beliefs as you. Get involved in their campaigns and show up at their events to support them. A local election is a great way to get started in learning what it takes to truly help a candidate. Often times a Senator, Congressman, or member of the State Assembly began as a local politician and when they do move up, they remember who helped them from the start. In Wisconsin we have some friends in Madison and Washington DC that have stepped up to help motorcyclists whenever our issues come up. We will need to work together to make sure that they will be there to help us in the future. We will need all the help that we can get so make sure that you understand who you are voting for, and that they are willing to fight for your lifestyle.

We still have a few spaces left for scholarships to the Heartland S.T.E.A.M. Conference in Springfield, Illinois on April 1-3. If you are interested in attending on ABATE’s dime, contact me at legis@abatewis.org. It is always a good opportunity to meet with other states and learn what issues are important to them and how they are working to address it.

Final thoughts from Steve Panten, ABATE of Wisconsin’s Legislative Committee Chair.

Another Lobby Day is in the books. I want to thank everyone that showed up. I am excited to see so many people step up to speak at the meetings with their legislators, or even to just show up because this day is so important to our future. Especially those that are not even motorcyclists but recognize the value motorcyclists bring to the state. The world is run by those that show up, and we are doing our part to make sure we are heard. I want to thank Hupy and Abraham for their continued support, and to the AMA District 16 for their generous donation to help offset the cost for our Lobby Day. It is truly appreciated, as this event is a large expense for our organization.

I will see some of you in Springfield, Illinois and many of the rest of you at the Summit on April 24th.

That’s it,

Steve