2019, we celebrate the 45th Anniversary of ABATE of Wisconsin. As we have in the past for the 20th, 35th, and 40th anniversaries, let’s take a look back to remember our roots and educate our newer members.

1974: The beginning. A rag-tail group of individuals stand up to the foul odor of federal protectionism which was sweeping across the country. The Safety Act of 1966 mandated certain measures that the states were coerced to enact in order to receive federal monies, one of the measures a mandatory helmet law. Wisconsin buckled under the pressure, not wanting to lose out on highway funding. Actual enforcement of the helmet law took place around 1968, catching most riders by surprise. Although no real biker’s rights organizations had formed yet, a member of the Outlaws Milwaukee took his helmet ticket all the way to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Argued on February 5, 1969, Bisenius v. Karns, 42 Wis. 2d 42 found the legislature acted legally and constitutionally when it enacted the helmet law, thus a valid exercise of the police power to enforce the law as a direct benefit to highway safety. This ruling is what we had to deal with and overcome if we were to achieve the right to decide on our own whether or not to wear helmets. That Supreme Court ruling fanned the coals burning in our hearts, soon to boil the blood in our veins, eventually engulfing the state in the flames of protest.

Although Easyriders Magazine had started an organization in 1971 called ABATE (A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments), it was a way for states to send monthly updates on the helmet law fight to the magazine. In Wisconsin, the ABATE rep was Bob Vetter. He had to move to Illinois in 1974 due to his job with the Tandy Corporation. Motorcycle shop owner John Barajas, and Milwaukee area activist Tony Sanfelipo, were members of the Concerned Motorcyclists of Wisconsin ( CMW), and decided to take over for Vetter, but also turn Wisconsin ABATE into a membership organization, not just a sounding board for Easyriders. That was the birth of ABATE of Wisconsin as we know it today.

Watch this page for weekly submissions on the progression of our organization, the people behind the movement we called ABATE, and the trials and tribulations we faced in lifting ABATE to be the premiere motorcyclist’s rights organization in Wisconsin.