Auntie ABATE / “Cuz” Report

A new beginning. A fresh start. Another trip around the sun on the horizon. Yes, It’s another year – 2024! This is the time to re-commit to all that is important to you, and I hope ABATE of Wisconsin is one of them. If you have been paying attention at all to what is going on in the motorcycling community, you are, no doubt, fired up. We have a big fight ahead of us. First. We need to do whatever we can to keep ourselves safe and alive on the road. That doesn’t mean keeping an eye out for cagers or animals, although that is a given that you should do every time you ride. It means keeping ourselves in check. Do you ride defensively? Do you keep alcohol and other recreational drugs at bay when you ride? Do you help your brothers and sisters if they aren’t so diligent about staying in control? Do you keep an eye out for bad weather? Do you safety check your ride before straddling the tank? If we don’t take care of ourselves, Big Brother, AKA the government, will put legislation in force that will do it for us. Do you like to be in control of your freedom? Then use the tools you are given, take a refresher safety course, and keep yourself in check.

Second. Stay up to date about what is going on legislatively around us. It is said that our legislators both Statewide, and Federal, are attempting to put laws into place that will restrict what we can ride and whether internal combustion engines will be around as long as we want them to. This doesn’t just mean changing motorcycles to electric ones, but also means converting lawn mowers, leaf blowers, chain saws, etc. to electric. And if those laws are not passed, then the good old fuel system we need to run those engines may just disappear. When a Call to Action comes around, I hope you are paying attention and respond because that means it’s important to ABATE of Wisconsin or the MRF and that means it’s ultimately important to you.

On a happier note, we have the whole year to better ourselves and step up to the plate by becoming more involved in our organization. There are so many opportunities out there to enjoy the camaraderie that members enjoy. Be sure to attend Lobby Day…THE most important day of the year. Also be sure to make plans to attend our 50^th Celebration in Madison in October. We have hit a MILESTONE by staying in business, so to speak, for 50 years now. We couldn’t have done it without our trailblazers and especially without our members. Thank you for your dedication and your generosity to ABATE of Wisconsin. Let’s be sure we keep this going for another 50 years and leave the organization in good shape for the next generation of Junior Patriots!

Your ever lovin’ “Cuz”