BIKER DAY AT THE CAPITOL

by Steve Panten

Happy New Year!

I hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable Christmas and New Year! During this time of year, it is even more difficult when you face new, or even old challenges in your personal life. If you are struggling in your personal life, please remember to stay strong, hold on to your beliefs and work to find an outcome that you can accept.

The approach to resolving struggles in your personal life are a lot like the approach ABATE of Wisconsin takes in protecting motorcyclists’ rights. We are strong and we need to remember to pull together, especially when the need arises. We need to remain vigilant and figure out an outcome than can protect us and still be acceptable to others. We also need to stick to our mission statement and focus on creating a safe and enjoyable environment for motorcyclists in the State.

This all starts with Biker Day at the Capitol on January 23rd. Biker Day is the most important day of the year for motorcyclists and we need to remember that we are only as strong as those that support us choose to be. Last year we had some successes, but we also saw some bills get passed that we did not necessarily support. We did our best to convince legislators to vote against them, but in the end the opposition won. We need to do better. The bills that I am talking about did not necessarily hurt us, but they do affect us. We can do better. Biker Day is an opportunity for motorcyclists across the state to let their legislators know that we would like their support in creating a safe and enjoyable environment for motorcyclists. We are the motorcycle issue experts, and they do value our input.

This year we are going to try to legalize Poker Runs in Wisconsin. I have spoken to quite a few groups about this issue and they are surprised to learn that a poker run is illegal. Groups have been using this type of event to raise money for their cause for many years without knowing that it is illegal. What we cannot lose in our discussions is the fact that the State Gaming Commissioner has audited 3 of our regions as a means to educate them about alternatives to poker runs. The big question here is why were 3 ABATE regions audited and yet I have not heard of any Fire Department or Veterans Group being audited because of their event? Is targeting just ABATE regions discrimination or could we call it profiling?

We are also going to address the profiling issue that we are seeing in the state. Whether you are a club guy or just a social rider, chances are you have been profiled. It may be as simple as law enforcement following your group through a town just to see what you are up to, or it may be pulling you over for a minor infraction just to see where you are coming from or where you are going to. Profiling in Wisconsin is becoming a larger issue every year. Whether you are driving in Lomira or enjoying the weekend in Tomahawk, know that law enforcement in those areas have publicly admitted to profiling motorcyclists and motorcycle groups. We will be asking our legislators to understand that this IS an issue in the State and, while we are trying to handle it on a case-by-case basis, it needs to be addressed sooner than later.

The final major issue is to address the states approach to autonomous and connected vehicles and the lack of control. The motorcyclists understand that there are some people who feel that using technology rather than responsibility is the way to address fatalities in the state. We are not trying to stop technological advances that are coming to the roads near you, but rather, we are asking that there be a responsible approach to implementing those technologies. We can find a responsible balance but right now the approach seems to be allowing software companies to experiment on Wisconsin roads without any guidelines. An approach like that is irresponsible and guidelines need to be put in place to protect all legal road users.

The motorcyclists in Wisconsin have long shown that we approach motorcycle issues responsibly. We try to avoid going to our Capitol with issues that would give us special privileges or would be a burden on other road users. I say that we try to avoid doing that but if it means the safety of a motorcyclist, as a legal road user and contributor to the economy, we will fight for what makes sense.

Biker Day is on January 23rd. Did you make your appointments to meet with your Legislators? If so, please send them to the State Office so they can keep track of who’s going to what offices. The bus schedules are in the newsletter. Inn on the Park is booked for us to set up our headquarters in. Join us. This day is important enough for you take a vacation day or to call in sick, your rights depend on you showing up. You do not have to be an ABATE member, you just need to believe in what we are trying to do, so bring your friends and family. This is a great opportunity to show your kids and your friends how 1 person can make a difference. One relationship with the right person is how we are successful. Your legislator may not be in the majority or they may not be in a leadership role, but that does not mean that someday they won’t be. We need everyone in Madison if we are going to be successful.

I will see you in Madison in January 23rd. Look for me…. I will be the one stressing out all day. Our success is directly tied to members and friends showing up. SHOW UP!

That’s it

Steve