by Dave Chubby Charlebois

Protect your freedoms

June was definitely an excellent month to put some miles on the scoot. And, with all that seat time comes a lot of thinking time. Time to think about where we’ve been and where we’d like to go next; people we miss and people we’ll meet. But, with the Independence Day holiday starting it off, July makes me think about freedom. Freedom seems like such a simple word, maybe that’s why so many of us take it for granted. So I’d like to ask, what have you done to protect and enjoy your freedom lately? Obviously, you’re staying informed about your rights as bikers if you’re an ABATE member reading this newsletter. But, how involved are you? Going on a run or to an event is a great way to enjoy your freedom, contacting your elected officials and sharing your thoughts and ideas with others is a great way to protect it. Do you do both? I normally don’t have time to call my legislators after work so I put their numbers in my cell phone and call them at lunch. It only takes about ten minutes to speak my mind and that still leaves me plenty of time for eating. When people ask me questions about a patch on my vest at a gas station or restaurant I always take time to tell them the meaning behind it and my beliefs. Knowledge is power; ABATE gives you the information, what you do with it is up to you. Speak up, speak out, and protect your freedom.

When was the last time you attended an ABATE meeting or event? ABATE meetings give you an excellent opportunity to not only get direct, first hand legislative information but they can also be a great social activity. Visiting different regions gives me an opportunity to see people that I may otherwise only run into a couple times a year. If you can’t make it to your region meetings, check meeting times for neighboring regions.   I know that many people have job schedules that don’t allow them to attend meetings, but this doesn’t mean you can’t be an informed ABATE of WI member anyway; you just miss out on some of the brotherhood. If you have a computer, legislative alerts will keep you informed of any actions you may need to be concerned with as a motorcyclist in Wisconsin. No computer? Phone numbers for regional and state officers are available in the region reports and on the back of this newsletter. ABATE of Wisconsin officers are always willing to help clarify information or bring any new information on issues that may affect us to the forefront. ABATE events are also a great way to gain recent information from others along with raising the necessary funds to keep our organization operating smoothly. If you have the volunteer spirit, offer to help out at an event, many hands make the work light. And, it’s a great way to meet new people.

If you’re one of those people who work odd hours but have the defective volunteer gene and would like to do something to benefit all motorcyclists in the state, why not look into becoming a Share the Road instructor? Many drivers’ education classes have early afternoon classes during the summer and are difficult to find instructors for during the work week. Lately we have also been doing the program at company safety meetings and for other adult groups which greatly increases the number of people reached by our message but stretches the time of our current instructors quite thin. The program is surprisingly easy to teach and you don’t need to be an expert at public speaking to convey our awareness message to students. If you would like more information on becoming an instructor contact your district STR lead instructor or our program director Bill Kingsley. Everybody has a hidden gift to share, could being a STR instructor be yours?

Looking for a weekend away with your significant other? Are looking to improve your skills and confidence while riding? Well I’m sure there are some of you that would think the solution for this would be taking a three day trip to the Black Hills and back because nothing could give you a life lesson in every different condition you may encounter on a motorcycle in that period of time. But, for those of you looking for a safer, although less exhilarating, alternative to that trip please consider signing up for an ABATE of Wisconsin, Safe Rider BRCII Course held close by at Fort McCoy.  What better way to spend time than with brothers and sisters learning how to better keep yourself safe while enjoying the lifestyle you love?  Check out the SAFERIDER tab under PROGRAMS on our webpage for more information on class times and availability.

I’m very politically active even outside the motorcycle realm and it’s been frustrating not being able to kick a few dollars to the candidates that I strongly support this year now that I’m actually sticking to a budget. I have found a way around that though, and I will be volunteering at several candidates events and also knocking on doors promoting my candidates in my community. If you’re in the same boat as me, don’t be afraid to offer up your services, sometimes this type of help can mean a lot more to them than money and you can be sure to be noticed which sure doesn’t hurt either.

Summers in Wisconsin can be hectic. They are just way too short to do everything that you enjoy. Don’t get down because work is taking up too much time or leaving too little coin in your pocket to go riding. Make the best of the time you do have. Live in the moment but look to the future. If you’re receiving this newsletter you’re already helping to preserve your motorcycle freedoms for another day. You don’t have to show up at every meeting to be informed and involved in your rights. But, hopefully someday you will. I’m sure I’ll still be around. Till next month…Ride Free