Share the Road Report

by Bill Kingsley

“Remember to Look, Look and Look again – You Will Save A Life.” – Steve Williams

First off… Thanks to all our STR Instructors for your ongoing efforts to teach our STR Program. I appreciate your time, commitment, and the positive impact you have in making our roadways safer!

Conference Updates: STEAM – Albert Lea, MN. March 23rd & 24th. One of my objectives at the conference was to meet my STR counterparts from the attending SMROs. I was fortunate to meet ABATE of MN’s Paul Tjepkes – Education Director, Shelly Deutsch, and Nita Baker – STRI. ABATE of MN has only 4 STRI and they travel throughout their state teaching approx. 6,000 students annually. They do use our STR video and were quite happy to receive several more DVDs from me for their field use. I offered to fully support their program and efforts with documents, training, and sources for our materials. I did meet with ABATE of Iowa – Rambo, ABATE of So. Dakota – Jiggs and ABATE of Illinois – Ski and asked that they forward my contact information to their STR Program Directors, so they may contact me for further discussion.

All of us in the STR business need to share our information and offering support at all levels – it is how we all get better. I believe it would be beneficial during the next STEAM or MOTM event that time could be allowed for Share The Road specific presentation, discussion and networking. I have offered our surrounding state STRI the option to attend our next STR Training Program – what a great opportunity to share info and ideas!

It is really apparent how advanced our STR program truly is. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of such a program and have the support of our BOD. Thank you to all who make this possible!

Wisconsin Driver Traffic Safety Education Association (WDTSEA) Conference. I attended on April 5th & 6th with Tom Barten (District 4 STR Coordinator). Every year we have a contact booth and make several good contacts – especially for opportunities to add STR classes. Tom and I had several productive discussions regarding inclusion of STR program in Drivers Education Schools (DES). I will be in contact with these individuals to work on furthering motorcyclist awareness in their programs and product offerings.

There is strong interest at DES in Brandon, Monona Grove, Spring Green and Waukesha. I can use STRI (Share the Road Instructors)in these areas to teach. If you wanted to be involved in STR and have not had classes in your area – now is your time! It is easy to get started and may become one of your most rewarding aspects of being an ABATE member. Please contact me for more info.

Special thanks to Tom for his many years of working with WDTSEA keeping the importance of motorcyclist awareness training in front of the DES Instructors and Owners. Also, Tom, as always, gave a sterling performance of our National Anthem to open the conference.

STR Info on the new ABATE of WI Website. The new website is up and easy to use. You can find the STR video is in the middle of the STR page and even easier to find and use. Additionally, you will find an overview of the program and links to many of the STR documents. I have separated the documents into 3 areas; Share the Road Documents, Drivers’ Educator / School Documents and STR Instructor Documents. Simply click on the name of the file you are interested in and a PDF version will appear and be available to download or print for your needs.

STR Forms / Video / PowerPoint. In addition to the STR resources noted above, the most current editable forms and PowerPoint are also cloud based. If necessary, contact me to gain access these documents. The STR video is available on DVD and on YouTube. This PowerPoint is available on YouTube. You can easily find these two training presentations on YouTube by typing in “ABATE of Wisconsin” in the search window. These videos should be at the top of the results list. The STR DVD is available through the Share The Road District Coordinators (STRDCs) or myself. Contact us if you need one.

STR Presentation Hardware. There are now some laptops and projectors available. Contact me in you are in need. We are always looking for additional equipment… especially laptops and presentation projectors for our Instructors. If you have a laptop or presentation projector that you no longer use, the STR Program will put your old device to good use. I would certainly appreciate it – as would any of our STRI in need. Contact one of our STRI, DC or me to donate your equipment.

STRI / District Coordinators. District Coordinator Positions open in Districts 1, 2, 5 and 8. If you are interested please contact me.

STRI Gear. NOTE – STR Instructors will now be able to create their own Gear using approved ABATE logos, transfers, etc. at your own selected local or online provider. I will coordinate your requests with our Products Directors (Stephanie and Dawn). Contact me for more information.

One last thing…. Be sure to thank your STR Instructors especially this month during Motorcycle Awareness Month – they help keep us safe while riding!!!

See you at the next Big One…