ABATE needs your help to continue these efforts!  Currently, less than 1 percent of Florida’s 900,00+ endorsed motorcyclists are among the 7,500 members, in 30 Chapters that make up ABATE of Florida, Inc.  These dedicated motorcyclists represent and work to preserve and protect the rights of all Florida bikers; sport riders, cruisers, organized riders and free-riders alike.  Come for the party!  Stay for the mission!  For additional information on ABATE of Florida, Inc. visit us on the web at www.abateflorida.com.
 
 Myself and others received the message above from ABATE.
The first part has been deleted because of its length and I have some disagreement with their claims as well.
 I want to be very clear that I Support ABATE as a Organization BUT like many members have some problems with the leadership in Florida and them Not Being Successful with Stopping some Laws that I and others feel should not have passed.
 Here is an organization that claims to represent the motorcycle riders of Florida yet they openly admit their membership is Less Than 1 Percent. The president of ABATE James “Doc” Reichenbach gets upset when other motorcycle rights organizations like the American Motorcycle Association get involved in issues in Florida. The AMA has been fighting unjust laws for many years around the country and has been very successful.  Their Florida membership is large and I and other members of that association request they represent us on issues in the state.
 Many people have been joining ABATE as they become motorcyclist and until recently the news letter had a lengthy list of those not renewing, many long time members are not renewing as well.
 I am not sure why this is but obviously ABATE did not turn out to be what they expected.
 There is much disagreement among members on how to handle different situations, pending legislation and present laws that need to be repealed.
 There are those that feel it is time for new leadership and that the $50,000 that “Doc” gets as lobbyist is not worth what the members of ABATE and the riders of Florida are getting in return. It should also be noted as President of ABATE he does not get paid But Does Get His Expenses Paid. Exactly what those expenses are is not entirely clear to some of the membership. The majority of dues paying members are the ones who will have to decide who runs their organization.
  For those that disagree with “Doc” and or ABATE’S policy you have a right to support other organizations and have them represent you in Florida. As always you do not need to belong to any organization to contact your legislator with your opinion on issues that affect you.
 Abates success rate of stopping laws that make things mandatory for motorcycle riders is Not good. Okay years ago they did get the mandatory helmet law repealed for those over 21 if they had insurance. That was a compromise situation that some favor and others think should have been a full repeal. With people defending this country in foreign lands and putting their lives on the line and then be told they have to wear a helmet because they are not 21 yet is not acceptable.
 Then there are those who will argue everyone should wear helmets. This discussion has been going on for years and will continue for many more.
 Now that motorcycles have gotten more and more popular many people and organizations are looking to see how they can make money from this growth.
 One organization is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation who is funded by the major motorcycle manufactures. They originally started out offering a course to teach people how to operate motorcycles. Over the years they have grown and now are lobbying to make their schools Mandatory. Now let me get this right. The motorcycle companies make a product then they have a foundation that will teach you for a fee how to operate their product and NOW they want to Force You To Take These Courses.
 At present there is a law in the state of Florida that anyone under the age of 21 Must Take One Of The Motorcycle Courses before they can get a motorcycle license. There is no law to make schooling mandatory for other types of vehicle to my knowledge. The answer is Not to play along with these for profit organizations by making schooling mandatory for any type of motor vehicle license. The state issues the operators permit for operating motor vehicles and they should do the testing. If some one can pass the test they should be allowed that opportunity to do so. If they do not pass then they should have the option of going to a school or learn from other sources. They should then be required to return and be retested by the state and not by supplying a note saying they passed the test they paid for. Is this buying a license?
 When I last checked the Harley Dealer was charging $295.00 to take their course and there are reports of others charging more. Since these are private businesses there is no cap on what they can charge for these classes and the price is likely to go up with supply and demand.
 ABATE has Not Defeated or overturned this law and as a matter of fact there is a new law that is scheduled to take affect in 2008 that will force everyone without a motorcycle endorsement to take the mandatory course.
 There is also information that the organizations pushing for Mandatory schooling are going to try and make re-schooling mandatory every 5 years. Yea you got that right You will have to pay to go to school on a regular basis to ride your motorcycle.
 There are a couple of bills that are in the works. One is House Bill 137 that will allow for the confiscation of motorcycles for traffic offenses. Through the efforts of numerous motorcycle rights groups and concerned motorcyclist this bill has been tabled. That does not mean it will not come back up again as the sponsor said he would re-write and re-submit it.
 Then there is a companion bill Senate Bill 802
  There will also be other bills to watch and act on. Hopefully we can all work together for the benefit of motorcycle riders of Florida.
 
 I will continue to support ABATE and the American Motorcycle Association in their efforts to improve motorcycling in the State of Florida. I will look forward to information from both of them so I can make informed decisions and let my elected officials know how I feel on the issues. Yes it will take a little work But I want to make decisions on the issues that affect me and not have some one else do it.
               HOPEFULLY YOU WILL DO THE SAME!!
 
2008 is going to be a very important year for ABATE of FLORIDA. Hopefully they will resolve their internal problems and their membership will increase But More important is that they defeat pending bills that infringe on the rights of motorcyclist and also get Laws that Mandate Schooling Repealed. If they are successful in doing that they will prosper. If they are not successful I believe membership will continue to decline.
 
RIDE FREE
 ROGUE
 
 
 
Rogue
Sturgis Freedom Fighters
Motorcycle Hall Of Fame Member 2005
www.bikerrogue.com