ABATE?

[saddlesore]

I just finished reading another article about the rise in deaths among motorcyclists. And the helmet laws (or lack of them) were brought into it again.
We've discussed this before here but in the article ABATE was brought up.
I am a member of ABATE and to me Abate is the acronym for "A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments".
The article refers to ABATE meaning "Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education".
I know there are other Abate members here. Perhaps someone can enlighten me on this difference.

Thanks

[Momz]

Formerly it stood for, A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments.

But as we have learned, promoting safe operation through training, awareness programs, and co-operation with the AMA, MRF and MSF. The acronym was changed o mean, Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education.

[saddlesore]

Thanks.... I guess I should be a more involved and keep up on things.
Everything I receive in the mail from them still has the "old" meaning. When did the change take place?

[Momz]

That change happened at least 25 years ago.
The Hurt report was one of the mitigating factors in changing of the acronym wording.

The AMA was also factor, as they were actually and actively lobbying congressmen and making great strides in "anti-motorcycle" ledgeslation. The AMA is a national organization, and ABATE is state by state organization that tries to address that states individual issues.

The MRF is composed of a coalition of all ABATE states, and the MSF is the national organization focused on motorcycle safety through training and causation factors.

[ricoman]

around here it means
A Beer Always Tastes Excellent

a lot of drinking at the ABATE fuctions.
I know they get good stuff done, but drinking and riding doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

[Momz]

around here it means
A Beer Always Tastes Excellent

a lot of drinking at the ABATE fuctions.
I know they get good stuff done, but drinking and riding doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Those types are not in the majority. I've been to HD dealer open houses that had "all you can drink keg beer",...so what's the difference?
You can't regulate the indivdual actions of people (you can' fix stupid).

[Steve K (IA)]

Area Bikers At Taverns Everywhere     That was told to me at an HD shop. 

Around here, all the abate meetings are held at bars.

[crow]

in the beginning, in Calif., ABATE did stand for  A Brotherhood Against Totatitarian Enactments. Some states spell it A.B.A.T.E.  In Fla, it is, Abate of Florida Inc.  In florida we use the original, and also American Bikers Aimed Twards Education. Some States use American Bikers for Awarness Training and Education.  WE absoutely do not condone drinking and riding.  We do not allow drinking at our monthly chapter meetings, and the six per year State meetings.  Some of our chapters dont allow poker run stops at bars. (I wish they all did). ABATE of Florida has done GREAT things for the motorcyclists of our state, with a little over 6K members.  Crow, Life member ABATE of Fla.  24 yr member AMA, member NCOM

[fudgie]

A Beer At The Events 

[saddlesore]

The ABATE meetings here are always held in bars too.
Poker runs are set up with all the stops at bars too.
I agree with their tenets but there sure seems to be a conflict of interest in the ranks.

I don't care if you drink. I don't care if you wear a helmet or not. Just don't get on the bike after drinking.

[Romeo]

around here it means
A Beer Always Tastes Excellent

a lot of drinking at the ABATE fuctions.
I know they get good stuff done, but drinking and riding doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Those types are not in the majority. I've been to HD dealer open houses that had "all you can drink keg beer",...so what's the difference?
You can't regulate the indivdual actions of people (you can' fix stupid).

of course you can regulate the individual actions of people. Laws are enacted every day to do just that.

[gregk]

Momz is pretty much got it nailed on the head. I've been a member of ABATE of Wi. For 20 years. I believe most of the accidents last year were due to the cycle riders not even being endorsed to ride. We don't promote drinking we do promote safety and AT meetings some will drink some will not. I've never been at a meeting an seen anyone see how many drinks they can pound down. What meetings are held at bars? Of course they are you want to know why? Who else is going to give you a roof over your head think about it. Meetings are planned ahead of time and you need to be out of the elements. Some Regions have roving meetings.  Poker runs usually are bar stops because at the stops on a one day run is where you will generate money for different needs (not just ABATE runs).  My wife and me have been setting up a summer long poker run for 4 years for our region and it is really good. All stops are bars because we charge a small fee to get in an something for a door prize, They must have good hours for riders coming in at different times, they must have a stamp to stamp the riders books. We encourage riders to buy something anything. Now tell who else is going to do that for you. Encouragement for riders to buy 2 books max is the payback, 7 $ slots up to 300 then if you do enough stops to draw a poker hand you get a chance to won a door prize. 45 stops you get 2 chances. If you do all 65 stops you get a chance to won a cabin stay ( always had min. Of 1) this year we have 2 each 2 night stays.   This method of a run also promotes more riders will stop at more places which is a big plus for the bars. Now tell me why are bars chosen?  In Wi. We have about the best program except for maybe Ohio for ABATE going into schools and teaching motorcycle awareness to those in drivers ed classes. What the state does to promote motorcycle awareness to cagers is totally worthless. ABATE also puts up several billboards around the state to help make cagers aware that we are out and share the road.

[solo1]

I've been reading these ABATE posts and especially Crow's.  I almost changed my mind about Abate after reading Crow's post... and then I read GregK's post.

I can just see it now. GregK's statement  "It's a plus for bars"........... The bartender saying,  "Break out the bottled water boys, here comes Abate"

I've nothing against drinking, just drinking and then riding.

When I was a councilman, occasionally we would go to the local restaurant/bar for dinner, after the meeting.  We stopped that.  The wrong perception started going around.

Abate evidently has done a lot for motorcyclists but my perception of Abate hasn't changed.

[Hoser]

I think the main reason ABATE was formed was to bring an end to the national helmet law.  They accomplished that.  As far as I'm concerned, any good the can do for motorcyclists is a plus. If the meetings are in taverns it is none of my concern.  I am responsible for my actions, just as all Americans should be. Hoser 

[saddlesore]

 ABATE has done a lot of good. 
IMO there has been a push to reinstate helmet laws. I just read another article on the rise of deaths in motorcyclists. It's the same old story that throws a lot of numbers out there that are misleading and have an agenda of putting more controls on us bikers.
ABATE meetings and poker runs held in bars don't mean too much too me as I prefer to ride alone but it does send a bad message that lowers the validity of ABATE.
If bikers see it that way, what message does it send to the "public".     
 

[crow]

We also have (in Fla) MSAP...   Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Program. A copyrighted programme that certified instructors present to schools, AARP meetings, civic groups et al. It teaches people , not how to ride a mc, but how to share the road, specific laws reguarding mc's,  mc stopping distance vs cages, following too closely ect. We have a lobbyist and have received hundreds of thousands of $s from the State, for billboards, psa's on the radio, magnetic signs,bumber stickers, kick stand pads and much much more. We run a campground during Bike Week, and have never had a mc stolen. We are not a 501c3, but a c4, which allows us to help out mc friendly politicos. We have a run to Tallahassee every legislative session.( we have a part time legislature) we only draw a few hundred.  I have heard yall in Wis., draw 20K. to Madtown,  That is BADDASS!!!
If anyone would like more info, feel free to email me, or check out our website. Thank you  crow

saddlesore, you are 100% correct!!!

[MarkT]

ABATE has done a lot of good. 
IMO there has been a push to reinstate helmet laws. I just read another article on the rise of deaths in motorcyclists. It's the same old story that throws a lot of numbers out there that are misleading and have an agenda of putting more controls on us bikers.
ABATE meetings and poker runs held in bars don't mean too much too me as I prefer to ride alone but it does send a bad message that lowers the validity of ABATE.
If bikers see it that way, what message does it send to the "public".     
 

I think ABATE would do better in the public's eye if they nationally chose the local Veteran's group venue (or similar org if there isn't one) to hold their meetings.  They would be supporting the veterans and not projecting the drinking image.  As well as not drinking while riding.

[crow]

I agree, our particular chapter meets at a VFW, at 10 AM on Sunday, however the bar is open, and they allow smoking,  we dont allow either during meetings.  In my area of Fla the   BIGGEST threat to mcling is the complaint of citizens about LOUD pipes.  And I do not believe loud pipes save lives.  I f you believe that, then put a set of 110 db air horns on your  bike and drive around with them on all the time!!!   Loud pipes, jacked up 4weel drive trucks   super loud radios are for men tryring to compensate for having a small penis.  just sayin