Who is ABATE?

[CatatonicBug]

Another thread raised my eyebrow to this organization, and I just got curious. A link had been given to the A.B.A.T.E. website for Oregon. I looked at their page, but found no reference to any kind of National organization. They gave the full name of A.B.A.T.E. to be "A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments". That same wording is used by a couple other states' ABATE websites as well. However, I also saw it written as "American Bikers Aiming Toward Education", and a combination of the two, "A Brotherhood Aiming Toward Education".

None of the websites I visited had any reference to any kind of link to a National group, and all seemed totally autonomous. I applaud their efforts, but without some kind of National governing body, how do they manage to get anything done on a National level?

[Elevener]

http://www.bikerrogue.com/Articles/B...y_of_abate.htm


I think the name changes are political correctness in action

[CatatonicBug]

So, I guess they TRIED to make a national organization, but internal squabbling and a lack of real leadership killed it for them. I guess it doesn't surprise me. It's hard to get even a small group of bikers to agree on anything - I bet it would be impossible to have an organization of any national size all working in the same direction.

[Elevener]

You have to realize all laws arent national. Its a state by state fight. They are more effective this way.

[b.walker5]

I remember reading Easyrider mags in the mid to late 70's when ABATE was a big thing. IIRC they even had organised bike shows for the "brothers" in jail and such. It was "big" back in the day. I guess it's become like a lot of small political lobby groups and suffered from too much infighting. We have a similair group here in NZ called BRONZ (Bikers Rights Organisation of New Zealand). Thay have a national body in Auckland and provincial branches around the country. http://www.bronz.org.nz/ The National body believes that Auckland IS New Zealand and nothing else matters and the branches operate completely independantly of each other. As you can imagine, they are very effective. BRONZ Otago run a very good rally called the Vincent County but as a political lobby group they might as well take up pastry cooking.

[tw1980]

I posted that link because of the service the ABATE guy provide.I thought others might be interested.I don't know what they lobby for or against,or what other services they provide.I'm not a member and don't belong to any group.I don't like going to meetings or meeting somewhere to pick up trash or wash ducks and otters.I just like to ride.

Terry

[CatatonicBug]

I don't like going to meetings or meeting somewhere to pick up trash or wash ducks and otters.I just like to ride.

LOL!! As supportive as I am for this type of public service, I tend to agree with you. I really tend to feel a bit out of place with "biker" groups anyway, so one like ABATE would probably be way too much for me. I had just never heard of them, so I went looking for info, and kept getting more confused with each new website I found.

[tmworks]

ABATE is a state by state grass roots organization.
Many people that ride don't realize that funds this small group (relative to the amount of motorcycles on the road) collect go to pay to keep a lobbyist in state capitals to try to filter out junk motorcycle related law’s (like banning passengers on bikes) that may otherwise slip thru. You would be surprised the amount of crap that is slipped into bill’s here in California that never see the light of day because of this group’s lobbyist efforts.

I know some of this is a re-post. It's not all about Harley bikers. Three of the longest standing board members of our local group ride BMW's and Yamaha's and Honda’s and wear full face helmets.

It's about preserving a sport that we are passionate about.

[crazy steve]

As I understand it, ABATE was originally a 'No Helmet Law' lobby that was formed when helmet laws started to get passed in various places. Seeing how they lost that fight in many places (but I know that's still at the top of the local chapters wish list), they then started working to prevent any other 'bad' laws from getting in. They are sometimes at cross-purposes with the AMA, but by-and-large do more good than harm. Locally, there's a fairly large, noisy Harley contingent with a big 'loud pipes save lives' sub-group, so I avoid them.

The locals don't seem to do any of the 'touchy-feely' do-gooder stuff, as everything I've seen revolves around riding. But they do sponsor 'toy runs' and ride benefits for usually good causes, so there's some interface with the bigger motorcycle groups.

'78E original owner

[CatatonicBug]

As I understand it, ABATE was originally a 'No Helmet Law' lobby that was formed when helmet laws started to get passed in various places. Seeing how they lost that fight in many places (but I know that's still at the top of the local chapters wish list), they then started working to prevent any other 'bad' laws from getting in.

According to the link that Elevener posted, it began to defend the rights of chopper mfg's to use raked front ends. Laws were being passed to determine that raked front ends were "unsafe", and they, along with Easyriders magazine, proved the politicians wrong. I think the helmet thing is just one of the thorns that they are dealing with now.

[cywelchjr]

According to the link that Elevener posted, it began to defend the rights of chopper mfg's to use raked front ends. Laws were being passed to determine that raked front ends were "unsafe", and they, along with Easyriders magazine, proved the politicians wrong. I think the helmet thing is just one of the thorns that they are dealing with now.

I happen to agree with ABATE on helmet laws, but disagree with them on helmet use. I believe it's stupid to ride without a helmet, but that it should be the riders decision. I also am against seat belt laws as well, while at the same time being a firm believer in seat belt use.