July 2017
A publication supporting the rights, safety and freedom of all motorcyclists through education and legislation
VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1
Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Permit #1662 Phoenix, AZ
WHO ARE YOU?
But what does that really mean?
Mike Infanzon ABATE of AZ Designated Lobbyist
abateofaz.org
ABATE of AZ. 7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ 85020
I have a tendency to gravitate towards the classic rock stations whenever I want to listen to music. I truly love the blues (Clapton, Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc) and the southern rock genre. I was thinking about what to write about for this issue of the Masterlink when The Who came on. “Well, who are you? I really want to know. Tell me, who are you? ‘Cause I really want to know.”
Who am I? Well, I am a dad, a son, a brother, a Marine, a friend to some, etc. I also can say that I am your state lobbyist. I am ABATE.
THE BEGINNINGS The concept of ABATE began with Lou Kimzey, editor of Easyriders magazine in 1972. He and others saw the need for bikers to organize to fight against federal and state restrictions on motorcycling. Some 35 years later, most states have a state motorcyclists' rights organizations (SMRO), either called ABATE or some other name. October 1977 Lou Kimzey and Easyriders were relinquishing the organization to the people attending the meeting in Sacramento. In fact, there are 35 ABATE organizations in our country. ABATE is an acronym which originally stood for "A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments.” I like that acronym. It makes me think that we are warriors against those who want to limit our freedoms. Did you know that the word abate comes from the Old French verb “abattre”, “to beat down” and means to reduce or become less intense or numerous. So you can either think of ABATE as A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education or use it like a verb to reduce limits on our freedoms.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN ARIZONA 1992 Opened HOV lanes to motorcycles 1993 Helped prevent mandatory helmet legislation in Arizona 1997 Established handlebar height elevation to shoulder height 2001 Established Motorcycle Safety Fund
2002 Established Arizona Motorcycle Safety Council 2004 Established veteran plates for motorcycles 2007 Eliminated yearly motorcycle emissions testing in Pima County 2007 Removed cap on Motorcycle Safety Fund 2013 Eliminated yearly motorcycle emissions testing in Maricopa County 2015 Eliminated restriction on handlebar height 2017 Successfully prevented mandatory helmet legislation 2017 Reestablished Motorcycle Safety Fund for 5 years 2017 Helped pass the Teen texting bill 2017 Helped pass the Civil Forfeiture changes Did you realize that ABATE had a hand in all of that? Did you know that ABATE of Arizona has been fighting for motorcyclists since 1989? It’s who we are. COMMUNITY SUPPORT ABATE of Arizona isn’t just about fighting bad legislation. We also support and are involved in numerous charities around the state and nationally. This includes the Fisher House in Tucson, many American Legion posts around the state, toy runs, raising money for downed bikers, local school back-
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