July 2014
A publication supporting the rights, safety and freedom of all motorcyclists through education and legislation
VOLUME XXIII, ISSUE II
the history of
Nonprofit Org US Postage Paid Permit #1662 Phoenix, AZ
abate
A BRIEF HISTORY OF BIKERS RIGHTS IN AMERICA
abateofaz.org
ABATE of AZ. 7509 N. 12th St, #200 Phoenix, AZ 85020
Editor’s Note: It came to our attention that there were some members that were not at all happy with the cover article or picture of last month’s Masterlink. Be assured of this; it was not a partisan attack, the picture was not Photoshopped and the article came directly from the MRF office in Washington, D.C. If President Bush would have pushed for a federal helmet law, I would have found a goofy picture of him wearing a helmet and put it on the front page as well. I don’t have a high opinion of most politicians and I am an equal opportunity offender. No apologies from your editor on this one. I don’t write the news, I merely relay it. There was also some talk about just accepting a mandatory helmet law. Those that feel this way need to be reminded that ABATE was founded in response to a federal helmet push. Here is that story:
As Seen By Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists
About four decades ago, bikers got tired of being told by a bunch of bureaucrats and politicians who’d never thrown a leg over a
motorcycle what they HAD TO WEAR, how they HAD TO RIDE, and what our BIKES HAD TO BE BUILT LIKE!!
Over the years, motorcyclists organized themselves into a viable political force and evolved into one of the few TRUE grass roots movements in the country. Others may share an avocation, profession or recreation, but they don't share our passion. They don't have the kind of passion it takes to support organizations that can protect their rights. And they don't have the kind of passion it takes to confront a legislative body and say, "LEAVE US ALONE!! " And that’s largely what the bikers rights movement is all about… just leave us alone. Whether it's helmets, leg protectors, insurance...let US make the choices regarding our own personal safety and protection. LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE!
Our organizational leaders and political activists don't have a financial stake in motorcycle legislation. We're not asking for any special privileges or exemptions, tax relief or tariffs. The only thing at stake is our passion for riding. When our grass roots, VOLUN-
TEER lobbyists speak to legislators about our issues, they're talking from the heart...not from the wallet. Our movement consists of a diverse bunch of people, most of us staunch individualists, but with one common denominator and a common goal...Freedom… Of The Road. As influential as our lobby has become, our nationwide biker rights movement didn't come easy and it didn't happen overnight.
The kind of camaraderie that brought the first two motorcycle riders together to share a ride down a country lane is the same kind of camaraderie that formed our early motorcycle clubs and associations and, eventually, our motorcycle rights organizations. While our MRO’s as we now know them started developing in the early 70’s after the first national helmet law when almost every state passed mandatory lid laws, motorcyclists have never been a stranger to political activism. In fact, early motorcycle riders were among
continued page 3