Well I have some good news to start with this time, our two bills SB1023 Sponsored by Senator Linda Gray the Motor Vehicle Accidents; Death; Injury and HB2033 Sponsored by Rep. Jerry Weiers the Motorcycle Emissions Extension both passed their first committees. I want to thank our Lobby Team for doing a good job, but we still have a long way to go.

We still have many more issues to tackle, Right To Repair, HIPPA loophole at the state level, protecting our Safety Fund, and Discrimination.

Discrimination has many forms, No Colors, No motorcycle Attire, No motorcycle parking, and in some states they have attempted to close public roads to motorcycles and passed local laws in an attempt to limit motorcycle access. Any type of discrimination cannot be allowed, it is our right to ride and dress the way we want to in a safe and respectful manner. The majority of motorcyclists have been silent too long. They have sat back and let a few good people do their fight for them. It’s time to get off your ass and do something.

Contact your Representatives, let them know if you think they are doing a good or bad job, remind them that you have a vote, they can be replaced or reelected. Contact your local Motorcycle Rights Organization, go to one of their meetings and see what you can do to protect your rights as a motorcycle rider.

Also if you feel that you or someone else has been discriminated against, contact ABATE. In this paper is a discrimination form, or on our web site (abateofaz.org). Please fill it out so that we can collect this information to fight this. Information is power and with this information we , as a group can fight this injustice .

So go out and ride, be safe and enjoy. But when you get back contact your local ABATE or MMA Chapter, go to a meeting learn what you can do to protect your rights, and bring a friend.

Ross Rutherford
ABATE of Arizona
State President