Abate

            Politically speaking we are entering the New Year with uncertainty. Our country has a new President and a Congress with a Democrat Majority. The entire power structure at the top has changed. How this change will directly affect motorcycling depends a lot on who replaces Mary Peters, as Secretary of Transportation. A true friend of motorcycling rights, Ed Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania, is on the short list to replace her but, he will not accept because of political reasons in his state.
            One good thing to keep in mind is that President-Elect Obama did vote “against” the Lautenberg Amendment during the last re-authorization of the interstate highway funding act that would have allowed for mandatory helmet laws in every state. No matter who is running the show, motorcyclists need to contact them and let them know how they feel and what they want. 
            On the local level in the State of Georgia, ABATE has four bills that it is working on: Anti-Discrimination, Proceed on Red after stopping if light changing device does not detect your vehicle, Freedom of Choice, and enhanced penalties on a Right of Way Violation. These issues are the ones YOU the Motorcyclists communicated to us as most important to you. These bills can only come into effect by you letting your Representatives and Senators know how you feel. They have to hear from their constituents.
            These legislative efforts are to protect YOUR rights. ABATE cannot do it without YOU. When you join ABATE you put more STRENGTH into our efforts. When you get ACTIVE you put more MUSCLE into the fight. When you SUPPORT the ABATE Swap Meets, you help FUND our fight.
            You can find out more about our proposed legislation by attending our next Bike Show and Swap Meet, January 11, 2009. It will be at our NEW location, The North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross. We are working hard to make it an event that you will enjoy attending. We’ve got a super band, Skeeterz, playing from 11 am to 3 pm and we have a fantastic DJ, “Smooth” playing music when the band is on break. Come check us out. Come join our organization. Come help us help you in 2009!
           
Ride Safe, Ride Free, and Ride Often in this God Blessed U. S. of A. !!!!