ABATE of Oklahoma

Greetings to our Riding Community out there! I know all of you are gearing up for Oklahoma's Spring Riding Season, and ABATE of Oklahoma is no exception. Even as we individually get our bikes reconditioned for putting more miles on them as the weather warms up, our TWELVE ABATE Chapters (remember that we have two new members of the ABATE Family now) are scheduling festive events. You can keep track of what's coming up not only by reading publications like Thunder Roads Oklahoma Magazine or Ride Oklahoma or checking out sites like the Oklahoma Motorcycle Events Calendar, but also by cruising to the ABATE of Oklahoma State Website at www.abateofoklahoma.org and both checking out upcoming events on the Home Page and linking to the individual Chapter Websites. All of our Chapters are updating their websites, and we should have current address links up soon for each one. The activities our ABATE Chapters organize are designed to both make for enjoyable motorcycling and to remind folks that the Riding Freedom we celebrate in Oklahoma must continue to be defended. Remember also to look for the ABATE booth with the large ABATE of Oklahoma banner at motorcycling-related events all over the state. ABATE Chapter members have graciously volunteered their time to staff booths at occasions like the Jeff Williams motorcycle swap meets at the State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. It's a good opportunity to acquire more information about YOUR State Motorcyclist Rights Organization, and sign up friends and acquaintances as new members.

In that vein, I want to pass along my heartfelt thanks to everybody who took time out of their busy schedules to attend ABATE's annual Legislative Breakfast at the State Capitol Fourth Floor Rotunda on February 19. It was great to see a large number of enthusiastic motorcyclists and trikers in black leather crowding the State House, but that's only part of how we increase our political effectiveness. Remember that we show up in riding gear not to intimidate, but to underscore our passion for motorcycling as a way of life! That makes for a much more positive impression with our elected representatives than a paid lobbyist in a suit. We had around 100 members of our Riding Community show up--usually we have a smaller group get involved when there isn't a direct Helmet Law threat, which fortunately is the case right now. However, we had a very large turnout of members of the Legislature to join us this year, which was gratifying. ABATE plays a valuable function during this event to put bikers in touch with their Representatives and Senators who they've might not ever gotten in touch with before. A lot of seats have changed hands during the 2008 Elections, to the extent that Oklahoma's Legislature is Republican-controlled in both Houses for the first time in State History. So, regardless of political affiliation, our Riding Community needs to make a bunch of new friends in the Capitol. Hopefully, each of you was able to arrange some direct "quality time" with your Legislators to discuss issues meaningful and important to you, and you were able to get some sensible answers from your elected officials. A significant number of attendees crowded the House Gallery to watch part of the Session, and ABATE was recognized and applauded by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. ABATE has been hosting this event for eighteen years now, and to be honest, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed on our being able to host it again in the future, depending on what the new Legislature will define allowable under its revised ethics guidelines. I find it ironic that a governmental body attempts to increase its power by restricting access by the People it's supposed to represent. For now, however, it looks like we'll be able to have Breakfast at the Oklahoma State Capitol in 2010. Many thanks to all the ABATE Members who worked so hard to ensure this important event was successful, and especially to the Central OK District for getting the breakfast items together and covering logistics. We also signed up several new ABATE Members at the event, and the Leatherneck MC came forward to become a Silver-Level Sustaining Member of ABATE. Thanks so much for your continued dedication to fighting for Liberty, and "Semper Fi"! ABATE has a large number of its membership, from all Chapters, stepping up to get more actively involved, and I heartily salute your efforts on behalf of defending Riding Freedom, in the Sooner State and Nationwide.

This level of involvement was underscored at the February ABATE State Board Meeting on Valentines Day, where we had a standing-room only crowd attend, including Representatives from all Twelve Chapters. It's gotten to where our meeting venue is going to get a larger room for us to meet in, as we didn't have enough area for folks to sit down. If that's an inconvenience associated with our Organization getting larger and stronger, then it's an inconvenience we'll be happy to accept! ABATE of Oklahoma is poised to increase our scope as well as degree of effectiveness, even as we increase our membership numbers. We're looking to both expand and change our Newsletter format, and incorporate more advertising. Businesses who'd like to reach out to more of our Motorcycling Community, as well as demonstrate their support of Riding Liberty, would do well to advertise through ABATE of Oklahoma! ABATE is also looking to establish a closer working relationship with the Sooner State's motorcycle dealer community, not just with advertising, but also with cooperation on Freedom issues. For example, the Federal Government, acting behind a cover of safeguarding the nation's young people from exposure to lead paint, is looking to prohibit riding on dirt bikes or ATVs by children under 12, and the sale of junior off-road vehicles! I can't remember this issue ever coming up while learning to ride as a young person, or when being involved in supervising young people having fun with off-road vehicles. This is an outrageous imposition by the "Nanny State" on an enjoyable family-oriented activity, and it must be headed off! We'll provide more information on this disturbing governmental move as it develops. Remember that a threat in one area of Motorcycling can quite easily become a threat to everybody. ABATE is also starting to get things organized for the annual "Party On The Plains" in Enid, scheduled for the first weekend in October, and for our participation in the 2009 Mid-South M.I.L.E. Motorcyclist Rights Seminars which will be held in Emporia, Kansas the THIRD weekend in October. Coming off a very successful 2008 event in Tulsa, ABATE of Oklahoma wants to build upon that success with another good showing of Sooner State riders, as well as putting together another creative State Basket which will compete for the People's Choice Award. ABATE of Kansas is still working on the meeting venue, which looks like is going to be the Best Western in Emporia, so we'll pass more definitive information along as we receive it and when it's posted on the M.I.L.E. Website at: www.midsouthmile.org Check that site periodically for news. Also, be sure to check out www.aimncom.com for information on the upcoming 2009 National Coalition Of Motorcyclists Convention at the Nugget Casino in Sparks, Nevada near Reno. That's going to be an educational, informative and enjoyable event. You can obtain a pre-registration form in the ABATE newsletter. I'll be there, along with the NCOM Board of Directors, and I hope some of you from Oklahoma will be able to attend.

This year's Legislative Session is going to prove pretty interesting, as you can read below, and it's well worth your time to keep abreast of the issues, which you can do by logging onto the Oklahoma Legislature's website, which is located at: www.lsb.state.ok.us Agendas for each chamber are posted at the site after 5:00PM for the next day. It appears that the State Senate is going to post what's actually going to be heard on a given day, too. If you see the term "General Order" it means that a bill can be heard by the entire Senate at any time. You can also obtain names, office room numbers, and e-mail addresses at the website for all our state's Senators and Representatives. Actual letters may be sent to : Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. OKC, OK 73105. In the past, e-mails were way down the list compared to letter-writing, but that was before anthrax and ricin. I think legislators are more concerned with security as a result, and are now more willing to interact with their constituents via e-mail in the face of those threats. Speaking of security, don't forget lessons learned during the Legislative Breakfast: be prepared to walk through metal detectors at the Capitol, and have all bags searched/x-rayed. Motorcycle jackets will obviously be searched because of all the metal in them, and don't bring anything that could possibly be considered a weapon. I'd recommend folks always have a photo ID with them as well, since you'll encounter screeners like those at the airport, and Capitol Police as well. One can access the Capitol at only four locations now--under the canopy on the West side, up the wheelchair ramp on the Southeast corner, the East side entrance and the East Tunnel. We also provide a thumbnail status sketch on bills of interest at the ABATE of Oklahoma Website Home Page, so keep checking it regularly.

HB1675 is the Motorcycling Safety and Mobility Act: its primary author is Rep. Pat Ownbey from Ardmore now, as Rep. McNiel had too many issues to advance this year. ABATE is networking to get Sen. Jim Reynolds, a longtime friend of our Riding Community, to author this bill on the Senate side. This bill would allow motorcyclists, after stopping and determining it safe to proceed, to go through a controlled intersection if their bike doesn't trigger the light to turn green. This type of legislation has been passed in several states, and has directly contributed to reducing motorcyclist deaths and injuries. HB2145 and HB2146 would prohibit the Department of Public Safety from routinely using personal and biometric information without cause, and would have the department delete all "Big Brother"-type information from its database. There are EIGHT different bills addressing Driver's License renewal procedures (like dealing with proof of U.S. Citizenship and pre-notification of expiration); and EIGHT different bills targeting Distracted Driving, chiefly using Hand-Held Cell Phones and Driving while Texting. HB2080 is Rep. Wesselhoft's Anti-Gang Bill, and the author assures ABATE that he's not targeting motorcyclists. However, the verbiage is vague enough that groups of three or more who look the same can be identified for increased focus, as has happened in other states. This type of legislation is being advanced on the Federal level as well, in the person of S.132--concerned Oklahomans might want to contact Senators Inhofe and Coburn regarding this issue. Back on the state level, HB1321 would waive having to take a Written Test for your "M" Endorsement by furnishing proof of completion of an approved Rider Education Course. Currently, that accomplishment alleviates having to take a Road Test. One of the most important opportunities we have available to us is contained as a rider in HB2264 (dealing with oversized/vehicle weight payloads). Originally advanced in HB1793 which died in committee, this rider would add five dollars to motorcycle registrations, but the money collected would be placed in a lockbox to fund a State-sponsored Rider Education Program. That's important to know, because Rider Education funding has been stolen in a number of states by raiding it for the General Fund. This is the closest we've come to funding the state's Rider Education Program, passed with much fanfare in 1999 but without any funding mechanism. A novice rider has the right to learn to ride a motorcycle safely and responsibly anywhere in Oklahoma at reasonable cost. With over 130,000 registered motorcycles now in the Sooner State, this bill would provide the funds to make that happen. ABATE is presently networking with both the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office and the Department Of Public Safety's Motorcyclist Liaison on this vital issue, so stand by for news.

I'm pleased to relay the good news that our Oklahoma Confederation Of Clubs Website is back online, although some information, such as links to the member clubs and organizations, needs to be built and loaded. It's looking really good so far, and you can check it out by going to either www.okcoc.org or www.okcoc.net These are the official addresses--the old links don't work anymore. Ms. Debi of Bikers For Christ is getting past some medical problems right now, but she'll get the Website where it needs to be eventually--thanks for everybody's patience. Remember, the primary purpose of the Confederation, which ABATE is a member of and serves as its political arm, is for information sharing and promoting action in a spirit of unity and cooperation among all clubs and organizations. This is critical as we respond to issues and threats affecting all motorcyclists, regardless of background. The Sunday, March 1 OK COC Meeting information is on the Home Page right now, so I'll be looking forward to seeing everyone who can attend at the American Legion Post #308, 11328 E. Admiral Pl., off Garnett Rd. in Tulsa OK. The meeting starts at 1:00PM, and the Post number is: 918-437-4308, in case anybody gets lost. I should be cleared by the doctor to drive by then, so I'll be excited about joining you, even though I'm not back on the bike yet. A key part of the meeting will involve the implementation of the Defenders Program, designed to improve widespread response from our Riding Community regarding issues affecting us on the State and Federal level. A perfect example of where the Defenders program could work for us involves the Anti-Gang bills described above, being proposed both in our state and in Washington, DC. I'll be directly involved in the Defender Program's workings from the Confederation's standpoint as Liaison, but I'm pleased to announce that ABATE's Defender contact will be Brook "X-Man" Bullock, our State Secretary, and I know he's going to do a great job!

Tiger's Tip O' The Month: We prove every year when we attend the ABATE Legislative Breakfast that we don't expect our Legislators to give us anything, and that we're prepared to fight for any of the Rights we deserve. So also should we expect none of those motorists we share the road with to perform the way we expect them to. So, prepare for that possible Left Turn idiot taking you out by carefully proceeding through the intersection and always look for escape routes. Forget attempting to "make eye contact" with the driver--they're probably not looking at you anyway, and so many cars use dark window tinting. Concentrate on what that two tons of steel is going to do. Keep a weather eye on those side streets and driveways for darting traffic, and always check your mirrors--even when stopped and waiting for the light to change. You have to always watch out for that "Oklahoma Quick Stop", especially if your bike doesn't trigger the light to turn green at that controlled intersection. Hopefully, the Motorcycling Mobility and Safety Act will help us with that WHEN it gets passed! Our car-driving counterparts are capable of anything, so expect everything. Use the most important piece of safety equipment you possess--your brain! Motorcyclists, contrary to what some people think, have more smarts on the average than cagers--we need those smarts to keep these complicated machines rolling. Let's use that to our advantage, and keep ahead of the Law of Natural Selection, which is always there to weed out the stupid! Don't forget that using that brain effectively when you ride involves riding sober too, and unaffected by the negative affects of mind-altering substances--don't make yourself a victim!

It's time to wrap things up for now, so I'll close. I know I covered a lot of issues which might seem complicated, so feel free to contact our ABATE Legislative Hotline at 405-329-7254 or get hold of me for clarification or further information. Have a fun and safe trip if you're on your way to Daytona for Bike Week, and don't lose your wallet to the greedy opportunists who always seem to turn out in force at large-scale bike rallies. Here's wishing you the Luck O' The Irish for St. Patrick's Day (Sparks America, one of our supporters, is scheduling a pretty good party), and I look forward to seeing you on the Road as things green up for Spring!

Keep It On The Black Strip Between The Trees,

Tiger Mike