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Visit Us around Ohio !!!!!
We'll be at the BEST EVENTS in Ohio !!! |
ABATE of Ohio, Inc., Region 8
"Click" Image for Printable Flier |
Freedom Rally !!
Carroll County Veterans Park
2038 Brenner Rd., Carrollton, Oh. 44615
Google Map
June 30, July 1st & 2nd, 2023
Gates open 12 Noon, June 30.
Primitive Camping, Live Bands all weekend, Veterans Vigil, Friday Night,
Freedom Run to Hopedale MMF & Bike Rodeo & Show, Saturday.,
Food & Goodies venders
Info: Tim 330 243-4273 Kelly 330 327-3513
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From the Legislative Page
Lion Man
(1-5-2023) My name is Lion Man, and I was elected to be your new ABATE of Ohio State Government Relations Officer. I want to start off by saying thank you to Kolman Fuzy for all his years of hard work in keeping this organization moving forward. I hope I can build on his work to keep Ohio legislatively productive and support Motorcyclists, our freedoms and all our rights................... ( Read more )
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AMA ACTION CENTER
For Immediate Release: January 31, 2023
S.B. 96 PUSHES NON-CONSENSUAL ORGAN DONATION FOR MOTORCYCLE CRASH VICTIMS NOT WEARING A HELMET
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (January 31, 2023) — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) recently expressed outrage and began the fight against Connecticut’s proposed legislation, S.B. 96, which would presuppose that any street-riding motorcyclist killed would automatically become an organ donor if they were not wearing a helmet, something that’s currently legal under Connecticut state law for riders over the age of 18.
“The bill shows callous disregard for the motorcycling public,” said AMA Government Relations Director Mike Sayre. “Organ donation is a noble cause that regularly saves lives around the country, but the decision to become a donor is a deeply personal one — one that this legislation would take away from motorcyclists.”
“Not only is this bill insulting to motorcyclists,” Sayre added, “but it also violates the religious liberty of those whose faith prohibits posthumous organ donation, and is clearly an unconstitutional violation of bodily autonomy for any American.”
Within the text of the bill, the statement of purpose reads, simply, “to improve public health.” The AMA counters that if public health is really a concern, preventing motorcycle crashes in the first place must be the priority. This bill makes motorcyclist safety a secondary concern, reducing motorcyclists to little more than a collection of organs to be harvested upon their death.
When the AMA Government Relations Department contacted Senator Looney’s office, his staff responded that the bill was proposed to help fix declining organ donation rates in Connecticut and dissuade motorcyclists from riding without a helmet. The staffer stated that their position was that if motorcyclists put their lives at risk by riding helmetless, they assume those riders don’t care where their organs end up.
While the Senator’s office cites declining organ donation in the state, New England Donor Services, the parent organization of the New England Organ Bank — which is the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) responsible for coordinating organ and tissue donation in the New England Area — expressed to the AMA its opposition to any legislation that presumes consent for organ donation.
According to New England Donor Services, the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) is the model statute that governs deceased organ and tissue donation, and it’s one that has been adopted in every state of the Union. The UAGA is based upon gift law principles and requires an affirmative voluntary act, something that S.B. 96 completely disregards.
The AMA, which represents more than 225,000 motorcyclists across the country, contacted Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore, Martin M. Looney, who introduced S.B. 96, demanding that he withdraw the offensive bill and make amends with the motorcycling community.
The AMA continues to fight to protect the future of motorcycling, with members from all walks of life coming together to celebrate and defend two-wheeled freedom from proposals like S.B. 96. Similar bills have been defeated by the AMA and its members, who have stood up and made their voices heard, and the AMA will continue fighting this despicable bill on behalf of motorcyclists in Connecticut and around the country.
The AMA urges Connecticut residents to take action by visiting https://www.votervoice.net/Motor.../Campaigns/100162/Respond.
Concerned motorcyclists who don’t live in Connecticut can express their outrage by emailing Connecticut Senator Looney at Looney@senatedems.ct.gov or going to http://www.senatedems.ct.gov/looney-contact.
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ODPS New Release
For Immediate Release: January 17, 2023
Motorcycle Ohio Course Registration Opens January 23
COLUMBUS Ohioans who wish to learn what it takes to ride a motorcycle safely and responsibly can sign-up for rider courses online beginning Monday, Jan. 23. Training courses through Motorcycle Ohio begin as early as March and run through early November. The state has over 600,000 endorsed riders, making Ohio one of the largest states for total ridership. Education and public awareness are keys to making our roadways safer for all motorists.
Since 2017, there have been 1,074 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in Ohio.
In 56% of those crashes, the rider was at-fault.
An unendorsed rider was involved in 45% of those crashes.
The Motorcycle Ohio program, offered by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, provides different levels of motorcycle safety courses for riders based on their skill levels and objectives. Funded by motorcycle plate fees and class registrations, Motorcycle Ohio strives to provide affordable, effective education programs at just $50 per course that includes the cost of student workbooks. Students must have a validated motorcycle temporary permit before the first riding session. Upon successful completion of any course, the student will earn a 60-day Bureau of Motor Vehicles skill test waiver for a motorcycle license or endorsement.
The types of courses include:
Basic Rider Skills (BRS): recommended for novice riders. During this 16-hour course, students will participate in four hours of classroom, and 12 hours of on-cycle training covering topics such as cornering, braking, swerving, and traffic interaction. No experience is required, and Motorcycle Ohio provides the motorcycles and helmets.
Returning Riders (BRS-RR): recommended for intermediate riders. This eight-hour course is designed for riders 18 and older who have been riding with a two-wheel temporary permit for more than one year, or a two-wheeled experienced rider returning after an extended time away. Students will participate in two hours of classroom instruction, take an on-cycle evaluation to assess their skill level, and then complete six hours of on-cycle training.
Basic Rider Skills 2 (BRS-2): recommended for riders looking for a refresher course or to bond with a new motorcycle. During this seven-hour course, students will participate in on-cycle training without a formal classroom setting while using their own street legal two-wheeled motorcycle.
Motorcycle Ohio courses are being taught at 36 training sites around Ohio. To find out more about how to prepare for a course and enroll, please visit motorcycle.ohio.gov.
For additional information, contact:
Judy Converse
Public Information Officer, Ohio Traffic Safety Office
(614) 644-6052
jlconverse@dps.ohio.gov
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At the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Meeting of the Minds 2022, ABATE of Ohio was presented with the Ron Shehard Safety Recognition Award. This is an Annual Award recognizing an achievement in Motorcycle Safety. ABATE of Ohio was awarded this in recognition of the work done to modify HB338 into a bill the Motorcycle Safety Community was comfortable with. ABATE of Ohio had to come up with a new strategy after the bill passed the Ohio House with only one vote against. With ABATE of Ohio’s friends on the Ohio Senate side of the Statehouse, the bill was amended into something acceptable.
Thank You to all who helped in this effort.
Ed Schetter
Executive Director
ABATE of Ohio Inc. |
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| January 6, 2023
BIKERS INSIDE THE BELTWAY FINDING COMMON GROUND
Bikers inside the Beltway – with the encouragement and direction of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation, since the first Bikers inside the Beltway in 2009, thousands of bikers have met with their elected representatives and educated them about issues of importance to all street riding motorcyclists.
Last week, President Biden signed into law what the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives agreed upon -- a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package that funds the federal government through September 2023 and avoids a government shutdown. Included in that 4,155-page bill is a request by Congress to learn more about the profiling of motorcyclists.
Specifically, within the funding section for the Department of Transportation, language states that: The Committee is concerned that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may be conducting activities that encourage states to adopt legislation, regulation, or other policies that unjustly profile motorcycle riders. The Committee directs NHTSA to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the extent to which the agency works with states on motorcycle passenger policies within 120 days of enactment of this Act.
The words of retiring U.S. Representative David Price from North Carolina may just as well apply to the recent efforts of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation “... Understand that not every battle can be won on the first try and that politics is a matter of striking a balance between ... compromising and finding common ground where you can, and fighting where you must.”
The MRF’s victories, realized in the waning hours of Congress in December, should drive home Congressman Price’s words. Those victories came from the year-after-year vigilance of MRF members writing, calling, and meeting with members of Congress during the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s annual Bikers inside the Beltway.
The pandemic, and the events of January 6, 2021, did not deter the MRF. More than one hundred motorcyclists attended the first in-person meetings in 2021 with members of Congress. Even more attended Bikers inside the Beltway in 2022.
Now is the time for you to make plans to attend Bikers inside the Beltway – May 15 & 16, 2023.
As in years past, Bikers inside the Beltway will be dual-faceted to accommodate in-person visits to Congress plus visits to local district offices.
To ensure that the mission of getting our message to Congress continues to be successful, please consider the following:
Make your appointments locally or in Washington
Familiarize yourself with the briefing points
Confirm your appointment locally or in Washington
Virtual or in person, make notes on your meeting
Share your meeting notes with the MRF
In conjunction with Bikers inside the Beltway, a meeting of the MRF Board of Directors takes place on May 15 at the Embassy Suites, 1900 Diagonal Road, Alexandria, Virginia. Rooms are available through the hotel direct line 703-684-5900 and use reference code MRF.
Attending Bikers inside the Beltway is an essential element of the MRF’s grassroots activism. Make plans to attend the pre-event briefing and Q&A for visits to Congress, scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 15. Briefing packets and “leave behinds” will be available during the briefing.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s Bikers inside the Beltway — May 15 & 16, 2023.
Thank you for your commitment.
Yours in Freedom,
Fred
Fredric Harrell
MRF Director of Conferences & Events
P.S. Registration for Bikers inside the Beltway is free. However, we request that you register early to help us plan the event. Use the link or the QR code below for Bikers inside the Beltway registration. Thank you.
https://motorcycleridersfoundation.wildapricot.org/widget/event-5008758/Registratione
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| December 30, 2022
For Immediate Release
2022 Ends With Multiple D.C. Victories for Bikers
In case you missed it, the last two weeks of 2022 saw multiple victories for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and all motorcyclists in this country. With the clock ticking down before the 117th Congress adjourned, three major parts of the MRF legislative agenda were addressed by leaders in Washington, D.C.
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December 16th – Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan and 26 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding three recent fatal crashes between self-driving vehicles and motorcycles. The letter seeks answers about how self-driving cars interact with motorcycles and whether recent crashes are statistical outliers.
To read the full letter click here.
December 22nd – Rep. Susie Lee of Nevada inserted committee report language into the year-end omnibus government funding bill released by the U.S. Senate and passed both chambers of Congress. The report language states "The Committee is concerned that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may be conducting activities that encourage states to adopt legislation, regulation, or other policies that unjustly profile motorcycle riders. The Committee directs NHTSA to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the extent to which the agency works with states on motorcycle passenger policies within 120 days of enactment of this Act."
December 23rd – Six years after it was first introduced the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. Res 366, the motorcyclist profiling resolution. The resolution "Promotes increased public awareness on the issue of motorcyclist profiling; encourages collaboration and communication with the motorcyclist community and law enforcement to engage in efforts to end motorcyclist profiling; and urges State law enforcement officials to include statements condemning motorcyclist profiling in written policies and training materials."
To read the full version of H. Res 366 click here. |
These three victories in the span of just a few days reflects the hard work of MRF members and our allies over the course of 2022. The work done at events like Bikers Inside the Beltway and by state motorcyclist rights organizations throughout the year paved the way for these successes.
As we look towards 2023 more challenges remain. For example, the Motorcyclists Advisory Committee (MAC) has yet to be established despite legislation passed in 2021 that directs the Department of Transportation to seat the MAC. Follow up on issues like profiling and self-driving cars will be necessary as will action on other items in the robust 2023 MRF legislative agenda.
While we are excited by the end to a successful year in our nation’s capital, we know that staying engaged is the only way to protect the freedoms we cherish. Thank you for your continued support of the MRF. Without your time, energy, and passion the voice of the street rider would disappear from the halls of power in D.C.
Let’s keep the momentum going in 2023! Not yet a member of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation? Click here to Join in the 2023 Freedom Fight.
Ride Safe and Ride Free |
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| December 23, 2022
For Immediate Release
House Passes Motorcyclist Profiling Resolution!
In one of the final actions before the 117th Congress dissolved the House of Representatives passed, H. Res 366, the motorcyclist profiling resolution.
The resolution, which was first introduced in 2016, failed to receive a vote on the House floor until today. In the six years since it was introduced motorcyclists have spent countless hours educating lawmakers and raising awareness on the issue of motorcyclist profiling.
The 2016 version of the resolution had just 18 cosponsors, but that number grew to 103 this month. These 103 cosponsors represented a diverse set of political beliefs and geographic interests, but all were committed to supporting bikers.
It has been a long journey to this point and many parties are responsible for this victory. Former Representative Reid Ribble of Wisconsin originally introduced the resolution and after his departure from Congress Representative Tim Walberg of Michigan picked up the baton. The Motorcycle Profiling Project provided important data that helped inform lawmakers about the extent of motorcyclist profiling. Motorcycle clubs and independent riders all invested time and resources in the battle on Capitol Hill. State motorcyclist rights organizations leveraged their relationships with home state lawmakers and increased cosponsor numbers dramatically. Most importantly all these groups remained committed and focused despite setbacks and disappointments.
With this action, the House joins the Senate, which passed a similar resolution in 2018 standing against motorcyclist profiling and asking for collaboration between law enforcement and bikers to prevent profiling. Additionally, five states, Washington, Maryland, Louisiana, Idaho, and New Hampshire all have state laws against the profiling of bikers.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation hopes that this demonstration of support from the United States Congress will provide other states a foundation to enact legislation.
To see a full version of H. Res 366 click here. |
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| December 23, 2022
For Immediate Release
NHTSA Put on Notice Regarding the Profiling of Motorcyclist
This week, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives agreed to a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package that funds the federal government through September 2023 and avoids a government shutdown. Attached to that 4,155-page bill is a request by Congress to learn more about the profiling of motorcyclists.
Within the funding section for the Department of Transportation, language was included that states: The Committee is concerned that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may be conducting activities that encourage states to adopt legislation, regulation, or other policies that unjustly profile motorcycle riders. The Committee directs NHTSA to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on the extent to which the agency works with states on motorcycle passenger policies within 120 days of enactment of this Act.
For years the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) has worked to address the profiling of motorcyclists. We believe this action by Congress is an important step that will continue the dialogue on this topic. We cannot thank Rep. Susie Lee of Nevada enough for her leadership on this issue. Her willingness to seek answers from NHTSA is why this language was included in the final bill.
We hope that when NHTSA responds to the request from Congress, we will have more information to share with you.
Thank you for your continued support of biker rights and the MRF.
As always Ride Safe and Ride Free.
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| December 16, 2022
This week, thousands of American bikers contacted their elected officials to express concern about recent crashes involving motorcycles and cars believed to be in self-driving mode. Specifically, three crashes this summer, which occurred in California, Florida and Utah have been a major topic of conversation for the nearly 10 million motorcyclists in this country.
In response to outreach by constituents, Representative Tim Walberg of Michigan and 26 other members of Congress sent a bipartisan letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) seeking answers. The letter, delivered to Acting Administrator Ann Carlson, asked five basic questions regarding self-driving technology and motorcycles.
It is the hope of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), our members and partners that answers to questions like, “Should motorcyclists take extra precautions when sharing the road with vehicles with self-driving technology?” will shed light on the capabilities of this new technology.
Click here to read the official letter.
American motorcyclists owe the following 27 Representatives, from 16 different states, our thanks. Their desire to seek answers and protect all roadway users makes all of us safer. Thank you for your leadership on this issue!
Rep. Troy Balderson – Ohio
Rep. Jack Bergman – Michigan
Rep. Mike Bost – Illinois
Rep. Cheri Busto – Illinois
Rep. Angie Craig – Minnesota
Rep. Rodney Davis – Illinois
Rep. Val Demings – Florida
Rep. Scott Fitzgerald – Wisconsin
Rep. Lois Frankel – Florida
Rep. Paul Gosar – Arizona
Rep Glenn Grothman – Wisconsin
Rep. Andy Harris – Maryland
Rep. Clay Higgins – Louisiana
Rep. Dusty Johnson – South Dakota
Rep. Ron Kind – Wisconsin
Rep. Ann Kuster – New Hampshire
Rep. Darin LaHood – Illinois
Rep. Doug Lamborn – Colorado
Rep. Brian Mast – Florida
Rep. Lisa McClain – Michigan
Rep. Mark Pocan – Wisconsin
Rep. Bill Posey – Florida
Rep. Pete Stauber – Minnesota
Rep. Glenn Thompson – Pennsylvania
Rep. Dina Titus – Nevada
Rep Tim Walberg – Michigan
Rep. Robert Wittman – Virginia
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As motorcycling technology continues to advance, your ability to repair your own motorcycle or seek out an independent mechanic may get restricted as manufacturers do not make repair information or parts available for purchase.
Consumers are facing this problem with almost every product they own, from their phone, to their tractor and for AMA members, their motorcycles and ATVs. This issue is collectively known as "Right to Repair" and put in the simplest terms, right to repair is the idea that when you buy something, you have the right to repair it or seek an independent repair shop to do the work and as part of that the manufacturers must make the parts and information needed for these repairs available to the public for a fair and reasonable price.
Fortunately there is a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, the REPAIR Act (Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair), H.R. 6570, that would ensure that motorcyclists and independent repair shops have access to the information, tools, and parts needed to repair motorcycles.
The AMA is asking you to tell your Representative to co-sponsor this bi-partisan bill and protect your right to repair.
Support your right to repair in Congress
If you would like to learn more about Right to Repair, you can read the Federal Trade Commission Report to Congress from May 2021 "Nixing the Fix" which details the ways some manufacturers limit repairs by consumers.
American Motorcyclist Association
13515 Yarmouth Dr
Pickerington, OH 43147
Email: grassroots@ama-cycle.org
www.AmericanMotorcyclist.com
Phone: (800) AMA-JOIN
(800) 262-5646
(614) 856-1900 |
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Tired of sitting on your bike at Red Lights
that won't turn GREEN ????
To enlist the help of Ohio’s motorcyclists, ODOT set up a special phone number & E-mail for motorcyclists for reporting problem intersections.
When reports come in,
ODOT will notifiy signal owners ( often a city or county ) about the situation and offer recommendations for improvement.
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Red Light Hotline
614-387-0722 |
Red Light E-mail
bike.report@dot.state.oh.us |
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Help Wanted:
E-Mail the
State Office
or call
1-800-252-4537
for details |
State Newsletter Editor
Should be experenced in Magazine Publishing and/or
Microsoft Publisher software. E-mail the Outspokin' Editor for details |
Web Crew Member
Work on ABATE.com and/or Regional web pages. Should have F.T.P. and HTML experence.
E-mail the State Webmaster for details. |
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