ABATE of Arkansas!

News of Interest:

"MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION"

Article by ABATE Webmaster
04/18/2008

Now therefore, I, Mike Beebe, acting under the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Arkansas, Do hereby proclaim May 2008, as "MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH" in the State of Arkansas, and urge all motorists to "Look Twice, Save A Life" Motorcycles are Everywhere! Click Here for full proclamation. Or Click Here for a scanned copy of the Proclamation.

"ABATE Featured on Today's THV Website"

Article by ABATE Webmaster
11/12/2007

An article on Today's THV's website features ABATE in Saline County. They took to the streets for the 25th Benton Kiwanis Toy Ride, to help bring toys to needy children in the area. The full article is below. Click Here for the link to the article on the THV's website including video.

"They may look bad to the bone but they have hearts of gold. Bikers took to the streets for the 25th Benton Kiwanis Toy Ride, but this year they had some extra help.Abate is an organization that promotes motorcycle safety and educationToday they were promoting toy distribution in Saline County. Santa Claus was there at the benton court house helping collect the toys. The toy ride works with CJOHN (the Churches Joint Council on Human Needs) to select which families receive the lucky presents this holiday season."

"Arkansas Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Association Now Under Construction"

Article by AOCA
10/24/2007

December 1, 2007 Incorporation Meeting & Exhibition Union Building, AR Tech University at Ozark & Byrd's Adventure Center

Russellville, AR: On August 11-12, 2007 forty-seven four-wheel drive (4WD), all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and off-highway motorcycle enthusiasts met to begin formal development of the new statewide Arkansas Off-Highway Vehicle Association (AOCA.)

Four committees were formed to move the AOCA forward to incorporation, improve communication efforts, initiate educational efforts and increase effective working relationships with local, state and federal land management agencies. Committee members include at least one representative from each of the Arkansas 4WD, ATV and OHM communities.

The proposed mission:

The Arkansas Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Association represents off-highway vehicle (OHV) interests in Arkansas and works to influence recreation issues in cooperation with land managers, legislators and educators to conserve, expand, enhance and protect responsible OHV recreation opportunities.

Gary and Kathy Barnes, Ed Fulton, Andy Guschke, and Scott and Rodara Fairclough generously donated funds to cover AOCA expenses through incorporation.

The AOCA incorporation meeting and vehicle exhibitions will be held on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at AR Tech University in Ozark from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The meeting will be followed by lunch and vehicle exhibitions, cookout and campfire at Byrd's Adventure Center sponsored by the founding members of AOCA. The meeting agenda will include approval of the AOCA name, mission, by-laws, election of officers and recommendation on the association's first year goals.

If you are interested in helping with the incorporation meeting and exhibition or would like to be placed on the distribution list contact Andy Guschke at (479) 846-4798 or by email at aguschke@juno.com. If contacting Andy by email please indicate in the Subject box that the email is in regards to "AOCA Incorporation".

"Sign up for Alerts from Motorcycle Riders Foundation to stay up to date"

Article by Dave Dwyer SSMRO Rep
10/19/2007

The Motorcycle Riders Foundation would like you to take the time to go to our website, www.mrf.org, and sign up for our Alerts.

Through 3 different Department Directors and a server change we want to make certain everyone is still on our list so please go to the following; www.mrf.org, to subscribe to our Alerts, press releases, and Leaders Reports. It is critical with the recent national helmet law push that everyone has the most current information possible.

When you get to the website you will find the option to sign up on the left side of the home page; Sign Up for the MRF News Mailing List. Click this header and you will be taken to page explaining the process. Click the link �here� and you will be taken to the sign-up page. Follow the instructions there, return the email when it is sent to you and you will be assured of getting the latest Alerts.

Dave Dwyer
SSMRO Rep
Board of Directors
Motorcycle Riders Foundation

"Proposed ABATE Constitutional Changes"

Article by ABATE State Board
7/8/2007

The ABATE State Board of Directors meet on Sunday July 8th, 2007 and have proposed the following changes to the ABATE State Constitution. Please review the following proposed changes before voting at the district level.

Article 3 #13 Page 4
Shift sheet will be adopted for use at gate of all ABATE events. (I suggest we delete this since it is not enforceable)

Article 9 Treasurer #5 Page 7
The state treasurer shall be responsible for the accuracy of the state records and bank accounts from all districts and state submitted for audits annually by March 1st. (I suggest we delete what is in red because it is impossible for the state treasurer to get the correct financial information from all the districts. The state treasurer should not be held responsible for the finances of all the districts.)

Article 10 #4 Page 11 Each District will be offered a sample package of ABATE products to promote sale of ABATE products.(I suggest we delete this. I am sure this was put in when we had only a few districts. Now we have 21 districts and it would not be cost effective to send each district one of each item we carry. At times we may order only a small quantity of an item. Districts can now go to the state website and view all the products)

"Update on House Bill 2293"

Article by Connie Shepherd
4/6/07

You win some, you lose some. This one we lost, for now. Jim Caldwell answered lots of questions from the Representatives. But in the end a voice vote was called and we came up short. We needed 11 votes and we got 6. It was felt that some would have repealed the law and then others felt it wasn't strong enough. Representative House felt it would be better to wait until next session and revisit this.

Thanks to all who worked on this.

"Motorcycle Riders Foundation Membership has it's privaliges"

Article by Rodney Farley
4/2/07

Recently while in Washington D.C. Rodney Farley Co-Chair of ABATE of Arkansas stopped by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and renewed his membership. This organization advocates for the motorcycle rights movement in our nations capital. If you are not a member of the MRF now is a good time to join and get a chance to win a $40,000 Custom Lucas, hand built, pro-street motorcycle. Until September 1, 2007 anyone who joins or renews (or has a current membership to the MRF gets a chance to win, plus get a chance for every person you sign-up too. Check it out www.mrf.org

"House Bill 2293"

Article by Connie Shepherd
3/2/07

HB 2293 "An Act to prescribe limitations for young children on motorcycles; and for other purposes" was introduced by Representative Jim House and Senator Jimmy Jeffries on March 1, 2007. This bill would amend the current law from an age requirement to a height requirement. Thanks to Jim Caldwell and Helen Wesson for "making the calls" to get Representative House and Senator Jeffries to sponsor this bill. The bill was sent to the House Transportation Committee.

"Senate Bill 40 Gets "No" Vote"

The Arkansas Senate voted NO to SB40. We retained our freedom once again. Please Contact your Senators and let them know we appreciate their support!

Click here to find out ways to contact the State Senator for your area.

"Senate Bill 40 Debate"

Article by Connie Shepherd

February 7th, SB 40, a bill to amend our current law to require anyone who rode a motorcycle to wear "protective head gear" was discussed during a meeting of the Arkansas Senate Transportation Committee. Rodney Roberts, and Roland Robinson, long time ABATE and MRF supporters, along with a representative of the Bikes, Blues and Barbeque Committee and a representative from the Arkansas Harley Owner's Group were on hand to testify against SB 40. They spoke on the freedom to choose. They spoke on issues regarding helmets. They spoke on the tax dollars gained thru Bikes, Blues and Barbeque and the Arkansas Hog Rally.

Sen. Hendren (R), who sponsored the bill, also sat on the committee. He talked of the money that Arkansas spends on medical care for unhelmeted riders. He spoke of a woman calling him and thanking him for sponsoring this bill. He went on to say how her husband had died in a motorcycle accident and she thought that if he would have been wearing a helmet he would still be alive. He told of how he had got a death threatening email. When pressed more on this matter by Rodney Roberts, Sen Hendren admitted it was on a blog but did feel as if it was a death threat. The Capitol police were on high alert. The Chairman of the committee admonished Sen Hendren for not having anyone there to speak for the bill and for not having any retributions for not wearing a helmet. He called a special hearing for Monday, February 12th and asked that if Sen Hendren had anyone to speak for the bill to have them there and then they would take a vote on it.

On Monday, Sen Henren had a doctor from the University of Arkansas Medical Services (UAMS) and a representative of MADD to speak for the bill. The doctor asked the committee to put him out of a job by passing this bill. The MADD representative presented numbers from NHSTA's reports. Rodney Roberts had Tom Wewers, ABATE and MRF member and Mary Jackson, ABATE member and representative for Arkansas' Biker for Babies Charity Run that benefits the March of Dimes. Tom spoke his personal views and Mary reported on the money that the Bikers for Babies raises each year.

When the vote was taken, there was 5 against the bill and 2 for the bill. A couple of the Senators made the comment that their common sense told them to vote for this bill, but because their constituent contacts were 80% against this bill and 20% for it, they voted against it. They also remarked at how the motorcyclist's had good information and how professional they acted. One Sentator stated that if there was not a drop in injuries and deaths that he would vote for a helmet bill next time. Senator Hendren has hinted that he might try to add an insurance fee for those who ride with out a helmet. Our regular session ends March 31st. We will keep watch that Sen Hendren does not bring this bill back up before the session is over or try to add an additional insurance fee. We are still waiting to hear from Sen Rosenbaum on the tax cut for vehicles with an mpg of 40 or more. He is still waiting for a cost analysis.We have contacted Representative Creekmore to see if she will sponsor an amendment to change our 8 year old and under law to a specific height. She has not responded back as of this print.