Some folks look at me funny when they find out I am the President of TriCounty ABATE (A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education).  They don’t understand what ABATE for Missouri is or what it is that we do for them and all motorcyclists.

I don’t always wear a helmet or full leathers and I did not join ABATE because of the helmet issue (which I think should be a choice). I joined for a lot of other reasons that affect motorcyclists and their rights. ABATE is MUCH more than just about helmets. We are looking out for your rights on the road and fighting federal/state nanny laws that the legislators are trying to impose on motorcyclists that impeded on your freedoms and rights.

Some people have the impression that ABATE is just a bunch of Harley folks. Far from it.  One of the most active members in my area rides a Japanese bike.  Nobody gives him any crap about his choice of bike, contrary to what the stereotype people have about ABATE.  We are all about pro choice and preserving your freedoms on the road and what you want to do with your bike. (It’s not what you ride, but that you ride.)

We are one of the few organizations that are fighting to get a true test done on the E15 (ethanol) that was ram-rodded through congress. True testing has not been done to prove that this gasoline won’t cause engines to run hotter or damage any air cooled engines, like your lawn mower or your motorcycle, and that usage could violate your warranty. We are also fighting against the “motorcycle only” check points that law enforcement has been doing WITH YOUR TAX DOLLARS. Those are all in the guise of “safety” when safety is not their concern. They just want to harass motorcyclists, fine them for anything they can find wrong, and if they can find any illegal substances, hey that’s just another feather in their cap. A state REVENUE GENERATING EXC– USE that is funded with your tax dollars!

State Department of Transportation (DOTs) are rapidly adopting wire meridian barriers where if a motorcyclist runs into one they can be decapitated. Again, ABATE is fighting for your rights on that issue.

So, if you ride, time to decide!  Do you want to have to wear neon colored gear like Europe has tried to mandate for riders, not be allowed to ride at night like some cities have tried to enact with their laws?   The following groups need our support to fight the government from enacting laws that take away our freedom to ride. They include AMA (American Motorcycle Association) MRF (Motorcycle Riders Foundation) ABATE (A Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) and FORR (Freedom of the Road Riders). We need to get involved with these groups so they can fight for our rights on a national and local level to protect us for unreasonable laws that restrict our freedom to ride a motorcycle. It is a game of numbers the bigger the number the more power you have with the government. I am a member of the AMA, MRF, ABATE, and FORR.  It does not matter what you ride, if you want to ride it, you need to make your voice heard.

Jim Childers

President TriCounty ABATE for Missouri

For more info ABATETriCounty@gmail.com