Secretary ~ Eric Eads

The elections are over. We can finally get a break from the non-stop political ads. With that being said, we now need to find out where our elected officials stand on our issues, and educate them on all things motorcycle related. Based on the election results in Michigan, we can expect a new helmet law to be introduced. It will pass if we don’t get serious about contacting our elected officials. We need to make our presence known more than ever on the state and federal level.

    Motorcycle fatalities have increased in the last couple of years. There are people looking for any excuse to limit our ability to ride. The majority of these accidents occurred to impaired, or unlicensed riders. We have to do better than that!

   I have been reading some stats and observations from the MRF. At a conference attended by NHTSA and the NTSB, there were some topics discussed and stats presented. In 2020, the latest data for motorcycle fatalities nationwide, there were over 5500 fatalities. That is an 11% increase from 2019. It is forecast that for 2021, the fatality rate will increase by 9%. A representative from the NTSB was asked to comment on recent fatal motorcycle crashes involving a Tesla vehicle on auto pilot. He had never heard anything about them. The NHTSA representatives stated that they really have no restrictions on autonomous vehicles. Companies are expected to maintain their own assessments. I don’t know about you, but I find this amazing. The fact that 2 red tape bureaucracies are basically clueless about what is going on is troubling.

   Women riders account for about 20% of all motorcyclist. In 2017, 183 women died on their motorcycle, compared to  over 4000 men. Women are safer riders. 71% of women riders are endorsed. 60% attend ongoing classes on a regular basis.

   We lost P.A.M. Retz October 16th. She was born on November 15th, 1947. She served in many positions in ABATE, including Region 12 RC, she was a Life Member of ABATE, being a member for nearly 40 years. While on the State Board of Directors she held the position of State Treasurer and Operations Officer. She was a forced to be reckoned with, but always fun to be around. Ride Free Cakes, Ride Free. You will be greatly missed.

   I expect to have the calendars available by the time you read this. If you want an ABATE calendar, Send Eric $15.00 per calendar to; ABATE P.O. Box 99 Constantine, Mi. 49042. Make checks out to ABATE Region 12. I will mail you your calendar. I will also have them at the Seminar.

   Vern Shock, and Dave Woody Berg will be running for the board for the first time this year.

   Last month I asked if anyone knows what a real biker is. I was told that “A real biker does not use monkey butt powder. He or she tuff’s it out.” Now I know what a real biker is.

   Life Members are John Garfield, Sherrie Morrell, Doug Morrell, and Donal Kohlstrand.

   Awareness donations are Debra and Andy Compau, Joe Mayhew, Region 7 Chizzies, Region 7, and in Memory of Brian Donaghy.

Re-examine all that you have been told... dismiss that which insults your soul. 

Walt Whitman

Metal membership cards.
Life Memberships cards are gold, and regular membership cards are white.
$5.00 each
Contact Sally: 734 972-7134

or Eric: 269 435-2058 to place your order.