| WHAT IS ABATE OF GEORGIA? |
| The letters "ABATE" stand for American Bikers Active Toward Education. ABATE is composed of motorcyclists from all areas of the state, from all walks of life, and who ride all makes of bikes. ABATE is not a club, it is a politically active organization working on motorcyclist's rights. We are affiliated with national rights groups like the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM). Our main focus is to keep motorcycle legislation in its proper perspective. Many restrictive laws are enacted by uniformed legislators. ABATE's goal is to keep our lawmakers informed of our members collective position on Motorcycle related legislation. Preventing unfair legislation from becoming law is easier than fighting to get the law repealed. Rider education and public awareness of motorcyclists are goals of ABATE. We are not against the wearing of helmets, and we encourage all riders to ride safely. An informed and educated rider is a safer rider. Helmet laws do nothing to prevent an accident, and a helmet only provides the illusion of safety, while rider education is proven to prevent accidents and save lives. ABATE is involved in community service through programs like "Adopt a Highway" and "Adopt a Stream". We also sponsor several State and District charity events throughout the year. |
| Some of ABATE's accomplishments over the years: |
| * Lobbied for legislation that brought the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) into the state (a rider education program that is availabgle at a reasonable cost to all). * Lobbied to have legislation passed to modify the existing mandatory helmet law to allow adults age 21 and older, freedom of choice as to the wearing of a helmet. * Lobbied for legislation that led to the repeal of the Georgia law prohibiting the use of speakers or headphones while riding a motorcycle. * Fought and stopped legislation introduced in the 1992 Session of the Georgia General Assembly that would have made it illegal for kids age 10 and under to ride as passengers on motorcycles. * Established May as "Motorcycle Awareness and You" month through a proclamation signed by the Governor. This is an annual effort that raises public awareness of motorcycles. * We successfully lobbied legislators to approve increased funding for the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program, in the amount of $170,000 after they raised the license tag rate from $8 to $20. This program is paid for by you, the Georgia motorcyclist, through your tag fee. * Stopped proposed legislation that would have increased the size of motorcycle tags. * We successfully got handicapped tags for motorcycles without further enabling legislation, by bringing it to the attention of the Department of Revenue that the code section was written in such a way that it was already authorized. * We successfully got antique tags for motorcycles in the 1998 legislative session. They should be available for 1999 tags. * We have organized a "General Assembly Day" at the Georgia State Capitol where ABATE members show up together to lobby our legislators as a Motorcyclist Rights Organization. This is done while the Legislature is in sessions. * We established a 15 District organization that has led to more participation locally, while raising or membership statewide. The more members we have, means the more clout we have at the State Capitol. * We sponsor and promote the largest Swap Meet/Bike Show in Georgia, 3 times a year. * We sponsor the Largest Motorcycle Toy Run in Georgia and the "Freedom of Choice Ride". |
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