NOVEMBER 2013 - ABATE of Georgia

40 Pages·2013·5.58 MB·English

NOVEMBER
2013

New monthly meeting for Riders in
Want to get involved in fighting for
South Georgia, District 12 is back
your and every other Georgia Mo-
and meeting in Cairo, Georgia!
torcyclists’ rights? Check out a
More information on pg. 31
meeting near you on pg. 7
Do you think ABATE is only about
National news for all motorcyclists
legislation? Check out our 2014
from the
Educational Agenda on pg. 27
Motorcycle Riders Foundation on
pg. 12
Involved in an crash? Advice for
Georgia Motorcyclists from Rod Exclusive new offer for ABATE of
Taylor on pg. 13 Georgia Members from Oglethorpe
Speedway! Check it out on pg. 16
Life for all motorcyclists has been
effected by the events that occurred
in New York City last month . Eric
Shumans Georgia State Coordinator
for the Christian Motorcyclists
Association weighs in on the issue.
Check out his thoughts on pg. 11
Fighting for the rights and education of every Georgia motorcyclist
November 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER
STATE OFFICE ADDRESSES Advertising Fees

www.abatega.org
(Mailing Address) ABATE OF GEORGIA, INC.
Website 115 1 Month
P.O. BOX 116
Newsletter
Austell, GA 30168

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] Business Card

ABATE OF GEORGIA STATE OFFICERS 2012-2014 Term Black & White Term in Months
State Director
$ 40.00 1
Ned Williams (404) 324 –2037
E-mail [email protected] $ 110.00 3

$ 200.00 6
Legislative Director
James F. Trucks [phone]
E-mail [email protected]
1/4 Page
Treasurer
Black & White Term in Months
Gary Bonds [phone]
Email: [email protected] $ 70.00 1

$ 200.00 3
Membership Director
Ann Crenshaw [phone] $ 360.00 6
Email [email protected]
$ 660.00 12

Sgt. At Arms $ 1 One Month Member Memorial
Dave Woodruffe 678-778-9646
Email: [email protected] 1/2 Page
Black & White Term in Months
Activities Director POSITION OPEN
$ 125.00 1
State Secretary
$ 360.00 3
Ann Turner [phone]
Email [email protected] $ 660.00 6

$ 1,200.00 12

(Acting) Director of Education $ 2 One Month Member Memorial
Chriss Carr [phone]
Email: [email protected] Full Page
Black & White Term in Months
Webmaster
Bill Mattison [email protected] $ 225.00 1

$ 660.00 3
A.B.A.T.E. Legal Advisor
Steve Murrin [phone] $ 1,200.00 6

$ 2,200.00 12
A.B.A.T.E. State Chaplin
Wade Warnock (CMA) [phone] $ 3 One Month Member Memorial
Ads Must Be Received in digital format or ready to scan by the 10th of the month, accompanied by
full payment, to be printed in the next issue. Credit card payments are welcome. Ads must be paid in
advance to receive the multiple ad discount rate. If you wish, we can lay out your ad for you for an
additional $25 charge plus any reasonable costs. Additional charges and services offered at the discre-
tion of the editor. Please allow additional lead time for all ads that we must lay out.
Payment must be received in advance for ad renewals. If not you will lose the discounted multiple ad
rate and the account will revert back to monthly prices. Make your check or money order payable to
A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia, Inc. Send to:
A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC.
P.O. BOX 116
Austell, GA 30168

Call the State Office @ 770-881-7438 for more info.
A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia, Inc. All rights reserved. This newsletter is published
monthly and distributed throughout the state of Georgia as well as to other
motorcycle organizations nationwide. A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia accepts no re-
sponsibility for the comments or opinions from reprinted materials contained
within this publication. We welcome your news, opinions, comments, com-
plaints, and suggestions on Motorcycle related issues. All articles must in-
clude your name and address. We do not accept slanderous, accusing letters;
profanities (photographic or written); non-A.B.A.T.E. related letters.
A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia reserves the right to refuse or edit any article, photo,
letter, or advertisement that is decided is not in the best interest of the organiza-
tion or its members.
2 November 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER
ATTENTION
ABATE OF GEORGIA
MEMBERS

If you have had trouble
with your member card, a
pin or a patch
A new hotline has been set up to
make sure your issue is addressed

Please call the membership hotline
At
[phone]
(The hotline is monitored during business hours 7 days a week. Calls made after hours will be returned the next business day
3 November 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER
Some of A.B.A.T.E.’s accomplishments over the years: WHAT IS
•
Successfully lobbied for legislation that created the Georgia
A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, Inc.?
Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP), our state’s rider education
program that is available to all.
•
Lobbied to have legislation passed to modify the existing manda-
The letters “A.B.A.T.E.” stand for
tory helmet law to allow adults age 21 and older freedom of choice
as to the wearing of a helmet. American Bikers Active Toward Educa-
•
Successfully lobbied for legislation leading to the repeal of the
tion. A.B.A.T.E. is composed of motor-
Georgia law prohibiting use of speakers or headphones while riding
a motorcycle.
cyclists from all areas of the state, from
•
Fought and stopped legislation introduced in the 1992 Session of
the Georgia General Assembly that would have made it illegal for all walks of life, and who ride all makes
kids age 10 and under to ride as passengers on motorcycles.
• of bikes. A.B.A.T.E. is not a club, it is a
Established May as “Motorcycle Awareness and You” month
through a proclamation signed by the Governor and through non-partisan politically active organiza-
resolutions passed by the Senate and House each year. This is an
annual effort that raises public awareness of motorcycles. tion working on motorcyclist’s rights.
•
Successfully lobbied legislators to approve increased funding for
We are affiliated with national rights
the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program, in the amount of
$170,000 after the license tag rate was raised on all vehicles to groups like the American Motorcy-
$20.
• clist Association (AMA), the Motorcy-
Successfully stopped proposed legislation that would have
increased the size of motorcycle tags. cle Riders Foundation (MRF) and the
•
Successfully lobbied for handicapped tags for motorcycles without
further enabling legislation, by bringing it to the attention of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists
Department of Revenue that the code section was written in such
(NCOM).
a way that it was already authorized.
•
Successfully lobbied for antique tags for motorcycles in the 1998
legislative session.
• Our main focus is to keep motorcy-
Established a 15 District organization that has led to more
participation locally, while raising our membership statewide. The cle legislation in its proper perspec-
more members we have, means the more clout we have at the
State Capitol. tive. Many restrictive laws are enacted
•
Sponsor and promote the largest Swap Meet/Bike Show in
by uninformed legislators. A.B.A.T.E.’s
Georgia, 5 times a year.
•
Successfully forced prosecution of a trucker who, while making an goal is to keep our lawmakers informed
illegal turn, killed fellow motorcyclist Mark Bonner.
• of our members collective position on
Successfully lobbied to pass the “Frank-Lee” (ROW) bill to enhance
penalties to those who cause death or serious injury to a Motorcycle related legislation.
motorcyclists by failing to yield the right of way.
• Successfully lobbied to pass the “Tag/Title” bill SB-437 that allows Preventing unfair legislation from be-
for registration of kit/assembled bikes. Signed by Governor Purdue
coming law is easier than fighting to get
May 14, 2008.
the law repealed.

Your benefits as a member of A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia:
Organized lobbying of State and Federal legislators to make your Rider education and public aware-
views on motorcyclist rights known to your Representatives.
ness of motorcyclists are goals of
Current information on all motorcycle related legislation and where
your legislators stand on the issues that affect your motorcycling
A.B.A.T.E.. We are not against the
rights and freedoms.
Monthly newsletter with legislative updates, event dates and wearing of helmets, and we encourage
places, and information
Membership card, patch, and one year pin for new members. all riders to ride safely. An informed and
Yearly pin for renewals.
educated rider is a safer rider. Helmet
Admission discounts at most A.B.A.T.E. events around the state,
including ALL State Swap Meets.
laws do nothing to prevent an accident,
Discounts at many motorcycle shops and dealers around the state
Personal satisfaction of joining your brothers and sisters in pro- and a helmet only provides the illusion
moting the great sport of motorcycling while supporting your right to
ride by participation at State and District meetings, toy runs, blood of safety, while rider education is
drives, camp-outs, bike shows, swap meets, etc.
proven to prevent accidents and save
Spiritual consultation with the Christian Motorcycle Association
(CMA) for ride prayers, weddings, and visitation.
lives.

A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, Inc. IS A TEAM EFFORT
WE WELCOME ALL RIDERS, ALL BRANDS
4 November 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER
Ned Williams, State Director
As you are reading this, ABATE is collecting information from ever member of the Georgia General Assembly. Last month, we sent
out 350 legislative surveys to the General Assembly In these surveys we asked key questions based off the results of our efforts at
the Capital over the last 3 years. First we asked if the Representative or Senator was currently a rider, next we asked if they were
ever a rider. After that we asked if they were either an Attorney or a member of the Insurance Industry, as these two questions have
been key to determining who will work with us at the capital. Lastly we asked if they would work with us on new legislation and if
they wanted to be contacted by a representative of ABATE,. Those people making those contacts would YOU the ABATE of Geor-
gia members. The surprising thing so far, is that we have observed there are a lot more current or former riders down at the capital
than you might expect. We doubt we will have all of their answers before the November 2nd BOD but we will be bringing our re-
sults with us so you can all see who thinks what when it comes to rider’s rights down at the capital building. After we finish our ef-
forts with the capital we will begin similar efforts with Georgia’s Motorcycle Dealers, and then our Georgia attorneys when these
efforts are complete we will let each district know who in their area is willing to help with our fight, and who is not. Also this month
we are kicking back into full swing with preparations for our next swap meet in April. If you want to help, please contact the state
office (info on page 2) and let us know..

The last update we have for everyone is in the area of membership. By the time you read this newletter, ABATE will have mailed
out roughly 4,000 renewal letters to former members. Anyone who had a membership expire on or before October 15th 2013 is get-
ting a letter, we will then begin a monthly effort starting this month for people who expired each month. Lastly we are still working
on the issue of district member lists, as we have 1 new district and 1 closing this month so some district memberships will get shifted
around. We ask if you need a up to the minute accurate member list for your district that contact Ann Crenshaw who can generate a
list for you on the fly. Her contact information is on pg. 2.

Finally this month I want to ask everyone reading this consider your fellow riders. Last month we saw a large mob in New York city
set off an anti-motorcycle wave of media across the country. Even within our own community we saw people trying to blame “all
sport bike riders” or even worse all riders of a given ethnic group. In reality the events in New York were all started by one person,
and out of all the riders present only 7 more were involved. To the people trying to make this a racial issue, the riders were made up
of people from all different racial backgrounds. There were also bikes of multiple types in the ride. With all the anti-motorcycle press
sweeping the nation in light of this event, coverage of the now estimated 100,000 rider ride to the Capital two weeks prior was all but
forgotten. There is a name for this, it is called marginalization and it is what people who do not like motorcyclists do or stand for
when we begin to show unity. A unified motorcycle population would be a movement on both the social and political spectrums and
our world as we know it would literally change over night, if we could all just come together. There are stupid people on motorcycles
in every different sect or group of riders, that does not mean all or even most share those “bad apples” traits., as riders I ask each of
you , please do not let the media define you in this instance, if you see a rider on a machine that does not look like yours, stop and
say hello, introduce yourself, ask them if you would ever want to ride with you. Make a new friend. You will find it is easier to make
new friends then to call people you don’t know names and drive wedges in our community that do not serve anyone but people who
do not ride.. Do not let the forces who want to keep us divided win this round.

Ned Williams
State Director, ABATE of Georgia

5 November 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER
Closed Districts are a complete loss to ABATE of Georgia.
Districts 10 and 14 need to be reopened and made productive once again. These Districts closed for different
reasons and for the most part they still have a membership base.
If you have friends or family members in those areas please talk with them about reactivating the districts so
we can continue with the growth we need in order to accomplish the fight for our rights.
I have made an effort to contact those that have an e-mail address however a friend’s request is much more
likely to have an impact in getting this done.
It only requires 3 officers to open a district. One must be the District Coordinator and the other must be a
Treasurer and the third can be any position.
Make the phone calls and see what we can accomplish.

UPDATE:Disitrict 10 is REOPENING! Contact Ann Crenshaw for information! [phone]
District Coordinator Contact Information
District 1st Name Last Name Phone # EMAIL
1 Tami Culver 706-581-4132 [email protected]
1W Frank Chaney 706-694-8626 [email protected]
2 Anthony G Love 706-754-8517 [email protected]
3 Dave Woodruffe 678-778-9646 [email protected]
4E Paula LaValley 678-231-9942 [email protected]
4S Rod Hargrove 770-363-4515 [email protected]
4W Jon Lambert 404-3682093 [email protected]
5 Richard Jackson 678-283-1725 [email protected]
5-N Allen Kennedy 770-231-4824 [email protected]
6 Don Whitlow 770-294-7640 [email protected]
6-2 Kevin Brooks 803-730-6045 [email protected]
6-3 Jim Blessitt 770-235-9642 [email protected]
7 Leigh Jester 478-319-4013 [email protected]
8 Nancy James 706-592-1015 [email protected]
9 Cyndi Griffith 706-332-7675 [email protected]
11 David Jackson 912-441-7586 [email protected]
12 Dez Harris 229-206-0481 [email protected]
13 Joseph Neese 229-567-0973 [email protected]
15 Stephanie Cruwys 912-269-6500 [email protected]
6 November 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER
A.B.A.T.E. of Georgia District Boundaries
1W: The Fourth Monday of each month at the 1:1st Tuesday of the month at the 2:1st Sunday of the month 2:00pm, Location
Dari Dip on Villanow St. Lafayette. Meeting Logan’s Roadhouse 2140 East Walnut alternates every other month: Chattahoochee
starts at 6:30pm Avenue Dalton, GA Biker Gear in Helen or Lorena’s in Dawson-
ville
4E : 1st Wednesday of the Month 7PM, Con-
3 The Watering hole ,Tri
fetti’s Bar and Grill, 6470 Spalding Dr.
County Plaza 451 W
Bankhead HWY Villa Norcross, GA 30092-4656
Rica 1st Sunday of each
month at 2:00 pm 5N: third Tuesday of the month 7PM at Cycle
World 4225 Atlanta Highway ,Athens
Ga
4W :1st Thursday of the
Month B3 bar and grill,
Austell, Ga
5 : 7:00PM 2nd Tuesday
of the Month at 5 O’Clock
Somewhere 7189 Turner
Lake Rd Covington Ga
4S : Third Thursday at 8: 4th Sun-
7:30PM Solutions Bar and day of the
Grill, 2040 Sylvan Rd, month @
Atlanta 2:00pm at
Road Runner
Cafe, 2508
6/2:1st Thurs- Peach Or-
day of the 6 :1st Tuesday chard Rd.
month at 7PM of the month (Rt. 25),
@Jekyll and at 7:00 PM at Augusta
Hyde's, 10 The Grove Bar
The Blvd and Grill,
7: 1st Sunday of
HWY 29 4681 Bill
the month at 2:00
North, New- Gardner
PM at AP's Hidden
nan Pkwy.,
Hideaway on
Broadway in
Macon
9: 1st Tuesday 9/2: District
of the month at 9-2 has an-
7:30 PM at nounced they
Player’s on 54th will be clos-
St. Columbus. ing effective 10: Current ly
working to re-
October 16th
open
6/3: 1st Monday of
every month at 11: 2nd
7pm at Johnnys Sunday of
Pizza, 494 Cross- the month
town Drive, Peach- at 3:00 PM
tree City at The
Redleg
Saloon
Savannah,
GA
13: Meets 1st Sunday of Month
@2PM at The Henry T. Elrod 12: Meets Last Saturday of
Welcome Center 100 Washing- Month @2PM at Mr. Chicks
ton Ave. Ashburn, Ga Chicken, 1125 US.84 Cairo, Ga 15: 1st Sunday of every
month at 2PM at Toucans Ale
House 2450 Perry Lane
Road Brunswick, GA 31525
7 November 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER
8 November 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER
IMPORTANT:
ABATE of Georgia:
PEACHPASS INFO FOR MOTORCYCLES
The new "HOT" Lanes (most of the current HOV
Lanes are being converted to HOT Lanes) will
require a "PeachPass" to use the Lane, this cost
money, $20.00 minimum, plus the cost of the Geor-
gia Legislature realized the motorcycles will still
need to be exempt from the "PeachPass" and Ride like a pro would like to offer the members of ABATE
a special discount on Ride Like A PRO Atlanta Advanced
still be able to use either the "HOV" or "HOT"
Motorcycle skills training. This offer is good for current
Lanes.
and future members of ABATE. The ABATE discount pric-
ing is $140.00 per rider - a $10 discount off regular price.
What do you need to do? To use the new "HOT" As I offer to all my students, they can retake my advance
Lanes will require that you register your motorcycle training classes for 12 months after they take the initial
class. They will need to email or call and check if I have
with the "PeachPass" people and there is NO
additional space in the class
CHARGE for this. All you will need is your motor-
cycle license tag and drivers license numbers. You
Scott Ford
CANNOT NOT USE THE WEB to register but
must call the following number: (855) PCH-PASS
Ride Like A PRO Atlanta
(724-7277). If you use the online form then you will
end up paying for the privilege to use the "HOT" www.ridelikeaproatlanta.com
Lanes.

Wanted: State Activities Director

Must be willing:
• To reach out to ALL of Georgia’s riders
• To encourage all of our districts to plan events to help promote ABATE of Georgia
• To organize, staff, and direct, all activities and events on the State level.
• To aid and assist members, clubs organizations, individuals, and others in promotional events for
ABATE of Georgia on the local
• level.
• To schedule fund raising activities in the support of the treasury for the organization.
• To promote motorcycling as a whole through scheduling events for all riders.
• To organize, staff, direct, and control social functions and events in such a manner as to promote
the interest of the organization.
• To establish and maintain records of all activities and events coordinated by this office.
• To aid and assist other officers and workers at ABATE and other motorcycle events.
• To maintain regular contact with State and *District and/or Chapter Officers.
• To get the approval of the Executive Board before a commitment is made on an ABATE sanc-
tioned event.
• To coordinate all dates given to *District and/or Chapter for events.
• To handle advertising for State Events.

Volunteers must have been an ABATE of Georgia member for (1) year. Please contact the state office
if you are interested in filling this position for the Organization
9 November 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER
The ABATE back patches are available in large for men $30.00 and medium for women $25.00 , Contact y our District co-
ordinator to get yours now!
A Special offer for ABATE of Georgia Members from Two
Wheel Adventures
HTTP/www.garage71.com
http://www.twowheeladventures.com
Do Call us [phone]
you know of a traffic signal that
Two Wheel Adventures will be offering a class every
does not see your bike when you pull other month.
Cost per Student is $125.00
up? Is there a pothole that no one will
First class offering starts Feb 26, 2012
fix? Is there some form of road hazard Students have to ride their own bikes, must have
a valid motorcycle endorsement
that public works NEEDS to
repair? Are there roads that have more GET YOUR LICENSE

than a few isolated accidents, with or
MSF and Georgia approved training provider
without fatalities?
Abate Preferred Provider and Abate member

If so, TELL US!
Official trainer of the Zac Brown Band

http://www.abatega.org/ 2 Locations : Lakewood Amphitheater & Fraziers Harley
Davidson
roadhazard.htm
Classes taught by Chris Carr
2011 National Middleweight Superbike Champion
10 November 2013 A.B.A.T.E. OF GEORGIA, INC. NEWSLETTER