Nearly 200 motorcycles thundered down Atlanta Highway to the state Capitol steps in downtown Montgomery. Dixie ABATE would like to thank everyone who worked to make this dream a reality. Thank you especially to our speakers: Matthew Shroeder, Dixie ABATE’s State Director, Representative Kurt Wallace, R-Maplesville, Major Keith Barnett, Traffic Division Commander for the Montgomery Police Department, and Rick Randolph, on behalf of the Alabama Traffic Safety Center at Montevallo and on behalf of the Unified Alabama Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Coalition. It was fantastic to have the support of these men. Our own Brian “Fatdog” Farley, the impetus behind the formation of Dixie ABATE, spoke a few words to begin the program.
So what’s on our plate now?
We have an opportunity to have input into the state’s Drivers Ed curriculum. Our thought is to design a module that will be relevant to today’s kids that we, or the regular driver’s ed teacher can present that will tell the kids what we know they need to know about sharing the road with motorcycles. We are brainstorming now about what that module will contain. The state works on curriculum every six years, so if we lose this chance it’s lost for six more years. We know a couple of brilliant videographers who ride, and who have agreed to help us.
The legislative session for 2012 convened at noon, Tuesday, February 7, 2012, and is nearly over. Do you realize that a regular legislative session in Alabama may consist of only 30 legislative days within the framework of a 105-day calendar period? We intend to spend the rest of this year working on the things we would like to have pre-filed for the 2013 legislative session.
Would you like to build your low-speed skills without taking an MSF course? AMGRASS (American Motorcycle Gymkhana Riders Association) holds motorcycle gymkhanas regularly in the parking lot beside Birmingham BMW on Crestwood Blvd. Go to www.bamarides.com, click on the Forum, and search for “gymkhana.” You should be able to find information there. If you can’t find it, call Kris Cook at 205-617-9944 or email her at kcook@dixieabate.org. Gymkhana will reveal exactly how “in control” of your machine you really are. And it’s a blast.
KEEP IT SANE, FAIR AND MOTORCYCLE AWARE
Dixie ABATE of Alabama is a state motorcylists' rights organization (SMRO) dedicated to preserving individual freedom while promoting safety. We fully support rider training, including safety and educational programs, as well as motorcycle awareness education for all automobile drivers.
We are an active and dynamic organization, run by real people who are always ready to hear what you have to say. You can hit the Feedback button on this website and send us a message. We all work when we have to and ride when we can, and we can always use your help and participation. Let us know if you have any questions. Join us as we work toward uniting Alabama's riders so that we can help educate everyone who drives Alabama's roads and also keep an eye on Alabama's laws as they pertain to motorcycles and motorcycling.
We are gaining membership every week. Join our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_181636211898 so you can keep up on what we're up to.
When it looks like we aren't doing anything, it doesn't mean that you have wasted your membership dues. Dixie ABATE is like the dragon sleeping on the treasure pile at the foot of the mountain. The dragon is still, but every would-be trespasser and thief knows he's there and respects his power. He doesn't have to blow fire all the time because of his strength and his potential for mayhem. We are only the powerful protector of rider freedom when we have the support of every rider in the state. Sportbike, adventure, and dirty riders, don't leave it to the middle-aged cruiser riders to carry the weight for you.
You ride too, and you have rights that are your responsibility to protect.
If you are not already a member of our forum, (see the "forum" button at the top of this page) please register and join the ongoing discussion. We parse the news, spice it up with plenty of argument and opinion, discuss everything under the sun related to motorcycling, and support one another as only bikers can. We post videos we find and put up pictures from our rides and meetings. We need your voice, too. Once you register, you will have to be approved, which could take a few hours. If you haven't received your approval within a day or two, email Kris at kcook@dixieabate.org.
