From the Prez:
Happy New Year!!! Will 2012 be the
year? We have waited long enough. 2012
is an election year in the State House
of Representatives. It is very
important that we support those who
supported us. We had 69 YES votes in
the house. Both Republicans and
Democrats supported adult freedom of
choice. You should know how your
representative voted and go from there.
The YES list has been in the Michigan
Rider and is posted on line. 43 lobby
groups listed against us in the house
committee vote. 43. Not 1 not 10, 43
that will be working against the
representative who voted with us. We
must do our part. 2012 is a
re-districting year. Your
representative may have changed. Mine
did, for the better. I went from a NO
vote to a YES vote. SWEET! The helmet
bill is not our only concern in
Lansing. It is however our #1 issue.
When and what will happen with the
governor is an on-going issue. Keep
writing, and we are in the mix. Letters
should be sent to Governor Snyder, State
Capitol, P. O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI
48909.
Some of the concerns to the Guv should
be: I want to vacation in a “FREE” state
in 2012. Is Michigan ready to take my
money? What are the helmet laws
surrounding the state of Michigan?
WHY? How do their motorcycle fatalities
compare to Michigan? Ask the questions
or give them the answers. Either way,
the 43 groups against us are writing,
calling, e-mailing, face book, etc….
This is our shot. The bill has passed
the House and the Senate and we must
complete the process when the timing is
right.
New for 2012: a new state motorcycle
skills test. The Rider Skills Test (“RST”)
for 2 and 3 wheel motorcycles is to take
effect January 1st. How
different is it? Not much, but it does
allow motorcycles with side cars, or 3
wheel motorcycles, on the same pattern
with some minor adjustments. How
important is it to have a cycle
endorsement? In 1989, 1990, 1991,
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997,
1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003,
2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009,
2010, and 2011 over 33% of the
motorcycle fatalities in Michigan each
year DIDN’T have a cycle endorsement.
Check your friends, relatives,
co-workers, who are buying motorcycles,
and have them take the test or a safety
class, and get legal. Hopefully they do
not become one of those 33% who are not
with us because they couldn’t ride, stop
quickly, or swerve.
Thanks for all of your efforts. Let’s
make it happen in 2012!
Write the guv!
Vince
 
A.B.A.T.E. of Michigan Inc.
P.O. Box 99
Constantine, Mi 49042 |