[BR Info] FW: OK: htmlABATE of OK wants state to FORCE bikers to pay for ABATE safety program

OFF THE WIRE
----- Original Message -----
From: Jim koelle
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 2:34 PM
Subject: [BR Info] FW: OK: htmlABATE of OK wants state to FORCE bikers to pay for ABATE safety program


I am a member of Oklahoma ABATE, but am writing on my behalf, not ABATEs.

Perhaps, if you had complete and accurate information on the proposed legislation and the circumstances behind it, your opinions would change. I just returned from the state capital where I sat in on committee hearings on several of the bills that affect motorcycles and motorcycle safety. Here are the real facts and my opinions.

1. (FACT) Many OK motorcyclists signed a petition asking the state to increase the fees and use the increase for motorcycle training and cage driver training on their responsibility for motorcycle safety and awareness. Sorry, but I do not have the number of signatures for you. Motorcyclists, not motorcycle organizations, not politicians, nor cagers are requesting the increase on THEIR motorcycle registration fees.

2. (FACT) There are no bills in OK on mandatory motorcycle training, however according to the State of Oklahoma only 8% of the motorcyclists involved in a serious accident had formal motorcycle training. Among other things, the proposed $3.00 increase in motorcycle registration fees would help fund affordable, certified motorcycle training TO THOSE MOTORCYCLISTS WHO WANT THE TRAINING.

3. (MY OPINION) "By way of background, any motorcyclist rights organization (MRO) which asks the state or federal government to FORCE motorcyclists to pay discriminatory fees or attend mandatory training is NOT standing up for biker rights, and should no longer call itself an MRO." The ability to ride a motorcycle without other drivers killing or seriously injuring the motorcyclist and/or passenger IS A RIGHT. ABATE is trying to enact legislation that will help fund programs to decrease our deaths and injuries. If they fail to provide efforts in that area, then they are not a MRO. ABATE is also trying to get a law passed that would allow motorcycles to go through red lights that fail to detect them; increase the penalties for motorists that kill motorcyclists; and place motorcyclists on the committee that would plan and supervise spending of motorcycle safety and training monies.

4. (FACT) ABATE of Oklahoma does not have declining membership. Membership numbers and participation in ABATE events is increasing at a significant rate compared to past years.

5. (MY OPINION) ABATE is not asking the state to discriminate against bikers. ABATE is asking the state to pass legislation that would identify bikers as needing additional protection from inattentive cagers, and allow bikers to fund this protection.

6. (FACT) ABATE of Oklahoma pays very little officers' expenses. I know for a fact that a lot of expenses are absorbed by the individual members. It is wrong, unfair and unprofessional to lump ABATE of Oklahoma in with what you perceive as faults of other states' ABATE organizations. Hummmm, similar to the government lumping motorcyclists in with street gangs just because some of us wear colors.

7. (FACT) Currently, Oklahoma does not have any state funded motorcycle safety training.

8. (FACT) "A note from Robert "Gunner" Catcher says: "One major....." You could not have received a note from Gunner. Gunner was President of my motorcycle club, and one of my best friends. He was killed in November 2009 when a pickup truck pulling a trailer pulled in front of him, completely blocking his right-of-way. Gunner was a certified motorcycle instructor. One of the reasons ABATE is promoting "Gunner's Bill" is to stop the needless slaughter of motorcyclists by drivers like the one who killed Gunner.

9. (FACT) Much of your e-mail was incorrect or gave the wrong impression. It would have been very easy for you to go to www.abateofoklahoma.org to get contact information so you could have verified the accuracy of your information before releasing an arrow of misinformation that you cannot call back.

I am just a member of ABATE of Oklahoma, not an officer, and am President of the Tulsa Callejeros. I am proud of my association with both organizations. I invite you to visit an ABATE of Oklahoma meeting and see what we really are about.

Jim "Radar" Koelle - Broken Arrow, OK