State Motorcyclist's Rights Organization

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State Motorcyclist's Rights Organizations (abbreviated SMRO) exist in the United States, many of which call themselves ABATE of (State name). SMROs concern themselves with what is going on in the arena of motorcycling safety education, training, licensing, and public awareness. Among the many issues SMROs deal with Motorcycle Helmet laws are one of the most debated.

[edit] ABATE

ABATE is an acronym which originally stood for "A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments" and alternatively stands for "American Bikers Against Totalitarian Enactments", "A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education", "American Bikers for Awareness, Training & Education", "American Bikers Aimed Towards Education", "American Bikers Advocating Training & Education" with other combination possibilities out there.

[edit] Concept

The concept of ABATE began with Lou Kimzey, editor of Easyriders magazine in 1972. He and others saw the need for bikers to organize to fight against Federal and state restrictions on motorcycling. Some 35 years later, most states have a State Motorcyclist's Rights Organization (SMRO), either called ABATE or some other name. October 1977 Lou Kimzey and EASYRIDERS were relinquishing the organization to the people attending the meeting in Sacramento.

In 1986, many ABATE organizations met at what became the "Meeting of the Minds" conference. This conference began the process of SMROs working together and eventually led to the founding of the Motorcycle Rider's Foundation (MRF) which is considered a Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) based in Washington DC. This group of SMROs acted to eliminate federal helmet law requirements, make sure motorcycles are part of transportation planning and ensure that motorcycles are allowed on all public roads.

The MRF, Motorcycle Riders Foundation, is an organization set up in Washington to watch over motorcycle legislation and to take action when the federal government has an agenda that would not be motorcycle friendly. SMRO's including ABATE work with the MRF and most have a State Officer involved in the MRF. ABATE organization use the MRF to share State information, and get more information on a federal level as well as information from other States. Most (SMRO) and ABATE groups work with other (MRO) groups besides the MRF, such as the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) based near Columbus, Ohio. Many ABATE organizations have websites, and most often list the other groups they are involved with, work with, from national MRO groups, insurance programs, lawyers, and rider training or safety and education programs.

ABATE was formed in response to keep motorcycle choppers, with extended front ends that were deemed unsafe, on the road; but now SMROs deal with a large variety of motorcycling related issues. Motorcycle safety training, health insurance issues and road engineering with respect to motorcycles are all areas dealt with by ABATE organizations. Many state's rider training programs are either run by or administered by ABATE organizations. ABATE of Arizona runs a Motorcycle Awareness Program or MAP.

ABATE groups also are involved in charity events like Toy Runs, food drives and First responder/EMT training. But ABATE is still a political organization and much of the individual group's political clout comes from the activity exerted by motorcyclists.

ABATE Chapters exist in most states.

ABATE is not a motorcycle club, nor is it a Harley riders only organization.

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