ABATE Bikers Receive Blessing for a Worthy Cause

Since 1972 ABATE has been working across the nation for motorcyclists’ rights. The Maryland chapter formed in 1974. Originally, ABATE was a true nationwide effort, a grassroots legislative organization formed by Easy Rider Magazine. After attempting to work in a national forum, the organization decided that a state by state presence made more sense.

 

Each state enacts their own motorcycle laws, rules and regulations and the effort to protect bikers’ rights worked better in a state lobbying effort.

 

According to Toni Robinson, an ABATE member since 1995, “We work tirelessly to protect the rights and freedoms of bikers and have a very strong, well respected presence in Annapolis.”

 

Robinson added some personal thoughts in a recent interview with TheBAYNET.com. “These are my opinions only,” she cautioned. Robinson went on to say that she is proud of the group’s efforts in this past legislative session.

 

“Last year members across the state worked hard to finally get our Right of Way Bill passed. This was a bill that the organization had worked on for several years and last year we did it! However, this bill is not just for motorcyclists it is for anyone who has had their right of way taken.”, When asked what that law was, she explained that in the past, when a car did not yield the right of way to a motorcycle and there was an accident because of that failure to yield, the driver of the car would not be prosecuted or held liable in most cases if they told authorities that they had not seen the motorcycle.

 

“Now, if a biker has the right of way taken it is a mandatory fine.

 

ABATE of Maryland, Inc., also worked to get a red light bill passed, but did not succeed. “At some traffic lights, they are set up to work if there is a certain amount of metal or a certain weight that the light will not change and motorcyclists are forced to wait until the light goes through so many cycles before it will finally change”. We were hoping to get this to be treated like a 4 way and when it was safe, to proceed.

 

Another effort that ABATE worked on was the personal freedom of choice to wear a helmet. “We are not advocating that helmets should not be worn,” said Robinson, “However, we want bikers to have the right to choose for themselves.”