ABATE of Montana is a not-for-profit, social membership-driven, organization dedicated to preserving motorcyclists' freedom of choice and freedom of the road. Our main goal is to promote motorcycle safety, awareness, training and protect the rights of motorcyclists everywhere.
ABATE of Montana is comprised of volunteer State Officers and 8 Chapters across the state of Montana. The State Board Officers of are voted in annually by the general membership. A list of current State Officers and the listing of all Chapters' Coordinators', are published in the "Montana ABATE State Newsletter" the bi-monthly newspaper of ABATE of Montana. ABATE members actively produce, support and promote public awareness campaigns, motorcycle safety programs and all manner of charity events.
The main thrust of ABATE is to "Educate, Not Legislate." We believe in the education of everyone that is involved with motorcycling. We are active in promoting motorcycle safety and awareness. We stay informed on current laws that affect riders and pending legislation that could change the way we enjoy our freedoms. ABATE also encourages our members to help with community charity events and always promote a positive image of motorcyclists.
Our Bi-Monthly Newsletter keeps members informed on upcoming events and issues affecting motorcyclists. We also encourage you to mark our website; mtabate.com as a favorite on your computer, and check it often for updates. We encourage our members to attend any local meeting, voice their opinions in letters to the Editor, and generally become more involved with the sport of motorcycling.
Our Mission
The letters "ABATE" stand for American Bikers Aiming Toward Education.
ABATE is composed of motorcyclists from all areas of the State, from all walks of life, and who ride all makes of bikes. ABATE is not a club, it is a politically active organization working on motorcyclist's rights. We are affiliated with national rights groups like the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM).
Our main focus is to keep motorcycle legislation in its proper perspective. Many restrictive laws are enacted by uninformed legislators. ABATE's goal is to keep our lawmakers informed of our members collective position on Motorcycle related legislation. Preventing unfair legislation from becoming law is easier than fighting to get the law repealed.
Rider education and public awareness of motorcyclist are goals of ABATE. We are not against the wearing of helmets. We believe in "Freedom of Choice" and we encourage all riders to ride safely. An informed and educated rider is a safer rider. Helmet laws do nothing to prevent an accident, and a helmet only provides the illusion of safety, while rider education is proven to prevent accidents and save lives.
ABATE is involved in community service through programs like "Adopt a Highway" and "Christmas Toy Runs". We also sponsor several Chapter level charity events throughout the year
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- In 1989 ABATE of Montana lobbied for the Montana Motorcycle Safety and Education Program, thus creating affordable rider education.
- In 1993 ABATE of Montana successfully lobbied against a mandatory helmet law, maintaining freedom of choice for all Montanans.
- Assisted in passing anti-discrimination legislation regarding lifestyles.
- 1995, lobbied successfully for more equitable registration fees for motorcycles.
- Lobbied for an increase in funding to the M.M.S.E.P.
-2007: Successfully defeated the Mandatory Motorcycle/Quadricycle Helmet Law legislation. We maintained our rights and our lifestyle, maintaining freedom of choice for all Montanans.
THE FUTURE
- To continue to be a proactive watchdog in the state legislature.
- To work with the national motorcycling rights advocacy groups on all federal issues concerning bikers.
- To encourage new and old alike to join in our fight to maintain our rights and our lifestyle
WE NEED YOU!
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety" - Ben Franklin