A.B.A.T.E. of PA’s history is difficult to document since bikers have typically been more interested in getting the job done than documenting how it was accomplished.

A.B.A.T.E. of PA is a special interest group whose primary tool is grass roots political activism. Originally founded in 1977, it has accomplished many legislative successes. Perhaps the most notable is Pennsylvania’s Motorcycle Safety Program, which is administered by PennDOT and funded by motorcyclists through a surcharge on their registration fees. A.B.A.T.E. of PA played a significant role in getting the original surcharge approved and was the leading influence behind subsequent legislation expanding the program.

But A.B.A.T.E. of PA’s history is inextricably tied to Pennsylvania’s motorcycle helmet law, which took effect on Friday, September 13, 1968. That event was the driving force that led to the founding of A.B.A.T.E. of PA and it’s development into one of the state’s most effective grass-roots lobbying organizations.

In this article, we’ll review the events leading up to the founding of A.B.A.T.E. of PA and what has happened since in the never-ending struggle to protect the rights of motorcyclists.

A.B.A.T.E. of PA’s history can be divided into six periods. We’ll look at each of them.
1. Motorcycle Movements…The Early Years
2. Motorcycle Movements…The Political Awakening
3. A.B.A.T.E. of PA…The Beginning
4. A.B.A.T.E. of PA…Moving Legislation
5. A.B.A.T.E. of PA…Winning the Legislative Process
6. A.B.A.T.E. of PA…Coping With Success

* Some key individuals in our history!