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STEVE ZURL |
ASSISTANT STATE COORDINATOR'S REPORT |
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Rights Rally 2012 - No One Can Take YOUR Place! Dedicate the month of May to Motorcyclists’ Rights – YOUR rights! This year’s Motorcyclist Rights Rally is somewhat special. Once again, the Governor has proclaimed the month of May as Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Month. The Proclamation will be presented to ABATE of PA, with the expectation that ABATE of PA will once again accept the responsibility to get the Safety & Awareness message to all motorists in the Commonwealth. For me, there’s another reason this year’s Rights Rally is special. Eight months ago, I survived a severe Right-Of-Way collision, and am able to be in Harrisburg to participate with you. I think we still have work to do with regard to “awareness”. People not only need to be made aware of motorcyclists visually, but also need to be aware of the injuries and expenses that result from an instant of carelessness. The success of the motorcyclist rights effort in Pennsylvania is based on one thing – We don’t ask for money! Unlike the other lobby groups that descend on Harrisburg and Washington every day, ABATE of PA only asks the legislators for Freedom, and to help create a safer environment on the highways. In fact, the majority of the bills ABATE of PA has introduced or lobbied for have been safety-related. Even funding for Pennsylvania’s Motorcycle Safety Program comes from motorcyclists, and not taxes. As the riding season begins, I’m sure we’ll see the usual barrage of newspaper articles on motorcycle collisions, and on helmets being the silver bullet to eliminate fatalities. Same tired articles – Different spins. None of the articles address safer highways or collision reduction. There’s good news to report this year. The new numbers are in, and motorcycle fatalities dropped significantly in 2011. Our opponents will choose to ignore this FACT, so it’s the duty of Pennsylvania’s motorcyclists to carry this good news to legislators on Rally Day. Safety & Awareness works! Don’t stop in Harrisburg! Carry your message to Washington, DC, on Thursday, May 17, at the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s (MRF) Bikers Inside The Beltway. Groups will be leaving Pennsylvania to join with other states’ Motorcycle Rights Organizations to address the federal issues that affect motorcyclists. This year, I challenge all Chapter Officers and District Reps to not only attend the Rights Rally, but identify the newer members of ABATE of PA, and invite them to ride with you. Show them what it’s about. Encourage them to participate in the parade of motorcycles from Shellsville to the Capitol. Let them experience, firsthand, what it’s like to be a part of the legislative process. Introduce those members to the Freedom Weekend campground, even if it’s only for the day. Will you accept the responsibility to promote Safety & Awareness not only through your message, but through your actions? Will you take the time to go to the Rights Rally on May 7 to tell Pennsylvania’s members of the House and Senate that Safety & Awareness, and Freedom Of Choice are important to you? May is Motorcycle Safety & Awareness month. Live it every month! Ride safely - Ride sober! |
