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DOES IT GET ANY BETTER?
I love the smell of wet leather and there is no better place to experience that than in the rotunda of the state capitol on ABATE Rally Day. Another thing I love is the sound of hundreds of motorcycles rounding Third Street from State and lining up on both sides of the street in front of the capitol.
This years rally was a lot like others but at the same time very different. I have had the honor and privilege of organizing two decades or more of Rights Rallies to date. Every rally usually followed the same theme...”helmets and freedom of choice.” This year the word helmet was not uttered a single time. That’s because right now helmet laws are not an issue in Pennsylvania.
This years rally patch proclaimed 7 Years of Free Choice. That’s a major accomplishment for any rights organization. We also celebrated a reduction in motorcycle accidents and fatalities for the first time in many years. Someone is doing something right in Pennsylvania.
The issues this year concerned our ongoing efforts to promote crash avoidance through proficient and safe riding by motorcyclists and also the hazards to motorcyclists by in vehicle technological distractions. We were pleased to have Representative Joe Markosek, chair of the House Transportation Committee speak about the problem of distracted driving.
Kevin Snyder our state coordinator introduced our “Circle of Friends” that is made up of legislators in attendance at the rally. Those introductions were numerous and again that’s a credit to the outstanding job ABATE has been doing at the state capitol with strong lobbying and an ever present representation.
Kevin also presented the prestigious Clarence D. Bell Scholarship Award to ABATE members Heather Linn and Jeremy Lee Bigelow for their winning essays in this years contest.
I also want to extend our thanks to the other participants at this years Rally. Our rocket scientist and PR man Dave Tuschel, Representative’s Harry Readshaw and Mark Keller and Senator John Wozniak.
And last but not least, a thank you to those hearty individuals who once again committed a day out of their busy lives to come to Harrisburg and rally for bikers rights and to insure that the interest of all Pennsylvania motorcyclists continues to be at the forefront of legislative issues before the Legislature.
Have a safe summer!
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