— By Jake Schultz
A.B.A.T.E. is important to me for many reasons. The promotion of motorcycle awareness, motorcycle safety with the freedom of choice helmet law, Toys for Tots, and the strong bond of brotherhood that the members of A.B.A.T.E. share are just a few of the many great things that the Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education brings to the community. On many roads there are signs posted to warn drivers that there may be deer crossing, or that the road curves ahead, but before A.B.A.T.E. pushed and pushed to promote motorcycle awareness there were no signs to remind drivers that there may be motorcycles on the road. A.B.A.T.E.’s “Look Twice – Save A Life – Motorcycles Are Everywhere” campaign has been a huge success with about 20,000 lawn signs posted as of this year. Another way the members of A.B.A.T.E. have helped promote motorcycle awareness is with the Operation Save A Life Program. This program has created a video on motorcycle awareness that is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Education for use in driver education programs throughout the state. I think that both of these methods of promoting motorcycle awareness have, and will continue to help protect riders.
The freedom of choice helmet law is another great thing that A.B.A.T.E. has done for riders all across Pennsylvania. Statistics show that wearing a helmet can actually increase the rider’s chance of injury, especially in the head and neck. Thanks to all of the members of A.B.A.T.E. who stood together and worked hard to see this law finally enacted in Pennsylvania, riders over the age of 21 with at least two years of riding experience now have the choice of whether or not to wear a helmet while riding their motorcycle.
In my opinion, Toys for Tots has been the most significant, rewarding and impressive event that A.B.A.T.E. has ever been part of. I grew up riding on the back of my dad’s Harley Davidson at many Toy Runs. To not only see, but be a part of the thousands and thousands of bikers unite and ride as one huge team from Delaware Avenue all the way to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia gives such an amazing feeling. The best part of the entire experience is walking into the entrance of the hospital and seeing all of the signs hanging in the windows of the children’s rooms saying things like, “Thank you A.B.A.T.E., and even some of the children who are able to come down to the lobby and talk with us. The Toy Run is one of the happiest moments for the children in the hospital, and to be able to be a part of that is so rewarding. The Toy Run is also one of the many times where the strong bond of brotherhood that all of the members of A.B.A.T.E. share is very apparent.
The Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education. This organization is called an alliance for a reason. The members of A.B.A.T.E. are most definitely an alliance. Throughout all of my years attending Toy Runs and memorial rides and many fun spirited meetings such as Bar-be-ques, and the 4th of July parties, I have witnessed how strong the bond is between all of A.B.A.T.E.’s members. Whether it is about getting people together to raise money for charities, standing together as one to push for motorcycle awareness, or helping one another out with any problems or struggles that life brings, the members of A.B.A.T.E. have each other’s backs. I think that this is the number one reason why A.B.A.T.E. has been so successful as an organization. They are more than just a bunch of bikers who call themselves an organization. They are friends, real, caring, trustworthy friends, they are an alliance.