South Dakota, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas

Yet, all of these states have reported 0 vehicle miles traveled� (VMT) for motorcycles from 1997 – 2003, neglecting to record the miles motorcyclists travel to such major cities as Sturgis, Laughlin, Chicago and Dallas. To add to these large missing numbers the following states have not reported any motorcycle VMT in one or more of the years in question.

Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia

In a time when the riding population is exploding and more and more people are riding their motorcycles for transportation as well as recreation, the statistics reported indicate that something is amiss. Without the reporting of those many – many miles, motorcycle crash data is skewed to look a lot worse than what it really is. We'll continue to monitor this situation and keep you updated as this will not get the "press play" that it deserves.

Washington DC - Over 5 years ago motorcyclists began to compile a wish list for the anticipated reauthorization of TEA. The list included the typical things that one would expect such as no helmet laws or blackmail language, making sure motorcycles could not be banned from roads that used federal money, restricting NHTSA from using tax payer's money to lobby states on helmet laws, and so on.

Another concern for motorcyclists was the increasing struggle of state run rider training programs to gain and maintain the funding needed to run their programs in a matter that would increase the number of motorcyclists being trained. Language was drafted for a State Rider Training Program Grant and the wish list grew.

While discussions of truly safer roads took place, dangers such as tar snakes, oil and gravel, toll gates, and street light detection were addressed by asking for the formation of a Motorcycle Advisory Council to the Federal Highway Administration. All in all, a large list that would take a lot of hard work to accomplish – but motorcyclistss were up to the challenge.

Alaska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania

Many States' Motorcyclists' Rights Organizations made special trips to our nation's capital for senate meetings, committee meetings and general lobbying efforts in order to have this wish list included in the TEA reauthorization without any helmet provisions. And then they waited…and waited and waited.

After an unprecedented 10 extensions of the reauthorization, SAFETEA-LU emerged with $25 million dollars available in a motorcycle education and awareness grant as well as the formation of the Motorcycle Advisory Council in the Federal Highway Administration for input on road and road design issues.

Springfield IL - The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is working with ABATE of Illinois to strengthen the Illinois Cycle Rider Training Program. They are looking forward to taking full advantage of the grant established in the passing of the TEA reauthorization, as this grant would help to increase the number of classes that Illinois Universities can offer to new and experienced riders.

Working with IDOT and the Illinois Secretary of State (ISOS), ABATE of Illinois was successful in stopping any legislation or agency rules that would allow biased manufactures to license new riders creating a huge conflict of interest and possibly unsafe riders. The CRT Grant Fund was also taken off the list of funds that were tapped by the governor for raids to help balance the state budget. This keeps the money available for its intended purpose – training motorcyclists how to ride and increasing their skills.

Oregon - Preliminary findings of a NHTSA best practice study showed that among the top curriculum of rider training programs was TEAM Oregon. IDOT has announced that it will pilot the TEAM Oregon curriculum this fall and once completed it will compare, analyze, and determine which curriculum (either the MSF or the TEAM Oregon) will best suit Illinois motorcyclists.

Harrisburg IL – ABATE of Illinois filed a comment to the United State Forest Service in regard to the Shawnee Nation Forest Plan earlier this summer. While the use of off-road trails in this Illinois forest have been debated in court rooms for over a decade, the last notable ruling determined that the time for input was during the regular 10 year forest service plan.

Congressman John Shimkus came to the aid of the organization once again by personally submitting the comments on motorcyclist's behalf. A big thanks goes out to Congressman Shimkus for his continued support of ABATE of Illinois.

United States of America –The freedoms that motorcyclists enjoyy today are not accomplished by a thick glassed, four eyed computer nerds in a backroom. Nor are they protected by a high dollar lobbyist or an organizationally elected coordinator. Rather, the liberty that we pride ourselves on is obtained by ordinary men and women across this country, that dedicate hours and hours of volunteerism. Campaign 2006 begins in October 2005 with the circulation of candidate petitions. Motorcyclists are everywhere!

Cheryl Pearre
Legislative Coordinator
ABATE of Illinois