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ABATE OF WASHINGTON

“Texas” Larry Walker is a nationally certified Rider Coach for novice, intermediate, and advanced training. He is the Senior Instructor for Navy Region Northwest, a long time motorcyclist rights advocate, with over 45 years of riding experience.

Brrrr… yep, it’s cold out there! I hope everyone is bundled up and staying warm.

We had an awesome Black Friday, and I want to personally thank everyone who took the time to come out and get in your legislators’ ears. That’s what it’s about — showing up and making sure our voices are heard. One of these years it won’t rain… but hey, welcome to Washington!



Now we’re looking ahead to the Swap Meet in Monroe. Never been? Then this is your year. Come out and spend the day — there will be a great lineup of vendors and plenty of folks from the motorcycle community. It’s always a good time, and I hope to see you there. Be sure to come up and say hello!

As always, let’s be careful out there. No matter how many wheels you’re riding on, keep your head on a swivel. Look out for everyone — because they’re not always looking out for you.

I want to say thank you again to each and every one of you. You matter! Your participation matters! We couldn’t put on great events, build strong chapters, or enjoy the friendships we have without all of you.

Stay safe. Remember to get out and support our chapters and events. Also, support the MRF's call to actions and legislative agenda.

Hope to see you all soon.

— Bill Dye

State Coordinator, Pro-Tem

I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank everyone who has stepped up over the past several months. Your dedication, time, and willingness to serve have not gone unnoticed. It is because of members like you that ABATE of Washington continues to move forward with strength and purpose. As we look ahead, my goals remain focused on transparency, open communication, and togetherness. We are working hard to build a culture where information is shared clearly, members feel heard, and we stand united in our mission to protect and promote motorcyclists’

rights across the State of Washington.

There are several exciting opportunities on the horizon, including the Spring Opener, the Swap Meet, and other potential future events for ABATE of Washington. These events take commitment and teamwork, and they are only successful when members step up to help.

If you are interested in serving on a committee or becoming more involved, I strongly encourage

you to reach out. Your ideas, energy, and leadership matter. Together, we can continue building

events and programs that benefit our members and strengthen our organization statewide.

As we move into the coming months and riding season approaches, I wish each of you safe

travels and many miles of freedom on the road.

In Brotherhood and Sisterhood,

Senior Deputy Coordinator

ABATE of Washington

Susan “Stars” Carson

Hello Everyone

So if you haven't heard, I was nominated and I accepted the nomination to be your next state coordinator. Here's a quick little something about me. Married to the love of my life (Tamra) going on 9 years now, took a while to find it but it was worth the journey. I joined SKCC in 2019 and have been membership secretary, Deputy Coordinator and Coordinator. I just retired from a job that I've had for 41 years with 38 of those being the manager. With that many years at the helm I've worked with people in all 50 states and many foreign countries and I've had many employees and think my people management skills are pretty good, the hardest part will be adjusting to doing things by committee LOL. I started riding when I was 12 years old on a little Honda 50 and since have had almost every brand and type of bike. My current ride is a Pan American 1250 (aka Dirt Glide) which is a blast to ride. I look forward to helping get ABATE back to its roots. Until July you can reach me at the Jr deputy email on the State page.

Thank You-Kevin Billings

Jr Deputy to Coordinator

I am Diana Picone from Spokane WA. I was just elected to the State Secretary position. My career background is as a Executive Assistant. I'm very well versed in minutes and note taking. In my volunteer positions I have been president of many different organizations. Well versed in bylaws and facilitating meetings. If you ever have any questions please feel free to contact me Secreatary.ABATEWA@gmail.com.

Chapter Secretaries please email me your monthly minutes and events. Secretary.ABATEWA@gmail.com.

I have attached the ABATE of Washington Chapter events & meetings. If your Chapter is missing on the calendar please forward the information to me.

Diana Picone

State Secretary 

Abate of Washington

Shared from the American Biker Journal – Nov/Dec 2025 By Bob Kay, Chairman, Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council



They say the only things you can count on are change and taxes. And let’s face it — most of us don’t exactly welcome either. We get comfortable with our lives: our families, our bikes, our routines. So, when change comes knocking, it’s natural to wonder what it might mess up.

But here’s the truth: You can’t stop change. What you can do is steer it. If you can see change coming, take a step back, analyze what it means, and make a plan — you’ve already taken the first step to staying in control. That’s a hell of a lot better than sitting back and letting it run over you.



Right Now, the Motorcycle World Is Shifting

There are major changes hitting our community that could threaten our freedom to choose what we ride, how we fix it, and who we ride with. Every rights-minded rider should be paying attention to the following:

1. Right to Repair (and Right to Modify) While most Right to Repair laws focus on cars, we need to make damn sure motorcycles aren’t ignored. Our bikes matter and our freedom to work on them, modify them, and personalize them is worth defending. Here’s what we’re fighting for:

• Independent shops and riders must have full access to the tools, diagnostics, and software updates for modern bikes.
• Aftermarket manufacturers must be free to reproduce replacement parts for models the OEMs no longer support.
• Warranties must not be voided just because you use aftermarket parts or an independent shop.
• And all of this must be available at a reasonable cost, not buried under legal red tape.

This isn’t just about repair. It’s about freedom. The freedom to wrench on your ride, keep it running your way, and make it your own.

2. The War on Internal Combustion Electric bikes might be all over the headlines, but let’s get real: they’re not the machines that get your blood pumping. And even if you wanted one, the charging infrastructure just isn’t ready for serious riders. What’s worse, some environmental policies are pushing for full elimination of internal combustion engines. Along the way, motorcycles get lumped in unfairly with inaccurate emissions claims and half-baked “green” agendas.

We must not sit idle:

• Defend access to non-ethanol and low-ethanol fuels that our bikes are built for.
• Push back against false emissions narratives used to restrict what and how we ride.

This is about standing up for practical, proven technology and making sure we’re not collateral damage in the rush to electrify everything.

3. Other Battles on the Horizon

• End-of-life vehicle laws targeting older bikes.
• Event restrictions limiting how many riders can gather.
• Rider profiling by law enforcement based on what you ride or who you ride with.

Each of these is a strike against our culture, our community, and our rights.

How Do We Fight Back?

With unity and action. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) and the Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket (IMA) are already in the trenches for us — but they need backup. These are the tools we’ve got to protect what we ride, how we ride, and who we ride with. But tools only work if you use them.

We need to:

• Grow membership fast.
• Build a bigger presence in Washington. Lawmakers need to see us not just as riders, but as voters who show up and speak out.
• Mobilize at the local level. Chapters signing people up. Riders showing up at lobby days. Clubs and shops spreading the word.
• Coordinate the message. Speak with one voice, loud and clear.

The Clock’s Ticking

Some longtime riders say the scene isn’t what it used to be and they’re drifting away. But if the industry keeps shrinking, if bikers keep falling off the radar, then the next round of rules will roll right over us.

The time to act is now:

• Read up on the threats.
• Understand what’s at stake.
• Talk to your crew, your club, your local shop.
• Get your favorite aftermarket brand or local dealer to sign up with the IMA.
• Respond to the MRF calls to action.
• Make plans to attend Bikers Inside the Beltway in May 2026.

Get involved. Get loud. And Get ‘Er Done. If we don’t stand up now, don’t be surprised when there’s nothing left to ride for.

Bob Kay - Chairman, Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket Council

If you are interested in opening an ABATE of Washington Chapter in your area, contact our Ambassadors At Large. 

Congratulations to Kat Bolton, our new East Side Ambassador at Large.

West Side Ambassador at Large

Chad Holtquist

Ambassador2.AbateofWashington@gmail.com 

East Side Ambassador at Large

Kat Bolton

Ambassador1.AbateofWashington@gmail.com

Black Friday Wrap Up When last wrote about Black Friday, for our February Freedom newsletter, I was just taking off for a cruise, with 3 other solid ABATE of Washington Freedom Warriors. It was kind of surreal, seeing the event worked on for so many months, and not be here for part of it. From the masses reporting this Black Friday was an excellent time! We had a record number of new people, well…record since I’ve been paying attention anyway, and the legislative offices showed up at the breakfast, in droves! We are making an impact in Olympia, and it shows in our numbers! Are we making laws and change? Well, no and yes. No, we haven’t had any bill movement, in the direction we want. But Yes, we are making change, and leaving a lasting impact.

Goal-To foster and promote safe motorcycle riding through:

• Public information campaigns throughout the state to increase awareness of motorcycle safety
• Developing quality rider training programs including classroom and on-cycle training
• Improving operator testing

Funding

This program is funded by your Washington motorcycle endorsement and permit fees. 

RCW 46.20.520

Advisory board

Created by law, the Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Board works with the Director of the Department of Licensing to develop:

• Effective motorcycle operator training programs
• Motorcycle safety education outreach and campaigns

Here's how to contact them:

call Phone: 360-902-3900

(TTY: Call 711)

Email: motorcycle@dol.wa.gov

Hard to believe that Black Friday 2026 is in the books and in a couple weeks our SWAP MEET will be here! Now is the time to get that registration in, clear out the garage shelves of that dusty stuff you've swapped out on your bike, or the leathers that shrunk over the last couple years!

With Eric Lundt and his team stepping up to run Swap Meet, it's going to be a GREAT one this year!

He's still looking for some volunteers for set-up and tear down. email: abateofwashingtonswapmeet@gmail.com

For that weekend, the ABATE of Washington Sky Valley Chapter has their Shaking the Winter Blues party on tap

for you all to have a kick ass time, the night before.

LIVE Music and Biker Fun!



March 21, 2026, 5:00pm – March 21, 2026, 11:59pm

at JR Phinickey's

18960 US-2, Monroe, WA 98272, USA Just down the road from the Monroe Fairgrounds! Now is a good time to get out and support the Chapter events of other chapters as well as all of those businesses

who support ABATE with their donations and hospitality! We could not do what we do, without their support! Ride Free everyone!

Kim Adair-Public Relations

A Critical Opportunity: The 2026 Highway Bill

This year presents a rare and powerful opportunity for motorcyclists nationwide. We have a legitimate chance to advance 7 of the MRF's 12 high-priority issues into the upcoming Highway Bill. 

This Bill is only voted once every five years. Success here would put motorcyclists in a significantly stronger position for the next half-decade. 

Working Closely with our lobbyist, Rocky Fox, we have identified 21 key decision-makers (see attached submission) whose support could determine the outcome. NOW is the time for focused, coordinator action. 

What We Are Asking You to Do

• Engage at the state level
• Reach out to the identified decision-makers tied to our state/region 
• Help educate, influence, and secure their support for advancing the Highway Bill in 2026
• Report progress, feedback, or resistance back to your MRF state representatives. 

Our opponents are organized, well-funded, and persistent. The only way we counter that is through disciplined, coordinated grassroots leadership- state by state.

This is where grassroots leadership matters most. When we act together, speak with one voice and apply consistent pressure, we are impossible to ignore

Gary Goracke-MRF Director State Reps Dept.                

Cathy Dial-MRF Reps Rep                 

Paul Landers-MRF Reps Rep

Hey Riders!

Just a brief report this month. I wanted to give a huge shout out to Jo Breneman, and Larry Walker for facilitating the Legislative Overview on Thursday, prior to Black Friday! These two legendary motorcycle rights advocates are stellar examples of leadership and we can not thank them enough for their contributions to our motorcycle rights efforts, here in Washington, and with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation!

Donovan McCartney and I will be seeing you at the Swap Meet! Stop by the MRF table and say hello and we can chat about the state of motorcycle rights and our legislative agenda, both on our state level, and nationally as well!



The link below takes you to our Motorcycle Riders Foundation National Legislative Agenda. This is voted on by the Sustaining Organization Members, including ABATE of Washington, that attend the annual MRF Meeting of the Minds. 

Motorcycle Riders Foundation 2026 Legislative Priorities

We look forward to seeing you all at Swap Meet!

Kim Adair

ABATE of Washington

State MRF Representative

Hi Everyone,

Curious how we stack up in membership amongst our fellow ABATE organizations through out the United States? Here's our latest membership report.

Got questions? Email:  Membership.abateofwashington@gmail.com

Important ECOM change!

The Executive Board had to change our ECOM meeting location.

Jet City Harley-Davidson has graciously opened their doors to ABATE

for us to meet for our ECOM there. 

The meeting is March 8th at 11am, at Jet City Harley Davidson

3715 East Valley Road, Renton, WA 98057

Randee Morrow has formally resigned her position due to her recent move out of the area. Randee, thank you for everything you've done for this chapter- not only managing our financials, but for the energy, enthusiasm, and dedication you brought to every ride, Toy Run, Spring Opener Tattoo contest, and holiday gathering.