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May is Motorcycle Awareness Month

ABATE OF WASHINGTON

ABATE of Washington would like to thank Senator Rob MacEwen for his ongoing support for motorcyclists and motorcycle rights, throughout Washington State. We very much appreciate his Proclamation that May is Motorcycle Awareness Month in the Senate.

I'd like to thank North Kitsap Chapter for hosting our April BOD. We had a pretty solid turnout and it was a standing room only crowd packed into the Cloverleaf. Your BOD has been working hard to make sure we do things right. It may take longer as we navigate some new hurdles, but we're doing our best. Speaking of our best, I'd like to thank Monika Scotti for her last couple of years as our State Treasurer. She brought a lot of experience and enthusiasm to the table and we wish Monika the best going forward. We'll be looking for nominees to fill that empty Treasurer spot on the board. Also, we are still looking for help with State Products. It's a pretty easy job. There's usually plenty of people to help out, too. Give Susan a shout if you are interested in taking our products to the next level! 

Spring is finally here, and it's time to get out and support your local chapters. If you haven't done so, I highly recommend your chapter pick an event and get out and socialize. 

 At April BOD, Tacoma Chapter offered to host the July BOD. That is our annual Member's meeting, so if you haven't been to one of our state meetings, come on out and say hello. I was nominated for the Jr Deputy Coordinator at the April BOD. I take that spot and step down from the Pro-Tem Coordinator at the July BOD. Kevin Billings will be seated as our brand new State Coordinator and Susan will remain seated as the Sr Deputy Coordinator. We all look forward to continuing to lead the way with ABATE of Washington and our dedication to Freedom of the Road.

Spring Opener is coming up and so is our Raffle. Please get out and help sell those raffle tickets. After 50 you get a FREE Spring Opener ticket for next year... just like we've done in the past!

Spanaway always hosts a great Spring Opener ride! Last year Phil Snow took around for the ride and he was a great Ride Captain! They also usually have some pretty great shirts too! Some live music, good vendors, great people and bike fun......Just what the doctor ordered after a long hard winter, right?

Chapters, a reminder that each Chapter should have their Sgt at Arms call Phil to help run security at Spring Opener. He shouldn't have be hunting for volunteers. It's his job to organize them and the Chapter's jobs to provide the people he needs. If everyone takes a small piece, we can make it an EASY TASK! Thank you to those who have already signed up!

Thank you to all of you who continue to volunteer, show up, and stand up on a regular basis Your efforts are noticed and appreciated! YOU are the backbone of ABATE!

Remember to support the other ABATE Chapters and show support for your other Motorcycle Rights Organizations like the MRF and the COC!

Bill Dye

State Coordinator- Pro Tem

They’re Coming For The Aftermarket

Your Livelihood

Your Lifestyle



Let’s cut the noise - this is a direct hit on the motorcycle aftermarket. Across this country, independent shops, custom builders, parts manufacturers, and distributors support an estimated 120,000–180,000 American jobs. Not boardrooms bureaucrats - real people, real skills, real businesses built from the ground up. And right now, that entire ecosystem is in the crosshairs.

Many in the motorcycle industry community - insiders - are pushing for the defeat of H.R. 1566 – the REPAIR Act. The passage of H.R. 1566 will prevent lock-out diagnostics, allow access to parts and data, and allow riders the right to repair, modify, and control their own machines. Defeat of this legislation doesn’t just hurt riders - it guts the independent businesses that keep this industry alive.

Mike Marfut- recieves his 30 year ABATE pin at the April BOD from his Chapter Coordinator, Ken Behal. ABATE of Washington is grateful for your years of dedication, Mike! Thank you! 🏆

Election Dates for 2026

May 8 - last day to file

May 11th - last day to withdraw

Aug 4 - Primary

Nov 3 - General

Voter registration - Oct 26 for mail in Nov 3rd for in-person

Questions/info re elections: 1-800-448-4881 Monday-Friday between 8AM-5PM or email elections@sos.wa.gov.

Senate seats up for re election

District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 13 • District 15 • District 21 • District 26 • District 29 • District 30 • District 31 • District 32 • District 33 • District 34 • District 35 • District 36 • District 37 • District 38 • District 42 • District 43 • District 44 • District 45 • District 46 • District 47 • District 48

Spring has sprung finally on the eastside of the state!

A big thank you to the Chapter secretaries for turning in your Chapter minutes for this quarter. I appreciate the hard work you do for your Chapters in keeping ABATE of WA compliant with record keeping.

Please forward your meeting dates and events for the State calendar to me. We want to support each other in the great work we are doing for our community.

Thank you,

Diana Picone

State Secretary 

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.

FEMA President Olea Kvalsvik (photo by Wim Taal)

This week FEMA hosted the first formal meeting of our members’ young riders’ representatives, marking the start of an initiative that we hope will continue to grow and gain its own momentum.

Member organisations have nominated young delegates to represent their countries and share perspectives on the current situation and the future of motorcycling in Europe. Through the exchange of experiences, challenges, and ideas, the group highlighted both common issues and promising opportunities across borders.

The voice of young riders will play an increasingly important role in FEMA’s work going forward. Their insights are essential for ensuring that motorcycling remains an accessible, attractive, and relevant option for future generations throughout Europe.

To mark the launch of the Young Riders Initiative, FEMA President Olea Kvalsvik shares her thoughts on why it is essential to focus on young riders: “Young riders understand what it means to be young today, how they think, how they communicate, and what makes motorcycling appealing to their generation. When young people talk to other young people, the message becomes more natural, relatable, and engaging. Young riders bring energy, creativity, and a strong focus on the positive side of riding: freedom, community, and fun. At the same time, they are very aware of the challenges they face and are motivated to find solutions that make sense for young riders across Europe. FEMA’s main goal with this initiative is to put the spotlight on young riders and show that they are welcome and valued. We want to listen, include them, and give them a platform where their ideas and enthusiasm can help inspire more young people to discover and enjoy motorcycling.”

We would like to sincerely thank all the participants for taking the time to contribute to this important initiative and for their strong engagement from the very first meeting.

This article is shared from the FEMA website:  https://www.femamotorcycling.eu/young-motorcyclists-initiative/

ABATE Rider Training 2026

First Order of Business: Rider Training

The BOD voted to sponsor a full class for riders from ABATE this summer. I have received and forwarded bid from Cascade Motorcycle Safety for numerous different courses. Here is the option that we have chosen.

1.Cascade Gymkhana: At $500/10 riders, this can possibly get 20 riders drilled over a weekend. The bang for the buck here is that there is no hard fast curriculum, but the drills can be tailored for the clientele. The bottom line, the rider improves their ability to put their front tire where that want it, and at the speed they want, with no drama.

If you are interested, message me and copy Bill, and your Chapter Coordinator. I am working with the training provider to tailor exercises that are more or less “bagger friendly” but still challenging.  

The details:

1. Rider Level: Novice through Expert 
2. Event Length: 3 hours over one day 
3. Location: Cascade Motorcycle Safety, South Seattle College, 6000 16th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106 https://maps.app.goo.gl/b94xb1vFVE41BRwa9
4. Participants: 10 riders, no passengers
5. Riding Gear: Full coverage (Jackets, good pants, DOT helmet, full fingered gloves, over the ankle footwear)
6. Motorcycle: Any street legal motorcycle, passing T-CLOCS, Liability Insurance 

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)

mail Email: motorcycle@dol.wa.gov

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

With spring’s arrival, more motorcyclists return to the roads, which is why May is designated as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers the following tips for drivers and riders so everyone can stay safe on the roadways.

Public Relations                                      

The sun has been out, we’ve been getting some good saddle time in, and NOW is the tine to hustle out there and get some good fellowship with other chapters in.

We have so many fantastic events to support, some days there’s more than 3 in a day and we decide which one or two we can show up for.

Looking forward to seeing you all in the wind on two and three wheels!

Stay safe, stay connected, and ride like no one sees you!

We’ve already lost too many riders so far. 

Let’s meet at events, and not funerals.

See you in the wind!

Kim

Your ABATE of Washington MRF Reps, are putting on a Motorcycle Awareness Ride on May 9th, 2026!

Come on out and support those who support you and your Right to Ride, leaving from Grit City Harley, as we

putt down I-5 to the Capitol for some glares and stares doing 60mph.

Early Birds can join us for Breakfast at The Poodle Dog at 8:30am (there's a 20% tip added to our individual bills for their trouble)

Those who do not ride, often complain and stereotype about how we speed, break the laws, ride wreckless and so on...

ABATE of Washington supports Safety and Education. Here's our time to educate the public, en masse

using the road as intended, for a few miles in a few lanes.

This ride is designed to INCREASE AWARENESS OF Motorcycles by doing a solid 60mph as we roll down to

the Washington State Capitol, then on to Northwest Harley Davidson for our last stop.

The ultimate goal is to increase AWARENESS OF MOTORCYCLES and help raise some funds for the MRF Reps who support your Right to Ride! 

This is a Rain or Shine ride. We look forward to seeing you either at Breakfast at 8:30am or at the new Tacoma Harley (Grit City).

KSU at 11am!  Support vehicles welcome.

Be part of creating greater MOTORCYCLE AWARENESS with one of Washington State's largest Motorcycle Rights Organizations- 

ABATE of Washington!

Ride Free!

Kim Adair 

& 

Donovan McCartney 

ABATE of Washington 

MRF Representatives

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