Our legislative agenda for the 2008/2009 session is as follows:
• Continue efforts to repeal the helmet law.
• Continue to build positive relationships with legislators.
• Reduce or remove discriminatory and dangerous concepts in SB 375 threat to "Learners Permit".
• Reduce or remove threats to the right to associate freely in SB 1324/HB 274 "Street Gang Prevention Act".
• Identify alternative funding for and lobby for passage of SB 1121 "Motorcycle Crash Prevention Research Center ".
• Increase consequences for right of way violations.
• Introduce legislation for Anti-Discrimination/Equal Access Legislation for 2009.
• Work with federal motorcycle rights organizations on issues that concern motorcyclists nationwide, including repair of
the exclusionary loophole in the HIPPA Act.
CBA/ABATE is more than just a legislative organization. Our members know there is something for everyone. Whatever your interest is in motorcycling, you will find a place to fit in, meet some really great people and have some fun along the way!
As we have grown, we have found the concerns of the motorcycling community often go beyond legislation. In many cases, well intentioned bureaucrats and/or safety professionals have implemented (or lobbied elected officials for) regulations that are unfriendly toward our lifestyle. In many cases they use the issue of our personal safety as their tool of persuasion. This has forced us to broaden our activities and expand our arenas of involvement. CBA/ABATE believes that the best way to avoid motorcyclist fatalities is to avoid motorcycle crashes.
In 2007, CBA/ABATE of NC’s Motorcycle Safety and Awareness program (Motorcycle Awareness Classes to High School Driver Education classrooms) was awarded a small SAFETEA-LU (PL 109-59) grant from the NC Governor’s Highway Safety Program. This grant allowed CBA/ABATE to increase the number of high school classes taught each year, provide funding for student and instructor materials, and support the development of alternative venues of instruction. The technological instructional innovations will deliver Motorcycle Awareness information to a larger more diverse population of motorists, through computer-assisted and web-based instructional models. We have submitted a continuation proposal to the GHSP for 2008.
Working Together for the Benefit of All Motorcyclists
No one person can take credit for all of the work being done on behalf of motorcyclists of North Carolina. As with all things CBA; it takes the whole team, working together, to get the job done.
This position paper has been prepared to help provide the public with information, alleviate misunderstandings, and seek your involvement in the process.
CBA/ABATE’s decision making process operates in an open environment with full disclosure. information flows (in both directions) between chapters and the state organization, is considered and discussed in open committee meetings, and voted on by individual chapter members who are represented at the state level by their chapter leadership. Every member has a voice.
Strategic plans are developed by each committee, voted on by the membership, and presented annually to the public through our CBA newsletter, FRONTLINE. The strategies and methods used in our legislative goals, and activities have been developed, discussed and determined through a systematic democratic process. Every member has an opportunity to contribute their ideas, and discuss their concerns before ideas become policy. There are no hidden agendas.
Once an idea or strategy becomes policy, member-volunteers fulfill the obligations inherent in implementation and follow through. The results of all activities are shared with the membership. There are no concealed actions.
Looking into the future, we have prepared ourselves to meet the new challenges with a renewed vigor. We are prepared to meet all challenges with the help and support of the motorcycling community of North Carolina, and our friends and champions in the North Carolina Legislature.
We know everyone may not always agree with all of our democratically derived policies, and/or every piece of legislation we support or oppose. But this is where the process has led us. If you are not pleased with any aspect of our policy or activities, we challenge you, the NC motorcyclist, to become a part of something bigger than yourself. Get involved and work cohesively for the benefit of all motorcyclists of NC.
We may never all agree on everything, but we will always agree that we all like riding.
Remember, UNITED WE STAND............DIVIDED WE FALL, let's put our differences aside and work towards common goals that will benefit the motorcycling community. .
Randy Norris
President
Concerned Bikers Association/ABATE of North Carolina