Passes & Canyons Blog

By Matt Wessels

Motorcyclists Advocacy of Colorado (MAC), has been registered. There is no online presence yet but the Facebook Page will be launched shortly, to be followed by a website and a full social media presence. The group’s Mission Statement reads: “A volunteer organization dedicated to transparency, accountability and honesty. Striving to enable motorcyclists to unite to maintain freedoms and liberties. Aspiring to enable joint efforts among members and governing bodies to educate and advocate for the riding community.”

The group was started because there is a growing need for motorcyclists to have a unified and effective voice with which to approach the governing bodies in Colorado. Governing bodies would include, but are not limited to Colorado’s Senate, House of Representatives, CDOT, DOR and the MOSAB committee.

The group’s focus is on communication and understanding. Everybody is busy, too busy, most of the time. Nobody has enough time to keep track of all of the issues which might, or might not be affecting them, politically and otherwise. Aiming to be a conduit, the group seeks to communicate these issues to their membership, and provide the feedback to our governing bodies.

Currently, the known issues include E-15 fuel, motorcycle only checkpoints, recreational vehicle access, trails, and ability to modify legislation. Less known concerns like the quality of training available, and a national push to legalize lane-splitting/filtering affect Colorado motorcyclists directly, as well as being part of the national voice.

Communications will come in all forms, from a printed monthly newsletter to those who request it, but most prominently on social media. An explicit desire to receive motorcyclists’ input has been extended from CDOT’s MOSAB committee so there is a genuine need. The group is accepting of all motorcyclists regardless of motorcycle type, age, sex, gender and believes every person’s voice counts. MotorcycleColorado.com will continue to bring you coverage on this group as it progresses.

 

Brought to you first by MotorcycleColorado.com

Do you think it’s a good idea to have an organization that stands up at the state level for motorcyclists’ rights? That’s what ABATE of Colorado does. When there are laws proposed that would be harmful to us, we have someone down at the Capitol fighting for us because we have ABATE. But for how long?

I was very surprised to open my email this evening and find two messages. First this one:

The financial picture presented at the SBOD Meeting on November 15th was extremely dismal. ABATE of Colorado is in a very serious financial situation. With training income diminishing this time of year, our cash flow is severely negative. Our current past-due bills, plus those that will become due in December, greatly exceed our liquid funds and accounts receivable. The Financial Oversight Committee has done everything possible to keep the doors open, but this requires the efforts of all ABATE of Colorado members and districts as, collectively, we are ABATE of Colorado.
Actions taken to date include Deb, Perrie, and Don voluntarily “laying themselves off” and then coming in to keep vital functions going on a volunteer basis. Bills are getting paid as money is available.
We discussed many options to increase our cash flow at the SBOD Meeting, such as: selling excess training bikes; raffling off bikes; posting bikes on Craig’s list; consigning bikes for sale in Colorado Springs; donations from members, sponsors, and other SMROs; and soliciting investments in a CD so we can secure a loan. While these are good ideas, none get us “immediate” help.
One way to help us pay our bills right now would be for each district to forward to the State account all but $50 or so of their district treasury. Please consider our dire need and give what you can. Keep in mind that districts do not exist without the state organization being viable.

And then this one:

Due to various circumstances, ABATE of Colorado has found themselves in financial dire straits. In an attempt to overcome this situation, we’d like to secure a loan to help us through the winter months.
A bank we contacted will give us a loan equivalent to the amount of a purchased Certificate of Deposit (CD). We’re asking supporters of ABATE to invest in a CD. We realize your investment wouldn’t be a “great” return on investment, but it would enable ABATE to secure a much needed reasonable interest loan to pay off our extremely high interest / short term loan.
When the CD matures in about 7 to 8 years, your investment will be returned along with the appropriate interest earned. Your investment will be deposited in a separate account until enough money can be secured to purchase an appropriate CD (which we hope will be only a few weeks) and will not be used for anything else. We’ll contact you when the CD is purchased with the mature date and rate of return. A signed receipt will guarantee the above promises.
Thank you for supporting ABATE and investing in a CD to help our financial situation. Please respond by Friday, November 28, 2014.
Below is a temporary receipt for investment, to be followed by a formal official receipt for investment from the ABATE State Office.

I will be digging in my pocket. Even if you don’t choose to be a member, if you think what ABATE is doing is valuable, I urge you to help out, too.

Biker Quote for Today

It’s not about the bike nor the ride; it’s about the adventure in life we all seek. Great memories are made of taking the trail less traveled and explored.