ABATE of South Carolina is Biker Rights.

Just wanted to update everyone and let them know that next week on the 16th we will be placing the order for the shirts. We also have these in black in case you don’t like the bright yellow or orange. We have attached the latest design proofs and also we will have a one of a kind mug that will be raffled. We will have these products available at the Rally between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 a.m. at the Rally start point.

~ Ralph Bell

Here is the current products sheet and also what I currently have on hand right now. Thanks again for helping with spreading our message around. Remember we will have products setup at the May Awareness Rally between 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. so let me know if there is anything you want to hold.

~ Ralph Bell

Attachments:

abatesc Order Sheet.pdf

[Download PDF]

298 Kb

Please welcome this new Chapter to the ABATE of SC family. Chuck Little is the Chapter Coordinator. Meeting, location and contact info is available in the CSRA section of the Chapters and Meetings page.

The first annual Bikes on the Border is now a week behind us and judgeing by the evaluations it was a huge success.  I want to thank everyone who attended and helped make it as enjoyable and informative as it was.  I want to send a special thanks to Jeff Hennie with the Motorcycle Riders Foundation who took his time to come down and give us a presentation concerning federal issues affecting motorcyclists.  I also want to thank ABATE of South Carolina for providing a fantastic hospitality suite.

For those who were unable to attend, Bikes on the Border was a social and informational gathering of motorcyclists from Virginia and the Carolinas.  In addition to Jeff's presentation we had sessions focusing on the CDC's recent motorcycle safety study, accident scene preservation, and knowing your rights during a traffic stop.  From the feedback that we have received everyone seemed to find the sessions informative and enjoyable.

We have already started planning for next year's Bikes on the Border.  Our venue will most likely change but it will still be along the border of North and South Carolina so we can keep our name.  Some of you on this list should expect to be contacted about being session presenters.  We have a wealth of knowledge among us and it needs to be shared.

Some of you expressed an interest in receiving copies of the PowerPoint presentations.  If you wish an electronic copy of any of the PowerPoint presentations please send me a request identifying which presentations you want.  I will get them to you ASAP.

Thanks again to all who attended.  I look forward to seeing you next year.

Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com

GREENVILLE, S.C. -

Kay Nicholls is a mom on a mission, one she couldn't have imagined nearly three years ago.  "It was June 17, 2010," the Greenville mother remembers.  "His last words were 'bye mama, I love you'", she says through tears.  That was the day Nicholls lost her son, Daniel.  The 23 year old, a motorcycle lover, went out to meet friends in Greer and never came home.  "He was killed less than a mile from our house," Nicholls says.

In coping with her pain, Nicholls found a new passion that aims to keep others, like her son, safe on the roads.  "I had to find a new direction," she says.  Now, she heads up the Greenville chapter of the Motorcycle Awareness Alliance.  The group began several years ago in Anderson County, and recently has added chapters in Greenville, Laurens, and Oconee Counties. 

Read more:
http://www.wspa.com/story/21674681/yellow-signs-aim-to-make-motorcycle-riders-safe-on-upstate-roads 

Motorcycle Awareness Alliance (MAA) on the web:
http://maalooktwice.com/ 

MAA Greenville on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/maaofgreenville 

Note - the starting location has changed!

Attachments:

2013-05-05 2013 May Awareness Rally.pdf

[Download Flier]

4211 Kb

From Iron Horse Motorcycle Lawyers:

"We are very pleased to announce that the Bill to create a motorcycle awareness specialty plate drafted by Iron Horse Motorcycle Lawyers in conjunction with the Motorcycle Awareness Alliance has been introduced into the SC Legislature by Senator Ross Turner of Greenville. Please contact your local Senator, Representative and Governor Haley asking for their support of the Bill. We would like to have it approved in time for the Governor to sign it into law on May 1 for Motorcycle Awareness Month."

The bill is here:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess120_2013-2014/bills/532.htm

Contact your South Carolina State Senator and ask for their support of Senate bill S.532

Go here:
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php
and fill your Address, City and Zip code, and click "Find Legislators"

Our friends at Tom McGrath's Motorcycle Law Group have compiled a list of laws that apply to motorcyclists in South Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia.

South Carolina has several statutes that directly relate to motorcyclists, including licensure, inspections, and use of public roads. If you feel that your rights have been violated call them at 1-800-321-8968 and speak with one of their attorneys who practice in South Carolina.

Check out the SC laws here

Please be sure when membership applications are submitted, they have a full address, including ZIP code, phone number AND Chapter name. Rhonda will be grateful if she doesn't have to pretend to be a mind reader ;-)

Meets last Sunday at different sponsors each month at 1:57 p.m.
Contact Fred Ermel (803) 606-1099 or Jeff Pound (803) 622-7689 for more information.

* Dave "Yank" Horta replaces Jeff Coleman as High Country Area Coordinator

* Manny Moyer is the MRF SC State Representative

Please thank these fine folks for their work for you, the members of ABATE of SC!

You can reach any of the Board of Directors or Officers on our Contact page.

Please be sure to welcome Sheila "Tekgyrl" Hudson to the State Secretary position! She was appointed to the position at the last BOD meeting and has already gone to work for you, the members of ABATE of SC. And be sure to thank Lori Sellers for her work as Secretary.

Sheila "Tekgyrl" Hudson

OK, if you would like to ride or at least have the option of riding helmet-free in North Carolina, this is for you. H. B. 109 has been introduced in the NC House. Please respectfully contact NC legislators to voice your opinion of this.

See this post on Buncombe County CBA - the bill info is in red after the first paragraph. At the end is contact information for NC legislators.

http://www.buncombecba.com/legislative-updates.html

A full copy of the bill is attached as a PDF.

Attachments:

H109v0.pdf

[Download PDF]

19 Kb

H3231 Equal Access Bill is up for hearing this Tuesday @ 3:00 Blatt Building Room 433 Contact members of the committee and ask for their support or try to be at the meeting.

This gives bikers equal access to all roads and transportation facilities paid at least in part by taxpayer funds. Like parking garages ;-)

Here is a link to the full text of the bill H.3231

Here is an excerpt:

A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 57-1-90, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SHALL NOT
 DISCRIMINATE AGAINST MOTORCYCLES, MOTORCYCLE OPERATORS, OR MOTORCYCLE
 PASSENGERS.

Don’t Forget our Board of Directors and State Legislative meeting location has changed. Everyone is welcome as this is your organization!

Here are the dates and times:

January 12th at 1:00 p.m.
February 2nd at 1:30 p.m.
March 9th at 1:00 p.m.
April 6th at 1:30 p.m.
May 11th at 1:00 p.m.
June 1st at 1:30 p.m.
July 13th at 1:00 p.m.
August 3rd at 1:30 p.m.
September 14th at 1:00 p.m.
October 5th at 1:30 p.m.
November 9th at 1:00 p.m.
December 7th at 1:30 p.m.

Here is the address

South Carolina National Safety Council
121 Ministry Drive
Irmo, SC 29063

If you have any questions feel free to call me at (803) 556-2354 or e-mail me here:

http://abatesc.com/web/contact/36-contacts/12-ralph-bell