Executive Report - April 2026

John Reblin

Spring is here!

Here we are—the snow has melted away, and unless another storm has managed to sneak in and surprise us with more of the white stuff, we are off to a fine start. With the clocks rolling forward, we now enjoy a little more evening light, making it easier to get some things done outside. I find myself looking forward to seeing the grass turn green and thinking about the warm-weather projects that await. Growing up, spring was always a time to prepare the fields for planting and to purchase animals that would eventually become meals in the fall. Even now, there are always things to keep me busy as the days get warmer.

One activity I particularly enjoy is making maple syrup. There’s something satisfying about tapping the trees, hanging the collection bags on the spigot, and being part of the process. I like getting outside at just the right time to drill the holes and then waiting for nature to do its work, as the sap begins its journey from the roots to the branches. Boiling the sap down with a couple of propane cookers is a slow, relaxing process until the very end, when things can get a bit tense. The final stages require close attention as the last quart or two boils down. You need to be vigilant to ensure the sugary sweetness doesn’t boil over or burn, which could ruin hours of careful work.

Making syrup reminds me a lot of our legislative agenda. It takes time to figure out what changes we want to pursue, what we hope to stop, or what new proposals we want to bring forward. There’s a lot of discussion involved to be sure our words are precise and our phrasing is clear. When we’re ready, we take our ideas to the Capitol and connect with our friends there to get their input. As momentum builds, we work with our membership to get everyone aligned, and all this effort comes together on Lobby Day. We strive to ensure that, when the day is done, we’ve achieved success without any last-minute mishaps undermining all our work.

Our Lobby Day was a success. We were able to voice our concerns to legislators, and if everything goes well, we should have a foot in the door when the next session begins. Reports from the day indicate that most buses were full, and members who attended were happy to spend the day in Madison and had good meetings with their legislators.

We also held a Call to Action regarding a bill to allow the testing of level 4 and 5 autonomous vehicles in Wisconsin. I was proud to see so many people show up, speak out, or simply make their presence known to demonstrate that ABATE of Wisconsin does not support the bill at this time. Technology is always evolving, but the current technology isn’t quite there yet. I’m sure Steve will have more to say on this topic.

Some riders get out all year long, taking the bike on those sunny dry days. As the weather warms, I’m certain motorcycles will be coming out of garages all over to kick off the riding season. I know how tempting it is to take the bike out for a ride on the first sunny, warmish day, to feel the wind, listening to the exhaust make its music to your ears, and enjoy the moment. Before hitting the road, though, take the time to ensure you’re fully prepared. Check your bike, make sure the tires are properly inflated, check the fluids and tread, and refamiliarize yourself with the switches and controls. Test the throttle, brakes, and clutch levers to ensure everything is working correctly. Once you’re satisfied, start it up and check that it shifts into gear smoothly. Consider taking it for a slow ride on a quiet street, remembering to practice counter-steering and check your brakes. A parking lot is a good place to practice tight turns and emergency stops. Taking time now, in a safe environment, will help ensure you can handle the bike when it matters most. Been a while since a rider course? The earlier the better to get one scheduled to improve those skills.

Once you feel comfortable, get out and enjoy the ride—but remember, have your celebration drink or whatever until after you’re done riding. Always follow traffic laws and ride within your skill level.

We all want to get out and enjoy the open road, but most importantly, I want everyone to make it home safely. Too many riders don’t make it back because of speeding or riding under the influence.

Looking ahead, STEAM will be hosted by ABATE of Minnesota and promises to be a great time with valuable information. In September, ABATE of Wisconsin will host the Meeting of the Minds in Brookfield, offering high-quality training sessions and updates from members across the country. We’ll also be looking for volunteers to help host the event—if you’re interested or have questions, please let me know.

That’s it for now. Ride safe!

John