Executive Report - January 2026

John Reblin

2026 Let’s Take Off Running

My, my, my, have you dug yourself out of driveways, sidewalks, and everything else from the Thanksgiving weekend surprise snowstorm? Most of us, I think, were fortunate that it hit on the weekend and we were home or safe at another location and we did not need to go places like work or travel to stay safe and warm.

Most people I know, and I am sure it is the same with you, are usually self-reliant and able to deal with things that have the potential to derail us. We have skills that have taught us to look over a situation and deal with things in such a way that we can get out of the problem we are facing with our skill and knowledge set.

February 6-8^th, 2026 ABATE of Wisconsin is hosting our Officer Training workshop to work on improving those skills in order to keep this great organization upright and running smoothly. Hopefully, you all are making plans on attending this important training. We have some great sessions planned like increasing and retaining members, marketing the organization, along with on the personal side, making sure you are properly insured if you get in a crash with your bike or auto. We have Brandon Derry from the Hupy and Abraham Law Firm coming in to give us tips and knowledge to make sure you are well protected. Thank you to the law firm for helping us out here. We will also be spending some time on our Lobby Day talking points making sure that everyone is comfortable with what we are bringing to the Capital on February 17^th.

We are also going to have breakout sessions to discuss Share The Road, Jr. Patriots, MRF Reps, among others. It should be a busy weekend with lots to learn but I am sure there will be fun stuff going on as well. Take time to have conversations with officers, committee chairs or if you are bored talk to me. We all look forward to conversations that share ideas, thoughts, and input. By the end of the weekend I will be tired, but I also get energized and feel-good talking with members about the way they do things and how we can do things better. So, I hope to see you there!

Steve and I have been working hard getting to different parts of the State to do Lobby Day training the last two months. At this point I think we only have one more to get done. It has been really interesting listening to Steve talk about different parts of what goes into getting legislation passed and what we can do when it does not go that well. With Lobby Day right around the corner, it was a good refresher for all of us, and we should be ready to hit it hard on February 17th.

Steve and I both introduced ourselves via a TEAMS meeting to Jessica Wagner, Director Bureau of Transportation Safety and Technical Services for the Wisconsin DOT. She is filling the position of a good friend of ABATE of Wisconsin David Pabst, who passed away this summer. We were able to spend 30 minutes with her discussing our concerns and she shared their concerns. We had a good discussion and agreed to work together on engaging riders to take advantage of rider education and reducing motorcycle crashes and fatalities.

I get to do and go to a lot of fun events and one that I attend every year is the Randy and Janine Fishoree being held on January 17^th, 2026, at Nuckleheadz Bar and Grill, 3680 County Hwy NN, West Bend, WI on Little Cedar Lake. This is the 15th year that this event is being held and a great example of an event that brings in a lot of outside people that are not familiar with ABATE of Wisconsin and what we do. Randy and Janine were killed in a right of way crash in West Bend and to honor and remember their friend Ralph, Tim and others started this Fishoree. The money raised goes to the Highway Safety Committee to be used to raise motorcycle awareness. Things going on that day are meat raffles, 50/50 raffles along with cash and door prizes given out. The odds of winning cash or a basket are pretty good with only 1000 tickets printed and sold. They are having burgers and Johnsonville brats on the ice and Nuckleheadz grill cooks in the bar make some delicious sandwiches for a reasonable price. The lake is well stocked with fish and if there is ice covering the water and you have skills, or in my case luck, you will get some large fish and a chance to win cash for best fish in several classes. If you have time stop out have a beverage, some food, and have fun with like-minded people for a great cause.

With the start of the New Year, it is time to think about a rider ed course. The classes fill up quickly early in the season so pay attention to social media or websites to see when the course schedule comes out. Look for dates that will work with your schedule. It is a great time learning, correcting the bad habits we all pick up in between training sessions, and making sure you improve your skills, so you increase your odds on arriving at your destination safely.

That’s it. If you are still riding, be safe, and be warm.

John