Executive Report - June 2026

John Reblin

It’s Election Season!

Welcome to spring in Wisconsin! One day it is 79 degrees and sunny followed by a couple of days of clouds, some drizzle, and temps in the 40s and 50s. But things are greening up, the flowers are starting to bloom, and I anticipate a long fun riding season. I am looking forward to a couple of long trips on the bike this year. Hopefully, I can get the cruise control working to avoid some carpal tunnel pain.

It was great seeing all the regions taking part in the motorcycle awareness rallies around the state. It really is a good reminder to motorists that motorcycles are getting back on the road in full force. It was also great to see the DOT turning on the Digital Message Boards to share the same message. It also made me happy to see the Cedarburg Fire Department run the same message on their information board in front of the local Piggly Wiggly on the main street. Thank you to them and all the local businesses that shared the same message.

We were able to get a Proclamation again from the Governor’s Office, which we appreciate. Unfortunately, they named it Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. I see other States have variations of this wording on theirs also. It should be Motorcycle Awareness Month plain and simple. The purpose of the month is to remind drivers that motorcycles are on the road, to look, look, and look again before making a left turn or pulling out from a stop sign. Other helpful tips are letting the public become aware of their smaller size which makes them harder to see and can easily hide in your blind spot. Unfortunately, I have seen some reports of right-of-way crashes that have already taken place. I hope the regions follow up on these making sure that ACT 466 is being used. If you have any questions on what you can do, please follow up with your District Director or shoot me an email.

It is election season in the state and country, if you have noticed the ads going on TV and radio, along with your social media pages and newspapers. Read the articles, meet the candidates, and see what their thoughts are on the issues that concern motorcyclists. Luckily, we are getting into parade and fair season, so they are out in the area and willing to talk to people about issues to get elected or re-elected. Right to repair, availability of E-10 or less fuels, along with the testing and sale of autonomous vehicles, are things we are actively watching but there are other items to think about like profiling. Make sure you are educated and make someone you align with and support aware of these issues that affect motorcyclists.

It is also election season within ABATE of Wisconsin. Right now, you can vote for YOUR District Director. There are some changes taking place with current members not running. But there is also some competition from a challenger. I love to see someone stepping up and trying to run against another person. I wish more people would do this because it makes the person define what they want to do when elected and creates conversation about how to go about things. After we have chosen the District Directors you get to choose the State Officers along with filling out your Board of Directors with the at-large members. This will also be a mail in choice or come to the State Meeting to vote there and have a fun weekend with others that think the same way as you do.

I hope to see you at Summer Hummer, June 25th–28th. By the time you read this, Worm and his team will have finished land warming and will have everything ready for the event. It won’t be long and we will be pulling in with tents, campers and for some, running to town to grab a hotel room. The bands are chosen, the beverages are ordered, and food vendors contracted. It will be a fun weekend for all. Keep in mind all of the hard work throughout the year to set this event up for you! Also remember that a lot of people work hard during the weekend itself making sure you have a fun and safe event. Keep that in mind if something pops up. Consider stepping up and giving a hand for a short time. Helping out like selling bar chips or delivering wood, or anything else usually is a lot of fun, but not so much if you have been doing it for 8 hours or so already and need a break.

As you get out on your bike, make sure it and you are ready to go. Start out easily, be aware of the locations of controls, and be aware of your surroundings to be able to react as needed. The deer are dropping their fawn and are moving around looking for food etc. On those town and county roads where the grass is tall and close to the roadway ask your County Highway Safety Committee to look at getting it cut shorter to keep the deer back from the road.

I think that’s it for now. See you at the Hummer.

John