MRF Rep Report - May 2025

Jennifer Abraham

Thanks to everyone that read last month’s article and submitted entries into the drawing! A lot of work goes into these writings and it’s nice to know some people actually read them. If our information falls on deaf ears, it is of no use to anyone. The winner can’t be announced until the June newsletter, since the deadline for writing this article is April 15th, but the drawing isn’t until April 28. So, stay tuned! The winner will be contacted via text or phone call, as well.

The STEAM conference in Iowa definitely held up to its name—Seminar to Educate and Motivate. There were sessions on The Principles of Leadership, Wheels--What Makes Our World Go Round, What Bikers MUST Know About Insurance, Roberts Rules of Order, Profiling, Safety Programs, and How to Motivate the Younger Riders to Get Involved. I feel like I took a book of notes because experience has taught me that I can’t remember everything that gets said in one day. I’ll give you some of my key takeaways.

The MRF is more than just a larger version of a State Motorcycle Rights Organization. Yes, we are the only federal rights organization dedicated to the street rider, but we are also made up of so many entities (spokes of the wheel) that make us whole. We all work together to get the job done. SMROs, the AMA, Independent Motorcycle Aftermarket (IMA), National Council of Clubs (NCOC), National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), government agencies, the media, Motorcycle Profiling Project (MPP), Policy Engage, the events that we hold and attend, the Federation of European Motorcyclists Association (FEMA), the alliances we have with non-motorcycle industries (ATV and snowmobile clubs, for example), and the list goes on. All those spokes make up the wheel that is the MRF membership and what makes us so effective at what we do.

Speaking of FEMA, yes, they are still planning end-of-life directives for autos and motorcycles. It’s not an “if”, it’s just a “how”. Once they’ve nailed down their metric for determining end-of-life, whether it’s year, mileage, or condition, it will be implemented. It’s a real thing. Not a “it won’t happen here” thing. Europe tends to set the world stage for directives that make their way to the U.S. Cash for clunkers was a hit in the US when dealers would pay you cash to get rid of your old vehicle. Same thing. It had a great marketing theme and people never even realized what the objective really was. So, when people say, “that won’t happen”, you can reply with, not only did it already happen once, but it was also very effective and had very little resistance.

When it comes to working with “the younger generation”, most of us struggle to see anything we have in common. We often think they’re a bunch of dumb punks who do stupid shit on their motorcycles and make us look bad. I’ve got bad news for you—that was us once. While it still looks bad when anyone does stupid shit on their motorcycle, simply criticizing them will not fix the problem. One thing we all have in common is the love to ride. So, start there. Have a simple conversation that starts with “what got you into riding?”, “what do you ride and why?”. Ask questions. Engage them. Don’t preach. Start with easy, fun topics. The education will come. Invite a group of friends to come to an event or a meeting. That will start the conversation where they will see what we are fighting for and that we DO need to fight to keep our internal combustion, low ethanol fueled motorcycles on the road. On all the roads. For the most part, the younger generation just want to have fun. Huh, actually I kinda do too. And I bet you do too. Something else we have in common! With age and experience, we have learned that with freedom comes responsibility. We can teach the younger generation that too. But it should be done gently. We may have grown up with tough love, but the majority of them did not. Keep that in mind. And before you criticize that, remember, we raised them that way.

Let’s get out riding and attending some fun events! See you on the open road.

Stay vigilant, my friends,

Jen

Jennifer Abraham

ABATE of WI, MRF State Rep

MRF Assistant to the Board

ABATE Region 2A Treasurer

(920) 207-4679