What Makes ABATE Fun?

by FastFred

Older members like Lance Kidd gave me a few ideas for this month’s article. Lance wants to remind his brothers and sisters that ABATE is about brotherhood and fun first. ABATE was begun in 1971 by Easyrider magazine primarily to repeal the helmet laws passed during the late 60s. Easyriders and others realized a national ABATE would not work by the middle of the 80s. ABATE has changed in many states with some focusing more on charity or other aspects rather than biker rights.

In Reveille for Radicals Saul Alinsky states: “An organization founded on a limited program covering a limited community will live a limited life.” Lance and others suggest we increase the diversity of our program. In particular he and others would like to see more events help downed brothers or those burned out by fire. Chapters are encouraged to participate and organize fun activities and help members in need. By increasing our diversity of activities at the local level we can avoid another pitfall pointed out by Alinsky: “The room within the organization becomes more confined; officers become more entrenched in their decisions, and the program itself becomes routine and static. Would you support a statewide poker run? If so contact your chapter, area, and state coordinator.

Recently there has been a lot of noise made about how one should act and dress when visiting the house of our legislators. It seems to some that decorum is more important than the message or if the message is even heard. I say bullshit because the statehouse belongs to the people of South Carolina not the legislators. The legislators merely serve at the pleasure of the people; hence they are only guests in our house. I suggest we need new fun innovative ways to get our message out to the legislators and the people. Remember sacred cows make the best hamburgers.

Numbers of people are only one of the many factors in an effective demonstration. The timing, choice of target and tactics to be employed are equally important. There have been demonstrations of 400,000 that are hardly remembered and demonstrations of a few dozen that were remarkably effective. Often the critical element involved is the theater. Those who say a demonstration should be concerned with education rather than theater don’t understand either and will never organize a successful demonstration, or for that matter, a successful revolution. (Abbie Hoffman: Steal this Book)

While you or your chapter plans events keep in mind Alinsky’s advice from Rules for Radicals: “A good tactic is one your people enjoy. They'll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They'll even suggest better ones.” You can make more impact to achieve political or social goals like nudging Mayor McBride out of office with some theater. The press eats up theater like the Ride Against McBride. Remember the great fun we had getting tossed from the Senate Gallery in 2004? Do you recall the full court press we gave the opposing lobbyists on the balcony while waiting to get back in? More importantly remember the awesome participation we enjoyed and the victory we won that year? The answer my friend is blowing in the wind… that answer is FUN.

Thomas Jefferson once said: “Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppression of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day.” If more bikers became enlightened of what our legislators are doing at the statehouse participation and membership would both grow. We do our best with this newsletter to keep you up to date during the legislative session but it is no substitute for the nearly daily updates via the ezine. Join the ezine at abatesc.com/lists.htm

Have I done all that I can for biker rights and ABATE of SC? Hell No but I am still trying. The real people that deserve credit for our organizations many past successes are you the people reading this article. Please send in your favorite recipes for sacred cow burgers for the upcoming barbecue session in our state capitol.

About Fast Fred

My life has been a dedicated blend of open road adventure and relentless advocacy for motorcyclists’ rights. I'm "Fast Fred" Ruddock, and my journey on two wheels began as a teenager. Over the years, I’ve owned 13 Harleys and several other motorcycles, machines that were far more than just transportation. They represented a freedom that I have fought to protect. Recognizing the power of information, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, skills I immediately put to use for the movement.

My commitment to advocacy led me to a complete immersion in ABATE of South Carolina (ABATE of SC). I quickly moved through the ranks, starting by developing the ABATE of SC website in 2001 and serving as the Berkeley/Dorchester Chapter Coordinator. This progressed to serving as Lowcountry Area Coordinator, where I successfully shifted our local focus decisively toward rights and rapidly increased membership. From 2003 to 2007, I served as the State Coordinator, where I helped coordinate several key legislative victories, including the passage of the Purple Heart license tag bill and the successful repeal of unnecessary handlebar height restrictions. My primary strategic goal was always to achieve widespread political influence by organizing a chapter in every single county.

On the national front, I extended my influence by serving as the State Representative on the board of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) for several years during the 2000s. This role ensured that the concerns of South Carolina riders were directly represented in critical federal legislative discussions. Crucially, I also worked to shape public opinion: I wrote articles related to motorcycle rights for various magazines and had a small column in Easyriders magazine for several years, using media to educate riders nationwide on the issues impacting their freedom.

My activism was not only about lobbying but also direct action and constitutional challenges. I participated in the Myrtle Beach civil disobedience against local helmet laws, contributing to the legal groundwork for the eventual overturning of that restrictive law through a landmark SC Supreme Court case. I also challenged helmet laws personally, fighting three tickets in court as an act of civil disobedience in several states. I lobbied in multiple state capitols with me friends across the country. My dedication continued after my ABATE leadership, as I served as the Director of Bikers Of Less Tolerance (BOLT) of South Carolina.

Today, while I also enjoy working as a river guide and sharing my travel adventures, my legacy remains rooted in the fight for motorcycle freedom. I have spent decades on the front lines, utilizing both political strategy, legal challenges, and national media to protect the rights of every person on two wheels.

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I'm a professional whitewater guide and kayak instructor. I grew up rafting, sailing, and surfing, and I spend my North American summers guiding on world-class whitewater. I have spent much of my adult life riding motorcycles and paddling kayaks.

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