The letters ABATE stand for Americian Bikers Active Toward Education. Abate is comprised of motorcyclists from all areas of the state, from all walks of life, and who ride all brands of motorcycles. We are competent, tax paying, law abiding, voting adult citizens and do not feel that we need to be told how to protect ourselves while engaged in our persuit of happiness. ABATE is a politically active charitable organization working on preserving motorcyclist's rights, and promoting a positive public image for motorcyclists and motorcycling as a whole.

Our main focus is to keep motorcycle legislation in it's proper perspective. Many restrictive laws are enacted by uninformed legislators, and ABATE's goal is to keep our lawmakers informed about how we feel about particular kinds of legislation. Preventing unfair legislation from becoming law is much easier than fighting to get unfair laws repealed. We feel motorcyclists have the same rights as automobile drivers, so we helped have legislation passed to make antique, personalized and handicapped tags available for membership, such as discrimination in health insurance, prohibitions on motorcycle access to federal and state parks, mandates for unnecessary "safety" equipment (such as air bag suits, roll bars and motorcycle seat belts), prohibitions against sale or installation of aftermarket parts for our motorcycles, higher sales tax on motorcycles than automobiles, forced destruction of bikes 20 years old, motorcyclists injured in an accident are forced to become organ donors and motorcycles are banned from certain roads.

We are NOT against the wearing of helmets, and we encourage all riders to ride safely and responsibly. We do feel that an educated rider is a safer rider. It is better to prevent accidents rather than provide the illusion of safety by wearing a helmet only. Helmet laws do nothing to prevent an accident, while rider education certainly does.

ABATE is involved in community service through various chairity events. Over the past five years (1998-2002) we have donated over $55,000.00 to the Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Center. Our individual chapters have donated to many other charities such as The Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, The Kidney Foundation the Sunshine Shelter, Baptist Children's Village to name a few through their chapter events. Many chapters are also involved in putting on Toy Runs in order to donate toys to homeless children who may not have a Christmas otherwise.

Some of the benefits you will receive by joining ABATE are:

• State newsletter six times a year with legislative updates, and general information

• Membership card and one-year pin for new members. Year pin and card for renewals

• Admission discounts at most ABATE events

• Discounts at many motorcycle shops

• The personal satisfaction of joining your brothers and sisters in promoting the great sport of motorcycling while protecting and supporting your right to ride

ABATE is a purely voluntary organization and needs your help and support for it to work. ABATE is fighting for the rights of all motorcyclists in the state of Mississippi, whether they are members or not. Support through attending meetings and monetary support through memberships and donations are what is needed in order for us to keep fighting for the rights of all. Our organization is open to all concerned parties regardless of what type motorcycle they prefer to ride or even if they ride at all.

ABATE of Mississippi is a group effort!

We welcome all riders!