ABATE of Indiana Honored with National Award

ROLUMULS, MI --- ABATE was recently recognized by the Motorcycle Riders Foundation with the "Ron Shepard Safety Recognition Award" for successfully lobbying to move rider education from the Department of Education to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The award was presented to the Indiana delegation at this year's Meeting of the Minds in Romulus, Michigan. Great work, Indiana!

Pictured at right are: Rodney Walker, Wayne Kopec, Jan Johns, Kirk Willard (MRF President), Edie Seiler, Mike Seiler, Mike Meyer and Roy Garrett.

Motorcycle Riders Foundation: "With the current economy and questions surrounding many industries, rider education programs across the country, and around the world, have faced numerous challenges. Over the last couple of years, a state that has enjoyed a program with a long, rich history as an award-winning provider of rider education had been attacked from within. With some changes in administration, the state Department of Education, specifically the elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, decided that after 24 years the state legislated motorcycle safety program did not belong there. In order to save rider education for the residents of their state, this SMRO lobbied tirelessly to have the program moved to an agency that is motorcycle friendly. On May 10th, Senate Bill 127 was signed into law by biker and Governor Mitch Daniels, insuring that Hoosier Motorcyclists will continue to have access to quality, motorcycle safety training now and in the future. The MRF is pleased to present the Ron Shepard Safety Recognition Award to ABATE of Indiana."