On Saturday, June 13, the Blue Ridge/ Back Roads chapter hosted their annual Jamie’s Ride for a Cure event. This ride was specifically to raise money so that children with Juvenile, also called Type 1, Diabetes can attend Camp Sweet Tooth. This camp is geared towards children with diabetes who cannot attend regular summer camps. As the father of a daughter with Type 1, I love being able to support this cause.

Two police SUVs blocked traffic for each of the five groups of riders that set out for a gorgeous ride on some roads that are right up there with the Dragon. Seven different ABATE chapters and many individual riders participated in the day’s activities. Besides the ride itself, there was good food, live music, and door prizes galore.

Delegate Sam Rasoul’s outreach aide, Dominic, dropped by to learn more about us and our community outreach and legislative issues. Jamie, who is becoming a great spokesperson, and other chapter members got great public relations with a Channel 7 interview before the event. In all, over $30,000 was raised, a 50% increase over last year’s ride. Congratulations to all involved.

Besides being a great cause, this is the kind of good publicity that helps us with the General Assembly in Richmond. Community outreach is great. It is even better when people know about it. Looking forward to next year’s ride.

Hey Folks,

As Operations Director, I am responsible for getting news out and keeping everyone informed. We have not had an online newsletter for a while, but I will try to keep this site updated while we explore options for an actual newsletter. This site is a bit more complicated than a Facebook page, so please bear with me as I get up to speed.

First up is the FRAME- Mountain Thunder/ Bent Creek Ride for veterans and their families. While the threat of rain kept many away, there was a fairly decent turnout. Members of several chapters came out in support of the veterans and their brothers and sisters.

IT’S ON!

Sen. Sutterlein has introduced SB 15 establishing Rider Improvement courses for motorcycle related offenses as well as a fund to help defray costs of establishment.

We need ALL members to contact their delegates and senators to support this program. Have your families and friends contact them also. Pass the word to other organizations. I will send alerts out about other bills that concern us as they are “dropped.” Let’s get it done!

Find your legislators at Who’s My Legislator? Get their contact information at Senate Members – Virginia Senate and House Members. See published summary of bill below. Full bill text can be found at 1081276.PDF

Summary As Introduced

“Driver improvement clinics; motorcycle driver improvement clinics; Motorcycle Driver Improvement Clinic Fund; created. Creates motorcycle driver improvement clinics, defined in the bill, as a subset of existing driver improvement clinics and provides requirements and parameters for the instruction and administration of the motorcycle driver improvement clinics. The bill authorizes courts to direct defendants who have committed violations while operating a motorcycle to attend a motorcycle driver improvement clinic and satisfy the requirements thereof. The bill also creates the Motorcycle Driver Improvement Clinic Fund for the operation and administration of motorcycle driver improvement clinics. The bill specifies that priority be given to the creation of motorcycle driver improvement clinics that operate as computer-based clinics.”

Ride safe, Ride free,

David “Prof” Sutton

Legislative Director/ABATE of Virginia Inc.

LCHistoryTeacher@aol.com

The 2025 State Rally is fast approaching; the summer is rolling by all too fast.  Spread the word, hoping to see everyone!

Mark your calendar today for your chance to meet your legislators.

DMV offers free Circuit RiderCourse motorcycle safety training across the Commonwealth

Click link for story, We applaud efforts of the Commonwealth to increase motorcyclists’ safety through training and education rather than the mandatory use of equipment that may or may not be useful in a mishap.

Prof

Found my credentials for the webpage. Testing new format. Hope to begin regular updates. ABATE of Virginia members can also join our legislative page at ABATE of Virginia Legislative Page | Facebook

Prof Sutton

Concerned motorcyclists from around the Commonwealth met today in Richmond for the annual Virginia Coalition of Motorcyclists legislative roundtable, sponsored by Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group.The first half of the meeting consisted of participants presenting and discussing various concerns that may be actionable for the 2025 General Assembly session. There were several.

VCOM Director Liz Sorrell and VCOM lobbyist Susan Gaston are going to look into several actionable topics. While lane splitting/filtering have negative public perceptions due to irresponsible riders, the fact remains that slow moving or stopped traffic can present dangers to motorcyclist. Two obvious ones are getting sandwiched between heavier vehicles and overheated air-cooled engines. Susan will poll legislative leaders about the possibility of allowing EMERGENCY EXITING of the traffic pattern in certain cases. Got to start somewhere folks.

By statute, public driver education courses must include motorcycle awareness training. However, many schools are not following the regulations, others are closing down driver ed programs. Private driver training corporations do not currently have to provide that training. This will also be examined.

Class M licensing fees and part of motorcycle registration and inspection fees go into the DMV Rider Education program. VCOM will file a Freedom of Information request to find out how the money is being allocated. Creating and funding a Defensive Rider Course for those convicted of offenses while riding motorcycles will also be explored.

And finally, due to the large crowds, especially the gun lobby, at the capitol on MLK Jr. Day, our Lobby Day will be on President’s Day, February 17. It is a Monday holiday also and we should be able to have a bigger, more positive impact. Any committee hearings and other meetings cropping up earlier in the session can be handled by Tom Mcgrath , myself, and others near the capitol with more flexible schedules.

(UPDATE: Lobby Day has been moved BACK to the January 20 Monday holiday with a pre-meeting on January 19. Sorry about the confusion.)

Remember, just because something does not appear here does not mean it will not be addressed. For example, VCOM is waiting for our lead on helmet legislation. I told Liz that I have advised ABATE to not present a bill this year. We need to develop a cohesive, CONSISTANT strategy, build political relationships, and come up a with a simple, passable bill, WITHOUT GIMMICKS, for the 2026 session.

Ride Safe, Ride Free,

Dave “Prof” Sutton

Legislative Director/ABATE of Virginia Inc.

Asst. Virginia State Representative

Motorcycle Riders Foundation

Purgatory Mountain Chapter has two rides this fall you won’t want to miss.  Hope to see you there.

Click photo for full size –