ABATE of Florida, confronting the claims of their lobbyist/president to news reporter

When we posted: Where's the money Doc, ABATE of FLorida the video is up,WESH, Orlando
It was pretty much slam, bam, thank you mam as we had been waiting for 3 days for the video to get put back up after it was originally aired.  What needed to be done as with any story that involves the
President/lobbyist of ABATE of Florida James Doc Reichenbach was a clarification of the issues. Or as some would phrase it translating the ABATE of Florida Lobbyist.

We are indebted to WESH, channel 2, Orlando reporter Gregg Fox for being one of the first reporters to actually "ask real questions." in an effort to get "real answers", from Reichenbach. Unlike the pablum served up by some so called "news" stations.  Unfortunately even WESH can not seem to get passed the helmet issue. We did send Mr. Fox one of our posts, Biker Deaths Down??? And the why is..........., in response to their Motorcycle Deaths Drop, But Trend Is Worrisome.

It must be taught in journalism classes that if you do a story regarding a bikers death, somewhere the word "Helmet" must be included.  But that's an issue for past posts and unfortunately, probably future posts.  Besides if you are a "Biker" then these are issues you should be aware of, as they affect your lifestyle.  If you are a "recreational motorcyclist," well just keep recreating while we try and watch out for your rights.

However there are some things in the story that cry out for further explanation.  Some because they affect all of us motorcycle riders or not! From the story,( any emphasis will be ours):

The motorcycle group, ABATE, has received nearly $750,000 of public money since 2007 to promote motorcycle safety awareness. The group already received $250,000 this year and it's in line to get another $250,000 next year.


The state has the authority to audit ABATE, but never has. Present and former members of the group said taxpayers deserve to know more.


ABATE's tax returns show that under the Governing Documents Disclosure, it lists "No documents available to the public." That bothered Republican Rep. Bryan Nelson, of Apopka, who said he does not want public money spent promoting groups with political agendas.

It is here that even we were taken aback.  In these hard times we find it incomprehensible that the state is not auditing outgoing funds.  And even more egregious that an organization that uses "taxpayer dollars" makes NO DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC?


This raises serious concerns and we would ask for an investigation.  If the state is allowing all organizations that receive state moneys to function in this manner then there is a significant problem with the states stewardship of "our" money.


"IF" it is a situation unique to ABATE of Florida then we would DEMAND an investigation.  As we have posted in the past the ABATE Lobbyist violated state law in regards to reporting income See:(ABATE of Florida President and lobbyist and NCOM chairman, Violates State Financial Disclosure law ) A loophole allowed him to turn in his reports late and kept ABATE from having to pay massive amounts in fines. As a person who also serves on the board of Directors of NCOM can he really be allowed to plead ignorance?


Obviously we do not have the resources to prove any criminal action, but if it looks like a duck.......


Especially when, as  motorcycle rights advocate, Reichenbachs past legislative record is definitely not giving ABATE members their moneys worth.


There is one part of the Report that would actually be hilarious were it not so sad.  That is when the ABATE lobbyist Reichenbach states they do not  receive public money. 

ABATE's president and lobbyist, James Reichanbach, disputed the notion that the group received public money."It comes out of our motorcycle money that the motorcyclists pay into," Reichanbach said.

On Jan of 2009, we reported here, 40-a passes Florida Dept of Highway Safety can now raid motorcycle safety money.  So those of us that try to stay informed re our rights are aware that the state ripped us off.  Reichenbach knows it also. But even were that not the case, all motorcycle organizations were/are entitled to submit requests for state funding that in some form or another comes from the taxpayer. Despite Doc Reichenbachs claims to the contrary. ABATE of Florida represents less than one percent of Florida motorcyclists and does not represent the other 99+/- (depends how many times they count dead members, if they still do that) Florida motorcyclists. So judging by their record, how are they receiving any money at all. Especially when they allegedly use it to influence legislators to make law!

Now the WESH story goes on to mention,

ABATE does raise safety awareness with videos shown on its website and in high schools that teach young drivers to avoid bikers. It has also sponsored billboards on highways and has run some of the state's biggest toy drives.

The only awareness videos currently on ABATES website, that we count, is one! It can be found here.
It is obviously low budget.


Type Motorcycle Awareness into You Tube and get 844 mostly free results. 

Many people like the THINK series from England. Here's an American version of one, and it cost us nothing to post it here!

As to "Toy Drives," those are held by various Motorcycle groups all over the country.  ABATE of Florida certainly as no lock on them and were they not to do them, another MC organization would. We have a number of them in our area, not one done by ABATE.


We have  in the past and will continue to question the efficacy of the in school programs ABATE claims to engage in. Our past experience is that they have been inconsistent, Instructor credentialing is suspect, and of this writing there is no peer reviewed or any other kind of study/ research and/or follow up on which to judge the efficacy of such programs. Without such studies demonstrating achievement of a specified goal these programs are meaningless for anything other than show and tell.


Billboards are also put up by organizations other than ABATE. The difference is, some of these organizations use "private funds" as opposed to state money. See what Diane Pearson of Tampa area has been able to accomplish here.


And this is where we have to question the level of state oversight and/or is a crime being committed,

State records show ABATE has turned over receipts for silicone bracelets, calendars, gel pens, eyeglass repair kits, key chains and yard signs,

Of course all of this comes as no surprise to us as this site, the now archived bruce and rc's biker forum, Ironbolt Bruce, Biker Rogue, and others have been asking for years, "Wheres the money DOC!".


Because you see, this is about so much more than ABATE of Florida and Doc Reichenbach.  They are just a microcosm of what is happening on a much larger scale in our country.  People are not asking the questions, they are not getting the answers, they are not doing the research, and as a result we all, biker or not, suffer our ignorance.