ABATE Acres

04/29/2026

Another beautiful sunset tonight at ABATE Acres. Being a member of ABATE of Wisconsin Inc means you can enjoy sunsets from the land anytime you want in the summer.

04/07/2026

My Vote

02/16/2026

Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin has introduced a bill that directs the Secretary of Transportation to update the nearly 60-year-old federal definition of a motorcycle. In recent years, a new type of vehicle has entered our roadways, commonly referred to as an autocycle. These autocycles a...

02/06/2026

Greetings,

Coming hot off the Public Hearing for the Assembly version of the bill that would allow Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous testing in Wisconsin, the Senate has scheduled a Public Hearing for the companion bill, SB 831. At the Assembly Hearing, we were informed that both Tesla, and Waymo, were planning on attending this Public Hearing to press for the passage of these bills.

On Thursday, February 12th, the Senate Committee on Transportation and Local Government will be holding a Public Hearing on SB 831 in Madison, room 411 South at 11:30AM. These bills are being fast tracked through the legislature as they are pushing to pass it into law before the session ends in late February.

This bill would develop rules for drivers to operate vehicles in Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous mode. Level 4 is defined as a vehicle operating completely without human support although an operator is required to be behind the wheel. Level 5 technology allows a vehicle to be operated without an operator in the vehicle.

Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicle technologies are designed to operate with little to no human input, promising increased convenience and a reduction in traffic accidents. While these technologies may benefit occupants of passenger vehicles, they raise serious safety, ethical, and practical concerns—particularly for motorcyclists. Motorcyclists already face unique challenges when sharing the road with other vehicles, and current fully autonomous systems are not yet capable of consistently recognizing, predicting, and safely responding to motorcycle behavior. Motorcyclists across the nation have repeatedly requested information on what kind of testing has been done with motorcycles in real life, on-road situations, and a copy of the testing results with no response from manufacturers. For these reasons, the widespread adoption of Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles should be opposed until meaningful improvements are made to ensure the safety of motorcyclists.

The State Department of Transportation report shows that between 2017 and 2023 there were 709 crashes involving Tesla vehicles. Records do not show how many of those crashes involved a vehicle being operated in autonomous mode because there is no way to prove if the driver was in control unless the driver admits it.

ABATE of Wisconsin is asking anyone that is available to join us at this hearing to show the committee members that ensuring safe roads for all users must be considered before allowing manufacturers to test this technology on Wisconsin roads.

Together we can create a safe and enjoyable environment for motorcycling in Wisconsin.

01/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1L6JCbb6we/

Do you want the ability to make repairs on your own vehicle, or take it to a repair facility of your choice, rather than being required to return to the dealership for the service needed?

12/16/2025

ABATE of Wisconsin, and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation have been noticing an increase in the number of states considering all motorcyclists as part of a criminal gang. Recently, we had issues in one part of our state where just attending an event that a motorcycle club hosted meant you were at risk of being pulled over and questioned regarding where you were coming from, and what you were doing there. Supporting "Call to Actions" like this from other states to help stop this practice may help us prevent future issues in Wisconsin.

Please take the time to help our fellow motorcyclists in Florida.

Thank you
Steve Panten
ABATE of Wisconsin - Legislative Committee Chair
[email protected]

Florida’s House Bill 429 (HB-429) seeks to loosen the standards required to qualify for gang membership. This bill would require a two-factor system, where meeting two of the listed criteria would qualify individuals for the criminal gang database. These criteria do not require you to have participated in criminal conduct or criminal activity. The criteria included are as simple as commenting on identified social media posts or being observed twice in the presence of anyone previously identified as a gang member.

Other criteria include adopting the style of dress of a criminal gang. However, that style of dress is not identified and left to the discretion of law enforcement. Another criterion is having a tattoo identified as used by a criminal gang. With this broad option, if a gang began using a heart-shaped tattoo, all citizens with heart tattoos would be eligible for the criminal gang database at the discretion of law enforcement.

Understandably, Florida citizens are alarmed and have started an online petition to oppose HB-429. This petition is open to everyone nationwide. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) encourages all freedom fighters to click the link below and sign on. We are also including a link to the text of HB-429, so that you may read the two-page bill for yourself.

Petition:
https://www.change.org/p/fight-hb-429-and-protect-motorcycle-culture

HB-429 Text:
https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/429/BillText/Filed/PDF

11/30/2025

11/30/2025

Are you sitting at home snowed in? ☃️❄️

Did Winter Storm Beau cancel your shopping plans?

Don't fret... you can shop online and get all the ABATE products you need for presents. For others, or yourself. 😁🎁 Some of the already printed products have been uploaded as well!

https://madebymetshirts.org/abate_of_wisconsin/shop/home

11/01/2025

Today Governor Evers made it clear that a consumer in the State of Wisconsin should not have the ability to choose what type of engine is appropriate for use in their vehicle or device.

By vetoing SB 184, which passed out of the State Senate and Assembly, he is making it clear that the State Government should be able to restrict future sales of any vehicle or device based on engine type. This decision will allow the State Government to ban future sales of internal combustion engines, electric vehicles or devices, and hydrogen or propane powered vehicles. ABATE of Wisconsin, and the motorcyclists that we represent throughout the State, are extremely disappointed in his decision as we feel that a consumer should be able to make an educated decision based on their own research and budget, not on government mandates.

ABATE of Wisconsin would like to thank Senator Tomczyk and Representative Tucker for all their efforts to help us with this principal issue. We would also like to thank all the elected representatives that voted to support this legislation.

See his veto message below.

10/24/2025

We are always working to improve ABATE Acres and this week the bathrooms and showers got an upgrade to the floors. This will make cleaning them much easier for our volunteers and protect the floor.