The long-awaited moment is here. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABATE!

 

That’s right, ABATE of Indiana turns 50 years old on June 25, 2025. When Wanda Hummel got the charter to start our organization on June 25, 1975, I don’t imagine anybody really knew what would happen or how long it would last.

 

Most of the founders of the motorcycle rights movement (back before we realized that motorcycles don’t have rights, motorcyclists do), when asked today, advise that they never expected that we’d still be “at it” 50 years later.

 

I’m going to get into some history, but offer the disclaimer that this is to the best of my knowledge and research. Keep in mind, this is 50ish years later, and in the early days, we worked hard and partied hard, so some recollections can get a little fuzzy. Additionally, all the OG are now seniors, and we are all suffering from some degree of CRS.

 

The beginnings of what would become State Motorcycle Rights Organizations, or SMROs, and the world that ABATE of Indiana lives in are rooted in the 1960s. The 60s brought the “Japanese invasion”. This was when Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki introduced affordable, reliable motorcycles to the U.S. market. This was promoted with, “You meet the nicest people on a Honda”. All of this led to increased sales and ridership.

 

This, in turn, led to increases in motorcycle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The industry didn’t like this because consumers aren’t fond of buying products that end up killing them. Short story, it’s bad for business. Ultimately, their response was to create the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The government took a different approach and quickly started regulating motorcycles, and in the end, those who ride them. This was never more apparent than with the “safety cycle” proposed by Joan Claybrook, then director of the newly formed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

Bikers took the threat of government overreach seriously and started to band together to protect our lifestyle and the right to ride. This gained real traction when Lou Kimzey included a call to action for bikers to join a national organization in Issue #3 of Easyriders in October of 1971. In February of 1972, the name was changed to A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments (ABATE). In 1974, state chapters began to be issued, and Keith Ball was named the National Coordinator. Oddly enough, Lou and I were inducted into the Sturgis Hall of Fame in the same year, and I stay in regular contact with Keith to this day.

 

Wanda got a charter for Indiana and started ABATE of Indiana on her kitchen table in June of 1975 with a literal handful of members. In fact, she thought she was really something when she managed to scrounge up a four-drawer filing cabinet. From these humble beginnings, ABATE of Indiana would grow to become the largest SMRO in the country. By the way, if you’ve not read Wanda’s book, “I Volunteered for What?”, you owe it to yourself to get a copy and give it a read.

 

After a few years, Wanda handed the reins of the organization to Michael “Balls” Farabaugh. Under the leadership of Balls, ABATE grew substantially. It was during his tenure that we got involved in philanthropy, rider education, and started the Boogie, each of which helped to boost membership. Balls is also primarily responsible for founding what is known today as the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. He was a fabulous promoter, recruiter, and motivator to whom ABATE and all MROs are truly indebted.

 

Balls would pass the torch to Chris “Kidd” Curry. Chris would fine-tune the ideas and concepts begun by Balls and take them to the next level. He was tasked with the necessary, but unpopular, job of relocating ABATE’s state office from northern Indiana to the central part of the state to be closer to legislative activity. Chris would also be responsible for making the organization more accountable and businesslike, which was needed due to the growth we had experienced.

 

The next director was Joe DiEduardo, often referred to as “the Colonel”, and his term was fairly brief. His was a somewhat challenging and controversial administration. It seemed that people either loved him or really didn’t care much for him.

 

“Spacy Dave” Dills was the Region 2 Director and a member of the Advisory Committee prior to taking over for Joe. Spacy was extremely dedicated to ABATE and was famous for signing up members on a bar napkin in the early days. There are probably more ‘stories” about Spacy than any other director in our history; My favorite may be from the late 90s when John Kay of Steppenwolf was scheduled to play the Boogie. We had experienced a few technical issues, but were getting them resolved. Kay had a bit of a reputation for being difficult and declared that he was not going to play, and in fact, he was leaving. Spacy, in his bearded, curmudgeonly way, took a drag from his filterless Pall Mall, looked up over his glasses and said, “Fine. Good luck gettin’ your bus outta here after I tell all these people you’re trying to leave without playin’.” As you can imagine, he went on stage and played the set.

 

The Board of Directors brought in Tom Pauley from Missouri when Spacy left. His was another troubled administration. Most of the problems stemmed from poor decisions made regarding the development of Lawrence County Recreational Park and preparations and management of the 2002 Boogie, the first at LCRP. The Board lost confidence in Tom, and he was removed at the August meeting.

 

The Board asked me to take over as Interim Director, as I had advised previously that I wasn’t interested in the position. We had a great team, and we dug out of some significant problems (financial and otherwise). ABATE of Indiana rebounded to be the best and strongest we’ve ever been. We have a wonderful legacy with many accomplishments to be proud of. Due to the hard work, dedication, and support of a lot of really incredible people, we’re still here at year 50, and we're hoping we are still protecting, promoting, and preserving motorcycling for future generations in 2075.

 

I always get concerned that I may leave someone out when I start thanking people. I’d like to issue my blanket appreciation to everyone who has had anything to do with the success of ABATE over the last 50 years. Staff, directors, members, supporters, instructors, officers, volunteers, partners… I mean it, EVERYONE! We’ve done a lot of work, and we’ve had a lot of fun.

 

Make sure that you join us at the Boogie in July to join in the birthday celebration live and in person.

 

Thanks to you all,

Jay Jackson, Executive Director

 

I would like to recognize the following individuals for being charter members dating back to 1975:

Rex Conwell

Debby Farabaugh

Alan K. Houser

Wanda Hummel-Schultz

Susie Buck Ivy

Willie Buck Ivy

Ron Kleber

Royce A. Nicholas

Dave “Monkey” Roberts