Bikers are Strongly Encouraged to Boycott:
Current Biker Boycott Listings

2005 Red River Run and Taos County, New Mexico
Boycott Requested by: ABATE of Colorado
Boycott Effective: Until further notice
Boycott Objective: Bring charges against accused. Change elected officials.

Article on the 2 Widows/Victims: http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1108633718/19

Specifics:
ABATE of Colorado is officially calling for a boycott of the Red River Run and Taos County New Mexico. This decision is based on the lack of justice involved in motorcycle accidents in this County. Several accidents occur in this county every year, one occurring May of 2004, 2 ABATE of Colorado members were killed and their passengers maimed. The Taos County D.A. has failed to provide justice to any of the victims, i.e. charges have been dropped. As of this writing, we have been told that the case is going to Clovis, Curry County New Mexico for “review”. Curry DA’s office has no information on this case. A killer is on the roads in this county. We realize the implications this may have on small businesses. However, losing some money is a small price to pay for loss of lives. The boycott is being advocated in the hopes that: 1) charges are filed against perpetrators and justice prevail 2) the residents of this county will think about the impact and vote accordingly for their elected officials. ABATE of Colorado is asking for your support as a motorcyclist by not attending the 2005 Red River Rally. You be the judge. More information can be found on our website, www.abateofcolo.org. After reading the facts, please contact the officials listed on the next page and voice your opinion.

Action Requested: Write the following public officials and politely express your disappointment in their failure to prosecute the accused.

You Decide

The Energy H.O.G.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) recently unveiled it newest attempt to solve the nation’s energy problem. While it’s true that our nation is struggling with arguably the worst energy crisis since 1970, DOE had a chance to seriously address the problem. Instead they came up with a PR campaign to educate the youth of America. In order to reach the youngsters, DOE came up with a cartoon “spokes villain” the kids could observe wasting energy.
Bring in the Energy Hog, a big, goateed, mohawked, pierced, leather jacketed pig of a fellow, standing on his hind hoofs. I know what you are thinking, “Wait…I know that guy!” The answer is you probably do or someone who resembles him, minus the hoofs I hope. The MRF felt the Secretary of Energy should be informed we felt by using an obviously “biker” image to portray the wasteful scoundrel was in bad taste considering the gas efficiency of the majority motorcycles when compared to other vehicles on the highway, not to mention the depiction it is just simply rude. We haven’t received a response yet but will make it public when we do. If you ask me it should have been the “soccer mom sport utility stuck in traffic energy hog”. (No offense Mom!) You can witness this particular waste of federal money at its own website complete with video game at: http://www.energyhog.org/
Story courtesy of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation

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Success Stories

Playmobil - Good People

Playmobil listened to the concerns of Bikers and removed this toy from store shelves at our request.

When the German based toy company Playmobil began manufacturing and marketing their Adventure Police Set just in time for Christmas 2000, they apparently didn't realize that using bikers as ''bad guys'' would upset anybody. That is, until they received a tersely written letter from Toronto ABATE and the Ontario Confederation of Clubs. ''The depiction of a police officer detaining a rider is an image that should not be used in promoting your product,'' wrote Glenn Allardyce, President of Toronto ABATE, who went on to point out that, ''A 1999 study commissioned by the Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council of Canada has found that the average motorcycle rider is now 43 years of age, married, employed with an income averaging $50,000 (Canadian), has received 2+ years of post secondary education and rides a motorcycle with an average retail value of $15,000. To project the image of the stereotypical rebel of the 1960's is a direct slap in the face to the riding community. It is especially offensive in that your product is directed at and used by children. This can only serve to reinforce such archaic and totally groundless fears about motorcyclists.'' ''Playmobil responded quickly and positively,'' said Brian Dodds, Secretary of the Ontario Confederation of Clubs, who helped compose the letter. ''Within three weeks after the letter was sent, we received a reply from the Canadian office of the corporation apologizing and informing us that the toy would no longer be manufactured.'' Russ Sawatzky of Playmobil Canada responded to the riders' concerns in his reply; ''I assure you that it was never our intent to imply or promote a negative image towards motorcycle owners and riders. Playmobil's sole objective is to provide hours and hours of play value to children around the world. Now that you have expressed your concerns regarding item #3085 Police Adventure Set, we are in total agreement with your comments and this specific set will no longer be produced. We apologize for any offensive manner this set may have expressed to your membership and I assure you, in the future, we will achieve to be more objective when launching new products.'' Congratulations to Toronto ABATE and to the Ontario Confederation of Clubs for their successful efforts in getting this situation resolved. And, as Dodds points out, ''A special congratulations to Playmobil Inc. for exhibiting the true spirit of corporate and community responsibility. Truly a win-win situation for all involved.''
Story courtesy of Bill Bish and NCOM

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