News

It is with great pleasure that we announce our new relationship formed with the Broken Spoke Campground on 79 North in Sturgis. For many years, the Broken Spoke has demonstrated a genuine caring and concern for its “Family” of bikers, and has garnered the trust and admiration of the entire biker community. The Spoke is known for exceptional hospitality, great music, lively entertainment, beautiful locations, and a team of legendary bartenders unmatched in the industry. In addition, the management and staff have provided a level of comfort and safety that sets an example for others.

For these reasons, we are proud to enter into a unique fundraising partnership with the Broken Spoke for our trips to Sturgis for the 70th Anniversary of the Sturgis Rally in August 2010. With every camping or RV reservation from our ABATE organization, the Broken Spoke Campground will donate 10% back to our organization. For those of you unfamiliar with the Broken Spoke Campground, please visit them online at www.brokenspoke.com.

You will be amazed by the beautiful 600 acre property, breathtaking views of Bear Butte, enormous bar, Olympic-size pool and Olympic-quality poolside tiki bar and music stage, General Store, Biker Breakfast, Good 'ol Days Raceway, Wall of Death, Legends Gallery, Baker Smoke-Down Showdown, numerous FREE rides and so many more fun and entertaining features you won't find at any other Sturgis campground. And maybe the best part of all is their reasonable rates! Tent camping is approximately $125/person including tax, and their oversized RV spots are $500 with water, electric and dumping. Each person in an RV must also purchase a $125 wristband, but these are good for the entire rally, and give you access to all the concerts for free.

To activate the 10% rebate to our organization, please book before July 15th. To make your reservation over the phone, call toll-free 877-653-6679 (8-SPOKE-ON-79) and mention the discount code "Montana ABATE". To book online, go to: http://www.brokenspokecampground.com/reservations.php and simply enter the discount code "MTABATE" when completing your reservation.

We all look forward to a fun and safe Sturgis 70th, and we thank the Broken Spoke for their support of our ABATE organization.
Thank you,
From all State Officers of;
ABATE of Montana
If you have any questions please contact Rod at yendor1@midrivers.com

MOTORCYCLIST FATALITIES INEXPLICABLY PLUMMET

Following more than a decade of steady increases, motorcycle rider fatalities unaccountably dipped by double-digit proportions last year. Motorcyclist deaths dropped by 16% nationwide through the first three quarters of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008 when fatalities reached their highest level of 5,290.

The study -- sponsored by the Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state traffic safety agencies -- is drawn from preliminary fatality data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. While there is nothing in the data to indicate the cause of the sudden decline, the GHSA asked state safety agencies to speculate on reasons for the decline, and several respondents pointed to the economy and underscored that a significant portion of motorcycling is for recreation rather than transportation.

Other reasons cited in the study for the decline: Fewer beginning motorcyclists; an increase in priority given to state motorcycle safety programs; an increased awareness of motorcycles by other drivers; and colder, wetter weather in some states during the riding season. It doesn't appear helmet laws played a significant role in the decline.

The popularity of motorcycles has surged in the past decade, particularly among aging baby boomers and women, nearly doubling to more than 10 million.

During the nine-month period of the comparison, the District and 38 states reported a drop in motorcycle deaths, and 12 states recorded an increase. California had 133 fewer deaths, Florida had 111 fewer and Ohio had 48 fewer. Only two states -- Hawaii and Rhode Island -- had double-digit increases. Once numbers for the final three months of 2009 are factored in, the report projects, the annual fatality decline will be at least 10%.

AGING RIDERS AT HIGHER RISK

Motorcycle riders across the country are growing older, and the impact of this trend is evident in emergency rooms nationwide as doctors are finding that senior citizens who ride motorcycles are more likely to be involved in accidents and also more likely to be injured or die than their younger counterparts.

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that half of all motorcyclists needing emergency treatment in 2005 were over 40, nearly double the number in 1996, which is consistent with demographic data indicating that the average age of motorcycle ownership has rose from 33 years in 1998 to 40 years in 2003. Injury severity, length of stay in the hospital or intensive care unit, and mortality were higher for riders over the age of 40.

In the study, which was published in the March issue of the American Surgeon, researchers using the National Trauma Databank reviewed the records of 61,689 motorcyclists aged 17 to 89 years involved in a motorcycle crash between 1996 and 2005.

Those ages 50-59 were the fastest growing group involved with crashes, and accidents involving riders in that age group were almost twice as likely to be fatal as those involving younger bikers.

"Treating a 60-year-old who has been in a motorcycle accident is very different from treating a 21-year-old who has been in a similar accident -- 60-year-olds bring a lot more medical baggage with them and impact outcomes," Dr. Mark Gestring, director of the trauma program at the Medical Center.

Age-related factors associated with aging, such as impaired vision, delayed reaction time, and altered balance contribute to motorcycle crashes in this population.

The increase in injury severity for older riders may be related to the reduced capacity to withstand injury as the body ages, including decreases in bone strength and brain size, as well as pre-existing medical conditions.

Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish,

National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM)