A.B.A.T.E. START SEEING MOTORCYCLES ABATE OF ILLINOIS OPEN ROADS slide easily, even on a light gravel surface, so if you brake too hard you'll likely produce a skid, lose control of the motorcycle and you may go down. Open Roads ABATE Summer Book Looking for new places to ride and something to do? The Open Roads ABATE Summer Book is the answer. There are 62 stops in the book to ride and get a stamp. Most stops are in northwest Illinois. Donations are $10 per book with proceeds going to safety and ed programs and cash prizes. You have until September 30 to get stamps. The post party is October 5 at the Plano American Legion from 3 to 6 pm. To get your book, call Sally on 815-786- 8171 or Linda on 630-552-3828. MAY-MOTORCYCLE SAFETY Upcoming Events AWARENESS MONTH Riders are excited to be on the road again but that shouldn't stop them from using caution. Checking blind spots, mirrors and using turn signals are necessary when changing lanes and when passing. Distractions during driving could mean the difference between seeing a motorcyclist or not when preparing to change lanes. Riders may take a defensive driving course, wear protective gear, and make sure their bike is in best working condition. Be aware of any road hazards and dangerous weather conditions. Drivers and motorcyclists must share the road to make it home safely! ABATE of IL, Inc. is dedicated to preserving the rights of all motorcyclists and works with the Illinois Department of Transportation to make roads safe for motorcycles with projects such as "Motorcycle Awareness" and "Motorcycle Training" programs. Motorcycle Tips for a Safe Riding Season S.M.A.R.T. Riders take the following checkpoints into consideration when riding motorcycles: S is for Safety - Sober and unimpaired, check brakes, lights, tires. M is for Maturity - Ride within your skill limits and limits of your motorcycle. A is for Awareness - Pay attention to your surroundings, road conditions, and your passenger. R is for Respect - Be respectful of yourself, your passenger, and ALL other road users. T is for Training - Riders with training are more skillful. May 5, 11 am-2 pm - ABATE of IL, Inc. Freedom Rally in Springfield May 11, 11 am-1pm - Windshield wash at Plano BP May 18, 8 am - Summer Book Group Ride to Rockford, Oregon, Freeport, Franklin Center May 21, 6 pm- Dinner Ride to Bristol Tap in Bristol June 8 & 9 - Outing to Moonshine & Casey, IL June 15, 9 am-3 pm - Freedom Run at Grundy Fair Grounds and Marseilles June 29, 6 pm - Open Roads ABATE membership meeting, Plano Legion July 4, 8 am - 7 pm - Booth at Sheridan Elevator July 6, 8 am - 3pm - Booth at Sandwich Car Show July 20, 8 am - Route 66 Group Ride More events include destination rides, booths at car shows, Sheboygan Ghost Tour, and more. Motorcycle Awareness Month - Join ABATE ABATE stands for "A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education" and is the only nonprofit state organization in Illinois that has been dedicated to fighting for your rights for over 36 years. LOOK TWICE-SAVE A LIFE BIKERS ARE DYING TO BE SEEN (Common causes of motor vehicle vs motorcycle accidents) Making Left Turns - LOOK TWICE to ensure no motorcycle is coming before Open Roads ABATE of IL, Inc. wishes all motorcycle riders to have a safe and turning left. Motorcycles are easy to overlook. great riding summer this year. Grass Clippings Many motorcyclists will be out riding in the warmer temps and sunshine which also means it is grass clipping season. According to Illinois' Litter Control Act, it's illegal for people to blow grass cuttings in the roads. Grass clippings make the road slippery and is dangerous for motorcyclists. It is illegal in Illinois to deposit grass clippings onto any public roadway as it may cause injury to motorists or become a traffic hazard. Cellphones Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/12-610.2) prohibits the use of hand-held cellphones, texting or using other electronic communications while operating a motor vehicle. Even using hands-free technology is considered a distraction while driving and can be dangerous. Illinois increased the penalties for using an electronic device while behind the wheel in the state's latest effort to crackdown on distracted driving. It's also illegal to text or talk while holding a device at a stop sign, a red light, or sitting in traffic. A cell phone ticket will appear on a motorist's driving record. In Illinois cell phone driving offenses range from $75 to $150. Gravel on Roadway At some point a motorcyclist will find him/herself riding in gravel, dirt, or sand. You want to minimize the motorcycle's lean and abstain from any sudden input such as braking, accelerating, or swerving. If your motorcycle is already in motion and you come upon gravel in the road, don't panic. It's best to maintain the momentum the motorcycle already has and slow down gradually with very light use of both brakes. Your tires will Pulling Out - LOOK TWICE by turning your head to look for oncoming motorcycles before pulling out from a parked position. Motorcycles need time to stop. Changing Lanes - LOOK TWICE to ensure there is no motorcycle in your blind spot when changing lanes. Sharing A Lane - Don't share a traffic lane with a motorcycle - they are lawfully entitled to their entire lane. Don't Follow Too Close - A motorcycle needs more space to stop. Your local chapter, Open Roads ABATE of IL, Inc., believes that education and safety are the keys to safe riding. Membership benefits include legal services (i.e., a will valued at $450 drawn up for free), a $3000 insurance policy for accidental death and dismemberment, electronic updates on legislature, information on current laws and regulations, Downed Rider Program (contacts to reach if you are in an accident or need assistance). The next Open Roads ABATE chapter meeting is Saturday, June 29, 6 pm, at the Plano American Legion. For more information please call Cliff on 630-552-3828. Spring Train Fun Run Members with IL Senate Rep Sue Rezin Axe Throwing with DuKane ABATE A.B.A.T.E. START SEEING MOTORCYCLES ABATE OF ILLINOIS OPEN ROADS slide easily , even on a light gravel surface , so if you brake too hard you'll likely produce a skid , lose control of the motorcycle and you may go down . Open Roads ABATE Summer Book Looking for new places to ride and something to do ? The Open Roads ABATE Summer Book is the answer . There are 62 stops in the book to ride and get a stamp . Most stops are in northwest Illinois . Donations are $ 10 per book with proceeds going to safety and ed programs and cash prizes . You have until September 30 to get stamps . The post party is October 5 at the Plano American Legion from 3 to 6 pm . To get your book , call Sally on 815-786- 8171 or Linda on 630-552-3828 . MAY - MOTORCYCLE SAFETY Upcoming Events AWARENESS MONTH Riders are excited to be on the road again but that shouldn't stop them from using caution . Checking blind spots , mirrors and using turn signals are necessary when changing lanes and when passing . Distractions during driving could mean the difference between seeing a motorcyclist or not when preparing to change lanes . Riders may take a defensive driving course , wear protective gear , and make sure their bike is in best working condition . Be aware of any road hazards and dangerous weather conditions . Drivers and motorcyclists must share the road to make it home safely ! ABATE of IL , Inc. is dedicated to preserving the rights of all motorcyclists and works with the Illinois Department of Transportation to make roads safe for motorcycles with projects such as " Motorcycle Awareness " and " Motorcycle Training " programs . Motorcycle Tips for a Safe Riding Season S.M.A.R.T. Riders take the following checkpoints into consideration when riding motorcycles : S is for Safety - Sober and unimpaired , check brakes , lights , tires . M is for Maturity - Ride within your skill limits and limits of your motorcycle . A is for Awareness - Pay attention to your surroundings , road conditions , and your passenger . R is for Respect - Be respectful of yourself , your passenger , and ALL other road users . T is for Training - Riders with training are more skillful . May 5 , 11 am - 2 pm - ABATE of IL , Inc. Freedom Rally in Springfield May 11 , 11 am - 1pm - Windshield wash at Plano BP May 18 , 8 am - Summer Book Group Ride to Rockford , Oregon , Freeport , Franklin Center May 21 , 6 pm- Dinner Ride to Bristol Tap in Bristol June 8 & 9 - Outing to Moonshine & Casey , IL June 15 , 9 am - 3 pm - Freedom Run at Grundy Fair Grounds and Marseilles June 29 , 6 pm - Open Roads ABATE membership meeting , Plano Legion July 4 , 8 am - 7 pm - Booth at Sheridan Elevator July 6 , 8 am - 3pm - Booth at Sandwich Car Show July 20 , 8 am - Route 66 Group Ride More events include destination rides , booths at car shows , Sheboygan Ghost Tour , and more . Motorcycle Awareness Month - Join ABATE ABATE stands for " A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education " and is the only nonprofit state organization in Illinois that has been dedicated to fighting for your rights for over 36 years . LOOK TWICE - SAVE A LIFE BIKERS ARE DYING TO BE SEEN ( Common causes of motor vehicle vs motorcycle accidents ) Making Left Turns - LOOK TWICE to ensure no motorcycle is coming before Open Roads ABATE of IL , Inc. wishes all motorcycle riders to have a safe and turning left . Motorcycles are easy to overlook . great riding summer this year . Grass Clippings Many motorcyclists will be out riding in the warmer temps and sunshine which also means it is grass clipping season . According to Illinois ' Litter Control Act , it's illegal for people to blow grass cuttings in the roads . Grass clippings make the road slippery and is dangerous for motorcyclists . It is illegal in Illinois to deposit grass clippings onto any public roadway as it may cause injury to motorists or become a traffic hazard . Cellphones Illinois law ( 625 ILCS 5 / 12-610.2 ) prohibits the use of hand - held cellphones , texting or using other electronic communications while operating a motor vehicle . Even using hands - free technology is considered a distraction while driving and can be dangerous . Illinois increased the penalties for using an electronic device while behind the wheel in the state's latest effort to crackdown on distracted driving . It's also illegal to text or talk while holding a device at a stop sign , a red light , or sitting in traffic . A cell phone ticket will appear on a motorist's driving record . In Illinois cell phone driving offenses range from $ 75 to $ 150 . Gravel on Roadway At some point a motorcyclist will find him / herself riding in gravel , dirt , or sand . You want to minimize the motorcycle's lean and abstain from any sudden input such as braking , accelerating , or swerving . If your motorcycle is already in motion and you come upon gravel in the road , don't panic . It's best to maintain the momentum the motorcycle already has and slow down gradually with very light use of both brakes . Your tires will Pulling Out - LOOK TWICE by turning your head to look for oncoming motorcycles before pulling out from a parked position . Motorcycles need time to stop . Changing Lanes - LOOK TWICE to ensure there is no motorcycle in your blind spot when changing lanes . Sharing A Lane - Don't share a traffic lane with a motorcycle - they are lawfully entitled to their entire lane . Don't Follow Too Close - A motorcycle needs more space to stop . Your local chapter , Open Roads ABATE of IL , Inc. , believes that education and safety are the keys to safe riding . Membership benefits include legal services ( i.e. , a will valued at $ 450 drawn up for free ) , a $ 3000 insurance policy for accidental death and dismemberment , electronic updates on legislature , information on current laws and regulations , Downed Rider Program ( contacts to reach if you are in an accident or need assistance ) . The next Open Roads ABATE chapter meeting is Saturday , June 29 , 6 pm , at the Plano American Legion . For more information please call Cliff on 630-552-3828 . Spring Train Fun Run Members with IL Senate Rep Sue Rezin Axe Throwing with DuKane ABATE