How Did SMARTER Start?

This association was started, in February 2007, by a group of people who ride a wide variety of brands and styles of bikes and who have common interests in the value of research, education, and skill training related to proficient motorcycle riding and risk-reduction measures. We strive to wear high-quality, motorcycle-specific riding gear. We are NOT a single model or brand social organization (like Gold Wing Road Riders or BMW Owners Association). NOR are we a biker-rights/freedom advocacy group like ABATE. Many of us do, however, belong to other motorcyclist organizations like these because they represent our interests in other areas of motorcycling.

Currently, the voice heard from most often as representing motorcyclists is the voice of state motorcycle rights organizations (SMROs) like ABATE. These organizations often claim to represent ALL motorcyclists. For example, in Michigan, the state in which SMARTER is incorporated, ABATE of Michigan posted on their Web site (Feb/Mar 2009) the following statement: “We attended both the Michigan Democratic and Republican State Conventions to represent all motorcyclists throughout Michigan ” (emphasis added).

According to the Michigan Department of State, as of February 1, 2009, there were 533,005 motorcycle-license-endorsed Michigan residents. As of November 8, 2008, Michigan had 257,269 registered motorcycles. ABATE of Michigan certainly does not represent all Michigan motorcyclists, as they claim. In fact, membership in ABATE of Michigan is likely significantly less than one percent of the 533,005 motorcycle-licensed-endorsed Michigan residents.

Numbers in other states are similar. The SMROs are really minority biker groups that represent only a small number of the actual citizens who ride motorcycles. SMARTER is an organization that expresses the voice of other motorcyclists.

SMARTER's focus from our incorporation in February 2007 until February 2010 was primarily on providing information in opposition to efforts to repeal Michigan's mandatory helmet law; however, our efforts to provide information to motorcyclists and to the general public continued to broaden. In February 2010, SMARTER sponsored a Motorcyclist Safety Round Table, from which evolved the idea to sponsor and conduct, in cooperation with the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, a Motorcyclist Safety Conference. Michigan's first Ride Smart (2010) Motorcyclist Safety Conference was held September 11, 2010.

Then in October 2010, SMARTER revised its incorporation papers filed with the State of Michigan to more accurately reflect its evolving purposes (as currently stated on our Home page).

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Last revision: February 1, 2012

©Skilled Motorcyclist Association - Responsible, Trained and Educated Riders, Inc.