By FastFred Ruddock, February 17, 2007

January and February have been trying times for many of us. Our treasurer Bad Bob was seriously injured while riding one of his motorcycles when a car violated his right of way by pulling out and striking him. Ironically Bob was on his way home from a friend’s funeral that had been killed in another accident. Our legislative coordinator Dennis Welborn is recovering nicely from open heart surgery. Other issues seem to pale in comparison to the well being of our family.

However all of us should be concerned about Senate Bill S141: Criminal Gang Prevention Act. The title of the bill seems innocuous enough and there is a growing problem of youth street gangs that beg attention. However upon careful inspection of the wording of this bill S141 several serious flaws become apparent. I urge all of the bikers of ABATE to carefully read the bill for themselves. A copy of the current gang bill is provided in this newsletter for your inspection. Paul N.Uricchio,III of Uricchio and Associates Law Firm has been kind enough to study the proposed gang bill S141 and write an article in terms you and I can easily understand.

As your state coordinator I have been very busy during the past month following the gang bill’s progression through committees in our state senate. Many concerned members have been calling and meeting with me regarding this menacing legislation. Some of these members have gone further and organized membership drive gatherings to recruit other concerned bikers to join the fight. ABATE is becoming more diverse and representative of all motorcyclists in South Carolina. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to our newest members and brothers. I encourage all members to recruit more South Carolina bikers from every walk of life to our cause.

Serving as the coordinator of ABATE of South Carolina places a lot of mileage on my motorcycle. During the past month I attended the legislative meeting on the first Saturday of February and visited with Bad Bob at the hospital; other members visited Bad Bob after our legislative meeting. I saw at the meeting that many of you have stepped up to help in legislative matters while Dennis rests and heals following his surgery. The following weekend I attended Bad Bob’s Benefit BBQ before paying another visit to Bad Bob in the hospital, Afterwards I rode to the Coastal Area meeting near Florence. Finally I rode along with the Coastal Area Coordinator to the East Cooper Oyster Roast during the same weekend.

The original purpose of my trip to the Coastal Area Meeting was to answer questions from their membership. Strangely enough they did not have any questions when I arrived. However I did have a lot of fun and brotherhood hanging out with the coastal members. We talked about the issues facing ABATE and a few internal issues. Most of the members seem to be quite pleased with the current direction ABATE is headed. I would be happy to visit your chapter or area if you invite me to visit or answer questions at your next meeting.

I attempt to focus my efforts where the greatest need is present rather than where I may get the most pats on the back; I reckon I gained this trait in the process of earning my Eagle Scout award as a young man many years ago. Spartanburg is an area where there are many bikers but no ABATE chapters; I have focused most of my recruiting efforts in the Spartanburg area. Preferring to lead by example rather than bossing people around I provide some guerilla theater for potential members. Some of the theater involves riding lidless through Lake Lure where many South Carolina bikers from Spartanburg and the Upstate regularly hangout. This seems to catch their attention and create interesting conversations at the Margaritagrille. There is a huge potential for growth in the upper region of our state. ABATE’s future success rests upon waking the sleeping giant in the Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg Metropolitan Area.

About Fast Fred

My life has been a dedicated blend of open road adventure and relentless advocacy for motorcyclists’ rights. I'm "Fast Fred" Ruddock, and my journey on two wheels began as a teenager. Over the years, I’ve owned 13 Harleys and several other motorcycles, machines that were far more than just transportation. They represented a freedom that I have fought to protect. Recognizing the power of information, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, skills I immediately put to use for the movement.

My commitment to advocacy led me to a complete immersion in ABATE of South Carolina (ABATE of SC). I quickly moved through the ranks, starting by developing the ABATE of SC website in 2001 and serving as the Berkeley/Dorchester Chapter Coordinator. This progressed to serving as Lowcountry Area Coordinator, where I successfully shifted our local focus decisively toward rights and rapidly increased membership. From 2003 to 2007, I served as the State Coordinator, where I helped coordinate several key legislative victories, including the passage of the Purple Heart license tag bill and the successful repeal of unnecessary handlebar height restrictions. My primary strategic goal was always to achieve widespread political influence by organizing a chapter in every single county.

On the national front, I extended my influence by serving as the State Representative on the board of the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) for several years during the 2000s. This role ensured that the concerns of South Carolina riders were directly represented in critical federal legislative discussions. Crucially, I also worked to shape public opinion: I wrote articles related to motorcycle rights for various magazines and had a small column in Easyriders magazine for several years, using media to educate riders nationwide on the issues impacting their freedom.

My activism was not only about lobbying but also direct action and constitutional challenges. I participated in the Myrtle Beach civil disobedience against local helmet laws, contributing to the legal groundwork for the eventual overturning of that restrictive law through a landmark SC Supreme Court case. I also challenged helmet laws personally, fighting three tickets in court as an act of civil disobedience in several states. I lobbied in multiple state capitols with me friends across the country. My dedication continued after my ABATE leadership, as I served as the Director of Bikers Of Less Tolerance (BOLT) of South Carolina.

Today, while I also enjoy working as a river guide and sharing my travel adventures, my legacy remains rooted in the fight for motorcycle freedom. I have spent decades on the front lines, utilizing both political strategy, legal challenges, and national media to protect the rights of every person on two wheels.

My Other Adventures

I'm a professional whitewater guide and kayak instructor. I grew up rafting, sailing, and surfing, and I spend my North American summers guiding on world-class whitewater. I have spent much of my adult life riding motorcycles and paddling kayaks.

Raft with me: Check out Fast Fred Rafts for details.

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