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June 2007 ABATE of SC Coordinator Report

Fast Fred Rafts & Travels

Fast Fred is a wandering guide enjoying endless summers and sharing adventure along the way.
I began writing these motorcycle pages of articles, photos, and trips during 2000.

June 2007 ABATE of SC Coordinator Report

Written by FastFred Ruddock May 15, 2007

The past month since my last report has been busy as our legislature makes a final push to pass bills prior to recessing until January. As reported in last month’s newsletter issue we are working the Gang Bill S141 and trying to find common ground. Ralph Bell has been taking point on this issue in recent weeks. Cliff Dalton and Roach have also been working with Ralph and helping him with research concerning gang legislation and preventative programs.

Efforts to from a new chapter near Spartanburg are in high gear. I recently spent a Saturday riding with Michael “High Roller” Crew and his lovely lady Lee in Landrum and Lake Bowen before joining them for a ride to Cherokee County to attend a Coalition function there. The clubs of the upper state are interested and concerned about legislation impacting motorcyclists beyond just the current gang bill. I was asked to address those present at the function with the latest details concerning the current legislative session. Michael was busy rubbing elbows and recruiting new members.

Along my return route back I took a hike in Graveyard Fields along the Blue Ridge Parkway before arriving at a member’s home near Pickens. When I ride I decide; this trip was no different and I rode in open defiance of the helmet law I believe to be unconstitutional. However I was not stopped by any of the many North Carolina police officers I passed along my lidless ride. The landscape of Graveyard Fields is unlike any other in the Blue Ridge Mountains; I strongly recommend you visit Graveyard Fields whether you wear a helmet or not to get there.

The City of Charleston has once again imposed motorcycle apartheid upon tax paying citizens. Motorcyclists including struggling college students have recently found themselves locked out of all city owned parking garages. Our friendly NCOM attorney John Daugs has drafted a letter to the city seeking an official response. Additionally the Charleston City Paper is now showing some interest in covering this story. This story and battle are far from over.

Our May Legislative Meeting was well attended by many concerned ABATE members. We worked hard drafting the final language to be submitted to the House Judiciary Committee as we were requested to do so during the recent public meeting held in Columbia. That language has been since delivered to the committee’s lawyer. The following day we all rode in a parade to the state house to promote motorcycle awareness. If you missed the parade this year make plans now to attend next year. After the rally we rode to Bobby’s in West Columbia for free food and good times. Dean, Pickle, and the entire Lexington ABATE Team did a fine job organizing this event!

The National Coalition of Motorcyclists held their annual convention in Charlotte this year. Several ABATE of SC members took advantage of this opportunity to attend a national biker rights event close to home. Jessie McDugald apparently has been reading the biker ezine and did some interesting research regarding North Carolina’s helmet law as well as the helmet laws in Georgia and Tennessee. Jessie’s constitutional workshop was even more interesting and engaging than in past years. Jessie gave me some more homework to do and I expect to have a really fun summer this year as a direct result. Jessie has informed me that those riding bitch without a helmet in North Carolina face a maximum fine of only $10 and no court costs.

NCOM really fires the troops up. I am no different and thus I was determined to show my respects. I rode lidless to what maybe the most holy ground in America: the Kings Mountain Battlefield. The blood of a few Patriots and many Tories stained this ground. I found the visit very moving. I urge you to join the free Biker Ezine info list if you have not yet done so.

Fast Fred Ruddock with a Helmet Ticket in Polk County North Carolina

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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