Written by FastFred Ruddock, April 17, 2006
Photos by Lynn and Missy
The bikers who attended the public meeting concerning S141 in Columbia Tuesday April 17, 2006 deserve thanks for a job well done. Those in attendance can sure tell you that the majority of citizens present share our concerns. Many of the faith community echoed our issues.
Our own Cliff Dalton did an excellent job presenting the flaws of this bill and its lack of prevention. Additionally Cliff did a lot of first class research and provided source material to the subcommittee to support his presentation. After the meeting several black ministers and preachers came to Cliff to thank him for his words and help with this issue. Several members of the faith community and community leaders gave us their business cards wish to join with us in helping to craft a better bill to deal with youth gangs. This is likely because the subcommittee has invited us to help correct the language of the bill we find problematic. Jeff Coleman deserves the lion’s share of the credit for this giant leap forward. While the subcommittee was asking me questions Jeff slipped me a note highlighting language written solely for labor unions. I am sure the ILA demanded this language considering the Charleston 5 incident in recent history.
Ralph Bell batted clean up for us and picked up right where Cliff left off.
If nothing else Cliff and Ralph did a lot to improve the public image of ABATE and to create bridges into the minority community. I am sure the old timers recall how important the black caucus was in amending our helmet law back in day. Additionally the black caucus has made or broken other issues such as the seat belt bill in the recent past. More importantly our two groups have common interests.
All told about two dozen ABATE members attended the public meeting. Among those present were Ricky D, Jerry Jordan, Connie Coleman, FU, Lynn, Breez, Roach, Missy, and others. Forgive me for not naming everyone but I am doing this from memory not notes and you know about my CRS.
Again thank you each and all for attending and thank you each and all who have called the House Judiciary Committee concerning this gang bill S141.
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.
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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