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Happy 30th birthday ABATE of South Carolina

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.

ABATE of SC State Coordinator Report 2004-03-20
Happy 30th birthday ABATE of South Carolina.

ABATE of SC is now thirty years old but still seems awkward as an adolescent; ABATE has yet to grow into its full potential.

Those who have recently lobbied at the Statehouse know the impact we have on the legislators. Senators and their staff notice when dozens of bikers walk the halls together visiting and leaving letters with each and every senator. We filled every seat of the senate gallery with bikers and had many more bikers standing in the back of the gallery but sadly only a few of our areas were well represented. We could be even more effective if we had greater representation from across the state.

Join our email list and become one of the minutemen and minutewomen who answer the call to fill the galleries of the Statehouse in less than 24 hours. Join the list at http://www.abatesc.com/mail-list/join-list.htm

I would like to challenge all members of ABATE of SC to become more active in increasing our effectiveness and power at the Statehouse. If each member were to only sign up one more member each we would double our membership. Last night before I sat down to write this article I visited the Icehouse in Summerville and signed up four new members while I was partying; I challenge each of you to match that effort and sign up four new members during the next month. Efforts must be made to organize ALL counties in our state.

Many of our enemies in the Statehouse do not have ABATE chapters in their districts; we must address this weakness by organizing chapters in every county of our state. Please do not expect the officers or others to take this action; we need EVERY member to work towards this goal NOW. Currently only one of our eight areas has ABATE chapters in 100% of its counties; ALL the senators of this area oppose the primary seat belt bill and voice opposition to any future helmet bill. Our goal is to organize EVERY county in South Carolina so we can have this level of influence over ALL senators in the state.

These stats should give you pause: 61% of South Carolina's counties currently do NOT have an ABATE of SC chapter. It is long past time to organize or reorganize the following counties: Abbeville, Allendale, Bamberg, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Edgefield, Fairfield, Georgetown, Greenwood, Hampton, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, McCormick, Newberry, Orangeburg, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and Williamsburg. How would you feel if your child only scored 39% on a test? Well ABATE is only scoring a 39 currently on the task of organizing the counties of South Carolina. We also need to bring back the chapters who left our state organization over personality conflicts with past officers no longer with us.

Finally, don’t despair we are the most powerful grassroots lobby at the statehouse but we have plenty of room for improvement. Senator McConnell told those of us who stayed after dark lobbying on Saint Patrick’s Day the following: “You and your friends are the last hope for liberty in this society.” Don’t let Senator McConnell or the next generation down; rise to the call. Imagine how much more powerful our voice in defense of liberties will become when we have organized all 46 counties.

"Have I done that which I can do for biker rights to the best of my ability?" HELL NO but I’m still trying.

FastFred Ruddock - ABATE of SC State Coordinator

The minutemen and minute-women of ABATE who answer the call to lobby have my undying respect; you know who you are…

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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