CHARLOTTE CHAPTER
The Concerned Bikers Association was formed in 1971 by a group of bikers in Charlotte, NC. A
mandatory helmet law, which was enacted in 1967, and the 1971 passage of a twenty-four hour motorcycle
headlight law made the motorcyclists aware that there was no one in NC helping to protect their rights. The
purpose of CBA was and still is to promote fair motorcycle legislation and to repeal existing unfair
legislation. The group banded together to organize a motorcycle rights organization and their legacy is
alive today.
mandatory helmet law, which was enacted in 1967, and the 1971 passage of a twenty-four hour motorcycle
headlight law made the motorcyclists aware that there was no one in NC helping to protect their rights. The
purpose of CBA was and still is to promote fair motorcycle legislation and to repeal existing unfair
legislation. The group banded together to organize a motorcycle rights organization and their legacy is
alive today.
George McLeod was the first President of CBA. The first meeting was held at Stan's Chopper House, a
local bike shop in Charlotte. Dale Lucky was the first CBA lobbyist who went to Raleigh representing CBA.
George McLeod resigned as President in 1972 with Rick Nail taking over the position. After contact with
ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) of Virginia, CBA decided to join and in 1973 became
CBA/ABATE. The first Constitution was written in 1973. Dale Lucky resigned as Legislative Coordinator in
1974 and Attorney William "Piggy" Potter, a professional lobbyist was hired in 1974. The first helmet
protest was held in 1974. By 1985, CBA had grown to 12 chapters. In 1986, there was great change for
CBA. Chapters and members wanted to become more involved on a state level, which meant
reorganization was necessary. The Constitution was rewritten, the state was divided into 3 districts and
state officers were elected.
local bike shop in Charlotte. Dale Lucky was the first CBA lobbyist who went to Raleigh representing CBA.
George McLeod resigned as President in 1972 with Rick Nail taking over the position. After contact with
ABATE (American Bikers Aimed Toward Education) of Virginia, CBA decided to join and in 1973 became
CBA/ABATE. The first Constitution was written in 1973. Dale Lucky resigned as Legislative Coordinator in
1974 and Attorney William "Piggy" Potter, a professional lobbyist was hired in 1974. The first helmet
protest was held in 1974. By 1985, CBA had grown to 12 chapters. In 1986, there was great change for
CBA. Chapters and members wanted to become more involved on a state level, which meant
reorganization was necessary. The Constitution was rewritten, the state was divided into 3 districts and
state officers were elected.
Attorney Richard Lester of California formed the National Coalition of Motorcyclists in 1986. The coalition
was formed to help protect bikers as consumers, help establish rider education programs, build a
legislative data bank, train people on legislative strategies and to help protect the rights of the injured riders.
CBA joined the organization that year and Rick Nail was appointed as Regional Co-Advisor for Region VI
in 1987.
was formed to help protect bikers as consumers, help establish rider education programs, build a
legislative data bank, train people on legislative strategies and to help protect the rights of the injured riders.
CBA joined the organization that year and Rick Nail was appointed as Regional Co-Advisor for Region VI
in 1987.
Through the late 80's, all through the 90's and today, CBA has stayed politically active. Each year that
passes, there are more and more people participating. Officers change and members change but the
goals remain the same. CBA and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation had worked along with Dr. Al King to
establish a Motorcycle Safety Education Program in NC. CBA continues to support the Motorcycle Safety
Education Program and encourages you to attend the classes.
passes, there are more and more people participating. Officers change and members change but the
goals remain the same. CBA and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation had worked along with Dr. Al King to
establish a Motorcycle Safety Education Program in NC. CBA continues to support the Motorcycle Safety
Education Program and encourages you to attend the classes.
NC Bike PAC was independently formed in November 2003 by a small group of legislative warriors
within the CBA/ABATE organization. With just over $10,000 raised in the first six months, it is already
apparent that we are leveling the playing field in Raleigh. We are encouraged by the development of this
political action committee and will be looking for continuing support from the motorcycling community of
North Carolina. NC Bike PAC has become another tool in our arsenal of weapons in the legislative battle.
within the CBA/ABATE organization. With just over $10,000 raised in the first six months, it is already
apparent that we are leveling the playing field in Raleigh. We are encouraged by the development of this
political action committee and will be looking for continuing support from the motorcycling community of
North Carolina. NC Bike PAC has become another tool in our arsenal of weapons in the legislative battle.
2004 was a historic year. While we are still fighting the battle to repeal our helmet law, some significant
progress has been made this year. A Select Committee formed exclusively for that purpose studied our
helmet law. After all was said and done, our point was made and the bill language passed out of this
committee with a favorable vote. It was decided because 2004 was a short session and the helmet law
was too controversial to be rushed through the process that our bill be reintroduced in January 2005 as
part of our legislative agenda.
progress has been made this year. A Select Committee formed exclusively for that purpose studied our
helmet law. After all was said and done, our point was made and the bill language passed out of this
committee with a favorable vote. It was decided because 2004 was a short session and the helmet law
was too controversial to be rushed through the process that our bill be reintroduced in January 2005 as
part of our legislative agenda.
CBA/ABATE and the motorcyclists of North Carolina did score a major victory when HB965 was
passed into law. This bill provides for increased penalties for Right of Way Violators causing
serious bodily injury. This was a battle that was hard fought and it is not over. We will go back into
session seeking an increase in penalties when right of way violation causes death. We will face
fierce opposition. We will not be deterred.
passed into law. This bill provides for increased penalties for Right of Way Violators causing
serious bodily injury. This was a battle that was hard fought and it is not over. We will go back into
session seeking an increase in penalties when right of way violation causes death. We will face
fierce opposition. We will not be deterred.
Our new Director of Safety, Education and Awareness has developed and is implementing a plan
to teach motorcycle safety education in schools across the State. Growing interest among the
motorcycling community guarantees that this will be a successful program.
to teach motorcycle safety education in schools across the State. Growing interest among the
motorcycling community guarantees that this will be a successful program.
Many legislative warriors work quietly behind the scenes and we appreciate each of them and if you are one
of them, thank you. If you would like to be one of them, please consider joining CBA/ABATE. One
team...one effort!
of them, thank you. If you would like to be one of them, please consider joining CBA/ABATE. One
team...one effort!
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CBA is growing stronger and is more active than ever in Raleigh. Joy Barbour, during her tenure as
Legislative Director, became a permanent fixture in the halls of the legislative building in Raleigh. Our
new Legislative Director, Sam Nobles has become a permanent fixture as well. Our legislators know
many of our members by name and on sight. Our Board of Directors have taken great measures to see
that the chapters maintain their legislative dedication and it has shown in the progress we have made in
the last several years.
Legislative Director, became a permanent fixture in the halls of the legislative building in Raleigh. Our
new Legislative Director, Sam Nobles has become a permanent fixture as well. Our legislators know
many of our members by name and on sight. Our Board of Directors have taken great measures to see
that the chapters maintain their legislative dedication and it has shown in the progress we have made in
the last several years.