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Dave Condon:
District I Representative
I began riding dirt bikes in the ‘60s at my family’s
summer home in Maine. Then I graduated to bigger dirt
bikes and eventually street bikes. My first street bike
was a 1975 750 Honda that I purchased while I was in the
service (man am I old). I am one of those that topped
riding constantly - I would occasionally borrow a bike
and go for a ride after I got married and the kids were
born - but the passion remained. I took a 15-year hiatus
and began riding seriously again during the early ‘90s.
First thing I did was take the motorcycle safety course
to refresh myself - something I would recommend to any
rider whether beginner or seasoned vet.
So why did I get involved in the motorcyclists’
rights movement? The short answer to this question would
be because someone asked. The long answer would be that
I don't remember having any great passion for motorcyclists’
rights, but I do remember listening to all my riding
buddies complaining about the helmet law and saying
there was nothing that could be done about it. I, of
course disagreed. At the same time ABATE of Massachusetts
was a new organization and they were conducting local
membership drives, and when I received a letter stating
that there would be one here in Salem, I went down and
joined. The next thing I new I was a board member and
then I was elected executive director for that organization.
I think I was the only board member not present at the
meeting when the vote was taken and that why I was elected.
LOL.
ABATE was a one issue organization and that was the
helmet modification law. As I got more and more involved
and I met more and more dedicated people from other
organizations both at the state and national levels,
I realized there was more to motorcyclists’ rights
than just the helmet law. I was really impressed with
the other issues that the MMA was dealing with here
in Mass, and the AMA and MRF were dealing with at the
national level. So while I was executive director of
ABATE, I also became a member of the MMA, AMA and the
MRF to support those other issues and organizations.
One of my top priorities as executive director of ABATE
was that the two organizations would work together (as
much as they could) at the state level for the benefit
of all motorcyclists in this state. It also became apparent
to me while visiting the statehouse that through cooperation
and coordination more could be accomplished. I can't
tell you how many times I and other ABATE officers would
be at the statehouse and people would say, “Oh
you guys were here yesterday talking to us about that,”
and it was actually the MMA. I felt this duplication
of effort was counterproductive and the limited resources
of both organizations could be put to better use. Therefore
I felt a merger of the two was the next logical step
and the rest is history.
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Since joining the MMA, I have served as Essex County
Representative and District I Representative. I would
have to say one of my most rewarding experiences with
the MMA has been exposure to the combined knowledge
of all the people I have met who have been in this business
a lot longer than me. Just as when I first got involved,
I continue to be like a sponge, absorbing everything
these people have to say. I am also grateful for the
opportunities provided to me through the MMA. Recently
I had the honor and the privilege to escort the Vietnam
Moving Wall to Everett - something I don't thing I would
have done had it not been for my affiliation with the
MMA.
I am most proud of the accomplishments of the MMA here
in this state. In the short time that I have been involved
we have gone from, “Oh no, here come those bikers
again,” to being respected and accepted as legitimate
activists with an intelligent argument and a model for
other organizations that visit the statehouse. The respect
gained here is also true with other SMROs throughout
the country. I was just recently talking with a guy
from Georgia who just got involved in motorcyclists’
rights in his state and he said to me, “I hear
you guys are doing some really fine things up there.”
For these reasons I wear my MMA patch with pride.
The thing I find most difficult about being involved
with the MMA, in a nutshell, is remembering that it
is a volunteer organization and not getting upset when
things don't get done or when someone says they are
going to do something and they don't. You can't really
push volunteers too hard and you have to appreciate
what they do, and what they give up to do it, and when
they have time to do it, and be a little patient sometimes.
What I find most enjoyable about the MMA, I would honestly
have to say, is helping the motorcyclists of this state
- whether its with a ticket, rights being violated,
pure harassment because of an affiliation with a club,
or membership problems. Nothing is more rewarding than
when someone you really don't even know comes up to
you at an event or meeting and says thank you for what
you have done.
What goals would I like to see accomplished by the
MMA? Complete passage of all our current legislation
at the statehouse. Better management for the recruitment
of new members. An MMA presence at every biker event
throughout the state. Maintaining our constant vigilance
of any wronging of bikers by the public or law enforcement.
Education of bikers to be aware of their actions so
they won’t be the ones most jeopardizing our rights.
Expanded safety and education programs for both riders
and non-riders. Maintaining our support of the national
organizations to keep an eye on Congress and other federal
agencies that want to impair our lifestyle.
These are tall orders that will require the help of
every one of you! Hope to see you at our next MMA meeting
or event!
contact
me.
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