NC BikePAC
Freedom Through Action
What is NC BikePAC?
North Carolina BikePAC is a political action committee (PAC) created to help further the legislative goals of the motorcyclists of North Carolina. Most motorcycle rights organizations' nonprofit tax status does not allow the organization to expend great amounts of its budget on lobbying activities, to make direct monetary donations to candidates or to write letters of endorsement for a particular candidate. A political action committee is allowed to participate in these activities.
North Carolina BikePAC will assist motorcycle rights organization members and all interested motorcycle enthusiasts to educate and lobby government and the general public about motorcycling, the rights of motorcyclists, and the preservation of our American tradition of freedom.
FAQ - NC BikePAC
WHAT
NC BikePAC is a political action committee (PAC) created to help further the
legislative goal of the motorcyclists of North Carolina. NC BikePAC will assist
motorcycle rights organization members and all interested motorcycle enthusiasts
to educate and lobby government and the general public about motorcycling, the
rights of motorcyclists, and the preservation of our American tradition of
freedom.
WHERE
The office of NC BikePAC is located in the coastal area of North Carolina. NC
BikePAC will represent the interests and legislative agendas of all North
Carolina motorcyclists, both off road and on, throughout the state.
WHY
Because CBA/ABATE and other MRO’s are incorporated as charitable and/or
educational organizations under 501(c)(3) or (4), we are prevented from making
direct contributions to political candidates by law and that’s where the NC
BikePAC comes in. It was specifically created to provide financial support to
state-level legislators who are biker friendly. In other words, NC BikePAC will
fulfill the obligation we have to our friends that CBA/ABATE and other MRO’s
cannot. It is time for the more than 105,000 registered motorcyclists in North
Carolina to join in the growing trend to support legislators and candidates who
will stand up for motorcycling. Doctors, lawyers, bankers, builders, realtors,
teachers and many other professional and trade organization have formed PACs in
North Carolina. Many of these groups employ a lobbyist, whose job is to sway
legislators to vote in favor of laws that benefit the organization or business
being represented.
WHY NOT?
NC BikePAC is not simply a way of buying votes. BikePAC was not created to
undermine the work of MRO’s. That is the most common negative response received
about the PAC. While motorcyclists’ efforts in the legislature have been
admirable and certainly recognized by our legislators, it has not been as
effective as necessary when dealing with those who oppose us. When compared to
the PACs and other entities that oppose our legislative agenda, our
contributions will be relatively small. The donations provided by BikePAC may or
may not carry the same weight as those of more affluent PACs and interests…
however, BikePAC contributions will level the playing field and enable
motorcyclists to be recognized as a “true” political force in “their” game.
Recipient legislators will deserve our support by demonstrating their
willingness to endorse our initiatives. They need to understand that
motorcyclists are serious about having a voice in legislation that affects us
directly.
Contributions open many doors and will permit MRO members and other individuals
concerned with motorcycle related legislation ready access to their elected
officials. It is hoped that our grassroots lobbying will become even more
important as a direct result of the role NC BikePAC will play in the political
process.
WHEN
NC BikePAC was created in November 2003 by a small group of motorcycle rights
activists who studied other PACs and realized that it was an idea whose time had
come in North Carolina.
WHO
NC BikePAC is open to everyone interested in motorcycling. ABATE members, MILES
members, AMA members, cycle dealers, manufacturers, motorcycle clubs and the
general public at large. Corporations cannot contribute, however, their officers
and employees may do so as individuals.
NC BikePAC will contribute to candidates running for office in the State Senate
and the House of Representatives (the General Assembly of North Carolina).
BikePAC may also contribute to the gubernatorial election. NC BikePAC will not
contribute to candidates for office at the federal or local government levels.
IF I CONTRIBUTE TO THE PAC…
DOES THAT MEAN I AM OFF THE HOOK FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION?
Absolutely not! Nothing could be further from the truth. What everyone needs to
understand is that the mission has NOT changed. MRO’s are still organizations
that focus on grassroots lobbying – that’s you making contact and a connection
with each of your representatives. You need to make that connection so you know
and understand your representative’s position on motorcycling issues and if need
be, educate those representatives who don’t yet understand.
BikePAC contributions are only a means of gaining access to legislators and
showing appreciation for those who work with us. While money is an important
part of a political campaign, it is not the most important. Financial
contributions help to get a candidate’s message heard and pay campaign expenses.
The most important factor in winning election, however, is the actual vote
count. Candidates are most concerned with the opinions and desires of those
registered voters who live in their district. But it is not sufficient to just
be a registered voter. People must also go to the polls on election day and cast
their ballot. You are the people who actually “hire” the Senators and
Representatives.
Candidates for public office have access to voter records. Although they cannot
learn “how” you voted, they are aware of your qualifications to ask for their
assistance. They know:
1. if you reside in their district;
2. if you are registered;
3. the party you are registered with; and
4. how many times you voted and in which elections.
Just like you, they listen to their bosses who, in their case, are the people
who vote. Just like you, when it comes to doing their job, they have very little
reason to pay attention to anyone who cannot impact their prospects for
continued employment. Therefore, when trying to influence a legislator’s vote,
it is extremely important that you meet all four of the qualifications
mentioned.
It can be stated with some certainty that North Carolina motorcyclists will only
gain ground with legislative issues because there have been a sufficient number
of qualified constituents who ask their elected officials to change the law.
Without your connection and your face, all the money BikePAC raises won’t get us
very far.
BikePAC will be successful in opening many doors that were previously closed to
motorcyclists, but it remains the responsibility of constituents to walk through
those doors and ask for help and support with their issues.
Finally, the time required in Raleigh falls way beyond the scope of most
volunteers. As resources grow, BikePAC fully intends to help support a full-time
lobbyist in Raleigh. This lobbyist will represent the interests of North
Carolina motorcyclists and only the interests of North Carolina motorcyclists.
This is no different than the actions of those who oppose us.