Abate of Arizona

09/07/2026

An 80-year-old motorcyclist died on the night of Friday, September 4, 2026, after colliding with a raised barrier traffic chicane on Tucson’s east side.

According to reports from KOLD 13 News, the fatal collision occurred just after 9:00 p.m. in the 2000 block of East Winsett Street.

Details of the Incident
The Victim: The rider was identified as 80-year-old Terrance Yokofich, who was wearing a helmet while operating his 2018 Harley-Davidson westbound on Winsett Street. Yokofich was an active member of the motorcycle community.
Circumstances & Factors: Traveling at the legal 25 mph limit, Yokofich lost control upon striking the raised traffic median, with police citing both the speed and the impact with the physical barrier as primary causes.

As the Tucson Police Department continues its active investigation, the tragedy underscores broader concerns regarding the visibility and safety risks that raised traffic-calming infrastructure can pose for motorcyclists and cyclists.

Now imagine this as a pitch black dark street with no lights.

https://www.kold.com/2026/09/06/tucson-motorcyclist-dead-after-crashing-into-protective-street-barrier/

ABATE of Arizona supports traffic-safety measures that protect all lawful road users. A raised roadway obstruction that cannot be readily identified and safely navigated at night by a motorcyclist traveling at the posted speed presents a preventable hazard. Tucson should immediately improve conspicuity at the Winsett Street chicane, conduct an independent nighttime engineering review, preserve and release the design and maintenance records, and inspect every comparable device in the city. Arizona should require motorcycle-specific safety review before physical traffic-calming devices are opened to public travel.

09/07/2026

Motorcycle Monday: The Hands That Keep Arizona Moving
This Labor Day, Honor the People Who Work, Repair, Serve, and Carry Their Communities
Before sunrise, lights begin turning on across Arizona.

This Labor Day, Honor the People Who Work, Repair, Serve, and Carry Their Communities

08/17/2026

When a legend calls and asks if you want to get some wind therapy, you do not need much time to think about it. You get on the motorcycle. So I borrowed a bike from a cousin and went on the ride. My ride with Rogue
https://michaelinfanzon.substack.com/p/riding-with-rogue-what-a-ride-down

07/21/2026

Ready to be the rider who knows what to do in a crisis? 🏍️ Professional medical help is often 5 to 30 minutes away after a crash occurs, leaving a critical gap where your immediate actions can save a life.

In our latest deep dive into Accident Scene Management (ASM) training by Road Guardians, we explore specialized bystander assistance programs designed specifically for the motorcycling community.

Find your local class schedule today at roadguardians.org/schedule!

Listen to the deep dive here: https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelinfanzon/p/the-training-that-saves-lives

07/20/2026

If Arizona has over 279,000 registered motorcycles but only $198,000 is transferred into the motorcycle safety fund, where is the other $81,000?

Arizona's Motorcycle Safety Fund is a dedicated pool of money financed by registration fees to support rider education and public awareness. Although state law protects these funds from being diverted to the general budget, current financial records lack the transparency necessary for riders to see exactly how their money is spent. Significant legislative updates scheduled for 2026 will introduce scholarships to help rural and low-income individuals access essential training programs. Despite these improvements, the state faces challenges regarding accounting clarity and the precise allocation of administrative costs. To ensure the program's success, advocates are calling for detailed annual reporting and the creation of an advisory committee to represent the motorcycling community. Ultimately, the goal is to transform these rider-funded resources into measurable safety improvements and broader training accessibility across the state.

https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelinfanzon/p/where-arizonas-motorcycle-safety

07/14/2026

Motorcyclists keep winning! ABATE of Arizona and the motorcyclists in the state have been advocating for broader "right to repair" policies, arguing that vehicle owners should be able to repair and maintain the products they purchase without unnecessary manufacturer restrictions. While this settlement is about farm equipment rather than motorcycles, it reflects the same underlying principle: that owners and independent repair shops should have fair access to the tools, software, and information needed to perform repairs.
https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelinfanzon/p/win-for-consumer-right-to-repair

07/06/2026

Riding without a motorcycle endorsement may feel like a small paperwork issue until it turns into a citation, court costs, towing fees, or an impound lot problem.

Arizona’s MVD rider test takes about 15 minutes and tests basic skills every rider should already know: low-speed control, cone weave, U-turns, quick stops, and obstacle swerves.

This Motorcycle Monday breaks down what the test requires, why riders should stop putting it off, and whether there is enough interest for a motorcycle endorsement practice day before riders schedule their MVD test.

Read the full article and tell us: would you show up for a practice day? https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelinfanzon/p/get-the-endorsement-before-the-ticket

06/28/2026

I find that a lot of people do not know basic civics. That is not meant as an insult. It is just the truth.
People will get angry about a bill. They will post about it. They will yell about what the Legislature “should do.” They will demand that someone “stop it” or “pass it.” Yet many of those same people do not know where the bill is in the process, who controls the next step, whether it has already missed a deadline, whether it has passed one chamber or both chambers, or whether the Governor even has the bill yet.
That matters.
Here’s a basic breakdown on how a bill becomes a law in Arizona. https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelinfanzon/p/how-a-bill-becomes-a-law-in-arizona

06/24/2026

Arizona motorcyclists need to pay attention to HB2941.
This bill is now law. It changes how Arizona treats illegal lane splitting and improper same-lane passing by motorcycle riders. More importantly, it takes conduct that many riders may have thought of as a traffic ticket and moves it into reckless driving territory.
That is not a small change.
https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelinfanzon/p/hb2941-and-the-new-criminal-penalty