Sanfelipo Speaks As Expert at Wisconsin State Patrol Meeting

Posted 12/12/2006

4.7 Million Rider Miles So Far


Tony "Pan" Sanfelipo discusses a statute with Lt. Rich Kuchenbecker, East Troy,
before his presentation at a meeting at the DOT Region Office in Green Bay,
Wisconsin. Left to right, 1st row: Diane and Gregg Rodd, ABATE, Lt. Rich
Kuchenbecker, East Troy, Tony "Pan" Sanfelipo, Hupy and Abraham S.C.,
2nd row: Dan Van Linn and Kathy Huntkowski, ABATE, and behind Tony, Paul Raap,
Harley-Davidson.

After facilitating group rides that have accumulated over 4.7 million rider miles, and working as an accident investigator for Hupy and Abraham S.C., for 15 years, Tony Sanfelipo spoke as an expert at a special meeting of the Wisconsin State Patrol on December 5, 2006. An information forum for law enforcement agencies and motorcycle advocates, the meeting was coordinated through the office of the Regional Program Manager for the Wisconsin State Patrol’s Bureau of Transportation Safety.

The meeting dealt with the specific problems large charity rides create within the various counties. Although other events create similar problems, this meeting addressed the motorcycle group rides. Law enforcement was represented by the Wisconsin State Patrol, and various sheriff’s and police departments, including Green Bay, Sheboygan, Neenah, Appleton, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Outagamie, Kaukauna, Ashwaubenon, De Pere, Brown and Winnebago, Grand Chute, East Troy, Oconto and Dodge.

Of particular concern are the resources needed to accommodate these rides, the over time or pay to officers and the number of citizen complaints due to intersections being blocked for sometimes up to 20 minutes. Captain Randy Schultz, Brown County Sheriff’s Department, submitted a draft proposal for a special events permit for Brown County. ABATE of Wisconsin voiced a concern that these type of permits and the costs associated with them would eliminate many of the charity rides that not only benefit a particular cause, but also bolster the economy in the towns they stop in.

Paul Raap, a regional director for the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) was present at this meeting, and explained some procedures that H.O.G. has in place for group rides. These rides can have in excess of one thousand riders, and have a major impact on traffic, compared to the smaller groups of 50-100 bikes.

It remains to be seen if Brown County passes the proposed permit ordinance, and if other counties follow suit.

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