North Dakota's motorcycle advocacy organization, ABATE, is holding its annual statewide convention in Bismarck on Saturday.

The Doublewood Inn, 1400 E. Interchange Avenue, is the site for this year's convention, which is open to the public, beginning at 1 p.m. and concluding at 5 p.m., according to the organization's marketing-promotions director Janet Frost.

ABATE (American Riders Aiming Towards Education) is in its 33rd year in North Dakota, and Frost figures this is about the 20th convention. The organization continues to grow in size, with more than 2,300 registered members in the state. Expectations are that between 140 to 160 will participate in the event.

There will be a special meeting of district representatives at 8 a.m., Frost said. There are 12 districts in the state broken into multiples of adjoining counties.

"A district's mission is to go out and represent and promote motorcycle riders in their communities by holding events such as a blood drives, food drives, toy runs or benefits,"Frost said. "They also educate their communities on ABATE and who we are as riders."

The keynote address is being delivered by motivational speaker and national columnist Tim "Hamster" Halloran. It is the second time Halloran will address the state convention, according to Frost.

"Hamster is a regular contributor to the 'ND Motorcyclist' (ABATE monthly newsletter) and appears in other biker publications nationwide," Frost said. "He's also a motivational speaker and talked about how important it is for everybody to get involved and help out organizations such as ours any way they can. Without that support nonprofits can't survive."

Other speakers include Michael Jay, director of N.D. ABATE and the North Dakota Motorcycle Safety Program; MetroArea Ambulance's Dan Schafer; and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation's Todd Reba.

"Michael will be addressing the state's motorcycle safety program and how it's expanding and the partnerships that have been formed, particularly the National Guard," Frost said. "Schafer will be talking about first response accident scene management."

The convention also will address the various issues that are affecting motorcycle riders nationwide and their lifestyles.

Reba will be detailing national legislation that is pending in regard to motorcycles.

There will be a social from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Freedom Riders clubhouse at 828 Airport Road. This is open to the public, and those attending will have a chance to meet Halloran.

The North Dakota Motorcycle Safety Program is now offering online registration for its motorcycle classes at www.ndmsp.com. The charge for the beginners class is $50, which remains the lowest charge in the nation, Frost said. Adding that, it costs NDMSP $130 per participant to put them through the class.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)