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THE BIKER
When you see us moving past you quickly:
Don't take
offense or think we're trying to "show off". Ninety five percent of the time,
we're trying to get out of your blind spot or taking ourselves out of a
potential dangerous situation that has evolved around us.
Distancing
ourselves from you does not mean we want to race, but that we're giving
ourselves the edge we need at the moment.
When you hear our
horn:
Don't take offense or think we're trying to aggravate you.
All
we're doing is letting you know where we are in relation to you on the road, and
we're more than likely aware of your inattentiveness to us while you're talking
on a cell phone, eating, reading or involved in some other distracting aspect
to
your driving. It's important to us, and you, that you know we're
there.
When you hear our loud pipes:
Don't become angry and
hostile toward us. Yes, some are quite loud, but for some, there's a purpose
behind being loud. It's about letting you know we're close by and we're
constantly hoping that our investment in this accessory will help save our
lives. Our pipes are really not about our ego...it's a pride and personalization
to our form of transportation.
When you see us in our
clothes:
Don't become fearful of us or think us weird. Our leather
jackets, chaps, gloves and boots are the barriers between loosing massive
amounts of flesh should something cause us to go down...nothing more, nothing
less. Safety
gear is paramount to our riding. We wear patches on our jackets,
and pins on our vests. These are symbols of pride and honor within our group(s),
individuals giving back to those who gave. These things bond us as a brotherhood
and sisterhood among bikers. Not that we're better than anyone else, but that we
have the same kind of nobility and pride in our accomplishments as you may have
in the various aspects of your life. I guess one could say; our patches and pins
are the decals and the bumper stickers of our involvement with society and the
general public, of which we are very pleased to be a part of in our own little
way.
When you see us in a restaurant:
You don't have to shield
your child or feel intimidated. We have family, wives, husbands, children and
loved ones too, just like you. We smile; we laugh and enjoy the moments we have.
We are approachable, and would befriend you, if given the
opportunity.
When you see us in a parking lot:
Don't convince
yourself that we're there to "get you". More than likely, we just finished a
long ride and are taking a break. Or, we may be meeting up with other riders for
a charity run for young children, or another very worthy cause. We may just be
admiring one another's bikes, sharing our pride with other brothers and sisters,
just like you do with your personal vehicle.
It's what we do...it's a part of
our lives, and we'd be more than welcome to share with you what riding a bike is
all about...if you'd only ask.
When you see aggressive riding
bikers:
Don't put us all in the same stereotypical category as those
whose behavior and actions would cause you to react in disgust and intolerance.
Many of us do not agree with this style of riding either, and we know and
understand that human nature tends to blend us all together as the "same group".
Most of us don't want that title...and don't deserve it.
When you see a
group of bikers on the roadways:
Give us the courtesy of sharing the road
with you.
Please don't "move in" between several bikers in formation. This
gets us very excited and nervous, especially when it's done with no due regard
for our safety.
Provide us with your awareness of the fact that we are much
more vulnerable than you. We don't want to challenge you, for all of us are wise
enough to know...we'd lose that battle.
When you are turning left or
entering a roadway/highway:
Look, then look again...and then one more
time. For we can be easily hidden, and appear to be invisible by such things as
a telephone pole, another vehicle, bright lights or the glare of the sun...or
possibly, the beads hanging from your rearview mirror, among numerous other
items that are displayed there. If you see us flashing our lights at you or
blowing our horn, we're only trying to ensure that you will see us before
tragedy changes both our lives.
When you are behind us:
Please
give us the room we need and don't tailgate us. If you hit us, we're going
down...HARD! We don't want to play games with you, we just want to enjoy the
ride and the fresh air, and experience that which many of you have never lived
for. If we accelerate away from you, don't interpret this action
as though we
want to drag race you. We're only trying to take ourselves out of a bad
situation if you insist on being too close.
When, and if, you experience
road rage:
Don't take it out on us just because we're smaller than you
and more vulnerable. Think about what you're doing and the end result that may
become a reality. The consequences of your actions and choices could be very
detrimental to our well being, our families, our children and our loved
ones.
Yes, there are those that can tend to piss you off, however, rage
towards them will not solve the issues, but accentuate them. Nine out of ten
bikers will do everything they can to take themselves out of that situation
without causing you or them harm.
When you have an opportunity to talk to
us:
You'll discover, outside any influenced or stereotypical mindset you
may have, that we are just as human as you are, just with different interests
and toys. Many of us would give you the shirt off our back if it would tend to
brighten your day or console you in some way. We're really no different...and we
drive cars, trucks and vans too. So, meet us and greet us...I think you'll be
pleasantly surprised that you'll be met with open arms.
Thank You for
attempting to understand
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