Will the Real Bikers Please Stand Up By Walter F. Kern Part 2: Who is a Real Biker? I went back over the more than 80 articles that I've written about motorcycling here on this site. I've seen a spectrum of activities going on in motorcycling that do not involve the biker minority that finds its way into the headlines. I do know that millions of motorcyclists are having fun with their families on biker vacations that take them down the road to adventure as they crisscross the country. I know that millions of dollars are raised for charities that go unreported on the evening news.I see a passion for motorcycling being demonstrated on my Motorcycle Views Forum daily in a thousand ways. I see friendships developing, even a few marriages occurring because of motorcycling. Rest assured, motorcycling is a passion but not a crime of passion. One member of the old Motorcycles Forum liked to end his messages welcoming new members with: "And welcome to the pleasant addiction." I think that speaks volumes. The terms "biker" and "motorcyclist" are thrown around a lot. The media almost always uses the word "biker." People on the street seeing bikes go by and not familiar with the world of motorcycling, can sometimes be heard to say, "There goes a bunch of Hell's Angels." We offer no disrespect to the members of the Hell's Angels by reporting this. Perhaps, in some small way, we don't mind being compared with the Hell's Angels. We may have a rebellious spirit. We may like the freedom of riding and the camaraderie of other riders. But most of us either ride alone or with small clubs of like-minded individuals. We have no innate desire to separate ourselves into a lifestyle that may ultimately bring us face-to-face with a disrespect for our own society. We know that motorcycling is a central focus in our lives but it does not take us over. We learn how to ride safely by taking special training classes. We buy expensive helmets, leather jackets, chaps, boots, and gloves to protect our bodies should we have an accident. We join clubs to provide support and fellowship. We are both male and female, young and old, single, married, grandfathers and grandmothers, teachers, lawyers, police officers, firefighters, entertainers, bricklayers, retired persons, mechanics, plumbers -- you get the picture. We are everyday people who love to own and ride motorcycles. Some of us call ourselves bikers. Others call themselves motorcyclists. The name doesn't matter. Some ride as a lifestyle and don't even own a car. Others ride only on Sundays when the traffic is less and the ride is safer. Some ride to work. Some ride cross-country. Some even travel the world in search of adventure. Bikers are among the finest people you will ever meet. Please try to separate us from criminals who ride motorcycles. Take a look at the next motorcyclist you see taking off "his" helmet. You may just find that beneath that helmet is a 65-year-old grandmother of four out on a poker run to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Doesn't sound like the biker you heard about on the evening news. Different we are but when asked, "Will the real biker please stand up," we all rise together, look around at each other, and smile. Maybe it was just a bad dream.
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© 2017 Walter F. Kern. All rights reserved.
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