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 !