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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