16 MOTORCYCLE MOJO JULY 2019ach year, I do my fair share of
promoting motorcycling and
rider training by working at
motorcycle shows and events
during the off-season. Doing so
is a fantastic way to network,
see previous students, meet new ones,
talk motorcycles, smell leather and get
set for the upcoming riding season. For
the most part, the people I talk with
have chosen to ride. They have done
their homework and have committed
to the necessary steps. The enthusiasm
is there and they are looking to have
someone reinforce their decision and to
share that exuberance – because that’s
exactly what oozes out. The happiness,
the smiles and excitement; they are
giddy and eager to share their passion
with someone who gets it. Yes, I get it!
And then there’s the total opposite:
the person who has been dragged along
to the bike show or event with their
buddy or their spouse. The disinterest
is easy to spot right away – in these
non-riders’ body language, their lack of
eye contact or, when asked if they ride,
they reply with that blunt conversation-
stopper: “There’s no way in hell you’d
catch me on one of those things!”
Let’s chat about that. What do you
do when introduced to people who
have extremely negative views about
motorcycles and motorcycle riders and,
by extension, you? These are the type of
people who believe that riding a motor-
cycle is reckless and dangerous, and
would never ride one. Can this inter-
pretation really be unexpected, and do
you take it personally? Without doubt,
this take on motorcycles is a very real
and prevalent opinion among people
who are not involved with motorcycles
or perhaps involved on the fringe of
motorcycling by default because they
know someone who rides. Obviously,
this negative perception is based on
people’s views of what they hear about
motorcyclists, what they observe and
what they see on the news and on social
media – and the negative stories always
are what people remember most.
Maybe it was that rider who was
seen blowing past cars at 160 km/h on
the highway or maybe some stunt per-
son seen crashing in some action movie
that triggered these negative responses.
Notions of recklessness caused by
motorcycle stunts on the big screen or
the reality of a 6 o’clock news update
with the latest motorcycle accident are
partially responsible for conjuring this
negative image. It creates and feeds into
that negative perception, even if these
images are not the whole truth.
The point I am trying to make is that
this opinion is not always based on
reality; rather, it’s on what people have
in their minds already. You can see this
attitude when people are asked directly
about their opinion, or in the negative
comments posted on social media.
The latter instance is when you really
see the huge gap that exists between
motorcyclists and many members of the
non-riding public. When motorcycle
accidents are posted online, most of the
comments will criticize the motorcyclist
regardless of the situation. Supportive
comments usually are not as prevalent
in comparison.
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hating motorcyclists? Honestly, some
of the videos posted online – and my
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that thought. Maybe not hatred, but at
least disapproval. You have to admit that
some riders are just out for themselves
and not good examples. Stereotypes
also are based, for example, on how a
touring motorcycle is perceived versus
a sport bike. The vast majority of us are
responsible riders who appreciate the
excitement and thrill of the ride, but also
understand the risk and our vulnerabil-
ity inherent in that ride. As with most
things, there are always the few who,
through irresponsible actions, will spoil
it for the majority.
A family member once or twice
removed had the nerve to ask me
recently about ways to deter motor-
cyclists from riding in a certain area.
This relative began with: “So, are
you still riding that deathmobile?”
Seriously, how do you answer that one?
“Okay, I’m asking for friends of ours
who live on this road that is frequented
by you people,” my relative continued.
“We were talking about how they could
deter motorcyclists from riding down
their road. Do you think putting down
gravel would discourage you? How
much gravel would be enough to make
you take another road? What would
you suggest?”
I’d had about enough at that point.
I see this person quite frequently at
family functions, so I remained diplo
matic. My suggestion: “Move.”
My recommendation for moving
forward when confronted with this
subject is to do what you can to dispel
the myth. Respond politely while
endorsing what we love. Always be
as safe as possible, be aware of your
surroundings, know the laws of the
road and ride responsibly. Be courteous,
ride defensively, avoid incidents of road
rage and, above all, enjoy the ride.
ESCAPE ROUTE
by Jenn Martin
ILLUSTRATION:DEANFOSTERE
HOW WOULD
YOU RESPOND?