Stereotype or Savior
Which will motorcycles be for the struggling driver?
From the small office in the back corner,
near the water cooler
April 25th, 2008
The recent
news story about the overall
attitude of road-users in Connecticut surprised many around the
Clutch and Chrome offices.
Not because the general feeling of the survey had drivers disliking
motorcycles. No, we’re used to that.
It was more to do with the drivers wishing they didn’t have to share the roads
with motorcycles, an amazingly high number of which would ban bikes
from highways and parkways all together (having been nudged out of
my lane enough times it feels like I’ve met most of those drivers).
Although some may say 25% isn’t that high, bear in mind these are
people would banish bikes from most of the public roads with a wave
of their bizarro-world magic wand.
But interesting stuff comes from surveys, mostly in the
contradictions by those being questioned. In this case, eighty
percent felt motorcycles were more dangerous than any other vehicle
on the road, yet 20% of those surveyed acknowledged they’ve nearly
hit a motorcycle while driving.
I’m confused, who or what is supposed to be the more dangerous?
Careless
driving habits also appeared in answers from the riders who were in
the same survey with a whopping 80% of bikers who felt they were
better at riding than the car drivers were at driving. They also
complained of tailgating and being cut off.
No animosity here but certainly an apparent need for some type of
driving détente.
As bikers we know our public perception lies far from reality and in
a strange way, many bikers enjoy the stereotype. Most riders will
tell you that some part of them revels in the rebellious, free-spirited
image that comes when they sit in a saddle. But whether it’s the
crotch-rocket rider being considered young, reckless and
irresponsible or the cruiser-biker being a member of the Rape and
Pillage Motorcycle Club, the mistaken preconceptions are out there
and
obviously still taking their toll.
The ongoing irony of the situation is many drivers would be
surprised at how many co-workers, politicians and high-profile
personalities are law-abiding motorcyclists.
As discussed in the Clutch and Chrome article,
‘Honey, I want to buy a motorcycle’
we as bikers have to chip away at the publics perceptions one
courteous act after another to convince one non-rider at a time to bring the image closer to reality. And since the best impressions
are made by actions, which are always louder than words so they say,
all those executive-type bikers can keep their skull saturated
riding attire, topped off by the bad-ass looking bandana.
And oddly enough, soon we may not have that many to convince.
A popular story floating around various media sources is the
dramatic changing of the motorcycle guard, happening across the
country due to the recession that may or may not be happening.
Dealers are supposedly reporting an increasing numbers of seasoned
riders bringing their motorcycles in, needing them to be sold.
Whether from being unable to afford the payments on the loan used to
buy the bike or just facing financial hardships, existing bikers are
unfortunately
looking to sell their rides.
To
quote the great Albert Einstein, for every action there’s a reaction
and in this case it comes in the form of drivers turning to
motorcycles to combat ever rising gas prices. Our four-wheeled friends
are flocking to dealerships to find a more economic way to get from
point A to point B. The old adage of understanding a person by
walking a mile in their shoes may come into play and help drivers appreciate the
challenges of riding America’s roads on two-wheels as they ride a
mile or two in our biker boots.
But will they identify themselves as drivers just trying to save money,
or as bikers? We all know it’s impossible to sit in the saddle and
not get bitten by the riding bug, so this should surely change from
an economic decision to a life-long passion.
With no sign of gas prices falling, our ranks will only continue to
fill with the newly converted. Hopefully, we as bikers will honor
the spirit of the road and welcome them into the fold with the usual
two-wheeled generosity and graciousness we’re known for.
But please, no hugging.
To take this thought process to the ultimate conclusion, the numbers
would be so changed from converted drivers joining the biker ranks,
the next survey of Connecticut road-users could well have the mind
to ban cars from highways and parkways all together!
But only 25% of us would want that, not a large number if you think
about it.
Be safe!
The Editor
Past
Editorials
June 23rd
Fixing political mistakes with
good old fashion biker sense
It
was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Charles Dickens opened his novel ‘A Tale of Two Cities’
with that seemingly contrary sentence. Even though the
famous British author wrote his contemporary stories
during England’s Victorian Era, the sentiments could be
about bikers in Anytown USA, here and now.
April 10th
Welcome to our new home
Sure it may look like we've knocked out a few walls
or something as extreme as adding a whole
new wing, but its amazing what a little bit of
paint, some well-placed plants and a new set of
curtains can do.
March 20th
American Idol, frontier of biker's
rights? So American Idol’s Queen
of rock is gone. Long live the queen. This editorial is
being written the day after Amanda Overmyer was asked by the
viewing voters to hop on her Sportster and ride off into the
graphically-enhanced, blue back-lit Fox sunset.
March 5th, 2008
Thankfully, life isn't a
bumper sticker
The bumper sticker, whose quick phrase put a smile on
drivers faces or could solve any of life’s problems, seemed
to infect every car on the road with its humor, wit and
thought provoking slogans has become a rare sight in recent
years.
February 11th, 2008
Passion or Possession? How can a person
not love motorcycles? Understanding that this editorial is
appearing the pages of Clutch and Chrome, the absolutely
free online resource for riders, I’m pretty much preaching
to the choir. Regardless, don’t you catch yourself asking
the same question?
January 11th, 2008
Throwing names into the Dunce
Cap
With Clutch and Chrome’s
Best
and Worst of 2007 just recently published, the morning
meetings which ran into afternoons and occasionally finished over
drinks are still fresh in everyone’s minds around the office. It’s not surprising then to read every
news story that finds it’s way onto the pages of Clutch and Chrome
with an eye to what will be nominated, and possibly win next years
awards. But who would’ve thought that just ten days into the
new year we’d not only be reading, but for some possibly living, a
shoo in for Dumbest motorcycle moment of 2008?
January 2nd, 2008
Riding one big bottle-rocket
into 2008 Like trying on a
new pair of jeans in one of those trendy boutique clothing
stores with too many younger shoppers looking on, we find
ourselves awkwardly in a brand new year wishing it would fit
better and the whole episode just didn’t feel so weird.
December 20th, 2007
Like looking in a mirror
One of the biggest ironies must be
that of the holiday season and the biker.
In many ways, your average rider has so many similarities to the big
man and his magical visit that children the world over look forward
too.
November 29th, 2007
Santa Claus and Cynics Who needs any
reindeer or the silly red suit? Okay, maybe the suit isn’t
so silly and surely enough bikers will tell you that well
insulated Santa attire is just what the bike-doctor ordered
for your upcoming local and possibly cold Toy Run. It
even looks good when you make the local paper and for some,
it’s the rare occasion a color other than black can be worn
while riding.
November 2nd, 2007
Facing down destiny with a Podcast
The road ahead is lit by sunlight
streaming through dark, looming storm clouds. It’s not just the
turning of the season bringing a chill to the heavy lying air.
Bikers are riding across the Great Plains of life straight towards a
menacing storm front, stretching for as far as the eye can see.
September 25th, 2007
Trying to ignore the sound of crashing celebrities
So it had been weeks in the making, between the first few
thoughts, organizing them into some kind of order and then
typing it all out. Everything was looking
great.
It was a deep introspective into our riding world, what
bikers are facing, possible consequences and most
importantly how we as a group will face them.
The new darling of advertisers everywhere There is no doubt the humble
motorcycle is experiencing a wave of popularity and
acceptance across all sections of society. Our riding
brothers of yesteryear who were at best judged and at worst
actively discriminated against could only watch in amazement
at how beloved bikers and their machines have become.
June 11th, 2007
Riding gear,
new look and life lessons I know, I know,
certainly a lot of road to cover in one trip, but it has
been two months since the last editorial so it’s
understandable having a lot to write about.
April 3rd, 2007
Our big
screen
biker brothers..... After
nearly a year of the first inklings the demonic motorcycle
daredevil would burst onto the big screen, and a shorter six
months of build-up for the all-star comedic biker-buddy
movie, both Ghost Rider and Wild Hogs are quickly fading
into movie history.
March12th, 2007
Perfection over passion Although
this editorial may at first feel the furthest from
motorcycles and the people who love to ride them, I’d ask
for indulgence and patience while we go around the houses
eventually getting to the point.
February 2nd, 2007
The
fresh smell of fines in the air The first
month of the New Year is still fresh in our minds and
already the world of riding is greeted with gainsaying.
December 26th, 2006
Why Bikers are dogs Admittedly
it’s a loaded and possibly inflammatory headline, open to a
range of interpretations. But before all the female readers
have their heads fall off from nodding in agreement with much
enthusiasm, don’t jump ahead of me.
November 12th, 2006
Politics on
Two Wheels
Just when you thought there
would be a sanctuary from the endless stream of political
reporting, electoral Monday morning quarterbacks and analysis
of the analysis which picked apart the original analysis,
here’s an editorial which should be about motorcycles but
instead references the mid-term elections.
October 23rd, 2006
Riding with a
bullseye on the back
There are
always signs. This editorial isn't about the ones that stand on the
side of the road which help various vehicles navigate the
endless roads of this great country.
September 20th, 2006
Changes
and perspectives
It's always a hard making a decision
for change, with the degree's of difficulty usually corresponding
with how much it impacts your life.
August 19th, 2006
Two
sides Of the
Worlds Coin
A quick informal survey around the
cyber-office has all the staff of Clutch and Chrome admitting the
same thing. Everyone is crazy about motorcycles. Sure some may lean,
if you'll excuse the pun to one kind or even one brand of bike, but
all in all if it's moves, is motorized and has two wheels, we're
interested.
July 26th, 2006
Life is like A sharp blind curve
I always find the
best friendships are those built on complete understanding
and upfront honesty. Certain buddies are quite happy with
riding once a month while others look forward to weekly
mini-excursions. Being the easy-going biker types and not
pushing anyone for more than they're willing to give has our
circle of friends happily wearing smiles and enjoying life.
June 16th, 2006
Limited run only!!! Tragic news and
moral outrage
The last week just goes to
show that any type of momentum, regardless of how strong it
may appear is stoppable and maybe even reversible. But
before we get to the conclusion, lets baby-step our way
through the connecting dots.
May 1st 2006
Looking back, glancing forward
It’s been just over three weeks since
Clutch and Chrome has been
‘live’ on the internet. That is, according to the official
launch date and schedule the Clutch and Chrome staff was
working with.......
April 1st 2006
A note from the Editor I’m honored to be the first to welcome you to
Clutch and Chrome, a
website devoted to news, information, facts and figures
about motorcycles for those who love to ride them.......
Careless
driving habits also appeared in answers from the riders who were in
the same survey with a whopping 80% of bikers who felt they were
better at riding than the car drivers were at driving. They also
complained of tailgating and being cut off.
To
quote the great Albert Einstein, for every action there’s a reaction
and in this case it comes in the form of drivers turning to
motorcycles to combat ever rising gas prices. Our four-wheeled friends
are flocking to dealerships to find a more economic way to get from
point A to point B. The old adage of understanding a person by
walking a mile in their shoes may come into play and help drivers appreciate the
challenges of riding America’s roads on two-wheels as they ride a
mile or two in our biker boots.