There has been a lot of noise concerning dangerous motorcycle stunts leading to ugly incidents on the roadway of late. This is a sensitive subject for me because it is always a tragedy to hear when a fellow biker is injured on the street. It grieves me when any motorcyclist is injured, no matter what the circumstances. There is a certain family relationship that I feel towards any motorcyclist which I hope will never cease. One of the many reasons why I am so passionate about motorcycling is because of this bond that I have with those that ride. This fraternal instinct towards those riders encourages me to be as supportive in nature as possible and to do what I can to assist bikers in need.
It also pains me to hear when incidents caused by a few tarnish the good reputation of motorcyclists worldwide. We riders have an obligation to be there for one another but also have the same obligation to make good choices while riding on public streets. On the same token, I cannot be a hypocrite and tell you that I always follow the rules of the road. I have a tendency to cross the line from time to time while on two wheels but I strive to do so in such a way as to keep from harming others. I never cross that line when cages are involved or the public eye is upon me. This may not make my actions right but it has kept me out of trouble.
For those motorcyclist injured on the roadway no matter the circumstances, I truly pray for your good health and well-being. Every biker injured is a travesty. I also pray for those individuals injured by bikers whose actions may not have been proper. We as a motorcycling community should strive to do better.
Please remember that every action made while riding on two wheels on public roads will in some way affect the rest of the motorcycling community in which we live. We all have a moral obligation to promote a positive perception of the motorcycling community.
TwoTireTirade 
October 8th, 2013 at 2:14 am
If we’re talking about the Land Rover incident in NYC…? I’d like to agree with you 100% on the sense of camaraderie, but I just can’t and it’s mostly because of the way Americans behave on the road. I’ll still pull over and assist any roadside motorcyclist, and throw a low wave to any two-wheeler. I don’t always follow rules of the road to the letter and will lane filter just a little (I don’t live in CA), or park somewhere beside a parking space that could be better utilised by a car. But the menace those NYC idiots presented was untenable. Motorcyclists in Europe (where I was lucky enough to learn to ride) don’t behave that way. So united by bikes or not, I gladly write those cretins off. Because your last paragraph is absolutely correct, as is your sentence that the m/c community should strive to do better. I would truly like to see that.
October 8th, 2013 at 9:47 am
Eric, thanks for reading and your input.
I think for most motorcyclist it’s a mission priority to be safe not only for our own well being but for the safety of others. I have been to hundreds of motorcycle events and rallies and have found that the bikers who attended were some of the most good nurtured people out there. This includes all types of riders and motorcycles, including sports bikes, cruisers, adventure tours etc…
I attended the Americade Motorcycle Rally in Lake George, NY this year which is about 4 hours North of NYC in early June. I truly felt safe, secure and respected in that environment. I worry that the negative press associated with the events being publicized down in NYC will threaten events like Americade,
October 8th, 2013 at 2:19 am
Excellent thoughts and words.
October 8th, 2013 at 8:56 am
Where I live there are only a few more good riding weeks left, ride when you can.
October 8th, 2013 at 10:49 am
The lane splitters in California worry me. I’m afraid they’ll end up squished under the tires of a semi on “The Five” as it’s known in San Diego. The dudes in NYC were clearly provocative in their behavior, which to me is immature biking. Time will tell if the man in the Land Rover deliberately ran over a motorcyclist or if he was just so scared he ran over everything in his path to get away.
October 8th, 2013 at 2:21 pm
My dream is to Ride in California, Ive been there but never got on two wheels. San Diego must be darn close to being the best place on earth. I loved it there when I visited.
That guy in the Land Rover was in a tight spot, I don’t ever want to be placed in that situation. I have been in combat while in Iraq and I can tell you that there is a sort of Flight or Fight Instinct that becomes the all controlling force when one feels that they are in mortal danger. I figure that force is 10 fold when your new born and wife is in danger as well. I hope all that were injured that day are on the mend and I do wish for their full recovery.
October 8th, 2013 at 2:00 pm
We need more thoughtful conversations like this. Provocative behavior for fun sometimes gets people hurt.
October 8th, 2013 at 2:33 pm
My goal in writing this was to get thinking about how our behavior can really affect others outside of our immediate zone of influence. Sometimes our choices can only affect ourselves but more often then not they effect loved ones, family, friends, strangers, and members of a community in which they are a part of.
I have a deep found respect for all riders no matter what brand of cycle they ride and only strive to make our community stronger and safer. For me my issue is speed and I have really thought long and hard how my actions have negatively been perceived by others. I think maybe more track days for me in the future and less speeding on the roads. The bottom line is that we all can make a difference.
October 8th, 2013 at 6:35 pm
Another great post! There’s been a lot of discussion about the NY incident between me and my riding buds. I watched the raw footage and based solely on what I saw, it looked to me like the entire incident was provoked by the rider who purposely slowed down in front of the SUV. When I watched the tape it looked like he and his group intended to make the SUV stop. Why, I don’t know.
But, to keep this reply on topic with your intent in writing the post, I can see how one simple behavior by this bike group affected that day’s events. By not riding in tight groups and instead swarming all over the road, the bikers were effectively taking up all the lanes of traffic. I don’t know why they did this, but it certainly didn’t help the situation. One reason I like riding in a tight pack is that it proactively preempts cars from cutting you off or doing something unknowingly stupid and dangerous. If a car DOES then cut into a pack, they are more at fault than if you have bikes all over the place, taking up all lanes.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
October 8th, 2013 at 6:49 pm
Wow, I could not have said it better. I am an old VET, and in the military we did most things in some sort of formation. Heck we even ate in cadence.
Life is a learning experience and hopefully we all can take away something from what has occurred.
October 8th, 2013 at 9:48 pm
I just noticed you’re a CVMA member. I ride with the 23-3 guys. Good group of folks.
Keep the shiny side up!
October 9th, 2013 at 4:14 am
Unfortunately, that incident, and several over here have brought motorcyclists into the spotlight. So much so that one of the state governments is pushing through laws at next week’s parliament sitting (without debate or scrutiny), that will allow police to stop and “interview” any riders in groups of 3 or more. It’s meant to kerb the activities of outlaws (we call them bikies) but as a result of the actions of a few, we are all going to suffer. Once this gets pushed through its just a matter of time before other states folow suit.
October 9th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
That is a pure tragedy. That goes again all that liberty and freedom represent. I hope that the law does not pass.
October 9th, 2013 at 9:52 pm
Its a formality. It will pass.
October 9th, 2013 at 11:22 am
I had not really heard much about this (not being much of a TV watcher), but you are right when noting that the behavior of a few reflects on the entire group. I agree with Thomas that riding in a tighter group is the way to go. Of course, I live in the mountains of SWVirginia and if a car does find it’s way in the middle of the group, they often pull over to keep allow the group to stay together. Obviously we are in a much different part of the country.
October 9th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Watching TV just gives me grief, your better off just keeping it turned off. I think there should be a “Good News Channel” where you only get positive stories of good works. Something like, ” Breaking News, teenager helps OLD LADY and Dog Across a Busy Street”…..