Why Motorcyclists Can’t Afford to Just
Sit Back and Enjoy the Ride
June 14, 2014
There are many different things that draw people to motorcycling. For
some it is the sense of freedom. For others it is a source of
relaxation. It can also be a source of exhilaration. If you are like
me, it is to some degree all of the above. That being said, it is the
ride that we crave regardless of what each of us gets from it. This
time of year the roads are packed with motorcyclists who are sitting
back (or forward) and just enjoying the ride. That begs the question;
can we as avid motorcyclists afford to do that?
I had the privilege this month of riding to Frisco Colorado to attend
the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) Best of the West Conference. For
those who have been to Colorado you know that it is some of the
prettiest riding country you will ever encounter. Yet on a gorgeous
Saturday in June, I found myself not on my bike riding the Rockies, but
in a room with motorcyclists from around the country discussing issues
riders are facing all around the United States. The following is a list
of some of the issues that were being addressed by the participants:
- Working to prevent motorcyclists from being excluded from public parking lots, roads, and parking garages.
- Working to eliminate roadside checkpoints aimed only at motorcyclists.
- Working to address the ever growing problem of distracted driving.
- Working to prohibit the use of higher ethanol blends at the pump until the effects on motorcycle engines can be further studied.
- Working for legislation
allowing motorcyclists to safely and reasonably proceed when they are
stuck at a traffic light that will not recognize them.
- Working to prevent legislation which arbitrarily sets age restrictions for passengers on motorcycles.
- Working with state and local governments to promote sensible motorcycle awareness campaigns.
All of these are real issues being faced by real riders. As I took in
everything being discussed I thought to myself, what would riding be
like if there were no one addressing these issues on behalf of
motorcyclists? The answer was chilling. It is easy to sit back, enjoy
the ride, and count on everything being all right. But can we afford
to do that? If we all did, we may soon find no ride left to sit back
and enjoy.
So what can you do to protect yourself and the activity that we all love
and cherish? Take some simple steps to become involved in protecting
the rights of fellow motorcyclists. I am not suggesting that everyone
start riding all over the country attending seminars (although it is a
great excuse to ride all over the country). You can get involved
locally. Start paying attention to the positions that your local, state
and federal legislators take regarding issues affecting motorcyclists.
Share your thoughts in letters and emails. Write letters to the editor
of your local paper. Go to City Council or County Board meetings.
Join a motorcycle rights organization and attend their lobby day, where
motorcyclists go the State Capitol to discuss issues important to us
with elected officials. I would also encourage you to join the MRF.
This is an organization dedicated solely to protecting the rights of
American motorcyclists. You can learn more and join at mrf.org.
There are numerous ways to protect your rights as a motorcyclist. The
ways are limitless, bound only by your passion and imagination. There
is, however, a wrong way and that is to count on someone else to do it.
That someone else may be sitting back, enjoying the ride, and counting
on you.
If you have any questions or comments concerning this article or any
other matters concerning your rights as a motorcyclist, please feel free
to contact me at 1-800-321-8968 or at
matt@motorcyclelawgroup.com.
Matt Danielson
McGrath & Danielson
Tom McGrath’s Motorcycle Law Group
1-800-321-8968
Motorcyclelawgroup.com
