Perceptions Suck
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Cedar Park, TX
Perceptions Suck
An Aussie friend sent this to me and it really tells it like it is. It is not a US only issue. Perceptions suck.
JUST A BIKER
I saw you; hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. But you didn't see me put an extra Ł10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.
I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk. But you didn't see me playing Santa at the local Mall.
I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant when you saw my bike parked out front. But you didn't see me attending a meeting toraise more money for the hurricane relief.
I saw you roll up your windowand shake your head when I rode by. But you didn't see me riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.
I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children. But you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.
I saw you stare at my long hair. But you didn't see me and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.
I saw you roll your eyes at ourLeather jackets and gloves. But you didn't see me and my brothers donate our old ones to those that had none.
I saw you look in fright at my tattoos. But you didn't see me cry as my children where born or have their name written over and in my heart.
I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. But you didn't see me going home to be with my family.
I saw you, complain about howloud and noisy our bikes can be. But you didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.
I saw you yelling at your kids in the car. But you didn't see me pat my child's hands knowing she was safe behind me.
I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road. But you didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.
I saw you race down the road in the rain. But you didn't see me get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.
I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time. But you didn't see metrying to turn right.
I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in. But you didn't see me leave the road.
I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. But you didn't see me. I wasn't there.
I saw you go home to your family. But you didn't see me. Because I died that day you cut me off.
I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family. But you didn't see me.
EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE US, RESPECT OUR RIGHTS TO RIDE WHAT WE CHOOSE AND TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO BE SURE WE ARE NOT IN 'YOUR' WAY
JUST A BIKER
I saw you; hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line. But you didn't see me put an extra Ł10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.
I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk. But you didn't see me playing Santa at the local Mall.
I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant when you saw my bike parked out front. But you didn't see me attending a meeting toraise more money for the hurricane relief.
I saw you roll up your windowand shake your head when I rode by. But you didn't see me riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.
I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children. But you didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.
I saw you stare at my long hair. But you didn't see me and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.
I saw you roll your eyes at ourLeather jackets and gloves. But you didn't see me and my brothers donate our old ones to those that had none.
I saw you look in fright at my tattoos. But you didn't see me cry as my children where born or have their name written over and in my heart.
I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere. But you didn't see me going home to be with my family.
I saw you, complain about howloud and noisy our bikes can be. But you didn't see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.
I saw you yelling at your kids in the car. But you didn't see me pat my child's hands knowing she was safe behind me.
I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road. But you didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.
I saw you race down the road in the rain. But you didn't see me get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.
I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time. But you didn't see metrying to turn right.
I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in. But you didn't see me leave the road.
I saw you, waiting impatiently for my friends to pass. But you didn't see me. I wasn't there.
I saw you go home to your family. But you didn't see me. Because I died that day you cut me off.
I was just a biker. A person with friends and a family. But you didn't see me.
EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE US, RESPECT OUR RIGHTS TO RIDE WHAT WE CHOOSE AND TAKE A FEW EXTRA SECONDS TO BE SURE WE ARE NOT IN 'YOUR' WAY
Last edited by tbrown2; Sep 8, 2008 at 11:13 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Southeastern Michigan
In my area everyone is very freindly to me when I ride. I have never had a problem except at one bar that didn't allow motorcycles in their parking lot. I suspect that is because there is a club house right down the street, and I heard they liked to cause trouble. Other then that, I have not had a bad experience.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Seen this in about twenty different places. Gives pause for thought. There are still some places bikers aren't welcome and there are still people that look at us with everything from envy to hate. Wanna be badasses don't help but neither do the dumbasses that can't ride. Tailgating, stunts, just generally bad driving habits. I have to watch the people riding motorcycles as close as I have to watch the cages. Seems like in the past there were some crazy sob's riding but their skill level was high--even high. Now there are a lot of people who don't know how to ride or park. Enough soap box. Ride safe
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,047
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
I had a close call recently. On a local highway, I shoulder checked and checked mirrors for a lane change and had my signals going. As I moved across the line, a car going maybe 60 over the limit and over my own speed zoomed past me in the lane I was moving into. My friend behind me couldn't believe the recklessness and stupidity of this driver (neither could I). I was shaken up by it and asked him later if I had made an error in not seeing the car. He indicated the guy was in the previous city when I checked. Not my fault but I would have ended up much worse than the car.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Shoulder checking has saved my butt several times. I always shoulder check twice before a lane change besides using the mirrors. Way to big a blind spot in my mirrors.
I had a close call recently. On a local highway, I shoulder checked and checked mirrors for a lane change and had my signals going. As I moved across the line, a car going maybe 60 over the limit and over my own speed zoomed past me in the lane I was moving into. My friend behind me couldn't believe the recklessness and stupidity of this driver (neither could I). I was shaken up by it and asked him later if I had made an error in not seeing the car. He indicated the guy was in the previous city when I checked. Not my fault but I would have ended up much worse than the car.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,272
Likes: 83
From: Southern California
Wow. I think I just got a cavity. I appreciate those sentiments..but the syrup was poured on pretty heavy. If you read through that entire piece, it would make you believe that bikers are just one step away from sainthood. Be that as it may, I got the point. We're all people and there's a little good in all of us, whether we choose to ride or not.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
California and Arizona (where I've ridden most) are fairly "biker friendly". Have never had any problems with bad reactions (although I don't attempt to look into cars to see if anyone is watching me).
There's a lot of different types of folks out there in the world nowadays.......... and I'm one of 'em.
There's a lot of different types of folks out there in the world nowadays.......... and I'm one of 'em.
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I know it’s not right, and I know I shouldn’t be afraid. After all there people too! just like us, but when ever I see an “Aussie” I lock my doors too!!
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,070
Likes: 2
From: Lafayette, LA.
We live in a bike friendly area also. Yesterday, my wife and I took a ride on back roads in what I call "deep into Cajun country". Everyone we passed that were in their yards would wave at us as we went by. We pulled up to Jefferson Island Rip Van Winkle Gardens at closing time and a lady was having trouble locking the gate. She waved us to her and asked if i could help her lock it. She was alone and didn't know us from Adam. After I got the gate locked she thanked me several times before we rode away. It is nice to know that there are areas out there that not only accept us into their community but welcome us as neighbors.
