Is Being a Biker More Than Just Riding a Motorcycle?

Here's something a little more light-hearted than previous posts.

I was watching a regional news TV programme some weeks ago, that featured a reporter who is well known for going after rogue traders (there's a hint!) on the back of a black sports bike. He is a motorcycle rider in his own right, but in the course of the particular report had cause to say the following, 'I ride a bike but am not a Biker'.

I found this remark quite interesting and it caused me to wonder, 'what exactly makes a Biker?

Now, you may think this to be of little import. However, it does raise the issue of how people see motorcyclist in general and 'Bikers' (if there is actually a difference) in particular; and does this affect their attitudes upon the road towards them?

Clearly a Motorcyclist is someone who rides a Motorcycle (Scooters not included - sorry). All Motorcycles are Motorbikes, therefore are all Motorcyclists, motorbikists i.e. Bikers? I think not. In that reporter's mind there is clearly a difference, and I tend to agree. I would suggest that whilst 'Motorcyclist' means one who rides a motorcycle, 'Biker', means someone who embraces a certain ideology, a certain philosophy, a certain, perhaps, Zen? i.e. A person whose relationship with the, 'Bike, goes deeper in some way or another, than merely riding a Motorbike. That involvement might be a fascination with the mechanics, the membership of a local Motorbike club or owners' group, an appreciation for the 'art' of the Motorbike, someone who uses the Bike for 'weekend warrioring', or someone whose lifestyle embraces 'The Bike' whole-heartedly to the exclusion of all else; an obsession maybe.

But is there something more? Is there not in the very term, 'Biker' a sense of rebellion, of one who is outside the boundaries of normal polite society, one who is, whilst astride their 'Bike, making an explicit statement of intent and purpose, of rebellion, of dissatisfaction with the everyday boredom of the grey-suited world, and with sanitised modes of travel?

Biker, Greaser, Outlaw, Hells Angel, are all, in some minds, interchangeable, and I wonder if this misconception, for they are slightly different things, leads to a certain animosity towards Motorcyclists generally, from other road users (i.e. car, van, bus and truck drivers, as well as certain police forces) and members of the general public?

I would call myself a Biker, yet not a Hells Angel, nor a Greaser, but I do feel there is a certain 'Zen' when you are travelling astride a throbbing motor, on two wheels (or perhaps four if you are a, 'Quader') with the wind tearing at you, the elements assailing you, the sense of freedom inspiring you and the open road calling to you. There is also a sense of danger, and this is not imaginary. Whilst Motorcyclists represent 2% of road users, they tally up a score of 20% of the road accidents, yet for some, the bite of danger, the adrenaline rush, the crack, is what they seek and is why they ride.

So, to answer the question, 'Is Being a Biker More Than Just Riding a Motorcycle?', I would say the answer is an unequivocal, 'YES'!

Finally, can I recommend, most highly, the BikeSafe Scheme which has courses running all over the country. Well worth the weekend it will take, and it will make you a safer Biker!

Ride Safe, Home Safe!!