Last year, a man from Odessa, TX became famous when he posted a hate filled rant on his Facebook. “If you don’t want to get hit on your motorcycle on your way to work then grow up and get a car…you are not my responsibility nor do I care about your life.” When I first read the man’s post I was tempted to act on my indignation and return fire but the post had already received millions of responses shaming him to the point of removing his Facebook account. Despite the ill intent behind the post it caused me to further examine why it is I use my motorcycle as my primary transportation and I found myself appreciating both the tangible and intangible reasons for making that decision.
More than anything I choose to ride to work because of the pure and simple enjoyment I receive from the experience of being outside at speed with just me and my machine. Many bikers often refer to their ride as therapy. The wind in their face and sun on their skin allows them to arrive at the destination alert, refreshed, and with a sense of wellbeing it’s hard to find elsewhere. The secret to me is that safe motorcycling forces you to live in the moment, no cell phone, out of reach of any conflicts you left at home or challenges you may face at work. The time on the road between here and there belongs to you.
The financial aspect of riding motorcycles also makes a great deal of sense to me. I have insured motorcycles for an entire year for what it would cost me to insure my truck for two months. Additionally, the fuel costs of a motorcycle compared to a four wheeled vehicle can be immense. My Harley is not an efficient vehicle by motorcycle standards but it still ranges between 40 and 50 miles per gallon (MPG), which is about the same as most gas-electric hybrid cars whereas my truck only manages about 17 MPG. The fuel savings alone cover the cost of ownership.
For those who aren’t sold on the enjoyment of riding or saving money alone I would also talk about the camaraderie among riders. The day I threw my leg over my first two-wheeler I became part of a diverse, new community of people who share a common passion. No matter what sort of machine I was riding be it cruisers, dirt bikes, or sport bikes, I have always come away with new friends many of whom are the people I keep closest.
If you’re interested in joining the cult of motorcyclists visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s website www.msf-usa.org for a list of approved basic rider courses in our area. It’s a fun way to spend a weekend and will provide you with the necessary training to receive your motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license. For information on making your two-wheeler your commuter, visit www.ridetowork.org. I hope to see you out there.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Outside at speed with my machine