Rider Discrimination on the Rise

Editorial by Dave Arnold

 

Around the Country, Governors, Mayors, City Officials, and anybody that wants to make it look like they care are proclaiming the month of May as being Motorcycle Awareness Month.  But how are people becoming aware?  Riders are getting knocked off by Cagers like it’s the national fuckin past time, at the rate of about 6 a day nation wide.

The Police Department of the City of Bakersfield, California actually put out a press release stating that the police department is stepping up patrols and adding additional Officers to target motorcycle riders in Bakersfield.   This stems from five Motorcycle fatalities in which three of the five were caused by cars or trucks pulling out in front of the motorcycle killing the rider.  The most notable was the killing of Jared Brown.  The driver of the Van after killing Jared fled the scene and after setting his van on fire, reported it stolen.  The court reduced bail on this man to a measly thirty thousand dollars which means with three thousand dollars, this guy will be a memory.

On Friday, just two days before the Iron Horse Bike Show, the Village of Grayslake Illinois cancelled the event stating that the Police Department received information that could affect the Health and Safety of its Citizens.   Maybe Barney Fife lost his one bullet and couldn’t find another one for his old ass pistol?

So what are we going to do?  Maybe we can stop holding Motorcycle Rides for charities in which we raise millions of dollars every year.  Maybe we can just scrap our scooters and take the bus?  How about if we all just sit on our asses and take it…after all we got it coming.  It’s obvious that by the way our legal system is so lenient on a motorist who kills riders that our lives are not really worth much anyway.

Well I’m not about to do any of that shit.  We have Riders from all walks of life.  Rock Stars, Lawyers, Soldiers, Mechanics, you name it, we got it.  In California, we even have a Governor that not only rides, but is the “Terminator” as well.

It’s getting to the point where you can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a member of some Motorcycle Club, but the clubs just can’t seem to unite.  There are many more that only show up if there is free beer and boobies involved.

It’s time to stand up and unite.  We need to let our Government know that we are just not going to put up with this shit anymore.  Hold Rallies, Organize Rides, Bring a thousand Bikers to the Mayors house, do something and do it now.  If you are going to do it, don’t do it half ass.  Holding a Motorcycle Awareness Ride in some park thirty miles out of town were nobody is going to see you, will not make anybody aware except the family you are annoying trying to have a picnic.

As I see, we either have to do something and get involved or put up and shut up.  What do you want to do?

Well that my opinion, let me know what you think.  E-mail ne at dave@ridefreeus.com