Building the Biker following in NZ

[R6_kid:Me]

Had a quick chat to a 'boy racer' type bloke today at the wreckers that was really keen to get out and promote bikes to the public. However it was in more of a 'boy racer' way by having a club of bikes that go around thrashing people in cars... either way the base idea was there of just getting out and being on bikes on the weekend etc.

You shoulda seen his face when i mentioned KB!

Anyway, what i was thinking on the way home is what can we do to raise awareness about biking in NZ? Sure we get out most weekends on big rides but is there any way that we can directly help to build the biking community in NZ.

This isnt only for 'bikers' in the sense of being on the road - i was also thinking of Racing as a sport etc too as it has been mentioned before that bike racing in NZ doesnt get much publicity.

So........ What do you/we need to do to help promote biking as a positive and rewarding past-time/lifestyle?

[XTC]

I think riding around and trashing cars with machine guns like in thar dumb as dumbarse movie fast and furious will get us all the publicity we need. please don't encourage boy racer types to take up bikes...

[Motu]

Polite motorcyclists helping the public,helping old ladies across the street,giving way to cars,baking cakes and cleaning cars - good old 50s values...that'd be a stunner in this day and age.

[Sniper]

That is the silliest idea of promoting bikes I have ever heard of!! Using them to bloody race each other! Here we are forking out HUGE ACC levies on our regos because motorbike are "unsafe" and some scum sucking, anus dwelling but monkey suggests that its great to race cars to improve biker awareness. That will go down well with ACC

Where is this twat so I can "educate" him correctly.

[Sniper]

Polite motorcyclists helping the public,helping old ladies across the street,giving way to cars,baking cakes and cleaning cars - good old 50s values...that'd be a stunner in this day and age.

Somehow, I can't imagine you doing that

[R6_kid:Me]

lol, not really promoting 'boy racers' to get into bikes, but this guy did seem generally interested in bikes.

A lot of people have been saying that the biker reputation has been taking a beating and i was wondering (there probably isnt) a way to try and reverse this. Obviously things like being curteous do help but only if everyone is doing it. I know for a fact that i try to be curteous but do often find myself being more focussed on my own piorities than worrying about if there is someone waiting.

It is kind of a double jeopardy... we either do something about it and lose some of the enjoyment from riding or do nothing and continue to be looked at as 'temporary citizens'.

[R6_kid:Me]

That is the silliest idea of promoting bikes I have ever heard of!! Using them to bloody race each other! Here we are forking out HUGE ACC levies on our regos because motorbike are "unsafe" and some scum sucking, anus dwelling but monkey suggests that its great to race cars to improve biker awareness. That will go down well with ACC

Where is this twat so I can "educate" him correctly.

that wasnt the point. He wasnt saying anything that doing that shit was going to make bikers look better in the eye of new zealanders... thats how he was enjoying his bike. It's just the thing that got me thinking. I suggested he joined and came out on some rides to see how to really enjoy his bike, if he wants to go to the drags (or anyone else for that matter) its at their own peril.

Unfortunately most media sources are quick to throw cliche'd lines around and run motorcyclists down as being dangerous etc - i was thinking along the lines of how to counteract these, if there is a way at all... as i cant really think of any myself.

Suppose I should just shutup and get back to what i was doing.

[Cibby]

lol, not really promoting 'boy racers' to get into bikes, but this guy did seem generally interested in bikes.

It is kind of a double jeopardy... we either do something about it and lose some of the enjoyment from riding or do nothing and continue to be looked at as 'temporary citizens'.

I understand what you mean, when i told a couple of my girl mates about that ride on sunday, their automatic assumption was that the other riders were harley riding, half helmet wearing, dodgy old guys... The actual awareness of bikes is pretty low.. However that could be a good thing..

Cause in the last year or so the whole boy racer thing has totally been blown apart, the cops hound the boy racers, take their cars off them.. Honestly, if the cops had any idea the "pace" of our rides.. well not me cause i stick to 70kms.. but.. they would be all ove rus..

maybe having a low profile, baking cakes and helping old ladies is the way to go.. means we can keep having "fun"

[Sniper]

A lot of people have been saying that the biker reputation has been taking a beating and i was wondering (there probably isnt) a way to try and reverse this. Obviously things like being curteous do help but only if everyone is doing it. I know for a fact that i try to be curteous but do often find myself being more focussed on my own piorities than worrying about if there is someone waiting.

Yea I understand what you mean, but bloody well racing cars to change peoples attitudes to bikes??? WTF? Anyway, there will always be a beating handed to the bikers reputation and the main reason is... People disagree with things we do.

For example, we pass someone because we know there are twisties up ahead that we want to play with. All great but the cager thinks, "I wonder what his problem was?" or "He is going to kill himself". Or it may just be the fact that they are subconciously jelous that we can filter through traffic alot better and be home before them. Its human nature mate, I know a nurse who promised me that she would never allow me on a bike. Look where I am today and I have proved Im responsible but she still tries to tell me off.

As beauty queens say, "I wish for World Peace!". Wouldn't that be great. No, I reckon it would suck!. Conflicts build character and so does riding a bike.

Thats my 2c

[R6_kid:Me]

I understand what you mean, when i told a couple of my girl mates about that ride on sunday, their automatic assumption was that the other riders were harley riding, half helmet wearing, dodgy old guys... The actual awareness of bikes is pretty low.. However that could be a good thing..

cheers, thats more what i was thinking. A lot of people think that biking is all old dudes on cruisers... so why do they make all the plastic rice racers? Oh thats right they are just for the track.

[Smorg]

If people are interested in bikes they will get "into" them why push it?
The less converted cage drivers on bikes the better, more so if they are x boy racers, i couldnt think of anything worse

[R6_kid:Me]

For example, we pass someone because we know there are twisties up ahead that we want to play with. All great but the cager thinks, "I wonder what his problem was?" or "He is going to kill himself".

Yeh, at the end of the day i suppose we cant really explain to them why we do that stuff. Only think i can think of is exposing more people to riding... perhaps taking a pillion that has no clue about biking to help them understand?

As beauty queens say, "I wish for World Peace!". Wouldn't that be great. No, I reckon it would suck!. Conflicts build character and so does riding a bike.

Aint that The truth mate! At the end of the days shes a hot bitch that couldnt change the world if she had gone to university instead ... im not hot, but im a biker and i cant do much for the image that society portrays on me.

[Pixie]

Unfortunately most media sources are quick to throw cliche'd lines around and run motorcyclists down as being dangerous etc .

Don't hold your breath for the media to ever change their tired old prejudices.

Bob Jones was on the box this morning.One of his hobbies is slagging the media.
He mentioned how they always introduce him as a property developer,but he has never developed property in his life,being solely an investor.

[Cibby]

cheers, thats more what i was thinking. A lot of people think that biking is all old dudes on cruisers... so why do they make all the plastic rice racers? Oh thats right they are just for the track.

Na.. they make them cause they look SO DAMN SEXY!!!!

[R6_kid:Me]

Na.. they make them cause they look SO DAMN SEXY!!!!

Go get yourself that 636 and stop complaining!