Biker discrimination...

[MotoGirl]

The point of this is I was interested to know has anyone out there had people look down their hooter at you because you ride a bike, and how did you deal with it.

I don't really get any negative comments from non-biker people. Even in job interviews it tends to spark conversation because they're surprised that I ride. I normally end up describing my bike as "fast" (= not a cruiser) and "Italian". I guess they don't expect it from a young, well dressed woman in a (supposedly) respectable industry

[swbarnett]

I work in computer outsourcing. Most of my time is spent in our office but I do have to visit clients every now and then. For two years now I've used the bike exclusively for work travel (unless a plane is involved) and I've had nothing but positive comments from clients. I find the bike is often an ice breaker, people are genuinely intereseted and I've had several regale me with tales of their own bikes or their past biking exploits.

My employer is also positive. Only a privileged few are allowed to park their cars under the building I work in, the rest are in commercial parking buildings. They've made an exception for bikes (bother powered and non-powered) and even reduced the number of car spaces so that we can have one to ourselves.

Since I started riding again there have been three others in my building that now at least commute by motorcycle (and a fourth on a 50cc Vespa).

[Big Dave]

I've found being a rider has helped my career as a motorcycle journalist immeasurably.

[Moki]

Meant to post this yesterday,

I was out and about yesterday morning and bumped into an ex employer at the servo.

She was a total 'zilla to work for and I was gald I told here to shove her job where 'No Man Will Ever Want To Go'.

Anyway, forced pleasantries exchanged and she noticed the bike.

"Oh, you have a motorbike now" she quizzed

"Yes" I said (under my breath) "what do you think it is, a fucking foot spa you twat..!"

"Oh", she continues "you would have never been allowed that, it gives our clients the wrong impression"

"What do you mean by that?" I enquired

"Well, you know, the whole biker thing, gives off a bad vibe. I turned a girl down for a job because she rode a bike, its just not business like"

My reply was very knee jerk I'm afraid and not the usual way I address a female;

"Well, go fuck yourself then you two bob scrawney slapper, glad I mugged you off when I did, now go sit on a big rubber c**k for yourself"

Shock looked followed...something like this.......and I took off.

The point of this is I was interested to know has anyone out there had people look down their hooter at you because you ride a bike, and how did you deal with it.

Over to you my lovelies.....

Couldn't have said it better myself...

[Whoosh]

funny enough its trendy (& acceptable) for office staff to ride a scooter while wearing no protective gear inviting time off & ACC at the slightest off. I find getting served in shops is bloody hard too, I would have thought times have changed but apparently not

[nudemetalz]

I've found being a rider has helped my career as a motorcycle journalist immeasurably.

Really? How?

[Number One]

Girls seem to think I am cool for riding a bike and get all curious and want to know how I got into it. Then of course they do the "I'm going to get my license and buy a Harley' yeah whatever...but of course I say "GO FOR IT! Good on you!"

Guys just see that my hair is not perfectly straight, my make up is non-existent and that well let's be honest I probably have bigger balls than most of them so I get the snotty down the nose thing. GAS - pretty little mamas boys

It's been funny to have met people from work in the lobby on my way out (full gears on and carrying helmet) when they didn't realise I rode. I get the typical - "OH do you ride?"...like no shit sherlock...Fuck your PHD really paid off didn't it! Then they ask if I ride a scooter - which always earns a scowl from me and then when they pull their heads out their arses and ask what I do ride and I tell them a 650 I have to hide my giggles when they do the sharp intake of breath and comment on it being a 'big' bike - tee hee hee they have no idea

[klingon]

funny enough its trendy (& acceptable) for office staff to ride a scooter while wearing no protective gear inviting time off & ACC at the slightest off. ...

This is the irony of it for me. I work in Public Relations so most of my colleagues are very image-conscious. And by that I don't mean simply well groomed (I'm all in favour of that) but they are totally absorbed by fashion and brand names and labels. So yeah, when one of their own refuses to conform with that they get very tetchy and upset.

I worked for one consultancy where they spent the whole time trying to find a way of telling me that riding a motorbike didn't fit in with the company culture or the image they wanted to portray. They never actually came out and said it though, so I pretended I just didn't realise that was what they were trying to get across to me.

And yes, if I had been riding a pastel-coloured scooter while wearing strappy little high heeled shoes and a mini skirt they would have thought I was fantastically cool. But because I rode a motor bike and wore bulky clothes and clunky boots, they felt I should hide my 'alter ego' from the clients.

I do feel sorry for people like that though - they put a whole lot of effort into proving how open-minded they are and would never discriminate against someone because of skin colour or sexual orientation, but OMG don't try an alternative mode of transport! That's just one step too far! [

[Pixie]

I love getting the stink eye from people. I'm a computer geek by trade

I was unaware computer geek was a trade.
I was under the mistaken impression it was an affliction

[swbarnett]

What does "temporary New Zealander" mean? Another way of saying organ doner?

Spot on.
Spot on.
Spot on.
Spot on.
Spot on.
Spot on.

1,2,3,4... Yes, I think this messages is long enough now.....

[Pixie]

I do feel sorry for people like that though - they put a whole lot of effort into proving how open-minded they are and would never discriminate against someone because of skin colour or sexual orientation, but OMG don't try an alternative mode of transport! That's just one step too far! [

My dear Klingon,they are called WANKERS,and the world is full of them.

[Nagash]

Oddly enough, i've only ever received positive reactions from others..

I work as a chef who already have a pretty low expectation to be 'professional' so there's no concern in my working industry, people are just curious how I carry my knives too and from work, oh be the day when a cop pulls me over and asks to search my bag..

Gas stations usually start some small talk about how they only ever open the pre-pay pumps for bikers or how cheap it must be.

Girls seem to love it and just want to take photos of themselves on it.


I don't think anyone's ever actually looked down upon me for it..

[naphazoline]

Meant to post this yesterday,

I was out and about yesterday morning and bumped into an ex employer at the servo.

She was a total 'zilla to work for and I was gald I told here to shove her job where 'No Man Will Ever Want To Go'.

Anyway, forced pleasantries exchanged and she noticed the bike.

"Oh, you have a motorbike now" she quizzed

"Yes" I said (under my breath) "what do you think it is, a fucking foot spa you twat..!"

"Oh", she continues "you would have never been allowed that, it gives our clients the wrong impression"

"What do you mean by that?" I enquired

"Well, you know, the whole biker thing, gives off a bad vibe. I turned a girl down for a job because she rode a bike, its just not business like"

My reply was very knee jerk I'm afraid and not the usual way I address a female;

"Well, go fuck yourself then you two bob scrawney slapper, glad I mugged you off when I did, now go sit on a big rubber c**k for yourself"

Shock looked followed...something like this.......and I took off.

The point of this is I was interested to know has anyone out there had people look down their hooter at you because you ride a bike, and how did you deal with it.

Over to you my lovelies.....

great story,and great reply.

if they're too stuck up,or ignorant,that they think bikers are hoodlums,well then they deserve to be told to go fuck themselves.

i don't have a problem with that.

[Swoop]

Did I mention she was happily living with some lucky guy?

I do believe that you missed out that tidbit of information...

It's been funny to have met people from work in the lobby on my way out (full gears on and carrying helmet) when they didn't realise I rode. I get the typical - "OH do you ride?"...like no shit sherlock...Fuck your PHD really paid off didn't it!

Just say that you are off to a fancy dress party...
Or that due to new OSH regulations it is now compulsory to wear "the ensemble" at all times when at work, no matter what position in the company a person has.
Or...
Or...

Make the most out of winding the bastards up!!

[madbikeboy]

im in the big white Sulco truck in that area

Well, you should have said so, I need some tools (I bought some SK over the years...). Would you PM your details so I can have a look...