Response to Biker Comments in the Paper
Now here are a few of the responses.. like they say, they dont post all the responses.. they cant.. so here are the three they chose to print. I sent in over 350 words cause I tend to get a bit carried away so they cut mine back to this.. still makes a point.. thank you everyone for your support in sending in responses.. I couldnt let Mr. Speirs comments go unheard.. glad others felt the same.. Im glad atleast that we sound intelligent and know what we are talking about.. cant say the same about Mr Speir.......... enough said!
Don’t blame bikers
Robert Speirs’ Aug. 19 letter "Disgusting spectacle" is unfair to the whole motorcycle community. The present-day rider is more likely to be a parent or an employed professional, like our very own minister of health promotion and protection. We are a socially conscious bunch with big hearts who participate in many rides for local charities. Don’t let that leather scare you away. It’s worn tightly for protection and safety, not just looks.
Motorcycling is one of the fastest growing leisure activities. Men and women of all ages and all walks of life are discovering the exhilaration and social aspects of "the ride" On the waterfront, I have witnessed the complete opposite of what Mr. Speirs describes. Tourists come for directions, history and even to have their pictures taken with very receptive bikers. It’s a meeting place for tourists who come to ride our beautiful province, who support our local economies and tourist industry.
We have been blessed with some of the most spectacular scenic riding on the continent, drawing riders from all over North America to meet on our friendly waterfront. If someone is getting out of hand and being obnoxious, we are the first to support the police handing out tickets.
As for blaming bikers for air pollution, that makes it difficult for passersby to breathe and has them gasping for air because of the unbearable stench: This might be because they are right beside the harbour! And I have yet to see a diesel motorcycle in this part of the world.
Janice Gould, Dartmouth
Give us a chanceRobert Speirs of Halifax obviously does not like motorcycles and has only one outlook on bikers (Aug. 19 letter).
I ride with a local motorcycle club and have been a member in good standing for about three years now. I often go to the waterfront with my club or just with my husband. I don’t know where all these tourists are who are covering their ears and complaining about bikers. I have had many tourists come up to me and my husband and my club to ask questions about our bikes and what we are doing at the waterfront and where else we go.
They are always very curious and I have never seen a biker put them off. As a matter of fact, I’ve seen many of the local bikers allow children and adults to sit on their bikes while someone takes their picture. I guess that’s just what fat, obnoxious showoffs do.
Bikers do not stand around revving our engines in hopes that someone will see just how cool we are. It is a place for people with common interests to gather, talk, share stories and drink coffee. The bikers have been permitted to go to the waterfront for some time now; there are signs up stating "No Parking Except For Motorcycles."
Being in a club, I have had the opportunity to meet many, many new people and I can honestly say that I always received a warm hello and welcome from all the local and out-of-town bikers. Give us a chance, come meet us and talk to us, and you will see that we are not the big, bad bikers this man seems to think we are.
Oh yeah, motorcycles don’t run on diesel; that’s gas or exhaust your smelling.
Tammie Graham, Eastern Passage
Get over it!Robert Speirs is painting all motorcycle enthusiasts with the same brush and he couldn’t be farther from the truth. Many of us simply enjoy the sport, and do not have bloated bellies squeezed into too-tight leather; do not have loud, smelly exhaust systems and are not obnoxious.
While I am sure there are tourists who are disconcerted with the noise and smell of modified exhaust systems, I have been on the waterfront and spoken to dozens of tourists who are enamoured with the bikes and often ask to take photos.
Motorcycling is quickly becoming a favourite pastime for Nova Scotians. There are hundreds of new riders each year. Readers would serve the public much better by focusing their attention on motorcycle awareness and safety. Yes, there are bikers who can be obnoxious and rude, but I suggest that much of it is in response to obnoxious and rude pedestrians and motorists. I have been riding as a passenger and solo for a combination of 10 years now, and I could write volumes on the number of close calls that I have had due to inconsiderate, inattentive and just plain bad drivers. There are too many innocent people killed or injured in motorcycle accidents every year, many of which are the result of inattentive motorists.
We all share the roads and the city streets and we can do it in harmony with some co-operation. Motorcycles are a fact of life. Get over it! As for obnoxious behaviour and language, I challenge anyone to go anywhere, motorcycles or not, and find a place where that doesn’t occur.
Kathy Allison, West Porters Lake
