Last Update: 28 October 2021
He passed me when I was in my car. We were on the city ring highway. He was on his cruiser wearing a beanie helmet, t-shirt, light cargo pants and sandals. He was going about 110 k/ph. His face had a happy freedom expression on it, or perhaps he was stoned because you’d have to be delirious to get on a high-powered motorcycle in rush hour urban traffic dressed like this!
The Term Motorcyclist Implies Professionalism
I’ve named this past riding season as the Rider Summer of t-shirts and shorts. Sadly, this was the common choice of motorcycle gear among this city’s motorcyclists all season long. Actually, I’m going to refer to them as “riders” as these types are not deserving of the title –motorcyclist.
Opting not to wear motorcycle gear, a jacket, pants, gloves, boots proper helmet, the whole package is not the act of a pro. And it certainly isn’t the attire of anyone serious about long term riding for that fact.
No doubt, this was the one of the hottest summers on record making it often unbearable to ride. Factor in a blazing hot motorcycle on scorching hot roads, often intolerable.
But the weather has never stopped accidents from happening.
Motorcyclists always need to be ready. This summer Toronto alone had its highest incidents of motorcycle crashes I can ever remember. Did the heat have something to do with it? When you consider that on average, motorcyclists make up one per cent of traffic but 16 per cent of road fatalities – something’s not working.
In earlier years it seemed motorcycling was taken more seriously. Well, in Europe there’s no discussion – gear is worn. Perhaps in cities such as Milan, Italy where traffic is respectful of scooter and motorcyclists you’ll find slight variations. In most Euro cities, drivers actually look out for the safety of motorcyclists unlike in North America. The training curriculum hasn’t changed and gear actually has become lighter, better qualified for safety with armour, Kevlar’s and available.
Gear Isn’t “Just In Case” Of Mishap – It’s Also For Your Comfort Resulting in Ultimate Control – Vicki Gray
When you’re not comfortable, you’re distracted. Distraction means focus is absent from the road and this equates to error and poor skill execution.
Here’s a question – if you’re in the middle of a long ride say six hours, and within the first hour your boots begin to cause you pain will you enjoy the ride and give full concentration to the road?
Operating a motorcycle is SUPER FUN– it’s also very serious business. It requires all your focus, all your skill all of the time- yes, every single minute. It’s for expert minds and coordinated bodies. It’s for the thrill seeker who respects its risks. And when the unexpected happens you’ll be ready. The t-shirt and shorts composition will not ever prepare you.
In my network, we see it this way…THE MOTORCYCLIST IN FULL GEAR ACTUALLY HAS THE MOST FREEDOM to ride and takes motorcycling seriously possessing incredible riding ability and skill. A properly fitted rider is a sign of professionalism.
At the end of the day, it’s the riders’ choice.
And it falls right in the same categories as say, . . . choosing to smoke or not during pregnancy; to drink and drive, practise safe sex or wearing your seat belt.
Yes, making the choice to wear protective motorcycle gear . . . is that truly a difficult choice to make?
2 comments
I agree. Great article too. I wouldn’t even call those who ride without the proper gear ‘Riders’ as that’s a term I like to refer to as myself. I’d say idiots, as their actions have revealed their character, which is mentally challenged. I prefer the term ‘Rider’ as it distinguished one from those who operate four wheel vehicles – Drivers. Driving is passive, as one can see by how drivers do everything from listening to music, putting on make-up, texting, talking on cell phones to drinking.
Riding is active as in engaging ones senses to be aware of what’s around you, what coming your way, what’s behind and to the sides of you.
2 wheelers who fail to ride with the proper equipment don’t deserve the license they’ve earned. Or other rider’s respect.
Bravo on your post!
PROFESSIONALISM.
It was one of our warmer summers out on the West Coast and I was in gear head to toe whenever I ventured out on my bike. I have never understood the choice of not wearing gear and probably never will. I find that people convert very quickly to ATGATT if they have experienced an intimate encounter with the road surface, if they survive they are usually out buying gear once they have rolled across the pavement. My questions to those who don’t wear are, 1) Why does it take a roll across the pavement and its painful aftermath to make wearing gear a good idea? 2)Don’t you believe what people are telling you about gear and why it is important and that it literally saves your hide? 3)Why would you want to go through the pain and grief?”
You may still get hurt after a tumble, but in the end the injuries are usually less severe. You DO NOT have to be going fast to exerpience road rash or more severe injuries.
Do yourself a favour go buy gear, take our word for it, and if you need further convincing go visit Rock The Gear.org.