What Is The AMA Thinking - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**drgibson** · 07-18-2007, 02:14 PM

Why would the AMA want to encourage a bunch of Weekend Warriors to 1 day out of the year ride there bikes to work. I know that they are trying to demonstrate how many motorcyclists there are and that motorcycles are viable means of transportation but it seems like asking a bunch of people who normally ride for recreation to take one day out of the year and negotiate the challenge of commuting to work is a somewhat dangerous proposition.

I saw a number of riders today and they were not prepaired for the task that they took on.

**Trapper** · 07-18-2007, 02:21 PM

Good point.

ChicsterMG · 07-18-2007, 02:32 PM

Everyone wants a holiday.

I think tomorrow should be "Show of Absolute Revernce to Chic Day!"

**inspiron** · 07-18-2007, 02:44 PM

sunny · 07-18-2007, 02:48 PM

i would hazard a guess that most days i see riders out there unprepared for what they are doing...

DeRiggi · 07-18-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunny

i would hazard a guess that most days i see riders out there unprepared for what they are doing...

D_Klein · 07-18-2007, 04:50 PM

Seems kind of like the "hallmark holiday" of motorcycling.

**Clint** · 07-18-2007, 04:53 PM

Very good point. I've resisted joining for all these years because they don't seem to be very clever about some things. I suppose the benefits outweigh the blunders, though.

SoCalCruisin · 07-18-2007, 05:12 PM

I didn't think much of it since I ride to work almost every day throughout the year anyhow. However, I do think it is a good idea to encourage more bikers to use them more often. As time goes on and more experience is gained, there will be more bikes on the road. I think that can only help in the long run as it can only help enforce greater awareness.

The "ride to work" stuff for a day has been around for years by the way. I personally think it is one great way of getting more motorcycles on the road, and even more importantly, better awareness of motorcycles.

But then again, I'm sure most members of this forum have much more experience and motorcycle knowledge than those folks at the AMA.

**drgibson** · 07-18-2007, 05:47 PM

So, does this article then embody the Motorcycle Community?

Congressman celebrates Ride to Work Day
Like many motorcyclists, Tim Walberg celebrated Ride to Work Day by throwing a leg over a bike and heading to the office.

But unlike most of us, Walberg's trip to work today ended at the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building where he serves as a representative for Michigan's 7th Congressional District.

The longtime AMA member then delivered the following speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives:

Today is National Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day, and just a few minutes I ago, I proudly road a Harley-Davidson Road King to the steps of the Capitol Building.

Motorcycle riding has been a passion of mine since my 20th birthday, and as a proud member of the American Motorcyclist Association and the Harley Owners Group, I can attest that responsible riding has many unique recreational benefits for millions of Americans.

During this session of Congress, we are looking for ways to break our dependence on foreign oil, develop alternative fuels and increase domestic conservation.

Motorcycles are an excellent alternative to current forms of transportation because they offer both fuel efficiency and greater enjoyment for the commuter.

I encourage all Americans to learn more about the recreational and environmental benefits of responsible motorcycle riding by visiting the American Motorcyclist Association's website and availing themselves of the motorcycle rider-safety training program.

Ed Moreland, AMA Vice President of Government Relations, was present to greet Congressman Walberg and responded by saying, “We are thrilled that Representative Walberg has taken this opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of motorcycles and Ride to Work Day. The motorcyclists of south-central Michigan should be proud to know that a true rider is carrying the message of motorcycling freedom, safety and way of life to the steps of Capitol Hill.”

r00 · 07-18-2007, 06:21 PM

Really? Wow. It's almost as crazy as bike to work day.. People out there totally not prepared for urban traffic. I biked to work for several years, and got very comfortable inching past standstill traffic on my mountain bike. This didn't occur overnight!

With a motorcycle it would seem even more crazy. Greater speeds, greater things to go wrong, and lots more to keep track of. Take it slow and ease into it!

blackie1491 · 07-18-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChicsterMG

Everyone wants a holiday.

I think tomorrow should be "Show of Absolute Revernce to Chic Day!"

**Trapper** · 07-18-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalCruisin

But then again, I'm sure most members of this forum have much more experience and motorcycle knowledge than those folks at the AMA.

Condescending sarcasm is a great debating tool. Wanna talk helmet laws?

SoCalCruisin · 07-18-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trapper

Condescending sarcasm is a great debating tool.

I really didn't mean it to be condescending, but guilty as charged regarding the sarcasm. Can't seem to help it sometimes.

**drgibson** · 07-18-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCalCruisin

I really didn't mean it to be condescending, but guilty as charged regarding the sarcasm. Can't seem to help it sometimes.

You're in good company.

St0nkingByte · 07-18-2007, 11:42 PM

Shoot today was ride to work day? It was pouring rain here.

Of course I rode to work today, like I do every day, year round anyway

**inspiron** · 07-19-2007, 04:30 AM

DOH! Missed it by a day!

I rode to work on Monday, but I've been back in the cage since Tuesday because of the demands of work (can't ride to work when I need to wear a suit and tie). And this morning thunderstorms are rolling past - I don't mind riding in the rain, but I HATE thunderstorms.

**Freakinout** · 07-19-2007, 07:44 AM

I ride to work every day that I can (weather, and work tasks get in the way sometimes)

Most of my coworkers who ride also try to every day. Real biker-folk

ChicsterMG · 07-19-2007, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackie1491

What?

**Louis** · 07-19-2007, 08:49 AM

I ride everyday too, rain or shine.

I agree that riding on weekends and commuting is a different battlefield.

07-18-2007, 02:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
drgibson Thumper Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,417	What Is The AMA Thinking Why would the AMA want to encourage a bunch of Weekend Warriors to 1 day out of the year ride there bikes to work. I know that they are trying to demonstrate how many motorcyclists there are and that motorcycles are viable means of transportation but it seems like asking a bunch of people who normally ride for recreation to take one day out of the year and negotiate the challenge of commuting to work is a somewhat dangerous proposition. I saw a number of riders today and they were not prepaired for the task that they took on. __________________ Looking for better fuel economy? Consider a KLR... Better gas milage then a Prius or a Smart car, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg and your testosterone.

07-18-2007, 02:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 8,911	Good point. __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

07-18-2007, 02:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
ChicsterMG Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer Joined: May 2005 Bike: Boulevard C50 Location: Afghanistan Posts: 3,475	Everyone wants a holiday. I think tomorrow should be "Show of Absolute Revernce to Chic Day!" __________________ Sometimes you need to ask yourself, "WWGD?"...Just be awesome, that's all! GUT-CUT 2007: 177 LBS. 160 LBS.

07-18-2007, 02:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,684	__________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

07-18-2007, 02:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
sunny Leaned over, knee down Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 suzuki savage, '90 honda shadow, '75 kh400, and a broom Location: fort worthless Posts: 4,678	i would hazard a guess that most days i see riders out there unprepared for what they are doing... __________________ "blah blah blah, the world revolves around me, blah blah blah, your perception of events can't possibly be valid, blah blah blah, i wasn't there but i know everything about everything, blah blah blah." - 95% of the male population. you WISH this post was brought to you by rum.

07-18-2007, 04:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
D_Klein 100% Title Free Joined: Feb 2006 Bike: '05 GSX-R750 (Anniversary Edition) Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,544	Seems kind of like the "hallmark holiday" of motorcycling. __________________ "Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba...." ~Hunter S. Thompson

07-18-2007, 05:12 PM	#9 (permalink)
SoCalCruisin Found second gear by accident Joined: May 2006 Bike: 2005 Yamaha Midnight Royal Star Venture, 2005 Boulevard C50T (For Sale) Location: Seal Beach, CA Posts: 340	I didn't think much of it since I ride to work almost every day throughout the year anyhow. However, I do think it is a good idea to encourage more bikers to use them more often. As time goes on and more experience is gained, there will be more bikes on the road. I think that can only help in the long run as it can only help enforce greater awareness. The "ride to work" stuff for a day has been around for years by the way. I personally think it is one great way of getting more motorcycles on the road, and even more importantly, better awareness of motorcycles. But then again, I'm sure most members of this forum have much more experience and motorcycle knowledge than those folks at the AMA. __________________

07-18-2007, 05:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
drgibson Thumper Mod Joined: Jul 2005 Bike: 2008 Kawasaki KLR 650 Location: Dallas, Texas Directly above the center of the earth. Posts: 10,417	So, does this article then embody the Motorcycle Community? Congressman celebrates Ride to Work Day Like many motorcyclists, Tim Walberg celebrated Ride to Work Day by throwing a leg over a bike and heading to the office. But unlike most of us, Walberg's trip to work today ended at the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building where he serves as a representative for Michigan's 7th Congressional District. The longtime AMA member then delivered the following speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives: Today is National Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day, and just a few minutes I ago, I proudly road a Harley-Davidson Road King to the steps of the Capitol Building. Motorcycle riding has been a passion of mine since my 20th birthday, and as a proud member of the American Motorcyclist Association and the Harley Owners Group, I can attest that responsible riding has many unique recreational benefits for millions of Americans. During this session of Congress, we are looking for ways to break our dependence on foreign oil, develop alternative fuels and increase domestic conservation. Motorcycles are an excellent alternative to current forms of transportation because they offer both fuel efficiency and greater enjoyment for the commuter. I encourage all Americans to learn more about the recreational and environmental benefits of responsible motorcycle riding by visiting the American Motorcyclist Association's website and availing themselves of the motorcycle rider-safety training program. Ed Moreland, AMA Vice President of Government Relations, was present to greet Congressman Walberg and responded by saying, “We are thrilled that Representative Walberg has taken this opportunity to raise awareness about the benefits of motorcycles and Ride to Work Day. The motorcyclists of south-central Michigan should be proud to know that a true rider is carrying the message of motorcycling freedom, safety and way of life to the steps of Capitol Hill.” __________________ Looking for better fuel economy? Consider a KLR... Better gas milage then a Prius or a Smart car, and it won't cost you an arm and a leg and your testosterone.

07-18-2007, 06:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
r00 Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 99 Suzuki GS500E Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 27	Really? Wow. It's almost as crazy as bike to work day.. People out there totally not prepared for urban traffic. I biked to work for several years, and got very comfortable inching past standstill traffic on my mountain bike. This didn't occur overnight! With a motorcycle it would seem even more crazy. Greater speeds, greater things to go wrong, and lots more to keep track of. Take it slow and ease into it! __________________

07-18-2007, 11:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
St0nkingByte Sprocket Pilot Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: 2005 BMW R1200RT Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 891	Shoot today was ride to work day? It was pouring rain here. Of course I rode to work today, like I do every day, year round anyway __________________

07-19-2007, 04:30 AM	#17 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,684	DOH! Missed it by a day! I rode to work on Monday, but I've been back in the cage since Tuesday because of the demands of work (can't ride to work when I need to wear a suit and tie). And this morning thunderstorms are rolling past - I don't mind riding in the rain, but I HATE thunderstorms. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

07-19-2007, 07:44 AM	#18 (permalink)
Freakinout Tire Eating Moderator Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: 2001 Suzuki TL1000S Location: Texas Posts: 2,609	I ride to work every day that I can (weather, and work tasks get in the way sometimes) Most of my coworkers who ride also try to every day. Real biker-folk __________________ Freakinout

07-19-2007, 08:49 AM	#20 (permalink)
Louis Administrator Joined: Sep 2003 Bike: SV650S '05 (Blue) Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada Posts: 10,650	I ride everyday too, rain or shine. I agree that riding on weekends and commuting is a different battlefield. __________________ Louis

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