{"id":139,"date":"2016-04-27T19:01:23","date_gmt":"2016-04-27T19:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/motorcyclesok.ca\/?p=139"},"modified":"2016-05-17T04:45:19","modified_gmt":"2016-05-17T04:45:19","slug":"thanks-for-riding-a-motorcycle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motorcyclesok.ca\/thanks-for-riding-a-motorcycle\/","title":{"rendered":"Thanks for Riding a Motorcycle"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"PaulHere\u2019s the story of how MOTORCYCLES OK was born.<\/p>\n

I think it may have started with a very used Honda 90; my first motorcycle. The\u00a0guys at Gear Patrol place it at the top of the most iconic bikes list<\/a>\u00a0for good\u00a0reason. Over 60 million (yes, you read that right) have been produced. I was\u00a0never able to kill mine. I remember selling it. The test drive left the block in an uncharacteristic\u00a0haze of blue oil smoke. The guy still bought it.<\/p>\n

I was part of the generation that grew up through the transition of British bikes giving way to the\u00a0unstoppable developments of the Japanese models. There will always be a special cachet to British\u00a0marques, but it took the Japanese to bring motorcycling to the masses. Along the way, they gave us\u00a0unprecedented dirt bike performance and the coolest mini-bikes ever made.<\/p>\n

As the miles have unfolded through a lifetime of work and family obligations, motorcycles have\u00a0always been a part of my life. Not just a time in my life. When I got married, my lovely bride said I\u00a0could have any motorcycle as long as it\u2019s free. I\u2019ve had four free motorcycles. She rolls her eyes\u00a0every time I mention it.\u00a0I\u2019m also a motorcyclist, not a biker. There\u2019s difference in how you approach riding. Motorcyclists\u00a0tend to be rather anonymous. While they live for the ride and the passion, they are less concerned\u00a0about the chrome or making a lifestyle statement. Motorcyclists are the silent majority that will\u00a0change perceptions of motorcycling.<\/p>\n

We have reached a point in the BC lower mainland of having issues unique from the rest of Canada;\u00a0congestion, density, projected population growth, and a favourable riding climate. Clearly, getting\u00a0around this finite area will have its challenges going forward. At no time has there been a better\u00a0opportunity for a voice of motorcycling as part of the solution. That voice covers safety, training,\u00a0roads, emissions, parking and awareness around sharing the road. Along the way, Motorcycles OK\u00a0won\u2019t lose the other key aspect. Motorcycles are still the coolest bit of daily adventure you can get.<\/p>\n

Other jurisdictions have launched discussion at the parliamentary level. Check out Senator\u00a0Leyonhjelm of Australia, who thanks Australia’s motorcyclists for reducing congestion, reducing\u00a0emissions, and reducing infrastructure wear and tear – among other things:<\/p>\n