Regarding two wheels, the first question that comes to mind is:
Motorcyclist, Motard or Biker?
– In Portugal, the third option (Biker) is normally used in pejorative terms, as it is connoted with a disrespectful posture and behavior towards others and some rules of healthy coexistence in society. Therefore, it doesn’t seem to me that it suits most people who ride motorbikes.
– The second option (Motard) is the most used, both in the self-description of many motorbike users, and by third parties referring to them. It is a foreignness that even seems to give some people a distinctive character. The point is that, outside of Portugal, if we come across other people on motorbikes, we usually speak in English and then we say we are “Motorbikers” or just “Bikers”. Well translating this to Portuguese both mean motorcyclist!
Hummm, then if in English we say it, why do we avoid saying it in Portuguese?
– In Portugal, the first option (Motorcyclist) is used less frequently, but it’s the one I make a point of using, and if someone refers to me using another term, I usually cordially correct them. I don’t do it for being “picky”, but because of the way I understand what riding a motorbike is.
In my case, I only started riding a motorbike when I was 24 years old and out of necessity, to try to minimize traffic issues. Even more peculiar, I always said that the worst car was better than the best motorcycle… IGNORANCE IS BOLD, and this was the biggest nonsense I could ever say!
As with everything that is driven, the motorcycle only does what the driver tells it to do, with his orders through the controls of his feet and hands!
If we want to make a funny analogy with computing, we often say that the problem with computers is between the keyboard and the back of the chair. Well, on a motorbike, the problem with the way it moves is always on the seat!
One of the reasons why I consider myself and call myself a Motorcyclist, is because in addition to understanding that, to enjoy riding, I don’t need to overdo my freedom, interfering with the freedom of others, I respect the vehicle I am driving (riding). Also, if my life may depend on mechanical issues, it always will and, in my opinion even more so, on my driving behavior!
In city traffic, there has long been a habit of moving through traffic jams, between cars. Fortunately, in some Portuguese cities (e.g.: Lisbon) motorbikes can now travel in the BUS lanes, thus minimizing the risk and helping with the flow of traffic. But if this is not the case, motorcyclists sometimes forget that no car driver is obliged to move aside for the motorbike to pass. From my experience (34 years of motorcycling, with an average of 20,000 km/year), I can assure you that, as I drive large and bulky motorbikes (as I use them for everyday life and to travel), if I cannot pass and I stop between cars without making any comment or honking the horn, as a general rule, the driver of the car then tries to maneuver to give me space to pass, which I ALWAYS THANK. The same happens when I drive on a “country road”, if a car driver pulls over to make it easier to pass, I always thank him, as nothing forced him to do that, other than cordiality.
Scientifically, humans are a group animal. The issue is in the phenomena of group behavior. The tendency of the most insecure to try to prove that they are as good or better than others (who knows why), most often ends up in completely unreasonable or increased risk attitudes. In groups of motorcyclists, the seriousness of risky behavior lies not only in the physical integrity of the motorcyclists themselves, but also in other drivers who have nothing to do with them.
Honestly, I respect those who think this way, but I’ve always had a hard time understanding people who ride motorbikes just because they love the adrenaline rush!
These are professional drivers, who are always at the limit, the risk is inherent to their objective and job, which is to get around the track in the shortest amount of time, overtake and win a race.
Those who are not pilots have “Track Days” at racetracks where, with all safety conditions and without jeopardizing anyone they come across, they can enjoy the pleasure of riding fast, very fast, experiencing moments of pure adrenaline and yet, respect and be respected.
Riding a motorbike is very special, I can’t express in words the sensation and emotions I feel when doing it. Even more so, when I have the privilege of doing it with my wife once pleasure is only fully enjoyed when shared with someone you like.
I have always understood that at daily life, to and from work, the use of a motorbike is not to go faster, but rather to move along, preferably without stopping in traffic jams.
When traveling, we have the advantage of never having to worry about parking, being able to have a 360º view of all the places we pass by, combining the sense of sight with the sense of smell, as you can smell the perfumes of the different places (good or bad), the sense of hearing, as you can hear the different noises, the animals… On a motorbike, we feel like we are part of the environment we are passing through at the time. This is another fact that I greatly value, because for this to happen, we cannot and should not interfere in that same environment. I’m referring to the noise that the altered exhausts produce and the absurd decibels that in some cases happen. For what? Is this how these people think they can differentiate themselves? Well, I have bad news. It’s true that they make a difference, but in the wrong way. It’s just that these individuals still haven’t realized that no one can live or survive on their own. One day they may need the help or support from that person they bothered and disrespected so much in their desire for absurd protagonism. And if he or she is “the same type of person as them”, they may dismiss him and say: sorry, I am not available now!
I am very proud to be a Motorcyclist and every day that I go out on my motorbike, I always try to honor the values that I defend so much, whether it is always greeting another motorcyclist, or respecting the other vehicles I come across, or the pedestrians that pass by.
There are those who argue that being a Motorcyclist is a religion, it is an addiction, it is foolishness … I agree with all these theories, in their abstract sense. That is why I said, higher up in this text, that I couldn’t put into words the feelings that riding a motorcycle awakens in me.
When we are at home looking at photos, it’s easy to see those that were taken on a motorcycle trip. The state of mind, joy and good mood are obvious also in images! This is what I talk about and that only those who experience it understand.
In no way am I being elitist, but generally, anyone who did not belong to this “world of two wheels” and joins, then says:
– Ahhhh, now I understand what you were saying!
In addition to all these feelings, there is also an equally or more important part of a Motorcyclist’s experience, which are what I call, the “golden rules for safety” that we should never forget and that…. “Guess what”, can also make a difference when we drive our car.
There are already publications that address and explain them, so I will give some more common examples:
– Trying to anticipate what the other driver is going to do, whether due to the position of the car or of the front wheels, which normally anticipate the preparation of a maneuver, if going at an inappropriate speed, usually exaggeratedly slowly, there is a strong chance of parking, turning or stopping on the road;
– In summer, always be wary of wet asphalt, as it could be water, but also fuel or oil;
– At an intersection, do not blindly trust a car that is driving in front of you with the indicator on to change direction (blinker), as it may have been forgotten;
– In traffic, always make sure that the car you are about to overtake has seen you, as it is easy for this to not happen, whether due to the surrounding noise or simple chaos…
Considering the various factors and considerations that I listed in what I consider to be a Motorcyclist, always respecting those who have a different way of being and behaving, we (my wife and I) chose a long time ago to be solo travelers, but always supportive of anyone we come across who needs any type of support.
There are basic rules, for me, of what it means to ride a motorcycle in a group that I can’t do without, but that I have no right to want others to follow. I will talk about this subject in another text.
The World is the limit!
Enjoy your ride.
