I'm just a biker...

[Erinna1112]

For BR, and all the bikers on here, and everywhere:



I saw you hug your purse closer to you in the grocery store line.
You didn't see me put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.
You didn't see me playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant.
You didn't see me attending a meeting to raise more money for the hurricane relief.

I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by.
You didn't see me, driving behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children.
You didn't see me, when I took time off from work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you stare at my long hair.
You didn't see me and my friends cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you roll your eyes at our leather coats and gloves.
You didn't see me and my brothers donate our old coats and gloves to those that had none.

I saw you look in fright at my tattoos.
You didn't see me cry as my children were born and having their name tattooed on my skin and in my heart.

I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.
You didn't see me going home to be with my family.

I saw you complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.
You didn't see me, when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you, yelling at your kids in the car.
You didn't see me pat my child's hands knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you reading the newspaper or map as you drove down the road.
You didn't see me squeeze my wife's leg when she told me to take the next turn.

I saw you, race down the road in the rain.
You didn't see me, get soaked to the skin so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you run the yellow light just to save a few minutes of time.
You didn't see me, trying to turn right.

I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
You didn't see me leave the road.

I saw you waiting impatiently for my friends to pass.
You didn't see me. I wasn't there.

I saw you go home to your family.
You didn't see me, because I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker and a person with friends and family.
You didn't see me.

[lady cop]

fortunately not everyone has a negative view of bikers. everytime i have ever passed one in a cruiser we give each other thumbs up, it's very friendly. ...and when it's bike week down here tolerance is the key. most of the visitors are great people. sadly, people don't know how to drive around bikes.

So many drivers just aren't aware of what's going on around them.
Gawd, that got to me, I'd have to admit. Big lump in the throat.

[cars]

Soooooo Eri, how's BR doing? Hope her therapy is going good, & that she will be able to come in the Garden more often, soon. Tell Her we all (I) miss her!

[BabyRider]

Oh my GAWD, this is so exactly true!!! I have personally been witness to every single thing here. Loved it, too!!!!
I have found a new respect for my sister after this thread!!

[WonderWendy3]

I Love Bikers!! and always have been taught to give them space on the road, mostly because my Uncle was a Biker, had a REAL bad accident when he was younger...This gave me a tear...have alot of friends that have Bikes...And this described them all, good family loving people....Stero-typing is common...unfortunate.

[RedGlitter]

Erinna, that was great. You wrote that didn't you?
Where I live we have biker weekend, playing host to bikers from all over, in April. They come out to the casinos and go up into the mountains. Sure, we get some rowdy ones or some mean ones but those are few and far between. We've only had one incident where one biker shot another inside a casino.
But generally speaking we don't mind them. In fact, "our" bikers are more friendly than the locals most times. I don't like the noise and the traffic but those of us who can, just stay home that weekend. I guess I didn't realize bikers still had that type of reputation about them. I had thought that was way past.

[BabyRider]

Originally Posted by RedGlitter

I had thought that was way past.

I'd sure love to see the day when it is. I won't hold my breath, but one can hope.

[cherandbuster]

Originally Posted by BabyRider

I have found a new respect for my sister after this thread!!

FG love continues

[Erinna1112]

Thanks for the kind words, RedGlitter. I wish I could take credit; however, it's not my work. I saw it elsewhere and borrowed it (with permission from the author) to post here, because I know there are lots of bikers and friends of bikers here. I have no burning desire to ride a motorcycle myself, but I've always treated them with respect on the roads - giving them at least as much leeway as a car, not cutting them off, signaling turns and lane changes, that sort of thing. Having made several biker friends, and seen how that community pulls together when one of their own is in need, I have a great deal more respect for them off the roads now, as well.