Will!
02-09-2006, 08:49 PM
Who here belongs to the American Motorcyclist Association? I used to, but I let it lapse this year. I admit, the main reason I joined was so I could participate in DS rallys, and there aren't very many of those around here lately, or even reasonable riding distance from here.
The reason I let it go had little to do with that though. In the December '05 issue of American Motorcyclist magazine, the president of the AMA wrote a "viewpoint" piece. I went over it several times because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He admits in the article that he parked his car and started riding his motorcycle to work because of the rising gasoline costs.
He goes on to say this: "Frankly, after a week at the office, it requires a bit more commitment to jump on the bike for a long evening of riding and a return well after dark. But your kid only plays high school ball once, and you'd hate to miss it." I was amazed when I read that, the president of the AMA talking about taking a long ride after work like it was some sort of ordeal. The article made me think that the leaders of the AMA see the organization purely as a business and a casual hobby.
I know they fight for my rights in congress, and thanks to them, in many places motorcyclists are free to ride without a helmet (though motorcyclists rarely forgo the helmet; it's bikers that ride without, and there is a big difference). But for the past year, the AMA magazine seemed to be about how dangerous it was to ride, and how if I got killed in traffic, the person responsible would likely only get a slap on the wrist. I started to think they were trying to talk me out of riding. Probably, what they really wanted was more money to fight in congress, and I should probably have sent it. Instead, I decided to seek out an organization for people who see cars as the ordeal and bikes as the preferred means of transportation. I'll let you all know if I find it.
The reason I let it go had little to do with that though. In the December '05 issue of American Motorcyclist magazine, the president of the AMA wrote a "viewpoint" piece. I went over it several times because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He admits in the article that he parked his car and started riding his motorcycle to work because of the rising gasoline costs.
He goes on to say this: "Frankly, after a week at the office, it requires a bit more commitment to jump on the bike for a long evening of riding and a return well after dark. But your kid only plays high school ball once, and you'd hate to miss it." I was amazed when I read that, the president of the AMA talking about taking a long ride after work like it was some sort of ordeal. The article made me think that the leaders of the AMA see the organization purely as a business and a casual hobby.
I know they fight for my rights in congress, and thanks to them, in many places motorcyclists are free to ride without a helmet (though motorcyclists rarely forgo the helmet; it's bikers that ride without, and there is a big difference). But for the past year, the AMA magazine seemed to be about how dangerous it was to ride, and how if I got killed in traffic, the person responsible would likely only get a slap on the wrist. I started to think they were trying to talk me out of riding. Probably, what they really wanted was more money to fight in congress, and I should probably have sent it. Instead, I decided to seek out an organization for people who see cars as the ordeal and bikes as the preferred means of transportation. I'll let you all know if I find it.