Motorcycle enthusiasts from across the country are all gearing up for the 23rd annual Ride to Work Day scheduled for June 16. If you are a biker who normally drives a car to work, consider taking your bike in a show of support for motorcycle riders nationwide.
The annual day was organized more than two decades ago as a way to show government officials, industry leaders, and average citizens that bikers come from all walks of life. Some belong to organized clubs, others are part of more loosely affiliated organizations, and some live and ride independently. Categorizing all bikers under a single banner shows a failure to recognize how diverse the culture really is.
Of course, if your only mode of transportation is your bike, you participate in Ride to Work Day all year round. For everyone else, June 16 is a great day to make a statement on behalf of responsible bikers in your local community. It is also a great opportunity to introduce non-bikers to a mode of transportation that greatly reduces carbon emissions.
Free Printed Materials
The national Ride to Work organization is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization promoting the biker lifestyle in America. They offer free printed materials you can take advantage of to help spread the word about the 2014 Ride to Work day in your own community. On their website, they offer a number of free, downloadable posters you can print and copy to your heart's content. If you'd like to promote the day online, you can download banner advertisements to be placed on your own websites.
The adventurous can download a series of banner advertisements to countdown the actual days and weeks prior to Ride to Work Day. Just visit the organization's website at www.ridetowork.org and click on the appropriate link. You'll see full-color pictures of all the downloadable materials.
The organization also invites cities and towns to get involved by issuing official proclamations in honor of the day. In 2010, the U.S. Congress issued a letter of support for Ride to Work Day signed by a number of members including Gabrielle Giffords, John Duncan Jr., Walter Jones, Bob Filner, and Michael Burgess.
Ride Safely, Ride Responsibly
Whether or not you are able to participate in the 23rd annual Ride to Work Day, we encourage you to always ride safely and responsibly. For your own safety, be sure to obey speed limits and always be cognizant of road and weather conditions. Remember, your family wants to see you arrive home at the end of the day.
When you drive responsibly, you are helping the entire biker community by putting your best foot forward. Never forget that what others see you doing on your bike contributes to the overall perceptions of bikers. Your commitment to riding responsibly will contribute to a positive impression that could encourage others to explore the biker lifestyle.
We hope to see a large percentage of America's bikers participate in this year's Ride to Work Day. Let's show our fellow citizens that bikers are average Americans just like them. Let's show them that motorcycles are an effective mode of transportation that are fun to drive and a good way to reduce pollution.
Why not add a couple of relevant patches to your motorcycle jacket or vest to let people know you support the cause.
