In the 60s and 70s, bikers were known for being big, burly guys who rode into town, hit the local bar, and started fights. They were rebels without a cause, and people were afraid of them. Today, that's obviously no longer true. Bikers look like everyone else, long beards and multiple piercings and tattoos are no longer required. In fact, they weren't ever required in the first place. Many of the biker stereotypes that people believe are things that only apply to a few bikers. Movies and other forms of media took a few incidents and blew them out of proportion, creating a stereotype that haunted bikers for years.
The biker stereotype says that only big, bearded men ride bikes. If you don't fit that image and tell someone you ride a bike, especially if you're a slim man who looks very clean cut or a woman, you may be met with some skepticism. Women, especially, don't fit in with the biker stereotype or, if they do, they're butch women with short hair and a bitchy attitude. There are a number of people who would be surprised to see those who don't match the standard biker look riding motorcycles.
How can you combat these biker stereotypes, especially the negative ones? If people seem to believe bikers are bad people, tell them about all the good your motorcycle club does. Remind them that bikers often hold charity events and raise money for the community. Many are doctors, lawyers, teachers, and others in what we consider responsible careers. If you're good friends or relatives with the people you're trying to convince, you may even want to offer them a ride on your bike. Who knows, you might even succeed in turning them into a fellow biker!
