Global – Covid-19

Global – Covid-19 – Riders – motorcycle riders – motorcycle clubs – motorcycle organisations – have the opportunity to do something worthwhile for society, ask those who need help e.g. the elderly who can’t get out, care homes, who ever is in need in your community – be an example – get the national members to do the same.

In simple terms: The virus infects and kills – it does not discriminate. When this is all over, people who were selfish, with no consideration of the wider population will be remembered.

Best to make sure it’s not the motorcycling community – No?

Rider Groups

While rider groups, such as rider’s rights organisation are set up to do what it says on the tin – to lobby those that need to be lobbied – politicians – authorities – government, they are made up of individual riders and motorcycle clubs and although they are part of the “biking” community, they are also (along with the rest of humanity) part of the real world.

The real world is struggling and some riders have seen the opportunity in this struggle to interpret social distancing as an “excuse” to get on their bikes as a social distancing machine – out for a bit of exercise – in the fresh air – miles from anybody but still meeting up and mingling with other riders at bike meets, cafes and other places of social interaction.

Although at least one country (as we write) still sees a bike ride, recreational motorcycling as possible, with the caveat that general measures regarding group formation and distance are met, however we have seen how that has gone over the last weekend especially in the UK.

In the case of the UK where advice was being taken as ambiguous, has now seen the granting of emergency powers to police and authorities, much the same as in other European countries such as France, Spain, Italy and Portugal as example, although we understand that in northern Europe, countries such as Sweden is still making its mind up.

While this lock down will effect rider organisations’ funding from events, training etc  and one can understand their struggle to come out the other side of this crisis.

However we have to ask the question –  is it appropriate to ask for donations at this time when there are lives at great risk? For example if riders cannot go out – except for essential use – is it appropriate to ask riders to donate the cost of a tank of petrol to a rider’s organisation?

Surely it would be more appropriate to donate the cost of a tank of petrol to a voluntary service at this time or if the rider is in a position to volunteer  – e.g. delivering needed medicines. One volunteer rep we know of has done just this, put this volunteer role aside and is volunteering locally as a, “mercy motorcyclist” to help those in need by delivering prescriptions and doing small errands for the elderly and vulnerable and encouraging his organisation members to do likewise.

So to those organisations requesting money from riders in the form of membership or donations, we don’t think this has been thought  through.  Asking riders to join your organisation is a matter of course that’s understandable – they after all get the representation you offer with rider’s rights but to use the excuse of COVID 19 as a reason to join is inappropriate!

Although the UK riders group the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG), one of the 23 member organisations of the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA) has stated that, “Riding a motorcycle is still a great way to travel and MAG will continue to actively and enthusiastically promote the mode of transport. Riding a motorcycle is a sensible method of travel for essential journeys during the pandemic as it maintains social distance from other travellers.”

With MAG National Chair, Selina Lavender, adding, “Now is the time to follow Government advice and stay at home. There will be time later for the biking community to come together, show solidarity and support those small businesses that will need and appreciate our custom once the current crisis is over. All motorcyclists share a passion for riding, but right now all our passions should be aimed at saving the lives of all those at risk from this deadly virus.”

In the United States a clear message abounds from the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) – lobbying pure and simple and a strong no nonsense one – “We understand that these are trying times, but any infringement on our fundamental Constitutional Rights is not the answer.

“While the MRF continues to monitor the ever-changing legislative initiatives out of both chambers, I want to let you know that we are still busy being a ‘watchdog’ on Capitol Hill,” stated MRF President Kirk “Hardtail” Willard. “I want to reassure you that we will continue to navigate and execute our political mission with our long-standing ‘Total Vigilance’ in the coming days and weeks.”

We will continue to monitor the legislation as it moves through Congress and keep you updated as it pertains to anything motorcycle related or the operations of the MRF.

Only a week ago the President of the International Motorcycling Federation, Jorge Viegas, remained optimistic despite facing the coronavirus crisis with their goal to be able to follow all their activities, motorcycle sports, tourism and mobility. While Viegas refused to dramatize the situation he stated that, “if we get out of our little motorcycle world for a moment, we have to worry about the global consequences. Factories are shut down, schools closed, all economic activity slows down. There will be consequences, but they are still difficult to quantify.” and here we are right in the moment.

Meanwhile from the European centre of attention of the virus in Italy where there have been tragic consequences, a communication from the rider group (CIM), Coordinamento Italiano Motociclisti (CIM)

What can I say, these are really hard days, for all of us… giving up a stable life making decisions not always easy, which we don’t like to do.

But this is the current situation, and for the moment it is our responsibility to live it to the best of our ability, taking care of ourselves but first of all those close to us.

It’s been a little over a month that I parked my Harley-Davidson, giving up in this way of riding, as requested by the government (but not just for us bikers).

I’ll do this in the next few days, or at least as long as they ask us. This is also out of respect for the people who are fighting on the forefront line this invisible enemy called Coronavirus; let’s talk about doctors and all the healthcare staff, law enforcement and the many volunteers in their support… not to forget the many people who still are in full work today.

Exactly why I decided not to go out on a motorcycle, avoiding in any way to aggravate the situation in hospitals, already on the verge of collapse. It’s not easy for those who like us are used to living with two wheels, but we don’t have to complain, indeed, soon everything will end and then there will be no more obstacles that will keep us still…

Although at this point in time we at Motorcycle Minds are past the point of whether going out on the bike for leisure purposes or reason of self isolation – the hatches are well and truly battened down!

Motorcycle Minds

From our point of view we only wish we could help – we are “stuck” in lock down, in self-isolation, in a “foreign” country not able to move anywhere – essential needs that require movement from our location are done by our local host – more on that when all this comes to a better outcome!

So there is not much we can offer – all that we can offer is connection on-line – got a positive article promoting what you do as a rider – club – organisation send it through for review and for publication.