Two-Wheeled Criminals Give Bikers a Bad Name
A news report of marauding motorcyclists in St. Louis has cast bikers in a bad light, resuscitating stereotypes that have taken decades to shake.
According to 911 transcripts, a group of an estimated 50 bikers threw rocks at cars and tried to "take over the highway." By the time police arrived, the motorcyclists had exited, making them appear to be nothing more than motiveless highway terrorists.
Will news like this do permanent damage to the perception of bikers? Probably not. But it certainly doesn't help, either; let's hope the Wild One-era antics come to an end, and keep motorcycling's reputation as good spirited and fun as it deserves to be.
Comment with your thoughts on whether this is an isolated incident, or if this news item reflects a growing trend.
Photo © Scott Olson / Getty Images
Comments
I would think this is an isolated incident. What troubles me is that too often there are copy cats. I certainly hope that is not the case with this.
I have recently done a research on the very subject of the negative social perception of bikers. This incident from a rogue group of menaces certainly does not help. I am hoping that the local bike community sent out a message to shun the group. It would be a tragedy if this turned into a domino effect of fear from the public and retaliation against innocent bikers who no more accept the incident than cagers.
Maybe the cars that got stoned deserved it…?
Violence is never the answer. But i’ll bet rick was no angel in this case. Just a damn shame he had to have the kid in the car.
how dumb can you be to do this after all they do for the people for the benifits rides that we do for them
ya i have a comment about the cowards that make nice bikers look crappy, next time. hope someone runs them off the road. giving nice bikers bad blows. git em i know i will .
Well, at least nobody got shot.
I would hope it’s an isolated incident, but I’ve seen the same type of behavior in Indiana. I rode behind a group of riders who were going really slow, holding up both lanes of traffic. One was weaving in and around the center line. I didn’t want any part of the ceromonies. Because I was a motorcyclist, it probably looked pretty bad for me to be following behind them that day. I probably did the wrong thing when I passed the group through a hole in their formation. I felt guilty by association.
Gee… I wonder sort of bikes they were riding? Is it any wonder the classic – been around for 50 years – sterotypical “bikers” continue to screw it up for the rest of us?
How do you know they “old guys?” Could be they were young punks on crotch rockets.
It probably was the crotch rocket crowd…I mean, throwing rocks?
Sounds like fairly juvenile behavior…
may be born again bikers
I’ve ridden sport bikes (and with sport bike riders) for almost 40 years…this is not how the vast majority behave. This screams “1 percenters” riding hogs complete with colors and sub vegetable IQ’s.
Regardless….when’s the last time you stopped to pick up a rock to throw at a car?? These a**holes went out with this mission in mind and prepared for it. They belong in jail…or on the receiving end of a good dose of their own behaviour.
Localy it’s documented of packs of crotch rocketers typical 50 range will block(hold) traffic back at like 25mph on the interstate while buddies take turns doing stunts and high speed tricks in front of the group. Something this juvenile as throwing rocks and disregard for public saftey I favor the young punk syndrom, not a mid life crisses.
Holding up traffic? It’s either lawyers on Harleys that don’t know how to ride or the trick riders as mentioned before. Some how I don’t see 50 1%ers throwing rocks, maybe 357 shells.
I live in the St. Louis area and yes Pete, they were/are a bunch of “sub-vegetable IQ”…..sport bike riders!!!! Talk about stereotyping!!!! Hey Pete; Look in the mirror and quit blaming color-wearing Harley/cruiser riders for all that is bad with or about motorcycling!!!
Aaron
Pete’s comment from above;
I’ve ridden sport bikes (and with sport bike riders) for almost 40 years…this is not how the vast majority behave. This screams “1 percenters” riding hogs complete with colors and sub vegetable IQ’s.