[Budd]

So now that I have taken the beginner course, bought a bike, and started riding it to work, more poeple have started becoming interested in biking. I guess they see that I have not in fact killed myself on my “ninjabike.” This has somehow given them the confidence to want to do it themselves.

I would say that it is the contagious nature of motorcycles, but a girl whose boyfriend rides is now interested in riding herself. Up until I started riding she was content to riding on the back of his bike. Maybe it is just that I seem really conservative and that I went at it in a thought out paced manner. Or maybe, these people look at me and say if this lame-O can ride a bike so can I.

But now I have a bike, so I know I am cool (at least while not stopped at lights).

So, my question is, how contagious is riding, or do I come off as a if he can do it so can I type person.

[acidpope]

Getting the first person past a minefield is always the toughest. Once the path is clear though, others follow readily.

Biking is contagious because when most people think of it, they remember the fun they had when they were younger on their bikes. Mind you it’s different, but when they are leaning back and dreaming of cruising the roads on a motorcycle this doesn’t really enter their head.

Just remember, monkey see, monkey do. If they are using you as an example then gear up, ride safe and preach the BMM gospel. Happy riding.

[Matt]

A lot of people dream of riding a motorcycle, but never give it any indepth thought. They simply think “I couldn’t do that, it isn’t safe” or some version thereof. They never get far enough along the process to even know that MSF courses exist.
And then there are the plenty of people (squids) who jump onto a bike half-cocked and don’t bother with any of the prep or learning. Despite the fact that they are out there riding, they haven’t given it significantly deeper thought than the first group of people.

When you do go through the process and then talk to people about it, you guide them through that deeper thought. They’d never given any thought to the differences between different bikes beyond “big loud bike and little fast loud bike”, let alone thing like full faced vs shorty helmets, wearing gear, or taking courses.

Just by going out and getting a bike you are providing insipration to others who like teh dream of being on a bike. By going through the steps, and sharing those steps with people, you show them that it isn’t just a dream, but a surprisingly easily achieved goal.
By being a responsible conservative person you break down the “rebel” mental barriers.

Congratulations, you are now a Good Role-Model (TM).

[Jim]

A guy I know at work has been noticing me and my new bike habit . He was driving by and saw me taking the MSF class last month. He emailed me yesterday and told me he took the MSF and got his motorcycle endorsement. So I emailed back when we going bike shopping! I think he needs wifey’s approval before he makes that next step.

[Ben]

I think that a lot of people think about riding a motorcycle, but it takes a mental push before they make the plunge. Sometimes just seeing and talking to another ‘average’ person who happens to ride shows them that they can do it too. Lots of people who I didn’t think would be interested in riding have come up to me and asked about my bike and my safety gear.

I need to get some BBM business cards so I don’t have to spend 30+ minutes explaining everything haha!

Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin

[Author]

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