Monday, October 19, 2009

Apathetic Motorcycle Riders

What does it take to get motorcycle riders to come out for a bike night?

That's the question one guy asked today.

Mike runs a motorcycle meetup group of his own, similar to the one I run, and both of our meetup groups are focused in the same town.

So last week he posted a "bike night" at a local biker hangout. This hangout started doing bike nights a few months ago. I went to the first one after hearing about how good the tri-tip was, and how passionate the owner was in trying to start a new bike night tradition.

When I went there, there were only about 20-30 bikers who showed up, which is actually a paltry number compared to the several hundred that show up certain other places around Southern California.

Well, in the week since Mike posted a meetup for this bike night, only about 7 people responded that they'd show up. And Mike, being the kind of guy he is, sent out an e-mail to everyone subscribed to his meetup group, expressing some frustration that so few people responded...

Where the hell is everyone else! Most members are not even interested enough to RSVP NO!

...that was just a sampling of what Mike wrote.

And that's a good point. It's understood that people have other things to do. But then again, if you care enough to join a group of riders, club or no club, you should still participate enough to say, "No, I can't make it". Not saying anything is apathetic.

If you're in a club, or if you're part of a group of riders, how often do you take the time to say, "No, I can't make it", or "I can't commit right now, but I'll let you know at the end of the week"?

When someone in your club or group organizes a ride or an event, and you can't make it, do you just ignore it and not say anything?

And if you don't care enough to at least issue a response, why did you even bother to join?


  1. This is what's wrong with everything. People are pretty flakey for the most part. Lack of respect...that's all it is.

    This is why hard-core M/C's just don't let you show up at the door. They demand loyalty and committment. I don't like that either but you have to admit, easy come...easy go. Unless you are ready to deploy some serious due dilligence and discipline...then just expect it.

    On the same topic...I can't stand it when someone tells me, "I don't know if I can make it. I'm not sure." Flippin' make up your mind. I would rather have you just say, "No" rather than pussy foot around.

    People can't commit to anything anymore...because they really don't have to for the most part.

  2. I think you always have to take responsibility. If you create a fun atmasphere that welcomes particpation and people enjoy themselves then the word will get out and your next ride will have more riders. Your events will grow if you have the right attitude. Don't expect to post an event and have everyone come running. Don't sit around moaning and crying that no one is coming to your event. Put on a good event. Go and have a good time. And fuck everyone who didn't come. They missed out! When they hear what a good time you had from their friends, they will be there next time. I take it as a challenge.

  3. Road Captain, I don't care about the people who don't come, I'm just wondering about the people who signed up to join my meetup group, but don't even bother say, "no, I can't make it".


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