07-07-2019, 04:40 AM
As motorcyclists here in the States at least, we are more or less the Rodney Dangerfield amongst users of motorized transport. We get no respect. This is certainly nothing new. It has been this way for as long as I can remember. Our society has some very long held views of motorcycles and motorcycling that are "less than positive". Some of them are well founded while some of them aren't. I don't see this changing in my lifetime. But anyone contemplating getting around on just two wheels out on the street should be willing to acknowledge the inherit danger in my opinion. If this keeps more people off of motorcycles then so be it.
However, there are other changes afoot amongst younger people these days that also have an impact on motorcycling. My son is of the generation following the Millennials — Gen Z or the iGen depending on whom you consult. What stood out to me is just how many amongst this generation rejected or ignored not only motorcycles but cars as well. Some of them completely while others for maybe a year or a few years. They primarily choose to get around by mass transport instead. While such options were not available to myself and my friends growing up in a rural part of the country, we would have never contemplated this as an option even if it were available. But as I look around at the ever increasing amount of traffic that surrounds me I can't say that I blame them.
However, there are other changes afoot amongst younger people these days that also have an impact on motorcycling. My son is of the generation following the Millennials — Gen Z or the iGen depending on whom you consult. What stood out to me is just how many amongst this generation rejected or ignored not only motorcycles but cars as well. Some of them completely while others for maybe a year or a few years. They primarily choose to get around by mass transport instead. While such options were not available to myself and my friends growing up in a rural part of the country, we would have never contemplated this as an option even if it were available. But as I look around at the ever increasing amount of traffic that surrounds me I can't say that I blame them.