09-12-2014, 05:31 PM
It is true that society today has changed quite a bit from what it was. Certainly helping out a stranger is something that is becoming more and more rare, and I think the reasons for this change are many. What I find here in Europe though is that helping out is a trait that is still reasonably common among bikers, even though perhaps less and less so. I know that over the years I have stopped to help out on many occasions, and I never think twice about it. It is second nature to me; I see a fellow motorist with trouble and I stop to see if I can help. Some might say that this can get me in to trouble because you don't know who you might encounter, but I am too old to change my ways, and motorcycle riding is already dangerous to begin with.
There have been some funny moments too when I have stopped to help out people in broken down cars. There was one time a lady in a flashy BMW that was clearly having car issues, stranded at the side of the road. I pulled up behind her with my bike, and proceeded to walk up and ask if I could help. As she spotted me, she rapidly closed her window, and I was greeted with a look of fear. That's when it hit me that on top of the black leathers I was wearing, I had not taken of my helmet either! I was like "no, no! I just want to see if I can help!" and proceeded to take of my helmet and present her with my best smile. I probably looked creepy as hell! She cracks her window open a couple of centimeters, and I can ask her what is going on.
To make a long story short, I couldn't help her with her car trouble, but at a time when mobile phones were not too common, I was able to call for help and waited with her until a mechanic showed up. She did end up trusting me enough to eventually get out of her car and we had a really nice conversation as we waited together.
I would do the same tomorrow, but then I am also somebody who tries to tell young riders to mellow out a bit on the roads too. I doubt it will ever have an impact, but you just never know...
There have been some funny moments too when I have stopped to help out people in broken down cars. There was one time a lady in a flashy BMW that was clearly having car issues, stranded at the side of the road. I pulled up behind her with my bike, and proceeded to walk up and ask if I could help. As she spotted me, she rapidly closed her window, and I was greeted with a look of fear. That's when it hit me that on top of the black leathers I was wearing, I had not taken of my helmet either! I was like "no, no! I just want to see if I can help!" and proceeded to take of my helmet and present her with my best smile. I probably looked creepy as hell! She cracks her window open a couple of centimeters, and I can ask her what is going on.
To make a long story short, I couldn't help her with her car trouble, but at a time when mobile phones were not too common, I was able to call for help and waited with her until a mechanic showed up. She did end up trusting me enough to eventually get out of her car and we had a really nice conversation as we waited together.
I would do the same tomorrow, but then I am also somebody who tries to tell young riders to mellow out a bit on the roads too. I doubt it will ever have an impact, but you just never know...