Author: Unknown
"The two-wheeled code of the west
It used to be that all bikers shared a common bond, an unspoken code of ethics and behavior that
transcended words and was built on actions. There was never a bible written on this Biker's Code
of
the West and there was no need for such to me. But the times are a-changin' and there seems to
be a
lot of new riders out there. These days the riders you see blastin' down the tarmac are just as
likely to be clad in shorts and sneakers as jeans and engineer boots. And the roughest,
toughest-looking biker you pull up next to could be your doctor or lawyer and may be wearin' a
Rolex
watch under his leathers. There's nothing wrong with that, so long as these new riders learn the
Code of the West just as we old-timers did.
Being a biker used to be about using your creativity to take a basket case old hawg and using
only
grit and ingenuity, turning it into a one of a kind eye dazzler, then risking your life on the
asphalt on a bike you made yourself out of pride. Bikers wore leather and grease because they
knew
cagers would just as soon run them down as look at them, so they had to be intimidating. We were
a
breed unto ourselves with no union, no support group, and in many cases, no family (they threw
us
out). We had to make it in the world of our own, against all rules, against mainstream society,
and
against all odds. You know, we survived and prospered because of the Biker Code of the West and
we
never took shit from anybody. As an old scooter tramp named Jug once said, "It's every tramp's
job
to school the young. How else are they gonna know a Panhead from a bed pan?" With that in mind,
we
bring you a primer on the basic two-wheeled Code of the West. Take heed, brothers and sisters,
for
our Code is a hallowed one filled with honor and loyalty, the likes of which have not been since
the
days of knighthood.
The Biker Commandments
Don't take any shit. Be kind to woman, children and animals, but don't take any bullshit. This
is an
essential part of being a biker. It has to do with respect and honor. Anyone can be a brash,
quick-
tempered lout. Be cool, stand tall and backup what you say with action.
Never lie, cheat or steal. Another way of saying this is to always tell the truth. Bikers are
always
the greasy bad guys in the movies, but every real biker knows that his word is his bond. Your
word
is all you have in life that is truly yours. Guard it carefully and be about something noble,
for
you are a true knight of the road.
Don't snitch. If you see a wrong, fight it yourself. If you are about anything, you'll take care
of
problems yourself and never feel the need to snitch someone off. Snitches are the lowest life
forms
on earth, right up there with biker thieves. This rule goes hand in hand with the next one.
Don't Snivel. Absolutely no one likes or respects a sniveler. Another way to say this is hold
your
mud. Still another way to think of it is, "Don't sweat the small stuff." Most of life's little
inconveniences work themselves out whether you snivel or not. Keep your chin up, dammit! You're
a
biker, not some lowly mollusk.
Never say die and never give up. Whether it's in a fight, a debate, or a business deal, no matter
how bad it gets, a biker never gives up. That's why you see a lot of wealthy bikers these days,
'cause they don't know how to quit in any element of their lives. In the biker world of rugged
individualists, only the strong survive.
Help others. When a brother or sister is broken down by the side of the road, stop and help them.
Even moral support, it that is all you can give, is better than riding on by. Remember life is
about
the journey, the ride, not getting there. You already are there. And don't just help bikers,
show
the world that we are better than our image portrays us. Courtesy costs you nothing and gives
you
everything.
Stick to your guns. Do what you say you'll do, be there when you say you will. This is called
integrity. This also goes back to standing for something. Like the song says, "You've got to
stand
for something or you'll fall for anything.
Life is not a drill. Yeah, this ain't no dress rehearsal. This is life-go out and take big bites
of
it. You've got no time to lose and bikers don't stand around waiting for the party to come to
them.
You only go around once. Tomorrow you could be road kill, thanks to a chain smoker asleep at the
wheel of his Caddy. Live life now, make the most of each moment. This is not a drill.
Summary
All right, now let's review. You are a biker, a modern-day knight of the road. Protect the weak,
walk tall and stand proud. Your word is your bond. Stick to your guns. Don't take any shit. Life
is
not a drill. Now go forth and ride. When in doubt, ride. That's what we do...ride. If you want
to
ride around in a Day-Glo Hawaiian shirt and sandals, go for it, but if you intend to look like a
goof, at least don't act like a goof. These commandments are just a few of the broad strokes,
there
is a lot more to being a biker than buying a bike. If you just buy a bike, you are a
motorcyclist.
Being a biker is a way of life, a proud way of life we hold in high regard and with a burning
passion for the open highway and for life.
Now ride, dammit!"
