It's hardly news that motorcyclists have a somewhat scruffy image. It's unfair to most of them. But all it takes are a few. My last two columns have dealt with the motorcyclists-rights group ABATE - a proponent of "freedom of choice" in the use of motorcycle helmets.
They're nice, law-abiding people and they're not a motorcycle gang - even though some members like to dress the part. But ABATE doesn't speak for all motorcyclists. Quite a few bikers believe ABATE - with its opposition to mandatory helmet laws and penchant for meeting in taverns - projects a poor image of motorcycling. This week is the critics' turn.
Meet Cher Gibson, 53, of Abingdon, a 23-year motorcycle owner and former president of a local Honda Riders Club. She is "dead set" against repealing Maryland's helmet law and doesn't buy the argument that bars are the only friendly place ABATE can meet.
"I rarely had a problem finding a meeting place for the club to meet," she writes. "Taverns are not the only offering, but alcohol is a big part of ABATE. One only has to attend one of their gatherings to see it. I have quite a few friends that belong to ABATE and I think ABATE does good work - usually - but they really need to turn their public safety consciousness inward to their own group."
Dennis Plitt is a sometime motorcyclist and a lifelong resident of the area around Daniels restaurant and open-air bar in Elkridge, the meeting place for ABATE's Howard County chapter.
"The gathering crowds at places like Daniels are a colorful part of real Americana, as anyone who has observed the 'Rolling Thunder' drives will tell you. Nonetheless, I've scratched my head for years at the [sight] of so many riders bellied up to the bar at Daniels. How can you not be at least in some way impaired when you leave after several beers/drinks/whatever?"
(Note to Daniels fans: I have eaten there; it's a nice family place behind its daunting exterior; and it serves a fine Maryland crab soup. But that isn't coffee being served in cans and bottles.)
Stephen Cooper of Arbutus, now in his 50s, wrote that he has been riding his own bikes since he was 16 and has owned 40 of them.
"I do not belong to ABATE or the [American Motorcycle Association] for the very reason that I do not agree with their position on the helmet laws. When I was 17 years old a very good friend of mine lost his life on a motorcycle. If he had been wearing a helmet he would have had only minor injuries," he said.
Patrick Fleeharty of Annapolis wrote that six years ago he walked away from a motorcycle crash that left his helmet destroyed. But he has an even more compelling reason why Maryland parents should insist on keeping the mandatory helmet law.
"I am motorcyclist, as are both of my adult sons. Both sons, early in their riding years, went down on their bikes, putting large dents in their helmets. Had they not been wearing their helmets, those dents would have been in their skulls. They told me that, had there been no helmet requirement law in Maryland, they probably would have been riding without one. I believe the helmet law saved their lives," he wrote.
Frederick Wheeler of Alabama, a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, agreed "wholeheartedly" that motorcyclists need to do their part in keeping themselves safe.
"Riding impaired (as little as one drink) has been a major factor in fatalities among riders. You are correct also about helmet usage and I do not agree with ABATE's stance," he said.
Marty Calon of Baltimore, a 55-year-old motorcyclist, had some reservations about my original column. He was worried that it would reinforce prejudices among "cagers" - that's those of us inside vehicles - but said he "mostly agreed."
"I'm not against helmet laws and have never ridden farther than the front of my house to the back without a helmet. I wouldn't even consider riding without a helmet, regardless of the law. I believe that the talk of individual 'rights' and 'freedom' is a bunch of nonsense, as you correctly pointed out."
I'd like to think this article, mostly the work of motorcyclists themselves, challenges the perceptions of "cagers" who may harbor prejudices about bikers.
But like anyone else, we cagers are affected by our personal experiences. And my e-mail indicates that many motorists believe there is a growing problem of motorcycle abuse - mostly by young men who operate high-performance sport bikes at mind-boggling speeds while weaving in and out of traffic.
As one reader put it after such an encounter: "Many motorcyclists are out of control. Why should I care for their safety if they don't?"
In fact, many do. Steve Bassett of North Laurel sent me an article he had posted to his Web site about his encounter with a pack of about 30 sport bikers riding recklessly on U.S. 50. He writes:
"As a long-time motorcyclist, it makes me furious to see this yet I know that all the training, peer pressure, and admonitions in the world won't fix stupid. These are the dangerous and irresponsible riders who feed the negative stereotype of motorcycling and motorcycle riders."
Bassett's full account of the incident - and its fatal results - along with more letters from readers, can be found at www. baltimoresun.com/dresser.
gettingthere@baltsun