The Biker's Creed

I found this on a Honda Magna Yahoo Group that I joined to get information and suggestions from people who own the same bike that I do. They are a friendly bunch. In any event, I found this on the site and thought it was somewhat cool.

The Biker's Creed

• I ride because it is fun.
• I ride because I enjoy the freedom I feel from being exposed to the elements, and the vulnerability to the danger that is intrinsic to riding.
• I do not ride because it is fashionable to do so.
• I ride my machine, not wear it. My machine is not a symbol of status. It exists simply for me, and me alone.
• My machine is not a toy. It is an extension of my being, and I will treat it accordingly, with the same respect as I have for myself.
• I strive to understand the inner-workings of my machine, from the most basic to the most complex.
• I will learn everything I can about my machine.
• I strive to constantly better my skill of control over my machine. I will learn its limits, and use my skill to become one with my machine so that we may keep each other alive. Working together in harmony, we will become an invincible team.
• I do not ride to gain attention, respect, or fear from those that do NOT ride, nor do I wish to intimidate or annoy them.
• I will never be the aggressor on the highway.
• I will show respect to other bikers more experienced or knowledgeable than I am.
• I will learn from them all I can.
• I will not show disrespect to other bikers less experienced or knowledgeable than I am.
• I will teach them what I can.
• It will be my task to mentor new riders, that so desire, into the lifestyle of the biker, so that the breed shall continue. I shall instruct them, as I have been instructed by those before me. I shall preserve and honor traditions of bikers before me, and I will pass them on unaltered.
• I will not judge other bikers on their choice of machine, their appearance, or their profession. I will judge them only on their conduct as bikers. I am proud of my accomplishments as a biker, though I will not flaunt them to others. If they ask, I will share them.
• I will stand ready to help any other biker that truly needs my help.
• I will never ask another biker to do for me what I can do for myself.
• I am not a part-time biker. I am a biker when, and where ever I go. I am proud to be a biker, and hide my chosen lifestyle from no one. I ride because I love freedom, independence, and the movement of the ground beneath me. But most of all, I ride to better understand myself, my machine, the lands in which I ride, and to seek out and know other bikers like myself.

- Anonymous