The concept of freedom is an interesting idea. For some reason, even people who don't ride a motorcycle believe that riding brings freedom. I disagree with that thought. But to explore that concept, we have to first identify what freedom is.
Definition of Freedom
Freedom generally is having the ability to act or change without constraint. Something is "free" if it can change easily and is not constrained in its present state. In philosophy and religion, it is associated with having free will and being without undue or unjust constraints or enslavement and is an idea closely related to the concept of liberty. A person has the freedom to do things that will not, in theory, or practice, be prevented by other forces. (Definition used from Wikipedia)
Freedom While Riding
The question is, "Are we more free while riding?" Does the motorcycle bring us more freedom? Does our liberty change when we ride? Am I less free if driving an automobile? Do I gain a small amount of freedom driving a convertible or 3-wheeled vehicle? What universal or physical truth occurs while riding that creates freedom while riding?
Freedom While Riding Is An Illusion
Everyone reading this should understand it's a parody against the idea that riding a motorcycle somehow provides more freedom. Analyzing the idea, though, really breaks down the concept into some pretty harsh truths. The main reality is that we are less free when we have a motorcycle. Riding feels good. The air, the wind, no enclosed space, the speed, and leaning in curves give us an experience that can trick our senses into believing we are now free when we ride.
Buying A Motorcycle Restricts Your Freedom
It's interesting to watch Harley's commercial above. It begins by saying "ready to get the feeling of freedom you get riding a Harley Davidson?" Then immediately jumps to the monthly payment. That monthly payment binds you by contract and chips away a small bit of your freedom. Now you have to have a monthly income to make the bike payment. You have to provide insurance. Now you have to pay for the fuel to ride it. There will be maintenance costs that will arise. You will lose free time when working on the bike to keep it running. All of the money it takes to own that bike comes from a source of income that takes away your free time. This is only the beginning, and your freedom is already being stripped away by purchasing that motorcycle.
Riding Organizations That Restrict Your Freedom
Let's assume you think it necessary to become members of a riding group of some sort. Whether it be HOG, an RG, RC, MC, OMG, MM, LEMC, etc. Now your freedom can really crash. Depending on the type of organization you've chosen to elevate the amount of freedom that expensive motorcycle has given you, enslavement begins at various levels. Most groups or clubs will have monthly dues, so your expenses rise even more. Some may even find you if you miss your monthly due date. Many organizations have mandatory runs and meetings. Now you've lost even more of your freedom to engage in your personal choice of activities on the day of the run or meeting. If you have to prospect before joining a club, you might be at the beck and call of members for quite some time doing what they say when they say.
Some organizations even have a hierarchy of priorities in which the organization comes first before family or work. Some clubs require a minimum amount of miles ridden per year. This restricts your freedom to decide how much you want to ride. Some organizations will fine you if your motorcycle is broken down for specific lengths of time. At this point, you're forced to pay the fine, spend money to repair the bike, and keep accumulating miles. A few organizations even dictate what you are allowed to wear while riding. How is that freedom working out for you now?
Other Motorcycle Factors That Restrict Your Freedom
Some of the following factors may also affect you depending on where you live or how tough you envision motorcyclists are supposed to be. When it's pouring down rain, snow, cold, or extreme heat, are you the hardcore rider that has to show the world that real riders tough it out by riding even in adverse weather conditions?
I remember the outpouring of freedom Margaret and I felt riding in the desert of Utah for 10 hours when it was 110 degrees. We were both suffering from heat exhaustion when we arrived in Moab. If you choose not to ride in serious weather conditions, you'll probably need to drive an automobile to get to your destination. That means you have automobile expenses and all that goes with it. You could take the bus, but you still have to pay for that.
The weather can get so cold, icy, and snowbound that it becomes near impossible to ride in some areas. In those regions, many riders overwinter their bikes. There are businesses that you can pay who will winterize your bike and store it for you during the harsh climate months when you won't be riding. Of course, that adds to the expense of having a motorcycle. You're also making payments on that object of freedom your not even riding. Getting your dose of freedom now, aren't you?
Traffic Laws Restrict Your Freedom
How could we leave out traffic laws? Have you ever seen a speed limit sign? Of course, you have. Like most of us, you probably don't adhere to the state's speed limit requirement for that particular stretch of pavement. The same principle applies to stop signs, stop lights, yield signs, one-way streets, divided lanes to control traffic flow, and no pass zones. They are important laws that provide a structure that helps make travel safe. Traffic laws apply to all vehicles on the road. Riding a motorcycle doesn't give you a state-sponsored exemption to those laws. These laws restrict your freedom. You could break them to press forward with your motorcycle freedom campaign. You can also pay the fines or jail time when you're cited for breaking them. Still feeling more freedom having a motorcycle?
The Fact of Motorcycle Freedom
It is a fact that riding does not bring about more freedom. Albeit some of the examples above are on the extreme side, any level of motorcycling takes away a piece of your freedom, whether from your income or your personal time. This was a fun article to write and was meant to highlight and ridicule the misuse of the concept of gaining freedom by riding a motorcycle. We ride for enjoyment, and the feelings invoked that only a motorcycle can provide. During those moments in riding, our senses can elevate to a concept of freedom.
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