Biker Friendly Bars: The Big Oxymoron
 Do
we really need directories?
“In Washington State during 2004 72 motorcyclists were killed
in fatal accidents. Fatalities have almost doubled over the last
four years. More than 60% of all single vehicle motorcycle crashes
involved impairment of the motorcycle operator. Nationally, the
percentage of motorcycle operators involved in fatal motorcycle
crashes with blood alcohol levels above the legal limit was higher
than any other type of driver.”
Washington Department of
Licensing
2005 Study on Motorcycle Crashes and Fatalities
Down in Olympia number crunching continues on the climbing rate
of motorcycle fatalities. At last count the 2005 number exceeded
the previous year and the Governor has requested the Department of
Licensing to dig in and see what can be done to get the number down.
Meanwhile (thump) another round of local cruiser lifestyle magazines
hits the floors of dealers, each loaded with a guide to ‘Biker
Friendly Bars.’
 The
term itself, ‘Biker Friendly Bars’ sounds like an oxymoron to any
pragmatic rider. For many the idea of mixing alcohol with
motorcycling doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. We don’t need to
go get drunk and fall off our motorcycle to prove to ourselves this
is a bad idea. The state and national figures already prove that
because others riders have already done it enough, getting the
number to where it is today.
Why would you suppose that some local and national publications
continue to promote ‘Biker Friendly Bars’ ?
Well, there’s money in it. For $50 any bar or restaurant can get
listed in Quick Throttle’s ‘Biker Friendly Bars & Restaurants’
directory. In the January 2006 issue 66 establishments were
listed. That would mean that Quick Throttle got a quick injection
of $3,300 a year. Not a lot, but apparently enough to maintain the
directory.
Even the new kid on the block runs a listing. You can find
a similar directory in the Washington state online version of the
Biker Information Guide under “Biker Bars & Restaurants.” The
front cover of its first quarter 2006 print version touted such
listings as well.
During the 2005 International Motorcycle Show, Mad Maps out of
San Francisco rolled into Seattle and scattered free maps across the
event that featured a guide to ‘Roadhouses’ denoting ‘drinks’ with a
martini glass icon next to all roadhouses that fit the
qualification.
Above: Five entities including Washington Road Riders
Association and The Washington Motorcycle Safety Program have teamed
together to distribute
this flyer at various motorcycle events and shops during 2006
The Sound RIDER! position
Since 1999 Sound RIDER! has published with the intent to
enrich a rider's experience. Ride ideas, safety and riding
skills articles and tips & tricks columns have been geared
toward creating a more positive experience for the rider. Sound
RIDER! has never, and never will, publish a directory
to Biker Friendly Bars & Restaurants. We think it’s a good
idea not to mix alcohol and motorcycles. We encourage our
readers to drink responsibly and ride safely. |
It wouldn’t be America if all these publishers didn’t have the
choice to do whatever they want to with their magazines. But
is it the responsible thing to promote ‘Biker Friendly Bars’ within
their pages when the number of alcohol related fatalities in the
state is on the rise? Is it responsible for sponsors to prop
up these
publications with advertising dollars so the publishers can provide
these directories to riders and point them in the direction of the
nearest ‘Biker Friendly Bar?’ The answers to these questions
lie within yourself. You can decide what to read, and
what not to read; who to support, and who to ignore. Your
decision can make a difference in whether the fatality numbers go up
or go down.
Sound RIDER!/Winter 2006
We polled our readers.
READ THE RESPONSES FOR THIS ARTICLE NOW |
