Peer pressure is very real and doesn’t just happen to young kids in school. In any other setting, adults that would be unlikely to fall into the grips of peer pressure can easily become sheep following the others when around motorcycles. Excessive speeds, showing off, riding beyond your skill level, pushing your motorcycle beyond its design capabilities, or riding impaired are all traps peer pressure can push us into.
I’ll even throw motorcycle modifications into the arena of peer pressure. A lot of modifications get done and much money spent, not because we really want or need to, but because it’s the thing to do. After all, everyone else is doing it and I really want to fit in and be cool. Ape hangers are an excellent example of what I feel is a peer pressure driven modification. Hand grips six inches or more above the shoulder are comfortable and safe? Really? Time for one of my opinions – Once the hand grips start reaching the level of the rider’s shoulders and go even higher, they are stupid. They look dumb. They greatly reduce the rider’s ability to safely handle the motorcycle. You may be able to marginally control the motorcycle on a straight highway, but what about emergency stops, evasive maneuvers, and tight turns?
Group rides are a place that peer pressure can get pushed to the extreme. Is the group riding faster than you are comfortable going? Is it busting through red lights and stop signs in an effort to keep together? Is the language being used really what you would be using at home or at work? If you were by yourself would you have those beers at each stop during the ride? If by yourself would you continue to ride through that storm? If it was just you, would you ride that wheelie down that busy street?
How much of what you wear when riding is really for function vs. the look?
We don’t want to be considered chicken or not cool. So, we do things for the sake of appearances in front of others that we probably would not even consider doing when alone. Are you listening out there? Be a responsible adult and do the right thing whether anybody is there to see you or not.
Some of the things that come with negative peer pressure:
- Why are you taking these curves so slowly?
- Can’t you keep up?
- What’s with all the protective gear?
- Why the full-face helmet?
- Oh, come on! Just have a couple of beers with us.
- Why waste the weekend going to that class when I can show you everything you need to know?
A last comment on peer pressure – We tend to think of peer pressure as a negative/bad influence. Peer pressure can also be positive. Ride in a safe and responsible manner. Encourage other riders to do the same. If the peer pressure you experience isn’t positive, you are probably hanging with the wrong people.