Biker wheels keep rolling for charity
Bikers have their say about the stereotype of being gangsters, instead they are charity-driven people.
There is the stereotype and belief that bikers have a bad reputation, but do all of them deserve the title of bad cats?
Recently, the president of High Way Motorcycle Ministries, Rodney Golden approached the Krugersdorp News to talk about the matter.
“This perspective people have on bikers has been bugging me for years now, and I want it to stop. People think that bikers are rude gangsters who cannot control themselves. This is a stigma that was true many years ago, especially in the 60s, when they had a way of taking over any place they walked in, and had the typical stereotype of a biker that people still believe. The way we dress and look also plays a part in this stereotype,” Rodney said.
He continued that in the West Rand today, most of the biker clubs are part of the West Rand Bikers Church, where religion plays a big part in their life, where in recent years, they started seeing the need for self-control.
“Biking is not a gang thing, it is a lifestyle that brings brotherhood among us. Our ethics are love, honour, respect and integrity. When bikers get together, it mainly revolves around charity, especially for those in need, like children and the elderly. About 90% of us have this attitude towards life,” he added.
The News reported on numerous biker charity runs over the years, including a blanket run in May by Soldiers for Jesus Motorbike Club, with many other clubs that took part in donating.
Rodney said that although the majority of them try to do good, obviously there are a couple of bikers that still live up to the stereotype.
“Although most bikers drink and cuss, our main goal is to help other people, and I can see the behaviour of the biking community in the West Rand has significantly changed for the better in the last 10 years,” Rodney concluded.
