Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/126464
Book Review Murder cycl.s, the 'acts about America's number on. blood sport Author: Patricia Zonker Publisher: Nelson-Hall. Chicago This book is intended to do for the motorcycle what Unsafe at any speed did for the Corvair. The author says she developed her dislike of motorcycles (she calls them "murdercycles" throughout) in 1969 during a hospital stay when she was placed in a ward full of cycle accident patients. In the years until now she researched nea r1y every aspect of the motorcycle in America and finds it all usadomasochistic, H "senseleSs," etc. Nevertheless, I recommend that every motorcyclist, would·be biker, and parent of same read some of this book (skip the title and gory pictures). Nobody should take up motorcycling without knowing all the risks. The best line in the book unfortunately was not written by Ms. Zonker. Jt appears in a jacket blurb signed Jacquelin Perry, M.D. "If you find you must ride a motorcycle, then for goodness sake learn every safety rule and trick, just as airplane pilots do." If the trite theory that spectators watch motor races to see drivers crash is true, then some smart race promoter should pass out chapters from this book and brace for the rush. She makes it out to be a gorier show than Caesar's coliseum. Wake up, Zonkerl Life is real, life is earnestl Consciously to control risk, to achieve something that less daring Hidiotic, tl souls dimly se~, that is the glory of mankind. Many sports are occasionally bloody, but does that make them "blood sports?" Even if so, more blood is shed in football than in motorcycle racing. Bullfighting is an example of a blood sport; motorcycle racing is not. It is easy for a pro· motorcyclist to go on for volumes refuting and ridiculing, but this book poses a serious threat to our existence. The book is being well received by those who agree with the author that motorcycles shouJd be banned ("murdered") altogether. The last chapter is a call to action against "the murdercycle menace." She tells her readers, presumably other middleaged ladies to raise hell and stop high school motocross, kill driver safety programs, prevent motorcycle advertising in general interest magazines and TV, block motorcycle park progress, boycott businesses that do business with motorcyclists. What motorcycling needs is a book to balance Ms. Zonker's. To tell this bikers' side and defend the industry, and clear the way for safety and the sport. Unfortunately, the only hardcover novel that comes anywhere close is R. Lipkin's "A Brotherhood of Outlaws," except it has nothing to do with the sport. It is easy to say that motorcycling today is not totally safe. But to assert that it is not worthwhile is to deny the daily evidence of our senses. Anyone can write a cautionary taJe, but it would take the talents of Lewis Carrol, Mark Twain, and T.S. Eliot rolled in one to tell the true story. T. E. Lawrence only scratched the surface. For motorcycling is not apprehended by words, it is experienced in revelations. Deus ex machina and all that. I find in motorcycling a key to the vast puzzle of existence. Half my life I have sought words to express these revelations, but in that I am dumb. That's why I like the expression "dumb biker." To me it means something much different and better than it would mean to Ms. Zonker. It is a se~ of life that the Zonkers never knew. o 00 0') ~ Charles Clayton Motorcycle Riders Anonymous Join today! Support the sport! Get involved! Be a member or lose your right to ridel Motorcyclists are begged, threatened, cohorted and coerced to become a member of the AMA, ABATE, BBA, MORE, SRRA, MMA, and any other set of initials you can combine except the KKK. Dire consequences are promised if we don't send in our bucks today. The only organization that offers something besides a chance to part with hard come by greenbacks is Motorcycle Riders Anonymous. The MRA is for motorcyclists. Membership is open to all who ride a power-driven cycle. You can recognize a fellow member because he rides with his headlight on. Dues are free. Meetings are held anytime two bikers meet. Activity is whatever turns them on. Brand loyalty, not important. Even sex can be placed second at a Motorcycle Riders Anonymous meeting. Local chapters are formed daily. No hassle with getting a national charter; just pull up to another member who gives the sign and return the greeting. There are a lot of closet members of the group. At any halt for fuel. for person or machine you know you are going to hear from the pump jockey, "I got me a sickle, too" or "I always rode an Indian," if he's older. Ever wonder why Indian folded when so many of the senior citizens rode them so faithfully? Even the Florence Jean Castleberry of the local greasy spoon is quick to point out that her old man takes her out on his Harley. Next time you take off for a putt, look around. Bet you spot some more of the brothers of Motorcycle Riders Anonymous. You might even be lucky enough to come across some of the sisters tooling along on their own. Hold a meeting at the next light. This is one organization that welcomes all riders, asks for no money, and provides plenty of member benefits. Join todayl Glenn lies 21