I belong to a minority sector for whom discrimination is an everyday fact of life. The fact is that that discrimination is so blatant and unapologetic and is institutional discrimination but despite that, the media make little or no comment upon it.
It’s not racial discrimination. It’s not religious discrimination. It’s not sexual discrimination. No, I’m sorry to confess it’s far worse than that. It’s because I ride a motorbike.
The most recent example of this prejudice and discrimination comes from those well known haters of all things motorcycling – a Welsh police force. Their latest anti-motorcycle act is to effectively ban the annual Welsh National Motorcycle Show because:
“Dyfed-Powys Police are of the view that there is a significant risk of violence at this year’s Welsh motorcycle show.”
I see.
Surely on that basis the police should be cancelling all football matches? After all, as we saw with the UEFA Cup Final match in Manchester, there is more than a significant risk of violence with football matches. But amazingly, they are never cancelled. I wonder why? Could it be that the perception – reinforced by the police, Government and the media – that motorcyclists are all troublemakers and lawless?
After all, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee stated that:
“Motorcyclists are particularly liable to evade road tax. Nearly 40% of motorcycles are now unlicensed.
“If the DVLA’s motorcycle enforcement regime is not to be a complete laughing stock, then the agency and the department must make the most of new powers to enforce VED on public roads.”
They must also “strongly consider more severe measures such as impounding unlicensed motorcycles”, he said, adding: “Large parts of the biking community are cocking a snook at the law.”
Of course, that was completely inaccurate, and for once the MPs were forced to apologise when it was revealed that that was complete bollocks.
Is it any wonder we feel like criminals when we are treated like criminals and discriminated against?
Run on 1 February 2012 7:00 pm
1.28 mi in 00:13:23 (10:30 min/mi)
HR 158 bpm - Burned 164 C
