Give A Shift Motorcyclist Group Update
GAS keeps on burning to encourage ridership
If there’s ever anyone who is trying to increase the amount of motorcycle riders by establishing a consensus of ideas and opinions about how to improve the experience, we’d like to support them. And so it is with Give A Shift, the rider’s association brought together by our friend Robert Pandya that intends to elevate the status of motorcycling through constructive criticism from diverse and informed perspectives.
We’ve previously reported on the group’s initial roundtable seminar, in which we discussed a few of the issues surrounding the decline of motorcycle use. We encourage everyone who cares about the health of our two-wheel future to check it out in the link above. As noted in that article, with fewer stakeholders and enthusiasts on the table, the moto industry will eventually be headed for an inevitable decline.
What We Can Do To Save The Moto Industry
We recently received an email from Pandya to update us on the group’s progress, as well as to encourage other roundtables around the country to help create a better future for riders. Keep reading below to learn what’s been happening as Pandya keeps twisting the throttle and staying on the GAS. Our hobby/sport/transportation choice needs your voices.
GAS Update #1
Okay, so promise #1: I will not bombard you with stuff! I know we all get spammed with crap in our inbox, so I’ll always work to keep these updates tight and relevant. I’m also not going to give away these email address, or use them in a manner that would make your subscription public. I’m staying true to this. I hope you’re cool.
So – onto the updates. GAS continues to gain attention and be a catalyst for articles and forum posts as well as podcasts and editorial that serves the purpose of bringing conversations about the motorcycle industry to light. I did an interview on Gina Woods “Open Road Radio” and with the NY Times on Sunday. Just finished a podcast interview with the BMW MOA people too. There are many who want to keep talking about the state of the motorcycle industry. Though there have been some national organizations and some inside of OEM’s that seek to paint GAS and GAS participants as those who are wrapped in “Doom and Gloom,” that is simply not the case and is a message designed to undercut the work.
We are working to address issues in motorcycling in a manner that is public to all. No membership fees, no secret marketing strategy to sell you anything, no sponsorships that can sway the program. Basically if we all work to better motorcycling, we all win – however GAS will continue to act as a motorcycle industry intervention, bring issues to light, offer up a platform for open informed discussions and even controversial opinions.
The next few months will see several roundtable events kicking off with an early April event in New York that will focus on female ridership. My friend Annic Magac is helping me put together that event. We plan to host a diverse mix of women including some (currently) non-riders to help frame up how the industry can better serve that critical and underserved market. I asked for some help on the other roundtables ion hosting and facilitating them – however so far only Annic has truly stepped up to lead a panel. I’m not disappointed, I know that everyone is busy, there is no pay, and yeah it’s a hassle. However, motorcycling has paid for my life, so completing these panels will be my legacy – even if it takes me some time. If you want to host one or discuss what it will take, do get in touch.
The goal is for the other four round-tables to be complete before the end of August, and for all of the reports to be wrapped up into an e-book format for free distribution. We will look into printed versions that will of course have some cost to them – but that’s print… some trees had to die.
After doing a few podcast interviews and having many phone conversations with new and old moto friends, and to help bridge the gap between now and when the final series of reports are done, I’ve been encouraged to host some one-on one interviews regarding GAS-focused subjects. These will be casual yet informed conversations designed to be another piece in the conversation. Guests will range widely and these interviews will be unedited but kept under 30 minutes at most. Watch for these to pop up in the coming weeks.
This past twelve months have been a roller coaster for me personally. I turned 50, lost my Dad, punched through life stuff and have not worked outside of consulting with NUVIZ to help them get launched. GiveAShift, and the other initiative I have been working on (a major ride to celebrate the centennial of women’s rights to vote called The Suffragists Centennial Ride) has reminded me of the passion and excitement of riding, and how being on a motorcycle is a uniquely satisfying experience.
The opportunities for motorcycling are truly great – and with the right work we will bring more into our world in a genuine manner that will make for life-long enthusiasts. Thanks again for signing up and for Giving A Shift. I look forward to continuing to be part of elevating motorcycling for all of us. Please do encourage your motorcycle industry friends and engaged enthusiasts to sign up for the mailing list at MotoGiveAShift.com, and visit yourself to check out some new blog entries, photos and perhaps download and listen to the audio from the GiveAShift Happy Hour in Los Angeles last month. Ride safe and ride often.
Robert Pandya Founder:
PS – eliminate the term “lane splitting” and substitute lane SHARING… your kindergarten teacher taught you sharing was good. Words matter.
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Filtering is a better term for Lane Splitting. That's an understood practice around the world, safely.
Good and great things start with an idea, then a few folks getting involved. Which leads to more people and more ideas. There's a negative to this? Only in a negative mind-set. I have no illusions about the "good old days" returning, it's just not going to happen. New generations are influenced by newer things and ideas, plus new technologies. I have much respect for those "days", as it was what shaped my perspectives, especially with motorcycles. Many have no clue about the past, nor do they care at all. Ensconcing ones self in a cloak of safety, making life easier, where's the challenge in that? I learned more about life and myself in uncomfortable situations, those that made me think, understanding the consequences. My reach to others is very limited, compared to folks that are getting on board with this. Respected people in the industry, both manufacturing and the journalism side, working together. I fear autonomous cars/trucks could sound the death knell for motorcycling, but new technologies like what Honda has been working with, might alleviate my fears. This is a worthy endeavor, one I have always supported by presenting a positive perspective about motorcycles and those that ride them. I learned that from my family and mostly my grandfather, as I watched him interact with non-riders, breaking down the worn out fallacy of the bad-a$$ "biker" and similar mentality.