Recently, the Washington State Highway Patrol had to chase some crazy idiot all through town after catching him popping wheelies at over 100 miles per hour. While most of us know that acting that way on the open road is a funeral just waiting to happen, there are a few among us that act like they were dropped on their heads too many times.

Of course, we’re the only ones who can change the perception of motorcyclists. Most motor cycle riders today are not out causing trouble, starting fights in bars, or displaying random acts of bravado and stupidity on the highway. The few bikers who are out to cause trouble even admit that they are a minority by calling themselves the 1%ers.

The best thing we can do for the motorcycling community is police ourselves. When you catch somebody acting stupid, don’t be afraid to call him on it. Of course, there’s no guarantee everyone will listen to you, but who knows? If one person listens, you might have just saved a life. And make sure your motorcycle insurance is current. We need to follow the same rules everyone else does.

All of this is not to say there isn’t a time and place for stunt riding. Taking chances and being a bit of a daredevil are time honored pieces of the motorcycle tradition. From Evel Kneival to X games-style motocross stunt riders, there’s plenty of room for those who like to take their chances to do so. But public roads and highways, the ones we share with other motorists, just aren’t the place.

Ultimately, the only one any of us can control is ourselves. So, when you’re out on the road, make sure that you’re not one of the ones that give bikers a bad name. Respect others on the road, and most of them will respect you. And while you’re out there, make sure to keep a sharp eye out, especially at intersections. No matter how much it’s drilled into people’s heads, some people just don’t look twice, so it’s up to us to keep our eyes on everything going on around us.

Photo via Mihai Bojin

Love the open road? If you can’t be on your bike 24-7, these blogs are the next best thing. Each of these is well worth a read, even if it means spending a little time in front of a computer instead of on your bike. (Gotta do something on rainy days.)

News, Culture, and Just Ridin’

Every rider has a different take on the motorcycling life. Head on over to the Great Motorcycle Pizza Tour for a dose of humor, news, and personal anecdote. Walter Kern’s Motorcycle Views shares thoughts about bike culture and history, news, and more. Midlife Motorcycle Madness is an excellent stop along your reading road, as are Motorcycle Mack and 40 Years on Two Wheels. Bolty, relatively new to riding, chronicles her adventures on a 2007 SV650. Cruisin’ Down Under promises (and delivers) “No rules, no politics, just ridin.’” Or, read about a Harley riding family at Our Harley Days. Pat Henderson’s Life and Motorcycle Travels Blog covers mainly motorcycle-related stories, with a few other things thrown in. Your Bike Life covers biking culture with everything from news to book reviews and is very accessible to new riders. Dale Franks’ blog has great design and offers plenty of good reading about bike news, gear, and more. Kneeslider, Atlas Rider, Tilted Horizons, and the Motorcycle Diaries round out your must-read list.

Amazing Travel Tales and Awesome Rides

Thinking of riding around the world or across the country? Take a look at Motorcycle Moments from Around the World, which chronicles the continuing adventures of Clara and Kevin, most notably their 2007 motorcycle honeymoon to 42 countries. Read the story of one woman’s journey by motorcycle across India at Edge of India, by professional journalist C.L. Stambush. Orson’s Travel Blog will make you book some plane tickets for yourself and your bike. Or check out the tale of Ben Buckman, who logged 14,000 miles in 37 states on his cross-country motorcycle trip. Need more places to visit? Check out Bill’s Motorcycle Adventures (Upper Midwest), Motorcycle Paradise (Australia), Motorcycle Adventures (Louisiana), Canadian Motorcycle Rider (Kazakhstan…er, Canada), Northwest Harley Blog (Pacific Northwest), John’s Harley Rides (Australia), Gaijin Bikers (Japan), or The Ride Report (California).

Not Just for Chicks

These sites offer some perspective from riders who are women, and are good reading for bikers of either gender. The Biker Chickz Blog encourages “all women to ride in front” while Fuzzy Galore is a self-proclaimed “Girlie Motorcycle Blog.” Chrome and Pearls is a relatively new blog and a “voice for women riders.” At She Rides a Beemer, a mom chronicles her adventures on a bike with her teenage daughter, among other things. Find reviews, news, advice for women who ride, humor and more at Blade Rider. The Free Wheelin’ Canadian Women’s Motorcycle Club has news, humor, and good motorcycle readin’ that’s not just for women (and not just for Canadians.)

Motorcycle Gear and Working on the Bike

Find motorcycle gear reviews and product information at Bodett Reviews and California Motorcycle Touring. Hell for Leather focuses on gear design.

For your BMW R1150RT, have a look at RTBoxer. XS650 Chopper addicts also have a place to go. Biker Swag, as its name suggests, is another good source of gear info.

Photos and More

The Wing Nuts Motorcycle Club has awesome vintage photos “dedicated to preserving the history and style of the postwar California motorcycle movement.”

You’ll also find incredible vintage motorcycle pictures at The Vintagent, plus fascinating history and stories. Not enough for you? Get your fix for more classic and modern photography at Motorcycle Heels. There’s always Motorcycle Picture of the Day as well. Dude Ex Machina showcases great rides and lush photos.

Urban Biking and Commuting

Get the scoop on urban biking at City Biker Blog or find info on safety, news, gear and more at Intrepid Commuter

Racing

Hardcard covers motorcycle road racing. Road Racing Questions has a vast amount of historical data on motorcycle racing worldwide. For more thrills, follow a Harley racing sidecar across the Sahara at Hog Wild News.

But Wait, There’s More

The Biker Law Blog offers up-to-date info on law and safety, motorcycle accident analysis, and links to lawyers for those who need them. Finally: think riding a motorcycle sounds therapeutic? Motorcycle Medicine offers some thought-provoking reading.

Are there excellent motorcycle blogs that we haven’t listed here? Absolutely. We chose these blogs to show you diverse locations, writing/riding styles, and points of view. Enjoy—and then let us know in the comments what awesome sites we missed!

Motorcycles are synonymous with freedom. No other vehicle allows riders to experience the speed, grace, and sheer excitement that a motorcycle does. However, there are still a few “rules” that bikers expect each other to follow, in addition to regular traffic safety laws. New (or rusty) motorcyclists should be sure to take a class on motorcycle safety to brush up on important rules in addition to these; this isn’t a comprehensive list.

Riding in a group (or solo) means that certain expectations come into play. For instance:

• Each rider is ultimately responsible for his or her own safety, regardless of what other riders may do. Be aware of other riders’ actions.

• Don’t show off.

• Maintain a regular pace—don’t slow down dramatically or zoom up suddenly. Spread out when traveling around corners or on curvy roads.

• In a group, prearrange a stopping point, and discuss other relevant information before the ride begins.

• The lead biker in a group ride should be sure that the other riders are ready to go and that there is enough room in traffic for the whole group to get on the road. It’s a good idea for the lead biker to have traveled the route ahead of time to reduce navigational mistakes and communication errors.

• Riders should leave each other with enough following distance and reaction time, and be alert to speed changes and signals by riders who are farther ahead, not just riders who are immediately in front of them.

• A staggered formation is most common except in certain situations—this means that each rider stays on a different side of the lane than the riders immediately before and after him (or her). More experienced riders should use the left positions.

• On a curvy road, it is typical to switch to a single-file formation.

• The most experienced rider is the “drag bike” (or tail gunner). This rider helps manage traffic situations, such as changing lanes as a group, and also assists riders who need help for any reason.

• Pointing down with your arm at a 45-degree angle (left or right depending on the situation) indicates a road hazard to the other riders in the group.

• To signal stop, hold your left arm down at a 45 degree angle with the palm facing the rider behind you.

• Pointing to the tank means that a stop is urgent, either for fuel or for other reasons.

• The signal for “slow down” is to hold the left arm out straight and move it up and down.

• A “thumbs up” signal means “Ready to ride!”

• Whether in a group ride or not, many riders consider it courteous to wave briefly at other riders. However, if your hands are otherwise occupied it is just as acceptable to nod.

• If you are concentrating on hazardous road conditions, it is fine to refrain from acknowledging another rider.

Safety always comes first, and etiquette is actually very much a part of safety. Not only is it pleasant and social to understand biker etiquette, the predictability of understanding and following the rules makes the ride safer for experienced and inexperienced riders alike.