Each year there is a MDA Motorcycle Rally in Massachusetts that ends in Salem. Riders from all over New England participate, many in costume. This 2010 rally included the usual thundering, street vibrating gathering of motorcycles large and small and also featured a protest. Near the end of the ride, a group appeared with signs protesting the loud noise made by some bikes. Bikers maintain that loud pipes make sure oblivious car drivers know they share the same road, but protesters complain that the decibel levels of big bikes with straight pipes is loud enough to damage hearing. What works on the highways may not work on the streets of a small town.
For more information about the rally: http://www2.mda.org/site/TR?fr_id=24061&pg=entry
-
- Protesters during the charity ride for MD in Salem.
-
- A police motorcycle rushes by as part of the two-wheeled escort to the charity ride.
-
- Waiting bikers at the end of the charity ride. Some took turns showing off for the crowd.
-
- Bikers gather near the end of the ride. From here, it’s food, drink and fun well into the night.
-
- Bikers pass by on the last turn of the ride.
-
- They’ll be coming round the corner as they come…
-
- Even demons came out for the charity ride in Salem, MA.
-
- A charity biker burns some rubber.
-
- Bikers on the ground, bikers on the balconies, doing verbal battle with the protesters below.
-
- With gestures and words, charity ride bikers did battle with the protesters.
-
- Counter-protesters at the charity ride for MD in Salem.
-
- As the loud pipes protesters gathered it was clear that the bikers were prepared with their own signs.
-
- I full skeleton and skulls array, bikers sped past spectators on the charity ride.
-
- A pirate took a fairy passenger on the charity ride. Who would have guessed they’d get along.
-
- Pitchforks and flames, even the devil showed up for the charity ride.
-
- Bikers give a thumbs up to friends.
-
- This biker pulled a hearse-trailer with the symbols of the armed forces inside as tribute to fallen US soldiers.
-
- Captain America stops to pose for the cameras on the charity ride.
Leave a Reply