The Times of India (28 October 2013)
Highway biking took on new meaning as thudding mean machines hit the roads on a lazy Sunday morning to advertize the right causes.
Two spots in the city burst into sound as two bands of bikers – one riding an assortment of brands and another exclusively Harley-Davidsons – set off, with a passion for both machine and mission.
A pack of 20 proud Harley-Davidson owners travelled from Tusker Harley-Davidson (THD), Lavelle Road, to Nandi Hills to help the underprivileged children of Smile Foundation, an organization working for the welfare of needy children and women.
The bikers were in full gear on the 100-km ride. As if their exotic machines were not enough, they sported leather jackets beaming messages on the importance of education to create awareness among people. The noble ride was organized by THD in association with Harley Owners Group (HOG).
Srinivas Reddy, CEO and managing director of THD, who also took part in the rally, said, “It’s the responsibility of people like us to ensure our best to the marginalized community.” Appreciating the participants, he said members of HOG have joined hands to create awareness about education and to curb child labour.
The bikers also made financial contributions, whose extent they were not ready to reveal, to the Smile Foundation to help educate 60 poor children.
Vijay Bharadwaj, director of HOG, said, “Harley riders are an integral part of every HOG endeavour and when it gets clubbed with a social message, it gives immense satisfaction and happiness as we become the reason for someone to smile.
FOR A GREENER WORLD
At the other rally, over 300 bikers from 12 different biking clubs set off to create awareness about forest and wildlife conservation. The rally was flagged off at Press Club and concluded at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP). It was organized by Bangalore RD 350 Club, in association with BBP.
The riders spanned a wide age group — from 18 to the 80s. The band had a fair sprinkling of retro bikes, including a 1960 model of Jawa.
The rally advocated adoption of animals of BBP, said Vikram Agarwal, founder of the RD 350 Club. “Riders donated Rs 15,000 to the BBP for the welfare of animals. We ride every year for the conservation of wildlife.”
Anil Babu M, co-founder of Bikers of India Club, said the ride is also an initiative to promote safe riding among the young, who get carried away by speed and resort to rash riding on city roads.
One has to be equipped with riding gear, driving licence and other documents to participate in such rallies to prevent any untoward incidents, said Anil.