Oxford English Dictionary has decided to change their definition of “biker” after complaints from … well … bikers!

The previous definition of ‘biker' read: ‘A motorcyclist, especially one who is a member of a gang: a long-haired biker in dirty denims.'

The new definition of biker is: ‘A motorcyclist, especially one who is a member of a gang or group.'

An insurance company named Bennetts, located in the United Kingdom, performed a study asking 524 bikers about the term and found:

* 65 percent of motorcyclists spend teh majority of their time riding alone – not as members of a “gang”

* 60 percent believe teh old defintiion is “dated and irrelevent”

* Only 10 percent of bikers now have long hair

* Today's bikers is most likely to be aged over 35 and middle class.

The Urban Dictionary defines a one percenter as: ‘A member of an “outlaw” motorcycle gang. Origin is the American Motorcycle Associations assertion from the 1960s that 99% of motorcyclists are law-abiding citizens.'

About.com talks about the term “one-percenter” as originating from a July 4, 1047 motorcycle rally gone wrong that spawned the movie “The Wild One” starring Marlon Brando.

I have not performed any in-depth study but when I think of a “biker” I think of a man or a woman riding a motorcycle. Not a person in a motorcycle gang and definitely not one associated with unlawful activity.

We bikers come from all works of life. We are lawyers, mechanics, doctors, laborers – we are everyone – we all just happen to enjoy riding motorcycles. I have never met a motorcycle rider who I did not like. That being said there are probably some bikers that I do not like. As for the one-percenters I cannot say the same thing – simply because I do not know any. Me? I am a biker – a motorcycle rider – whatever!

I have been a motorcycle rider for over 30 years and have also been a registered nurse. My law practice focuses on representing injured and killed motorcycle riders and their families. We can help you with medical bills, getting your bike fixed and getting you the money you deserve from the person that caused the crash. Utah Bike Law and its attorneys are licensed to practice law only in the State of Utah and maintain offices in Salt Lake City, Utah. No attorney client relationship is established by simply visiting this website.