Have you been wondering how you can help as a volunteer by riding your motorcycle during this Covid-19 Pandemic? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Since Covid-19 and quarantine set in, we here at Motowitch have been refusing to give in and let misery be our new normal. Sadly, we’ve put our motorcycles to bed for a while.
However, we keep on creating in an effort to build a stronger future when all this isolation ends. In spite of the obstacles, we’ve been inspired by this lockdown to take stock, work harder and better than ever.
Our founder, Kojii has been hunting for the positive side to all quarantine mayhem. She found a number of motorcycle groups who have found a way to volunteer during this Covid-19 crisis via motorcycle.
KOJII HELNWEIN
Triumph Bonneville T100 + Harley Sportster XLH1200
Disclaimer:
This Covid-19 crisis is rapidly changing and cities are being lockdown with movement restrictions. Please check with your chosen volunteer org to be certain you have permission to ride your motorcycle and provide aid. This information was correct at time of the final edit.
THIS IS KOJII’S LIST OF HOW
MOTORCYCLE VOLUNTEERS FIGHT COVID-19
Like most, I’ve lost track of time. I wake in the morning and have to make a conscious effort to find out what day it is. This self-isolation has me pacing the floors at times, desperate to do something. Wanting to be of use, make a change, do ANYTHING that might make this situation better or end.
Like most, I’ve lost track of time. I wake in the morning and have to make a conscious effort to find out what day it is. This self-isolation has me pacing the floors at times, desperate to do something. Wanting to be of use, make a change, do ANYTHING that might make this situation better or end.
My days consist of struggling to homeschool my three kids and finding creative ways to entertain them. Staying away from Facebook helps with the frustration but I don’t stay away for long as it keeps me connected to the people in my life. Most of whom are 1000’s of miles from me right now.
Bike Build
In an effort to stay productive I thought about using this free time to finally customise my 2003 Harley Sportster XLH 1200 during the quarantine. Then again, my income has completely stopped as many of the motorcycle events I was to work at have been cancelled.
So, no new King & Queen seat from B&C Cycles for me, no sissy bar from Ria the Welder, no Rabbit Ear handlebars from TC Bros will be gracing my garage in the foreseeable future. My wish list just keeps getting longer while my savings deplete faster than ever. But I’m ok with that.
Focus on the positive
I’m hyper-aware that I’m not alone in this. People all over the world have been expressing the same worries no matter what industry they work in. People, far braver than me are isolating themselves from their families while working intense hours on the frontlines to fight the Coronavirus.
Social media is a stark mix of terrifying or incorrect news along with the counteraction of positivity, creativity and “it’s so bad you have to laugh” memes.
Not to mention the new hashtags popping up. I’ve made it my priority to focus on the positive as much as possible. Checking in on hashtags such as #quarantineconcert, #Createdontcontaminate, #frontliners, #coronavirusbikebuildoff keeps the “Mad Max” worry at bay for a few minutes.
How can you help your community during quarantine?
In an effort to alter the tune of my social feeds, I began seeking out how others around the world have been effecting change and volunteering in their communities. Despite cities being on lockdown, there have been motorcycle groups popping up all over the world who are stepping up to help the Covid-19 crisis in any way they can.
Rather than focus on the negative aspects of this covid-19 pandemic, I’ve chosen to celebrate bikers who have stepped up to help their communities and volunteer via motorcycle.
Most of the efforts I’m about to share below are initiatives we can all join or duplicate in our own cities. So with that said; read on with an open heart and use this article to inspire your own action wherever you live.
I’m sure there are so many more out there that I haven’t found yet. I’ve included a select few here but if you know of any other volunteer organizations that need motorcycle riders hit up our comments below so everyone can hear about it.
read on after the pics
NEW YORK
How to volunteer in NYC with your motorcycle during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Motoveli works with Masks For Docs to find and deliver Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to hospitals and individuals around NYC.
According to their website, their mission is to get PPE into the hands of health care workers as quickly as possible.
Motoveli pick up PPE from people who have supplies. They then call out to the moto-community with the mission. The riders who accept the missin then deliver the PPE to health care workers who need supplies. Motoveli work directly with Mask for Docs on leads and coordinate efforts across New York.
How you can help
- Are you a Doctor, Nurse, or Hospital needing supplies?
masksfordocs.com/need - Do you HAVE supplies? The priority is N95 masks. masksfordocs.com/volunteer
IRELAND
How Irish motorcycle riders can volunteer during this Covid-19 pandemic.
1. BLOOD BIKERS EAST
BLOOD BIKERS EAST are a volunteer group who provide a free emergency medical transport service between the hospitals, clinics and medical establishments in Dublin city and the greater Dublin region via motorcycle. They deliver Blood, Blood Products, Medical Equipment, Breast Milk and any other medical items required.
Blood Bikes East have been connecting with Blood Bike groups from around the country to provide their motorcycle volunteer services to the HSE by picking up test swabs of potential Covid-19 cases.
The volunteer motorcycle riders transport the Covid-19 test swabs across the country to Ireland’s only exam centre to help the HSE fight the killer infection.
How you can help
Blood Bikes East are a voluntary group. If you’d like to help by donating to the cost of running this operation click here: bloodbikeseast.ie/donate-money-2/
To volunteer as a rider click here:bloodbikeseast.ie/become-a-driver-2/
2. Bravo Charlie Tango – Bikers Coming Through
In time of the Covid-19 nationwide lockdown, BCT – Bikers Coming Through participants have
In this case, the volunteers are connected via WhatsApp Chats grouped by the region in which they are based. Each mission is announced in the relevant group and should a volunteer accept they will be given a letter of permission from the police to allow their movement during the lockdown.
How to become a Covid 19 motorcycle volunteer
To become a motorcycle/van/car even bicycle volunteer in this Covid 19 crisis sign up here: Covid Community Response
Be sure to follow Bravo Charlie Tango – Bikers Coming Through on Facebook for updates specific to motorcycle efforts. You can also message their Facebook Page stating your phone number and where you’re based to be added to the correct regional WhatsApp group as a volunteer.
3. TWISTED SISTERS NORTHERN IRELAND
Presently, their homeless cause #needacoattakeone #wanttohelpleaveone finds them at HMV Belfast from 7pm Monday nights. Of course, these biker women are always grateful for clothing donations at this location. Regardless of the weather the Twisted Sisters provide what they can for the homeless and are consistent in their communication with local government to bring about change.
Homeless need help during quarantine
Needless to say, when the covid-19 quarantine and lockdown was set in place in Ireland, the Twisted Sisters motorcycle sisterhood immediately jumped to the aid of their homeless community without fail.
Follow the Twisted Sisters Northern Ireland on Facebook for updates on how you can help. In the meantime, they have an online Facebook store of second hand clothing where all proceeds go towards helping the homeless of Belfast.
4. Dead Ducks Motorcycle Club
Follow Dead Ducks on Facebook to keep apprised of any further efforts to help now that Ireland has officially been locked down by the government.
Well done lads! It’s great to see Irish motorcycle clubs stepping up.
THE U.K.
How British motorcycle riders can volunteer to help during this Covid-19 pandemic.
1. THE BIKE SHED
In light of this onslaught of coronavirus isolation and movement restrictions, the Bike Shed have put their standing in the motorcycle community to great use. They have created a Facebook group: The Bike Shed Community Support Riders.
In this group they call upon healthy riders to help vulnerable people in their localities with groceries, medical supplies, emergency, DIY etc.
How you can help
Join the Facebook group: The Bike Shed Community Support Riders to offer your help. In addition to the FB group, word has it that they are testing out a new dedicated mobile app for an even easier way to connect volunteers and the vulnerable.
2. GOODSAM
According to their website, GoodSAM is a platform powering the on boarding and deployment of Volunteers for the NHS in partnership with the Royal Voluntary Service. They already have over 700,000 volunteers and are looking for more.
THANK YOU
Most important of all, we at Motowitch would like to commend and thank everyone who is helping their communities in these strange times. Thanks also to those of you who are operating with the more vulnerable in mind and are staying home. Let’s flatten the curve and do our part to stop the spread of this Covid-19 virus.
Needless to say, we all love our group motorcycle rides and are feeling the sting of worldwide motorcycle events as they are cancelled one after another. Eventually, we’ll be back on the road and exploring the roads again in no time.
In the meantime; Let’s get through this together, keep connected via social media and stay positive.
IN CONCLUSION
Without a doubt, we have been humbled and inspired by all the two-wheeled super-heroes out there. We know there are more to be found.
If you know of a group who are making a difference via motorcycle let us know in the comments below and be sure to include those links!
Now, do us a solid and spread the word folks. Everyone needs to hear about the Legends above!
All the photos in this article have easy to share buttons.
Until next time,
BE SAFE.
click the image to share on pinterest
Do you know some two-wheeled super heroes?
Chime in and let us know about them in the comments below.
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Kojii Helnwein
Writer, Podcast Host + Producer, Founder
Kojii Helnwein, Founder, Web Designer, Podcast & TV Presenter, Researcher, Social Media Manager, Content Creator and tea-maker of Motowitch Collective. Kojii is an Irish Actress, Musician and professional multi-tasker.
She hosts the South East Ireland leg of the worldwide charity event, Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride alongside her husband, photographer Cyril Helnwein. When Kojii isn’t on the road interviewing female bikers for MOTOWITCH or creating content for other moto-brands, she can be found at work as an actress, exploring Europe’s roads on her Triumph Bonneville with her all-female motorcycle club Morrigan MCC or the USA on her custom Harley XLH 1200.
More about Kojii’s work can be found on her personal website and more about why Kojii started Motowitch Collective, in her own words, can be found in this article, “What is the Motowitch Collective?”
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