Dozens of motorcyclists made their way through a handful of Lambton communities June 17.
The annual Ride of Respect started in 2020 with 125 bikers parading to show support and respect for front-line workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said organizer David Burrows.
“We rode through the city past all of the fire halls, police stations, nursing homes, all that,” he said. “Since then, we’ve kind of broadened it into just respect everybody.”
The message now is have respect for everyone, treat others well and remember that motorcycles are on the road, and for riders and other drivers to show respect to each other, Burrows said.
Burrows, who rides, along with his wife, son and brother-in-law, said hosting a motorcycle rally seemed like the “right tool to use to create attention in the community.
“Who doesn’t like to see a nice, shiny bike? And when you can see a big group of bikes going through the city, I think people stop and look and go, ‘Wow, that’s pretty cool.’”
Hopes are people also recognize the symbolism, he said.
“I’ve lived in Sarnia all my life and I just like to do what I can whenever I can for our community,” he said. “Because I just think it’s that important.”
The more than 110-kilometre ride took bikers from Preferred Towing, through Sarnia, Aamjiwnaang, Wyoming, Petrolia and Corunna, Burrows said.
World motorcycle traveler Kris Hall, who plans to ride across Africa and other continents after recently touring most European Union countries, was set to speak at the Sarnia Moose lodge after the ride.
Hall said he’s gone through 30 tires so far, including trips around the Arctic Circle, and logged more than 85,000 km in Europe alone.
The day is also emotional, Burrows said, as he remembers his dad, Ross, who died in October 2020.
“I was trying to get a ride with him, but unfortunately. . . it just didn’t work,” he said.
It’s not a memorial event, he said. “It’s just a memory for me.”
The day typically raises $1,000 in donations and sponsorships for Ohana Landing, a transitional housing facility for youth, Burrows said.
Hopes are to continue the annual ride as long as possible, he said, noting he’s considering going bigger in 2024 to mark its fifth year.
“Maybe some bands or something,” he said.
More information is available at rideofrespect.ca.