A couple of months back I joined a motorcycle gang…on the Internet, that is. This new group, Motorcycle Bloggers International (MBI), is an association of bikers around the world who “write and ride,” and whose first act has been to create an annual “Riders Choice Awards.”
The group created these awards because we believed that the annual “best of” awards tell only part of the tale of each year’s life in the motorcycling world. The idea is for everyday riders from around the world to recognize noteworthy achievements and lapses of judgement on an international level. Any new motorcycle or related product, service, event or even an action by an individual or organization, can be nominated for the MBI Star or MBI Fallen Star award. Check out the categories for 2006, among them:
– Standing ovation – for best contribution to motorcycling
– Object of lust – for the motorcycle we most want but can’t afford
– Wish we’d thought of that – for the most innovative or interesting new product
– What were they thinking? – for the least useful or practical new product
– Ugliest new bike – for the motorcycle we love to hate
There’s more…you can see all the nominees and winners on the site.
Because this is our first year, the charter group of bloggers performed both roles as nominators and judges. However, we want to open up the process to the greater motorcycling public for the 2007 awards and are working out the process now. Currently, we have members around the world in ten countries. If writing and riding is what you do, too, let us know. Membership is open to anyone who maintains an active motorcycle related blog or news site. No dues or hoops to jump through–so join us join us and help prepare for the 2007 awards. If you are a rider, but not a writer, just stay tuned to the site, my blog (subscribe via the RSS feed using Bloglines or another RSS reader) or the blogs of the other members for information about how you will be able to vote for the 2007 awards.
Leave a comment: tell us what you think of this idea, ask questions or offer suggestions for future awards or the awards process.
