Motorcycle wisdom from modern dads
Motorcycles are often seen as dangerous metal beasts that encourage recklessness on the road. But when done responsibly, motorcycle riding can be a symbol of freedom and adventure, and can even carry deeper lessons and insights. For many, the journey on two wheels is more than just a ride; it’s a profound teacher. This is especially true for fathers who have found that the lessons learned from the saddle—responsibility, alertness and resilience, to name a few—translate seamlessly into their parenting.
Let’s hear from four different dads, who found that riding has shaped them into better fathers and imparted invaluable lessons they hope to pass to their kids. Happy Father’s Day!
Coach Mel Aquino, motorcycle riding coach (father to Ezra and Kori)
Riding a motorcycle is a symbol of freedom, it takes away stress, makes you feel good and makes you young. I want my son to experience this, as well. Ezra is seven years old, and already riding motorcycles. Riding together is bonding time for us. Yung communication skills namin pareho, kasi iisa ang pinag uusapan namin. Mas nagkakaintindihan kami pag motor ang pinag uusapan.
Nagiging treat kay Ezra yung riding, natuto din sya maging responsible. Dati, sinusuotan pa namin sya ng riding gear, ngayon, he not only puts on his own gear, kaya din n’ya mag-check at maglinis ng motor n’ya. Nagagawa na din n’ya sa ibang bagay, tulad ng gawain sa bahay. Sinasabi ko lagi sa kids ko na ang pag-mo-motor or karera ng motor, parang buhay din ng tao. Pag sumemplang ka, matuto ka itayo ang sarili mong motor at tapusin mo ang karera. ‘Di pinag-uusapan kung sino ang mauuna, ang importante makarating ka sa finish line. Sa buhay, darating din ang pagsubok at problema, pero kailangan mo pa rin i-solve ito na ikaw lang. Tandaan mo lang na pag kumarera ka sa buhay, nandito lang kaming pamilya mo, nanunood sa bawat obstacle na dadaanan mo para i-cheer ka.
Albert Asistores, real estate professional, musician (father to Inka and Mathew)
Riding motorcycles has influenced my parenting style in many ways, the most important of which is safety. There are a lot of risks when it comes to riding, so I am more vigilant and aware of my environment and I hope to instill in my kids the same sense of safety and risk awareness.
For me and many others, motorcycle riding offers a sense of freedom and independence, and I emphasize the same values to my kids–my eldest has actually been working in Japan for years now, and I am proud of how she has developed independence early on in life. I encourage both my kids to explore, and develop their own sense of autonomy.
Riding can also be a way to relieve stress and be in the moment. So, this actually leads me to being more patient, not only with my family but also in the way I approach life’s hurdles. The unpredictability of riding conditions (rain, rough terrain, etc) has also improved my adaptability and problem-solving skills. This flexibility can translate into more effective parenting, especially in handling unexpected challenges and changes in family life.
Most importantly, the camaraderie among people I ride with highlights the importance of community and social connections. I hope my kids can also find their own group of people who they can trust, and connect and share their passions with.
Maki Aganon, Tunay na Rider host, Motobuilds Pilipinas organizer, motorcycle media (father to Macchi)
Personally, as a father who rides motorcycles, I always document my trips through vlogs, so when my children grow up, they will realize how cool their dad was and eventually encourage them to ride as well. Riding motorcycles changed my parenting style, especially regarding balancing rides and family time. I also keep a keychain that reminds me of my son. This serves as a speed limiter. It’s different riding as a father when you know there are people waiting for you to get home safe and sound.
Mark Laccay, sound engineer, Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) – Manila Host (father to Adi, Matti and Noah)
Motorcycles has taught me several things pertaining to fatherhood:
- Navigating on alternative routes. Sa pagpapalaki ng mqa bata hindi pwede madaliin ang pagtuturo ng mga values at life skills. Pero alam natin sa kinalaunan kailangan makarating o maituro sa mga bata kung paano dumiskarte na tama din ang dapat patutunguhan sa buhay.
- Being spear (ride leader) and sweeper (last rider / look-out in a group ride). Being in ride groups, specially big ones like club rides and DGR taught me how to manage needs and wants through a ride. Tulad sa pamilya lahat may needs, lahat may wants, kailangan ma-manage ng tama, kailangan ituro ang direksyon ng buhay, alalayan na makarating, at importante walang maiiwan.
- Maituro ang pag-ka-kapwa tao. Sa isang ride madaming characters involved, meron at meron ‘di pagkakaintindihan at meron in na hindi pagkakaunawaan. Kailangan ma-manage ‘yun at kung pwede i-resolve para less ang burden sa biyahe. Tulad ng pamilya sari-saring character habang nag-de-develope ang mga isip ng mga bata, sari-saring interest at marami pang iba, Lahat kailangan alalayan, pakisamahan at turuan din makipag-kapwa sa iba lalo sa labas ng pamilya dahil yun ang magdadala sa kanila kung saan sila pumunta.
- Bilang padre de pamilya. Passing unusual routes, managing the family needs and relational factors in the family are some building blocks I use in teaching my kids values and life skills I’ve learned on the road. ‘Yun ang gusto kong ipasa sa kanila and things tulad ng patience, pag diskarte, pagkakaibigan, pagtutulungan at pag kapwa-tao, ang siyang magdadala sa kanila kung saan nila gusto pumunta at marating sa buhay nila.
