Divisive language?

[Adon]

Greetings and salutations ladies and gentleman of the forum! Just signed up with the NH forums a bit ago and I'm very excited bout what lies ahead. I've spent the time over the summer planning, getting my permit, passing the MSF course and just got my license this past week. I'm now just a few days away from getting my first bike. It's an '83 NH 650, and all my rider friends have nothing but great things to say about the solid nature of the NH!

Now, awhile ago, I was talking with a friend who has no desire to learn how to ride a bike, own a bike, be on a bike, whatever. 
We were talking and I used the term "cager" to describe a car driver from the perspective of a rider, as many riders tend to do.
He responded to that by saying "Every definable division in the American people is characterized by hate." He then asked me if I was getting a MC to get around or become a part of an urban tribe.  So what I wanted to ask as many of you as possible was: Do any of you feel that the term "cager(s)" is used by the riding community in general to define users of another form of transportation out of unbridled hate and anger that inevitably boils over into biker gang violence??
I simply believed it to be a way of describing what the most commonly used mode of personal transport IS pretty much...

[Wearyeyed]

Just help him find his medication.

[Hondo]

"Biker gang violence?"

Great way to introduce yourself.

 

[hppants]

Welcome to the group, ride safe.

Once you have spent a couple of weeks with this group, you will most certainly know the answer to your question.  We may be a lot of things, but we are most definitely not a "violent biker gang".

We refer to car/truck drivers as Cages because, compared to the 3 dimensional, all sensory engagement a motorcycle offers the rider, driving a 4 wheel enclosed vehicle feels like, well... being in a cage.  The term is not meant to be derrogatory, insulting, or condensending.  It's meant to be factual, which it most certainly is.  Unfortunately, non-riders have no, and will never have any - appreciation for this because, without experiencing the ride of a motorcycle, they will never understand our position in the matter.

But you will... very soon.  

Hope you enjoy your bike.

[Adon]

Haha, I used the term biker gang violence as an illustrator for what it seems my friend's perspective is on what it is everyone who rides a motorcycle is about apparently.

[Hondo]

A "cager" is simply a slang term to describe the driver of a "cage" ie a vehicle that a driver climbs into.

Don't read into it any more than that, and please don't start a political discussion with regards to "Every definable division in the American people is characterized by hate."

Political discussion is prohibited here. 

[Wearyeyed]

I do not think the OP is trying to raise any ire...he is relating an anecdote, and then asking for input as to what *this* particular populous thinks the is intent behind the words...

I got you, Adon.

Like I said, just help him find his meds...he's taking words (if not life) WAYYYYYY too seriously.

[Adon]

Thank you for the welcome Pants!

No intent on getting political here. I was quoting what he said and ultimately, trying to show him and people like him who don't consider what it's like on the other side, that it's not like that at all. A little bit of mutual understanding goes a long way in keeping everybody safe on the road. I think we can all agree on that.

[Hondo]

I do not think the OP is trying to raise any ire...he is relating an anecdote, and then asking for input as to what *this* particular populous thinks the is intent behind the words...

Please don't speak for others, but for yourself.

I am stepping in and pointing out the rules to a new member that violated them in their 1st post.

Locked.