Kelly’s Korner: What Motivates You To Ride?
Last Updated: December 1st, 2020
A friend recently pointed me to a Scientific American piece from 2012 that explores the concept of motivation. The three keys that create lasting motivation are, according to the psychologists quoted, autonomy, value and competence.
I’ve since been thinking about how the ideas in that article apply to riders. Considering the many environmental factors — weather, dangerous drivers, lack of support and so on — that might inhibit the desire to ride, I thought it would be interesting this month to ponder what indeed spurs us to get on those two wheels. And what keeps us there … or not.
Autonomy. The theory is that motivation aligns with one’s level of feeling in charge of a decision. In the context of motorcycles, I know I enjoy riding less on days when I just don’t feel like doing it and I let someone cajole me into riding anyway. (I know, you’re probably questioning what kind of a rider I am if I don’t always feel like being on a bike. I would argue, a normal one.) On the other hand, when I want to ride and set out to do so, both my motivation and I feel unstoppable. On the whole, however, my decision to become a rider was all mine and it’s one I still embrace because I love it and because it teaches me more about myself. Hence, I agree with this component.
Value. The idea here is that the more an activity reflects a person’s beliefs, the more motivated she/he feels — or, put another way, to thine own self be true. For me, riding represents my values, which include authenticity, adventure, ongoing learning, independence and healthy rebellion. So again, I agree.
Competence. Here’s the clincher. Too many of us believe that we must have great aptitude to do something well. In fact, Scientific American’s article argues, and I concur, that all we really need is to keep trying. “…those who credit innate talents rather than hard work give up more easily when facing a novel challenge because they assume it exceeds their ability,” the piece notes. “Believing that effort fosters excellence can inspire you to keep learning.” I think nothing validates that statement more than the experience of starting to ride … and continuing that process. I am not a great rider. Hell, I’m probably not even a good one. All I know is every time I get on the bike or listen to people who have been riding for many, many years, I come away with something I didn’t know before. And that fits right in with my values, which fit right in with deciding, in the first place, to become a motorcyclist.
Hey Kelly,
I know it hasn’t been long since you posted this but it certainly deserves a response.
My wife committed suicide seven months ago. Within a week or so of her death I felt a need to buy a motorcycle and just “GO”.
It wasn’t a “want” it was a “need”. The only experience I’d had with a motorcycle was the dirt bike I had as a teenager and I’m now just over 50 years old.
I think the “need” I feel comes from the “autonomy” part of the equation.
The value part comes from wanting to push myself foreword to find the “new me” that I need to become because there is no “there” to go back to.
The competence part I think relates to me deciding on a Harley Sportster Iron knowing that I didn’t want “too much bike” to start with. After a few months I traded it in on a Dyna and I’m glad I did it that way. I need to work my way up and I know that from life thus far.
Thanks for the article.. cheers!