From Judy Hedding,
Your Guide to Phoenix.
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Maybe it's the fact that we have 300 sunny days each year. Or maybe it's that the Southwest attracts free spirits. For whatever reason, bikers love this area, and motorcycles here continue to increase in popularity for recreational use.

Bikers are a special breed, but not necessarily because of the clothes they wear, or their hairstyles. If a group of people can be generalized at all, it would be safe to say that motorcycle enthusiasts are a very patriotic as well as a philanthropic group. If you have a worthy cause, chances are you can get motorcycle club members around the Valley of the Sun to show up in a spirit of support.

And that's exactly what happened on September 11, 2002 when W. Steven Martin, a local celebrity, organized a special memorial to the victims and survivors of the 9-11 attack of the previous year. The 9-11 Patriot Parade featured over 5,600 motorcycles and riders covering a 30 mile parade route beginning in south Chandler and traveling through Chandler and Tempe to the Arizona Memorial at the State Capitol in downtown Phoenix. The bikers rode in divisions, with each biker assigned to represent a specific fallen hero from each of the World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, the airplanes, the firefighters and police officers. Motorcycle riders also were assigned to represent our military service people who continue to fight to protect our freedoms.

Our bikers once again rose to the occasion, coming out in full strength, setting aside their other responsibilities of the day to pay a special tribute to those victims and heroes of 9-11.

See the Photos of the Event

Resources for Bikers and Motorcycle Information

ABATE of Arizona
A non-profit organization that is dedicated to freedom of the road for all motorcyclists, fights discriminatory legislation aimed towards the motorcycling community and promotes rider education for all motorcycle riders, and motorcycle awareness for all automobile drivers. There are three chapters in the Phoenix area.

Rent a Motorcycle
Several places near the airport can provide motorcycle rentals for locals and tourists.

Arizona Motorcycle Operator Manual
From the Arizona Department of Transportation. Includes Arizona motorcycle laws and license requirements.

Phoenix Bikers
Local information, resources and events for the Phoenix, Arizona market.

Arizona Motorsports
A local retailer of street bikes, new and used, parts, and accessories. Five locations in the greater Phoenix area.

Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson
Located in North Phoenix.

Chandler Harley-Davidson/Buell
Located in Chandler.

Hacienda Harley-Davidson/Buell, Inc.
Located in Scottsdale.

Warlord Cycles
Located in Mesa. Custom bikes, parts and custom painting.

Western Honda
Located in Scottsdale. New and used bikes, service, parts, accessories.

About Motorcycles
Your About Guide to Motorcycles provides everything you could want to know about bikes. There's a forum, too!