National Motorcycle Ride Day and Other Motorcycle Holidays

Fresh off the presses, it's National Motorcycle Ride Day! This day is one of many dedicated to celebrating the camaraderie that binds all bikers.

What makes this day different is that it's a movement gaining steam thanks to social media. So, take the time to ride, join in on the fun, and meet up with fellow riders on the road.

What day is National Motorcycle Ride Day?

National Motorcycle Ride Day is October 14, 2023, and has been observed on the second Saturday of October since 2015.

Dates in the future are as follows:

October 12, 2024
October 11, 2025
October 10, 2026
October 9, 2027
October 14, 2028
October 13, 2029
October 12, 2030
October 11, 2031

What is the history behind National Motorcycle Ride Day?

On August 15th, 2015, Chad Geer, currently Product Manager at Dunlop Motorcycle Tires, submitted National Motorcycle Ride Day to the National Day Calendar®. This is the authoritative registry of "fun, unusual, and unique National Days."

In addition to honoring bike riders nationwide, many of whom enjoy their last rides of the season in October, the day honors John B. Dunlop, whose pneumatic tire debuted in 1887, revolutionizing cycling forever.

A fairly new day of observance, National Motorcycle Ride Day is quickly gaining traction because riders will take any excuse to ride!

How to observe National Motorcycle Ride Day?

In addition to riding, you can observe National Motorcycle Ride Day by using the hashtag #NationalMotorcycleRideDay and @nationalmotorcyclerideday across social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

What should I check before I head out for a ride?

There's a lot to check before any ride. While your owner’s manual will provide specific information on proper tire pressure and suspension settings, here are a few additional items to add to your pre-ride checklist:

Check your frame for cracks and lifting paint, which may indicate signs of stress. You'll want to look carefully for cracks and breaks on any levers and pedals, as well as making sure that the mounts on your handlebars are tight.

Also, check cables for fraying and make sure there aren't any kinks. Confirm that your wire looms and ties aren't cracking, that you don't have any missing clips, and that none of your insulation is chafed, loose, or fraying. Your wires shouldn't be pinched or getting in the way of your steering or suspension.

Check your mirrors, lights, wheels, tires, brake, suspension system, throttle, coolant, fluids and oil, battery, and, obviously, your fuel.

When in doubt, refer to this handy (and printable) T-CLOCS Inspection Checklist for a full list of what to check and what to look for.

Lastly, don't forget to ensure you have adequate motorcycle insurance before you head out on the road!

What are past dates for National Motorcycle Ride Day?

Since National Motorcycle Ride Day is fairly new (2015 was its first year), the number of past dates is limited to:

October 8, 2022
October 9, 2021
October 10, 2020
October 12, 2019
October 13, 2018
October 14, 2017
October 8, 2016
October 10, 2015

What are other notable motorcycle holidays?

National Motorcycle Ride Day isn't the only day dedicated to celebrating and appreciating the gift of motorcycling.

National Ride to Work Day (NRWD)

National Ride to Work Day (NRWD) occurs on the third Monday in June. NRWD was founded by Andy Goldfine, founder of the Minnesota-based biking safety apparel brand Aerostich.

The Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus and press sources reported that as of the early 2010s, NRWD was the largest motorcycle event, reaching upwards of one million participants. The event is observed in other nations, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Slovenia, Israel, Turkey, Ecuador, Argentina, and the Philippines.

International Female Ride Day (IFRD)

There's International Female Ride Day® (IFRD), which has participants from over 120 nations and occurs on the first Saturday of May. This year will land on May 6, 2023.

World Motorcycling Day

World Motorcycling Day is celebrated every year on June 21st, the summer solstice. No better day than the longest day of the year to dedicate to riding!

Wrapping Up

One of the beautiful things about riding is that each person who gets on a motorcycle joins a worldwide comradeship that transcends language, age, race, gender, sexuality, etc.

Any day where you take time to acknowledge that more formally is a day well spent. So, join your fellow riders and ride!