The Saudi Harley Club
Mixing Sports with Social Responisbility
The Club has one million members worldwide, 175 of them are in
Saudi Arabia is witnessing a tremendous growth in sports, and motorcycling has started to take its place on the Kingdom’s sports map. Lately, the Harley team, which is owned by a number of partners, was
formed. Amer Al-Khaldi, coordinator of the Saudi team, sheds light on this new sport in the Kingdom.
How did the idea for a Harley team originate?
A number of international partners started the idea. The activities of the Club started only in 1973, but the number of its members has crossed one million. This is because the moment you purchase a motorcycle from one of the company’s branches, you automatically become a member of the Club. In each country where there is a sales agency for Harley motorcycles, a corresponding club for the customers and owners of Harley bikes is normally set up. The club takes care of recreational activities such as tourist visits and community services as well. It also goes without saying that specialized services are extended to owners of the bike and club members in all countries , and
When did the Club start its activities here?
The Club started its activities ten years ago in the
What makes the Saudi Club special compared to others in various parts of the world?
We have tried to carry out social programs, in which we’re closer to the society with due understanding of its nature and respect for its traditions. The activities in which we participated recently include the World Day for Civil Defense, International Day of the Child held during Eid, Orphans Day during which we annually have 70 orphans spend a full fay with our families and blood donation. With these activities we hope to change things. In the past, the society used to have a contemptuous view of bikers.
What are the requirements for membership?
Harley Davidson users are normally well- off with good social standing. That is why when we choose our members we are keen to have those who are married and receiving a good income, in addition to holding down jobs which serve as a yardstick of their being responsible.
What privileges does a member enjoy?
He gets all information regarding races and activities taking place around the world through e-mail. There are monthly and annual bulletins. The Riyadh Club is the only one that has been involved in this kind of activity so far anywhere in the Arab world and provides things like a buffet, games and so forth, plus a parking space for each member at the premises.
How do trips get organized?
If there is a one- day trip the group moves in an ordinate form after choosing a leader and a guard. Communicating between members is done via hand signs with emphasis on following road rules strictly. We also demand wearing proper gear and taking all safety precautions.
What is the message you want to convey
to the society?
We want to underscore the importance of the sport. To do this we are currently running 3 trips a week-- Saturday, Tuesday, and Friday to areas outside
Has the team gone outside the Kingdom?
We have done runs to the GCC countries, and also to
What has the response been from the Saudi youth in terms of joining the team?
There has been a good feedback, relatively speaking, considering that not many of them are familiar with the sport and its regulations. When they come to know us they immediately sense the importance of the sport. This is why many businessmen have decided to open new agencies for selling motorcycles.
Are there other groups that practice the sport through these agencies?
Yest, but not as many as it should be. We are looking forward to the future when there are more than one (organized) bikers’ team in the Kingdom; and we hope that the new agencies will play an active role in setting up teams.
We also hope that we can coordinate our efforts socially and in terms of the sport itself. This will certainly bring about better standards and project a good image for the Kingdom worldwide.
How far do you coordinate with the Saudi Car and Motorcycle Committee?
We are happy that the committee has been set up by the Presidency of Youth Welfare. We are looking forward to more interaction for the benefit of the sport, especially that there’s already an existing cooperation between the team and other government agencies, including security and highway patrols. A clear sign that this cooperation has been bolstered now that the committee has been set up is the first Saudi rally for motorcycle to be held in Jeddah in October of this year. About 250 Saudis will take part in the event, and it is expected that a number of international riders will also participate. There will be participation from the GCC and other Arab countries as well
We also coordinate with other agencies, including the Higher Commission for Tourism as we are looking forward to promote tourism in the Kingdom. And in the future we are hoping to set up cooperation with a number of other agencies, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Do you collaborate with similar clubs abroad?
We contact all clubs for Harley bikes all over the world. In the event of any activity we contact the members in the country where the event is taking place so that they can coordinate with the necessary government authorities. Worth mentioning is the fact that the number of Harley members worldwide is more than a million. It is probably the biggest sport grouping in the world.
What are the major problems facing the team?
Not many but there are difficulties in terms of dealing with the society while riding on the road. Motorcycles are on two wheels and any brush with another car could spell disaster. Some car drivers, when they see the team on the road, tend to come as close to us as possible, something that poses danger. We would like to urge all people to dea
l with motorcycles with caution.
Another major obstacle is the lack of media interest. Local media is concentrating on sports other than motorcycling. We would like the media to help us increase awareness of this very beautiful sport.
Does the team undergo training in maintenance to cope with emergencies on the road?
There is a full team for maintenance, all memvers very qualified. We also hold refresher courses every three to four months. In the event that the bike cannot be fixed on the spot, it is taken to the nearest maintenance center. We also have training courses at the Saudi Red Crescent on first aid and CPR.
Do you cooperate with other clubs in the Kingdom in holding motorcycle races?
We have our own way of organizing races. All other races would regard the one crossing the finishing line as the winner. But in our races, who comes last is the winner. We require things to be observed. Overspeeding or allowing our feet to touch the ground are not allowed. We also maintain a side distance not less than a meter and a half, and finally who comes last is declared the winner. The race is all about riding skill rather than speed.
What about judging motorcycle races in the Kingdom?
Judging motorcycles in our club is done in another way. The competition is all about the most beautiful bike and not the fastest. There are five categories of motorcycles the company produces, and each has its own judging panel. The number of competitors can reach fifty.
Do you visit schools and universities?
We did a number of visits during the observance of the International Day for Civil Defense because we like to connect with the youth to tell them about the sport. During these visits we also talked about safe driving of motorcycles, and emphasized the importance of following safety rules on the road.
What more do you think should be done to encourage others to join the sport?
The most important thing, and we are looking forward to this, is to build an arena for the sport in the main cities so lovers of motorcycles can practice their sport safely instead of doing so in the street.
Do you see a need for special regulations to organize motorcycling in the Kingdom?
There are rules, very good ones, but they need to be applied more effectively, especially those related to safety. We also need more awareness in this respect, generally speaking, because danger is not restricted to users of motorcycles but can touch others as well
What about your future plans?
This year a number of activities will be organized. In April we will visit
How much does a trip cost?
Participants cover their own expenses, depending on the offers they get from hotels and travel agencies, and of course, according to one’s financial capabilities.
Do you cooperate with the private sector?
We will do this during the Jeddah Rally later this year. We are looking forward to cooperate during the race with a number of parties which have expressed their willingness to be part of the race and guarantee its success.
