We are delighted to report that the Oxford University Press who publish the Oxford English Dictionary, have responded positively to the MAG activist’s campaign to change their definition of a ‘biker’.
Back in September 2012 MAG activists Tracy Hammond from Peterborough and Jenny Cook from Paignton among others, wrote to the University Press highlighting that those who saw themselves as bikers were a diverse group of people and not just ‘long-haired and dressed in dirty denims’ as their original definition stated.
After a string of correspondence lasting four months, the OED has at last acknowledged the offense caused and the inaccuracy of their entry.
The new definition, as of 22nd Feb, reads “A motorcyclist, especially one who is a member of a gang or group” Rather unfortunately its illustrative expansion is ‘a biker was involved in a collision with a car’ so one stereotype has been replaced with another, albeit a marginally less offensive one!
It is however, another good example of how MAG members undertake to achieve change and improve the lot of motorcycling and don’t just moan. Well done all.