Association of Recovering Motorcyclists
Encyclopedia
The Association of Recovering Motorcyclists (ARM) is an independent motorcycle
association founded in 1986 Judy and Jack Jensen. The association currently has chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden and Denmark. The group grew quickly in the 1980s, partly attributed to not being organized along the lines of an outlaw motorcycle club
, according to Judy Jensen, such as by having the word "Independent" rather than "MC" (motorcycle club) under the ARM logo, avoiding conflict over territory or membership that would have discouraged members from joining. Another aspect is that members receive support from their motorcycling peers and can continue in the biker lifestyle, rather than be asked to cut their hair, give up their leathers and sell their motorcycle, as Jensen said Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA) counselors had, in the past, asked of members. Judy Jensen has also officiated at weddings, where she read from a Harley-Davidson
owners manual on the "importance of a good union between the oil pump
and the seal, and baptized the couple with a dab of motor oil
.
Members must meet certain standards of abstinence
from drugs and alcohol in order to gain and retain membership status, and must own and maintain a motorcycle of 500 cc or greater. Members are encouraged to be part of a 12-step program.
ARM and its sister organization, Recovering Women Riders (RWR), do not publish head counts, however, they state "there is always room for one more." A contingent of ARM members was among several sober motorcycle clubs that attended the 2006 Founders Day anniversary of AA founder Dr. Bob Smith
's sobriety date, June 10, 1935.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
association founded in 1986 Judy and Jack Jensen. The association currently has chapters in the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden and Denmark. The group grew quickly in the 1980s, partly attributed to not being organized along the lines of an outlaw motorcycle club
Outlaw motorcycle club
An outlaw motorcycle club is a type of motorcycle club that is part of a subculture with roots in the post-World War II USA, centered on cruiser motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons and choppers, and a set of ideals celebrating freedom, nonconformity to mainstream culture, and loyalty to the...
, according to Judy Jensen, such as by having the word "Independent" rather than "MC" (motorcycle club) under the ARM logo, avoiding conflict over territory or membership that would have discouraged members from joining. Another aspect is that members receive support from their motorcycling peers and can continue in the biker lifestyle, rather than be asked to cut their hair, give up their leathers and sell their motorcycle, as Jensen said Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international mutual aid movement which says its "primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety." Now claiming more than 2 million members, AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio...
(AA) counselors had, in the past, asked of members. Judy Jensen has also officiated at weddings, where she read from a Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson , often abbreviated H-D or Harley, is an American motorcycle manufacturer. Founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the first decade of the 20th century, it was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression...
owners manual on the "importance of a good union between the oil pump
Oil pump (internal combustion engine)
The oil pump in an internal combustion engine circulates engine oil under pressure to the rotating bearings, the sliding pistons and the camshaft of the engine...
and the seal, and baptized the couple with a dab of motor oil
Motor oil
Motor oil or engine oil is an oil used for lubrication of various internal combustion engines. The main function is to lubricate moving parts; it also cleans, inhibits corrosion, improves sealing, and cools the engine by carrying heat away from moving parts.Motor oils are derived from...
.
Members must meet certain standards of abstinence
Abstinence
Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to sexual abstinence, or abstention from alcohol or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions or practical...
from drugs and alcohol in order to gain and retain membership status, and must own and maintain a motorcycle of 500 cc or greater. Members are encouraged to be part of a 12-step program.
ARM and its sister organization, Recovering Women Riders (RWR), do not publish head counts, however, they state "there is always room for one more." A contingent of ARM members was among several sober motorcycle clubs that attended the 2006 Founders Day anniversary of AA founder Dr. Bob Smith
Bob Smith (doctor)
Robert Holbrook Smith was an American physician and surgeon who co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous with Bill Wilson, more commonly known as Bill W. He was also known as Dr. Bob. He was born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, where he was raised, to Susan A. Holbrook and Walter Perrin Smith...
's sobriety date, June 10, 1935.