On warm September nights, two rows of sparkling motorcycles in various colors and sizes flank the sidewalks of Thayer Street between Meeting and Cushing streets. But what brings them to College Hill - the memory of a biker bar that once occupied the City Sports retail space? The appeal of a place for biker gang members to unite? Motorcyclists interviewed by The Herald dispelled rumors of any biker bar or biker gang. Instead, most said they come to chat with friends and eat good food.
John, who, like all the motorcyclists interviewed, refused to give his last name, said he's been spending summer nights on Thayer Street since the mid-1970s. But both John and those who have only recently started to frequent the area said no particular loyalty brings them to this spot.
"There are so many varieties of foods and cultures. That's just as good for us to experience as for you (students)," said Gary, who rides a Kawasaki bike and has been coming to the spot regularly since 2000. "We hope we don't inconvenience anyone," he added.
Students and business owners close enough to hear the motorcycles' occasional roar expressed mixed feelings about these frequent visitors.
"They're awesome," said Cole Erickson '10, whose New Pembroke 4 dorm room looks out on the motorcyclists. "I'm not usually a huge motorcycle fan, but I like them, and they sound cool."
Laura Brown-Lavoie '10, who lives in Erickson's unit, said the bikers add to a "vibrant area," even though the noise has led her to shut her window most nights and ask her mom to send earplugs.
Surrounding businesses have similarly mixed reactions to those riding what one cyclist referred to as "crotch rockets." Dunkin' Donuts, East Side Pockets, Johnny Rockets and Shanghai restaurants all border the riders' chosen spot.
According to Dunkin Donuts employee Meredith, the bikers are not only friendly, but often good customers, especially on weekends.
City Sports cashier Keli said even though bikers sitting on her storefront's windows may distract some would-be customers, they are generally friendly. "They're always nice enough; there are just a lot of them," she said.
Both Keli and Meredith differentiated between the presence of "older" Harley riders - who count carpenters, motorcycle instructors and retirees among their ranks - and what Keli called the "different vibe" coming from those who sit atop colorful Japanese sports bikes such as Yamahas and Suzukis.
By the sports bikers' own account, much of Thayer Street's liveliness comes from them. "(We are) the ones who make this place pop," said sports bike rider Francois. "We're good guys looking for decent women."
He added, "Tell the cops to get off our backs."
Though most bikers said they have positive relationships with officers from the Providence Police Department and Brown's Department of Public Safety, a few complained about parking tickets and what they described as police harassment. Chief of Police Mark Porter was unavailable for comment.
"You don't have a right to tell someone to leave a public area," John said. "Everyone needs a place to go."
Gary said the cyclists contribute to the area's safety and may even prevent crime.
Like them or not, the 20 or 30 motorcycles are a fixture of Thayer Street, Meredith said. "They give a lot of character to the street, and they've been here for years."
