I don't know if the role motorcycling plays in keeping many riders' mental health in check is taken seriously enough. After 10 years of therapy and silent meditation retreats, riding motorcycles has helped my mental health arguably more than anything, and a recent survey indicates that I'm probably not alone in this.
A global survey showed that 56% of Cardo users found improving their mental well-being to be a core benefit of riding. Further solidifying that, for many of us, riding is more than a hobby and even more than a passion—It's a crucial part of our self-care. With this in mind, Cardo recently launched the 'Your Ride. Your Recharge.' campaign.
The idea behind the campaign is to encourage riders to prioritize taking care of their mental and emotional health. Cardo is donating $10,000 and 10 PackTalk Edge devices to the Motorcycle Relief Project (MRP) to support the riders who need it most.
“We all know how important it is to keep our Cardo devices charged to maximize battery life, but many of us forget to do the same for ourselves,” said Dan Emodi, Cardo’s Chief Marketing Officer. “With this campaign, we hope to inspire riders to take a moment to check their own ‘happiness battery,’ find a boost through rides and conversations, and reach out for support if needed.”
The MRP is a nonprofit, and its mission is to honor and encourage military veterans and first responders by providing recreational ADV motorcycling experiences that offer relief from life’s struggles and the challenges of reintegration. The MRP provides a platform for participants to connect with peers who've had similar experiences, offering them tools for stress management and overcoming trauma and steers riders toward further treatment for their injuries.
The wonderful thing about this particular pairing between company and organization is that Cardo's units are vital to the smooth running of the MRP. President of MRP, Mike Bobbitt, said, “With Cardo, our lead rider, chase vehicle, and sweep can stay connected at all times, ensuring a seamless and safe experience for participants. This technology is vital for monitoring rider progress and adapting the day’s plan as needed."
This was certainly a feel-good story for me to write, and I'm even happier to be able to share some stats about the relationship between riding and positive mental health benefits. Hopefully, this piece might give some of you a place to point others to who you think would benefit from throwing a leg over.
