Inspirational motorcycling quotes from famous Canadians

We may see them on TV or the big screen, or hear their songs are on your playlists. But did you know these proud Canadians also have two wheels in their garage? Whether they are looking for an escape, or to connect with fellow motorcyclists, these Canadians have a passion for life on two wheels.

Dan Aykroyd

“You do not need a therapist if you own a motorcycle, any kind of motorcycle!” –Dan Aykroyd

Funnyman Dan Aykroyd loves riding his Harley-Davidson. The actor, comedian, musician, and filmmaker was born on July 1, 1952 in Ottawa. According to an Ottawa Citizen article, Dan Aykroyd’s first motorcycle was a 1971 Harley-Davidson, police edition, from a dismantled Golden Helmets drill team.

Photo credit: Dan Cappellazzo/National Comedy Center via AP

Keanu Reeves

“Riding your bike is one of the greatest things you can do to clear your head and just feel the speed and the motion.” –Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves has been a motorcycle enthusiast since he was 22 years old. The Lebanese-born Canadian actor grew up in Toronto. He started on a Kawasaki 600 Enduro, then picked up his favourite motorcycle, a Norton Commando. Did you know his daily ride is a motorcycle?

Reeves loves motorcycles so much that he and motorcycle builder Gard Hollinger started Arch Motorcycle Company. Here they create custom production motorcycles. Their first model was the KRGT-1 (or the “Keanu Reeves” GT-1) that has a starting price tag of $78,000. Find out more about Keanu Reeves and his love of motorcycles in this RidersWest article.

Photo credit: Interview Hub

Kim Coates

“There’s something about riding, that for me, really brought me close to nature, and I loved it.” –Kim Coates

Saskatoon-born actor Kim Coates is best known as outlaw motorcyclist Alex “Tig” Trager on Sons of Anarchy. Coates started riding on a dirt bike on his uncle’s farm in Saskatchewan. In a Canada Moto Guide article Coates says,“I was in Grade 2 or Grade 3, and that’s how I really learned to ride, that’s how it all started for me.” He enjoys riding his motorcycle to work, and it’s his dream to ride his motorcycle across Canada – from Vancouver to the Maritimes.

Photo credit: Hollywood Reporter

Neil Peart

“When I’m riding my motorcycle, I’m glad to be alive. When I stop riding my motorcycle, I’m glad to be alive.” –Neil Peart

Recognized as one of the greatest drummers in music history, Rush drummer Neil Peart is also a writer and motorcycle enthusiast who lives in Toronto. In his mid-forties he began riding motorcycles as an escape from his rock touring. These motorcycle adventure tours gave him an opportunity to explore beautiful parks and small towns around the world.

In 2002 he wrote Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road. This is an inspirational story of his personal motorcycle adventure around North America from the Arctic to Central America and Belize – a 55,000 mile journey of motorcycling and reflection that helped his personal healing after losing his 19-year-old daughter and his wife. Discover more about Neil Peart in this Cycle World article.

Photo credit: BMW Owners News Magazine, March 2014