The Trinity Western University Motorcycle Club is the newest student club on campus and hopes to unite a love of motorcycling with acts of service.

On Oct. 2, the TWU Student Association granted the group official club status.

Evan Bartel, the club’s president, says that while motorcycling is something that unites the group, riding was not their sole purpose for creating the club. He hopes the club will build on the foundation of a love of riding to include acts of service and humanitarianism.

The Motorcycle Club participated in the Fraser Valley Toy Run on Oct. 19. The event involved motorcyclists from all over the area riding together to Abbotsford to donate toys and money for less fortunate kids in the Valley this Christmas.

There are also plans for the Motorcycle Club to ride together to the Fraser Valley Gleaners in Abbotsford to volunteer by preparing dried food to be distributed to the needy around the world.

Janelle Visser, the club’s secretary, agrees that forming the club takes the “camaraderie in motorbiking” and builds on it through serving others.

Bartel points out that the club is not trying to be exclusive. One does not need to own a motorcycle to become a member; there is room for passengers or students to take other vehicles to the events.
Visser developed her own love of motorcycling over the past two years as a passenger on her boyfriend’s motorcycle. Soon, however, she wanted to be the one driving. She now owns a 1989 Honda CBR 600 F, which she named Zelda, and passed her road test two weeks ago.

“Every once in a while when I’m riding, I remember I’m actually riding a motorcycle, and I smile uncontrollably inside my helmet,” said Visser.

Bartel, who owns a 1980 Suzuki GS 400, shares the joy that comes from riding. He says that he goes on a lot of scenic rides as a way to enjoy God’s creation.

“It’s enjoyable to have the air, the wind through my hair,” he said.

This shared joy of motorcycling that Bartel saw in the motorcyclists on campus often led to sporadic, unplanned rides. Bartel and Visser hope the club brings some structure and intentionality to the group.
“If I ever only join one club at Trinity, it’s pretty awesome that it is the Motorcycle Club,” said Visser.
The group is also throwing around ideas for a new club name. Bartel says they unofficially refer to themselves as the “Holy Rollers.”

To find out more about the club or to become a member students can contact Bartel at evan.bartel[at]mytwu.ca or Visser at janelle.visser@mytwu.ca or visit their Facebook group (search “TWU Motorcycle Club”).