When Tony Lue first got into motorcycle riding a couple of years ago, he embarked on a pilgrimage many new Calgary bikers undertake: he went to the Shell gas station at the corner of 17th Avenue S.W. and Fifth Street.
On any given night, there are dozens of motorcycles parked at the gas station, with the bikers lingering and chatting close by. They are playfully called the Shell’s Angels by locals sipping pints across the street.
Lue, who comes from a biking family and was introduced to it by his mother, has since found a community.
“You get to meet new people every day. … You get to see a plethora of bikes, and you get to see how people tune them up and what people do to them.”
Dazzmin Darius has had a similar experience. He and a friend got their first bikes and, like Lue, took a ride to 17th Avenue.
For Dazzmin Darius, meeting up with other bikers on 17th Avenue in Calgary is all about meeting other folks. (Geordin Zee/CBC)
“It’s a collective,” he explained. “It’s really awesome to just come out here as a new or experienced rider and meet people to ride with at any given time … it’s the social side of things. I love that.”
Both Darius and Lue said the community is welcoming to bikers of all walks of life, despite some misconceptions.
“Anybody who’s on two wheels who wants to meet a new community, wants to meet new people, this is the place to be,” Lue said.
He added that he’s learned lots from the relationships he’s built at the Shell gas station.
Tony Lue was introduced to motorcycles by his mother. (Geordin Zee/CBC)Revelling in revving
Motorcycle engines revving might be the sound of community to some, but it’s the cause of concern for others.
Last year, the city announced a crackdown on noisy vehicles in areas like 17th Avenue. Despite the new measures, which include fines of up to $300, only seven tickets were issued in the following two months.
The Beltline bikers are known to rev their engines, often at busy intersections and in front of patio-goers.
Lue said he doesn’t do it “excessively,” but allowed there is some showmanship when he and others fire up their bikes.
“Honestly, we rev our engines because they sound nice. Me and some of these bikes have got great exhaust,” he said. “Some of these people spend great money to make their bikes sound nice, so if something sounds nice, why not try and hear it over and over again?”
WATCH | A ride-along with the ‘Shell’s Angels’:
Heard of Calgary’s ‘Shell’s Angels’? We ask them why they’re so loud
Motorcycle engines revving might be the sound of community to some, but it’s the cause of concern for others. CBC’s Salim Valji went down to 17th Avenue to find out why one longtime group of motorcycle enthusiasts playfully dubbed ‘Shell’s Angels’ have gathered there to ride their bikes.
Darius said he doesn’t rev his bike because it doesn’t quite have that capability.
“It’s really quiet,” he said. “Some people are really loud. It annoys me too. I think when it comes to revving, people are just trying to let people around them know that they’re there, because unfortunately people die quite often on motorcycles.”
Revving engine doesn’t improve road safety, says group head
Liane Langlois, president of the Alberta Motorcycle Safety Society, established a new motorcycle land speed world record last year. She said it’s a myth that creating more noise leads to drivers being aware of the motorcycles around them and, thus, safer roads.
“Unfortunately, science and physics don’t really agree with that, especially when you’re in an area like 17th Avenue that has a lot of buildings,” she said.
“That noise is just going to reverberate off of everything, so you actually have zero idea where the noise is coming from, so how that makes you safer versus causing more issues with people now distracted and trying to figure out where that noise is coming from … for us, that is simply a myth. Noise emits from the rear, but most of our issues are in front of us.”
The City of Calgary and Calgary Police Service declined to comment, but said they will be making an announcement about downtown noise enforcement later this week.
CBC reporter Salim Valji goes on a ride with Calgary motorcyclist Tony Lue. (Geordin Zee/CBC)’Landmark group’ in Calgary
Whether they’re revving their engines or simply chatting at the Shell gas station, the Beltline bikers are a staple of the downtown experience for many Calgarians.
Ryan VanderMolen, sipping a beverage on a 17th Avenue patio one warm summer day, called them a “landmark group” in the city.
“Ever since I’ve lived here, they’ve always been there … they’re harmless,” he said.
“I like it better when they just hang out and talk in the parking lot, but when you try and sit out on the patio and there’s 20 of them that want to rip, it’s pretty annoying.”
Also on the patio, Brittany Kilroe initially voiced her grievances with the group, but gradually changed her tune as she heard VanderMolen’s comments.
“I don’t know what we’d do without them, actually,” she said. “I take it back. I like them.”