Today we’d like to introduce you to Tony Aldridge and Anna Ogan.
Hi Tony and Anna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The concept of Westside Motorcycle Collective was born in 2022 when we recognized the need for a welcoming community that embraces the West Coast style of riding. We observed that many group rides did not cater to our preferred riding approach, so we set out to create a space where riders like us could come together and enjoy the camaraderie of the road.
Our vision is simple: We believe that no one should dictate how you ride your ride, as long as you prioritize the safety and respect of fellow riders. In our collective, strict formations are non-existent, lane sharing is encouraged, and we even welcome stunting as long as it is performed responsibly and with due regard for others.
We start all of our rides at Randy’s Donuts on Manchester in Inglewood. We chose this location because of its iconic spot right off of the 405 freeway, making it an easy destination for riders coming from all over Southern California.
Our first ride was in January of 2023. Our destination was Neptunes Net, one of our favorite coastal rides and destinations. We posted the ride on our instagram profile and did not expect much from it. In between the time we posted the ride and the date it occurred, we posted a lot of content from our friends and other rides we had been on. Primarily highlighting our riding style and stunt riders.
Once the date came for us to meet up and head to Neptunes, we arrived at Randy’s for the meetup, and there were over 80 motorcycles. We were blown away but the reaction from everyone, as they had been looking for a group that allows them the freedom to ride the way they want to.
From that day forward, we knew we had something special, so we began to run more events, and even more people started to come out and work with us.
Fast forward and we now have vendors at all of our events, we have sponsors who help us, and we have people that have become regulars on our rides that we know on a first-name basis. We have also launched a clothing brand that supports our efforts and allows us the ability to keep making each event better and better.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not! Neither of us really had experience throwing events and coordinating vendors, so there was a definite learning curve there. There has also been pushback from groups who don’t agree with our riding style and don’t want to work with us on larger community events, which is not really a challenge but more so a bummer that we all can’t work together to make the community better.
It has also been a challenge to find venues that are receptive to our events as well as the people that they attract and the noise we create.
The biggest struggle of them all, however has been the amount of time it takes to put together these events and coordinate everything involved so everyone is safe and has a good time, considering both of us work full-time jobs along with Westside.
As you know, we’re big fans of Westside Motorcycle Collective. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Welcome to Westside Motorcycle Collective, an exclusive community born out of the love for motorcycles and the exhilarating freedom of the open road. Based in the vibrant city of Los Angeles, California, we are a collective of passionate riders who come together to celebrate the thrill of motorcycling, regardless of the type of bike you ride.
Our name, “Westside,” pays homage to the origins of our original riders, all of whom reside or work on the Westside of Los Angeles. It also reflects our deep love for the breathtaking coastal rides that characterize our region.
Westside Motorcycle Collective is not a motorcycle club. We are a community that shares a common interest in motorcycling and collaborates to achieve our collective objectives.
At Westside, we live by three core values that shape our experiences on the road:
Ride Your Ride: Our most cherished value, “Ride your ride,” represents the freedom to ride in a manner that resonates with your personal style. We firmly believe that every rider should have the liberty to express themselves on the road, regardless of how their riding style may be perceived by others.
Split Lanes: Embracing the iconic West Coast style, we wholeheartedly endorse lane splitting. Our collective appreciates the advantages it offers, and we encourage safe and responsible lane sharing practices.
Respect Other Riders: Mutual respect forms the foundation of our community. We foster an environment where all riders are encouraged to treat one another with kindness, consideration, and understanding. We believe that upholding respect for fellow riders creates a positive and harmonious riding experience.
What matters most to you? Why?
We are here to support local businesses and create a place for every rider to decide how they ride their ride without judgment. We want to foster a community of like-minded people who embrace the freedom of the open road.
This matters to us because we believe that everyone has the right to decide how they ride their ride. Preserving this freedom is important in a world that is constantly telling you what you can and can not do on and off your bike.
Our events are there to give everyone a chance to enjoy the motorcycle culture we love while also supporting our favorite local businesses and creating partnerships that keep our community alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.westsidemoto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westside_motorcycle_collective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westsidemotocollective/
- Other: TikTok: @westsidemotocollective
Image Credits
Instagram Handles @baximages @tjayshotit @619mikemedia
