"Now everybody across the nation thinks when there's a pack of bikers, it's a bunch of freakin' hooligans- and it's nothing like that."
-Chad Walton, Chad Walton Racing
The annual event, The Chucktown Shutdown, is organized every march by Chad Walton and Waylon Tolbert, who own Chad Walton Racing on Savannah Highway. Hundreds of bikers on motorcycles group together and ride down the highways of Charleston, going fast and doing stunts. The bikers' main objective is to reverse the general public's negative stereotypical opinions of bikers on the roadways. Many seemingly believe that motorcyclists are reckless and irresponsible, thus being a dangerous hazard to other motorists on the roadways. Chad and Waylon, although, firmly hold the belief that bikers are just as safe, if not safer, than other motorists on the road. Determined to provide clarity to their real safety, they perform this stunt every year.
This year, the Chucktown Shutdown centered around the infamous Ravenel Bridge in early March. The difference from the previous years is that this year, the bridge takeover aired on national TV. ABC spent four days with the boys beforehand, attaching cameras to the helmets and handlebars to get inside the life of street stunt biking.
But, there was only one obstacle. Charleston County Police were not too fond of the proposed takeover, and practically played cat and mouse and pulled bikers over for any minor traffic violation. Chad and Waylon, although, surpassed the cops' disapproval with keen sense and a burning determination to show the public how safe street biking really is.
"What we do looks scary and extremely dangerous- but it is nothing like that. We're thoroughly trained and what we do is safer than someone driving down the highway, putting on lipstick, texting and driving," Walton claims, while disappointedly shaking his head. "And too much tax money is spent harrassing us," he finishes. But the cops beg to differ.
The point Walton is attempting to illuminate to the public is that motorcycles on the road are not a fiery hazard- it is quite the opposite. According to him, motorists are actually the real danger to bikers. If you think about it, it makes a little bit of sense. Really, shouldn't bikers be afraid of motorists? Cars and trucks are much larger.
However, senior Rachel Beckwith shed light on the other side of the controversial argument. "Well, apparently speeding down the highway, running red lights, and performing stunts in traffic is perfectly okay because most people are bad drivers," she scoffs sarcastically.
There are always two sides to one story, so consequently everyone will have their own view on the matter. The Chucktown Shutdown has become a running tradition, and Chad and Waylon plan to continue until their bad name is wiped clean. They have no malicious intent- bikers simply blow off steam safely and the majority are actually very well trained and experienced. To form your own opinion about the event or stereotype, check out ABC's website to see the 2014 video. It aired in early March on ABC's "Nightline Prime."
-Chad Walton, Chad Walton Racing
The annual event, The Chucktown Shutdown, is organized every march by Chad Walton and Waylon Tolbert, who own Chad Walton Racing on Savannah Highway. Hundreds of bikers on motorcycles group together and ride down the highways of Charleston, going fast and doing stunts. The bikers' main objective is to reverse the general public's negative stereotypical opinions of bikers on the roadways. Many seemingly believe that motorcyclists are reckless and irresponsible, thus being a dangerous hazard to other motorists on the roadways. Chad and Waylon, although, firmly hold the belief that bikers are just as safe, if not safer, than other motorists on the road. Determined to provide clarity to their real safety, they perform this stunt every year.
This year, the Chucktown Shutdown centered around the infamous Ravenel Bridge in early March. The difference from the previous years is that this year, the bridge takeover aired on national TV. ABC spent four days with the boys beforehand, attaching cameras to the helmets and handlebars to get inside the life of street stunt biking.
But, there was only one obstacle. Charleston County Police were not too fond of the proposed takeover, and practically played cat and mouse and pulled bikers over for any minor traffic violation. Chad and Waylon, although, surpassed the cops' disapproval with keen sense and a burning determination to show the public how safe street biking really is.
"What we do looks scary and extremely dangerous- but it is nothing like that. We're thoroughly trained and what we do is safer than someone driving down the highway, putting on lipstick, texting and driving," Walton claims, while disappointedly shaking his head. "And too much tax money is spent harrassing us," he finishes. But the cops beg to differ.
The point Walton is attempting to illuminate to the public is that motorcycles on the road are not a fiery hazard- it is quite the opposite. According to him, motorists are actually the real danger to bikers. If you think about it, it makes a little bit of sense. Really, shouldn't bikers be afraid of motorists? Cars and trucks are much larger.
However, senior Rachel Beckwith shed light on the other side of the controversial argument. "Well, apparently speeding down the highway, running red lights, and performing stunts in traffic is perfectly okay because most people are bad drivers," she scoffs sarcastically.
There are always two sides to one story, so consequently everyone will have their own view on the matter. The Chucktown Shutdown has become a running tradition, and Chad and Waylon plan to continue until their bad name is wiped clean. They have no malicious intent- bikers simply blow off steam safely and the majority are actually very well trained and experienced. To form your own opinion about the event or stereotype, check out ABC's website to see the 2014 video. It aired in early March on ABC's "Nightline Prime."