By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Bikers are taking to the streets in Hays to combat bullying and teach children the importance of living in a society built on mutual respect.
Bikers Against Bullies USA, a nonprofit organization co-founded by Flash Van de Perre in Montana, has chapters nationwide, including Kansas.
Liaison Josh Seirer is passionate about riding motorcycles and educating children, founding the Bikers Against Bullies USA-Great Plains Chapter after connecting with Van de Perre earlier this year.
"My ultimate dream is that we have a bunch of motorcycles roll up to a school because kids love motorcycles and have a conversation with kids," Seirer said.
With a background in cybersecurity, Seier aims to educate children about in-person bullying and cyberbullying, as kids spend a significant amount of time on digital platforms.
Bikers Against Bullies USA's website provides resources such as steps to follow if you're being bullied, safety guides for children and parents, and contact information for emergencies and immediate assistance.
Seirer said many people are unaware of what bullying looks like, what signs to watch for in children or which apps they use.
"I don't think parents, adults or even educators fully understand what cyberbullying is because it's something that snuck up on us," he said.
The Bikers Against Bullies chapter was established in June, and the Fort Hays State University cybersecurity club is working with them to make worksheets for parents.
While Bikers Against Bullies USA provides resources for preventing online bullying, Seier is going a step further to help Hays better understand technology.
"If you're not mildly tech-savvy, you're not gonna know how to [recognize apps and use phones]," he said. "I'm working to fill that gap on the parents' side because it's not just about kids but educating parents too."
The new chapter has connected with various school districts, from Hays to Russell, to offer presentations to students while Seier works to recruit new members to join him on rides.
The organization is not a motorcycle club and welcomes anyone to join the fight against bullying and raising awareness in the local area.
Seirer spoke with counselors, psychiatrists, therapists and resource officers for insights into what bullying looks like today.
"I'm doing my best to come up with good material based on research done by experts," Seier said. "But at the same time, I want it to be relevant to our community and solve specific problems."
The Bikers Against Bullies Great Plains chapter will have a booth at Oktoberfest on Oct. 4 and 5 to talk with kids about bullying and raise awareness about its initiatives.
You can join Bikers Against Bullies by contacting Seirer at [email protected] or 785-656-2834.
You can also follow Bikers Against Bullies USA-Great Plains Chapter on Facebook and visit the Bikers Against Bullies USA website.