I have a BMX shop, but don't ride. I do hear stories from all my customers. There is one town nearby that they get hassled by the cops all the time. Even for just riding down the street. They rode at a school all the time. Then someone did some vandalism and you know they got the blame. Some of the people that come in the shop may look a little scary sometimes, but they are all great people. I don't think there is any way to change what people think. Movies like Jackass sure don't help.