I don't drive. Except from the safety of my living room. The key reason for that is cost - I cannot afford to maintain a car. But I feel that commuting difficulties are one of the key factors stopping me from getting out more and generally being useful. Whilst I do have family members who might be willing to help cover the costs, I consider that to be a last resort sort of deal.
Thing is, I have huge issues with anxiety. To the extent where I loathe public transport to the extent that given the choice between a 15 minute bus ride and a 1 hour walk, I will choose it walk. Every time.
One thing I probably might be able to afford though is a motorcycle. Particularly if I can find a reliable one with a good fuel economy and easy maintenance. Naturally, there is one defining factor that has caused me significant delay in coming to a decision over this: safety.
What I'm wondering is if anyone here has any experience with motorcycling - either personally or through knowing someone. And if so, what do you think of the safety issues involved? And is it worth it for someone who isn't looking for the thrill or 'coolness' that generally causes interest in such vehicles?
Thing is, I have huge issues with anxiety. To the extent where I loathe public transport to the extent that given the choice between a 15 minute bus ride and a 1 hour walk, I will choose it walk. Every time.
One thing I probably might be able to afford though is a motorcycle. Particularly if I can find a reliable one with a good fuel economy and easy maintenance. Naturally, there is one defining factor that has caused me significant delay in coming to a decision over this: safety.
What I'm wondering is if anyone here has any experience with motorcycling - either personally or through knowing someone. And if so, what do you think of the safety issues involved? And is it worth it for someone who isn't looking for the thrill or 'coolness' that generally causes interest in such vehicles?
I don't know anyone who has a motorcycle so I can't say anything about that, but I do know a thing or two about vehicle accidents.
I have been 3 car incidents by the time I was 18, albiet one of them was a car fire. The first one I don't remember too well since I was only 4 at the time, so it could have been my mom's fault. I'd have to ask. The next one was the result of someone driving past a red light tboning us, though luckily it was a low speed impact. On top of that, my dad crashed into a deer that ran out into the road in the middle of the night, then a guy going 20 over the speed limit t boned my parents car some years later. Now only a few months ago, my dad got hit by someone who was on their phone.
You notice that aside from the possibility of the first one, that none of those were my folk's fault? My aunt joked when we bought a minivan some years back that we didn't need a van, we needed a tank. That's just how unlucky we are. Though on the other hand we were all lucky in that we all walked away from those accidents either injury free or with only minor ones. I don't think that would be the case if any of us had been on a motorcycle.
Now my parents are good drivers, have barely ever gotten any tickets and don't do stupid crap, but that didn't stop them from having all those accidents. You could be the safest motorcycle driver in the world, but that won't mean anything if some moron texting on their phone or driving drunk ends up plowing into you. When it's car vs motorcycle, the motorcycle loses period.
That's my thoughts on the matter, you could get a motorcycle and have nothing ever happen to you, but if something does happen, well I would rather be in a car, then on a motorcycle.
Would just riding a bike be an option? Should be faster then walking, but at least you won't be in the road with the cars.
I have been 3 car incidents by the time I was 18, albiet one of them was a car fire. The first one I don't remember too well since I was only 4 at the time, so it could have been my mom's fault. I'd have to ask. The next one was the result of someone driving past a red light tboning us, though luckily it was a low speed impact. On top of that, my dad crashed into a deer that ran out into the road in the middle of the night, then a guy going 20 over the speed limit t boned my parents car some years later. Now only a few months ago, my dad got hit by someone who was on their phone.
You notice that aside from the possibility of the first one, that none of those were my folk's fault? My aunt joked when we bought a minivan some years back that we didn't need a van, we needed a tank. That's just how unlucky we are. Though on the other hand we were all lucky in that we all walked away from those accidents either injury free or with only minor ones. I don't think that would be the case if any of us had been on a motorcycle.
Now my parents are good drivers, have barely ever gotten any tickets and don't do stupid crap, but that didn't stop them from having all those accidents. You could be the safest motorcycle driver in the world, but that won't mean anything if some moron texting on their phone or driving drunk ends up plowing into you. When it's car vs motorcycle, the motorcycle loses period.
That's my thoughts on the matter, you could get a motorcycle and have nothing ever happen to you, but if something does happen, well I would rather be in a car, then on a motorcycle.
Would just riding a bike be an option? Should be faster then walking, but at least you won't be in the road with the cars.
There are a couple of roads around here that I would not risk cycling down. Particularly on routes that cross either one of the longest A-roads in the country or one of the busier roads that lacks a cycling lane. Whilst those examples might not be the safest with a motorcycle, given some of the things I've seen traffic there do, I wouldn't risk going anywhere near them on a bicycle, and the pavements around here aren't exactly accommodating for leading a bike down after dismounting as well, particularly when pedestrian traffic is high.
In the UK, cycling on the pavement is a legal offence. If there's no cycling lane, you have to be on the road.
In the UK, cycling on the pavement is a legal offence. If there's no cycling lane, you have to be on the road.
I see, well I wasn't aware of UK's cycling laws so I see why biking wouldn't be an option in that case.
Yeah, I mean in places like central London, it's fine because there are so many cycling lanes and so much popularity that people are aware and cyclists can avoid traffic at the worst places. But I live in a satellite town of a northern city. Whilst some areas are particularly busy, and there are cycling lanes, most of that stuff is specifically for commutes into the town centre, whilst moving across town usually involves going across those roads but not down them. And you don't really see bicycles outside of those going to town (apart from children in the residential areas) *(actually, I'm wrong, it's slowly gaining in popularity)*.
One of the other issues is that apart from the main roads, due to the sheer narrowness of roads of here, most of the pavements are lined with parked cars, making it very hard to get out of the way of traffic on a bicycle. At least with motorcycles, you can keep up with the general flow and on some of the narrower roads, be easily visible and certainly audible). The danger really lies on where lesser roads meet the main roads, and particularly traffic using said junctions without properly looking where they're going. That, and the 4-way junctions between main roads where you get the occasional lorry that runs a red or similar behaviour. But at the latter example, given it's a junction where any accidents would involve accelerating from a stand-still, I don't see how a motorcycle could be any more dangerous than a bicycle, except when the rider's being an idiot (in fact I'd rather be in full riding leathers than just a hi-vis jacket and helmet during such an incident).
One of the other issues is that apart from the main roads, due to the sheer narrowness of roads of here, most of the pavements are lined with parked cars, making it very hard to get out of the way of traffic on a bicycle. At least with motorcycles, you can keep up with the general flow and on some of the narrower roads, be easily visible and certainly audible). The danger really lies on where lesser roads meet the main roads, and particularly traffic using said junctions without properly looking where they're going. That, and the 4-way junctions between main roads where you get the occasional lorry that runs a red or similar behaviour. But at the latter example, given it's a junction where any accidents would involve accelerating from a stand-still, I don't see how a motorcycle could be any more dangerous than a bicycle, except when the rider's being an idiot (in fact I'd rather be in full riding leathers than just a hi-vis jacket and helmet during such an incident).
I don't drive a motorcycle, I spent few summers working as a Safety Marshall at a local race track and what I saw killed my desire to drive one - I still love the sound of them and they're alot of fun to watch when all goes well, but I don't think I'll be driving one.
It was a learning experience and biggest piece of advice I have to offer if your concerned about your safety is to see if there's a motorcycle safety course offered in your area. It might cost a little but it's worth it! At the track I worked at you're taught the obvious things like rules of the road and general safety stuff. However they also teach you how to handle your bike - all the way from mounting, riding, to taking a fall and correctly picking your bike should you take a spill.
It was a learning experience and biggest piece of advice I have to offer if your concerned about your safety is to see if there's a motorcycle safety course offered in your area. It might cost a little but it's worth it! At the track I worked at you're taught the obvious things like rules of the road and general safety stuff. However they also teach you how to handle your bike - all the way from mounting, riding, to taking a fall and correctly picking your bike should you take a spill.
Whatever you choose, be careful.
I don't ride a large/powerful motorcycle, but because I can't afford a car and public transport isn't that great for me, I ride a scooter/moped. It's limited to 45km/h per the national laws in my country. On main roads up to 50km/h and roads outside of towns at max 60km/h, I'm supposed to be in the middle of the lane unless the bicycle path has been designated as a moped/bicycle lane.
As far as safety goes, you're not that safe. You'll be one of the most vulnerable participants in traffic where most everyone else is in protective metal cages while you're totally exposed. I love riding by itself, but people have absolutely no respect for me on the road. The laws on where a scooter is allowed to ride have changed in years but some older people still think I should be off to the right side of the road. In their arrogance because 'they're right', they pull all sorts of risky maneuvers, including tailgating while honking and flashing their lights, cruising next to me in the opposing lane to yell at me with oncoming traffic coming straight at them (!), cutting me off because there was no safe way to actually pass me, or using their cars to force me into the bicycle paths when they disagree with the laws. I'll be honest and say it's terrifying many times I'm out and about.
In under a year's time, I went from a pretty casual car driver to a ridiculously defensive rider and I'm always very anxious and on high alert. The costs of upkeep for a scooter, the gas mileage and the ability to maneuver more easily are the main reason I'm still riding despite the dangers. I have too many issues with physical pain to walk to places or even really cycle anymore, and my disability income will not support car ownerships and monthly fees along with very expensive gas, so it's this or total isolation and the inability to do stuff like get groceries.
If you're opting for a highway legal motorcycle that can go much faster than 45km/h, you have the advantage of speed that I lack. My scooter is a 50cc cheap Chinese model that doesn't really pull its own weight and that of any rider well in this hilly area (but it gets me places) so drivers get impatient that I'm not making it to the 50km/h speed limit or faster and then pull risky moves on me. On a more powerful motorcycle that is less of an issue.
As far as safety goes, you're not that safe. You'll be one of the most vulnerable participants in traffic where most everyone else is in protective metal cages while you're totally exposed. I love riding by itself, but people have absolutely no respect for me on the road. The laws on where a scooter is allowed to ride have changed in years but some older people still think I should be off to the right side of the road. In their arrogance because 'they're right', they pull all sorts of risky maneuvers, including tailgating while honking and flashing their lights, cruising next to me in the opposing lane to yell at me with oncoming traffic coming straight at them (!), cutting me off because there was no safe way to actually pass me, or using their cars to force me into the bicycle paths when they disagree with the laws. I'll be honest and say it's terrifying many times I'm out and about.
In under a year's time, I went from a pretty casual car driver to a ridiculously defensive rider and I'm always very anxious and on high alert. The costs of upkeep for a scooter, the gas mileage and the ability to maneuver more easily are the main reason I'm still riding despite the dangers. I have too many issues with physical pain to walk to places or even really cycle anymore, and my disability income will not support car ownerships and monthly fees along with very expensive gas, so it's this or total isolation and the inability to do stuff like get groceries.
If you're opting for a highway legal motorcycle that can go much faster than 45km/h, you have the advantage of speed that I lack. My scooter is a 50cc cheap Chinese model that doesn't really pull its own weight and that of any rider well in this hilly area (but it gets me places) so drivers get impatient that I'm not making it to the 50km/h speed limit or faster and then pull risky moves on me. On a more powerful motorcycle that is less of an issue.
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