Why don't more people bike?
Discussion
Seems odd to me that more people don't ride motorcycles/scoots in the UK.
If you go any anywhere in Europe there's peds and motorbikes everywhere. They're cheap to run, don't bung up the roads and don't take up loads of parking space.
Last year my wife and I passed our CBTs and we got a 125 scoot. My wife uses it to go to work on every day that it's not raining and I use it to go to the swimming baths, gym and other odd jobs, pop to the shops, post office, chippy, that kinda thing.
I filled it from empty this evening and it cost £12 something. Does >100mpg. Loads of under seat storage (2x helmets), free parking, and even with me on it itll do 69mph...
It is my opinion that the CBT should form part of the driving test. I think if everyone had a taste of motorcycling then maybe people would drive with a bit more concern for motorcyclists. Its certainly made me a more aware driver.
If you go any anywhere in Europe there's peds and motorbikes everywhere. They're cheap to run, don't bung up the roads and don't take up loads of parking space.
Last year my wife and I passed our CBTs and we got a 125 scoot. My wife uses it to go to work on every day that it's not raining and I use it to go to the swimming baths, gym and other odd jobs, pop to the shops, post office, chippy, that kinda thing.
I filled it from empty this evening and it cost £12 something. Does >100mpg. Loads of under seat storage (2x helmets), free parking, and even with me on it itll do 69mph...
It is my opinion that the CBT should form part of the driving test. I think if everyone had a taste of motorcycling then maybe people would drive with a bit more concern for motorcyclists. Its certainly made me a more aware driver.
I only saw this thread because it was in my "What's New" feed. Most of the people you need to answer your question may not see it as it's in "Biker Banter" and non bikers are unlikely to look in this section of the forum.
To answer your question, as a non-biker...
The main reason for me is safety. I simply wouldn't feel safe on a motorcycle. I feel vulnerable enough trying to keep my relatively small 23 year old 3 Series from being wiped out by gormless SUV drivers!
Also, being relatively exposed to the elements on a motorcycle and having nowhere to put your stuff if you go out and buy something.
To answer your question, as a non-biker...
The main reason for me is safety. I simply wouldn't feel safe on a motorcycle. I feel vulnerable enough trying to keep my relatively small 23 year old 3 Series from being wiped out by gormless SUV drivers!
Also, being relatively exposed to the elements on a motorcycle and having nowhere to put your stuff if you go out and buy something.
I remember in the 90s you could get deals on scooters, included insurance and a helmet.
Loads of my mates got them. Some went onto bikes.
As the OP says I find it strange more don't ride like in Europe.
Plenty complain about transport costs but surely for city commuting scooters and small cc bikes make sense
Loads of my mates got them. Some went onto bikes.
As the OP says I find it strange more don't ride like in Europe.
Plenty complain about transport costs but surely for city commuting scooters and small cc bikes make sense
I live in Asia, bikers fall into two categories here. Lesure bikers, who may or may not commute on occasions, and people who use the bike for everything for economic reasons.
It amazes me when i see the traffic congestion here
but no one, except the odd expat like me, uses a bike because it's convenient.
As sone as possible people dump the bike and go into debt for a car.
I had an office in the Petronas Twin Towers, I was the only senior person who would ride in on my bike.
It amazes me when i see the traffic congestion here
but no one, except the odd expat like me, uses a bike because it's convenient.
As sone as possible people dump the bike and go into debt for a car.
I had an office in the Petronas Twin Towers, I was the only senior person who would ride in on my bike.
They're not convenient in almost every way, other than filtering in traffic. Other than that there's very little redeeming about them.
I can't think of a single scenario where I'd pick a ride on a motorbike over a ride in a car, especially on a nice warm day. Leathers, the helmet, boots, gloves, scarf - all of which have to be carried around with you when you get to your destination, not to mention you'll be a sweaty mess. On a cold, wet day it's even worse to ride.
Performance wise they're good, but only in a straight line. Get a decent two seater convertible (Elise, VX220) and you'll soon forget the bike when the sun is out.
Finally, you're exposed and you don't half feel vulnerable when you're on a bike on the road as a hell of a lot of trust needs to be put into the competence of other road users, and when you're in a car you can allow a little bit more wriggle room as there's the door skin, door inners, door card and maybe an airbag before anything was to touch your leg but on a bike it'll be vehicle straight to leg. Not a nice thought.
I can't think of a single scenario where I'd pick a ride on a motorbike over a ride in a car, especially on a nice warm day. Leathers, the helmet, boots, gloves, scarf - all of which have to be carried around with you when you get to your destination, not to mention you'll be a sweaty mess. On a cold, wet day it's even worse to ride.
Performance wise they're good, but only in a straight line. Get a decent two seater convertible (Elise, VX220) and you'll soon forget the bike when the sun is out.
Finally, you're exposed and you don't half feel vulnerable when you're on a bike on the road as a hell of a lot of trust needs to be put into the competence of other road users, and when you're in a car you can allow a little bit more wriggle room as there's the door skin, door inners, door card and maybe an airbag before anything was to touch your leg but on a bike it'll be vehicle straight to leg. Not a nice thought.
Interesting thoughts.
I have found when riding I actually position myself on the road and ride in such a way that means unless someone actively aiming for me, I'd be quite hard to hit. I don't ride "defensively", but I try to ride expecting that any and every car will do something stupid and give myself enough space time to either avoid or stop.
On the scooter I just throw on my jacket, gloves and helmet, which can all be stored under the seat when parked. If I take a rucksack I can do a fairly big shop. Two bags worth of shopping in the rucksack, two bags of shopping under the seat.
Where my wife works is all on street parallel parking which is a nightmare (victorian terraces) but she can just throw the scoot in the yard tucked in a corner.
I have found when riding I actually position myself on the road and ride in such a way that means unless someone actively aiming for me, I'd be quite hard to hit. I don't ride "defensively", but I try to ride expecting that any and every car will do something stupid and give myself enough space time to either avoid or stop.
On the scooter I just throw on my jacket, gloves and helmet, which can all be stored under the seat when parked. If I take a rucksack I can do a fairly big shop. Two bags worth of shopping in the rucksack, two bags of shopping under the seat.
Where my wife works is all on street parallel parking which is a nightmare (victorian terraces) but she can just throw the scoot in the yard tucked in a corner.
Until my mid 30s, I used bikes pretty much exclusively. When it was nice hot weather, I'd take a change of clothes and simply chain my helmet and leathers to my bike through the arms / legs.
Bikes seemed great.
As I got into cars, bikes got used less over the years and eventually sold. I bought a Fireblade a month or so back (after a break of about 10 years), and my view has changed a bit.
Putting leathers on / taking them off is a pain. It takes me as long to do that as it takes to ride to work (7 miles). I wanted to use the bike last night, but since I stay at the g/f's - who is only about a mile from my work - I couldn't be bothered with the leathers etc for that journey.
Carrying laptop etc is also a pain.
I do also feel a lot more mortal than I did when younger!
I'm still glad I bought it, and am in a stage of my life where occasional use just because I fancy it justifies the ownership. And - if I had to change jobs so I had a long commute, I'd probably use a bike.
But generally, these days I'm happy with using a car 99% of the time, even in the congested South East. And my car is quicker than my bike anyway, so the bike doesn't win on that front!
Bikes seemed great.
As I got into cars, bikes got used less over the years and eventually sold. I bought a Fireblade a month or so back (after a break of about 10 years), and my view has changed a bit.
Putting leathers on / taking them off is a pain. It takes me as long to do that as it takes to ride to work (7 miles). I wanted to use the bike last night, but since I stay at the g/f's - who is only about a mile from my work - I couldn't be bothered with the leathers etc for that journey.
Carrying laptop etc is also a pain.
I do also feel a lot more mortal than I did when younger!
I'm still glad I bought it, and am in a stage of my life where occasional use just because I fancy it justifies the ownership. And - if I had to change jobs so I had a long commute, I'd probably use a bike.
But generally, these days I'm happy with using a car 99% of the time, even in the congested South East. And my car is quicker than my bike anyway, so the bike doesn't win on that front!
Edited by davek_964 on Wednesday 10th August 06:42
If I wasn't married I'd have some kind of motor cycle. It's an absolute no no from the wife, although shes happy for me to cycle 50 mile a week, which I'm sure is more dangerous. 
It would be very convenient for city commuting and parking.
Besides that, the weather wouldn't help and other road users would terrify me.
It would be very convenient for city commuting and parking.
Besides that, the weather wouldn't help and other road users would terrify me.
I keep thinking of getting a 125cc and doing CBT and using the bike to get to/from work or for the odd little blast around.
However my biggest concern has always been other road users. I cycle a lot in a relatively rural area and just in the last few months I've nearly been wiped out on a roundabout when someone didn't even glance to their left, not long after i had someone pull out of a side road causing me to take evasive action.
I'd spotted both situations developing yet I'm fairly certain had I been on a motorbike doing 10-15mph faster I'd have not had the braking time/room and made contact.
However my biggest concern has always been other road users. I cycle a lot in a relatively rural area and just in the last few months I've nearly been wiped out on a roundabout when someone didn't even glance to their left, not long after i had someone pull out of a side road causing me to take evasive action.
I'd spotted both situations developing yet I'm fairly certain had I been on a motorbike doing 10-15mph faster I'd have not had the braking time/room and made contact.
When I use the car instead of the bike it's usually because of the issue of what to do with bike gear at the destination. Topboxes and panniers obviously help even if they drive certain bikers into a fury. In dry weather that's going to remain so it's not so bad because there are jeans and boots that provide at least some protection but are still inconspicuous off the bike. But it's hard to find a jacket that doesn't look completely ridiculous.
Other than the clothing issue weather is not normally a problem, though many people have a mental block about riding in the rain. It really doesn't rain as much as people think and riding in it isn't a problem providing you're dressed for it. Similarly a lot of people, including bikers, think that riding between October and April is uncomfortable and generally no fun. I'll happily ride in 5 DEG C but a couple of times recently I've cut a trip short and headed for home because 25 DEG+ made it intolerable.
Other than the clothing issue weather is not normally a problem, though many people have a mental block about riding in the rain. It really doesn't rain as much as people think and riding in it isn't a problem providing you're dressed for it. Similarly a lot of people, including bikers, think that riding between October and April is uncomfortable and generally no fun. I'll happily ride in 5 DEG C but a couple of times recently I've cut a trip short and headed for home because 25 DEG+ made it intolerable.
aka_kerrly said:
I keep thinking of getting a 125cc and doing CBT and using the bike to get to/from work or for the odd little blast around.
However my biggest concern has always been other road users. I cycle a lot in a relatively rural area and just in the last few months I've nearly been wiped out on a roundabout when someone didn't even glance to their left, not long after i had someone pull out of a side road causing me to take evasive action.
I'd spotted both situations developing yet I'm fairly certain had I been on a motorbike doing 10-15mph faster I'd have not had the braking time/room and made contact.
I've been doing more cycling recently and I've noticed that the level of respect given to cyclists vs motorcyclists is very different. I've also nearly been taken out a few times on my bicycle recently. However my biggest concern has always been other road users. I cycle a lot in a relatively rural area and just in the last few months I've nearly been wiped out on a roundabout when someone didn't even glance to their left, not long after i had someone pull out of a side road causing me to take evasive action.
I'd spotted both situations developing yet I'm fairly certain had I been on a motorbike doing 10-15mph faster I'd have not had the braking time/room and made contact.
On a motorcycle not only is the bike bigger and well illuminated, you're much more open to using all the road to making sure you're seen.
The amount of near passes I've had on a push bike, or people overtaking and immediately turning left... trouble with cycling is that all drivers assume you're doing 5-8mph and belong in the gutter.
I'd say when it comes to other road users, cycling is more dangerous.
Impossible to get my weekly shop on my bike, s
t weather, thieves, lugging my lid etc around at my destination, dark at morning & evening rush hour, riding during rush hour when tired &/or distracted by other thoughts. Etc etc - biking for me is a fair weather, weekend thing.
Someone mentioned above buying a 2 seat sports car: where, apart from a track, are you likely to use even half of its performance? Certainly not on public roads, as they're full of traffic, which of course is hardly an issue on a bike.
t weather, thieves, lugging my lid etc around at my destination, dark at morning & evening rush hour, riding during rush hour when tired &/or distracted by other thoughts. Etc etc - biking for me is a fair weather, weekend thing.Someone mentioned above buying a 2 seat sports car: where, apart from a track, are you likely to use even half of its performance? Certainly not on public roads, as they're full of traffic, which of course is hardly an issue on a bike.
Ambleton said:
I've been doing more cycling recently and I've noticed that the level of respect given to cyclists vs motorcyclists is very different. I've also nearly been taken out a few times on my bicycle recently.
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Interesting point, if you consider a motorbike can easily occupy a similar amount of road as two cyclists riding side by side yet the motorbike rider is far less likely to trigger drivers!!.
Most people are scared or say their wife / mum etc won’t let them.
The people who say they can’t be bothered putting gear on also stay indoors if it’s cold enough outside to need a coat.
Slightly more seriously, the weather in this country doesn’t help. As hardcore as you may be riding with ice about isn’t any fun.
The people who say they can’t be bothered putting gear on also stay indoors if it’s cold enough outside to need a coat.
Slightly more seriously, the weather in this country doesn’t help. As hardcore as you may be riding with ice about isn’t any fun.
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