Ditching the car .....

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Thu May 30, 2013 8:13 am

Oh they think, it's just that all they think about is the amount killed on bikes, which given the small percentage of road users is an abnormally high figure in relation to other road users.

That's why they've made it difficult to pass tests and to get into motorcycling, I suspect unless a mass uptake from commutters does happen we may well be looking at the last generation to enjoy large or possibly any capacity motorcycle in the UK or the west. The state now wants to protect and nanny us from ourselves.

Of course they miss that 5 young guys in a Corsa will get wiped out in one go etc, no doubt monitored by another department or something, who knows. My Uncle mentioned to me a few years ago that the age of the big bike was over and I laughed at him stating that there's never been such an excellent selection etc. But I'm sort of seeing what he means, if you go to any bike meet 40 year olds are the mere youngsters, most appear to be in the 50 - 60 bracket of the bell curve with many more older than that. It concerns me that of youngsters aren't brought into motorcycling it's going to just die off :'(

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Thu May 30, 2013 8:51 am

Keep the car or not is a tough one how about get shot of the beemer and get a small car £30 road tax type of thing

Youngsters coming into biking is something i have been thinking about i always go out of my way to try to wave or chat to learners
It's not easy for them to get on the road anymore what with the jumping through hoops just to get a licence then the cost of insurance
Then we get the peer pressure you have to wear this and that mum and dad listen to the salesman that says you have to wear a armoured suit full face helmet propper bike boots and gloves the result of this is that the youngsters first ride on the bike is an uncomfortable experience therefore the bike gets sold and the lad or lass never looks at a bike again

Please excuse lack of punctuation computer died a death so i am using PlayBook

tanneman · Post by **tanneman** » Thu May 30, 2013 9:36 am

The problem with the EU is the zero fatality policy that they have. The flaw in that system is the human being. As long as there is idiots there will be deaths. I'm a firm believer of the Darwin theory and as long as the EU is going to protect the idiots society is going to suffer. Give them the tools to wipe themselves out and the rest will be the better for it. Oh, and by the way most motorcycle accidents are single vehicle RTA's. Unfortunately there will be some casualties apart from the idiot but it will only serve to lessen the population on earth which can only be a good thing as far resource consumption goes.

Back on topic. Yes, for the older generation it makes sense to have more vehicles as the insurance is cheaper and due to the larger earnings expected in effect lessening the impact of the running costs and insurance. Also take into account that the general scooter owner most probably commutes into the city or actually lives in a build up area where the convenience of a scooter or smaller motorcycle has its benefits. I on the other hand rarely use the bike to go to work. I live close by so the car in the winter and poor weather or cycling to work is the option. The missus cycle to work most of the time except in poor weather so basically the car is there for convenience if not used for shopping (rarely) or going to work.

el-nicko · Post by **el-nicko** » Thu May 30, 2013 10:29 am

Dai wiskers wrote:
Please excuse lack of punctuation computer died a death so i am using PlayBook

Any, "...lack of punctuation..." is always outweighed by the wisdom you always impart me old mate.

Nick.

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Thu May 30, 2013 11:37 am

el-nicko wrote:
Dai wiskers wrote:
Please excuse lack of punctuation computer died a death so i am using PlayBook
Any, "...lack of punctuation..." is always outweighed by the wisdom you always impart me old mate.

Nick.

... and the Playbook's sorted the spelling out too

dave the german · Post by **dave the german** » Thu May 30, 2013 11:44 am

went out on the bike for the first time last week. Used it a couple of times for work since and loved it but it is just not practical for me in the winter months - early starts and rural icy roads. It's also a bit off putting getting all dressed up and having to carry a ruck sack. Work mate feels the same - at 2.30 3 ish in the morning, it's easy to just get in the car. Mate commutes from Falkirk to Edinbro and uses his bike all year round but even he has said this winter has made him consider buying a cheap car