What would make you give up biking?

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Seen this asked on another forum, and interesting answers from some.

So, we all see reports of "motorcyclist killed", "motorcyclist death rates increasing" etc. So, what would make you give up biking on our roads completly?

For me, I don't think much would, but probably a bad accident (or death of a mate on thier bike) would probably make me think seriously about is it worth it?

What about you?

Akira · Trackday Trickster Joined: 23 Jul 2003 Karma :

Having my bike nicked. Accidents we have to rationalise every time we get on, but taking a huge financial hit would be the only thing for me I think.

mutley · Derestricted Danger Joined: 15 Jan 2004 Karma :

Nothing, bike comes first. even if stolen.

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

It not being fun any more.

Lots of things have the potential to cause that to happen, but it's hard to say which would be the one that would actually make me give it up.

A bad accident could do it. Death of a friend... I don't know. I lost someone very close to me in a car accident years ago and that didn't make me want to give up driving for fun, just made me think a lot harder about what I was doing.

Who knows. Hope I don't find out.

Akira · Trackday Trickster Joined: 23 Jul 2003 Karma :

I couldn't afford to replace my bike, but I could ride after an off, if I'm lucky.

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

If I personally couldn't physically ride. I think thats the only way. I'm not sure that anything could get me off of a bike. Saying that I have never experienced the death of a close friend so I can't really say. Who knows?

On a lighter note I wouldn't give up for a woman or anything like that! Smile

I might put it on hold if I had serious financial trouble or something, bit I would always plan to get back on a bike at some point.

Also TBH I think that the death/injury rates for Motorcyclists increasing is due to three main reasons.

A) Lots of people getting on bikes for varied reasons such as congestion charging etc. Who would normally have never contemplated it.

B) BABs. I think because I have progressed slowly onto a powerful bike without any sort of break between bikes, and I have included foul weather riding in that then I am probably safer on the roads than any BAB who goes out and buys a supersports 600 or 1000.

C) You all know my feelings on this one Wink

16 year old scooter bois who want to just go really fast and don't wear any sort of protective gear apart from a lid. They really do take their life in their hands. I hear that during the 70's and 80's people used to say that if you survived until you're 25 on a bike then you would probably survive bikes altogether. I think with riders such as this its becoming more and more relevant again!

I'm not saying that it could never happen to me, but I think I am better placed to make myself safe on the road than a lot of other types of rider.

This thread has depressed me now! Thanks ste! Neutral

We need a happy thread to cheer us all up! Smile

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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Don't know.

I have known a few people killed on bikes over the years. Seen people I have known breath their last. Still ride a bike.

My better half smashed her car up in style about 9 years ago, and she is now back on a bike.

Think I agree with Bendy that it would be a lack of enjoyment. However I enjoy riding bikes and driving cars (just far easier to enjoy yourself on a bike).

All the best

Keith
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Dr Nick · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jun 2003 Karma :

I have seen a biker with an amputated leg still ride a CBR600, it was on the news a few years ago, some electronic stand come down when he comes to a standstill or something like stabilisers, so he has my respect Thumbs Up

for being That dedicated to riding a motorcycle after a bad crash.
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Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Met a guy at a car event who was paralysed from the waist down and had a Fireblade, on which he had fitted stabilisors that could be popped down at the press of a button.

All the best

Keith
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McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Hmm. I really don't know. Witnessing the death of a friend could do it or maybe being in a bad accident myself.

Not for anyone else tho.
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Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

Death, money (lack of), and scared after a bad accident.

krazey dayz · L Plate Warrior Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Karma :

I've been on a medical ban for some years, had friends killed and injured in accidents but still want to get back out there. Now I've been cleared medically there are just two things standing in my way, a distinct lack of funds (need to buy replacement bike as well as try and get beyond CBT this time) ,and the fact that I'm now terrified beyond belief...not of falling off and hurting myself, but of losing control and killing someone else.
One day I pray I'll be back in the saddle but I know its gonna be a long time coming and it's gonna bug me all the way...

NSR125-Kid-UK · Attention Whore Joined: 03 May 2003 Karma :

Death probably. At this point, if the laws become too anally retentive in this country, I'll just move somewhere else.

A bad accident might do it, but never having been in one I don't know.
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chunkielad · Nearly there... Joined: 30 Jul 2002 Karma :

Been next to (and assisted) a very close friend after he was badly messed up in an accident (he died in my arms) and I still ride. Took me a while to get back on but I do still ride. He'd been riding 15 years so when it boils down to it you just have to accept that it might happen one day.

You could get knocked down crossing the road for god's sake.

Not much will stop me riding but I am selling my bike at the min due to low funds. I WILL be getting another one when I sort my cash flow out though!!!!
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Luke_Retrofly · Silly Lesbian Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Karma :

Hi
I'm not sure a death may stop me riding on the road but i think ill always ride on the track every now and again, but i think im stuck with bikes for life, however short or long that is.

Luke
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ScottyB · Derestricted Danger Joined: 09 Jan 2004 Karma :

Same as chunkielad I had a friend die in my arms after a serious off coming back from the BMF in Peterborough one year. I fought for nearly 2 hours to save him with the help of 2 local paramedics.

Gave up riding for a while through a mixture of guilt and fear as the accident was so avoidable. The guilt part came as I loaned him the money to buy the bike only the weekend before rather than take out credit.

It is different when you are working at a track day as you have no emotional ties to your casualties and you are able to remain professional and focused, but my arse was twitching big style this day.

Got home after that fateful day and put the bike up for sale immediately, never regretted it at all until my mates old dear commented on how she had not seen me out and about for a while on the bike, about 6 months after.

Kind of like a green light to get out and about again which I did with the blessing of the domestic chief of staff, and have never looked back.

I suppose my outlook now is that there is a chance of us all being the victim of a serious one, even when on a track day.

Everything I do is geared towards reducing my risks. I have become good friends with a local copper and he gives me free advanced training at weekends which has made a big difference to my confidence and ability. I try to buy the best of gear so if the day comes I stand the best of chances.

Only thing that would stop me riding now would be if the wife gave me an ultimatum, not that she would.

G1_ · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 May 2002 Karma :

I guess it all boils down to whether you concider biking a way of life or just a hobby. It has been both for me at certain times and at the moment it is just a hobby (I hope it stays there btw).
If biking got in the way of more important things in my life (e.g. my christian faith), although I would struggle, I would be forced to give it up.

On top if it stopped being fun then whats the point of carrying on any hobby. So I'd agree with bendy on that one.

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

I noticed that you said "biking" instead of "riding". Hmm. To me, the term "biking" encompasses all apects and activities related to bikes, i.e. going for rideouts, meets, etc. Whereas "riding" just means getting from A to B, such as commuting etc. With that out of the way...

To be honest, it wouldn't take much to stop me enjoying biking on the British roads - I'm considering packing it in already. Once I've fixed up my CRM and tried out a few of the local tracks, then that may be the time. I guess it's mainly licence preservation. I'd probably still keep a road bike for commuting and stuff though.

I'd also perhaps momentarily give up riding/biking out of respect for others, especially following some incident, i.e. someone close dieing, or me getting seriously injured. But once the mourning is over, I can see myself getting back onto bikes. Unless, I suppose, I become disabled.

Man, this is such a depressing topic...
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mtthwpez · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Karma :

DEATH ONLY!

Hex · Party Boy Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Money would be the only reason for me.
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Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

umm hard one Neutral

Doubt there's much that could stop me biking apart from death. A close friend dying must be hard to take but biking is now a part of me. I seriously doubt any of my biking friends would want me to quit because of one of their accidents, and vice versa. Money wouldn't stop me either, I'd just beg, borrow or steal enough to get a cheap shitter just to be able to get around. Injury could stop me I suppose, but then again advances in technology (as previously mentioned) give access to bikes for the disabled.

Cool

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dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

This was a decision that I had to make recently. Three lads from the Westmids group died within 12 months of each other. My mate was with one of them when he died, I would have been but was too lazy to get up early for the rideout that day. He was then knocked off his own bike a few days later by a driver that didn't stop, fortunately he wasn't seriously hurt but it was enough to make him sell up.

After my accident in Feb, not having a bike, three deaths, riding mate giving up his Blade and the imminent arrival of the sprog, I had to make a big decision. So I bought another Blade. It's in the blood, you can't live your life trying to avoid the "might happens" you'd never do anything, but you can try to ride more safely and improve your riding.

Kris · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Deano · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Karma :

I would only stop because if financially and physically I couldn't ride.

If it's my time to go then it's my time to go. Deaths inevitable you have to go sometime. I would rather that be when I'm having the time of my life, not when I'm in some rocking chair when Im 90.
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dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

She was good, she encouraged me to get another bike. I was riding bikes, rock climbing, etc before we met so she was fully aware of what I was like. She's got an NSR125 too, soon to be sold unfortunately because of the nipper, but she said that she knew how much it meant to me. Might have something to do with the insurance as well! Wink