Should motorbikes be banned?

Ronald Wilson Reagan · 14-08-2016 04:22PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnGzl-OEyGE

stokesdiva · 15-08-2016 10:03AM

I'm a girl driving bikes 23yrs had 2 accidents 1was my own fault no one else involved going to fast on bend lost control still here didn't stop me getting back on. the 2nd though was a stupid car driver that never looked in his mirror when opening his door and knocked me off bike. Wasn't going fast as I just turned out of junction and road narrow with cars parked either side. But still got back on. What I'm trying to say is 23yrs 2 accidents is not bad but there should be more training for bikes and cars. I have full license for car too but when in car I am more alert to bikes around and move over to let pass most car drivers are just not aware of bikes using the road as well. But this doesn't mean to ban bikes sure why not ban pedal bikes as well they have no protection either or get them to do a test before they are allowed on a road with other moving vehicles. I just think it's a lot of bull.
I do remember years ago that bikes had to be checked before insured abit like nct because I had to do this twice with a bike. Bought the bike to a bike mechanic and he checked it over and signed it off as road legal. Lucky there is a bike mechanic in Waterford and he's still there today. Don't know why they stopped doing the test for bikes. But probably wouldn't be a bad idea if you could bring it to your own mechanic. Alot of bikers I know keep their bikes in good condition and they know there bikes so they know straight away if something wrong by sound or feel of the bike.
But to ban bikes is f***** stupid people just need to be aware of other road users and the person that started this thread don't want to share the road with a biker get off the road and maybe find a different mode of transport like the bus were you don't have to worry about other road users and let us bikers enjoy bikes we know the dangers even before we bought that first bike. There's no better feeling than been on a bike and your aware of everything you don't have the same distraction as in car with radio passengers or phone you have to concentrate on the road on a bike. So that person can go back in his box and let people decide for themselves.

19-08-2016 02:40AM

Ban bikes so ignorant and easily distracted car drivers will have one less thing to ignore on the roads while they adjust their radio.

I'm not a biker.

CalamariFritti · 19-08-2016 07:31AM

Its an actual fact that the vast majority of bike accidents are not down to the supposed reckless bikers but the fault of car drivers. That is reflected in motor bike insurance premiums.
Scant consolation in many cases, but the thing is most drivers don't give the task that is driving a car the respect it deserves.
People on the road treat driving a 2 ton vehicle rather nonchalantly. Like as if they were hovering their flat or so, paying only minimum attention to what they're doing. They're on the phone or do their makeup and whatnot and driving as if they're on autopilot.
I personally believe this is down to the also rather nonchalant approach to driver education and the whole process of acquiring a permit. If the legislative sends out the signal that all you need is fill out a form and pay a few bucks and you're grand to drive what is a potential lethal weapon then thats what people take away from it. It's grand, any eejit can drive a car, whats the big deal. But the thing is any eejit can drive a car down a straight road but the perils are in what can potentially happen any moment. Very easy to get blasé about it fair enough but danger is just around the next corner and that is in fact the real challenge in being a competent driver.
It is slowly changing but they are still so many people out there who either haven't a clue or are downright ignorant to the dangers of driving it is unbelievable.

bladespin · 19-08-2016 11:48AM

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Its an actual fact that the vast majority of bike accidents are not down to the supposed reckless bikers but the fault of car drivers. That is reflected in motor bike insurance premiums.

It's not, however that doesn't give anyone the right to simply ignore another road user or shirk their responsibilities as a road user.

CalamariFritti · 19-08-2016 02:12PM

bladespin wrote: »

It's not, however that doesn't give anyone the right to simply ignore another road user or shirk their responsibilities as a road user.

Where do you get your information from? While I agree with your sentiment to my knowledge it is indeed.

Edit: Actually we're both rightish. I got stats for Germany and according to the RSA website a biker is 2 to 3 times more likely to get killed on Irish roads than they are on the continent.

According to a German 2015 study about a quarter of motorbikes in accidents are found partially at fault (speed mostly) and another 25% are fully at fault or even manage to fly off the road without the involvement of a third party (very bad). Leaving about 50% at the car drivers fault.
Only 7 years prior in 2008 car drivers were at fault at nearly 80%. Seems bikers are getting more reckless or bikes are getting faster or both or something. Generally the recent study says you are 14 times more likely to get killed on bike compared to a car. So if in Ireland you 3 times more likely to get killed on a bike compared to Europe that may mean that in Ireland you are 50 times more likely to get killed on a bike compared to a car.

I know there is a bit of dodgy maths in there but the indicators aren't good in any case.

For what its worth my bike policy is €180 per year. It wouldn't be that low if bikers were statistically at fault a lot, wouldn't it?

John_Rambo · 19-08-2016 02:15PM

I find most motorbikers are enthusiasts. So their driving is far better that your average car driver. They're more environmently friendly and don't cause gridlock.

CalamariFritti · 19-08-2016 02:35PM

John_Rambo wrote: »

I find most motorbikers are enthusiasts. So their driving is far better that your average car driver. They're more environmently friendly and don't cause gridlock.

I find on a motorbike you are well aware of how vulnerable you are and you're watching the road and everything around it like a hawk. Whereas car drivers are liable to do anything while behind the wheel. I have a different car and bike mode myself. I concentrate on my surroundings a lot more when on the bike.

According to some German stats the worst bikers and most likely to get killed are young lads on very fast bikes and older lads who don't ride a lot or haven't been on the bike for a while (that's me :eek:).

bladespin · 19-08-2016 03:01PM

CalamariFritti wrote: »

Where do you get your information from? While I agree with your sentiment to my knowledge it is indeed.

Edit: Actually we're both rightish. I got stats for Germany and according to the RSA website a biker is 2 to 3 times more likely to get killed on Irish roads than they are on the continent.

Not all bike accidents are fatal, the majority are single vehicle accidents, typically due to loss of control in a bend (panic braking and loosing the front) resulting in a crash.

Collision statistics (from the UK) where other vehicles are involved indicate a disproportionate level of fault lies with other vehicles.

rjpf1980 · 19-08-2016 03:12PM

bladespin wrote: »

Not all bike accidents are fatal, the majority are single vehicle accidents, typically due to loss of control in a bend (panic braking and loosing the front) resulting in a crash.

Collision statistics (from the UK) where other vehicles are involved indicate a disproportionate level of fault lies with other vehicles.

So maybe ban the bikes and they wouldn't be getting hit by other vehicles? Would road deaths and injuries not be reduced? Clearly the craziness of riding a vehicle that gives no physical protection to the rider is the cause?
A narrow low profile two wheeled vehicle is less visible on the road than a car van or lorry which is drivers don't see them in time.

Pugzilla · 19-08-2016 06:33PM

rjpf1980 wrote: »

So maybe ban the bikes and they wouldn't be getting hit by other vehicles? Would road deaths and injuries not be reduced? Clearly the craziness of riding a vehicle that gives no physical protection to the rider is the cause?
A narrow low profile two wheeled vehicle is less visible on the road than a car van or lorry which is drivers don't see them in time.

I'd rather take the chance and do something that I enjoy than live in a safe boring bubble. Don't try to spoil the fun for others just because you're scared of your own shadow.

rjpf1980 · 19-08-2016 07:02PM

Pugzilla wrote: »

I'd rather take the chance and do something that I enjoy than live in a safe boring bubble.

So let's get rid of every safety measure from hard hats on building sites, to marked walkways between machine plant in factories, to traffic lights or safety belts in cars or runway lights at airports. Let's just live without any rules? We should do away with smoking bans in pubs bars and restaurants and other public places? There should be no health warnings anywhere?

Don't try to spoil the fun for others just because you're scared of your own shadow.

You don't think we should reduce the number of deaths on the road? Motorbikes are involved in disproportionate number of fatal accidents.

Ban them and ban them now.

Right away you knock out a significant minority of road deaths.

Why is that so beyond the Pale?

Pugzilla · 19-08-2016 07:18PM

Have you ever rode a motorbike?

bladespin · 19-08-2016 07:36PM

Like I said, that's no excuse to shirk your responsibility, if you struggle to see bikes you will struggle to see a child and shouldn't be allowed near a car.

jimgoose · 19-08-2016 07:39PM

rjpf1980 wrote: »

So let's get rid of every safety measure from hard hats on building sites, to marked walkways between machine plant in factories, to traffic lights or safety belts in cars or runway lights at airports. Let's just live without any rules? We should do away with smoking bans in pubs bars and restaurants and other public places? There should be no health warnings anywhere?

You don't think we should reduce the number of deaths on the road? Motorbikes are involved in disproportionate number of fatal accidents.

Ban them and ban them now.

Right away you knock out a significant minority of road deaths.

Why is that so beyond the Pale?

I agree. Pedestrians and cyclists need to be banned from all public carriageways STAT.

bladespin · 19-08-2016 07:39PM

rjpf1980 wrote:

So let's get rid of every safety measure from hard hats on building sites, to marked walkways between machine plant in factories, to traffic lights or safety belts in cars or runway lights at airports. Let's just live without any rules? We should do away with smoking bans in pubs bars and restaurants and other public places? There should be no health warnings anywhere?

Nothing wrong with safety measures, your argument against bikes would equally ban people from building sites etc daft

bladespin · 19-08-2016 07:42PM

Or you could ban cars and road deaths would be just about be done away with altogether, much better result using your logic.

K.Flyer · 19-08-2016 08:35PM

rjpf1980 wrote: »

...
You don't think we should reduce the number of deaths on the road? Motorbikes are involved in disproportionate number of fatal accidents.

Ban them and ban them now.

Right away you knock out a significant minority of road deaths.

Why is that so beyond the Pale?

Because it is an idiotic idea that tries to remove freedom of choice and freedom of individuality.
If you want to ban bikes, you are going to have to also consider banning young car drivers as they contribute greatly to the number of car related deaths on the road.
Maybe ban all cars that can travel in excess of the speed limit, after all Speed Kills :rolleyes:
Take a look at the arguements being put forward by the CAR insurance companies for all the hikes. They attribute their losses to car drivers, you rarely hear bikes being to blame.
Maybe if people paid more attention, or learned how to pay attention, you wouldn't be coming up with your hare brained ideas, as less bikes would be the victim of car driver's incompetence.
Sorry if you have a complex issue regarding bikes, but they are here to stay, so you better get used to it. But if you are one of those who are just terrified of them, then fine, but don't try to foist your fears onto others and try have respect for those who prefer to use them and enjoy them.
Otherwise you are going to want more activities banned through your irrational perspective.

Maybe you should give it a go, you might actually enjoy it, you know, live a little. Or maybe just live your life and let others live theirs.

19-08-2016 10:47PM

As a car driver, when I see so much ignorance on the road and opinions in here from "entitled" car drivers, I understand why bikers have no respect from some car drivers.

A biker would very rarely put a car drivers life at risk, but a car driver, if not giving driving the awareness and concentration it demands, is very often putting bikers lives at risk.

All bikes should have loud obnoxious exhausts with pops and bangs just to wake some useless drivers up!

rjpf1980 · 20-08-2016 12:59PM

bladespin wrote: »

Or you could ban cars and road deaths would be just about be done away with altogether, much better result using your logic.

The sooner all vehicles are automated the better.

bladespin · 20-08-2016 01:34PM

Still possibilities for disaster, better off banning them altogether and why stop there; most accidents happen early in the morning or during evening time maybe a police state with nationwide curfews???

K.Flyer · 20-08-2016 02:11PM

rjpf1980 wrote: »

The sooner all vehicles are automated the better.

You really have no interest in driving at all.
See this is where you appear to differ amongst others here (not all). There is a section of drivers and bike riders who love and enjoy driving cars / riding bikes, all part of the Man (and Woman) and Machine thing.
For others its just an A to B thing, but don't like or want to use public transport.
I am in definitely in the Man and Machine side, with my preference being Bikes, but unless you are of the same mind set, it cannot really be explained to you. I have gotten as much enjoyment out of tootling around town at 30 kph on a 125, motorway cruising on a Harley as I have had hurtling along on a rice rocket at 270 kph. Each with its own risk, but all down to my choice.
Take away choice, you take away freedom.

bladespin · 20-08-2016 02:18PM

K.Flyer wrote: »

Take away choice, you take away freedom.

I think this is their ultimate goal.

Should motorbikes be banned?

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