Hmm. Yes, some good points, Peppa. However, my experience was that although I didn't start riding until I was in my late 20s I had had a 'thing' for bikes all my life. I put it off for a long while (partly because my first love died on one when I was 15), but I knew I would always regret it if I didn't learn.
My boyfriend prior to learning was extremely anti me riding. It is one of the reasons I left him- this was a serious relationship, too. It did not sit well with me that he presumed to tell me what I could and could not do.
Learning to ride, and meeting all the people I met during that period and even since, has been one of the best parts of my life. Many of the people I have met through biking have children. However, I tend to find that relationships do suffer when a partner who does not ride starts laying down the law rather than having a dialogue with their partner as an equal.
I intend to return to riding, as does my partner- as I said before. However, we will take every precaution that we can to ensure that we do everything within our control to safeguard our safety and our family. Continuing to develop our road skills, taking full insurance out, never riding on the same bike (for the same reason I never let a close family member pillion on my bike), and wearing the best protective gear we can afford, as well as keeping our bikes as well maintained as possible.
I think it would be a bad idea to write this off as a simple 'whim'. I may be biased, but I think bikes are a bit different to a lot of other 'hobbies'. They have a way of really getting under your skin.