Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why don't they just accept that motorbikes are deathtraps and campaign against people riding them?

257 replies

GoshAnneGorilla · 26/04/2013 17:27

Instead of spending so much time and money going on at car drivers, wouldn't it be better to discourage people from using motorbikes in the first place?

OP posts:
Paleodad · 26/04/2013 20:08

ah yes, just looked at the website again and as you say reaching the foot pegs is a requirement, as is being able to react to the movement of the bike. I dunno, the kid just looked very vulnerable.

VinegarDrinker · 26/04/2013 20:09

.... whereas I cycle with my toddler (and 30 week bump) every day in inner London.

We all make our own judgements.

VinegarDrinker · 26/04/2013 20:10

(Pedal bike, not motorbike)

Freddiemisagreatshag · 26/04/2013 20:10

I have taken my kids around the cul-de-sac at about 5mph but I've never taken them out on the road properly iyswim

OhLori · 26/04/2013 20:10

Actually, not true Mittens. IME you will not see them in those instances because they are (a) weaving or (b) speeding or (c) weaving and speeding in combination. At the same time they will get extremely close to the car they are overtaking, which is reckless and unnecessary in itself. They may be a minority, but they may really end up a statistic, and its not fair to blame the car driver in those cases.

Pan · 26/04/2013 20:12

yes, the responsibility as a pillion is too great. Failing to follow the body-line of the rider means a weight displacement which means it's far harder to steer on corners for eg.

RubyGates · 26/04/2013 20:17

Oh God, lets just get the state to tell us what to do, when to do it and stigmatise anyone who wants to do or think differently.

It's so much safer that way. And easier to control the populace.

Thin. End. Wedge.

Tee2072 · 26/04/2013 20:31

Big brother, eh Ruby?

Original poster
GoshAnneGorilla · 26/04/2013 20:32

Ruby - Yes, that would be why the U.K has lots of safety laws (including plenty that ban things) and Syria (as a country I am familiar with) has virtually nil.

In fact in Syria, you didn't even have to wear a motorcycle helmet, yet you still had to shut the windows if you wanted to discuss politics at home.

Come on now.

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 26/04/2013 20:37

Yes because it's either have helmet laws or free speech.

There is no middle ground...

FFS

VinegarDrinker · 26/04/2013 20:39

You need to clarify though - if you are worried about people doing dangerous things to themselves then obviously all extreme sports need to be banned.

If you are worried about the impact on others then it's the car drivers who need targetting first.

Original poster
GoshAnneGorilla · 26/04/2013 20:51

Tee - Didn't say that. But the "thin end of the wedge stuff" is hyperbole.

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 26/04/2013 20:53

"In fact in Syria, you didn't even have to wear a motorcycle helmet, yet you still had to shut the windows if you wanted to discuss politics at home."

No, but you implied it. Heavily.

RubyGates · 26/04/2013 20:54

There has to be a framework of reasonable laws and safety guidelines.
There has to be a foundation of good education and easily available non-biased information.

And then......

We leave people to make up their own minds.

The price of motorcycle insurance on it's own should be enough to deter fuckwits.

We restrict the "obvious" things and very soon it will be your hobby that will be made illegal.

(Says the person with the unridden bike in the gargage and the long-bow in the bedroom. I'm dangerous, clearly)

OrlaKiely · 26/04/2013 20:54

Oh I ride a bike. I'm very good actually. I wear open face helmets and ride at the speed limit, or below, and hate stupid bikers who piss about in traffic and go too fast.

I don't want to ban bikes...I love bikes except the tasselled type but I do wish folk would BEHAVE on them.

Original poster
GoshAnneGorilla · 26/04/2013 20:56

Ruby - but we don't leave people to make up their own minds about seat belts, car construction, drink driving, etc. It's just that you want your hobby to be exempt.

OP posts:
RubyGates · 26/04/2013 20:58

See above note about safety laws/guidelines and education.

I want your hobby to be exempt too.

OrlaKiely · 26/04/2013 20:59

But bikes aren't that dangerous if used properly, and if other people behave properly too.

Just arbitrarily banning one type of transport is a bit of a pointless exercise. People will still be killed doing all sorts of things and it would be sad for the many people who ride responsibly.

Can you not see that Anne?

Tee2072 · 26/04/2013 21:00

But we should Gosh. That's the point.

Why is what a bunch of old men sitting in a panelled room more able to decide what is safe than I can on my own?

Yes, yes, studies, tests blah blah blah.

Those are dis-proven and overturned all the time.

I don't have a dangerous hobby because that's not my thing. But I think people who do should be able to do them without any restrictions.

deleted203 · 26/04/2013 21:03

I got a bit lost on the OP here TBH.

Are you suggesting it's unreasonable to be told 'Drive your car carefully - and don't pull out in front of a motorcyclist, please....it tends to kill them'?

YABU if you are saying 'Well, stay off the fucking road then - and you won't get hit'...

Original poster
GoshAnneGorilla · 26/04/2013 21:07

Orla - but they won't be killed on a motorbike. It would be one major source of death and injury, gone. So that's not pointless and I find it peculiar that people are able to blithely wave that fact away.

Just to give one example, handguns and firearms generally killed far fewer people in the UK, then motorbikes do and were a fun hobby for many, but their harm was deemed to outweigh their benefits, hence most are outlawed, or extremely difficult to obtain.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 26/04/2013 21:10

It's true that people are allowed to do dangerous things like biking, rock-climbing, and (horse) riding. Incidentally, quite a lot of biker accidents at weekends are single-vehicle (i.e. nobody hit them).

It's very sad, but predictable, when people are killed or injured doing something they like but which is dangerous. I suppose it would be possible to pass laws prohibiting it but we generally don't.

I've cut down on the dangerous sports but am still registered as an organ donor.

Tee2072 · 26/04/2013 21:12

Yes but firearms were used deliberately to kill people. I have never heard of someone deliberately killing someone with a motorbike.

Also why you have to be a certain age to buy a knife in this country. They can't outlaw knives, though, can they? I bet they would if they could.

ElectricalBanana · 26/04/2013 21:13

i am a biker........

ivykaty44 · 26/04/2013 21:14

GoshAnneGorilla So due to there being ore cars on the road are you saying it is ok to die in a car but not on a motorbike?

70% of motobike accidents involved a car - take the car away and the decrease of accidents from would be over two thirds.

Have you worked out yet that not only is the car a death trap but a lethal weapon