Why don't more PHers ride bikes?

[veevee]

This isn't a rant, just an observation.

A (very) frequent complaint on PH is about the lack of driver interaction in cars - too many driver aids, wooden steering, etc.

Why do so few people ride bikes? Surely up there with the most involving cars on the road - no ABS, TC, any kind of driver aids at all actually! Sharp throttle, very direct steering . Plus 0-60 in around 4 seconds, easily bought within £2-3k, and hold their value incredibly well. Easy to work on yourself, don't take up much space. Reasonable MPG, £75 tax a year, and insurance for a couple of hundred quid.

(Lots of generalisations here I know)

Obviously everyone isn't going to start commuting by bike, but a fair amount of people have second or third cars just as weekend cars?

[Motorrad]

'cos they're pussies?

[nonuts]

I would kill myself or someone else would do it for me. I like being alive too much.

[LayZ]

Well probably because you are something like 40 times more likely to die on a motorbike than in a car. That's enough for me.

[LuS1fer]

I used to ride bikes but with a family, it's no longer an option.
My issue with bikes is that a 600 would be ideal but I can't walk into a showroom without buying something ludicrous like a CBR1300.

[tucks]

in all honestly, ive had 3 car accidents in 12 years. imo, if i was on a bike for two of them-i would have died. this puts me off!

[CraigZR]

I would like to own a bike but I just dont think i could trust myself on bike.

[Eighteeteewhy]

[V8mate]

A not inconsiderable percentage of those PHers I know away from the keyboard ride bikes - from commuting to racing.

They're all massive benders, obviously.

[Crusoe]

Got to have somewhere to keep them, got to have silly outfits on to ride them, not much use in winter, not much use for carrying other people and/or things.

[The Nur]

Tempting to do, but realistically I would kill myself.

It actually worries me a little bit that if I got something fast I wouldn't be able to resist winding the throttle on far too often.

I ride bikes like Evil Knievel.

[Motorrad]

V8mate said:

They're all massive benders, obviously.

This.

[Rude-boy]

nonuts said:

I would kill myself or someone else would do it for me. I like being alive too much.

I'm not so worried about the death bit. Don't get me wrong i'd rather be alive but death is fine.

Loss of limbs, digits, skin does bother me a touch as to brain injuries leaving me a dribbling vegetable in the corner. Someone once told me that many Drs refer to bike riders as future organ donors.

I don't trust myself not to push it too hard on a late night run or Mrs Doris not to pull out on me (SMIDSY).

[Holeshot46]

Almost everyone can drive a car to some extent, even if they're rubbish at it. Bikes are far more difficult and for most people scary than a car. I race motocross and I've got a full road licence for a bike but I've not yet owned a road bike for the obvious reasons - poor weather in this country and the dangerous drivers on the road making the chance of death high.

[PAULJ5555]

I would ride bike to work as it would be so much cheaper & park closer to work but theres too many car drivers on the road that havent got a clue how to use the roads, they would end up killing me.

[Rude-boy]

Oh, and my body shape is not conducive to looking good in leathers

[SooperDan]

I don't like the idea of hanging about with grown men clad in leather of a weekend.

Additionally, I find it difficult to get excited about motorcycles.

[vixen1700]

Best mate is a paramedic and has told me far too many horror stories and seen far too much in the way of splattered riders even in central London.

It's not that I wouldn't trust myself, it's other people who have a habit of not seeing you on a bike, with zero protection round you.

Just would never get on a bike.

[Snowboy]

Like others, the thought that I might crash puts me off a bit.
The lack of luggage space a bit more.
The hassle and cost of buying all the leathers and helmet a bit more.
The hassle of anyone I give a lift to needing leathers and lid a bit more.
The hassle of getting wet if it rains.

There’s no single reason I don’t want a bike.
Just lots and lots of smaller reasons.

[jdw1234]

My wife won't let me.