Do you worry about safety?

[oval]

Sorry to be a downer, but my neighbour had a crash on his bike (er6n in central BKK) 2 nights ago and passed away, his wife still in ICU. Fairly young guy, an only son taking care of his elderly mother. A very sad story, and something that has got me thinking.

Do you guys worry about death and injury on your bike? Riding bikes is, without a doubt, the most dangerous thing any of us do on a daily basis. I find that stories such as these give me pause and make me wonder whether I should quit while I'm ahead. Then, inveitably, after a few days the worry leaves my mind and I begin zipping around town like a bat out of hell again.

Do others have thoughts of quitting?

[SoFarAndNear]

Sorry to be a downer, but my neighbour had a crash on his bike (er6n in central BKK) 2 nights ago and passed away, his wife still in ICU. Fairly young guy, an only son taking care of his elderly mother. A very sad story, and something that has got me thinking.

Do you guys worry about death and injury on your bike? Riding bikes is, without a doubt, the most dangerous thing any of us do on a daily basis. I find that stories such as these give me pause and make me wonder whether I should quit while I'm ahead. Then, inveitably, after a few days the worry leaves my mind and I begin zipping around town like a bat out of hell again.

Do others have thoughts of quitting?

I am all new to this and riding a cb650f now for 2 months. I rarely drive more then 120km/h with it but I know this is enough to get killed. But on the other side you can also get crushed under a truck with a honda scoopy....

[Nickymaster]

Sorry to be a downer, but my neighbour had a crash on his bike (er6n in central BKK) 2 nights ago and passed away, his wife still in ICU. Fairly young guy, an only son taking care of his elderly mother. A very sad story, and something that has got me thinking.

Do you guys worry about death and injury on your bike? Riding bikes is, without a doubt, the most dangerous thing any of us do on a daily basis. I find that stories such as these give me pause and make me wonder whether I should quit while I'm ahead. Then, inveitably, after a few days the worry leaves my mind and I begin zipping around town like a bat out of hell again.

Do others have thoughts of quitting?

I am all new to this and riding a cb650f now for 2 months. I rarely drive more then 120km/h with it but I know this is enough to get killed. But on the other side you can also get crushed under a truck with a honda scoopy....

A scoopy is a bike too.

[Nickymaster]

Sorry to be a downer, but my neighbour had a crash on his bike (er6n in central BKK) 2 nights ago and passed away, his wife still in ICU. Fairly young guy, an only son taking care of his elderly mother. A very sad story, and something that has got me thinking.

Do you guys worry about death and injury on your bike? Riding bikes is, without a doubt, the most dangerous thing any of us do on a daily basis. I find that stories such as these give me pause and make me wonder whether I should quit while I'm ahead. Then, inveitably, after a few days the worry leaves my mind and I begin zipping around town like a bat out of hell again.

Do others have thoughts of quitting?

Thailand is one of the most dangerous countries to ride a bike. I hear stories of foreigners being killed almost on a weekly basis lately. I haven't been riding my bike much lately because of this. Only twice the last 5 months. Been riding big bikes for 8 years now in Thailand and have done about 100,000 kms. So far no real dangerous situations encountered but still....

[nikmar]

Not me perosonally as I dont have a motorbike but my son is growing and one day he'll be riding bikes with his friends. This terrifies me.

[OmegaRacer]

I do think about what could happen, especially when you see deadly crashes every few days on the many Facebook groups.

I don't ride like a maniac and always keep alert, but I will never give up riding for something that might or might not happen. All you can do is minimise the risk as best as you can.

[DualSportBiker]

It seems foolish to not worry, but if you don't enjoy it then why ride?

I keep to smaller roads, take the extra time to plan routes that avoid highways and the extra vigilance needed. I think I am more relaxed and observant when I finally do meet traffic.

[sabian]

Yea, it's a problem not just due to lack of driving ability but also the state of the roads and poor roads signing. On a trip recently with a lot of big bikes with a Police escort to make it as safe as possible we we were doing about 130 to 150, but then all of a sudden the road ends cause of road works and huge potholes. The trip there I stayed with the group at the back but decided to go back alone, a lot slower, more chilled and you know I got back first!

[Brigante7]

Sorry to be a downer, but my neighbour had a crash on his bike (er6n in central BKK) 2 nights ago and passed away, his wife still in ICU. Fairly young guy, an only son taking care of his elderly mother. A very sad story, and something that has got me thinking.

Do you guys worry about death and injury on your bike? Riding bikes is, without a doubt, the most dangerous thing any of us do on a daily basis. I find that stories such as these give me pause and make me wonder whether I should quit while I'm ahead. Then, inveitably, after a few days the worry leaves my mind and I begin zipping around town like a bat out of hell again.

Do others have thoughts of quitting?

You hit the nail on the head

"Zipping around town like a bat out of hell"

Why not just take it easy and enjoy the ride?

[baz69er]

Ive been riding bikes for the last 10 years in Thailand & think about it all the time but it doesn't stop me enjoying what I love, its the cheapest but the most dangerous way to travel, just make sure you invest in a decent helmet & take out extra insurance cover.

[Ulic]

My father would never allow us to have motor-bikes growing up in Canada. He always said

he had to much invested in us and he saw too many accidents in the hospital emergency.

All bought motorbikes in their twenties. (except myself) All have spent time in hospital

(broken hip and femur, two brothers, tib-fib compound fracture 90% of leg severed and

held on by the artery, calf muscle and 4 inches of skin. My sister, had hip, shoulder and

arm injuries. Me I now ride a scooter in Thailand. Dangerous as hell but what are you

going to do. I just try to drive defensively watching for the other guy.

[does]

Just drive super defensively and try not to drive at night.

[Just1Voice]

Before a stroke sidelined me, I was doing once a month 4-6 day "road trips" on my CBR. I have a damn good (expensive) helmet and full "body armor" that I won't pull out of my driveway without it being on securely. I did some minor racing in my younger days, so I know how important that stuff is. I've run 150 - 160 kph at times, but only on long straights where I can clearly see the road and everything on both sides. Otherwise, it's 110-120 kph.

The stroke has sidelined me for 2 years now, but I'm looking at buying a new CB300f or CB500f, and hitting the road again come January. My wife thinks I'm nuts, but she also understands my need to "just ride". I never plan a trip, just get on the bike and go. Stay at cheap hotels, eat cheap food, take tons if pictures, meet a lot of nice people, and just have a ball. I'll do it till I can't get my leg over the seat anymore.

[jomcondo]

interesting post......yes I quit.......felt like I was starting to make a few mistakes & it was getting too dangerous.

[Daniel Boon]

Sorry to be a downer, but my neighbour had a crash on his bike (er6n in central BKK) 2 nights ago and passed away, his wife still in ICU. Fairly young guy, an only son taking care of his elderly mother. A very sad story, and something that has got me thinking.

Do you guys worry about death and injury on your bike? Riding bikes is, without a doubt, the most dangerous thing any of us do on a daily basis. I find that stories such as these give me pause and make me wonder whether I should quit while I'm ahead. Then, inveitably, after a few days the worry leaves my mind and I begin zipping around town like a bat out of hell again.

Do others have thoughts of quitting?

I am all new to this and riding a cb650f now for 2 months. I rarely drive more then 120km/h with it but I know this is enough to get killed. But on the other side you can also get crushed under a truck with a honda scoopy....

A scoopy is a bike too.

a scoopy Honda is a motor scooter (not a motorbike) allegedly 'for men who like the feel of the wind on their vagina ..'

[englansi]

Haven't had time to read through the other posts, so I have no idea of the trend of the thread and whether I'm letting myself in for a p###-take. But as I posted before, Thailand is perfectly safe to ride in, providing you don't focus on 'should' with local drivers/riders. I still get miffed at some behaviour, but haven't had an accident in the 8 years I have been riding around Thailand. I am not a patient man, and as the old lady will testify, ride around at a fair pace, on both a proper bike and a moped.

[giddyup]

Haven't had time to read through the other posts, so I have no idea of the trend of the thread and whether I'm letting myself in for a p###-take. But as I posted before, Thailand is perfectly safe to ride in, providing you don't focus on 'should' with local drivers/riders. I still get miffed at some behaviour, but haven't had an accident in the 8 years I have been riding around Thailand. I am not a patient man, and as the old lady will testify, ride around at a fair pace, on both a proper bike and a moped.

"Thailand is perfectly safe to ride in". The thousands who die each year might disagree with you.

[Genericnic]

I worry about safety. That is why you see me riding my CB300F and my Honda Wave 125i with helmet, gloves, armored jacket, long pants, and closed shoes or boots.

It is easy to spot those that don't worry. Look for no helmet, T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops.

Safety is no guarantee but you can shift the odds in your favor.

David

[robblok]

Of course I worry about safety that is why i wear safety gear and don't ride like an idiot. However it still is risky but i still feel the rewards outweigh the risks. If I were to use my car all the time id spend half of my life waiting for traffic.

In the end its all about how much risk your willing to take and what your comfortable with. You can die of so many things but riding a motorbike is dangerous.

[giddyup]

Of course I worry about safety that is why i wear safety gear and don't ride like an idiot. However it still is risky but i still feel the rewards outweigh the risks. If I were to use my car all the time id spend half of my life waiting for traffic.

In the end its all about how much risk your willing to take and what your comfortable with. You can die of so many things but riding a motorbike is dangerous.

At least 26,000 people killed in road accidents every year in Thailand, up to 80% are motorcyclists. Yes, you could say riding a bike is risky.

[taninthai]

Of course I worry about safety that is why i wear safety gear and don't ride like an idiot. However it still is risky but i still feel the rewards outweigh the risks. If I were to use my car all the time id spend half of my life waiting for traffic.

In the end its all about how much risk your willing to take and what your comfortable with. You can die of so many things but riding a motorbike is dangerous.

At least 26,000 people killed in road accidents every year in Thailand, up to 80% are motorcyclists. Yes, you could say riding a bike is risky.

that figure could be hugely reduced if people used proper head protection in thailand

[Jeffkp]

Bought a bike when I moved to Chiang Mai. Never ridden one before. My Thai friends told me I could afford a car and should sell. One said the only reason Thais ride bikes is because they can't afford a car! In the last 6 months I know of 5 Thais that have had accidents (one fatal).

I get the sense from theses posts that most of the posters enjoys recreational bide riding. I'm just interested in safe transportation.

[chickenslegs]

Of course I worry about safety that is why i wear safety gear and don't ride like an idiot. However it still is risky but i still feel the rewards outweigh the risks. If I were to use my car all the time id spend half of my life waiting for traffic.

In the end its all about how much risk your willing to take and what your comfortable with. You can die of so many things but riding a motorbike is dangerous.

At least 26,000 people killed in road accidents every year in Thailand, up to 80% are motorcyclists. Yes, you could say riding a bike is risky.

I don't know whether the authorities keep detailed statistics about the causes of the (80 %) approx 21,000 motorcycle deaths - but my guess is that the vast majority are due to one or more of these factors (all of which are completely avoidable):

Excess alcohol/drugs

Excessive speed for the conditions

No helmet

Lack of training/experience

Poor maintenance (particularly of lights tyres and brakes)

So the risk can be greatly reduced if none of those factors apply to you.

[robblok]

Of course I worry about safety that is why i wear safety gear and don't ride like an idiot. However it still is risky but i still feel the rewards outweigh the risks. If I were to use my car all the time id spend half of my life waiting for traffic.

In the end its all about how much risk your willing to take and what your comfortable with. You can die of so many things but riding a motorbike is dangerous.

At least 26,000 people killed in road accidents every year in Thailand, up to 80% are motorcyclists. Yes, you could say riding a bike is risky.

Of course it is, no need to deny that. You can take the risk down by riding good wearing protection and such. But the risk will stay higher as driving a car. Its all about deciding what one finds important for me its avoiding spending my life in traffic.

[robblok]

Bought a bike when I moved to Chiang Mai. Never ridden one before. My Thai friends told me I could afford a car and should sell. One said the only reason Thais ride bikes is because they can't afford a car! In the last 6 months I know of 5 Thais that have had accidents (one fatal).

I get the sense from theses posts that most of the posters enjoys recreational bide riding. I'm just interested in safe transportation.

Use a car its safer, but it could mean you have to stay in traffic a lot longer.

I have 2 bikes and a car (not all bike riders are poor). The bike is always the first choice.. parking is easier and lot less problems with traffic.

But if its only about safety.. buy a car.

[MaeJoMTB]

No fears from me.

At 60, not long left, no matter how I go.

[Colabamumbai]

I am 65 and still drive about 20 kms a day on the highways in Kalasin. I have had 2 accidents in nearly 6 years. I will have to give it up someday and ride a bicycle.

They drive on all sides of the highway instead of using the turn arounds.

Trucks passing at 130 and 140 kph.

[Lokie]

Have had bikes since I was a nipper, rode in different countries - last 8yrs Thailand, no matter where I ride I think about safety (every biker does) only in Thailand do I worry about safety as driving/riding standards are so bad, road safety is a joke, and some of the mental traffic arrangements are suicidal? Yes it worries me, but I love to ride whether on a big bike or sub 150cc, as said keep your eyes peeled and take your time

Is not a matter of if you have an accident in LOS but when (unfortunately)

[williet98248]

Bought a bike when I moved to Chiang Mai. Never ridden one before. My Thai friends told me I could afford a car and should sell. One said the only reason Thais ride bikes is because they can't afford a car! In the last 6 months I know of 5 Thais that have had accidents (one fatal).

I get the sense from theses posts that most of the posters enjoys recreational bide riding. I'm just interested in safe transportation.

Rode a bike for 10 years but sold it last year after it slipped out from under me on a rain slick hill and I slid 150 feet into the guard rail. There were four other bikes in the rail art the same time. This was the 14th incident on the bike and I felt I was pushing my luck. Car for transport 100% now although I ride a bicycle for exercise and short errands. But been rear ended twice and had my mirror brushed by cars a couple of times on the bicycle as well.

[bazza40]

In Chiang Mai, it's a given I will see one farang every day on a reasonably powerful bike without a helmet. Have given up counting the number of Thais that fit the same description.

I ride a scooter for short trips around town, use a car otherwise. Bikes are reasonably safe if you drive within your limitations ( Clint Eastwood ).