Female, 22 yo intending to get a bike as main transport. Advice?

[fishypower]

Hello Bikers,

 

as already mentioned in the title, I'm a 22 year old female who has just started working. I am contemplating about getting a 2B license so i can get a bike to ferry myself to and from work.

 

I have never ever had any interest in bikes as i have always perceived it to be super dangerous judging from everything i've read in forums and hear-says from friends whose friends are riders etc. But now, looking at the price of the COE, i guess i will never be able to afford a car. I dont mind taking the public transport every now and then but i just think that the convenience of owning a bike, being able to send myself straight from my void deck to my workplace (without waiting for bus, squeezing on bus, walking to mrt, waiting for mrt, squeezing in the mrt, alight and walk to office) tempts me greatly. I do not mind spending more to get a safer bike (Piaggio MP3, 3 wheeled one) and making extra modifications to ensure maximum safety. But i just want to know has any bikers managed to get through all the journeys without accidents? I do want convenience with a low cost (as compared to cars) but I am trying to balance the trade off of convenience and safety.

 

As an occassional driver, i realise that most riders like to ride in the middle of 2 lanes and although it is indeed faster, there's are lots of drivers who don't check their blind spots and just cut out all of a sudden without any signal. I guess this is where most accidents occur? Throughout my 4 years of driving, i have never encounted nor witnessed any motorist accidents before but i guess the middle of 2 lanes issue is where most accidents take place. So if i were to just ride in 1 lane(like a car) and only use the middle of 2 lanes when i need to overtake, and try as much as possible to use the 3rd lane, do you guys think that the dangers of riding can be greatly reduced? Sorry if i sound super kia si but i would just like to thoroughly weigh the pros and cons of this decision as my safety is really important (i.e. have to work, have to take care of my parents, dont want to be a burden if anything happens)

 

 

Thanks for reading my long post and please do give me some useful comments and suggestions.

[theblackjack]

Hi there,

 

I understand your situation, but 1st thing you gonna do , to get your class 2B license, after all the practical and test you will know how far can you go(get a bike and ride it)....

 

there is no accident free on Singapore road as you can see/read/heard accident happen here and there,

 

and yes, most of the rider do lane split in between 2 cars, how to judge the drivers going to shift lane or emergency brake, all this depend on riding experience and bikers reaction....

 

Cheers,

Ride safe

[NiteKidz]

since u have been a driver, u will know the characteristic of a driver better. Always do defensive riding, and never let your guard down. that's the rule of thumb...riding is no different from driving except less comfort, but u get more agility....always be on guard, and that will makes u a safer rider...

 

I'm a driver, and a rider as well....riding is just part of my hobby....ride safe n have fun

[XxPJYxX]

I recently got hit from behind by a driver who claims he didn't see me at 10:30am in the morning... My bike has been down from 30th June till now... Going to get my bike later... for the pros and cons, bike can avoid traffic jams, cheap and easily maintained... Bad thing is that it isn't as safe as a car and you'll get wet if it rains... That's all... As for accidents, I tell myself that if my time is up, I will die even if I drive a car... So might as well ride a bike... Look at the recent Ferrari accident, Ferrari driver dead, taxi driver and passenger dead, Ferrari passenger and motorcyclist severely injured... It just proves that no vehicle is "safe". Even buses can ram into a bus stop... The bus incident was a few years back... Don't know if any fatalities in the bus stop case... Lol...

[CSV]

go for 2b lessons first and get a feel for bikes, see if you can handle it and like it.

 

i know of some female friends who wants to ride but when they took lessons, totally cmi and coordinate the shifting.

 

you already drive so you know how drivers behave. can wear armor jacket to minimise injuries if kena accident, be visible and ride safely.

 

very vague details but just go for your lessons first.

[JHS]

Get a small bike like cub or scooter

[revhappy]

Buy a bike depending upon your build, if you are short, then choose a bike with less weight and low saddle height.

Buy a bike which has really good disc brakes front and back and not those that have drum brakes in the rear.

If you are buying a motorcycle like phantom or pulsar, install crash guard and also side boxes in the rear so that even in case of fall your legs are safe.

You can invest in good safety gears like riding jackets, pants, gloves, full face helmets.

 

All these and most importantly if you are vigilant on the road and ride defensively you should be safe.

And dont let those safety concerns bog you down. I went to bali this week and you should see how many girls there ride kups. There is no good public transport there and bikes are like a must have for everyone there. Singaporeans are just too paranoid, because we live in a really oversafe environment.

Edited September 27, 2012 by revhappy

[haoKR]

Earn $ than buy a car.

OPc car how much only,10k can get 1 leh. Of cause more budget,more choice .

If not opc,20k-40k easily can get 1, Coe from 2yrs to 4 yrs

From the 1st time u took the public transport till now,since can tahan,y not tahan more and longer.

Once u get your bike,you will use it everytime you Go out.

 

Bike of cause dangerous,some more there's a lot of 'kah you' road users out there. Ride safey on your part,some inconsiderate guy come bang u and say nvr see u,we still on the losing end if you get my point.

 

Not to discourage you or what,but.. Anyway my two cents

If u really like riding,go ahead no1 can stop u. Or u can try out any of your friend's bike 1st to get the feel of it.

Good luck to you TS!

[Metal Gear]

To TS, if you think too much, you'll never do it. I used to hate riding too.

 

I thought of getting a car now that I can afford it but then I realised how congested it is in the morning to work and back. A bike gets me moving on the road when drivers are sitting in jams. Furthermore, when you do the math in order to own a car you'll realised that you'll be spending a lot more every month than just paying for the installments. You got to factor in the parking costs, the fuel expenses and other stuff which are a lot more than a bike.

 

The downside to riding is when it rains. Then it becomes a pain. I try to avoid riding in the rain but sometimes you have to. All in all, commuting on public transport might take too long; a car might be too expensive to run so riding is a good compromise, with risks, as a transportation option in SG.

[blue_ave]

Im sure you have heard of 'all bikers get into accidents'. Its just a matter of when and how severe.

 

I've been riding for many years and had my minor accident a few years back. Before that I thought with my safe riding habits, I would avoid accdeints, but ther I was lying on the road.

[lycan]

Enroll and start your lessons first.

 

Ride during lessons.

 

Maybe you dont like the feeling of sweating under the hot sun for prolong period(since you might get a three wheel bike which might be harder to lane split) unable to wear your favorite dress or put on make ups.

 

If you managed to clear the lessons and get the license, then you can start thinking about which bike.

[duo]

Im sure you have heard of 'all bikers get into accidents'. Its just a matter of when and how severe.

 

I've been riding for many years and had my minor accident a few years back. Before that I thought with my safe riding habits, I would avoid accdeints, but ther I was lying on the road.

I had the same thinking too till one day I woke up in a hospital from a coma. I hope TS knows how to balance on 2wheels. She did mention wanting a 3wheeler because its safer. However having and extra wheel does not guarantee safety. I still do feel the 3 wheelers abit awkward when turning. What guarantees your safety is not only how you ride but also how other drivers around you drive. Its always a losing end for riders. Hope it does not kill your enthusiasm in wanting to ride though. Good luck.

[ChaoPuzzy1968]

good luck and God bless

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[skahxiong]

I've not yet heard of any biker who is ' accident free ' yet. But as what all bros say . take your 2b lesson and try out first .

[ludacris10]

Yea accident-free and bikes dont tend to go hand in hand MOST of the time hehehe. Especially with the ratio of cars here. So Have the correct mentality when on the road. Talk to your friendly neighbourhood biker, Enrol into the driving centre's (Start riding) and understand why we say the things we say.

[Cellardoor]

Hi guys. I just passed recently and haven't gotten a bike yet so..the only input I can give is.. think through before you commit to it. It's not easy getting a 2b licence and there were many times I felt like I was going nowhere in the course. Halfway through I heard it got harder with the waiting time and everything. You'll need some real motivation. My 2 cents.

[beary]

i'm no expert rider, but just giving my 2 cents worth of experience..

i'm both a frequent rider and driver for many years, both safety and dangerous kind...

had my fair shares or accidents and near misses..

 

like wat u've said urself and many others..riding is a very dangerous transport..

regardless if you are a slow, fast, safety or dangerous kind..

riders, basically are flesh wrapping the metal..always at the losing end..

also, we are very dependant on weather, road and situation conditions...

riders can keep a look out for hazards, BUT, how sure are you that hazards will not come looking for u?

 

the only way to ensure safe riding (besides not riding), is;

1. proper riding attire

2. routine maintenance of your bike

3. correct/safe attitude

4. defensive riding

5. good level of situation awareness

6. experience

7. luck

 

will be lengthy if i am to go into details...but i'm sure many riders here will have, 1 way or another come across wat i had mentioned here...

 

actually..on a selfish note...i banned my wife from learning to ride..had a couple of ex-gfs riding..and as a bf..i always feel bad/upset/sad when my gfs gets into accidents...the feeling ain't too good..

 

nevertheless..the choice is your's!

 

Ride Safe..Stay Safe..Think Safe!

[MR BIKER]

22 YEARS OLD. LADY. FAMILY ORIENTED(HIGHLY THINK OF SUPPORTING PARENTS). PRETTY (NOW??) CAN DRIVE. I am sorry. But Miss Fishypower, let me a father figure. Please DONT RIDE. I understand the MRT , bus jam , people jam and such. but if you wish to go work because of jam, riding motor to work also jam. I would like to say more but its not because of another rider creating another vehicle to cause jam but is just that going to work , you also have to think where to park, pay erp, pay park etc etc etc.

And I am also thinking of your parents. Motorcycle equal high risk. Of most concern, parents will be so worried for you. It has never been about motorcyclist being skilful on the road, ITS ALWAYS about other users being concern about motorcyclist (cyclist) being the most vulnerable user of the road.

[crazydj]

Hi there babe!

 

My advice is, do not ride if you can. Riding is dangerous, very dangerous and if your happen to crash, ultimately, you are a girl and beauty is your selling point, even in today's society.

 

I do drive and ride quite often and i can safely tell you that even though you are 100% careful when riding, other idiots on the road will wanna kill you. As an Abang-abang/Kor-kor/Big Brother, i feel that you should not ride. Take public transport. Its safer and better. My personal opinion on the road now is that, its so much more jam when i started riding/driving and the drivers are worse now. In the end also, still jam, you end up lanesplit and risk your life for the extra 30 mins. Risk your life just to buy 30 more mins?

 

When i started riding, i was young and really no money. I needed to go to school and stuff. But as i got older, i realised that so many people depended on me and everytime i start up my bike, the risk of those around me losing me increases significantly. You know sometimes when i see those videos of those guys in the forum post videos of near accidents, i feel they very bo-liao one sia. Almost everyday i will experience those kinda near accidents and we just shrug it off like its a normal thing. But deep in our minds, we know that we were just lucky and there will be one day we will kenna.

 

As for myself, i am kinda of a safe rider. I do not speed, i am not reckless. But i ever kenna accident before and they are all in my opinion because of other factors besides myself (other drivers, oil patch on road, pot hole, etc.) What i can say is that you can be safe all you want but i have never personally met a rider who did not have some form of accident whether major or minor. Like my friends dad, more than 30 years of riding never accident buang before but still ever got kenna a car cut his lane and cut his leg slightly, its not even his fault. What i am trying to paint here is that you are still young. 22 years, can consider my younger sister, you got a bright future ahead of you. No point someone crash into you, you die, he get jailed a few weeks, your family get some money. End of the day, you are dead means you are dead. Life is short. Don't risk it being shorter.

[adesmond2]

Hello Bikers,

 

as already mentioned in the title, I'm a 22 year old female who has just started working. I am contemplating about getting a 2B license so i can get a bike to ferry myself to and from work.

 

I have never ever had any interest in bikes as i have always perceived it to be super dangerous judging from everything i've read in forums and hear-says from friends whose friends are riders etc. But now, looking at the price of the COE, i guess i will never be able to afford a car. I dont mind taking the public transport every now and then but i just think that the convenience of owning a bike, being able to send myself straight from my void deck to my workplace (without waiting for bus, squeezing on bus, walking to mrt, waiting for mrt, squeezing in the mrt, alight and walk to office) tempts me greatly. I do not mind spending more to get a safer bike (Piaggio MP3, 3 wheeled one) and making extra modifications to ensure maximum safety. But i just want to know has any bikers managed to get through all the journeys without accidents? I do want convenience with a low cost (as compared to cars) but I am trying to balance the trade off of convenience and safety.

 

As an occassional driver, i realise that most riders like to ride in the middle of 2 lanes and although it is indeed faster, there's are lots of drivers who don't check their blind spots and just cut out all of a sudden without any signal. I guess this is where most accidents occur? Throughout my 4 years of driving, i have never encounted nor witnessed any motorist accidents before but i guess the middle of 2 lanes issue is where most accidents take place. So if i were to just ride in 1 lane(like a car) and only use the middle of 2 lanes when i need to overtake, and try as much as possible to use the 3rd lane, do you guys think that the dangers of riding can be greatly reduced? Sorry if i sound super kia si but i would just like to thoroughly weigh the pros and cons of this decision as my safety is really important (i.e. have to work, have to take care of my parents, dont want to be a burden if anything happens)

 

 

Thanks for reading my long post and please do give me some useful comments and suggestions.

 

I'll drop you a pm shortly..

 

since u have been a driver, u will know the characteristic of a driver better. Always do defensive riding, and never let your guard down. that's the rule of thumb...riding is no different from driving except less comfort, but u get more agility....always be on guard, and that will makes u a safer rider...

 

I'm a driver, and a rider as well....riding is just part of my hobby....ride safe n have fun

 

 

To TS, if you think too much, you'll never do it. I used to hate riding too.

 

I thought of getting a car now that I can afford it but then I realised how congested it is in the morning to work and back. A bike gets me moving on the road when drivers are sitting in jams. Furthermore, when you do the math in order to own a car you'll realised that you'll be spending a lot more every month than just paying for the installments. You got to factor in the parking costs, the fuel expenses and other stuff which are a lot more than a bike.

 

The downside to riding is when it rains. Then it becomes a pain. I try to avoid riding in the rain but sometimes you have to. All in all, commuting on public transport might take too long; a car might be too expensive to run so riding is a good compromise, with risks, as a transportation option in SG.

 

Hi5! I used to hate riding as well.. and when I first started driving, I hate riders cuz, first day with a P plate on my car, I got a "middle" finger from a biker..

 

More details to be disclosed if you know me personally..

 

i'm no expert rider, but just giving my 2 cents worth of experience..

i'm both a frequent rider and driver for many years, both safety and dangerous kind...

had my fair shares or accidents and near misses..

 

like wat u've said urself and many others..riding is a very dangerous transport..

regardless if you are a slow, fast, safety or dangerous kind..

riders, basically are flesh wrapping the metal..always at the losing end..

also, we are very dependant on weather, road and situation conditions...

riders can keep a look out for hazards, BUT, how sure are you that hazards will not come looking for u?

 

the only way to ensure safe riding (besides not riding), is;

1. proper riding attire

2. routine maintenance of your bike

3. correct/safe attitude

4. defensive riding

5. good level of situation awareness

6. experience

7. luck

 

will be lengthy if i am to go into details...but i'm sure many riders here will have, 1 way or another come across wat i had mentioned here...

 

actually..on a selfish note...i banned my wife from learning to ride..had a couple of ex-gfs riding..and as a bf..i always feel bad/upset/sad when my gfs gets into accidents...the feeling ain't too good..

 

nevertheless..the choice is your's!

 

Ride Safe..Stay Safe..Think Safe!

 

Indeed!..

[di_andrei]

Just don't do it, it's not that cheap if you factor in all the costs, but mostly it's not safe - the risks outweigh the benefits. It's funny that on a biker forum most people are advising you not to ride, but really, unless you are passionate about riding and can't stay away - there's no excuse, just stick to public transport.

[andrei]

This is what Jeremy Clarkson has to say about choosing a bike instead of a car

(I'm posting a link instead of full text because it may be subject to copyright restrictions and forum rules are strict about it)

http://shift518.com/showthread.php?p=702163

[xavw]

Abt riding in between cars and getting into an accident. I kenna before. There were a few factors in play, it was raining, driver decided to change lane abruptly, new tires which locked and skidded. It was a minor accident, but I broke a bone in my wrist. I was back riding 4 weeks later, against Doctor's orders. Riding is a strange thing. It is dangerous, and everything else, but it's also unlike any other mode of transport. It's damn shoik. But there are moments when it sucks horribly too. These are moments related to fatigue, bad weather, bad traffic, and a bad mood.

 

I'm not gonna say don't ride because you are a lady and you must be pretty, must take care of your parents, etc, etc. I think these are all pretty sexist responses. (As a guy, I also want to look pretty, and I would have to take care of my loved ones too)I think girls who ride bikes are hot. Girls who ride bikes safely are even hotter. But I would say there are some inconveniences for ladies, due to the clothes/fashion (dresses, skirts, pretty shoes, make up, hair), and bag options (tiny handbags).

 

Tiny shoes, slippers, heels are all dangerous for riding. Helmet will give you helmet hair, might smear your makeup. I don't know about riding on an expressway at 100km/h in a dress/skirt/hotpants. They just seem kind of unsafe. I carry a backpack, it helps me tremendously when it comes to carrying stuff around. I think life would be very hard w/o a backpack.

 

Riding is dangerous, but oh so fun. I don't know any rider who hasn't fallen or had an incident. Part of this can be mitigated with good sense and a good attitude, plus the willingness to invest in things like bike maintenance, safety gears. Still there's alot of factors beyond your control. Maybe you'll be able to work through those (with a good common sense and attitude).

 

I don't even tell my parents I ride because I don't want them to worry.

 

Perhaps you could just try taking up a motorcycle license to see if you have a thing for riding bikes. At the end of the day, even if you don't ride, or give up halfway or whatever. At least you've had a feel of riding a bike.

[crazydj]

I find it unlady like for girls to have all that power between their legs.

[razorblade41]

I would agree with some of them. Go take the lessons and see how it goes. With regards to riding, many things can go wrong no matter how safe you are. Just be a safe rider and if anything happens, happens.

 

I find it unlady like for girls to have all that power between their legs.

 

But that's where all powerful ppl come from.