Okay, so, I was thinking about whether I should ride a motorcycle or drive a car. Safety, you know? Which one is actually safer? I decided to do some digging and testing myself. Here’s what I did.
First, I started by looking up some stuff online. I found a bunch of articles and studies, but it was a bit of a mess. Some stuff talked about, like, “binary format” and “CodePlex” or even “Newton’s Laws of Motion”. I mean, what the heck does that have to do with riding a motorcycle? It felt like a rabbit hole of random information. Some sites were selling stuff, too, like this “2BA” thing that’s supposed to be a “central product database”. Not really what I was looking for.
Then, I remembered some advice about taking a motorcycle safety course. I mean it is good advice! “While we’re always going to suggest that beginning and returning riders take a motorcycle safety course.” – I totally agree with this one, so I signed up for one. It was pretty cool, actually. They taught us all the basics of riding and how to stay safe on the road. We practiced in a controlled environment, which was way better than just jumping on a bike and hoping for the best. I highly recommend this to anyone thinking about riding!
After the course, I felt a bit more confident, but I still wanted to see for myself how riding a motorcycle compared to driving a car. So, I borrowed a friend’s motorcycle and a helmet, of course. Safety first, right? I started by just riding around in an empty parking lot. Getting the feel for the bike, practicing turning, braking, and all that.
Then, I decided to take it to the streets, but I kept it to quiet residential areas at first. I wanted to get used to being on the road with other cars, but without the crazy traffic. I paid attention to how I felt, how visible I was, and how other drivers reacted to me. I noticed some drivers didn’t see me at first, so I made sure to be extra careful at intersections and when changing lanes. I also realized that I felt more exposed, not having the walls of a car around me. But on the flip side, I also felt more agile. I could maneuver more easily and squeeze through tighter spaces.
Next, I drove around in my car, doing the same routes I did on the motorcycle. I wanted to compare the experiences directly. In the car, I definitely felt safer, like I was in a protective bubble. But I also felt less aware of my surroundings. It was like being in a little world of my own, and sometimes I’d miss things that I would have noticed on the motorcycle.
My Takeaways
- Motorcycle safety courses are a must. Seriously, don’t skip this.
- Riding a motorcycle feels more risky, but also more engaging. You’re more exposed, but also more aware.
- Driving a car feels safer, but it’s easier to get distracted. You’re in a bubble, which is good and bad.
In the end, I think it really comes down to personal preference and how you approach it. If you’re careful, take a safety course, and stay alert, riding a motorcycle can be a great experience. But if you want that extra layer of protection and don’t mind being a bit less connected to the road, a car might be the better choice. For me, I think I’ll stick to my car for now, but I’m definitely not ruling out getting a motorcycle in the future, after even more practice and experience.
