Does the influx of new riders worry you?

[WildKat]

I'll tell you what, everybody and their brother now seems to want a motorcycle or scooter. In my dept at work alone in the last 6 months, 4 people have gotten their bike licenses. Thankfully they've all taken the MSF beginner course so they are atleast starting out on the right foot. None of them have actually gotten bikes yet except one and she's still too scared to ride

With all the scooters and bikes out on the road and all the new riders who don't have a freekin clue about safe, defensive, riding I get worried because it's those tards out there riding in the wrong spot in the lane, not watching going through intersections, cutting off other drivers because they don't pay attention when passing, etc. that are making themselves easy targets for accidents. You know how it is out there, we all see it everyday but the problem is growing at an unbelievable rate now because gas prices are forcing everybody to think they should go out and get a bike when some of them probably don't have any business even thinking of being out on 2 wheels because they can't even drive a car safely. This aint like driving a car here newbs, and you can't just slam on the brakes at the last minute and think you aren't going to lay the bike down if you don't know what you're doing. I heard somebody the other day in the store talking about getting a scooter because it's easy to ride and everybody else is doing it. That's the attitude that worries me; even being on a scooter should be taken seriously. I shutter to think that these people actually believe that cars will look out for them and that they'll be noticed pulling out of an intersection the same as they would be in a car. Riding a bike requires a defensive state of mind and always being alert for even the smallest detail..ok I'll shut up now but you see what Im getting at here...lol

To all those new riders that take being out on the road seriously, I totally commend you and I'm glad to see you're starting out properly and respecting the privilege of riding a motorcycle...and to all the goof balls out there who think they can just hop on a bike and do their thing please do me a favor and stay away from where I ride. Im not perfect, nor am I professing to be but I've been riding for 20 years now and there's no substitute for experience. The only way to get experience is to be safe, ride smart, do your homework when it comes to riding, and take it seriously but still have fun and enjoy it....and a little luck doesn't hurt either..LOL.