(The video should have sound but works without it.)
I would add — yes, bikes are dangerous but the danger is overemphasized. I believe it is overemphasized because all healthy men would love to ride but are afraid; and the exaggeration of danger justifies staying away; following that is the echo chamber of uninformed agreement and circular reasoning.
Modern motorcycles are definitely safer than bikes from just two decades ago. They are equipped with many traction and braking safety features. Also, airbag jackets and vests for motorcycles are available and moderately priced.
My very consistent attitude toward motorcycles is I never try to convince anyone to ride and am not doing that now. Right now, I am just setting the record straight, as I see it.
Motorcycling is a very free sport. Most riders are very pleasant, polite men; and they are that way because riding uses and exhausts primal animal hormones, thought and sensory processes, and instincts as they were evolved to be used.
Yes, some women ride and I love them for it, but the sport is mostly men. ABN
About 15 years ago, I had a Sym scooter. Scooter makes it sound like a toy I know (I was lazy and didn’t want to take the time to learn to shift!), but it had enough power to carry both my wife and me, and be able to accelerate quickly. With both of us on it, it could get to 65 easily. I used it for errands around town, only once or twice got on the freeway with it. It was a blast to drive (never having had a motorcycle or scooter in the past). I did have to practice the turning (counter steering–push left to go left), but once I got it, it became second nature.
There were two problems with it: 1) I can’t control what drivers of other vehicles, especially cars and trucks, do. Text and drive, talk on the phone and drive, eat some fast food garbage and drive. 2) Every time I got on it, I’d have the thought, some distracted driver out there could kill me, or worse. Because I get a lot of joy from hiking, backpacking in the mountains, mountain running, etc. I decided the risk of some car or truck driver maiming or killing me was not worth it to me, so I sold it after 2 or 3 years. It still has an appeal though, I have to admit.