Should I buy my daughter a scooter / moped?

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As George Orwell might have said "Four wheels good, two wheels bad" !

Kilty_2

I've got to laugh at those of you saying "never ever ever, xyz were badly injured" - do you think a car crash would necessarily leave them in any better condition?

peachyprice

Most likely yes, although it depends on the type of accident, but statistically an accident is more likely to be fatal or cause life long injuries on a scooter/motobike than in a car.

My BIL's accident for example would 100% not have resulted in brain damage had he been in a car. He was thrown off his scooter and his head hit the grab rail on the roof of the woman's car, the impact of which damaged his brain, despite him wearing the best helmet money could buy. That would not have happened if he was in a car, as she approached from the left (passenger side of a car) it's likely he would have walked away uninjured.

At least in a car you have sides, front, back, roof, airbags to absorb the impact, on a scooter you have a coat and helmet. Do you seriously think a coat and helmet would have the same protection?

peachyprice

paddedjohn wrote: »

good training and good equipment is what is needed regardless of age.

So how does good training protect you from a driver who pulls out of a side road without seeing you? How does good training protect you from someone jumping the lights?

SailorSam

I had a motorbike when i was 16 and think the experience helped me pass the test for a car when i was 17.
That was over 35yrs ago and i realise there's a lot more traffic now but perhaps this is even more reason to get use to driving as soon as possible.

the_cat

Kilty wrote: »

I've got to laugh at those of you saying "never ever ever, xyz were badly injured" - do you think a car crash would necessarily leave them in any better condition?

Obviously you can get injured or killed doing any amount of things. Nobody is claiming otherwise

Statistically you are a heck of a lot more likely to do damage to yourself when on a scooter/motorbike as there is a lot less protection around you........ especially when you are 16 and, however sensible you may be, lack experience on the road

Running_Horse

globalds wrote: »

The only advice I can give is tell her from day one to leave her headlights on all the time.

Promise to buy her a replacement bulb if it burns out sooner.

Anything to help other road users see her sooner (including a high viz Vest and a bright pink helmet)

As far as I know, all modern bikes/scooter have to have lights on all the time, by law. Mine came on with the engine.

Maybe the OP should show this discussion to the young lady in question, tell her to make an adult decision, and get her to reassure you how she intends to avoid becoming just another statistic.

westy23

Good morning.
I have been riding motorbikes since i was 20, i am now 56 and still ride a big jap bike.
when i started riding there was a lot less traffic on the roads and i have had quite a few very close calls and at the moment both my legs point in the same direction.
BUT i would not let any child of mine start on two wheels on todays roads, it is far too dangerous to start learning to ride nowdays,to many drivers using mobiles while driving is just one example.
I keep myself in one piece because i have 30 years of experience,
i dont mean to sound bigheaded but practice makes perfect.
BUT i dont think i would have survived if i started out on todays roads.
kEEP your child as safe as possibe say no to a scooter.

gratefulforhelp_2

If you do, please insist that she wears full leathers at all times (in fact the idea of doing that might put her off having one) since people who come off NOT wearing proper clothing tend to end up like a flayed piece of meat. (sorry).

tbourner

peachyprice wrote: »

So how does good training protect you from a driver who pulls out of a side road without seeing you? How does good training protect you from someone jumping the lights?

Because you position yourself in such a way as to account for those eventualities, as I said before. If you do a BikeSafe course they teach you that kind of thing, and when you pass your test if you do a RoSPA course or similar they teach you a whole new way of riding including positioning for maximum visiblity. Without that knowledge you are literally riding into danger as you see it coming too late and aren't positioned to avoid it.

gratefulforhelp wrote: »

If you do, please insist that she wears full leathers at all times (in fact the idea of doing that might put her off having one) since people who come off NOT wearing proper clothing tend to end up like a flayed piece of meat. (sorry).

You usually get shown some 'nasty' pictures before your CBT, and they won't let you out unless you're in minimum jeans and jacket.


Also I recommend joining some bike or scooter forums, there are loads around, and ask on there about gear and reasons for wearing it. Just did a quick search for "motorcycle forum why wear gear" on Google and found this:
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/113118.html?1115482017
There are plenty of stories and images to see (although you have to register on most forums to see pics) which will give you better ideas about riding and what to wear etc.