3 ms·

> Want to save lives? High speed motorcycling should simply be illegal. I have often thought that if it didn't already exist, motorcycling would not be allowed

> Want to save lives? High speed motorcycling should simply be illegal. I have often thought that if it didn't already exist, motorcycling would not be allowed. Bureaucrat:"I'm having a hard time allowing cars with a low safety rating and you want WHAT?!?" However, I am also not sure humanity should live their lives purely on a "save lives" basis. Scuba diving, sky diving, rock climbing, skiing, surfing, scootering, bicycles would ALL come under attack. Life involves risk. However, I am always open to debate on how society should manage this risk.

dangus 4y ago
The difference between those activities and driving is that you have a major potential to affect others. For one thing, motorcycles and scooters are so loud that they’re disruptive to residences.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- _carbyau_ 4y ago
  Many are not so loud. The issue being confirmation bias in noticing them. Sure, the activities listed are different. But they were not meant to be exhaustive either. Merely to demonstrate that "save lives" is not the one true rule for decision making. As you allude to in your first sentence, it is about risk management. Managing little risks (will loud bikes upset someone?) and big risks (will people die doing this?). The issue with risk management is everyone has their own perspective on it. So then the question comes as to what the balance is for society. I'd argue that "affecting others" is car accidents more than motorcycle noise. Mind you, I'd be happy with more policing around loud bikes AND cars.
  - dangus 4y ago
    Let’s be real, the vast majority of motorcycles are loud nuisances and it’s the most dangerous mode of transportation, statistically less safe than plain cycling despite how often cyclists are endangered by cars. “Many are not so loud” is kind of like saying “Not all mac and cheese is unhealthy.” If the issue with risk management being that everyone has their own perspective on it…well, that was my perspective on it. I think life would be better for most people if motorcycles were banned. I don’t think the same thing about scuba diving or rock climbing because those activities don’t affect the rest of the general public in the same way that transportation infrastructure and common ambient noise does.

dangus 4y ago

The difference between those activities and driving is that you have a major potential to affect others. For one thing, motorcycles and scooters are so loud that they’re disruptive to residences.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
_carbyau_ 4y ago
Many are not so loud. The issue being confirmation bias in noticing them. Sure, the activities listed are different. But they were not meant to be exhaustive either. Merely to demonstrate that "save lives" is not the one true rule for decision making. As you allude to in your first sentence, it is about risk management. Managing little risks (will loud bikes upset someone?) and big risks (will people die doing this?). The issue with risk management is everyone has their own perspective on it. So then the question comes as to what the balance is for society. I'd argue that "affecting others" is car accidents more than motorcycle noise. Mind you, I'd be happy with more policing around loud bikes AND cars.
- dangus 4y ago
  Let’s be real, the vast majority of motorcycles are loud nuisances and it’s the most dangerous mode of transportation, statistically less safe than plain cycling despite how often cyclists are endangered by cars. “Many are not so loud” is kind of like saying “Not all mac and cheese is unhealthy.” If the issue with risk management being that everyone has their own perspective on it…well, that was my perspective on it. I think life would be better for most people if motorcycles were banned. I don’t think the same thing about scuba diving or rock climbing because those activities don’t affect the rest of the general public in the same way that transportation infrastructure and common ambient noise does.