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Two wheel travel advice!

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
edited January 2023 in General Chat
Firstly: I am getting a bike-a push bike type one. For going to and from work. I want to be safe so what do you recommend? I have seen a good one in halfords (two actually!) and I want to get my helmet and lock sorted...anything else I should think about? I've not rode a proper bike since I was about 14 so its been 10 years...though here is that saying you never forget!

Secondly in a few months further down the line I want to get a scooter...ideally as vespa purely because of the look but as I know NOTHING about scooters I really really need advice. I've been told I don't need to have passed my test to ride one...what license do I have to apply for and how long does this normally take? What sorts of accessories are recommended (I wear glasses will this have an effecton the helmet I can buy) and what about insurance on scooters-is it less than cars would be?


Sorry to sound so dumb but I really am clueless on the scooter issue and feel somewhat clueless on the bike thing too! I hope this is in the right place (well its is travel involved?) sorry if it isn't and please feel free to move it!
Post edited by JustV on

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Don't go to Halfords for a bike, go to a specialist bike shop, and get it set up properly. It's often a false economy to go to somewhere like Halfords, I learned that the hard way.

    Whilst you don't forget how to ride, don't expect to be fit straight away, it takes a time to get your legs.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hmm I better get on yell and have a search then for local shops! Thanks much appreciated!

    I thought I might have a few weeks just riding it at weekends on the local estate (it is quiet) so that I get used to being on roads, doing my signals etc...then venture out onto the main roads and to work..its about 15min by car and quite flat so not too bad.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Takes a while to get used to a saddle as well :sour:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Jowolvo wrote:
    Secondly in a few months further down the line I want to get a scooter...ideally as vespa purely because of the look but as I know NOTHING about scooters I really really need advice. I've been told I don't need to have passed my test to ride one...what license do I have to apply for and how long does this normally take? What sorts of accessories are recommended (I wear glasses will this have an effecton the helmet I can buy) and what about insurance on scooters-is it less than cars would be?

    Vespa scooters are quite expensive, i'd perhaps recommend getting a cheaper one to start off with,although thats just me

    You dont need to have passed your driving test to ride one. If you have a drivers license you have to apply for the motorbike/scooter category to be put on the back of it. Which costs a bit extra, but not that much. If you haven't passed your driving test, you apply for your provisional, and in the form thats with that you can say you want to have the scooter/motorcycle category put on it, same as with the drivers license.

    You have to do a test, which is quite easy if you know your highway code, they make you ride around, with a walky-talky thing on and they tell you where to go.Once they're satisfied you're not at a risk to yourself or others they will pass you.

    You have to have a helmet, and the recommend long sleeves/trousers, but nothing else is compulsory. You can get the whole kit of protective jacket/'gloves/trousers if you want. Add more visability too.

    And insurance is less than car insurance, although dont know exact figure. Hope it helps :)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    dont take this the wrong way, but would you not find it slightly embarssing turning up to work on a push bike, never mind the fact you need practice just to ride it... just a thought
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I wouldn't.

    I intend on riding my bike to work when I've got my legs back, I'm really unfit at the minute but its only five miles and its flat.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I ride my bike as much as possible, including to my placements and uni.

    I've never felt embarassed, I can't really understand why anyone would be embarassed by being a cyclist but everyone's different. If anyone started to point and laugh [no one ever has, for the record] I might have a bash at running them over. ;):p
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I used to work with somebody who rode their bike. I didn't give it a second thought. Nor did anybody else. I dont see how riding a bike is embaressing, plus it could save you from going to the gym ;)
    As long as you dont take your front wheel in with you :p
    Now a scooter, that would be too cool. Except for the fact that you can't just ride them on sidewalks so you still get dicked by traffic.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    i would point and laugh if any of the people from work turned up looking like this... which is what the average cyclist looked like to be fair :lol:

    <img src="http://www.dapple.org.uk/Exposure Album-Images/1.jpg&quot;

    if not then fair play (tried to find a geekyer picture, but you no what i meant)

    *edit. see atachment
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I'm a fairly well-built 6'2 lad. I was the only one on my course at college who fitted gearboxes without the use of a hoist. Tomorrow, I collect my fluorescent pink mountain bike.

    I can't wait for someone to point and laugh :D.

    Nor can I wait for some stupid cock in a cage to try and run me over - I'll go home, get in my motorcycle gear, don my helmet, and go rip their head off :).

    Best of all, nobody will suspect the man on the pink bike. They'll just assume I'm gentle and gay. ;)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    olaola wrote:
    dont take this the wrong way, but would you not find it slightly embarssing turning up to work on a push bike, never mind the fact you need practice just to ride it... just a thought

    Maybe its because I live in Oxford and push bikes are pretty much the norm here, but I can't see what embarrassing about it at all. Even if they are dressed like the picture, which to be fair many of them are. Its better for both you and the environment than driving a motorised vehicle.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    i still stand by what i said. i can see your point about the enviroment and that, but thats why i find it all a bit gay.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Maybe its because I live in Oxford and push bikes are pretty much the norm here, but I can't see what embarrassing about it at all. Even if they are dressed like the picture, which to be fair many of them are.
    nah its not just you, i live in huddersfield and have to say i very rarely see anyone on a bike. However if i did i cant say id be collapsed on the pavement in a fit of laughter :yeees:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    you'll need a comfy seat! i got a new bike the other month as my old one got stolen and i went out for it for the first time for about half an hour yesterday and i'm still a little saddle sore.

    also you'll need reflective wear of some description for at night time. you don't quite need a whole jacket like in the pic but you can get a sash type thing that goes across your body. they sell them in asda along with lots of other bike safety stuff.

    and a bike lock!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Best of all, nobody will suspect the man on the pink bike. They'll just assume I'm gentle and gay. ;)


    :lol: good stuff


    there's nowt wrong with the picture olaola attached either, high visibility, and keeps you fit & healthy :thumb:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    H-face wrote:
    If you have a drivers license you have to apply for the motorbike/scooter category to be put on the back of it.

    You have to do a test, which is quite easy...

    checjk your driving license (assuming you have one) for a provisional Category A entitlement. If you don't have it on there, then it can be added free of charge (I think). And it's added automatically when applying for a provisional car license.

    The "test" referred to above is the CBT - compulsory basic training, and it's not a test, it's a course to allow you to ride upto a 125cc motorcycle or scooter on the road with L plates. It costs about £90 and lasts 2 years.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Hey there! Took the advice and went to a specialist shop-a family run one which kitted me out and I have a fantastic new purple hybrid. Granted I am too scared to ride it now as I don't want to scratch it!

    I have three weeks to build myself up before my pass runs out. I got my helmet fitted correctly and just need to get the extras now. Lucifer devil-I will def check out my asda for that!


    Thanks for all the advice and on the scooter too!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    The "test" referred to above is the CBT - compulsory basic training, and it's not a test, it's a course to allow you to ride upto a 125cc motorcycle or scooter on the road with L plates. It costs about £90 and lasts 2 years.

    Doesn't that depend on age though? I'm sure I read somewhere that said if I was 16 (which I'm not; I'm now 17) I could only ride a 50cc scooter, then as a 17 year old I could ride anything from 75-125cc?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah, sorry. 16 restricts you to a 50cc scooter. Thankfully, I'm old enough to be doing the DAS instead of messing about on hairdryers :p
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