Barbara Galbraith, Trainee Prop on film and TV
Rides: Honda CB500
Why this bike? I loved the retro style and it was the only bike I could afford at the time. I fell in love with it straight away on my first spin from Dublin to Cork.
Is biking in your family? Yes, all my four brothers and my sister ride bikes. I got hooked early. I'm the youngest in the family so they would all take me for spins on their bikes - until I was old enough to get my first bike, which was a Yamaha MA50. Then my brother Robert decided six years ago it was time for me to get off bikes, so he got me a 1991 Honda Civic. Thanks, Robert, but I still enjoy riding my bike.
Did you take any rider training course? In 1996 while visiting my sister Heather and her husband Andy in California we completed a two-day motorcycle training course at Laguna Seca raceway. Andy supplied me with a bike - a brand-new CBR60s Honda. This course made me aware of vital things such as braking, being in the right gear and position on the road when going around corners.
What does your insurance cost? With Carole Nash for fully comprehensive it's €509.
Do you worry about your survival as a biker? You have to worry. You don't know what's around the next bend. Other road users don't notice bikes. You have to be on the defensive the whole time.
What do you use your bike for? I use the bike for spins during the weekends or evenings during the summer. I used to go for spins with my friend Róisín, before she had kids. She had a Honda VFR750 and would bring her late dog biking with her on the bike. She would put him in a tank bag and he loved it!
Have you ever had an accident? Yes! Not too many though, and nothing serious. My worst crash was in 1992 when a car came out without looking and hit me. I ended up in hospital but I was fine. My helmet and gear saved me.
Do you follow motor sport? Yes, and my brothers, Robert, Eric and Peter used to race. Eric did all the road races in the country for over 20 years. He raced in the Isle of Man TT for nine years.
Do you like travelling to other countries on your bike? Yes, I went to Scotland, where the roads are great, with a group of friends. My brother-in-law Andy arranged motorcycle spins to the US and I went on one. We drove 350 miles in one day. On one spin we went from one national park to another. It was a brilliant day's spin. But I also love the roads in Ireland because sometimes you do get bored on straight roads.
What changes could be made to improve biking in this country? Since the traffic is getting worse by the day cars are not yielding for bikes as much as they used to. If bikers were allowed to use bus lanes it would make a huge difference, but this would need to be publicised to make other drivers aware of it. Also the Government should control bike insurance companies who put the price up whenever they want. I think the Government allows this because they would like to see the end of bikes on the road.
What are your survival tips? Do a course to improve your riding skills. Garda Kevin McNulty set up a new course from the Garda Traffic Division in Dublin Castle. It's called Bike Safe and is run by Kevin and six advanced motorcycle riders from the Traffic Division in Dublin Castle. It runs on a Saturday morning. Anyone who is interested should ring the Traffic division at Dublin Castle for details and book a place. I'd also recommend wearing good gear and a good helmet, padded jacket and trousers and keep your lights on the whole time.