MICHELLE CLAFFEY works in accounts at House of Ireland
What attracted you to bikes? I've had my bike for only about four months, but there have been bikes around at home for about seven years. I loved going out for spins with my dad as pillion on his bike. After a year of spending two hours a day on a bus going in and out of the city to work, I decided I needed one.
Did your family try to stop you? I had the family's support provided I took lessons from a professional instructor. I took a couple of two-hour lessons with an instructor, about three weeks apart. He had bike-to-bike communication and talked me through what I was doing. He checked out my safety gear and gave me plenty of advice. The lessons were invaluable from a confidence point of view.
What bike do you have? A Suzuki GN125, 00D reg - it's second-hand. It cost me just over €2,000, including extras like a box and windscreen.
Insurance problems? No - it was organised when I bought the bike. I'm 21 and on a provisional license, so it's very expensive . . . about €2,600 which I hope will go down in time.
What do you use your bike for? Mostly for travelling in and out to work.
How much do you spend on gear? Not too much. I already had a helmet and a protective waterproof suit from riding pillion on my dad's bike. I bought a new visor for my helmet, €20, boots were €180, gloves €80 (my feet and hands are always toasty), a reflective top for €25. In the new year I hope to buy new gear. It's difficult to find gear designed for women. All mine is for men - not a perfect fit, but it works.
What is your next bike likely to be? Something more powerful when licence, insurance and finances allow. I hope to move up to bigger bikes.
Your longest journey? I really use my bike only for commuting.
Ever had an accident on the bike? Not so far, thank God.
What would you change about the laws on motorcycling? Bus lanes should be open to us - and it should be mandatory for young riders to take training before being allowed on the road.
Do car drivers respect motorcyclists? No.
Is motorcycling a male preserve? Most definitely. Recently at traffic lights a guy pulled up on a bike beside me. Pedestrians crossed in front of me. "She's not bad looking!" he said about one girl. Then he realised I was a girl too. He was embarrassed. Luckily the lights changed and he moved off.
Who annoys you most: pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers, lorry drivers, bus drivers? Bad manners on the road in general, a lack of awareness of difficulties for two-wheel vehicles like wind, potholes, man hole covers, etc - aggressive young women drivers who drive too close behind and pass too closely - pedestrians without reflectors just like other road users - and bus drivers who don't pull into their allotted stops.