Brian Rafferty, Lead hand mechanic, Dublin Bus, Clontarf
Your bike? A 1998 Honda Fireblade and a 2002 Kawasaki ZX636
Why these machines? The Honda has plenty of torque for two-up riding, and the Kawasaki is very nimble.
What do you use your bikes for? I use them both for going to work and pleasure riding.
Why were you drawn to two wheels? I have been on bikes of one sort or another since I was a kid. I just love bikes. My sons also ride bikes.
Did you take any rider training before you became a biker? No, but I do think it's a very good idea for all newcomers and even experienced motorcyclists to consider rider training courses because today's bikes are a lot more powerful, and the roads are so much more dangerous nowadays.
What type of licence do you hold? I have a full licence from A to E.
What does your insurance cost? It's €765 for both bikes.
Do you drive a car? Yes. I have a wheelchair accessible Nissan Serena, as my daughter is disabled.
Were there any family objections to your riding? Yes, when I was 16-years-old my mother didn't like me biking.
Do you worry about your survival? The use of motorcycles has substantially increased over the last few years so, of course, more accidents will happen.
As regards survival, of course I worry - you would be a fool not to watch out for yourself on the roads. There are a lot of drivers out there who hate bikers.
What accidents have you had? I crashed in heavy rain once on a bend, and broke my ankle and my wrist.
Do you follow motorcycle sports? Yes, I'm a big fan of road racing.
Have you taken any two-wheeled trips abroad? I go to the Isle of Man for TT week every year, it's great, there are no speed limits outside urban areas.
What you do think is the bond that links bikers closer than motorists? We have a common interest and we like fun times. It keeps us young at heart and we have a kind of freedom motorists will never understand.
Have you any suggestions on how to improve conditions for bikers in this country? We should be allowed to use the bus lanes as it might save lives. And the design of road furniture is not biker-friendly, and is positively deadly in the event of a spill.
Any tips for survival on two wheels? You need all your senses, the sixth included.
What's your dream machine? A Triumph 675 Daytona