Eoin Fleming, computer security manager
Rides: 2003 Honda Deauville
Why the Deauville? This is actually my third bike, the other two I had were 125cc. Once I became reasonably confident on a smaller bike I put a fair amount of thought into what I wanted. I wanted reliability, ease of use, cost for both running and maintenance, and comfort. I decided to go with the Deauville because even though it has a reputation among bikers as being very, very boring, it's often referred to as the motorbike equivalent of a Volvo, it does exactly what I need it to do which is commuting, with no fuss whatsoever. The fact that it is shaft-driven was a big consideration for me also, because I'm not mechanically inclined.
What made you decide to get in the saddle? Because despite the drawbacks of wind, rain and the greater potential for a serious accident, biking has one undeniable advantage: if I leave for work on my bike I am there 30 minutes later. In a car it can vary from 40 minutes to over an hour. It's this kind of predictability that's the advantage for me in using a bike. Naturally on a nice day riding a bike is great fun and you arrive refreshed and happy, which is seldom the case in a car.
Taken any training courses? I took a series of one-day training courses with David Lyons in Wicklow. It changed my riding style a lot, and has definitely made me safer and more aware of both my limits as a rider and the limits of the machine.
How much is your bike insurance? €550.
Do you also drive a car? Yes, I have a Skoda Fabia that is very reliable and trouble-free.
Are your family bothered by your biking? Yes both my fiancée and my family would prefer me to use a car for safety reasons and they have a point, biking is statistically more dangerous than using a car. But this overlooks one of the major benefits of biking, which for me is reduced stress.
Do you worry about surviving as a biker? Yes, because I think if you don't, then you won't have to worry for long.
Have you ever had any accidents? I've had two very minor scrapes but nothing serious.
What are your suggestions on how to improve conditions for bikers in this country? There should be easier access to training and greater incentives to do it from the Government, and more widespread discounts on insurance. The Government should be encouraging two-wheeled transport for its environmental and traffic reduction benefits, instead of criminalising bikers who recognise that using the bus lane is a far safer alternative than facing angry and erratic drivers caught in the rush-hour.
What bikes would you love to ride? For me there are two contenders - the Honda Pan-European which is low tech but an excellent tourer. The number of police forces that use them, shows how good they are. Also, the BMW K1200LS Lux is super high tech and super expensive. The disadvantage of all the high tech is, of course, that it can break down. But if it came down to it I would probably go for the Pan, because when I saw the BMW in France recently my fiancée hated the styling, which probably settles the issue.
What are your two-wheel survival tips? Keep your distance and give yourself enough time to react, with training you can learn to act instinctively but it's better never to need that option.