Eyal Kless, Violinist
Is there a biker heritage in the family? Absolutely not. My parents were always against bikes and successfully persuaded me not to get one when I lived in Israel - it involved patient nagging and the purchase of a car. It says something of Irish public transport that my mother rides on the back of my bike when she visits me here.
Your first bike? A moped that cost £400 and was so noisy that my dog would start wagging her tail when I was a mile or so from home. I was so excited about the bike I still wore leather gear driving it. Very sad, I know.
. . . and your current machine? A 250 cc Honda CR worth around €3,500.
What did the insurance cost? For absolutely no apparent reason it has just gone up to €900 a year. I guess I'm paying for other people's mistakes.
What do you spend on gear? I ride in an Israeli army overall called Hermonit - named after Israel's highest mountain. I look like a green teletubby but it keeps me warm and dry. When it's really rough weather I wear an air bag over the suit. It's attached to the bike and is supposed to inflate if I fly off it.
Are bikes just a way to get around? Biking isn't just a mode of transport, it's a state of mind, a philosophy, a way to experience nature even in the middle of a modern city. Most of all, though, it's a big toy.
A biking classical musician does not fit the traditional stereotype? Driving a bike, as well as practising martial arts, was my way of fighting the idea that violinists are geeks. It's amazing how people react when I tell them I play and teach the violin while wearing the gear. Usually they assume I'm a courier.
What is your next bike likely to be? I'll wait a while, but it'll be my dream bike. Definitely a huge cruiser. It doesn't matter which one as long as it has plenty of silver pipes, a deep rumbling engine and is so wide I'll need to stretch before climbing on to it. It'll change my life. Wherever I go it will be sunny enough for sunglasses and, out of no apparent source, cool rock'n' roll music will be playing.
Have you had a bike in Israel? Yes, the weather is ideal for bikes. The roads are dry and the wind cools you off while you drive.
Who are the worst road users in Ireland? Anyone driving with a screaming infant in the front while talking on a mobile. When I spot one, I speed in the other direction. Close second comes the courier biker who takes pride in not stopping for anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Ever had an accident? Never. My secret is simple: I tell myself every time I climb on the bike "Eyal, you're going to die". This keeps me on my toes.
Where do you carry your violin on the bike? On my back if I have to but I try to avoid it as much as possible. I know it's not logical, since my life is more precious than a piece of wood, but I'm an artist and we're allowed to be illogical and, yes, I'm very happy I don't play the double bass . . .
Ever thought about setting a biker orchestra? Most bikers would shove me into a tuba if I ever suggested such a thing.
• Eyal Kless is a violin teacher at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He will perform music by Beethoven with pianist John O'Conor and cellist William Butt at the Academy next Sunday in its Music's Trios@3 series