Robert O'Halloran, sales executive
Your bike?: A Honda Hornet 600. I wanted a bike that was easy to drive around town, good for commuting on but which I could still have fun on. The Hornet fulfilled all these needs.
What prompted you to become a biker? The traffic. As everyone knows rush hour in any city is a nightmare. So what better way to avoid it than on two wheels?
Did you take any rider training? No. I've been riding bikes since I was 15, so I don't think that I need any training, although I am thinking of doing the California superbike course in Mondello Park when it runs. It's supposed to be one of the best training courses around.
What does your insurance cost? €1,400 for third party insurance with a Dublin address, but I'd like to see that under the €1,000 mark next year. It's more than enough to have to pay. Insurance in Ireland is a serious issue that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later.
Do you drive a car? I used to, but the more I watched motorcyclists driving past me while I sat in traffic the more I realised that two wheels was the way to go.
Do you worry about safety? Yes. I think everyone does. It's something in the back of your mind. The unfortunate thing is that a lot of the time it may not be the motorcyclist's fault, but a motorist. This is why you should always wear proper bike gear. It really can help prevent injuries.
Had any bad accidents? Luckily not on this bike, but I did on my previous one. I had a GSXR 600, and lost the front end on a corner. It turned out there had been some oil on the road and it was one of those things that would've been hard to avoid. The bike had minimal damage, thank God.
Do you follow motorbike sports? Yes, the Moto GP. It's probably one of the most exciting races to watch and this can be seen through the growing number of spectators which are attending these races week after week. I also watch the BSB and the World Superbikes, but not as much as the Moto GP. I'm off to Donnington Park next month to see the GP. I'm really looking forward to that.
Taken any trips abroad on your bike? No, not yet. Galway has been the furthest for me at the moment. I'd like to tour around Italy or Spain, so hopefully I'll do that in the foreseeable future.
Any issues for bikers for the government? Yes, I think motorcyclists should be allowed use bus lanes, and that the insurance issue should be tackled, especially for young drivers starting off. Road conditions are another issue. Hitting a pothole at 50mph can be a scary experience.
Any tips for survival? Keep your bike well maintained, always be aware of what's going on around you and don't skimp on good motorcycling gear. There are plenty of good brands out there with prices to suit all. It really can help prevent injury.
If you won the lottery what would be your dream bike? There would be a few of them. I would really like to buy one of Valentino Rossi's Moto GP bikes, but if this wasn't available to me I'd settle for an Aprilia factory RSV.
... - PATRICIA WESTON