As a mostly car driver, I'd agree about the loud pipes being lifesavers. I've just spent a week driving into work through London traffic. A couple of times I've been about to pull into another lane when the rumble of pipes has alerted me to the fact that the motorbike that was 20 yards back on my right has now moved up to my blind spot on the left and I would have pulled straight into him if I'd completed my signalled manoeuvre. I've never hit one yet, being a bit more aware of them than most non bike riding drivers, but it's been a near thing on occasions, mostly because the rider has come up behind me on my near side, has a quiet machine and I've neither heard nor seen until he was overtaking me on the inside. If you can't see a car in your blind spot, what chance has a motorbike got?

While I appreciate and sympathise with the problems of loud pipes as a nuisance - I can hear the Harley 3 blocks away when he starts up in the morning and gets home at night - I really do think the lives they save balance out.

Does anyone else think that a 2 week spell on a bicycle and a motorbike ought to be part of the car driving test? I was a cyclist first and was stunned at the amount of times I became invisible to drivers. Moving up to motorbikes was the next step, you could get out of the way quicker, but even so, it's amazing just how many drivers don't think to look, let alone actually see you! No wonder pack rides are so popular!

When I'm driving, I always try to make room for bikers, mainly so I can drool over the machine and the leather as it ticks past.... but I see some bloody dangerous practices out there, from drivers and bikers alike!

Having said that, I think I'll always prefer to be on a bike, albeit now restricted to pillion only.

Anyone passing London want to give a deprived biker a ride any time? Let me know when you're coming through and I'll be waiting with me lid and leathers... just say the word!

LTS