Europeans on bikes in Goa

Goandentist

Just the other day an English chap walked into my surgery all bruised up around the knees. What happened I asked ? Pig crossed the road in the middle of the night and i didnt see him !! Poor guy ..not the holiday he wanted ..but this leads me to ask one question ... Why are tourists in Goa zipping around on bikes when most of them have never ever ridden one back home ? Yes i know its cheap..150/- Rs a day but is it worth it ? I have known of cases in my days in Goa Medical College years back of tourists badly injuired with multiple injuries (all boozed up and high on drugs).

Is it worth the risk just for the thrill ?? Any comments !

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iyou

because things are spread out all over the place in beach areas, that's why. It's practical. And stupid.

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crvlvr

Great question goan dentist. I was in Goa this NYE. Even though we had a bike, we ended up taking a taxi when we went out at night. Bikes are great during the day, to get the beach etc.

Bike are risky. Most people don't realize that till they crash.

Vacation spots are notorious where people who have never ridden before decide to give it a go. What the heck, I just tried jet skiing, I might as well try out a scooter. This is not just a Goa syndrome. It happens all over. Last summer I was in Ibiza and our trip was almost ruined when a friend cracked her head open and broke her tailbone while taking the scooter for a spin after a few sangrias. Even a mildly intoxicated state while riding is a recipie for disaster. I guess the upside is that the pain is less intense.

sticky

Even if you are an experienced rider it isnt going to help much if a pig runs out into the road in front of you...... or if a car pulls out, or if a kid runs out, or.... or....

I ride trail (dirt) bikes at home (Australia) all the time, and i nearly had several accidents when I was in Thailand a couple of years back, and that was on a trail bike - those scooters are even worse, hit a pot hole and thats it.

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Peyompian

I've been on a scooter before, briefly. I mean... how the hell else am I going to see Goa next week? I need to explore the place. I'd like to rent a motorcycle, but as I have never ridden one I am afraid I would crash. A scooter though... as long as I don't drink, I don't think its a huge risk. As long as you're careful. You gotta learn somehow, right? Otherwise you're stuck on foot, or in a taxi, or on a bus... which blows.

Goandentist

While i do agree that getting a bike is probably the best way to see Goa ..whats wrong with a Taxi ?? The guy can take u to all the places you want ..hang around the whole day with you and it wont cost you more than 12 quid .. and your safe !!

Peyompian

12 quid is like... 20 bucks, for a taxi? Whereas a scooter rental is like 5 bucks? Is that aobut right?

Goandentist

your right ...scooter is about 3$... just use a helmet and look out for locals and animals on the roads

Peyompian

I figure I'll stay off big roads, go slow, wear a helmet, and be careful.

goangoangone

I've got a longer term deal at 3000rupees a month.You can easily get 1000 a week at the moment.Keep your eyes open and wits about you. My first week or so was very scarey. A cow with no lights crossed in front of me the other night,for the first time,I might add.
Just be ready for the unexpected.

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Goandentist

I like the way u said a cow with no lights ! In which place may i ask did u find a cow with lights ? ..enjoy your bike trip and be safe man ..

cheers !

big-knicker-shaz

Was thinking exactly the same thing myself Perhaps this could be the opening I need to start my lucrative business in Goa, head lights for animals at night
Could you let me know how the pig is doing please, I'm very concerned
Just to add, after 8 years of visiting Goa I've still not plucked up courage to hire a moped. I hired a push-iron on my last trip but found I could only turn left! Any time I needed to turn right I had to get off the bike and walk across the road. Don't think I'm up to an engine at this stage

machadinha

I did stumble across this the other day actually: Elephants in traffic with reflectors.

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Goandentist

Hey ..the pig is doing fine !! His mama called to say that he loves ambushing the unsuspecting tourist on the bike at night ..uses his gorgeous black colour for camouflage

charlotte

We have just got back after 5 months in Goa during which time we rode a scooter - during the day only - and have done so for the last 9 years. Over this time the traffic has obviously increased but for some reason this year we have seen many many more accidents than ever before. Also the age of the riders has got younger, infact we saw European tourist who were barely teenagers riding round on scooters and motorbikes at frightening speeds. There was talk at the beginning of the season that an International Driving Licence would be required and big fine imposed if they were not in order but not once were we asked to produce it (not that we wanted to be checked) but someone must start checking out these kids and others who think because it looks easy to ride a scooter they will have one and more than one of them did not go home this season. My husband passed his motorbike test in the UK many years ago and is an experienced rider but some of the people we have seen on scooters etc. this year shouldn't be even riding a push bike.