Jamie Donnelly, sales development engineer with BOC Gases
What's your bike? I ride a Yamaha R1
When did you start biking? I've been riding bikes since I was 12 years old. My first bike was a Yamaha ASI 125, and I got my first road bike as soon as I turned 16. I got into biking when I was a kid camping with my mates - we nicked some old guy's Honda 50 and rode it around the fields. After that, I was hooked on the machines. My Dad always took me to watch the road races as a kid, so it was a natural progression to take up biking.
What do you use your bike for? Just for pure pleasure nowadays. I lived in England for 10 years and commuted to work on my bike to get through the London traffic. I wouldn't do that again here.
Are you into any bike sports? I ride a motocross bike to keep fit - it's like a workout and every muscle in your body aches afterwards. I love going around the muddy fields at the weekends. I also used to race road bikes for three years during the early 1980s. I did quite well on the Mondello, Aghadowey and Kirkestown circuit on a Yamaha RD400. I enjoy watching all bike sports. I try to get to as many road races as I can, and I love the Moto GP and Superbikes.
Taken any rider training? No, I learned from the school of hard knocks.
What did you think of the bike test? I thought it was easy-peasy. I simply had to ride around the block while the tester stood on the corner watching me.
Any accidents? Yes, a few. I broke my back, my collarbone, the bones in my feet and I have a compromised spinal canal - but it never puts me off. I find motocross great for working out my muscles and easing my back pain.
Ever taken trips abroad? I went to Le Mans which was an excellent, wild weekend. When I lived in England I did all the circuits around Britain.
How does driving in Britain differ from driving in Ireland? Motorists simply don't know how to drive in this country - I think the standard of driving here is the worst in Europe. There are too many bad drivers and road conditions are awful - there are too many road works going on in patches all around the country. When the police are checking for speeding motorists I don't think they should behave like snipers hiding in the bushes. They should have signs warning people so they can slow down. In Britain speed cameras are painted in bright colours. I was caught speeding last week in Galway, and the garda was hiding in a laneway around a bend. When he caught sight of me he ran out in front of the car with his camera. I thought it was bang out of order. We have a lot to learn in this country about driving.
Do you have any issues for the transport minister? Plenty! I think the wire along the motorways should be removed - it's banned from every other country. I think motorists should have to re-sit their test after a certain period and do an eye test and hearing test. Bikers have to fit loud noisy exhausts so they can be heard by drivers. I think the condition of the roads should be vastly improved. It's so dangerous for bikers - there are not enough signs and gravel and mud left behind from the fields makes it slippery and dangerous.