Kevin Walsh, Portfolio Specialist, Bank of Ireland Asset Management
Rides: Honda CBR 600F
Why the Honda CBR 600F? I originally had a Suzuki Bandit, which is a fine bike, but I always preferred the look and performance of the sports models. Honda is the obvious choice for build quality and reliability.
How did you become a biker? I'm a relatively recent convert, buying my first bike just over three years ago. I always liked bikes but just never got around to getting one until now.
Did you take rider training before you hopped on your bike? Because I never rode a bike before, I had to do a number of lessons with the Irish School of Motoring which proved very useful, but I've had no other formal training.
Do you drive a car? Yes, my bike is mainly for hobby use and I still need a car for work.
Do your family worry about your safety as a new convert to biking? No, and in fact full credit to my wife who encouraged me to pursue it. She initially gave me a voucher for the Irish School of Motoring which really started me on my way.
Do you worry about your survival? Of course, I think everyone does. You really need to adapt your driving style compared to a car, or you will not survive long.
What do you use your bike for? Dry use only, but given the very good summer this year and last, it's also used for getting to and from work on sunny days. At weekends I spin around the mountains or down the country which is also great fun. I may eventually use it for commuting as I don't live too far from work and I find traffic jams so frustrating.
Have you ever had an accident on the bike? No, touch wood, but I've had a few close calls. Defensive driving is definitely required on a bike as there is a distinct lack of consideration or recognition of the vulnerability of bikers on the part of car drivers.
Do you follow road racing, MotoGP or the Superbikes? All three! I went to Mondello recently to see the Superbikes live and enjoyed the racing enormously. Road racing scares me I have to say, especially those on-board shots at 180 mph with walls flying past six inches from the rider's head, but it's great viewing! I'm a big fan of Valentino Rossi in Moto GP. He is to the world of bikes what Schumacher is to F1.
As a biker do you have any issues with motorists? Motorists display very little regard for us bikers generally. I am constantly amazed at the way they pull out in front of you often as if you didn't exist, so you really do need to anticipate and drive defensively at all times on the bike.
Are there any issues you would like to address to the Minister for Transport? The bus lane issue, which has been mentioned over and over again, and some form of advanced rider training. I would also like to see designated parking areas for motorbikes around town, and a bit more integration of bikes into the grand traffic plan for our very congested city.
If you won the lottery what would be your dream bike? Inevitably there is a list. There's an amazing looking Ducati 999R in full race trim in the window of Maxwell Motors in Blackrock, so I'd have that for starters (33k). Beyond that, the 2004 Honda Fireblade is a fantastic bike. Finally a Suzuki Hyabusa for cruising the autobahns and autostrada of the Continent.