Ray Taylor, emergency medical technician (EMT)
Your bike? A Honda CBR 600 F4i.
Why this bike? I've had several CBR 600's and found them very comfortable and sporty. I've also had several bigger bikes such as the Honda Blackbird and Fireblade but the CBR 600 is nice and light with more than enough power.
Why did you become a biker? Because two wheel travel is much more flexible, there's little or no queuing in traffic jams, easier parking and lower blood pressure!
Did you take rider training? When I started riding bikes many years ago there was no formal training available. My father, who rode a bike, gave me basic training and away I went. I was off bikes for about 10 years and when I returned to biking I took a course with the Fingal County Council. It was excellent value for money and the trainers are very dedicated to improving road safety. However, I feel that it's necessary to keep your skills up to date and so I recently signed on for another advanced course.
What does your insurance cost? Far too much at €1,150. The insurance companies moan about so- called losses and keep increasing rates. A more suitable procedure would be for an insurance levy to be included by the State on the cost of fuel, a few cents per gallon, so that the cost is a cost per mile. The cost would be more equitable with low mileage transport paying less than the higher mileage vehicles. In this way the poor insurance companies wouldn't have to worry about their "losses" on motor insurance and they could concentrate on making their millions elsewhere. Another positive effect would be that there would be no uninsured vehicles on the road, but has the government the courage to implement a relatively simple solution? Somehow I doubt it.
Any accidents? Yes, I had a serious accident in 1999 in bad weather conditions at a roundabout. However, a contributory factor was being very tired and I've learnt from that experience. Never ride a bike if you're overtired.
Do you follow road racing? Yes, I'm very much involved in the road-racing scene and am a Motor Cycle Union of Ireland (MCUI) appointed travelling marshal. I'm the medical co-ordinator for several of the road races including the Skerries 100. Honda Ireland and Arai helmets have been very supportive to me in these roles and John Elliot of the Italian Centre helps me out when I have mechanical problems.
How did you become a marshal? I was nominated by the Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club (LMSC). I had racing experience, I raced years ago during the 60s and 70s and so I know how to go as fast as the other racers.
What exactly does a marshal do? I ride around the circuit before a road race, I cover all the road races North and South, making sure the circuit is clear and gates are closed etc. I follow behind the racers on the first lap because that's the lap where 90 per cent of accidents can happen. I'm also there as a medical co-ordinator to attend to any accidents.
Any tips for survival on two wheels? Wear bright, protective clothing, keep your lights on at all times, do a training course even if you've been biking for years, and never ever drink and ride.