Coudnt agree more , Iv'e posted similar comments here before, Iv'e had a m/c at home but woudnt risk it here for the reasons mentioned. Those that do must have a death wish, I think the majority think it,s a fun thing to do while on holiday and have no real insight into the dreadfull risks they are taking especially with their travel insurance null and void and a long long way from home Alan

You're absolutely right. My hubby's been riding bikes for 30 yrs in the UK and also on holidays but Goa is one place where we just wouldn't consider it. We just use the plentiful and cheap taxis. Although it may seem very appealing to have your own transport to get around I think the risks far out weigh the benefits.
Gail C.

Ok... I always seem to disagree about this one.... But before I start...

1. Riding motorbikes anywhere has a lot of risks involved
2. Driving anything in India/Goa has a lot of risks involved
3. Many drivers in India would never be allowed anywhere near a road in the UK.

But...

I do think it can be done safely as long as you take into account the VERY different driving rules. Before you consider it, please see how the traffic behaves before just jumping on a bike. I drive here every day and obviously had to take the plunge so it can be done and is very enjoyable if you are safe and do understand the rules and the dangers.

Things to be aware of

1. Insurance - you're probably NOT covered!
2. Other vehicals - watch out for them as they might not be watching out for you!
3. Drive defensivly!
4. Don't drive too quick
5. Watch out for Dogs, cows, people, other cars, bikes and pretty much anything that moves as if it can, it will walk in front of you as you're going along!

Please don't moan at me for having a different view point... - Please....

The traffic in Goa is bad enough, it is only made worse by the endless stream of tourists pointlessly cruising up and down on bikes and mopeds.

But it does have its funny moments as you see a fine collection of well upholstered, middle aged couples trying to recapture their youth on a Harley!

Go for a walk!

When we last visited we saw an accident between a bus and a tourist on a moped. Biker was OK - slow moving accident but in the UK it would definately be the bus drivers fault as he cut in front of the motorbike. The bus driver got out, pointed to one of the many dents on the bus and said the motorcyclist had done it. He demanded 10,000 rupees from the motorcyclist with a threat to call the police if he didn't pay. Motorcylclist ended up bartering, but still handed over a fair wedge of cash.

I have just read a report on Goacom,com that a British Tourist has been killed on a motorbike in the south of Goa.

Rob, I agree with some of your post but when you see well underage kids (tourist) riding a bike you gotta ask yourself what the hell are the parents doing, letting them on it!!!!!!!!! Must be mad......

Completely agree about the kids driving motor bikes! But I also see that in the UK too! There's always lots of teenage boy going around on Trails bikes up and down the main roads without licence, insurance or helmet!!! Also I think the UK has pretty much stopped reporting on accidents now as there are SO many of them.... (just trying to put things in perspective).

Just to cheer everyone up, I saw and heard a nasty accident with a bike and a bus, the strange thing is that everyone just stands and stares, they don't actually help. I went up to check for a pulse but I think he (20 or so year old Indian Man) was killed straight out. I think he was following a bus, wanted to overtake (in the middle of Mapusa up the hill towards the court) and as he pulled out was hit and run over by a bus. Not a pretty sight. Just something for everyone to think about before hiring... Be safe...

Okey Doke you guys just persuaded me its not a good idea to hire a bike in Goa.......... much to the delight of my Kingfisher loving hubby!!! We will walk and taxi as previous visits!!

Sorry about that... Just to cheer you up further, he did die and also a 5 year old girl just round the corner from 'The Mango House' house died as well, she was the daughter of a labourer and she was playing and fell into a water tank... Two deaths in one day for me... Pretty sad....

Got back about a week ago, and the police are having a big purge on bikes at the moment. They are stopping the english riding them, taking the bikes away and the goan, you rented off, has to go and reclaim the bike for a large sum!!! I know of 2 brits who live there, had their bikes took off them 2 weeks ago. cant be sure, but i think they had to pay 2500 rupes!!
There is also reports of goans crashing into bikes ridden by europeans, and then demanding money for repairs. Apparantly the law in goa says something about, if your goan, your right This happened to a lad the other week, who was apparantly followed, and then crashed into. the goan demanded 5000 rupes

so i say........dont get a bike, get a taxi, they are cheap enough

I agree with those who say do not ride on scooters or motor bikes etc. In my far of youth I worked for a tour op. The horrendous injuries people used to receive on a regular basis put me not only off two wheelers but also from drinking whilst on holiday! Sun, booze and bikes do not go! Luckily I have now recovered from the fear of holiday drinking hic!

Sorry but I agree with Rob. It is perfectly possible to ride a bike safely in Goa or certainly with no more a risk than anywhere else in the world.

Riding a bike anywhere when you are drunk or just plain wreckless is about as dumb as you can get and you are going to get hurt. It wouldn't matter if it was India or Ipswich.

We are all aware of the bribe (or unfair fine) culture within Goa and eventually I'm sure all of us will be hit by it in one way or another. If you want to hire a bike it's just another way you might eventually have to hand over some cash. Just like some people have been fined for smoking in public.

If people want to try to recapture their youth then good for them, they are on holiday and there to enjoy themselves but they do need to do this in a safe manner, which means hurtling down the road flat out is a definite no no but again that applies anywhere in the world, not just Goa.

I think perhaps sometimes people try to transpose European standards to India and it's just not even remotely the same thing. Think about something as simple as the innoculations that you need. You are not travelling to Blackpool, you are travelling to a developing world country. There are inherent risks in doing so, Portugese Man O War in the sea, Cholera, Diptheria, Malaria, Typhoid, Rabid dogs, not to metnion the current terrorist risk and the bad driving is just another of those risks.

With the speed of the buses and the bad driving the way it is it wouldn't make much difference if you were hit by a bus when in a taxi or on a bike, your going to get badly hurt either way but no one is suggesting that we all avoid taxis.

So my view is if you want to hire a bike, then go for it BUT you need to understand that Goa is not a "need for speed place", if you follow the 5 points made by Rob you will be perfectly safe, however if you can't ride a bike then Goa is most certainly not the place to learn, you just won't have the necessary road sense.

Good points there Fritz, as an experienced rider myself it pains me to see people hopping on and off bikes after a few beers and riding to the next bar. I have always stayed in Vagator where a bike is pretty much needed to get around, but this time I am staying in Arpora so I think I will be leaving the bikes alone and using the taxis as I will have everything I need pretty much close to hand.
Yes it is great fun to breeze down the palm laden lanes dodging cows, pigs, dogs and people, just be careful as you would anywhere else. If you are not so experienced and feel it is a must do thing, then try to avoid the main highways, drive at areasonable speed and avoid driving at night.
I will be hiring an Enfield for the day to drive up to Arambol but that`s about it, it`s more of a love for Old British bikes than anything and shouldn`t really be attempted by the non experienced.... Be safe !!!!!!

Totally agree with the last two posts, I've been a biker for 40+ years and seen some terrible messes at home and abroad as a result of accidents involving both experienced and inexperienced riders. Goa is certainly not a place for the inexperienced !!!!! Every conceivable risk is there, pedestrians, bad drivers, wandering animals, bad road surfaces, etc etc. often poorly maintained bikes also! not forgetting the legalities and lack of insurance. A taxi is a better option or even a tut-tut. For 95% of people it's simply not worth the risk.

Couldnt agree more with the last 2 posts. I drive a scooter here (a lovely Vespa) and so know how to drive. there are dangers everywhere and I am just as likely to be hurt inthe UK as Goa. In Goa I always only drive during the day and always at slow speeds.

Glad everyone is talking about this... I drive here every day and love it, it can be safe (well I've been doing it now for 2 and a half years), with the worst injuries being leg burn (from the exhaust - shorts! - But you learn not to do it again!!!! The next worst is a little graze on my toe... So not bad for so long. I like to ride the Pulsar, as I find it easy and good for the busy traffic, point and go... Although the charity has an Enfield now, which I probably wouldn't ride if you come on holiday unless you've riden one before as it takes a while to get used to... But once you do they're lovely, but not great for riding in town... Nuetral between gears, gears on wrong side etc...

The scooters are good but they are nippy and just be careful of the loose stones etc..

LoL Rob, yes that Enfield got me when I went to change gear and forgot it was the break, how I never fell off was unbelievable, I skidded about 6 foot much to the amusement of the local fishermen in Chapora