ive been riding a hired scooter every year in corfu since i can remember, without a hat. i kno all the risks and i herd that the police are stamping down on it, is this true?all the locals do it so i thought it was just ingnored, last year i past many police but never stopped. also, can you ride quadbikes without helmets.
Message posted by yvonne67 on 26 January 2005 at 8:30am - IP Logged
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yvonne67
of course you can ride without a helmet, but it isnt a good idea.
The minor concern is that you will be stopped by the police and will get a fine.
The bigger problem is that when you are involved in a accident (doesnt matter who's to blame), the travelinsurance wont cover you expenses. So if you have to be flown home with a special plane you have to pay for it yourself.
So you can take the risk, but I wouldnt.
Message posted by sidarigirl on 26 January 2005 at 9:35am - IP Logged
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sidarigirl
I agree with Yvonne
Its not worth the risk. We hear horror stories every year of what can happen. Just because you're on holiday, where the sun is shining and you're relaxed doesnt mean to say that safety should go out of the window. Quad bikes are no safer than scooters or bikes. There were a few accidents on these last year, one of which was very serious. We also met two couples who actually were fined.
As for the locals not wearing helmets, its their home and they know the roads better than we do. You never know whats around the next corner.
LOL
Caroline
Message posted by MartynG on 26 January 2005 at 11:28am - IP Logged
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I for one, would recommend that you always wear a helmet - it won't necessarily save your life, but it will at least give you a fighting chance! Some of the scooter helmets available are really light and are not too hot to wear.
This is from a life long motorcyclist (and ex advanced instructor) who had his first accident in 33 years last July. No, it wasn't my fault - white van man's "foot slipped off the clutch" and he did a right turn in front of me and I was travelling at "only" 40mph. Despite this, I ended up with 12 fractures and one really beaten up crash helmet - this was 5 minutes from home, on a road I know well and in bright sunlight, so beware!
Martyn
Message posted by Elton28 on 26 January 2005 at 11:30am - IP Logged
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Take my advice: WEAR THE HELMET!! I was stopped by Police last time I was in Corfu, yet I was only nipping out for some fuel. The hat was under my seat so I could put it on there and then. And the fact I could have a Greek conversation with the guy that stopped me seemed to bring me some luck!! Others may not be as lucky..
Much more importantly though. I consider myself to be VERY safe and always aware of what is going on around me on the bike (I am an experienced cyclist/commuter so this really helps). BUT, no matter how careful you are, it doesn't stop somebody else causing an accident and unfortunately, this happens a lot. It depends also how the ped is ridden; if you treat it like a toy and go speeding everywhere, not considering whats around that next blind, narrow bend then woe betide you. BUT, ride safely and I would say that an accident is HIGHLY avoidable. We very wary at blind bends, hidden crossroads, the roads into town too are especially dangerous; I would only use these if feeling especially brave/foolhardy
Of course, I dont want to put you off hiring one as I enjoy riding them and they are just handy to get around. Just make sure you hire from a reputable dealer and make sure he offers you a helmet, if not make sure you askfor one. Police will turn a blind eye to Greeks not wearing one, but not us tourists. At the end of the day, we are in their country, and we dot want to create more problems due to tourist accidents. I know the roads fairly well around the North West and Eastern areas of the island, but be wary of the road surface; theres been a number of times where an off-camber section of the road edge has made me wobble!!
RIDE SAFE AND ALWAYS WEAR THAT HELMET!!!
Elt
Message posted by Agni on 26 January 2005 at 11:39am - IP Logged
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The best thing to do, before riding a moped on Corfu without a crash hat, is to sit outside the hospital. There is a shaded kefeneon at the entance. I promise that during the time taken to drink an ice-cold frappe, you will see the results of at least one moped accident being delivered to the hospital. Usually a sunburt tourist who was only waring shorts. It will be enough to put you off ever renting a moped!!
Message posted by Elton28 on 26 January 2005 at 11:41am - IP Logged
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Message posted by Sailor on 26 January 2005 at 12:47pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
Remember the girl from last year who was riding a quadbike without a helmet. All she did was hit a pothole in the road. Because she was not wearing a helmet, she was severely injured, near fatal in fact. They tried to claim on their Travel Insurance, who would not pay up, because she was not wearing one, and the family had to rally round to find in excess of £13000 to get the girl back home. Eventually the insurance company did pay something, but rest assured, it was only because of the media coverage. Insurance companies will be aware of this now.
The girls is recovering, but still suffers from various illnesses because of this. Be warned, it is safer to wear a helmet. Rather look silly, that maimed, disfigured, or worse dead.
Message posted by KEVENGLAND (Chat Room Admin) on 26 January 2005 at 3:21pm - IP Logged
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The above advice is very good. We saw people cleaning away the mess of a moped accident last year in Corfu and the rider had cut his head pretty badly. If you do hire one do wear an helmet.
Kev
Message posted by ABBSCROSS on 26 January 2005 at 3:50pm - IP Logged
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ABBSCROSS
The safest thing to do is not to bother hiring a moped at all.
Mark.
Message posted by Sue H on 26 January 2005 at 4:31pm - IP Logged
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I agree with all the above, in addition as Nathan has pointed out, wear other protective clothing. A rider or his passenger make look "cool" wearing shorts/ T shirt/ bikini, but they won't look quite as cool cut to ribbons with scars that don't fade! I speak from experience, having a scar on one leg just from the exhaust pipe of a motor bike. The large burn, around 2 inches in diameter took around 2 mths to heal, no joke when I consider my legs to be one of my most attractive features!
Sue
Message posted by seaangler (Chat Room Administrator) on 26 January 2005 at 4:37pm - IP Logged
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seaangler
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.....Take heed of the advice you have been given to the above post,because if they do it does not mean they you have to it, it seems to be the in thing when arriving on Holiday to get about more quickly is to hire a bike..I have and no dout others have seen it(I have heard it called Honda burn in some hospitals)..and like Nathan has said it (is) not a pretty site,and to top it all your holiday is ruing until you get back on your feet if that is the case!!!!!
a good holiday is a safe holiday take care and enjoy your self and ware a crash helmet.....chris
Message posted by jedi (Avatar Admin) on 26 January 2005 at 7:38pm - IP Logged
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jedi
Why not take a walk down the centre lane of a Motorway - that's also against the law and all common sense.
The outcome will probably be similar - but hey what the heck - its cool.
Use your head to think with - that's what its for stupid
LOL..........Jedi
Message posted by birmingham on 26 January 2005 at 9:23pm - IP Logged
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nough said bout waring helmets, spoke to cousin who lives in sfakera next to roda and she said that the best thing was to wear one, i was only wondering how leanent the law was, i first hired a moped at 15yrs old and not offered a helmet, wont name any company involved but relise now how dangerous it could be and will be wearing a helmet this year, cheers,
dan
Message posted by MartynG on 27 January 2005 at 10:24am - IP Logged
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The wearing of helmets has long been a legal requirement in Greece, but the law has not always been enforced. However, due to the ever increasing number of accidents, the authorities instigated a clamp down a couple of years ago. I certainly saw police on the main roads around Corfu town stopping anyone not wearing one.
At the same time, there was a clamp down on licencing - in other words, it was necessary to hold the appropriate motorcycle licence before you could hire a bike. When the police stopped riders all documentation was checked.
Whether or not this enforcement action continues, I don't know, but it's always wise to be properly dressed on a bike.
Martyn
Message posted by Sofri - Agni Tr on 27 January 2005 at 11:28am - IP Logged
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Sofri - Agni Tr
We shouldn't abandon the thought all together.
I have a motorbike and take all the necessary safety measures before riding it (helmet, gloves, proper clothing and morning pray ).
In order to get the bike, I had all the proper lessons (about 1 month) and acquired a driver's license.
Riding in Corfiot roads requires some extra skill, as the roads can be slippery due to the olives falling from the olive trees.
Especially of it hadn't rained for a while (over 2 weeks), all the dust and the oil makes turnings impossible to take .
I would advise, if you consider hiring a scooter (for which a driver's license is usually not required), make sure that you follow these simple rules.
- A helmet and long trousers as necessary (It will not feal that hot on the bike...)
- Do not accelerate, you maybe careful, but you do not know the road well.
- Always take a turn with as less use of brakes as possible (none of applicable). Very prompt hand braking can cause an instant accident on a slippery road (believe me I know ) and you would be wondering how it happened. Especially the front brakes can fold the bike instantly.
- Even in the summer, if you are taking a turn and you feel some chill air, slow down, there are some turnings that are wet with moisture, even in the midst of the summer. Locals give names to those turnings to emphasize their 'respect' .
- Do not put more people on the bike then allowed. If there are two on the bike, the one on the back must also have some experience in riding a bike (not necessaraly how to drive it).
Hope this helps.
Sofri
Message posted by jedi (Avatar Admin) on 27 January 2005 at 12:03pm - IP Logged
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jedi
Hi Dan.
Another point to consider is insurance.
If you have an accident and are injured, I'm 999.99% sure the insurers will opt out of covering you as they will say that not wearing a helmet was a contributary factor to the injuries sustained. This is okay for minor cuts and bruises but what if you are seriously injured or worse? How would your relatives re-patriate you to the UK? Can they afford the many thousands of pounds this would cost?
Going back to not wearing helmets - which you are clearly inclined to do, let me pose a little scenario to you.
Would you deliberately get out of a moving car at 30?, 40? or 50 miles per hour? - I think not.
Now assume we provide you with top quality motorcycle leathers, boots, gloves and a helmet, would you now get out of that moving car? - again, I still think not.
WHY? well your brain kicks in and tells you that your chances of surviving without serious injury are slim to none existant.
If you can see that you're not prepared to do it with all the motorcycle protective gear on, why oh why can you not see that riding a moped or motorcycle without a helmet, in trainers, T shirt and jeans has potentially the same outcome.
Your head has a very thin, none pliable covering (the skull) and is filled with a sloppy mixture of mucus and tissue - a bit like an egg. Take an egg (hardboiled if you wish) and just drop it gently from your car window at 30mph to see exactly what happens to skulls hitting the road at that speed. Then do it at 40mph but this time throw it - it usually makes a massive mess.
We all want you to have a great holiday and be in a position to tell us about it afterwards. Please take the sensible option and wear a helmet - Remember:-
'Nobody looks cool in a body bag.'
LOL..........Jedi (Lifelong motorcyclist)
Message posted by superman (The Beach - Moderator) on 27 January 2005 at 12:07pm - IP Logged
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superman
Another good reason to wear a helmet is because someone may throw an egg at you from a moving car ! lol
Supe
Message posted by DCV on 27 January 2005 at 1:00pm - IP Logged
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Sofri makes some interesting and very useful points. I would add that, if you have any doubt about the road surface and the avilable grip, slow down and use the back brake in prefernce to the front - at least the bike won't then tuck in underneath you or sit up in the middle of a corner. Remember though, the front brake does 75% of the braking, so using the back one, your stopping distances will be huge.
Hoping to take the new bike to Corfu! in May or June.
Martyn
Message posted by mostin on 28 January 2005 at 3:18pm - IP Logged
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mostin
Danboyo I don't want to sound like a kill joy & i own a plastic rocket Suzuki here in the UK. I have also been to Corfu 5 times & had a bike every time.
Last year i was told the police are clamping down on helmets because it is eu law, as well as Greek law. If it is the case that it is eu law you may want to check to see if your uk (which is an eu / international) licence can have points or endorsements put onto it?
Plus wear at least trainers (tied up) on your feet & think about covering as much skin as posible. After all they need to get some skin from somewhere off of your body if you come off.
Have you ever come off a bike at speed, i think it works out at (fact) aprox 1cm of bone-wear per 100m of slide, so the faster you go the further you slide when you hit the deck! & skin is only anygood for the first 2 or 3 metres on hot sticky tarmac, which is a very good way of removing Tatoo's, Sorry but i've seen it on someone else not nice & yes i have done it myself in the UK but i had leathers on.
Get a bike put a helmet on, keep your eyes on everything that can move. even if its behind / following you. Have fun but trust me get it wrong & it will hurt.
Message posted by sixpackpieman on 28 January 2005 at 3:21pm - IP Logged
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sixpackpieman
On tarmac at 30mph bone wears at a rate of 1cm per second
Youch!
Steve
Message posted by MartynG on 28 January 2005 at 5:48pm - IP Logged
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ive seen a scooter hit a wild dog before but the driver and passenger managed to say on their feet. i have never worn a helmet there before because it is way too hot in the middle of summer, stupid now looking back. ive actually seen 4 people on a scooter and a lylo! i managed 3 on one but that was only along the sea front along roda, no way would i risk that many on an open road, especially on the suiside crossroads at roda,anyone who stays at roda will kno what im talking about. we renamed it chicken crossroads! ive heard from my cousin who lives there that they have actually installed traffic lights on it. personally i think that spoils the fun! anyone else had any near misses?
danboyo
Message posted by annastasia on 04 February 2005 at 1:48am - IP Logged
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well, if you saty out of the big towns and roads it might be ok but its true. Alot of people i know out there have got in trouble. + seatbelts...... if your not wearing them....(as above)
Message posted by MED on 04 February 2005 at 2:17am - IP Logged
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MED
Boy! What do you have to say to you suckers, heros, show offs, posers twits, DEAD PEOPLE!!!!!
My brother is dead - and he was wearing a safety (crash) helmet. If you want to die then do what you have to do.
I have been a paramedic for 25 years and I have seen some exquisite head injuires. Think Stoke Mandeville!
What do you want?? 2 weeks of sun and and a life in a wheel chair? Forgive me girls but this is mainly a man thing - when you fall off the road and break your neck or mush your brain you won't even be able to play with your manhood, let alone remember what it was like!!!
My last motorbike was a Honda Pan European 1100cc V4 and I've riden all sorts from a FS1E yamaha (remember them) up to my Pan so I know the attraction.
Ride your bike without your helmet - BUT - don't say I didn't tell you so!
Oh, you won't be able to because you'll be a cabbage.
Moderators - I hope you can leave this post in because you JUST can't tell some people.
MED
Message posted by Sailor on 04 February 2005 at 12:52pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
Hi Med,
It can stay, why not. It certainly helps to get the message across to those who insist on flighting the laws, and their own bodies.
Regards.
Message posted by birmingham on 04 February 2005 at 1:05pm - IP Logged
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A few years back, I was riding a moped down the country lanes here..when I slid on some mud, I actually heard my head go thud ,and that was with a crash helmet on,I had a padded jacket on, and jeans, a stone pierced through my jeans, right into my leg, I had trouble with that leg for months.I have never been on a moped since ....When my girls were old enough to ride, I wouldnt let them!!I made them have driving lessons instead, and bikes were soon out of their system.
Living in a holiday region, we see all kinds on the roads,and I like to say, how stupid you all look, in your shorts and bare chests, with your girl friends etc on the back in their bikinis,.. Lizzi
Message posted by MartynG on 04 February 2005 at 1:29pm - IP Logged
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I too rember the Fizzy - never owned one though - I had a Bonneville when they came out. I did have a Pan though (until last year). I can fully recommend the strength of the fairing and its integral crash bar! It's now been replaced by a K1200 LT.
Lizzi, you make some very good points and I guess we have all ridden our bikes wearing less than ideal clothing - I know I have. However, there is a bare (no pun intended) minimum and that is shoes, jeans, a jacket , together with gloves and helmet.
Much depends on the type of riding and how hot it is - It can be too much to be wearing full leathers in 100 degree heat - you can so hot that it's impossible to concentrate.
Martyn
Message posted by danboyo on 04 February 2005 at 9:22pm - IP Logged
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yer thats the problem, with the heat it would put you of the riding and make u feel sick. The best think would be to not have a bike at all, in corfu because of the unsafe roads, i kno cos of ive had scary experences while in corfu on a bike but up to now not made anything of it, now tho im not getting a bike this year, its too hot for all the gear and im not going to drive one with out a hat, and because of all the nutter drivers out there its not safe what ever you wear. you could wear leather gloves and helmet and still be hit by a car coming the other way on the rong side of the road.
Message posted by pianoman on 06 February 2005 at 3:29pm - IP Logged
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pianoman
hello, well let me give my input if you don't mind.about six years ago on this very island, my mate dave took the blase' "no helmet" approach and nearly paid for it with his life.he was on his side of the road and took a corner when another brit tourist coming the opposite way in a car "borrowed" a bit of road that he couldn't afford to pay back.dave was in a bad way,broke his neck,head injuries,TWO broken legs, and to add to his suffering the insurance wouldn't touch him so his family footed the bill to get him treat and back home where he spent a further 10 weeks in hospital.i must admit i love a bit of fun and always quite fancy a ride on a mopy but the risk outweighs the attraction cos i just don't want to end up even half as bad as that.helmet or not......ps if you go to sidari, take the donkey some carrots
Message posted by frantoniamama on 09 February 2005 at 12:11pm - IP Logged
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Yes Jo - I thought it would never happen to me either - all those years and all that training. All it took was an idiot in a white van whose "foot slipped off the clutch" when I was 20 feet away. Didn't stand a chance!
Martyn
Message posted by sixpackpieman on 09 February 2005 at 6:33pm - IP Logged
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sixpackpieman
Not all van drivers are idiots Martin!
Steve
Message posted by MartynG on 09 February 2005 at 6:53pm - IP Logged
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I agree Steve....my pal is a "white van girl" and she reckons the biggest idiots on the roads are the bus and taxi drivers. They have a law unto themselves (well where we live they seem to anyway).
Message posted by pianoman on 09 February 2005 at 7:16pm - IP Logged
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pianoman
anyone can make a mistake on the roads. it's just easy to blame buses and taxi drivers cos there are so many about and there easy to catagorise and stereotype. i drive a van and i would say i am more careful in the van than in my own car(not that i'm not careful in my car)just, i relax in my own vehicle more and in the van i concentrate more. and jo i don't remember the cost for all that but i know it was a lot to pull out.(and you can call me andy,like i call you jo)lol xx
Message posted by natxkev on 13 February 2005 at 1:16am - IP Logged
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I'd endorse the careful approach. Any experienced biker looking at someone wearing next to nothing and zipping around will simply think such behaviour is very childish - no sense, no appreciation of the issue, potentially no skin left. To anyone who knows, it really dooesn't look cool - just stupid. Remember when your sliding along the road, the tarmac simply becomes a cheesegrater. And guess what the cheese is made of.
If you must ride without full protective gear, think pushbike - ie you should only be pottering at the sort of average speeds you might do on a cycle - say 15/20 mph (not including those Tour de France style folk, who seem to survive some horrible falls at pretty quick paces, but then at least they're training for that and are aware beforehand of the risks). And always wear the helmet - you might only injure your leg (which has nothing to do with wearing a helmet) but the failure to wear this item gives your insurer grounds to viod your policy.
Message posted by HOTFM on 06 March 2005 at 9:23am - IP Logged
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I always remember the look on this tourists face when he'd just recieved a ticket for not wearing a helmet, then from around the corner came another policeman getting a backy from his mate - neither wearing helmets!!!
I think you'll find the clamp down had more to do with paying for the olympics than road safety.
Message posted by MartynG on 06 March 2005 at 10:34am - IP Logged
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i was in corfu all last summer and hired a motorbike through out this period and never once rode without a helmet, 2 years ago a friend of mine crashed without a helmet in corfu and now suffers brain damage, it really isn`t worth the risk.
Message posted by frantoniamama on 09 March 2005 at 1:10pm - IP Logged
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Im sorry to hear about your friend atomic, thats so awful lets hope the more negative reports we get on this matter of people not wearing crash helmets, the more they start to realise that they could be next, ignorance is a killer isnt it?
jo
Message posted by natxkev on 09 March 2005 at 7:31pm - IP Logged
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any one that knows capt nicos in san steph (nw) 2 yrs ago he came off a moped hurt his leg/foot bad. he has lived there for more yrs than he will own up to, if he dosnt know the roads by now what chance have you got with a beer inside and no helment. be safe dont do it there are outher ways to have fun
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) and you would be wondering how it happened. Especially the front brakes can fold the bike instantly.
lets hope the more negative reports we get on this matter of people not wearing crash helmets, the more they start to realise that they could be next, ignorance is a killer isnt it?
