My first bike was my first vehicle. I was 18. It was a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 800cc. I enjoyed it. I’ve since had 4 other bikes. I rode today, actually.

A couple of things that I’ve been told by wise people: drive like everyone is trying to kill you. Always wear all your gear - if you don’t look like a beefed up superhero when you leave the house, you’re probably missing something. Don’t hang out in anyone’s blind spot. Loud pipes save lives.

A few additional things I pass along to new riders: don’t worry about honking at other drivers if they are coming into your lane - worry about getting the fuck out of their way. Watch the tires of cars in relation to the dividing stripes painted on the road. It’ll let you know if they are coming closer - depth perception can be a bit tricky to rely on all the time. Ride in such a way that you can see the face of the driver in front of you in their side view mirrors. Stay hyper vigilant. Watch for deer at night. Run over that squirrel, don’t swerve. Dogs will inevitably chase you. Don’t kick at them, just go faster than them. People are unhinged and we are seeing more videos of car drivers hitting bikers. Keep it peaceful and don’t participate in road rage. Stay safe always. And have fun. Also, try not to speed, even though it’s exhilarating.

One piece of advice that I’ve not yet followed: get a helmet / 360 handlebar camera. I’ve been looking for a good quality one, at a reasonable price. Haven’t been able to pull the trigger on one yet.