Tales from a young motorcycle rider
October is Motorcycle Awareness Month in New Zealand so what better time to share a story from one of our very own SADD students, Sam Dromgool. Sam attends Te Aroha College and caught up with Mia recently to share his story.
Tell me a bit about yourself Sam. Where did you grow up? What school do you go to?
I grew up in Hamilton, attending Newstead Primary and Berkeley Intermediate before shifting houses to Te Aroha. Since year nine, I’ve attended Te Aroha College.
What is your favorite thing to do?
Funnily enough, I really enjoy driving now. I work hard academically at school so outside of school after some study, I like to just relax at home.
You told me you love motorcycles, how did you discover your passion for it? When did you start learning to ride?
My Dad had different motorcycles as I was growing up, and I always thought they were really cool. I can remember being picked up from after school care and riding home on the back of his motorcycle at a young age. I have also always wanted my license and to be able to drive myself around. Because of this, two weeks before I turned sixteen I had already purchased a moped. The day after my birthday I went in and got my learner license. From there, I rode a moped around until I purchased my first motorcycle.
Who was your biggest influencer when it comes to motorcycles?
Definitely my Dad, he’s always been a big inspiration to me.
When riding a motorcycle on the roads what do you think are the greatest dangers?
Cars, one hundred percent. People driving distracted, looking at their phones, etc.
What are the things that annoy you as a motorcyclist? What scares you?
Things that annoy and scare me as a motorcyclist are definitely ignorant/dangerous other road users. When cars don’t maintain safe following distances, cross the centre line during corners, and text and drive, it’s really scary to be on two wheels. In the event of a collision, it’s likely I’d lose my life, but the other vehicle would be relatively fine. Because of the dangerous reality of riding a motorcycle, you have to be especially vigilant when riding.
What is the most fun part when riding a motorcycle?
The most fun part to me is definitely the independence you get from so early on. Getting your motorcycle learner license instantly enables you the freedom of driving yourself around, however the risks of course have to be considered. There are definitely benefits and fun, practical parts of riding a motorcycle too though, such as being able to filter through congested traffic.
If you had to choose only one - driving a car or riding a motorcycle? Why?
I would probably choose driving a car now, as a direct result of my crash. A car provides a lot more protection than motorcycle gear in a crash, and is a lot more practical in terms of wet weather, carrying stuff, and having comparatively low vehicle registration fees.
You have told me you had a motorcycle crash. How did it happen?
A friend and I were both riding to his house, with me following behind him. I had never been to his house, and so was being cautious with cornering the rural turns. During one of the last turns, however, about 2km from his house, I slipped out due to gravel on a corner. After coming off my bike, I was contorted around it, with my leg trapped underneath the bike. One of the exhausts was against my calf, with 120 kgs pressing it down onto my leg.
What was your biggest lesson from this experience?
My biggest lesson is in line with some of the SADD principles; ‘safe speeds’, and ‘drive to the conditions’. Whilst we absolutely weren’t speeding, with the foresight I have now I would tell myself to ride even more cautiously, as I hadn’t traveled the road before, and didn’t know what to expect in terms of the corner and the road conditions (gravel).
Did it take you a while to get back on a motorcycle (overcoming fear)?
I actually haven’t been back on a motorcycle since my accident, because it was badly damaged, and I had a car as well which is my transport now.
What would be your advice for your peers when riding a motorcycle?
My advice is definitely to remember you’re not invincible, always ride with the correct gear and ride to the conditions. It also hurts to fall off so that is definitely not recommended, I’d say take corners at the appropriate speeds and ride safe.
Anything else you would like to share from your personal experience?
There’s not really anything else, except to remember the SADD principles and ride with caution. I’m left with a large scar on my calf as my hard-hitting reminder to be careful on the road, but I hope my story might be enough to help other people to be careful also.
Big thanks to Sam for sharing his story! The SADD programme is designed to support and empower all road users to make safe decisions, including cyclists, drivers, pedestrians, passengers and of course, motorcyclists. If you would like to find out more info about motorcycle safety check out these great links: