In my experience there are two kinds of people in the world. Those who give advice to just about everyone and those who never give advice unless it is asked for.

I myself have become the latter variety, mainly because I believe in the golden rule and I hate when other people give me unsolicited advice.

Therefore, I don't petition -for instance- my friends who smoke to quit.  They know smoking is hazardous to their health, but they choose to do it anyway for some other reason.  To say that I am concerned for their health because I love them is true, but generally not appreciated, so I leave it alone, along with most other unwanted advice except in certain mortal peril situations.

I do not smoke, but I have been known to ride motorcycles and some would argue that that is just as unhealthy if not more so.

My younger brother, who has spent a considerable amount of time in rehab facilities for drug addiction, had no sense of irony when he solemnly lectured me on the dangers of motorcycle riding.  I declined to point out said irony to him, and I know he was genuinely concerned for my safety, so I didn't give him a hard time.

However, each time I mention my intention of getting another motorcycle, the person to whom I'm speaking relates to me a tale of some tragic and/or gruesome accident that happened to someone they know (or knew) on a motorcycle.

I find this annoying.  I am aware that motorcycling is dangerous.  I spent five years relying solely  on motorcycles for transportation and I did have a few collisions during that time -with the ground, thankfully, as opposed to other vehicles. I realize if you know someone who has been maimed or killed in a cycle accident you may feel compelled to share the story with others because you believe that it will -it must!- affect them the same way it did you.  It will save them, they will never want to engage in such a dangerous activity once they have heard your story.  Right?

But it doesn't generally work that way.  Not if they are a biker. 

I do realize that to ride is to risk injury or even death, but this is where it differs from smoking and other addictions: smoking is harming your body even if you don't get cancer and even if it doesn't eventually kill you.  Riding a motorcycle is not. 

It could be called an addiction, sure.  Most bikers that I know will go through a period at some time where they say they're done with bikes, but I find that period will eventually end.  Does this mean we're addicts? Maybe.  I rode for about five years and have been without a bike for almost as long now.  I didn't stop riding because of the danger; I stopped because I needed a four-wheeled vehicle for my job and couldn't afford to have more than one vehicle.  But I feel the pull to ride again.  Sometimes on my bicycle I'll catch myself trying to find the gearshift with my foot.  I've also had many dreams of riding and they're so wonderful.

I will get another motorcycle one day.  It will happen and I will ride again.

Yes, it's dangerous, but you know what? Life is dangerous.