Commuting by motorbike

I thought I would just give you my opinion of commuting around Doha by motorbike.

Is it dangerous I hear you say.  Well yes it could be.

Is it quicker?  YES by far.

Never having ridden a motorbike in a busy city I was very aware of the possible dangers of commuting 13 km every day.  The truth is that it is quite safe as long as you expect the unexpected. 

Cars indicating left or right and going the opposite way.  People not indicating and driving freestyle left or right and sometimes both directions nearly at the same time.

People on phones (mainly European blonde females) not looking where they are going or too busy texting. The locals are very predictable drivers, the Indians are not.

But having those little gripes I find the whole experience relatively easy.  Having arrived at the traffic lights you filter through to the front.  Once the lights turn green you are on the road by yourself until arriving at the next set of lights.  Easy.

I ride a small Harley Davidson, but any 6/700 would be ideal for the job.  Big touring bikes or Cruisers will not go through some of the gaps.  I can cover the 13 km to work in just over 15 minutes, when I am using the car the same journey at the same time , the journey is nearer to 40 minutes.  I have been commuting contiuously for 14 months now.  July August are hot but then I go home the long way with only 2 sets of traffic light and 10 km more, to keep moving.  Sitting at traffic lights is a killer.

Hope this helps people looking at using a bike here in Doha.