WanderImagine the rush of adrenaline, the thrill of freedom, sharpened senses, all while in a meditative state of bliss. Motorcycle travels go beyond a mode of transportation. It’s as much a form of lifestyle as it is therapy.
Positive, science-backed health benefits
If you associate motorcyclists with the phrase “throw caution to the wind”, you couldn’t be more wrong. Recent studies have unveiled science-backed evidence citing how bikers experience a heightened state of awareness on top of other positive health benefits such as increased self-confidence, joy and lowered stress levels. Plus, knowing that they are more vulnerable on the roads, riders tend to be even more alert while on the bike.
Uncover the personal joys of riding, the science-backed health benefits that riding brings, new trends in motorcycling, where to pick up riding and ways to elevate your skills.
There’s an inexplicable joy in mastering a machine that weighs at least three times more than you, becoming one with it, and guiding it wherever you desire. With a turn of the key and a gentle twist of the throttle, the engine rumbles to life. Balaclava secure, helmet fastened, gloves strapped – it’s time to ride. The independence of travelling without relying on others is unparalleled. Riding a motorcycle is, without doubt, one of the most fulfilling experiences I’ve ever encountered.
Embracing the elements
As riders, we’re intimately connected with our surroundings – the heat, the rain, the wind, the sights, and the sounds. Our five senses are on high alert while riding. We feel everything, both the good and the challenging. The sun may beat down relentlessly, rain may pelt our visors, and insects may splatter against us at high speeds. We might encounter the occasional road bully’s amplified horn or inadvertently inhale exhaust fumes. Yet, these very experiences lie at the heart of our unbridled joy.
A ride in the rain
Riding in the rain is one of the things riders have to contend with. Once, I was caught in the middle of a thunderstorm in Malaysia, with nowhere to hide. With only the highway on the horizon, I decided to brave the elements before it got darker, despite not having a protective raincoat with me. The rain hit me like little rods on my body and decreased my visibility.
In no time, my polyester jacket, denim jeans and sports shoes and socks were thoroughly soaked. I started shivering. As I pressed on, the rain gradually cleansed the debris on the ground, the air became cooler and fresher and I have never felt more alive as I made my way to my destination.
Achieving mindfulness and bliss
Riding the motorbike is an experience that is unparalleled. Many riders, myself included, often achieve a state of mindfulness – a meditative state – during long, uninterrupted journeys. While riding, I find my mind clearer and my heart lighter, allowing thoughts to flow freely.
Gratification like no other
During one of my interstate riding trips in Malaysia, I was going through the winding roads of a plantation, flanked by palm trees swaying in the wind, with the long road ahead of me. Hardly any other vehicles were in sight and my bike passed through bend after bend. I felt extremely satisfied with each curve I conquered. As time went on, I experimented with the change in gear, speed and the close of the throttle to make my ride even more seamless. I couldn’t help but break into a smile each time I made a good turn at each bend. The gratification of levelling up my motorbike skills was like no other.
This sensation is unique to riding; being a passenger simply doesn't compare to the absolute bliss, mindful clarity, and sense of liberation experienced on two wheels. Nor can it replicate the rush of adrenaline and self-confidence that comes from controlling a powerful machine.
Since I started riding, I have gained greater self-confidence, having been through more than a year of rigorous training and tests before obtaining my riding licence. Since then, I have also noticed an improvement in my body-hand-eye coordination. Navigating the roads, arriving at the destinations on my own without relying on any external parties, was another sense of accomplishment that I didn’t foresee. Yet, there’s more.
Sense of community
The riding community is one of inclusivity. The moment you meet a fellow rider, you gain an instant rapport, exchanging your bike models, wax lyrical about your favourite riding gear, and why you love your ride and gear of choice. And you are never alone when it comes to troubleshooting your bike. Getting suggestions on mechanical, towing services and more tips are only a matter of asking.
A tight-knit community
A couple of times on the road, a fellow biker gave me a thumbs up, with reference to the vintage looks of my Mutt Hilts 125cc. While another chatted me up at a traffic light, asking if I’m new, seeing the prominent neon orange P-plate sticker on my bike.
Once, one of the fellow bikers in my Biking Buddies group chat had problems with starting his engine. Two of our riding friends in the chat group rode half an hour to his place to help him jumpstart his engine because he was on crutches and could not do it himself. Yet another story I heard was how a new biker friend was warmly welcomed into the biking community, making frequent overseas touring trips with this new bike family with decades of experience to share.
That’s the power of the motorbike community – inclusive, always willing to share and trade tips and offer help. The only thing you have to do is to ask. In time to come, I aim to be the one offering advice and assistance to new biker friends.
Scientific validation
While non-riders may hold the impression of riding as a dangerous sport, they may have neglected huge intrinsic benefits as to why motorcyclists ride, despite the perceived higher danger element.
Perhaps recent scientific studies can help validate and shed light on why riders keep on riding. A 2018 neurological study conducted in Milwaukee and published in Brain Research revealed:
- Motorcycle riding decreased hormonal biomarkers of stress by 25%
- Riders exhibited enhanced sensory focus, similar to experienced meditators
- Brain activity changes while riding suggested increased alertness, comparable to drinking coffee
Neuroscientist Don Vaughn, who led the research which was initiated by Harley-Davidson, described the results as “pronounced” and potentially “significant for mitigating everyday stresses”.
A rising trend in the motorcycle world
Worldwide, the average age of motorcyclists has now increased, reinforcing the fact that riding motorcycles is no longer exclusive to the youths or those red-blooded males looking for an adrenaline boost. But why have these motorcyclists, hailing from a higher socio-economic class, taken to riding motorcycles despite its risk factors?
How does motorcycle riding improve mental health?
Another study by Ryuta Kawashima from Japan’s Tohoku University and backed by Yamaha addressed this trend. The participants had stopped riding for a certain period and started riding motorcycles again daily for two months. The study found that they experienced enhanced visuospatial cognition with elevated moods.
These studies attribute riders’ positive moods to increased self-confidence, joy of self-discovery, and the dynamic aspects of riding such as acceleration, speed, manoeuvrability, and cornering. Their behaviour, which included testing one’s limits and the machine’s capabilities, was likened to sports behaviour.
Such scientific evidence confirms what riders have long known intuitively – motorcycling isn't just a mode of transport; it's a therapeutic experience that enhances both mental and physical well-being.
The ride way
Now that we are backed by science, we may prove a little more sane to the non-riding community. As a rider myself, the benefits of riding far outweigh the cons, and we do not need to prove anything. As long as my physical body allows me to, I will continue riding until as old as I can.
Ready to experience these benefits yourself? Sign up for a riding course at Singapore Safety Driving Centre and kickstart your journey of zen on two wheels. Those looking to sharpen their road sense and safety awareness can consider signing up for the 1-day Defensive Riding Course.
More reads
Click here for tips on riding safely in the rain.
Discover the realities of riding a motorbike from the perspective of a female rider.
Learn how to ride safely, as an afterthought by someone who survived a bike crash.
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