Avid Motorcyclist as Hobby on AMCAS

[Maneuver]

Avid Motorcyclist as Hobby on AMCAS?

Yes or No

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[whoknows2012]

No...IMO could look like a risky behavior (not that it necessarily is but you never know who is going to be reading your app and you def dont want to send the wrong message)

Anyway, I like to drive and take roadtrips. I don't think this would have been wise to put on an app.

 

[loveoforganic]

LizzyM advised me not to put boxing on AMCAS.

I put a significant amount of time into it though and got a letter from my coach, so have decided to put it. I feel like I can defend the activity if it comes down to it (although I suppose "defending an activity" really isn't what you should be doing during an interview)!

Your call.

 

[RedSHIFT]

ummm...boxing is an Olympic sport. you should put it on your AMCAS. i would. boxing is the sweetest of all sciences. jk

boxing teaches:

1. analyzing your own strength to exploit your opponents weakness
2. prophylaxis by thwarting your opponents gameplan
3. tactical and strategic vision
4. COURAGE

this list could go on forever, but i got to go.

Mayweather v. Packman 2010

 

[samuraiR]

what you riding? I ride here too (east coast). Def. not putting it on my amcas tho👍

 

[deleted77919]

…

 

[Maneuver]

Yamaha Raider (1900cc's 😀)

I probably won't put it on my AMCAS... but I want to since it makes me interesting as do a number of my other extremely dangerous hobbies.

 

[Guile]

No to motorcycling. It is not looked at kindly in the medical community. With your luck, you'd get a trauma surgeon. They hate motorcycles. (Obviously these are generalizations. You just don't want to take the chance...)

 

[VTBuc]

ummm...boxing is an Olympic sport. you should put it on your AMCAS. i would. boxing is the sweetest of all sciences. jk

boxing teaches:

1. analyzing your own strength to exploit your opponents weakness
2. prophylaxis by thwarting your opponents gameplan
3. tactical and strategic vision
4. COURAGE

this list could go on forever, but i got to go.

Mayweather v. Packman 2010

When I interviewed at WVU they asked me about boxing. One guy asked if I ever got a bloody nose and I said "It's typically not a good match unless someone gets a swollen lip or something" and the entire room got completely silent. I would recommend not including boxing.

Motorcycling neither. I drive a big ol' pickup truck and I didn't put that on AMCAS.

 

[Frederico Albin]

sheeeeeeeeeeeeeet, i would definitely put it in there if you ride a Ducati Desmocidici or a tricolore 🙂

 

[loveoforganic]

A better response would have probably downplayed injuries rather than glorified them 😛

 

[RedSHIFT]

A better response would have probably downplayed injuries rather than glorified them 😛

yea. his response was really in poor taste. he should of said in ALI style:


I moved and grooved,
Jabbed and dashed,
And gave my opponent a mighty gash;

or

I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.


In all seriousness, boxing is a respected sport. It's not a bar room brawl.

 

[Tin Man]

Avid motorcyclist as a risky behavior? Eh... I don't think so. It's a vehicle. It's designed to get people places. Unlike boxing, obeying the rules and using a motorcycle for its intended purpose is unlikely to be particularly dangerous.

However, I would question why being an avid motorcyclist has any more relevance than a person who likes driving cars. Where exactly do you plan on riding when you're in medical school? You plan on going on road trips? 🙂

I wouldn't put it just because it indicates a hobby that might interfere with your studies. Most sports are okay to put because nobody expects to continue to play football much while in medical school, but motorcycling might be viewed differently, especially if you consider anything having to do with "traveling" as a hobby, and motorcycling does involve traveling.

It's a silly distinction, and more an argument I'm making for my own amusement than as a serious post. But if you want to take into account every possible thing that might go wrong on your app, I would stray away from mentioning hobbies that might look like they could pursue into medical school and distract you from your studies.

 

[csmittyB]

...

In all seriousness, boxing is a respected sport. It's not a bar room brawl.

Still, admitting that you enjoy pummeling a fellow person with your fists may not be the best thing for entering a profession of "healers". Just my opinion.

As to the OP, I briefly mentioned in a secondary that I enjoy riding motorcycles(basically that was the extent of it). It wasn't mentioned in my interview. Don't know if other interviewers would react differently.

 

[tamarino84]

I actually talked about motorcycling in my PS. I motorcycled through several countries with my husband for 6 months, and I felt this showed an interesting side of myself. It came up during a couple of interviews, and there was nothing negative about it. You never know who you may get as an interviewer. Who knows, I have yet to be accepted, so take this with a grain of salt!

 

[Planet Ocean]

No to motorcycling. It is not looked at kindly in the medical community. With your luck, you'd get a trauma surgeon. They hate motorcycles. (Obviously these are generalizations. You just don't want to take the chance...)

👍I think some people will see it as poor judgement. I mean when you ride you put your life in the hands of the drivers around you. You could be doing everything right but its that one person who is texting instead of watching the road that could take your life. Chances of a fatality are so much higher when youre on a bike. I know too many people who have been badly injured or killed riding so be careful.

 

[Tin Man]

👍I think some people will see it as poor judgement. I mean when you ride you put your life in the hands of the drivers around you. You could be doing everything right but its that one person who is texting instead of watching the road that could take your life. Chances of a fatality are so much higher when youre on a bike. I know too many people who have been badly injured or killed riding so be careful.

'Cause that's nothing like being a doctor at all, where despite doing everything correct, you could still end up with a dead patient. Or being sued. Or something of the like.

🙂

There isn't anything in life which doesn't require you to take some risk. I drive a small car. I bought it because it was cheap and got me where I need to go. I guess I could have gotten a Hummer, and been safe from everything but a semi, but at the end of the day, the risk/benefit analysis said my little car was probably worth it.

It's fine to ensure that you don't display risky behavior. But I don't think overly cautious behavior is looked upon particularly kindly as well, especially with the age-old "Is a doctor a bad person for refusing to do surgery on a patient diagnosed with AIDS?" scenario.

 

[BlitznFire]

Haha, I listed it in my PS and got asked about it from a few schools. I made sure what I conveyed in my message was that motorcycles can be ridden safely as long as one has a mature head on themselves. I wrote about the charity work I had done with it. I wrote about the 9 hour long trips to the Smoky mountains and also about my trackdays.

Some brought it up, others never even mentioned. However one of the interviewers, a surgeon started out my interview by saying " The worst motorcycle crash I have ever seen was one at 30mph" Needless to say, I got in at all the schools that asked me about it.

P.S - Honda CBR 600F4i

 

[VTBuc]

Still, admitting that you enjoy pummeling a fellow person with your fists may not be the best thing for entering a profession of "healers". Just my opinion.

Hey don't judge it till you've tried it! 😉

 

[Planet Ocean]

'Cause that's nothing like being a doctor at all, where despite doing everything correct, you could still end up with a dead patient. Or being sued. Or something of the like.

🙂

There isn't anything in life which doesn't require you to take some risk. I drive a small car .

I see where youre trying to go with that but it really has nothing to do with being a doctor. A good doctor will know the difference between a necessary risk and an unnecessary risk. Nobody holds a gun to your head and forces you to ride a bike instead of taking a car so its an unnecessary risk you take because you enjoy riding. Hmm...I think I've just waded into the philosophical waters regarding pre-destiny(if youre going to die youre going to die. Motorcycle or not) Better stop while I still can. FYI: I think for the most part, everyone on this forum is well informed about risk. Were spending thousands of dollars we dont even have and sacrificing so much for an opportunity that is not guaranteed.

 

[jdh71]

lulwut?!?!11?

The "medical community" (who is that exactly?) "hates" motorcycles? No way. I put it on my application and got plenty of interviews. Non-riders don't give a ****, BUT . . . riders on the other hand . . . it's an immediate bond

HD '95 Springer Softail (50,000+ miles on that bad boy, all mine . . . 20 grand and 20 miles, don't make you a biker)

 

[Tin Man]

I see where youre trying to go with that but it really has nothing to do with being a doctor. A good doctor will know the difference between a necessary risk and an unnecessary risk. Nobody holds a gun to your head and forces you to ride a bike instead of taking a car so its an unnecessary risk you take because you enjoy riding. Hmm...I think I've just waded into the philosophical waters regarding pre-destiny(if youre going to die youre going to die. Motorcycle or not) Better stop while I still can. FYI: I think for the most part, everyone on this forum is well informed about risk. Were spending thousands of dollars we dont even have and sacrificing so much for an opportunity that is not guaranteed.

Nobody holds a gun to your head and tells you to go into a surgical residency, which is going to have a high risk of accidental death, unavoidable death, and being sued. But if you enjoy surgery, that's where you go. You don't go to dermatology or psychiatry just to avoid being sued if you want to do something else with a known, higher risk.

So... yeah. I'm not saying that this is a comparison that the adcoms are going to make. But riding a motorcycle isn't really a display of risky behavior. It's a behavior that's more risky than driving a small car, as a small car is more risky than driving a big car, which is more risky than just riding the bus. People take risks in everything they do, and I don't think that motorcycling warrants a stupid risk unless the person decides to be stupid while riding a motorcycle.

 

[jdh71]

Nobody holds a gun to your head and tells you to go into a surgical residency, which is going to have a high risk of accidental death, unavoidable death, and being sued. But if you enjoy surgery, that's where you go. You don't go to dermatology or psychiatry just to avoid being sued if you want to do something else with a known, higher risk.

So... yeah. I'm not saying that this is a comparison that the adcoms are going to make. But riding a motorcycle isn't really a display of risky behavior. It's a behavior that's more risky than driving a small car, as a small car is more risky than driving a big car, which is more risky than just riding the bus. People take risks in everything they do, and I don't think that motorcycling warrants a stupid risk unless the person decides to be stupid while riding a motorcycle.

*gasp*

You mean you stepped outside of your house today?!?!?

Don't you know the probablity of an alligator attack or lightening strike are much higher outside of the house than in!!!!

 

[samuraiR]

am I gonna be a bad doctor? I like to box AND ride a motorcycle...🙄

lol, i may put it as a hobby after reading about it more on here...

Ninja 650 🙂

 

[Tin Man]

am I gonna be a bad doctor? I like to box AND ride a motorcycle...🙄

lol, i may put it as a hobby after reading about it more on here...

Ninja 650 🙂

Better than boxing while on a motorcycle.

Or with a motorcycle.

Then you'd look like a real nut.

 

[samuraiR]

Better than boxing while on a motorcycle.

Or with a motorcycle.

Then you'd look like a real nut.

im pretty sure I could take the motorcycle down with 1 punch 😀

 

[rbnsafsadgf]

I talked about motorcycling as a hobby during my interviews. The people liked it because I was able to talk philosophically and smartly about risk. It shows that I had a life outside of school. Both of these are good things.

What do you mean by avid? If you mean you ride a lot with your friends, don't put it on AMCAS activities. If you mean that you you ran a club and did community service or showed leadership skills, or rode cross-county or a long trip, put it down.

Good luck

-BMW K75s.

 

[Guile]

lulwut?!?!11?

The "medical community" (who is that exactly?) "hates" motorcycles? No way. I put it on my application and got plenty of interviews. Non-riders don't give a ****, BUT . . . riders on the other hand . . . it's an immediate bond

HD '95 Springer Softail (50,000+ miles on that bad boy, all mine . . . 20 grand and 20 miles, don't make you a biker)

There's always the guy with long hair, tattoos, and gauged earlobes who gets into medical school. But that's not the norm. I'm just saying it's not worth the risk of getting an interviewer who looks down on motorcycles because let's face it, they are much more dangerous than cars. And a lot of people get into motorcycle accidents, stay on a vent for 3 weeks, spend another few weeks in the hospital and months in rehab, all from riding a motorcycle.

Are you against smoking? Smoking isn't universally fatal. It's just a risk factor for COPD and many cancers. Lots of people smoke all their lives and have a normal life expectancy...just like many motorcyclists.

 

[jdh71]

Are you against smoking? Smoking isn't universally fatal. It's just a risk factor for COPD and many cancers. Lots of people smoke all their lives and have a normal life expectancy...just like many motorcyclists.

You'll have to connect the dots with this argument champ.

Smoking is actually damaging to you every time you do it.

Riding a motorcycle is not.

 

[Planet Ocean]

Nobody holds a gun to your head and tells you to go into a surgical residency, which is going to have a high risk of accidental death, unavoidable death, and being sued. But if you enjoy surgery, that's where you go. You don't go to dermatology or psychiatry just to avoid being sued if you want to do something else with a known, higher risk.

So... yeah. I'm not saying that this is a comparison that the adcoms are going to make. But riding a motorcycle isn't really a display of risky behavior. It's a behavior that's more risky than driving a small car, as a small car is more risky than driving a big car, which is more risky than just riding the bus. People take risks in everything they do, and I don't think that motorcycling warrants a stupid risk unless the person decides to be stupid while riding a motorcycle.

I suppose I am a bit biased on this topic but never the less I don't see how becoming a surgeon has anything to do with straddling a 1900cc engine going 70mph with nothing between you and death😱 I guess there's our answer. Being a motorcyclist has nothing to do with being a doctor. I drive a car so should I put that on my app? Probably not lol.

 

[getright]

Motorcycles rock!

Sv650

 

[Tin Man]

I suppose I am a bit biased on this topic but never the less I don't see how becoming a surgeon has anything to do with straddling a 1900cc engine going 70mph with nothing between you and death😱 I guess there's our answer. Being a motorcyclist has nothing to do with being a doctor. I drive a car so should I put that on my app? Probably not lol.

Being a surgeon versus being a psychiatrist is the same analogous risk as the difference between riding a motorcycle and driving a small car. In one, you take the risk of doing a job that, even if done perfectly, still risks being sued, stress, and performing dangerous procedures, just because you enjoy doing surgery. In the other, you choose to ride a vehicle which, even if used perfectly safely, is still a risk due to the ineptness of other drivers, weather, etc.

Neither of them is really that risky if done properly. If used correctly, all the risk comes from outside sources. I'm not saying that motorcycle riders are going to become surgeons, but motorcycling itself isn't THAT big of a risk, if you do it properly.

Now, if you're doing wheelies through a highway tunnel at seventy, then yes, you're risking a transformation into roadkill, and probably deserve a suspicious eye.

 

[Guile]

You'll have to connect the dots with this argument champ.

Smoking is actually damaging to you every time you do it.

Riding a motorcycle is not.

Smoking is only very mildly dangerous each time you do it. The immediate effects of smoking are not bad. It's the cumulative effect of a 30 pack-year smoking history that does someone in, not the one time they snuck a Camel from that plumber doing some work on their house when they were a kid.

The danger of riding of a motorcycle is exactly that: it's not dangerous each time you do it. You could ride for 50 years, and then on your way to trade the bike in for a Cadillac, you get into an accident because some maroon on a cell phone pulls out in front of you and you're now paralyzed at C2. My argument is that similar to smoking, people can ride motorcycles their whole lives and suffer no (or few) ill side effects. There was a guy in my hometown who smoked a carton (not a mistake) of Marlboro Reds a day and was doing great into his 70s. I'm sure we also all know people who ride motorcycles and have no accidents. However, there's lots of morbidity and mortality associated with each as well. Lots of physicians look down on motorcyclists, for better or worse. I'm just saying I wouldn't take a chance by listing it.

 

[HopefulAg]

I put it on my VMCAS. Had two interviewers who commented on it (an SV650 and a Harley Sportster).

If it's part of who you are, put it on there. I doubt they're gonna disqualify you because of what you like to do in your spare time.

 

[getright]

Although motorcycling is dangerous, if you are person that actually wears full gear when riding (gloves, boots, helmet, jacket, riding pants), your chances of being hurt are obviously reduced. I've been in an accident going 65 and just ended up with some minor abrasions because of wearing quality gear.

I now worry a lot more for most of the Harley and sports bike riders that just rock some sandals, shorts, and sunglasses.

Helmets are awesome 😀

 

[jdh71]

My argument is that similar to smoking, people can ride motorcycles their whole lives and suffer no (or few) ill side effects. There was a guy in my hometown who smoked a carton (not a mistake) of Marlboro Reds a day and was doing great into his 70s.

Nobody can smoke a carton of smokes per day. That's silly and asinine.

Your argument still fails. Because while there is potential for danger with each motorcycle ride, there IS danger every time you smoke a cigarette. Now you want to argue that the real and actual danger and damage from one cigarette is negligible, and I'd have to agree, BUT that is still not same as riding a motorcyle where the risk is possible. The difference is real damage vs a possibility.

If you want to make a case that riding a motorcyle places you at increased risk of morbidty and motality, fine, but you'll need to find a different example. Comparing smoking to riding a motorcycle is complete rubbish.

Lots of physicians look down on motorcyclists, for better or worse. I'm just saying I wouldn't take a chance by listing it.

"Lots" (an amorphous term if there ever was one) do not look down on riding a motorcycle. You are merely making the cynical assumption that one might possibly run into one of the anti-motorcycle nazis and therefore should leave it off their application. I hear your point, I just think it's garbage advice.

 

[Jlaw]

I honestly don't think it would negatively affect you. Sure motorcycles are dangerous but so is driving a car, living in a shady neighborhood, and a host of other things. It might help you, or at least redirect the interview in a friendly way if the interviewer is also a rider.

And docs don't hate motor cycles, though I have heard them referred to as "donor cycles" in some ER's. Trauma surgeons certainly don't hate, them and if they do they should consider a new line of work because if it wasn't for risky behavior they wouldn't be able to pay off their med school debt.

 

[csmittyB]

Hey don't judge it till you've tried it! 😉

Lol, My pointy nose combined with my dislike of pain will keep me from trying it.

I'm not judging. I like watching boxing. My opinion is based solely on what I think an adcom may think.

Back to motorcycling...ATGATT FTW👍

 

[Guile]

Nobody can smoke a carton of smokes per day. That's silly and asinine.

Well, I know of one guy who does. I'm pretty sure he lights the next one with the last bit of the previous one.

Your argument still fails. Because while there is potential for danger with each motorcycle ride, there IS danger every time you smoke a cigarette. Now you want to argue that the real and actual danger and damage from one cigarette is negligible, and I'd have to agree, BUT that is still not same as riding a motorcyle where the risk is possible. The difference is real damage vs a possibility.

There is little damage from one cigarette, one pack, or even a pack-year. I'm not going to find the paper now, but your risk of ill effects is pretty low until you're in double-digit pack-years.

If you want to make a case that riding a motorcyle places you at increased risk of morbidty and motality, fine, but you'll need to find a different example. Comparing smoking to riding a motorcycle is complete rubbish.

It's not a perfect comparison but they are fairly similar. Both are optional activities that people do because they enjoy them. There is an element of addiction in cigarette smoking though. Both have the potential to be hazardous to your health. Cigarette smoking has a cumulative effect over a lifetime of smoking. (I disagree that it is bad for you each time you smoke. It is technically, but only transiently and mildly. The chief danger in smoking is a lifetime of doing it.) Motorcycling has the potential to be dangerous and fatal each and every time you do it. It's a roll of the dice each time you ride. At least with smoking you're assured you're not going to die taking a drag on your second pack. So I think they're pretty comparable.

"Lots" (an amorphous term if there ever was one) do not look down on riding a motorcycle. You are merely making the cynical assumption that one might possibly run into one of the anti-motorcycle nazis and therefore should leave it off their application. I hear your point, I just think it's garbage advice.

"Lots" was intentionally amorphous. I've never seen a study looking at physician views on motorcycling, but I've met a lot that disparage it and don't look kindly on people who ride motorcycles. Enough that I would advise people not to put it on an application. The OP can do with that information as he may. For something as important as a medical school application, I think the cost:benefit analysis is in favor of leaving it off. It's hardly garbage advice. What's the best case scenario? "Oh, he rides bikes. That's cool..." Worst case? An anti-motorcyle "nazi" as you say is on the committee or interviews him and has a negative perception of him, and he doesn't get in. That's not a gamble I'd be willing to wager, myself.

 

[jdh71]

Well, I know of one guy who does. I'm pretty sure he lights the next one with the last bit of the previous one.

Even doing that isn't going to net you a carton a day.

There is little damage from one cigarette, one pack, or even a pack-year. I'm not going to find the paper now, but your risk of ill effects is pretty low until you're in double-digit pack-years.

10 pk-yrs is when you start to see evidence of damage on PFTs, but that is besides the point that every single cigarette is taking a little poison into the body. When you ride a motorcycle you are not taking a poison into the body, you are engaging in an activity that has a possibility of being harmful in the possibility of crash.

It's not a perfect comparison but they are fairly similar. Both are optional activities that people do because they enjoy them. There is an element of addiction in cigarette smoking though. Both have the potential to be hazardous to your health. Cigarette smoking has a cumulative effect over a lifetime of smoking. (I disagree that it is bad for you each time you smoke. It is technically, but only transiently and mildly. The chief danger in smoking is a lifetime of doing it.) Motorcycling has the potential to be dangerous and fatal each and every time you do it. It's a roll of the dice each time you ride. At least with smoking you're assured you're not going to die taking a drag on your second pack. So I think they're pretty comparable.

Based on your characterization above they are nowhere near comparable. You destroyed your position with you very own arguments, demonstrating the clear difference between the two activities. You admit cigarette smoking is bad because you are taking in a poison every single time you use and that the poison become particularly problematic over time, which is completely different than possibility of any harm any time you ride a motorcycle.

"Lots" was intentionally amorphous. I've never seen a study looking at physician views on motorcycling, but I've met a lot that disparage it and don't look kindly on people who ride motorcycles. Enough that I would advise people not to put it on an application. The OP can do with that information as he may. For something as important as a medical school application, I think the cost:benefit analysis is in favor of leaving it off. It's hardly garbage advice. What's the best case scenario? "Oh, he rides bikes. That's cool..." Worst case? An anti-motorcyle "nazi" as you say is on the committee or interviews him and has a negative perception of him, and he doesn't get in. That's not a gamble I'd be willing to wager, myself.

So you think your anecdote trumps mine, ok, not much to say to that. I do find your cynicism rather unrealistic.

 

[loveoforganic]

A carton a day would be a cigarette every 2.5 minutes for 8 straight hours :O

You have to breathe in oxygen at some point.

 

[Guile]

Even doing that isn't going to net you a carton a day.

I'm just relaying what I've heard. You probably know more about smoking than I do. I don't even know how many packs are in a carton.

You destroyed your position with you very own arguments, demonstrating the clear difference between the two activities.

Yes, they are two different activities. That's why it's an analogy. I've even said a few times it's not a perfect analogy either. I'm drawing parallels between two self-harming activities on an anonymous internet board, not arguing Constitutional law in front of the Supreme Court here.

Look, chief, you are clearly interested in re-living your high school debate team days. I'm not trying to "destroy positions" or "defeat your argument." I'm just making the case why motorcycling is not something I'd list on my AMCAS. You felt differently and you've said as much. The OP solicited opinions and we've both given ours. I'll let you continue being this guy.

 

[jdh71]

Yes, they are two different activities. That's why it's an analogy. I've even said a few times it's not a perfect analogy either. I'm drawing parallels between two self-harming activities on an anonymous internet board, not arguing Constitutional law in front of the Supreme Court here.

Look, chief, you are clearly interested in re-living your high school debate team days. I'm not trying to "destroy positions" or "defeat your argument." I'm just making the case why motorcycling is not something I'd list on my AMCAS. You felt differently and you've said as much. The OP solicited opinions and we've both given ours. I'll let you continue being this guy.

But it's ok, I accept your concession

Peace

 

[Elpenor]

Riding a motorcycle is not comparable to smoking cigarettes at all.

Cigs -> intentionally harming oneself
Riding -> doing something that, albeit unlikely, potentially could be harmful (isn't everything?)

That said, I wouldn't list it on my apps.

 

[samuraiR]

to be fair, as an avid motorcyclist (everything has a risk to it...if u dont take any risks in life why are u living) I have to say that motorcycling is infact...damn addicting😎

 

[skatertudoroga]

👍I think some people will see it as poor judgement. I mean when you ride you put your life in the hands of the drivers around you. You could be doing everything right but its that one person who is texting instead of watching the road that could take your life. Chances of a fatality are so much higher when youre on a bike. I know too many people who have been badly injured or killed riding so be careful.

I have no opinion regarding the cons/pros of putting this activity on your application. But just out of curiousity I wonder if it really is that dangerous? I mean I ride bicycle on highways and city streets and I figure it is much more dangerous because cars pass me all the time. If you're on the motorcycle going at the same speed as the rest of traffic, then you may have the road all to yourself. It's only if it's a 2 lane highway and you insist on sharing those 2 lanes with another car instead of going in front or in the back that it becomes dangerous. I must also note that sometimes I've been known to drive a car and not pay attention on the same rural roads that I used to bike and if there had been a cyclist on one of those turns he would've been road meat.

 

[AlanAlanine]

I have no opinion regarding the cons/pros of putting this activity on your application. But just out of curiousity I wonder if it really is that dangerous? I mean I ride bicycle on highways and city streets and I figure it is much more dangerous because cars pass me all the time. If you're on the motorcycle going at the same speed as the rest of traffic, then you may have the road all to yourself. It's only if it's a 2 lane highway and you insist on sharing those 2 lanes with another car instead of going in front or in the back that it becomes dangerous. I must also note that sometimes I've been known to drive a car and not pay attention on the same rural roads that I used to bike and if there had been a cyclist on one of those turns he would've been road meat.

if you get in an accident on your bike, you're not cruising at 70 mph. if you crash your bike, you fall. if you crash your motorcycle, you fly. there's no protective mechanism to keep you "inside" your vehicle on a motorcycle.

 

[Rooni]

I don't see anything wrong with it, but then, what the hell do I know? I doubt most adcoms would give a crap one way or the other about it being dangerous, and if you happened to get somebody who liked motorcycles too, it might give you a leg up. *shrug*

Just my two cents. I think people are generally way too concerned about whether or not every single bloody thing they do "looks good" for med school applications. I mean, I would probably caution against talking about how much you enjoy experimenting with hallucinogenic drugs on the weekends, or the fact that you and your significant other attend swing parties every Thursday night, but other than that, you'll probably be fine. Motorcycles are fairly benign.

 

[Guile]

But it's ok, I accept your concession

Peace