She wasn't the only idiot we saw driving a scooter. European kids were driving about on them - even during the dark - who would have been riding a push bike at home.
The English guy who used one of the shacks we did took his 3 kids too and from Candolim to St. Anthonys Chapel (the one in the middle of the road) every day and he said - well it's not that far - then told us it was the first time in his life he had ridden a scooter.
One thing I will say is that in all the years we have been in Goa I can count on 1 hand the number of accidents I have seen (and I have seen very many) caused by foreigners.

As most people seem to be concerned about what happens to a local if they are involved in an accident with a foreigner, let me tell you that if you have any accident with a local, your fault or not, you will be immediately surrounded by a crowd of irrate people, and you Will pay. Many years ago a friend was a passenger in a taxi that hit a local. Guess whose fault it was, and yes they had to pay. Obviously if they had not rented the taxi the accident would not have happened. The bottom line is that locals are not allowed to rent bikes unless they have the correct insurance, no one does because it is too expensive, you rent at your own risk, anything happens to the bike, you pay, you injure anyone, you pay.

Earlier this past season I saw a young u.k. couple getting ready to set off up Holiday Rd on to the main road, both had the standard bike attire, flip flops and shorts, she also had the added protection of a bikini top. Dad had a little girl of 3 or so standing in front of him holding on to the scooter handlebars, Mum wa a bit more carefull, for her protection on her scooter, she had opted for her version of a airbag, a baby a few months old carried in front of her in a papoose carier ideally positioned on her chest to absorb the impact of any crash I'm not sure what can be done with people like that, at the time words failed me Alan

Not much you can do Alan some people are like sheep; they see the Goan family of 4 on a scooter and think it's cool, "I can do that" when stopped by the police they pay the R500/- instant "fine" and carry on

The same people probably drive at home with no insurance/ tax or licence, then cry police brutality when there vehicle is taken off them and crushed.

Before anyone asks I have had a bike and car licence since I was 17, one fine of ten shillings when 1 was 16 for not displaying a rear L plate on my first bike, a James 197 that cost me £2.00.

My one and only accident.

Fractured both arms when I was knocked off my bike, a Gold Wing GL1100, by a drunken Frenchman, who gave false details to the police and was never seen again.

So I think I am qualified too call these idiots, IDIOTS

Lezlie,
I have to disagree. These idiots probably do have insurance etc at home, but think that because they are abroad they have no need to spend the extra.
Is it possible to rent scooters LEGALLY in Goa?
del949

I don't know Del.

But John my hotel Manager told me if you have R500/- everything is LEGAL/fixable in Goa

In 15 years of visiting Goa I have never come across a legal scooter hire operation, there may be one but at the rate that the roomboys charge I dont think the peple that are happy driving without insurance would be beating a path to their door Alan

Gramps/Lezlie,
HMMM , only reason I asked re legal renting, although in England I am licensed to drive anything (except two wheels) I was tempted to get basic lessons and the rent a scooter next year.

Hey , maybe I can take my 18 wheeler, no problem with scooters then!

del949

In 15 years of visiting Goa I have never come across a legal scooter hire operation, there may be one but at the rate that the roomboys charge I dont think the peple that are happy driving without insurance would be beating a path to their door Alan

Thats a fairly poor assumption isnt it....

I would be more than happy to pay a little more for insurance and using a reputable company rather than renting a bike with bald tyres or poor brakes (both of which has happened to me).

If the option to rent a bike with insurance is not available then its hardly the renters fault is it.....

I trust the previous post was a lighthearted joke, I think the arguement that if a service that one wishes is not available legally then its o.k. to avail yourself of it outwith the law. Not an arguement that will hold much water either morally or in a court of law Alan

No the point was that you made an assumption that even if there was an option of renting a bike from a legal hire place that people wouldnt use it anyway.