This is what M&W say gambling is:
a : to play a game for money or property
b : to bet on an uncertain outcome
2: to stake something on a contingency : take a chance
transitive verb

The definitions of risk is as follows:
: possibility of loss or injury : peril
2
: someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard
3
a : the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract; also : the degree of probability of such loss
b : a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
c : an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source <war risk>
4
: the chance that an investment (as a stock or commodity) will lose value

Now looking at the definitions I would place motorcycling into the "risk" catagory over "gamble" just saying.

Mary

I had this whole argument in my head about internet dictionaries not following the stricter proofing of their ancestors, synonyms and the fact dictionaries are now updated to reflect popular slang and beliefs meaning words taught to your parents or older forum members have actually changed but you know what, time for a new topic. My ride with several hundred possibly thousand riders today showed me that for some, based on the above definition from Mary, riding isn't a risk it is a gamble and others it is a risk.

We do trainings in Risk vs Hazard. And are told, a Hazard exists but only becomes a Risk when a person comes near the Hazard.

Example: A deep uncovered hole is a hazard whether there is a person there or not. When a person is near it is a risk. A risk of falling in.

But for bikes. I think we have Risk/Reward all the time. Is the reward I get worth the risk I am taking. Does the risk of riding up the middle of two lanes of traffic moving at 60 justify the time saving reward of one minute I might or might not get?

I have done some studies of my own on time savings. At 80 we do one kilometer in 45 seconds. At 100 it is close enough to 30 seconds. A 15 second different. How much weaving in and out do you need to do to get one kilometer ahead. If you stop I will be passed you in under one minute. To me it is not worth the risk. But that is the problem right there. What I think might be a risk someone else might not, or else they would not do the thing.

But I think the Australian band the Radiators summed it all up best http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xznDosJPS44 Life is a Gamble.

We all do realise risk speaks of both positive and negative outcomes? Everyone just looks at negative.

I'd like to think that with proper attention, care and skill we all endeavour, and to an extent succeed in drastically reducing o ur chances of fulfilling the many risks of riding. I know I sure as hell do, I try to take every bit control I can, because I prefer it when my life is mostly in my own hands.

Someone who'd call that activity a gamble; I.e. an endeavour with uncontrollable risks, clearly needs to learn how to count the cards properly, and take control.

Semantics are fun!

And I put to you A.Milos if that really is your name: What risks do you believe are uncontrollable when riding? (The ones you try to add a buffer to in case it becomes a realised risk).

The ones I see as hard to mitigate: Drivers who are incapable of turning their head for any lane movement.
Vehicles with poor distance judging (ie that turn across the front of you because they believed they could make it).
Taxi Drivers and Bogan Drivers.
Bicycle riders.

Everything else has a degree of risk but most of it can be mitigated. Example:Oil on road, careful watchfulness of the upcoming lane and leaving enough gap between yourself and the next vehicle to spot said hazard and avoid.

My personal favorite - drivers suddenly switching lanes when approaching a line of stopped cars that you can not see.

I love how all this gambling vs risk etc has stemmed from people having spikes bits attached to their bike.

Quote from: aussiegs on December 06, 2011, 02:23:56 PM
I love how all this gambling vs risk etc has stemmed from people having spikes bits attached to their bike.

hahaha same.

Quote from: mister on November 29, 2011, 12:07:55 PM

Quote from: scratch on November 29, 2011, 09:40:19 AM
Riding is the ultimate form of gambling.  The stakes being your life.

It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door...



Though I'd tend to think parachuting or base jumping are more of the Ultimate Gamble. Or maybe rockclimbing without ropes or doing like that spiderman dude and climbing buildings without rope. Far more ultimate gambles than hopping on a motorcycle and riding it.

Michael

Parachuting, base jumping, rock climbing (freehand?) are more like riding your motorcycle at the track, by yourself, pushing your own limits.

Riding in traffic is like gambling with other people at the table.  The other people can affect how well you do.  A far greater number of variables.  Oh, BTW, I don't gamble, but I used to.

Quote from: comradeiggy on December 06, 2011, 10:48:49 AM
My personal favorite - drivers suddenly switching lanes when approaching a line of stopped cars that you can not see.

Better yet: people who park on the wrong side of the street (i.e. facing the wrong way).
First, cars do not have reflectors on the front so hard to see them parked at night.

But better is when a car approaches you so you move to the right to let them pass on the left. Then they pull right over in front of you because they want to park on the wrong side facing the wrong way! Been nearly hit head on many times by these idiots. Problem is Seattle parking enforcement is lazy - they would rather drive around in their Cushman tri-wheelers chalking tires in a 2 hour zone rather than going one block over and writing 10 tickets per block to these idiots. City says they need more money - so? Write those tickets!