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Yeah. I've got scars up and down both sides of me from bicycle crashes and road rash.
I can imagine how little would be left coming off a motorbike without leathers.Yeah, less developed countries it is the norm. Sometimes saftey red tape is good. Look at the poor girl in Thailand, the olympic medalist.
skinny-
In the US (in Cali at least) the bike test is super easy and insurance is cheap. You can ride anything you like on a learners permit (I rode a ZX10r.) Makes for a much younger, much more vibrant bike scene than these days in the UK but also some questionable decision making in both riding and apparel. Frankly I'd take the CA system over the UK anyway as I think it's great to see more people on bikes.
I ride almost exclusively in an old leather jacket, jeans and skate shoes these days. Hardly ever wear my full leathers.
Jung
I grew up in Malaysia blasting around wearing shorts, t shirt and flip flops, and drivers over there are much worse than uk. Still feels natural for me to go out in a T shirt, which I used to do often in the summer.
Just been lucky that every time I've come off I've been wearing my jacket. You know it would have been bad when you melt your elbow through a jacket and a hoody...