Meditating Whilst Riding a Motorcycle

First Ride

I first rode a motorcycle when I was a teenager visiting Pakistan. I was fascinated by how almost everyone rode motorcycles and considered them an all-in-one vehicle. People would use them to transport their families, animals, and luggage—a practice common in other parts of Asia as well.

Imagine this, but include 3 kids on the back as well

When I first got on a motorcycle, I had no clue what I was doing. I probably went too fast and was terrified. But once I got off the bike, I was hooked.

I then travelled more of Asia and found any excuse to get back on two wheels. My entire time in Bali was spent on a scooter zipping around different beaches, bars, co-working spaces, and coffee shops.

Failing My Test

Once I returned to London, I watched countless YouTube videos, bought a helmet, and signed up for an intensive motorcycle course. (As an aside, I should write about how I taught myself to drive)

My first instructor was an ex-royal marine—a strict, no-nonsense "hard bastard". Whenever he spoke, it was solely to point out what I was doing wrong. Some examples of his great instructions include: “You muppet, why are you hesitating to take the turn?” or “Move, you wanker, you're going too slow.” In all fairness, his tough love motivated me to prove him wrong. With every mistake I made, I could almost hear his voice echoing in my head, followed by his actual voice through my earpiece.

Unsurprisingly, I failed the final module of my motorcycle test. The examiner explained that my riding, marked by a lack of situational awareness, revealed that I was too caught up in my head rather than focused on the road.

Learning to Meditate

I took some time away from the UK and travelled extensively, seizing every opportunity to ride any two-wheeled vehicle I could without a full motorcycle licence.

Deep down, I knew I really wanted to earn my motorcycle licence, so I returned to the UK and found another instructor named Derek.

Derek introduced me to a method that has stuck with me ever since. It not only helped me pass my motorcycle test flawlessly but has also benefited other areas of my life. He observed that many new riders, myself included, tend to dwell on a single mistake. Instead of moving on, that mistake would linger down the road, causing a chain reaction of further errors.

His solution was simple yet powerful: verbalise what you see out loud. I started describing my surroundings as I rode. “There's a bus turning left, that light is turning amber, there's a woman with a pram about to cross the road, a Mini Cooper is emerging from the junction, the speed limit is about to change to 40 miles per hour, and a car is attempting to parallel park.” By continuously verbalising what was in my visual field, I felt completely in control of the motorcycle. I was present, aware of my surroundings, and better able to predict other drivers' actions—ensuring I could navigate any dangerous situations.

A few days later, I passed my motorcycle test without a single fault (you're allowed 10 minor faults).

Conclusion

I have now ridden in multiple countries on several different motorcycles, and I have never once felt out of control or out of my depth. More importantly, my first instructor's harsh voice no longer haunts my rides.

I even use this technique as a walking meditation and while riding a bicycle around New York City.