Modern Vespa

I was reading something lately that talked about the relaxing and therapeutic effects that the colours green and blue can have on the human brain. It talked about the colour choices people make when decorating their homes and offices with research showing that pastel shades of various greens and blues had calming and relaxing effects, simulating nature. When taken outside, this also proved to be the case, they said, with visits to the countryside and seaside where grass, sky and sea tend to be of these colours. Hence, a certain feeling of wellness and being at peace with the world during and after such a visit.

I then concluded, this must be the same effect (coupled with the awareness and skill required to be in tune with your machine and ride succesfully on two-wheels) when I venture out on, invariably, local country lanes and the overwhelming desire to do the same again soon.

Just a thought!

https://www.newswise.com/articles/new-neurobiological-study-finds-riding-a-motorcycle-can-decrease-stress-and-improve-mental-focus

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mental-health-benefits-riding-motorcycle-gearscanada/

https://www.topspeed.com/why-riding-a-motorcycle-is-good-for-your-physical-mental-health/

https://www.zifflaw.com/ny-biker-law/study-says-motorcycling-is-good-for-your-brain-says-ny-and-pa-motorcycle-lawyer/

I concur.

"It was only a motorcycle but it felt like a mode of being".

Rachel Kushner, The Flamethrowers

Why people like to ride motorcycles

webBikeWorld

"We have a wacky theory for why people like to ride motorcycles, and it goes like this: The act of riding is a form of meditation, because the concentration that's required to safely ride a motorcycle tends to focus the mind in a way that eliminates other mental distractions that might interfere with the mission. This creates a single-mindedness that, in effect, displaces the continuous stream of thoughts that normally flow through our consciousness.

"Thoughts about what to eat, who to meet, and worries about the common stresses of everyday life, such as pressures from work and home, disappear from our minds during the ride, because the concentration that's necessary to focus on the ride pushes those thoughts far into the background. The result is that the mind becomes refreshed after a ride just like it would after a session of formal meditation or a relaxing vacation.

"Just like some people get "hooked" on meditation, motorcyclists get hooked on riding because of the mental relief that it brings. I wouldn't be surprised if someone discovers that endorphins or something are released during the act of riding. I'm sure you've noticed that you can't "zone out" on a motorcycle like you can when driving a car. Riding safe means being focused and alert at all times – which is one of the reasons why it's so important to stop and rest at frequent intervals when riding a motorcycle on a long trip."

Riding is definitely therapeutic - and yes you can't be sleepy or tired.

Like sparring/combat, or video games. Actively avoiding death makes you feel alive.

nope

There's an old saying, 'You never see a motorcycle parked outside of a psychiatrist's office'.

lol, I do park my gts in front of my psychiatrist

I'm psychotherapist. You do see my motorcycle parked outside my office.

My interns call me "Badass".

It may be a wacky theory, but I think it is true.

I can be very stressed but after a ride with the BV I feel relaxed.

I have giving it some thinking why that is, although the riding itself is indeed requiring a lot of concentration.

I came to a similar explanation, with one extra thought: driving a scooter, or a motorcycle in general, brings you in direct contact with the elements: the temperature, the wind, the smells. Maybe it is because it brings you in a more ancestral contact with nature.

Definitely engages the brain more...not in the same league perhaps, but when someone brought my mother a jigsaw puzzle recently when she was recovering from illness, I found out how addicting they were for me. ( Not mom, unfortunately ) I've spent some time pondering the different way they engage the brain....

I'd rather scoot, but then there's winter...

My neighbor , who was a pilot, first military then commercial, told me that the sensation of banking an airplane to turn is the same as when you lean to turn a moto. Speed irrelevant. It requires the inner ear, through the vestibular system , to make sense of the data of turning. As humans, we find that sensation very pleasing.

My fav part of riding is turning.

Interesting, thanks.

I'm with you, turning is my favorite part as well, or should I say leaning in a corner/turn?

No doubt about it.There's something meditative about the "unconscious" concentration involved when riding.

You may be onto something there Peter, I feel massively destressed from just riding my Bicycle around for 30 miles or so even though before I go out on it I'm thinking is it worth the effort of spending 2.5 hours risking life and limb just to be fitter by 0.1% or whatever, The answer when I get home is always "I'm so glad I found the enthusiasm to get off my arse and go out and do it"

I am beyond that point. I know the ride will do me good.
So I take the BV for a ride on Saturday whenever weather conditions are reasonable. And if not there is always the Sunday as an alternative option.

If scooting on the road doesn't help you could try an amphibious version:

Not for all of us!

Many of us choose to live where we can scoot year round.

As for "Is scooting good for the brain?"

Absolutely!

Bill