There is a little bit of good advice that they are trying to convey…most young guys will have a hard time not getting too agressive on a bike and that will get you into trouble eventually…but that being said, I know some guys that are in their 50s that really aren’t mature enough to ride…short temper, agressive behavior…they have a hard time driving their car without blowing a fuse and driving like an ass…
It really isn’t how old you are, but the decisions you make while operating the bike that decides whether you are mature enough or not…if you can make good decisions and not get caught up in the stunting on the streets, then you are “old enough”…
Get the gear, take the rider training and get a sensible bike to start with…that should let those people know that you are ready for riding by limiting or mitigating the risk involved with the sport.
Only you know if you are ready or not…
Good Luck…and have a blast doing it!!
Later.