Do you think America will become more motorcycle friendly?

Question

In the wake of fuel costs, will we see a rise in motorcycle ownership? I hope so.

Answer 1

No...because people are too self centered with their cell phones jammed in their ear while they drive....or reading the news paper while doing 80 MPH on the Hi way.

Answer 2

Praps, in the short term.
But since our beloved two-wheelers are also "fossil fuel dependent" and are not readily converted to bio fuels, I think we may be looking at a future of little short-mileage electric boxes rolling sedately around the city, with intercity travel limited to trains and a few diesel buses and very very few private diesel or altfuel vehicles.
On the plus side, the advent of an electric motorcycle would put a stick in the spokes of those "loud pipes save lives" bowbs. They'll have to figure out a different substitute for testicles.
How's that for a segue?
And speaking of segues, I think it likely we'll see an increase in the ownership of those weirdo machines, as well.

Answer 3

I do hope so! We have had a motorcycle for 35 years now (we bought it while we were engaged) and we just bought our 2nd one 2 years ago. It is great going out on country roads, the feeling is wonderful, and we have not had an accident yet. My brother did, but he is fine. Most riders are cautious and watchful (we are) as you never know what could happen. We get great mileage with both the 650 Triumph (the one we have had for 35 years) and the Harley Dyna Wide Glide, and we enjoy each others company while riding. I usually ride on the back as I like the feeling of closeness that we share - when riding both riders become as one in the way they lean into turns and curves. If there was not so much street repair going on with the routes I take to work, I would use the bike to get back and forth to work as well. My hubby does occasionally. I work at a university, and since the gas has gone up there are at least 14 cycles parked by the guard shack on campus, as my coworkers are using them as much as possible. Others are considering a cycle purchase as well. (there are also at least 20 that ride bicycles to work too) They are safe as long as the people around you respect the fact that a motorcycle is also a vehicle, and as long as the bikers respect the motorists as well. It is usually not bad around here in St Louis, and you see a LOT of cyclists on weekends. (there are the dare devil riders that show off on the rockets, but I do NOT consider them average riders - they are show offs that cause people to think that all riders are like that - weaving in and out of traffic, driving fast and scaring people, it is uncalled for and they need to take it to a private track if they want to do stunts.)

Answer 4

It's already more motorcycle friendly than just a few years ago...and yeah, there's been a rise in motorcycle ownership (not just due to gas prices)...matter of fact, I purchased my first bike last night *grins*

Answer 5

I'm of two minds on this. I wouldn't care if everyone jumped on mopeds, but motorcycles.....that worries me a bit. People who know nothing about bikes, and don't even loooooove them going out and buying them? And then actually riding them.....(shudder). Could be scary.

On the other hand, if it wakes more WOMEN up to the fact that they too can ride, it would be a good thing. As much as bikes are in my blood, I can't believe that it took me so many years before getting my license. It just didn't occur to me to do so!

Answer 6

Yeah there will be a rise in motorcycle ownership. But isn't there one every year? Perhaps a better solution would be to build more refineries and drill for our own oil. If we destroy the habitat of a few caribou, who cares, grill the bastards and be sure to add steak sauce.

Answer 7

If gas gets expensive enough, I think you are right. However, you may also see an increase in smart cars, which are popular in Europe and Asia. After all, many people will decide that motorcycles aren't safe enough for their kids to ride on. And then there's the chance of inclement weather.

Answer 8

I hope not, because motorcycles are very dangerous, specially in the hands of "week end warriors" who really don't know how to ride them and believe they can run faster than a car in case of trouble.
Anyway the cost of having a big bike in repairs and insurance are outrageous and scooters, useful in other places are not good for long distances.

Answer 9

I wasn't aware it wasn't motorcycle friendly. Some of the riders leave a lot to be desired, but otherwise, it's pretty popular.

Mainly, though, it's dangerous in high traffic areas. They're just hard to see and often are going faster than the flow of traffic, which means they come up on you out of nowhere.

Answer 10

No for the same reason we don't embrace small cars, diesel autos, and open-wheel racing. Face it, we're not Europeans - that is why we have Independence Day.
On the flip side, We are seeing more scooters on the roads these days, and the Discovery Channel has had much to do with popularizing bikes.

Answer 11

We saw it happen in the seventies with the fake oil embargo. I don't know that it was good for motorcycling, though.

When you have a lot people who think of a bike as solely cheap transport, I think you'll have a lot of careless or inept riders. Once you get the do-gooders stirred up in the state capitol, trying to protect granny against herself, all of us will feel the heat.