Motorbikes Scooters
Cars can transport four persons in comfort on considerable journeys with little thought on the part of the driver. Both driver and passengers are shielded throughout the journey; they are protected from the weather conditions and, to a large extent, collisions with other road vehicles. It is no surprise that motor car insurance is often dearer thanbike insuranceorscooter insurance.
However most trips are of short duration, and there is very often only one individual in the car. Around 1-2 tonnes of metal are being heaved about to transport someone of say 110 kg. Reflect on of all the wasted space in having to cater for these large motor cars carrying one person. Roads and car parks are designed and built to accommodate this empty car space.
The reality is, I don’t want everyone to have a motorbike, as I like to think I’m a bit unique and also I don’t think all road users would be alert enough to survive on a powered two wheeler. Part of the problem is that learners start on less powerful bikes, which, because they are underpowered, travel too slowly for the traffic around them. Then there are larger motorcycles for those who have passed their test, which give the rider so much power, it's tempting to abuse it. I'm not as a rule an anti-social fool, but with such power at hand, I can end up being like that on a motorbike, which means the more irresponsible could perhaps create greater danger on our roads when they taste that power.
I enjoy the uniqueness of owning a motorbike and think it just wouldn’t be so pleasant if everyone had one. But while I don’t wish everyone to ride a bike and am aware many wouldn’t be suited to it, I consider it would be better if one in four persons had one. If one in four was capable of riding a bike, it would be great for us all. Travel to many towns and cities in Europe, and there are huge numbers of motorbikes, mopeds and scooters on the roads. This really helps traffic to flow more easily, and travelling on the road is less stressful land more convenient as is locating parking space. I am not sure if this practice is a cultural thing, or because of incentives or disincentives. I do not hold out much hope for the current UK state of affairs becoming more like that in the rest of Europe, as, despite having free parking for bikes in many major English cities, powered two wheelers are certainly few and far between.
For me, though, the real reason that bikes are superior to motor cars is how they affect your emotional wellbeing. "Four wheels move the body but two wheels move the soul." This adage is very familiar to bikers, and alludes to the personal feeling that is experienced because of participation in the trip. There is a sense of personal control and freedom in the alertness and often physical strength of being on two wheels. Despite being comfortable and secure in a car, you do not enjoy think you have the ability to act freely which you can experience on a motorbike.
