Title: We have an image problem
Date: March 17, 2008 2:31 PM
Category: My Riding
Tags:

Quick: Think of a friend or relative that doesn’t ride a motorcycle and pretend you’re asking them the question “what do you think of motorcyclists”? Better yet, substitute the word bikers for motorcyclists and I’d guess the answer would probably include some of the following words: “Irresponsible. Dangerous. Reckless. Hooligan. Reprehensible. Careless. Devil-may-care. Threatening. Rash. Daredevil”. I could go on, but you get the idea and I’m not paid by the word (or indeed at all).

Some of you will no doubt let me know that you asked your Gran or your next door neighbor and they used words like “lovely. Friendly”. They may even have said “safe” and that just proves there are exceptions to the rules. But if I were a gambling man I’d lay odds that no-one said “environmentally friendly”. In fact, I dare say most of you don’t even think you are.

Well, maybe environmentally friendly is making too strong a claim, but next time you are on the highway look at the number of cars with only one driver in them. Most of those vehicles do perhaps 6-9 kilometers per liter (that’s 15-20 miles per gallon for those of you in the US that insist on using outmoded units). Most bikes will do at least twice that, even ridden hard. Many bikes are much better than that, even fully loaded. And as far as I know, no-one is really trying to design more fuel efficient bikes yet. That’s also not to mention the lower emissions, reduction in road wear and tear /etc.

In these times of surging gas prices and over-crowded roads, how come there aren’t more bikers? Why isn’t there more done to promote it?

I know there are a lot of inherent drawbacks to using a bike as your only vehicle, so I’ll try and rebuff some of them here.

- Most people wouldn’t feel safe on a bike.
        To this I reply, “Have they ever tried one”? Personally, I’d like to see driving examinations to include some basic instruction and competency on two wheels. Sure, people would complain about not having balance on two wheels but I’d make them take their instruction on scooters. It’d be enough so that people would understand they need to drive paying more attention to the road.

- They don’t carry much stuff
        Easy. Go buy a backpack or better yet, some removable panniers or a top box. Aside from the weekly groceries, how much do most people carry in their normal daily lives anyway?

- You can’t fit the family on a fireblade. Not even a gold wing.
        I’ll concede this one. But most peoples driving doesn’t need you to. So why do so many people drive a seven seater SUV everywhere?

- The weather.
        OK, not a lot I can do here either, but there are such things as decent waterproofs and heated kit. For those of us living in colder climes, I’m sure we could all ride that little bit longer with a little bit of effort.

As far as I am concerned, the motorcycle and it’s brethren are the key to better roads and reducing our consumption of oil, but there also some other things that can be done to further this aim.

Firstly, many of us are weekend bikers. Why? If you go to work in a car, consider taking the bike at least one or two days a week. On the plus side, you can take the long way home and have some fun. Nothing relieves stress like a good flick around on a bike.

Secondly, legislation would help. Better road rules such as permitting lane splitting would give bikes an advantage in heavy traffic. Letting bikes use bus lanes and HOV lanes would be another good step.

Thirdly, tax breaks would help too. In most countries you can get a rebate for buying a Prius or some other “environmentally friendly” car. Why not do the same thing for bikes? The argument might not wash for a fat boy used only on weekends, but maybe there could some criteria based around displacement and/or usage? Even if just a percentage of people bought two wheels for commuter use, even if it was a scooter, it would help.

Finally, we could do more to help ourselves. Even though most of us are cautious, careful riders (at least most of the time) we need to consider ourselves ambassadors. Talk about how green your bike is. When out on good roads, try not to go too nuts. Make sure you remove your helmet when talking to people. Stuff like that. I’m sure you can think of more ways to be a good citizen.

In the meantime, I’ll see what I can do about the weather.

Tags: No Comments