Motorcycles

Motorcycles are two or three-wheeled motor vehicles steered by a handlebar from a saddle-style seat. They are a highly efficient means of transporting yourself over long distances at a fraction of the cost of a car. They are also fun to ride. The physical demands of riding a motorcycle require the rider to be in excellent shape, but the rewards of motorcycling are considerable: the exhilarating wind in your face as you accelerate through curves, the camaraderie of group rides on the weekend, and a sense of freedom that few other vehicles can match.

Modern mass-produced motorcycles have largely standardised on a steel or aluminium frame, telescopic forks holding the front wheel and disc brakes. Engines range from small single-cylinder two-stroke units to large V-8s, with a variety of transmission systems driving the rear-wheel sprockets via chains or belts.

Motorcycle safety is a significant concern, with a high percentage of motorcycle-vehicle crashes resulting in serious injury or death. Many of these accidents are caused by drivers of other vehicles failing to recognize the presence of a motorcycle, either by turning into its path or failing to check behind it before changing lanes. Inexperienced riders are another significant cause of fatal accidents, as they tend to underestimate the speed and maneuverability of a motorcycle, and may misjudge its turning radius or overestimate their ability to keep control in a turn.

There is a strong argument for the mandatory education and licensing of motorcycle riders, including training in rider skills and safety, and the use of helmets, protective clothing and eyewear. A growing number of people have swapped their cars for a motorcycle as a result of increasing fuel prices, but the fact remains that fewer people are trained to operate one, and the more inexperienced the rider, the more likely they are to get into trouble.