Americans have yet to come to terms with motorcycles in the same way that most of the world has. Many countries are teeming with motorcycles. In some, they outnumber cars by a wide margin. However, to many people in "the states," motorcycles are still relegated to the bottom of the transportation hierarchy--somewhere above hitchhiking--and are often still seen as purely recreational. I have a hard time understanding why this is, but I have a four theories:
1.) Space: No, not the final frontier, but rather the distance between our "sea to shining sea." Motorcycles, no matter how comfortable, are conveyances that can never offer the comfort of an automobile. Traveling a long distance on one has historically been the province of only the most iron-butted of individuals. Studies have shown that the average daily round trip for American workers is an hour-and-a-half. That is a lot of time to spend in the saddle of a motorcycle, and bad weather is hard to tolerate for a commute that long. This drastically limits a motorcycle as a consideration as a sole means of transport.
2.) Stigma: This reason, despite its potential to be the #1 most important, will remain innocently un-ranked in this assessment. In America, motorcycles are ridden by rebels and those who want to look like rebels. They are ridden by those who will ride through a blistering hailstorm, and by those who wear similar gear, talk tough, but only venture out on the weekends. Either way, as a rule, they are not ridden throughout the week by your neighbor the computer programmer. Fifty years ago, fathers wouldn't let their daughters date a guy who showed up on a motorcycle. It was this sort of "rough" characteristic that motorcyclists had to live with, some enjoyed, and many have tried to emulate.
3.) Spoiled Rottenness: There is a good reason that motorcycles are often shoved into the realm of recreation by average Americans. We're spoiled. Unless men or women is crave the unbridled exposure to nature and mechanical goodness that motorcycling offers, we as Americans have no other reason to pursue such seemingly base forms of passage. In other countries, the length of the average commute is shorter, the streets are narrower, the parking at home is nearly nonexistent, and the budget is often tighter. In American, motorcycles are often the 2nd, (if you're single) 3rd, or 4th vehicle in the lineup.
4.) Risk: Despite our nation's rebellious heritage, the similarly risky nature of motorcycling is a bit off-putting to the majority of U.S. citizens. Today's American seems to be very safety conscious. Insurance statistics are quoted, personal anecdotes are shared, and demeaning comments are made by relatives. After all, a personal injury suffered while on a motorcycle could jeopardize the well-being of an otherwise discerning individual after a fine day of eating at Burger King, watching Jersey Shore and propping one's self up with the latest prescription drug or energy drink.
How can motorcycling rise above such cultural funk? The "green" movement may hold the answer. Today's motorcycles (even the big V-twins) produce fuel mileage numbers that challenge the most technologically advanced hybrid cars on the market, often for one third of the price (or less if you buy used). Despite the persistence of "HOV" lanes, the truth remains that most people travel to work alone. There are plenty of used motorcycles available that get over 45 miles per gallon, so why waste our resources to build a $30,000-40,000 hybrid car that sports 4 seats (three of which will go unused on a regular basis) when a $2,500 motorcycle will do? Forget the crazy Lithium batteries, nasty sticker shock, and college professor stigma. It's time for the "green" movement to embrace something that has been here all along--the humble, enjoyable, economical motorcycle.
