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Three Ways Motorcycles Are Greener Than Cars

– Contributed content-

Rider seated on motorcycle

(Mabel Amber, Pixabay)

7 Nov. 2018. Throughout history, cars and motorcycles have taken good-versus-evil roles in the public consciousness. Cars were the good guy; the safe, reliable choice that everyone could own. Motorcycles, on the other hand, were the bad guy; most frequently ridden by actual bad boys, dangerous, and tied to a counter-culture that many people abhor.

However, in the 21st century, those roles have changed somewhat. Cars are still very much the ‘norm’, but they’re not necessarily the white hat anymore – largely due to emissions, and scandals related to emissions. Motorcycles, oddly enough, have actually become more acceptable, due in no small part to the ‘green’ benefits they are able to offer. For example…

Motorcycles have fewer parts

This may sound like a statement of fact dressed up as a benefit, but there are real ‘green’ credentials behind it. Fewer parts equals fewer items to manufacture, which equals less pollution during the manufacturing process, and a reduced environmental impact as a result. To really double-down on this particular benefit, you could visit the likes of this motorcycle shop and purchase a pre-owned bike; an older bike has already gone through the manufacturing process, so your purchase is entirely neutral in this regard.

Motorcycles place less pressure on the transport infrastructure

Motorcycles are lighter than modern cars, which means they place less stress on transport infrastructure such and roads and bridges. The less damage that is caused, the less decidedly environmentally-unfriendly repair work needs to be performed, which reduces the burden on resources and materials. While this may seem like a small benefit, it’s definitely worth factoring into your decision, especially given that modern cars are heavier than ever – anything that reduces pressure on infrastructure is undeniably beneficial.

Motorcycles offer emissions benefits

There are two particular emissions-related benefits that motorcycles offer:

  • As mentioned above, modern cars are heavier than ever. This fact is bad news for transport infrastructure, but also for fuel efficiency; the heavier a vehicle is, the more fuel it uses. In this regard, motorcycles are definitely preferable; they weigh far less than cars, so they use less fuel.
  • Secondly, motorcycles are famed for their ability to keep moving. Motorcycles are able to cut through traffic and, where legal, split lanes in order to remain in motion. This is a particularly significant benefit when considering motorcycles as a ‘greener’ alternative. Studies have shown that idling engines are a major cause of emissions; in fact, an engine idling may actually be emitting twice as much as it would when in motion. Given that one of the major causes of idling is being stuck in traffic, motorcycles – which are far less likely to get stuck in traffic – definitely have the upper hand in this regard.

In conclusion

Motorcycles have far superior green credentials to their four-wheeled cousins, an acknowledgement that marks a strange transformation in the public imagination. While this change is undeniably a little strange to behold, if you are looking for a more environmentally-friendly choice for your next vehicle, a motorcycle could well be worth considering.

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