Don't Bike

In these present economically-difficult times of outrageously-inflated gasoline prices, you might question the commanding title.

Be it understood that pedaled bicycles were not intended to be exclusively referred to, but instead: motorbikes, motorscooters, and motorcycles.

You still might deem the title of this webpage perplexing at best and rather questionable at worst.

Being that several types and makes of all-battery electric cars are already in limited production (such as the Reva, Zenn, E-Ride, and Zapcar), this webauthor feels bold enough to "de-ride" any and all two-wheeled vehicles burning hydrocarbon fuel which pollutes the atmosphere and exacerbates global warming.

Contemplate the following Scripture verses as they either could apply or do not apply to motorbikes, motorscooters, and motorcycles:

1Sa 17:49 (paraphrase) And [dump-trucker] David put his hand [on the truck steering wheel] and [his tire hit] a stone, [his heavy-construction-tire] slung it, and struck the [motorcyclist] Philistine on his [non-helmeted] forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.
Ps 73:18 (paraphrase) Truly You do set [motorcyclists] in slippery places; You do make them fall to ruin.
Ps 91:5 (paraphrase) [Four-wheeled-vehicle drivers] will not fear the terror of the [hard-for-motorcyclists-to-see-obstructions] night, nor the arrow that flies [into non-helmeted motorcyclists] by day
2Pe 3:17 (paraphrase) You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless men and lose your own [gyroscopically-motorcycling] stability.

With that Divine preparation, here is a partial listing of the possibly-lethal or potentially-dangerous disadvantages of riding a motorbike, motorscooter, or motorcycle:

1. Turning left or right on a graveled-road or rained-on intersection with a two-wheeled bike might result in debilitating sudden loss of traction.
2. Even driving forward on a graveled road, a bridge with metal-strips instead of pavement, or a road with somewhat-curvy construction grooves in it causes difficulty in maintaining stability.
3. Two-wheeled bikes are discomforting at least and life-threatening at worst in heavy rain because of painfully-impacting high-speed rain-pellets like zinging BBs seriously interfering with visibility and adversely affecting traction.
4. Freezing cold at non-shielded high speed quickly numbs fingers, toes, kneecaps, and windburns the face.
5. It is difficult to maintain gyroscopic stability when inching along in near-standstill congestion-hour traffic, and constantly changing gears with a clutch for always-changing driving speed is wearisome.
6. It is hot to inch along in near-standstill congestion-hour traffic during very-warm summer days with the sun beating down on a non-shielded motorcyclist.
7. Motorcycles are not known for their compared-against-four-wheeled-vehicles luggage-carrying capabilities (unless they have very-limited-capacity trailers).
8. Older motorcycles, like older lawnmowers, do not have catalytic converters, and thus the exhaust from such have that noxious stink characteristic of cars years ago which also did not and do not have catalytic converters.
9. Harleys in particular have frighteningly-loud noise which severely scares and momentarily destabilizes non-suspecting four-wheeled-vehicles drivers suddenly passed from behind by speeding Harleys.
10. The somewhat-indecent naked-armed and/or nude-legged and/or socklessly-sandal-footed immodestly of some females riding as passengers on motorcyles is more obnoxiously visible and sexually-harassing to other highway travelers.
11. Long-term seating is more uncomfortable and leg movements more restricted for motorcyclists.
12. Parts and repair service for motorcycles is inconveniently limited and not as readily available in contrast to four-wheeled vehicles, and frequent adjusting tension of and oiling the drive chain in older motocycles is a nuisance.
13. Motorcycles are more challenging to tow than four-wheeled vehicles.
14. Older motorcycles have more exposed mechanical parts compared to four-wheeled vehicles involving impairing mischief committed by vandals.
15. Motorcycles are easier to tip over compared to four-wheeled vehicles.
16. Even helmeted motorcyclists are more vulnerable (than passengers in windshielded four-wheeled vehicles) to getting hit by flying obstructions (bees, rocks, meteors, bullets, etc.)
17. Only two passengers - and no more - can ride a typical motorcycle (without an obtrusive and obstructive sidecar).
18. No seatbeats for riders on motorcycles frequently results in horrendous catastrophic injuries for thrown-and-flying motorbike, motorscooter, and motorcycle riders.
19. Gas mileage for a large motorcycle is in actuality not that much different than for a mini Smart car, a Geo Metro, or comparable subcompact, four-wheeled, flex-fueled vehicle.
20. Collision damage against motorcycles and motorcycle riders is obviously more devastating than for belted passengers in large four-wheeled vehicles.
21. It is more difficult to change a worn or flat tire on a motorbike, motorscooter, and motorcycle than on a four-wheeled vehicle.