[sustran] Re: [carfree_cities] Re: EU laws to put brake on bikers (motorcyclists) BUT BUT BUT

[D. Scott TenBrink]

Todd E. said, ?I don?t think motorcycles resemble bicycles in any way.?

In addressing motorcycle use, I think it is important to recognize the
similarities of bicycles and motorbikes.  They are both less expensive to
purchase and operate than a four-wheeled vehicle.  They consume a similar
amount of road and parking space.  They both tend to be single occupancy
vehicles (though to a less extent in Asia).  They can both move through 
traffic
by accessing space between lanes, sidewalks, and other informal spaces. 
Operators of both vehicles have a greater tendency to break traffic 
rules and
be overlooked in enforcement of those rules.

This is debatable, but I also find that there is a wider variation in 
operating
behavior in these modes than in four-wheel vehicle operation.  My experience
has been that within both bike and motorcycle operators, there are very
aggressive, very slow-moving, very risky, and very inexperienced riders 
in both
modes.  I think the points I mention above allow for this within-group 
variation
to be more easily expressed than in a car.

Of course there are a great number of differences between the two as 
well. I?m hardly arguing that they should be considered the same in all 
policy, but
to deny any resemblance between the vehicles and their operators may 
blind us to
potential obstacles and solutions.

-Scott