Motorcycle Banning From Public Roads

[TomyJ]

I found this in "Yahoo News" WTF!

Motorcycle Banning From Public Roads Becoming Reality?Hear us out before drawing a knee-jerk conclusion.A new report out of the UK sheds some light on a possible and disturbing new trend: county councils there might be trying to ban motorcycles from public roads slowly. The reasoning is reportedly that getting rid of motorcycles will save motorcyclists’ lives.This is like the old saying about burning down the village to save the village. And while it might seem overly alarmist to say motorcycles could be banned from public roads in the UK, US, or anywhere else by justifying the lives saved by just such a measure, we’ve seen in 2020 all kinds of radical changes to public health enforcement using the same reasoning.One of the counties in England that’s been cited by British Motorcyclists Federation, Trail Riders Fellowship, Motorcycle Action Group, and Vintage Motor Cycle Club is Oxfordshire. Statements about the safety, environmental impact, and space requirements of motorcycles have reportedly been brought up by county officials. And while bike enthusiasts and others have been able to address these concerns, they could easily pop up anywhere else.Just look at the NHTSA page about motorcyclist safety, which declares “motorcycle riders are still over-represented in traffic fatalities.” Measures to make drivers more aware, teach motorcyclists to ride more defensibly, and to boost helmet usage have had only small effects. All it takes is a push from politicians or bureaucrats to make riding a bike in public the enemy of the people.Yes, before 2020 we would’ve written this kind of talk off as alarmist, a wild conspiracy theory developed by people with overactive imaginations and too much time on their hands. But after watching sweeping, unquestioned health policies enacted in many areas with little to no discussion about whether or not they should even be put into place, coupled with the reluctance to roll most of those back because “if they save just one life they’re worth the sacrifice”, we can see the same possibly happening with motorcycles.Another potential avenue that’s been cited for potentially banning motorcycles from public roads is these so-called “zero emissions zones.” Instead of overtly stating motorcycles pollute and therefore are banned, they’ve been completed omitted from plans for these zones in different areas.That might seem like an odd way of getting rid of a vehicle which is far more fuel efficient than something with four wheels, but they’re not “zero emissions” and so the concern seems justified. Plus, county councils have argued the engines on motorcycles pollute more than car engines. While there are electric motorcycles on the market, just like with electric cars they’re out the financial reach for most. There are other design shortcomings of electric bikes people can debate all day long.Another attack being leveled at motorcycles by city and county councils has been their size. That one feels like it’s out of left field, but the reasoning is that motorcycles are apparently far larger than bicycles, so they require more space to park. With the advent of electric bicycles, it seems some feel motorcycle are no longer welcome in dense urban areas. That’s shocking since one would think they’d be warmly welcomed as an alternative to cars.Think this couldn't happen in the United States? Consider this: Governor Newsom of California has declared new gas-powered vehicles will be banned from his state in just 15 years. This move has been hailed by some as a solution to climate change. What would it take to start banning gas-powered vehicles from certain cities and counties?As for banning "dangerous" vehicles from US roads, we've seen calls for that as well. Motor1 and others questioned if the Dodge Demon should be legal to drive on public streets. This concern isn't so far-fetched after all.What we’re talking about isn’t necessarily sweeping and sudden legislation that bans motorcycles from all roads. No, it’s more likely going to be a subtle, gradual thing where they’re disinvited from certain areas of different cities and counties. That ban then slowly grows over time as public opinion turns against the perceived dangers of bikes, including environmental. In other words, everyone needs to stay alert and be watchful for anti-motorcycle bias since it seems it might be growing.Source: British Motorcyclists Federation

Leave it to the damn Brits, but then again they did the helmet law first...

[MikeyTX]

Not really worried about it. The way a lot of to days riders roll, they are reducing their numbers on a regular basis.

[rhino 2]

Loud pipes lose rights......Just a thought to ponder ÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷÷≠≠

[hogcowboy]

I say go for it. But start by proving you can do it by banning cell phones. If you can do that then let's talk about why banning motorcycles MIGHT be a good idea. But start with cell phones. And if you can, show how many motorcyclist lives were save with that little move.

[cScjhb]

Pebble Beach, California (of course) bans all motorcycles from it's scenic 17 mile drive. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. But I don't think the ban is for our own good. I think they just don't like us..... Jim

[rhino 2]

Pebble Beach, California (of course) bans all motorcycles from it's scenic 17 mile drive. It's been that way for as long as I can remember. But I don't think the ban is for our own good. I think they just don't like us..... Jim

Might have something to do with loud pipes.......Or the C.A.F............

[cScjhb]

A few years ago the town of Carefree, AZ had signs warning vehicles they would be ticketed if they violated the noise level of a specific decibel. The neighboring town of Cave Creek rolled out the welcome mat for bikers. There are still many biker friendly eateries there. After some time of inconsistent noise enforcement, Carefree quietly removed the signs and joined the rest of the free world..... Jim

[trike lady]

Another thing is motorcycle owners pay taxes, they pay the gas tax at the pump, their registration fees and then their property taxes as well as many other government imposed taxes. You ride on a toll road/bridge you pay the fee.

[Phu Cat]

As far as motorcyclists being over represented in accident figures, it might be a good idea to look at WHY they're over represented. Most of us know that a huge cause is car drivers turning left in front of them or changing lanes into them. We can't blame the motorcyclists for that. Also, moped riders are lumped into the motorcyclist category at statistic time and moped riders are notorious for not only being unskilled, but their brakes aren't the best. Whenever I strike up a conversation with another rider, I try to work a question about 'counter-steering' into the conversation in a friendly way. Even after years of training classes, a fair amount of two wheel riders don't understand the importance of counter steering and how to do it. There are still a few out there that believe using the front brake will throw you over the handlebars.

We still have a little ways to go.

PC

[brianl]

Biden just confirmed in last night's debate that he wants to phase out the oil industry in the next 5 to 10 years. We won't have to worry about being banned from roads. It's hard to drive on a road without gasoline.

[rhino 2]

As far as motorcyclists being over represented in accident figures, it might be a good idea to look at WHY they're over represented. Most of us know that a huge cause is car drivers turning left in front of them or changing lanes into them. We can't blame the motorcyclists for that. Also, moped riders are lumped into the motorcyclist category at statistic time and moped riders are notorious for not only being unskilled, but their brakes aren't the best. Whenever I strike up a conversation with another rider, I try to work a question about 'counter-steering' into the conversation in a friendly way. Even after years of training classes, a fair amount of two wheel riders don't understand the importance of counter steering and how to do it. There are still a few out there that believe using the front brake will throw you over the handlebars.

We still have a little ways to go.

PC

Counter-Steering should be intuitive........I think many riders use it without even knowing it...And the ones not using it stop riding because of the fatigue of trying to turn a bike.....Or if they continue to ride they fall into Einstein's definition of insanity...

[kwkride]

There are still a few out there that believe using the front brake will throw you over the handlebars.

We still have a little ways to go.

Luckily that is getting really rare. I have been teaching MSF courses for 24 years. It used to be fairly common for a student to tell us that "My buddy told me not to use the front brake". Now we almost never hear that out of the new students.

[Phu Cat]

Rhino and Hog are both right regarding loud pipes and cell phones.

But if they do decide to outlaw us, all they'll have to do is make it illegal to license one. If the DMV won't license you and you try to ride anyway odds are pretty good sooner or later yer gonna get stopped and your bike will be impounded. (I understand some localities aren't too careful with how they handle motorcycles.) This instantly makes a machine you may have worked years to pay for, worthless. Sounds a lot like a conspiracy to me. But that's the left for ya.

PC

[k-dog]

years ago if you told someone they would be laws requiring you to wear helmet or seat belts, they would said your crazy. now if you dont wear them they say your crazy. the gov. has a way of brain washing you to think it right thing to do. i think seatbelts and helmets save lives,but i dont think it is their place to make me do it. as for loud pipes i like to here what my motor.

[rhino 2]

years ago if you told someone they would be laws requiring you to wear helmet or seat belts, they would said your crazy. now if you dont wear them they say your crazy. the gov. has a way of brain washing you to think it right thing to do. i think seatbelts and helmets save lives,but i dont think it is their place to make me do it. as for loud pipes i like to here what my motor.

I had a neighbor down the street from me..Who was on the Job.....And every morning at around 5Am...The would like to hear his bike warming up...Then when he powered up the hill to leave for the job my windows would rattle ....

So i had a talk with him....So being the PC Guy i am , I said to him playing dumb! I hear you go by every morning do you know that you have a hole in your muffler?...He said i bought the bike used , Im going to put stock pipes back on..And he did..

Seat belts/Helmets ....Doesn't effect me have fun....But loud pipes !...