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Motorcycles a Solution to Freeway Congestion

by Steve
Monday, March 21, 2005

I was reading a letter published in the Orange County Register about freeway congestion. The writer wanted to know why light rail and monorail would not relieve congestion. I posted an answer on one of my other blogs.

But I wanted to propose the use of motorcycles as a way to relieve congestion. Perhaps States across our country can make legislative changes to encourage the use of motorcycles as commuter vehicles.

Some ideas that States can implement:

  1. Eliminate registration fees for motorcycles, or incorporate a registration fee based on engine displacement size. Perhaps engines ranging from 0-650cc, have free registration. 651-1000cc have a certain fee. While 1001-1999 have a higher fee, and 2000 and up have the highest registration fee. The important part is to offer free registration for commuter-size motorcycles.


  2. Eliminate motorcycle licensing endorsements - This can be limited to motorcycles with 650cc engines or smaller. If you're riding such a motorcycle, then you don't need to get a special license to operate it.


  3. Allow motorcycles to ride for free on toll roads and toll bridges, and allow motorcycles to ride on car pool lanes. I think most states allow motorcycles on car pool lanes, but I don't know about allowing them to ride for free on toll roads and bridges.


  4. Eliminate laws against lane splitting. Many states still allow lane-splitting, some don't.


  5. Got any other ideas?
The politically-correct crowd will take pleasure in knowing that most motorcycles can get between 40-60 MPG, and that small-displacement motorcycles are very affordable to low-income households.

But if 25% of the daily commuters could make a switch from cars to motorcycles, then perhaps we could see some improvement in the flow of traffic.

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4 Comments:

  • A couple things, California is the only state that currently allows lane splitting. Also a motorcycle can ride in the carpool lane on any federally subsidised road. That includes just about every freeway in the country.

    By Anonymous James - Whybike.com, at 3/21/2005 12:12:00 PM  

  • I can see one slight problem. In the rush to get on the road, many of the would-be commuters would be entering the riding world without any skills training.

    This would lead to many deaths and injuries due to a lack of skill. I think the proper idea would be that registration and other fees would be free if proof of a valid MSF course was presented. It would be a tradeoff, but I would rather have more riders with skills than more with less skills.

    Just a point

    By Anonymous Kevin Haryett, at 3/21/2005 07:17:00 PM  

  • Hmmm. yes, but if you look at what's happening in Paris, France, it's the opposite!! They're planning to ban all motorcycles by 2012 !! All in the name of polution !!!

    And I agree with Kevin, that you still need some instruction for motorcycles, even if it's 650. In France, you can ride a motorcycle less than 125 cc without a license. The number of road deaths has tripled in that time frame, and out insurance rates are now siffering !!

    By Anonymous Mike Werner, at 3/22/2005 02:25:00 AM  

  • I agree with Kevin. Make it easier to ride a motorcycle...encourage it...but require the MSF course in lieu of just paying a fee.

    By Blogger Bob, at 3/22/2005 11:09:00 AM  

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