11-13-2018, 11:41 AM
Most states are seeing motorists drive more miles: Nearly 70 percent of states recorded an increase in motorcycle miles traveled since 2011. Many years ago the average number of miles that motorcycles were actually ridden in the US was ridiculously low. In my view the reduction in the sales is mostly that we had way to many bikes that were not being used effectively.
If mopeds that are actually functioning like motorcycles were counted as such then the true figure might show that motorcycles are on the increase. In Virginia if a moped is operated in excess of 35 mph or has a motor that displaces more than 50 CCs, it is considered a motorcycle. There are a LOT of mopeds around here that are clearly bigger that 50cc and can travel much faster than 35. These riders are ‘cheating’, so to speak, the system, not that it matters to me.
Autonomous vehicle should reduce the risk associated with riding a motorcycle. These technologies can (and I hope that they do) greatly reduce the risk from: 1. Left turners, 2. Vehicles entering the highway from the right, 3. Vehicles crossing the lane boundaries, and 4. other interactions with motor bikes. I don’t know that these will actually happen but I am certain that insurance companies want it to happen and that the technology already exists to make it so. If and when it does happen that my view is that motorcycle sales should increase.
If mopeds that are actually functioning like motorcycles were counted as such then the true figure might show that motorcycles are on the increase. In Virginia if a moped is operated in excess of 35 mph or has a motor that displaces more than 50 CCs, it is considered a motorcycle. There are a LOT of mopeds around here that are clearly bigger that 50cc and can travel much faster than 35. These riders are ‘cheating’, so to speak, the system, not that it matters to me.
Autonomous vehicle should reduce the risk associated with riding a motorcycle. These technologies can (and I hope that they do) greatly reduce the risk from: 1. Left turners, 2. Vehicles entering the highway from the right, 3. Vehicles crossing the lane boundaries, and 4. other interactions with motor bikes. I don’t know that these will actually happen but I am certain that insurance companies want it to happen and that the technology already exists to make it so. If and when it does happen that my view is that motorcycle sales should increase.