Ars TechnicaThe case for commuting by motorcycle
Despite the reputation, it's better, more practical transit than you might think.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/08/the-case-for-commuting-by-motorcycle/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
RDN@arstechnica@mastodon.social
I commuted by motorcycle year-round in the Pacific Northwest for 37 years, and endorse almost everything in this article. You can be safe, but it requires a lot more focus than driving a car. Many days, my commute was the best part of the day.
I'd recommend a dual-sport bike, though, for visibility, conspicuity, and nimbleness. And as for costs, you save on gas but that's balanced a bit by paying a lot more for tires.
#motorcycles
Number6 :syncthing:@arstechnica@mastodon.social
Seems like an advert for motorcycles.
The fatality rate for motorcycles is 30 times that of automobiles.
The dangers are dismissed in the article by suggesting that people can get training. No mention of the statistics.
https://www.statista.com/chart/18264/the-most-dangerous-ways-to-travel-in-the-us/
Ainsley Lowbeer@arstechnica@mastodon.social I rode a motorcycle for many years, everywhere. Didn't even have a car for 5 of those years. But, I gave it up after having my bike (BMW K75) totally destroyed on an interstate highway in rush hour traffic when a single-driver car pulled into the HOV lane without looking. She got 2 tickets. I got 3 broken bones and six months of excruciating pain.
Now I ride an e-bike. I would ride a motorcycle in the country, but not in the city anymore.
E. C. Bigribs@number6@fosstodon.org This statistic is wildly misleading. Most motorcycle fatalities are single-vehicle accidents where alcohol is involved and protective equipment is not. Don't be that person and your chances improve dramatically.
@arstechnica@mastodon.social
E. C. Bigribs@AinsleyLowbeer@mastodon.social Glad you're ok, but very sad about the flying brick. I had an early-model K75 for 15 years. The guy I sold it to just put it up for sale and I was tempted to buy it back.
@arstechnica@mastodon.social
Ainsley Lowbeer@eedly@mindly.social @arstechnica@mastodon.social I loved that motorcycle.
Ainsley Lowbeer@eedly@mindly.social @arstechnica@mastodon.social I loved that motorcycle.
E. C. Bigribs@AinsleyLowbeer@mastodon.social I swear, if BMW gave K75s the R Nine T modern classic treatment, I'd be first in line. Maybe the only one in line, but first.
@arstechnica@mastodon.social
E. C. Bigribs@AinsleyLowbeer@mastodon.social I swear, if BMW gave K75s the R Nine T modern classic treatment, I'd be first in line. Maybe the only one in line, but first.
@arstechnica@mastodon.social