Bikers Actually Reduce Traffic and Emissions

[Wild1Poet2]

Here's an interesting study. Something we've all known but now the scientists are catching on. All the self righteous motorcycle haters are not going to like this study. They should have incentives for those who ride motorcycles. Maybe tax credits. In addition to what the study shows bikers reduce parking problems in urban areas. Loud exhausts also scare away nuisance crows and geese.

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs...cid=autos_2417

Swapping cars for bikes drastically reduces traffic and emissions, according to a new study.

We know that motorcycles get far better gas mileage than passenger cars and trucks, so it follows that if motorcycles replaced cars on the roads, gas consumption would decrease. But traffic would also drop significantly -- a revelation that comes courtesy of a new study by a Belgian transportation-research firm.
Researchers used computer-modeling software to analyze a stretch of highway between the Belgian cities of Leuven and Brussels, pulling from rush-hour traffic statistics during a typical workday last May. They found that if 10 percent of cars were replaced by motorcycles, drivers' commuting times would decrease by 40 percent and emissions would drop by 6 percent. (The latter is a combination of the fact that motorcycles inherently have lower emissions and that emission rates drop as a vehicle's speed increases -- which it is wont to do when traffic lightens or dissipates.)

Moreover, when the results were extrapolated to Belgium's other highways, the time savings for all vehicles was 15,000 hours per day. And when 25 percent of cars were swapped out for motorcycles, traffic was eliminated entirely.

The explanation for the traffic cure is simple enough. "When there is little traffic on the road, it can be expected that motorcycles will take up as much space on the road as cars," researchers wrote. "However, when the road becomes busier, and the speed of the traffic flow falls, motorcycles take up less space. Some motorcycles keep less distance from the vehicle in front or ride between two lanes." And when car traffic stops altogether, motorcycles keep moving thanks to lane splitting -- the practice of steering between rows of cars lined up in traffic lanes, which is legal in many parts of the world.

Since the study incorporated only statistics on Belgium's primary roads, its main commuter thoroughfares, there are limits to what researchers can do to predict further-reaching traffic reductions. But they speculate that secondary roads would experience a similar traffic boon: "Based on a number of partial reflections, it can be expected that the time benefit is of the same order of magnitude as that of the primary road network," they wrote, though they added that "additional research is needed to substantiate this statement."

[RacingOrangeRoadster]

I wonder why lane splitting in some form isn't adopted in every state? In the most traffic congested parts around Atlanta there are wide lanes on at least one side of the roadway and it would be easy to make a 4 foot wide lane for motorcycles. Of course you would have some fool riding 55 and blocking the lane.

[arthureld]

Lane splitting is definatly safer than waiting to get sandwiched in traffic.

But the people who make the rules don't get it. Most of them don't ride.

[RacingOrangeRoadster]

I've been thinking about joining ABATE but I don't see them accomplishing anything. I don't want to invest my time and money in a Paper Tiger. Are there any other organizations out there fighting for things bikers want?

[arthureld]

ABATE would be a good place to start.

I belong but am not very active. When I go, I'm more looking for a good time than to get involved. lol
So I can't complain. But I did see people who were involved and getting things done.

One thing that surprised me was that biker clubs are very much involved with ABATE around here. Which adds a whole nuther dimension.
I haven't stuck my nose in far enough to know if that is a good or bad thing.

[Wild1Poet2]

Motorcycling is more accepted in Europe because of the high fuel prices and insurance costs. You see office workers riding to work in suits with briefcases bungeed onto their bikes. There it's just a mode of transporation. Here it's viewed as a dangerous antisocial thing.

[arthureld]

They also have separate lanes for scooters and bicycles.

So they have a side walk for walking and a sidewalk for bicycles and scooters.

And the road for cars and motorcycles.

All three have traffic lights.

It is amazing how many people ride bicycles in Europe. Probably about 1000% more than here.

[Wild1Poet2]

If I was mayor of Boston I would put free motorcycle parking around the city and at all public transit stops to encourage motorcycles and reduce parking and traffic congestion. Bikers usually find spots where they can park for free but I'd make it official. If you park up on the sidewalk sometimes they come and ticket you.

Some parts of Boston they try to keep bikers out by passing noise ordinances. In the backbay where they like to dine 'al fresco' they have especially moved to keep bikes out. I don't blame them. We like to ride by and set off all the car alarms in their BMW's, Lexus's and Mercedes with the sound of our exhausts. It makes a hellacious racket amongst the genteel diners. Besides I met Al Fresco once and he wasn't very cool.

[Wide]

Frisco has it and I agree. ALL big cities need this

Perhaps we shopuld start a campain to do this?

How would one go about this?