THE ADVANTAGES OF TWO-WHEELED VEHICLES

Introduced by Barry Maunder & Nich Brown on 14 July 1998

Barry Maunder spoke for pedal cyclists; Nich Brown for motor cyclists.
Pedal Cyclists
Cycling provides advantages for both cyclists and non-cylcists. The exercise is healthier than running, almost as good as swimming, and more useful because you get from A to B. It is also cheaper than other forms of transport, more convenient for the majority of journeys, quicker than a bus and easier to park than a car.
The reduction in congestion on the roads is an advantage to other users - and car drivers can gloat when it is raining that they are not getting wet!
In 1991, 3.2% of Bath residents cycled to work and in 1996 there were 2740 regular cyclists. The accident rate is 85 per 10,000 cyclists per year; if it was halved 1220 car drivers say they would cycle to work, raising the percentage to 7.2.
There are several improvements to roads which would increase cycling - a reduction in traffic, especially heavy vehicles; changes in the carriageway especially at junctions; more cycle tracks and lanes; and better security for parked cycles.
In the 1945-55 period, cycles and motorcycles outnumbered cars but then the car became glamorous and popular. The introduction of mountain bikes attempted to regain some glamour for cycles and they are regaining favour.
Motorcycles
Nich Brown is the Cycle and Pedestrian Officer for B&NES, and rides a motorcycle daily. He can wear a business suit and keep dry and safe with modern protective clothing. He found that he could halve his time for getting into Bath compared with a car journey. Personal motorised transport will be required until public transport is much improved and motorcycles can provide that with less congestion on the roads, less pollution, less damage to roads, and fewer accidents.
Per passenger-km, on average a car results in something like 50% more pollution than, and uses something like twice as much fuel as, a motor cycle
The accident rate is improving fast, reducing by 75% over 1981 - 1994, partly because every motorcyclist has to undergo training for two days before being allowed on the road (at a cost of £400 to him/her).
Encouragement of this form of transport by better planning of roads and, perhaps, tax reductions, as proposed by the European Parliament, is required
Don Lovell