European and US Riders - Why is there a difference?

[alligator]

I just returned from Europe at the end of last week.  I thought I saw a lot more bikes on the road than I see in the U.S. - especially those that people were riding to work.  Although it is common in the summer to see a lot of bikes in the US, I get the impression that motorcycles are a lot more acceptable in Europe than here.  Why?  Or is it just my location in the US?

[mstevens]

It's mostly a cost thing.

Fuel is extremely expensive in Europe, and taxes and other fees are high, too. Owning a car is, overall, much more expensive a prospect than here.

Riding is often not so much a choice as the only reasonable option.

[numbskull]

It's mostly a cost thing.

Fuel is extremely expensive in Europe, and taxes and other fees are high, too. Owning a car is, overall, much more expensive a prospect than here.

Riding is often not so much a choice as the only reasonable option.

That pretty much sums up the major differences. Another big difference is the cultural aspect of riding. People in Europe are conditioned to seeing bikes on the road and respect the riders there compared to North America where we are invisible to all the cagers around us. North American riders are also seen in a different light in regards to the law. The number of idiot riders that make the rest of us look bad seem to be increasing over here. There's also the "outlaw" image that is embellished in the minds of the average person over here that just doesn't exist to the same extent in Europe. Look at the Rocker movement in the UK for example. They got their thrills going the ton (100 mph) riding from town to town. I could be wrong but there probably wasn't near as much activity that mirrored what the 1%er crowd does/did in North America.

[Snips]

Where'bouts in Europe were you? We consider it A Big Place^tm.

I'll just mention that scooters are generally popular for commuting across all European cities.

[stopintime]

It also has to do with our, often, narrow roads and streets, not to forget the lack of parking space - only chance of getting through half fast is on two wheels.
The cultural side of it originates from post world war II - there were no cars to be bought - restricted sales, because the resources were needed to rebuild infrastructure. So, a lot of people got what was available - motos.
Depending which country we're talking about, taxes are silly and it makes a lot of sense to save gas and hp/emissions taxes.
I can ride in bus lanes and I don't pay congestion toll/fee - $6 for a car during rush hours.

[DoubleEagle]

America was the " Wild West."  Lots of open space for a long time.

Since the price of fuel has historically been low here, bigger was better.

I bet you don't see many pickups driving around in EU.

Dolph     

[Holden]

The cultural side of it originates from post world war II - there were no cars to be bought - restricted sales, because the resources were needed to rebuild infrastructure. So, a lot of people got what was available - motos.

This is exactly why Ducati switched to making motos in the first place. The rest is history!

So how does the USA compare with Australia?

[Michael]

This is exactly why Ducati switched to making motos in the first place. The rest is history!

So how does the USA compare with Australia?

Having lived in Australia for a bit, I can say that the automobiles there are identical to the UK. However, they probably have more Japanese makes there. And just like Europe, you'll never see a lot of big American trucks like you would here. Instead, in Australia, they have utes -- utility vehicles -- which are basically small El Camino style truck/cars. Very common.



Motorcycles are about the same as the U.S.

However, one Australian I know who has lived both there and here mentioned that you see a lot more newer cars in America than Australia.

[Holden]

Hey, it's a Holden!

However, one Australian I know who has lived both there and here mentioned that you see a lot more newer cars in America than Australia.

I'm sure that depends on where you are and what time of day. Even in Beverly Hills half the autos on a weekday morning are high mileage trucks carrying lawn mowers.

Then there's cash for clunkers...

[ungeheuer]

Having lived in Australia for a bit, I can say that the automobiles there are identical to the UK. However, they probably have more Japanese makes there. And just like Europe, you'll never see a lot of big American trucks like you would here. Instead, in Australia, they have utes -- utility vehicles -- which are basically small El Camino style truck/cars. Very common.
Motorcycles are about the same as the U.S.
However, one Australian I know who has lived both there and here mentioned that you see a lot more newer cars in America than Australia.

Hmmm... well I cant let that pass without comment.  Having lived in the UK, elsewhere in Europe and here in Australia I disagree that "automobiles here are identical to the UK"...   Whilst its true that many makes and models offered here are similar to that which you see on European roads, the Australian variants quite often are sold with larger power-plants than the Euro equivalent.  Compared to European fuel prices, Aussies pay around 50% for their fuel so cost/efficiency is not such an issue. Doesnt stop us all whinging about the cost of it though  . The local car makers offer family sedans powered by 5.0 and 6.0 litre V8s - models that just wouldnt be sold in Europe.  My own (company supplied - not a reflection of my taste I hasten to add) Ford blando-box is powered by a 4.0 litre motor that would never see the light of day under a European hood.  So my view is the Australian vehicle landscape is a mix of US and Euro tastes and culture.  We like the Euro look, and Japanese build quality, but we like the Americans to provide the horsepower metal    Although it is true that the roads are also swarming with Jap and Korean econo-boxes all driven a 1/2" from your rear wheel by 19 year old females busily texting on their cell phones . 

Your El Camino-type ute pic is around 20 years out of date... so here's the current version (Its a Pontiac G8 with a nose and tail job):
 
Another vehicle type not-so-much seen in Europe.

But on the more important subject of motorcycles..... I feel that there are now more bikes on the roads here than ever before.  Nope, we dont use em as commuters to the same degree as our European friends, but motorbikes are a much more common site then they were 10 years ago IMO. 

[kopfjäger]

^^^^ That G8 Camino looks bad ass. 

[causeofkaos]

^^^^THAT THING IS AWESOME !!!!!!!! i totally screamed that.

[Michael]

Did that guy knock down the cones?

[Holden]

Did that guy knock down the cones?

They are direction markers... but um... doesn't look like he could go left anyway.

[ungeheuer]

^^^^ That G8 Camino looks bad ass. 

Nah.... this one looks bas ass 

Hey, it's a Holden!

Yup Holden, it is