What would you be willing to sacrifice?

[sugarcrook]

There's a thread on the MOB local board that alludes to motorcycle- or bicycle-only streets and it got me thinking - What aspect of your motorcycle freedom would you be willing to sacrifice to have a society/municipality more welcoming to motorcycles?  Would you be willing to wear a helmet while riding (probably not a huge obstacle here, but you get my drift), or be limited to 400cc engines? 

And the flip to this question is what would you demand in return for making these sacrifices? 

[FatguyRacer]

I think a wise man (reputed to be Ben Franklin) once said, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"

Market forces should decide these things. Not the govt. So my answer is none.

[sugarcrook]

While ideal, I think that's too simplistic.  Governments have generally been much more welcoming when a group or organization can regulate itself and punishing when it can't.  There's an opportunity cost involved and I'm just trying to start a discussion.

Personally, I'd acquiesce to an engine size limit for:

• Reduced fuel price by eliminating state and city taxes for riders.
• Free tolls.

My logic here is that lighter motorcycle do less road and highway damage and shouldn't pay the taxes used to repair roads. 

[Smiling End]

I think a wise man (reputed to be Ben Franklin) once said, "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"

Market forces should decide these things. Not the govt. So my answer is none.

Ben Franklin also said, "Three can keep a secret, if two are dead"

Not really relevant but I think it's a badass quote that I had no idea Franklin said.

</threadjack>

Living in NJ where I'm not a big fan of riding in the cold weather it's really hard for me to comment on motorcycle only roads.  I don't think that the loss of infrastructure would be really cost effective so to speak.

[ducatiz]

Ben Franklin also wrote a famous book called "Fart Proudly" and another "How to Select a Mistress."  Look it up.

Dude loves his farts and his women.

[Smiling End]

Ben Franklin also wrote a famous book called "Fart Proudly" and another "How to Select a Mistress."  Look it up.

Dude loves his farts and his women.

Wasn't he big into French wh0res too?

[ducatiz]

Wasn't he big into French wh0res too?

all of them BUT the french ones. 

I find this thread interesting because it is the same type of philosophical-legal discussion that gun owners have.

[Bick]

I would accept a helmet mandate if they allowed lane splitting, similar to CA rules.

[Grampa]

Wasn't he big into French wh0res too?

he was client #5

[FatguyRacer]

Actually I find the whole thing kinda self defeating. Why should we moto riders be the ones policing ourselfs as long as its still legal to purchase and drive a Hummer or equally wastefull full size truck/SUV for any use other than construction work or hauling a trailer. We're not the problem, so we shouldnt be acting like we are. I got rid of my gas guzzlers 'cause it was too expensive to run them. That market forces in action. Give it tiime, you'll be seeing alot more bikes and small cars. Europes economy isnt suffering for 6 buck a gallon gas, and once we adjust behaviors ours will be just fine too.

[teddy037.2]

Personally, I'd acquiesce to an engine size limit for:

• Reduced fuel price by eliminating state and city taxes for riders.
• Free tolls.

My logic here is that lighter motorcycle do less road and highway damage and shouldn't pay the taxes used to repair roads. 

I could deal with that. but then, we don't have toll roads and most of the asphalt is in rubbish condition anyway. OTOH, how would they make sure you're using your tax-free gas only on your little bike?


I would definitely trade our helmet/PPE law (no gear at all is required if you're licensed and over 18) for lane splitting  

[junior varsity]

i'm ok with helmets. I'm not ok with helmet laws. LET ME DECIDE.

I would give up nothing for gov't incentives or benefits. They should be helping motorcyclists more as it is for manyfold reasons including:

- Traffic congestion easing
- Friendly biker-community
- Less Parking Footprint
- Less Gas Consumption (though, they'd argue this means less tax revenue... Legislators: make the beast with two backs 'em)

[oregunduc]

Lane splitting while half way fun and way quicker than the alternative is just dangerous no matter how you slice it... However if a law were passed in Oregon to make it legal I would not fight it.

[hbliam]

Lane splitting while half way fun and way quicker than the alternative is just dangerous no matter how you slice it... However if a law were passed in Oregon to make it legal I would not fight it.

It's not anymore dangerous then motorcycle riding in general if you do it safely. I'd argue it's more safe to lane split then to sit in line waiting to get rearended.

[He Man]

lane spliting is perfectly safe if you do it right, aka not zoom 20mph by someone  when traffic moves at 5mph (thats when pople like to swithc lanes quicly without really checking.
 
if traffic is at a stand still, and you lane split at 5-10mph, its almost impossible to get hurt if you keep an eye out.