Motorcycles – The Simplest Form of Motorised Personal Transport

motorcycles

A motorcycle is the simplest form of motorised personal transport. At its most basic, it’s an engine attached to two wheels with steering and a brake (hopefully). It isn’t much more complicated than that. And that simplicity is a huge part of its appeal.

From a practical point of view, bikes are cheaper to buy and run than cars and far more efficient. They take up a fraction of the space a car takes up and need a fraction of the maintenance. They’re also a lot more fun to ride. And the way a bike handles is very different from driving a car: your body is an integral part of the machine and moves in a very different way to control it. There are many courses you can attend to improve your riding, ranging from safety courses like BikeSafe or FireBike, to advanced performance courses like the Enhanced Riders Scheme run by the police.

But there are many non-practical reasons for riding a bike too. Motorcycle riders often make friends through group rides, and enjoy the camaraderie of their fellow motorcyclists. There is something about the wind in your hair and the sound of the engines that is very exhilarating. Riding a bike can be spiritual for some people, and there is evidence that it can improve mental health and wellbeing. For some, it is a way to unplug from all the technology that surrounds us and reconnect with nature.