Are bikes the green alternative

junglejim · Banned Joined: 20 Jan 2012 Karma :

We are constantly being told that bikes make sense on today's congested roads.
There are organisations such as the MIA who spend a lot of time and money trying to coax the motoring public out of their cars and onto bikes, but on another thread, we see quite clearly that they have their work cut out, as it seems that even the people who own bikes don't really believe that, and opt for the car for the daily grind.
So where does that leave motorcycling in the grand scheme of things.
It's hard to justify bikes as a green alternative, when for most people, they exist solely for the recreational burning of fossil fuels.
Bikes are great fun, but useless for anything else as proven by some here, who prefer their cars.
Cars, even flashy expensive one's, as well as providing enjoyment for their owners, also serve a practical purpose.
Sure they might also be taken on holidays etc. but they also take people to the shops to spend and inject money into the economy.
They take kids to school so they can learn and become productive members of society.
They take people to work so they can earn money and pay tax into the treasury.
What do bikes do apart from guzzle fuel in the name of leisure ?

lihp · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Karma :

My bike takes me to the shops.

My bike takes me to work.

My bike has ocassionally taken relatives to school.

Redoko · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Karma :

Please tell me how a £280,000 two seater Ferrari is more practical than my £2,000 two seater Honda?
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junglejim · Banned Joined: 20 Jan 2012 Karma :

Redoko · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Karma :

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

snikks · Spanner Monkey Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Karma :

My bike is actually my sole means of transport - it takes me to work, it takes me to the shops, it takes me to wherever I need to go.

If I'm on my bike and I hit traffic, I'm straight up the middle and out the other end - thus contributing a good 30-40 minutes less emissions.

In a lot of foreign countries small capacity bikes are the cheap go-to vehicle for the every-man.
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whitedevil · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Nov 2010 Karma :

Mythbusters proved that bikes actually put out more harmful emissions than a car. Altho you could argue that you are on the road for less time.
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lihp · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Karma :

MG · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Oct 2011 Karma :

lihp · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Karma :

stonesie · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jul 2010 Karma :

My bike does only slightly better MPG than my car, If I want to save fuel (and emissions) then I will resurrect the CG and bumble about at 90-100 mpg Wink

The main problem is that there is nowhere secure at work for my kit, the bike would be parked in public so leaving the kit with the bike is out too, so I take the car and save the bike for fun Thumbs Up

CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

IMO this is fkin pointless thread.

The whole "stuck in traffic on the M25" thing is as pointless as the thread.

"Cars sitting there belching out exhaust fumes for no reason apart from keeping the engine running" vs "bikes belching out far less exhaust fumes to actually move"

Seriously, wtf.

Ok so you may have a car and a bike.
You may use the car to ferry kids about, but when you need to go somewhere you take the bike.
Seems pretty "Green" to me.

When travelling from A to B bikes are usually on the road for a shorter amount of time, therefore using less fuel.

Get a grip.

Ariel Badger · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Dec 2006 Karma :

My bike does 9 MPG but my car does 25 MPG. Car wins.
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CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

lihp · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Karma :

KA gets 41

R6 gets 49

The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

LordShaftesbu... · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Sep 2008 Karma :

Cheeseybeaner · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2010 Karma :

junglejim · Banned Joined: 20 Jan 2012 Karma :

junglejim · Banned Joined: 20 Jan 2012 Karma :

MG · Traffic Copper Joined: 10 Oct 2011 Karma :

CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

Try reading what is posted on the BCF.

Most of the threads will contain atleast 1 "I was on my way to work when" post.

/thread

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

My daily commute and shopping run is almost always on 2 wheels, powered or otherwise. Bear in mind that any practicality argument against PTWers also applies even more against pedalists, the current apples of the ecomentalists' eyes.