Hybrid HOV incentives?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Mar 28 2007, 11:04 PM) [snapback]413957[/snapback]</div>

That was the original intention. To reduce Pollution. It also made sense during the previous gas shortages. Only recently has congestion been an issue and since HOV also addresses that, that has been the focus. Suddenly people thing HOV was all about congestion.

A Prius puts out the same pollution as four cars. So only cars with four passengers should be allowed in the HOV lanes...right? It gets double the mileage of a car, triple of an SUV so....at least 2-3 people per car. Now if it's about congestion we're talking getting cars off the road. That means you can only drive in the HOV lane if your passengers are also licensed drivers who would be driving cars. That means you can't be a Soccer Mom with a van full of kids...kids don't drive and you're not taking any cars off the freeway.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Mar 29 2007, 12:28 AM) [snapback]413969[/snapback]</div>

I think you mean that the other way round. Four Prius's put out the same amount of pollution as a normal car.

-Ken

 

I think I'm the only Motorcycle rider on this board.





Motorcycles are allowed into the carpool lane FOR THEIR SAFETY. Especially when there's alot of traffic. If you don't have enough space or your bike is too big to allow to lane split or tuck into the safety of between 2 cars you have to keep moving.

If I'm waiting for the light to change or for traffic to move forward and I'm behind another car, I keep it in gear and with one eye on my mirrors to make sure the guy behind me sees me and is going to stop in time. That's when most accidents happen for a rider, getting smashed between 2 cars while stopped.

I, like any other rider don't like the idea of being killed, or at least severely flattened between 2 bumpers and my bike.

And please, don't give a motorcycle rider crap for lane splitting, it's much safer to be between 2 cars and in front since they can accelerate faster than the cars around him, that speed keeps him upright and stable.

 

I don't have a problem with motorcycle riders being in the carpool lane. Does the Prius really put out less pollution than a motorcycle?? We certainly are less in the noise pollution department.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ Mar 30 2007, 02:50 PM) [snapback]415094[/snapback]</div>

I know for a fact you're not.

I heard the reason they can lane split in California is because they will overheat sitting in traffic. They don't have fans behind their radiators.

 

NoMoShocks - It would appear that you are a bit misinformed about just how fuel efficient motorcycles are...

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/MotorcycleF...Guide/index.htm

For anyone not wanting to wade thru the info...the "typical" motorcycle gets 50-60 mpg.

Vagabond - You not alone!! LOL

I've been riding motorcycles almost 30 years and work for a major custom motorcycle manufacturer. So, it gets under my skin a bit when people single out or target motorcycles and/or their riders for anything negative. It just kinda baffles me that very few people realize just how "earth-friendly" a motorcycle is.

A few quick points: Motorcycles consume far less materials to produce, yet still yield 50-60 mpg. No vehicle can compete with a motorcycle on the cradle-to-grave argument. A motorcyle occupies a 2/3 less space on the road than any vehicle, less congestion, lower commute times for everyone, saves fuel for everyone. Motorcycles are very lightweight and have only a small contact patch with the pavement (only two tires equals less wear and tear on the road which equates to less tax dollars repairing the roads). I could go on and on...

So, the next time you see a motorcyclist on the road maybe you should thank him/her for doing their part to conserve fuel and resources!

 

It's funny to hear some of the opinions from drivers about motorcycles. It's very true that a lot of people have misconceptions about motorcycles, what's safe and what's not, and don't understand that a motorcycle shouldn't be ridden the same way you drive your car.

I have a Suzuki GSXR, a sportbike, and use it for daily commuting to and from work. I'm going to get a Prius for my wife and as our family car. The Bike gets anywhere from 35 to 50 MPG depending on how you ride it. I usually average about 42 MPG, so it's slightly less than the Prius, but also has about 40 more horsepower than the Prius and only weights 350 pounds. But I agree about motorcycles putting a small environmental strain for the reasons already talked about. I think both the Prius and bikes are good alternatives to conventional vehicles. I just wish drivers were more aware of bikes on the road b/c they often don't see us and that can be dangerous obviosly. Right now I use a headlight modulator which pulses my high beam on and off 160 times a minute to make the bike more visible. The most common motorcycle accident scenario is actually when a driver makes a left turn across a motorcycle's path traveling the other direction. So watch out for us!

As far as emissions go I think the Prius has my bike beat at least. And in terms of MPG there are plenty of smaller displacement bikes out there that will win that comparison.

I know lane splitting is a controversial subject in CA. Some people here open their doors to block a motorcycle from getting past, and sometimes cause an accident if the rider can't stop in time. I know a girl who injured her shoulder when a car did this to her.

Anyway, just wanted to put in my two cents.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jeneric @ Mar 30 2007, 05:07 PM) [snapback]415190[/snapback]</div>

If a bike as a radiator, it can idle without issue. Really old bikes were air-cooled and thus had to keep moving.


But the reason why it's legal in CA is so the motorcycle CHP'ers can do it. I'm not kidding. But we get ticketed anyway because 'it's legal, but it's not safe'