Never the less I have detected a hostility towards motorbikes and ebikers in general, which seems to be reflected by some of their more vocal groups. In the London area they have been very quick to oppose things like waiving the congestion charges for PTW's, using of bus lanes etc. Also on my visits to London I've noticed (and nobody will convince me otherwise) cyclists acting like total lunatics (whizzing the wrong way up the middle of one way streets, cutting across busy pavements and up/down steps etc) with no regard for pedestrians or other road users.
Phil
No question of the truth of both points Phil. There's a crucial difference though where government is concerned, cycling is generally and often vigorously encouraged, and government attitudes can influence others, cycling still seen as fairly benign, though seen as demeaning by some.
By contrast motorcycling has been widely seen as a menace for very many years. The very high death rate is one reason, the often justified perception of lawlessness being another, and the Hells Angels haven't exactly helped that image. I could also mention the gatherings of large groups of bikers to indulge in stunting on public roads, wheelies, stoppies etc. Add to those the shock factor of bikers passing close at a huge speed differential and general feelings become more understood. It doesn't matter that those are often unjustified views, they are held and stubbornly unshakeable.
When a teenager mentions his ambition to own a car there's no problem, but any mention of having a motorcycle and parents start throwing fits. We know that a high proportion of young drivers kill and seriously injure both themselves and many others in cars, often four or more hurt or killed per crash, while on motorcycles it's usually only themselves that get hurt, but rational thought doesn't come into it.
The unmoveable view is cars desirable, motorbikes bad, and its been like this for the whole of my life.
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