While I occasionally enjoy hopping the pond and lusting after foreign market bikes I can't have like the Honda Transalp and the Harley XR1200, it's hard to imagine living anywhere but here in the good ol' U.S. of A. However, every once in a while I ponder how much easier motocitizens have it in Europe; not only do they share the road with drivers who seem more aware of their surroundings, culture appears to be generally more accepting of two-wheeled travelers.
Take, for instance, a Visordown.com report on bike-friendly gas stations in France that feature helmet stands, visor washing facilities, and modified nozzles to fit the smaller fuel fillers of bikes. Other recent news items like "pole position" at intersections for bikes and escape from congestion fees make you wonder why-- in spite of a few exceptions-- American roads aren't all that motorcycle friendly.
I'll probably never call Europe home, but it's the little things that occasionally stoke my jealousy.
Photo © Visordown.com
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I’m with you. I commute 40k a year. If there were some motorcycle friendly laws and extras more people would ride. I’m sure this would help reduce traffic congestion.
We spent a couple weeks in London in the summer of 04. In addition to cars be surcharged – quite heavily – to be brought in to London proper, every 2nd or 3rd block is restricted solely to park bikes & scooters … of which there are hundreds. Not uncommon to see 50 bikes parked on one block and the same thing repeated on every other block in every direction. Bikes and scooters are not only not surcharged they are encouraged.
That mentality, in combination with the North American blinders (nothing else exists beyond Sport / Cruiser / Tourer) is but 2 of the reasons motorcycles have never truly been accepted here.
The 1%’ers on the ridiculous abortions they call motorcycles along with the 1950’s “Wild Bunch” persona will keep this continent hopelessly mired right where we are….limited models, sky high insurance, viewed as bad boy / rapists / murderers / outlaws by far too large a portion of the population.
Europe has it together in a way we can only dream of.
I am not too sure what the law says here in Japan, but the “Pole Position” rule is common practice here and has been for many years. The only difference is that we don’t have an appointed space. Usually we just squeeze into the space between the stop line and the cross-walk. I have actually seen a few people go into the cross-walk, which I am sure everyone would agree should not be allowed. The extra space would definetly be welcomed.
I was born and lived in the UK for 44 years, most of which were spent on various motorcycles and scooters. The image of bikers in the early years was one of ‘Greasers’ who battled with ‘Mods’ at various seaside resorts. It was just that, an image, with the vast majority enjoying their motorcycling freedom which took them away from their boring work routine.
Moving to Spain 10 years ago, after having toured here extensively for more than 20 years, showed how motorcyclists should be treated with courtesey on the road and a welcome reception in no matter what class of hotel or restaurant. It is a real pleasure motorcycling here and a real interest from non-bikers in what you ride. Not to mention the beautiful moountin roads.
If you get the chance you should try it.