| Motorcycles are two-wheeled vehicles that are | | | | injury and sometimes even death. The main cause of |
| powered by an engine and are used for everyday | | | | motorcycle accidents, aside from the roll over aspect, |
| travel as well as off-road activities. In some parts of | | | | is that other automobiles tend to ignore motorcycles |
| the world motorcycles are the least expensive | | | | and their rights as members of the driving force. To |
| automobile to purchase and are the most widespread | | | | reduce the number of motorcycle accidents in the |
| form of transport. Motorcycles are extremely popular | | | | United States, there are motorcycle safety classes |
| throughout Europe. Motorcycles are also used in | | | | offered by non-profit organizations and state |
| racing, long distance travel, cruising and weaving in | | | | agencies. These courses are designed by the |
| and out of congested areas. Motorcycles are small | | | | Motorcycle Safety Foundation. These courses include |
| enough to drive them in between two lanes of cars | | | | a basic rider course, an intermediate rider course and |
| without clipping any of them and small enough to | | | | an advanced rider course. |
| drive them down narrow alleyways. | | | | There are four types of off-road motorcycles in |
| The very first motorcycle was invented in 1885 by | | | | production today. They are the motocross, |
| Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach, two German | | | | supermotos, trials motorcycles and track racing |
| inventors. The first motorcycle built in the United | | | | machines. These bikes are used for off-road |
| States came in 1867 by Howard Roper of Roxbury, | | | | competitions and even indoor racing on smaller tracks. |
| Massachusetts. The first motorcycle available for | | | | Other motocross bicycles are known as ‘dirt |
| purchase was the Hildebrand and Wolfmuller in 1894. | | | | bikes.' ‘Dirt bikes' are used to ride through the |
| Prior to 1920, the largest manufacturer of | | | | woods in muddy conditions so the tires have more |
| motorcycles was an Indian company, producing over | | | | traction. Most states within the United States require |
| 20,000 bikes per year. But in 1920 Harley-Davidson | | | | motorcycle drivers to pass not only written tests but |
| took over the top spot and began selling | | | | also driving tests as well. Most states do accept a |
| motorcycles in 67 countries worldwide. The leaders in | | | | rider passing one of the courses offered by the |
| manufacturing motorcycles today are the Japanese | | | | Motorcycle Safety Foundation in lieu of a written test |
| companies of Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha. | | | | and another test driving the vehicle. Aside from the |
| As mentioned earlier, motorcycles are popular | | | | scooter, other types of motorcycles are the moped, |
| throughout Europe and are most known as scooters. | | | | the vespa, motorized tricycles and sidecar |
| The world's largest manufacturer of scooters is an | | | | motorcycles. Motorcycles are known for good fuel |
| Italian company called The Piaggio Group. | | | | efficiency but have been criticized for the amount of |
| Motorcycles, like an ATV, have safety concerns. | | | | pollution they send into the air. For every mile driven |
| Motorcycles have a higher rate of fatal accidents | | | | a motorcycle produces 10 to 20 times more pollution |
| than regular automobiles do. Motorcycles are prone | | | | than a new car. |
| to tipping and rolling over, which leads to serious | | | | |