1. Introduction
Motorcycles and motor scooters are a typically neglected method of travel in traffic and transport planning in Australia. As a result, there is a significant knowledge gap in the topic of interest as past research rarely consider motorcycles on equivalent terms to other travel modes. To understand motorcycle and motor scooter commuting there is a need for comprehensive data. The Australian Censuses ‘Journey to Work’ (JTW) data provides one source that enables analysis over time and across locations. This source of data has seldom been analysed for the context of motorcycle and motor scooter commuting in Australia.
The broad aim of this study is to enhance the understanding about motorcycle and motor scooter use. Motorcycles and motor scooters are a growing method of travel and it is imperative to be able to quantify and understand what is happening in Australia, particularly where these vehicles are being used for utilitarian rather than recreational travel. Although the use of motorcycles and scooters have high safety concerns, emphasis still needs to be put on the uses of this mode to enhance the limited knowledge on this topic.
The traditional approach to lowering congestion in cities is to increase the use of public transport. Motorcycles and motor scooters provide an opportunity to enhance urban mobility because of their smaller spatial footprint. A slight shift in traffic composition from private vehicles such as cars to motorcycles will significantly reduce traffic congestion (Yperman, 2011). Also, motorcycles and motor scooters have small engine capacities and as such result in much less fuel usage and emit lower greenhouse gases when compared to cars.
In this study, the aim is to identify the trends of mo...
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...rs fulfil these issues as they have advantageous traffic manoeuvrability and smaller engines which result in less fuel usage and less release of greenhouse gases. Most car trips contain just the driver, motorcycles and motor scooters transport the same amount of people but in a much smaller profile significantly reducing travel times and overall congestion. There is an increasing trend in registrations of motorcycles and scooters in Australia. The patterns of use of this mode differ between developed and developing countries. Riders in developed countries typically ride motorcycles or scooters for recreational uses and riders from developing countries use them primarily for utility purposes. However, a good proportion of riders in Australia use this mode to commute to work and as such needs to be analysed further with the use of JTW data in the following sections.
Allstate insurance is the second largest property and casualty insurance company by premiums in the United States. Allstate insurance handles about 12% of the U.S home and auto insurance market. (Allstate, 2014). Many of Allstate’s customers fall under what one could refer to as a traditional selection of insurance for automobiles. Recently, Allstate has noticed a major shortcoming in lifestyle insurance, which includes coverage for motorcycles, boats, and other recreational vehicles, in comparison to its competitors. The motorcycle insurance sector is a 10.4 billion dollar industry and growing (PRWEB, 2012). The U.S. Department of Transportation website reports some astounding figures, including that 5,370,035 motorcycles were registered three years before the article, 7,138,476 motorcycles registered at the time of the article, and grew to 9,477,243 registered motorcycles at the end of 2012 (NHTSA, 2013). It is obvious as to why Allstate would identify motorcycle insurance as a worthy lifestyle product to devote marketing research dollars into in order to develop new strategies for cornering a share of the market.
Millions of people all over the United States choose motorcycles over automobiles for the thrill, speed, and high performance capabilities. On the other hand, motorcycles are not at all the safest way of transportation. Motorcycles do not provide the passenger with the outer protection that cars provide, therefore, when one crashes, the results are usually much more serious. Injuries to the head are responsible for 76% of fatalities when dealing with motorcycle crashes many of which could have been prevented had the rider been wearing a helmet. For this reason, many states have adopted the motorcycle helmet law. The law states that every passengers must wear a helmet at all times when riding on a motorcycle. This law has created a great deal of controversy. One side supports the law, believing that it protects motorcyclists from danger and saves the economy a great deal of money. The other side argues that the law is unconstitutional and it violates our right to freedom. However, statistics show overwhelming support in favor of the motorcycle helmet law. Although wearing helmets cannot prevent motorcycle crashes, they can greatly reduce the number of deaths caused by head injury as well as lowering taxes, insurance rates, and health care costs. Therefore, the helmet law should be put into effect in every state across the United States.
Motorcycle is also called motorbike is a two or thee wheeled vehicle powered by a petrol, diesel, engine mounted midway between the front and rear wheels. The motorcycle, which is having much heavier and stronger, frame than that of a bicycle. The motorcycle is developed from the bicycle. The people for their convenient and smooth travel for the recreation and sports purpose use the motorcycles. The motorbikes are used throughout the world, the police and the fire department use motorcycles to carry medical personnel to accident scenes. Before the 20yrs ago a motocycle was carried for the noise, dirt and frequent breakdown which the use of its entailed. It was then truly a sportsman’s machine and of little use in the commercial field.
Since the early 1990s, the car market has become saturated with sport utility vehicles. While SUV’s have been enthusiastically received by a wide spectrum of the demographic – everyone from teenagers to soccer moms -- not all are excited by its arrival. Some of the current complaints with SUVs have to do with their ridiculous size and relative fuel inefficiency. Others criticize the vehicles as being unsafe, and certainly unnecessary, for the tasks for which they are commonly used. But even with the recent campaigns to educate the public on the possible physical and environmental risks posed by the automobiles, SUV purchases continue to be on the rise. Indeed, with car sales on the decline, and the SUV being seen as a possible savior -- or at least band-aid -- for the struggling motor industry, any movement to ban SUVs in the near future is unlikely.
Many people don't consider a cycle commute to work because they are worried about their safety on the road.
The great changes in American society that came with the introduction bicycle in the late 19th century are often overshadowed by the influence of the automobile in the following decades. Today, bicycles are often seen as an alternative mode of transportation - a cleaner and more environmentally conscious form of travel. Because of this, it may be difficult to realize the incredible modernizing effects that bicycles had on American society when they were first introduced. Manufacturing and marketing techniques introduced by the bicycle industry were massive steps towards modern industrial practices. In addition, by making individual travel available to many people for the first time, bicycles changed the speed at which life flowed in much of America. Bicycles granted a degree of personal freedom of mobility to many for the first time, and their effect on the women's rights movement of the time was notable. Bicycles were used in war, by police, and by the postal service, among others. In countless walks of life, the availability of personal travel offered by bicycles had an incredible impact on American society.
Piaggio is the European leader for motor scooters, with a market share just over 50 percent. Annual production of Piaggio motor scooters exceeds 850,000 vehicles. Looking at some statistics referred to the first four months of 2007, an increase of + 10,7% has been registered with compare to 2006. Especially the scooter market is showing a drastic increase in numbers of new matriculated vehicles; during year 2006 62.1% of the totals were scooters.
Opponents feel that bicycle helmet laws are too strict and are misdirected. Principally, they feel that helmet laws do not prevent accidents and point out the fact that "motor vehicles are involved in 90-92% of bicyclist deaths" (BHSI/Compendium 4). Creating awareness among drivers by lowering their speeds would create a safer cycling environment. Furthermore, opponents of helmet laws believe that "requiring motorists to wear helmets will save more lives" (Convissor 1) since statistics show the likelihood of fatality while riding in passenger cars is nearly double that of bicycling (Bicycle 15). They are also concerned for the overall popularity of their sport when helmet laws go into effect. After helmet laws went into effect in Australia, "surveys in Sydney found the helmet law reduced cycling by 38%" (Convissor, 1). Another issue is the argument that helmets are inconvenient and uncomfortable.
Today, people use their own personal vehicles to travel more than ever before. Personal transportation is no longer considered a luxury; it is now considered a necessity. The number of cars in the United States has been growing steadily since the 1970s. The number of miles traveled by cars has risen nearly 150 percent, yet the United States population has only grown roughly 40 percent during that time (hybridcars.com, Driving Trends). Although it may seem like we are advancing into the future, in reality, we are moving backwards from the effects these vehicles have on our bodies and the environment. The pollution produced by these vehicles has brought us to the day where we must find other modes of transportation that cause less harm to the world in which we live. Advances in technology have developed hybrid vehicles to try and slow down the amount of pollution. Driving a hybrid vehicle, instead of a conventional gas powered vehicle, can reduce the amount of pollution that affects our lives and the environment around us.
With increased use of bicycles across Australia, there is an increased urge that individuals wear a helmet while riding, it is an important necessity to all bike owners, no matter what age. An imperative measure of state road authorities, within Australia, is that all bicycle riders wear helmets while riding in public areas, as it is considered a vehicle; therefore, riders must also obey road rules, as there are consequences for non-compliance. These measures were introduced for the safety and wellbeing of the individual, as it had become apparent that cyclists faced a higher risk of injury, especially brain damage, without the use of a helmet. According to the Australian Competition and consumer commission [AU], the helmets must adhere to
Traffic jam is one of the most serious problems of urbanization, almost all the modern cities are facing different levels of traffic jam problems. In general, people can ease the traffic jam and not compromise the quality of life by a policy of sustainable development in two aspects including formulating a more efficient transport pattern and changing the urban construction.
Newman, P. (1999). Transport: reducing automobile dependence. In D. Satterthwaite (Ed.), The Earthscan reader in sustainable cities (pp. 67-92). London: Earthscan Publications.
We all use vehicles for transportation. People usually go to their desired destination either by driving their own cars or traveling in public transportation. Actually, it might be tough to choose that which one is the best selection for people to travel. Many people choose one of them according to their comfort while traveling and both of them have advantages and disadvantages in different conditions. Public transportation and driving own car both shares differences and similarities in many aspects, such as facility, cost, and comfort as well as traffic jam and accident occurrence.
Since the invention of the automobile, we have been able to decrease transportation costs, travel vast distances and decrease travel times. We are able to facilitate relationships, foster trade between places, and find better jobs. However, due to the inaccurate pricing of the roads, driving cars has turned from an innovation to pure frustration. The problem is traffic congestion; the increased usage of cars has created slower speeds and longer travel times due to greater demand for the road than the road has to offer. Roughly 3.4 million Americans endure extreme commutes, in which the trip to work and back eats up at least three hours each day (Balaker, Staley 2006).
Traffic congestion, is one of the major problems faced in the capitals and major cities in most countries. As with the increase in the growth rate, comes the growing demand for the use of transportation. This works with the response to the needs of the community.