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