Carpools vs. Crotch Rockets

Hey Mr. Green,

Do two people in a car produce fewer total emissions per person than one rider on a motorcycle?

--Jason in South Pasadena, California

Motorcycles, being much smaller than cars, can burn way less fuel, and therefore can emit less carbon dioxide. But not all crotch rockets are created equal, so two folks in a car could easily produce less CO2 than one motorcycle rider, depending on the bike's engine size. Honda's 1,832-cubic-centimeter Gold Wing, for instance, gets only an estimated 36 miles per gallon, while its little 108-cc Elite scooter buzzes along at 107 mpg.

Smaller models of many other brands also burn way less fuel than their big brothers.
Pollution-wise, however, many motorcycles are nowhere near as clean as cars, because they are allowed to emit higher levels of such pollutants as nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons. Even under the EPA's latest standards, a bike can legally gurgle out almost 20 times as much hydrocarbon as a midsize car, while some older bikes can produce 90 times as much. So, if solo commuters would get social and carpool, autos could handily beat many motorcycles.

That said, it's a shame so many Americans, unlike Europeans, still regard motorcycles not as modest, low-impact transportation, but instead as macho lifestyle statements--like Star Motorcycle's 1,700-cc VMAX, advertised as an "iconic beast" and the "ultimate muscle bike." That's the sort of hog the late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson rode with Hell's Angel Sonny Barger at a velocity rivaling that achieved when they blasted Thompson's ashes out of a cannon at his funeral.

So motorcycles have an identity crisis similar to that of bicycles: Just as pedal-powered two-wheelers have yet to be fully liberated from the realm of recreational toys and taken seriously as transportation, motorcycles need to go beyond noise and testosterone to play a bigger role as earth-friendly transport.

Comments

[davidkaka123]

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[propecia]

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[Arian]

I feel that the motorcycle is the way to go when it comes to saving fuel while looking cool. When you are in a stuffy car you are cramped in vehicle with other people. A motorcycle is a form of transportation that represents freedom. I see motorcycles as a valid form of auto transportation.

[miami airport limo service]

really i don't know that they produce fewer total emissions.... thanks for sharing this info with us.....

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[Anak Inya]

Excellent points. I'm glad that I came across your blog. Thanks.

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It was very surprising to me to learn that motorcycles actually pump out more pollution that cars. It's also interesting the way that they are marketed, I think everyone knows that they get good gas mileage but I've never seen any kind of advertisement that also hits on this point.

[Markin Ambuh]

Motorcycle is my no 1 transport no matter what.

[ValScooterLover]

You can drive a scooter to and from work and save tons of gas and will definately produce fewer total emissions per person.

[Bi Sadong]

I can only afford a motorcyle.

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[Rikk Taft]

I'm hoping to pull the bike out of the basement now that the snow is gone and started riding it to work. I currently have a 2001 Honda VFR800 yes, I used to have the 1000cc race bikes as a statement to all my friends but, I have realized that the motorcycle can be used for more then just show. I get about 45 miles per gallon and commute 100+ miles per day. Ny car gets about 30 on cruise at 68mph. I use the bike whenever possible but, I live in New England so it is no where near as much as I would like.

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[Rally Cars For Sale]

IMHO, Car-pooling is definitely greener and a safer option than riding a bike. I think car pooling is great and should be enforced by law across the country.

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Yeah they are the best but i this country is like to suicide to ride one because the cars, bus and trucks don't respect us and ride as bicycle is the worse one.

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Car pooling is indeed a great alternative, but it's just a temporary solution. To have a more prominent and long-term effect on reducing carbon emission, the US gov must look to alternative energy sources to power our vehicles.