Mythbusters? Not Really. . .
Recently the Discovery Channel's popular program MythBusters attempted to determine if a motorcycle is "better" for the environment than a car.
If you are not familiar the program, it's a cable reality show that takes on different challenges each week, such as "Can an airplane made of duct tape fly?" or "Will a bullet explode an RPG if they hit each other mid air?" and so on.
The Hosts ran a number of somewhat scientific tests on a few motorcycles to measure single vehicle emissions. The show determined that, "At best, it’s a wash; motorcycles are just as bad for the environment as cars. At worst, they are far worse."
When tested side by side, a motorcycle will give off more of some gasses in the exhaust than a car of the same year. But that's to be expected. As engines get smaller, it becomes more and more difficult to use a catalytic convertor to catch all the gasses. So it becomes an engineering and usability issue to catch all of the gasses a car can. However, when it comes to CO2 emissions, motorcycles emit a fraction of what cars are accountable for. It should be noted that CO2 emission levels are largely what drive climate change legislation.
Another factor that the MythBusters failed to account for was the population size. Motorcycles make up less than three percent of the vehicles on the road today. Such a small percentage of all total vehicles cannot be singled out as the lone problem.
That's not to mention all of the other factors that make motorcycles more environmentally sound, such as smaller battery, longer life of vehicle, less raw materials to construct, less oil needed, and of course, less fuel to operate. Also keep in mind how motorcycles reduce congestion and do not contribute to gridlock. Add all those factors up and motorcycles are far better for the environment than any car.
So for those of you out there who want to "go green," the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) suggests that you simply ride your motorcycle.
==========================================================
Do not reply to this email, it will be discarded.
==========================================================
Ride With The LeadersTM by joining the MRF at http://www.mrf.org/join.php or call 1-202-546-0983Registration is easy and secure for MRF Regional and Meeting of the Minds conferences. Visit our website at http://www.mrf.org/events.php for further details and registration information.Send in your nominations and donations for the MRF's Young Activist Scholarship fund today. For complete details, visit http://www.mrfae.org/yas.php.Sign up today for the MRF's new roadside assistance program by visiting http://www.mrf.org/mrfroadside.php The program is available to MRF members and non-MRF members.© All Information contained in this release is copyrighted. Reproduction permitted with attribution. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation, incorporated in 1987, is a membership-based, national motorcyclists' rights organization headquartered in Washington, DC. The first motorcyclists' rights organization to establish a full-time presence in Washington, DC, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is the only Washington voice devoted exclusively to the street rider. The MRF established MRFPAC in the early 1990s to advocate the election of candidates who would champion the cause of rider safety and rider freedom.The MRF proudly claims state motorcyclists' rights organizations and the very founders of the American riders' rights movement among its leading members. The MRF is involved in federal and state legislation and regulations, motorcycling safety education, training, and public awareness. The MRF provides members and state motorcyclists' rights organizations with direction and information, and sponsors annual regional and national educational seminars for motorcyclists rights activists, as well as publishing a bi-monthly newsletter, THE MRF REPORTS.
Join the MRF on Facebook!
![]()
www.facebook.com/bikers.rights