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An inconvenient truth about motorcycle smog

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Motorcycles and emissions: The surprising facts

This story is about emissions. More specifically, it's about the surprising level of emissions spewing from on-road motorcycles and scooters. In California, such bikes make up 3.6% of registered vehicles and 1% of vehicle miles traveled, yet they account for 10% of passenger vehicles' smog-forming emissions in the state. In fact, the average motorbike is about 10 times more polluting per mile than a passenger car, light truck or SUV, according to a California Air Resources Board comparison of emissions-compliant vehicles.

By Susan Carpenter, THROTTLE JOCKEY
LA Times!
stopnoise

15 responses // An inconvenient truth about motorcycle smog

  • I found this the most truth and complete news about this subject. It is a must for everyone to read. Very good information.
    stopnoise
  • I have not been on a bike for years, but I really loved my Moto Guzzi 850. Riding it was a great experience and one that I'd never give up.

    I'm crushed to learn that the emissions are so high, though.

    I guess the lesson here is that the emissions from bikes will get better only if people are aware of the problem! OK, science and technology-- get busy on this one.
    jahbini
  • You're right! Many times it is not of some people's fault as they get stack with what is available out there! It should be the responsibility of the Factories and Government to build an environmental friendly motorcycle that is both quiet and fossil fuel free.

    Now the anti-social behavior acoustic terrorists group behind that modify their mufflers should be enforced to pay the way to clean up the environment with heavy fines.
    stopnoise
  • With gas prices rising I see more motorcycles than ever. I wonder if scooters are better?
    shroomfairy
  • THAT IS SO INTERESTING. I had NO idea. I was actually recently contemplating a 2 wheeler... Not anymore. My Scion XB will have to do. It's actually a pretty dang good car (and very efficient).

    Thanks for the post!
    onechance
  • I never knew this, man this changes my view on motorcycles all together now.
    cerealforeal
  • definitely the exact opposite of what i expected.
    great post!
    somefamilylove
  • The study is about 2-strokes not 4-strokes!!! Not all motorcycles burn the same amount of fuel or even have the same engine. This study does not have all the facts and is sensationalism! Dont listen to the EPA they torture animals with our tax dollars and have not banned any toxic chemicals with data obtained. Ask PETA!
    nmsamanda
  • Bummer. A breakdown on vehicles would be nice. At least there's a good band name in the story: Oxides of Nitrogen.
    24French
    1 response to this
  • http://www.enertiabike.com/
    I live in London and a push bike is by far the best mode of transport around this congested city, but if you have all those LA miles to cover check out one of these.
    dearmat23
  • Actually Abstract - Brammo Motorsports, a company based in Oregon, will be releasing an electric motorcycle called the Enertia Bike for sale in the United States in early 2008. So it's you guys, not us making this one.
    dearmat23
    1 response to this
  • Electric and Solar power motorcycles seems to be the way to go! Now how about the acoustic pollution?
    stopnoise
  • I'm sure there's a way to reduce the emissions on motorcycles. We just need to pressure the manufacturers, who are probably trying use the anti-car hype as long as possible to keep this discovery in the shadows.
    egarlow

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