Motorcycling, a sustainable mobility alternativeBy Chris Hodder of the British Motorcyclists Federation

Smaller is better• Motorcycles are smaller

than other forms of motorised transport

• But they can still move two people around!

Less mass means less energy• Motorcycles have less mass

than other forms of motorised transport

• Less mass means that less energy is needed to move them

• This is the true no matter what power source is used

Less mass means less materials• A 200kg motorcycle uses 80%

less material than a 1.2t car• This saves on shipping both

before assembly and after as well as raw materials

• Most of the mass is the engine and frame which are generally recyclable metals

Smaller means less space• Smaller vehicles mean less

space needed for parking and storage

• This means less land is taken for parking

• This means that the land could be used for CO2 storage (e.g. trees!)

Smaller is better in traffic• Motorcycles can filter through

heavy traffic• This reduces wasted fuel

usage from idling• This also allows other traffic to

flow more freely too• Motorcycles therefore have a

double benefit

Summary of advantages• Motorcycles can achieve the

goal of personal transportation• They can do this at far less

cost to the environment

We use oil faster than we make it• Oil takes millions of years to

develop• Extraction is getting more

dangerous and expensive• Reducing consumption is

essential• Security is a real issue

Consumers are not informed• Most manufacturers give no

information to consumers on consumption or environmental performance

• Legislation is needed to fix this

Motorcyclists love motorcycles• Riders like the feeling of riding

motorcycles and motorcycle culture

• As long as a motorcycle accelerates quickly and leans into corners, riders will like it

• This means that petrol engines can be replaced

Alternative: Electricity• Electricity is not a fuel source• Electric motorcycles can use a

variety of different power sources

• Electric motors already power everything from lifts to trains to car windows

Alternative: Battery• Batteries have improved

immeasurably in the last few years

• The same batteries that are used in motorcycles can be used in cars, buses and trucks

• With current technology, commuter journeys are easy

Alternative: Fuel Cell• Fuel cells convert hydrogen

and air into water and electricity

• Hydrogen is a portable and high density fuel source

Alternative: Biofuels• Biofuels are already being

used in some parts of the world

• Modern motorcycles can be easily adapted to run on ethanol

• Biodiesel is more tricky, but not impossible

Alternative: Hybrid• Mixes of technology can easily

be used• Plug-in hybrids are already on

sale

Current brands may not be the brands of the future• Innovation and drive are not

coming from established brands

• Unlike petrol motorsports, brands competing in TTxGP are not major manufacturers

• Much technology is portable, some is bespoke

• Are policymakers speaking to the right people and making the correct assumptions?

Summary of alternatives• Motorcycles can still be

enjoyed without petrol• Consumers need to be better

informed by manufacturers• Current mainstream may not

be the mainstream of the future

Motorcycling is good for you…• FEMA is promoting

motorcycling as an environmentally responsible form of personal transport

• This means telling everyone including you!

…but it could be even better!• FEMA is working to reduce the

impact motorcycling has on the environment

• We are encouraging government to mandate manufacturers to improve their products

Motorcycles can use many power sources…• FEMA is working to reduce the

dependence on fossil fuels of motorcycling

• More efficient engines is a fantastic start

• Promoting mid-sized motorcycles is another

…but these guys need help…• FEMA is supporting the rapid

development of zero emission technologies

• Motor racing is one excellent way of doing this

• Helping communication is another

…and we need help too!• FEMA is encouraging

manufacturers to inform consumers better

• It seems manufacturers need telling by government

Conclusion• The environment is brilliant• Motorcycles are brilliant• FEMA is brilliant• We’d all be much more brilliant

together• But there is serious work to be

done

Thanks for listening!Telephone: +44 7791 570 819Twitter: @bmf_chrisEmail: chris.hodder@bmf.co.uk