Motorcycling, a sustainable mobility alternative
Transcript of Motorcycling, a sustainable mobility alternative
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: [email protected]