Electric motorcycles: how do they stack up in safety terms
In the automobile industry, there has been a lot of hype in recent years about hybrids and plug-in electric cars.
To a degree this is entirely understandable, given concerns about limiting the carbon impact of humans on a planet that is experiencing significant climate change.
But what about motorcycles?
In this post, we will consider take note of recent efforts to roll out electronic motorcycles. We will also discuss safety considerations involved with this new type of bike.
Startup companies are already introducing electric motorcycles in California and all along the West Coast. These companies have been so successful at this that they have gotten the attention of the indisputable name-brand leader in the industry, Harley-Davidson.
Harley, based in Milwaukee, announced last month that it is rolling out a prototype of an electric cycle called LiveWire.
Harley has not gone into high production with this just yet. But the company will be offering demo rides to get a better sense of consumer interest in the new machines.
For traditional Harley aficionados, the quiet aesthetics of a plug-in bike new not rival the roar of an internal combustion engine anytime soon.
The safety aspects of electric motorcycles, however, are worthy of comment. Supporters of such cycles say that the offer a well-balanced ride. Electric cycles are also said to be easy to navigate with because most of them offer direct drive, rather than requiring the use of gears and clutches.
Of course, motorcyclists are still at risk of accidents caused by negligent motorists. But by all indications, electronic motorcycles do not, in themselves, present safety concerns.
Source: The Sacramento Bee, “Harley helps put electric motorcycles in spotlight, John Kekis, June 29, 2014