Those Who Ride on Two Wheels
In the United States there are six million tennis players and twelve million golfers. These figures would not surprise most people. But many would be surprised to learn that twenty million Americans ride motorcycles (摩托车). Few people realize that motorcycling is fast becoming one of America’s most popular sports.
According to the Cycle News, many kinds of people enjoy motorcycling. They include black people and white people, businessmen, professionals, and blue-collar workers. Among them, about 55% are businessmen, 3% are in the professions and 9% in government service.
Such information is offered by the Cycle News in the hope of improving the general public’s impression of the sport. The public has tended to believe that all motorcyclists are wild and lawless young men.
There are several things about motorcycling that the average citizen dislikes. A motorcyclist’s appearance has something to do with this dislike. Motorcyclists often look dirty; in fact, they are dirty. On the road, there is little to protect them from mud. For practical reasons, they often dress in old clothing which looks much less respectable than the clothing of people who ride in cars. For the same reason, motorcyclists usually wear dark colors. Perhaps this helps to explain why they are sometimes suspected of having bad natures.
Probably motorcycles themselves also produce anger and fear. They are noisy, though some trucks are even noisier. But trucks are acceptable because they perform a needed service. Motorcycles, on the other hand, make an uncomfortable noise just to give their riders pleasure. Roaring along quiet streets, they wake sleeping families and make babies cry.
Yet, as motorcycling becomes more and more common, it will be interesting to see how people in general feel about the sport. Perhaps it will someday become as “respectable” as tennis or golf.