While bikers in the United States tend to think of motorcycles as a great American innovation, the truth is that they are a very global product. For example, motorcycles were originally invented in Germany in the late 1800's. Since then they have found a home in many different cultures around the world, and in some, they have become a primary mode of transportation. In large urban areas, the traffic can get so congested that regular means of transportation cannot easily navigate the busy streets.
Motorcycles are an easy and relatively inexpensive way to get from point A to point B without too much fuss. In some places, the number of motorcycles actually outnumber automobiles two to one, making them the preferred means of transport for millions and millions of people across the globe. With all these motorcycles on foreign roads, the stereotypical image most people have of the types of people who ride motorcycles is in fact wrong. Bikers range in age from the young to the old, and most are just looking for a safe and reliable way to get around.
While biking isn't an American invention, it is a trend that is continuing in the United States. As gas prices and traffic congestion have continued to rise in the larger cities, people have begun to look for alternative means of travel to and from work. It is very likely that in the next few years many streets in the United States will look more like those in Asia with increasing numbers of people choosing motorcycles as a legitimate means of navigating urban areas.
