Precis 1) Motorcycle Consumption: A First Look at Peer-to-Peer Motorcycle Renting

   Varela, Diego.( pgs 1-7) writes, "I believe in motorcycling as a way to experience life and as an activity that should be preserved." In her article, she is a motorcycle lover and rider who likes to generate debate and discussion, in this case the sustainability of motorcycling. Motorcyclists and motorcycling are portrayed in society as reckless riders who cause road accidents. With the advent of faster and more powerful motorcycles the number and seriousness of motorcycle-related accidents has increased due to untrained riders and alcohol. Additionally, motorcycles, as do cars contribute to the pollution of our atmosphere through CO2 emissions. However, as with cars, there is an emotional connection. From the moment we enter the world of motorcycling we go through a stage. It involves dreaming about a motorcycle, the ride, the scenery and the roads and trials we share with the people we ride with. It is this love of riding that people have capitalized on. Clothing manufactures to motorcycle parts and accessories have created a whole industry related to motor cycle products. People who ride motorcycles save time and money commuting and also makes parking easy. In addition, the motorcycle industry is developing their bikes to have (ABS, airbags), GPS devices and ABS braking systems just like the automobile industry. Varela discusses in the article about the concept of motorcycle peer-to peer renting. This is where people who don't use or hardly ever use their motorcycle rent it out to others for cash. The advantages are that people could try different types of motorcycles in a less expensive way without the hassle of ownership. Another is some motorcycles especially the lower engine displacement ones, are hands down more economical and less polluting than cars. Some of the barriers to the concept of peer- to peer motorcycle renting is the lack of trust, fear of damage and or theft, etc. To remedy this she argues that getting insurance, background checks would help at least to lower these barriers and get people to try it.


        http://ijms.nova.edu/Fall2011/IJMS_Rndtble.Varela.html