America vs. The World

[rscottlow]

...motorcycling-wise, that is. I have a friend that moved to Vietnam about six months ago for a teaching job, and a couple of our friends just returned from visiting him. They brought back a ton of photos, and I'm really amazed at what I've seen of the motorcycling culture over there.

Ohio guy here, born and raised. I've seen much of the country, and bits of Canada and Mexico, but I've never been overseas. I suppose the difference is primarily that motorcycling is necessitated by the population density, traffic flow, and economy, but there are bikes EVERYWHERE. My buddy, having never ridden before, bought a scooter almost immediately after moving there in order to get around. They shared photos of one guy on a scooter with an entire pallet load of toilet paper (and I'm not exaggerating here - literally no less than 300 rolls) strapped to his bike. TP stacked above his head on the tail of the bike, and even more in front of him. I also saw another photo of a family riding 4-up on a scooter, wearing flip-flops. Dad with one kid in front of him, mom on the back with another kid between her and dad. People would have a conniption fit if they saw that happening here. And the videos they took of bikes cutting in and out of traffic are incredible. I can't imagine driving a car with that type of traffic, and I'd definitely be a nervous wreck on my bike. Although, it sure would be nice if people in cars here were as aware of motorcycles as the folks in Vietnam...

[Watcher]

Had a friend visiting Singapore and said something similar, it's a fustercluck over there!

But he says from talking to the locals there's not really serious incidents.  When you ride/drive with no traffic signals at intersections in an overcrowded street with some traffic even moving opposite the normal flow it means everyone operating a vehicle is hyper-aware of what is going on around them.  Apparently most crashes happen from tourists who can't make sense of what is going on.

[rscottlow]

I could definitely see that being the case based on the videos and photos my friends shared. They used Uber to get everywhere, but I couldn't imagine having to drive in that type of traffic. Still, it seems that the culture of motorcycling is much stronger in many other countries than it is here. I saw a study showing that 14% of households in the US have a motorcycle which is less than all except for one of the Asian countries studied. Most Latin American, African, and Middle-Eastern countries also topped the US. And in Europe, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Germany all had us beat. On the other hand, we're behind only Italy for car ownership according to this study, which to me says that most countries have FAR more bikes per car on the road than we do.

[dominickbuff]

in the states its more of a hobby and for fun where in other parts of the world they dont use them for fun and use them to get to work ... i also bet there are less speed demons over there lol

[Watcher]

in other parts of the world... i also bet there are less speed demons

[mr72]

Y'all should watch the Top Gear Vietnam special. It was awesome. And they did it on motorcycles and scooters.

[Joolstacho]

My nephew just returned (survived might be a better word!) 2300ks riding a rusty old Honda 90 around Vietnam on his own.
I'm going to present him with a medal of valour when I see him on Friday.

[rscottlow]

Y'all should watch the Top Gear Vietnam special. It was awesome. And they did it on motorcycles and scooters.

Sweet! I never saw that one - I thought I had gone back and watched every episode, but I must've missed a season or two.

My nephew just returned (survived might be a better word!) 2300ks riding a rusty old Honda 90 around Vietnam on his own.
I'm going to present him with a medal of valour when I see him on Friday.

Sounds like an experience of a lifetime! ...but not one that I want to ever experience in my lifetime 

[Suzi Q]

Spent a ton of time in the islands and Central America...

Bikes are king.
Safety gear is non-existent.
It's STILL safer than riding in the US. (at least the part I'm from)

[dominickbuff]

LOL so true in nyc people cut you off like there is no tomorrow lol