2 Wheel Fun

We’ve been spending a lot of time in downtown Cape Town and I’ve noticed a lot of motorcycles and scooters. People use them a lot here to get around and it really makes sense. Gas is expensive and people can’t afford to drive cars everywhere. I would feel right at home here on my motorcycle. The roads are pretty smooth and they have some that are all twisted up with curves. Kind of sorry I can’t sample the local moto riding.

Another great reason (maybe the best reason) to own a 2-wheeled machine here is that you can split lanes. That makes a ton of sense to me. I know California allows lane splitting and I’m really hoping more US states will make it legal to do. If you’re not familiar with the term, it basically means that you can ride your motorcycles between 2 lanes of traffic. It is especially nice when the traffic is stopped. As you sit in traffic in your car, you are constantly being passed by scooters and motos down the middle of the road.

At first this practice seems daring to some, but I know I would totally get into it. I’m a very impatient driver in traffic. I get so frustrated being in a car sitting still or going very slowly. I would be thrilled to be able to zip up the middle of the road between the rows of cars. I haven’t seen any incidents and it makes a ton of sense to allow it.

Stop lights are also fair game. 2-wheelers are always coming up through the stopped traffic right to the front of the line at the stop lights. This is also smart, as most motorcycles, even the smallest displacement ones can outrun most of the cars on the road. As soon as the light turns green they are off and out of your way. The first place I saw this in practice was Rome, Italy. I was amazed at the way the little scooters would weave there way to the front of the line at the traffic lights. As soon as they turned green, there would be this huge roar (ok, more like a buzz) of scooter engines as they sped away from the light. Same thing happens here in Cape Town, but there are not as many people taking advantage of the special privileges.

So, next time I come back, I’m riding a scooter around town. It’s a smart way to get around quickly and easily, and it’s probably quite a thrill.