Although he commutes just a few miles to work, Andrew Vance has considered making the switch from his car to a motorcycle to save money, particularly on gas.

"It's cheaper overall to own and maintain a motorcycle and parking is cheaper," said Vance, 25, adding that if he were to use a motorcycle, he wouldn't have to pay to park on the streets of Arlington, Va., where he works.

Vance, a resident of Arlington, recently completed a course in the Rider School at Howard Community College, which teaches novices how to properly and safely handle motorcycles.

He is one of many recent students in the program who, thanks in part to the rise in gas prices, are taking a closer look at motorcycles, according to Jim Schmidt, the Rider School's director.

"Before, when we would ask people why they would take the class, they would say, 'To save money on gas -- wink wink.' That's what they would tell their spouses to take the class," Schmidt said. "But now people are saying they're taking the class really to save money on gas."

Classes have safety at core

The Rider School, which is in its third year at the college, offers a beginner course that includes seven hours of classroom time and 10 hours of riding, Schmidt said.

The course provides basic instruction in how to ride and operate a motorcycle and defensive driving techniques for safety.

With gas prices on the rise, the number of registrants for the class has jumped, Schmidt said.

From March 10 to June 30 2007, 525 students registered for classes; that number rose to 848 for the same period in 2008.

While 89 of those new students are enrolled in two classes for experienced riders, the others are new riders, representing a hike of about 45 percent in new-rider enrollment from 2007 to 2008, Schmidt said.

Schmidt said he believes that the jump in enrollment is due in large part to the fact that motorcycles tend to get better gas mileage than cars.

As anecdotal evidence of a possible increase in motorcycle use, he also has noticed more motorcycles in parking lots and on the roads, he added.

Several motorcycle dealers in the county said they have noticed a recent spike in business.

Dave Rose, the sales manager of Ellicott City Motor Sports, said once gas hit the $4 mark, sales of motorcycles increased, especially among new riders looking to change their driving routines.

"Once gas hits a certain amount, about $4 or $5, people are going to change their lifestyle," he added. "They are going to look at (motorcycles) as a practical commuting machine."

In the end, Vance said the community college class didn't persuade him to buy a motorcycle, but that he's still considering getting one.

"It's still fun," he said. "It's still something I would like to do."

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user comments (1)

user juiceman says...

Motorcycling is a blast...an avid rider, there is nothing more I enjoy than a quick "putt" round town on my bike. However, as a practical commuting machine, I'd urge caution. Drivers in these parts are not used to sharing the road, and rush hour commutes can be quite harrowing, especially to an unexperienced rider. Hence, I'd urge cation in taking to the streets, even after completing the course. Ride safely and become acclimitized to riding in many weather conditions before you use a motorcycle as a daily commuter vehicle.

Posted 8:22 PM, 08.01.08 | Permalink