Why is motorcycle not a thing in the US?
Hello, I'm from a 3rd world country, and have never gone to US before. It is my understanding that most redditors are from US. I like this subreddit because I consider myself poor compared to US's standard and want to get tips on how to survive better in case things get worse for me, but I certainly don't feel like I'm struggling now.
I have seen a lot of posts here about people being almost homeless, living in a car, struggling to buy food, to get medical treatment, or to pay for utility bills, car bills, debts, etc. In almost all posts, people have car, car bills, insurance, or car debts, but I have never seen a single post about motorcycle, be it having to pay for motorcycle repair, consider buying one, or struggling to pay for its bill or debt.
Why is motorcycle not a thing in US everyday life? Is it considered dangerous to be riding one? Or is it that going almost everywhere needs highway so motorcycles are not allowed to be there due to safety issue? Why is it not considered as a substitute personal vehicle for a car in a place where public transport is not reliable?
In my country, people in all classes have at least one, except maybe the poorest of poor. Some of the medium class families own a car but they don't use it for commuting M-F because it takes much longer due to traffic jam rush hour and they use motorcycles instead because it takes at least half the time, unless the commute is too far and needed to get on a highway to reach. They only use cars for weekend outings to neighbouring cities for a refresh.
We even have a ride sharing app like Uber but with motorcycles as an alternatif vehicle along with car, and their main selling point is : it's fast to get you to anywhere. Most of the food delivery are also done with motorcycles.
In my opinion, motorcycles are personal vehicles that are reliable, cheap to buy and maintain, practical to use, but they do have problem with weather and safety compared to a car.
What is it that I am missing here? Why is motorcycle not a thing to consider to help people's financial burden even if it already comes to struggling to get food on the table? I would rather ride on a motorcycle during a heavy pour than having to be stressed out thinking I don't have any money to eat or pay bills.
But is it just me and my narrow-mindedness lack of information and being in 3rd country with its very low quality of life has made me to accept it as normal thing?
Edit : Thanks Redditors! I've summarized the reasons now. It's basically the difference in safety, weather, long commute distance, spread out zoning, cost of price-liabilities-license, storage & highway requirements, supply for organ donors, and the population of big-ass-elevated-meat-juicer-monstrosity operated by a drunk/high/angry/texting/eating/distracted/idiots/granny at fast-and-furious-speed.