MIC has submitted comments opposing a proposed rule by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that would require electric motorcycles to emit a minimum sound to protect pedestrians. The rule would set minimum sound requirements for hybrid and electric vehicles, including but not limited to motorcycles. In the MIC’s comments, the organization argued that because of the unique attributes of motorcycles, the NHTSA should not need to require a minimum sound for them. The MIC says that motorcycle riders are better able to see and avoid pedestrians because their sight is unobstructed, and motorcyclists are more alert because of their vulnerability. The MIC also stated that electric motorcycles are not quiet, so they shouldn’t need to be subject to minimum sound requirements. The MIC stated further that adding a speaker system to electric motorcycles to emit sounds would be an issue because motorcycles have less space to add such a system, the weight of the system would have a large effect on the motorcycle’s low-speed stability, energy consumption of the speaker system would have a greater impact on a motorcycle’s range and the price of installing the system would be higher than with automobiles. The NHTSA acknowledged that motorcycles have unique challenges with the proposed rule, but it noted that because the rule is technology neutral, the sound requirements could be met without the use of a speaker system.
Electric Motorcycle And Scooter Sales To Reach 18.7 Million Annually
by 2018. Pike Research forecasts. Although still small, the market is
expected to grow strongly as consumers become more aware of the products
available. According to a new report from Pike Research, annual worldwide sales
of e-motorcycles and e-scooters will reach 18.7 million by 2018. The vast
majority of these vehicles will be sold in China. Two-wheel vehicles are growing
in popularity as a form of transportation, particularly in large cities in the
Asia Pacific region. Urbanization in Asia Pacific is expected to grow to 55
percent by 2015. The resulting increased traffic and pollution have driven
significant government interest in promoting e-motorcycles and
e-scooters.
