I’ve spent the last week in Paris (with another few days on either end in London) and I (a USA resident from California) am AMAZED at the number of motor cycled riders I have seen - in the cold of February - in rain. These riders are EVERYWHERE! They zip to and fro with agility and bravo, and enjoy respect by those in 4 wheel vehicles.
For these Parisians and Londoners, motor cycled vehicles (mostly scooters, but motorcycles as well) are a viable and essential form of daily transportation.
I’m very impressed (and a touch ashamed at the hesitancy in the USA) with the level of riding I see. A much higher participation (without the silly concern about the size of the ride) here!
Same trip a few years ago, loved Paris and took the trip to London via the high speed train and Chunnel. Like you sure noticed the abundance of motorcyclists. Some really interesting machines in Paris that I have not seen here. But I think there are some structural factors that favor two wheeled transporation there. No doubt our European riders will offer their perspective shortly.
Price of fuel there makes fuel efficient transportation very desirable; $7 a gallon instead of $2.35 would see the Indian on the road more during the week.
Then there are the taxes. In Florida I think the annual registration on the truck was $60 MOL. In France I understand you have Taxe régionale (about 40-50 euros); Taxes sur les véhicules polluants (carbon tax, below a certain level, 0 euros, but otherwise 120 euros and up;Taxe de formation professionnelle ( I think thats like registration fee here) ;Taxe de gestion ;Redevance d’acheminemen. (No idea what that is)
Over in London they have a congestion tax, 11.5 pounds a day for riding your vehicle in the congestion zone of the City, but, there are discounts to registered cars which emit 75 g/km or less of C02, and motor-tricycles, two-wheeled motorcycles (and sidecars), mopeds.