Motorcycles gaining popularity with higher fuel costs

AMSTERDAM – Rising fuel costs are pushing commuters out of cars and onto motorcycles, say enthusiastic Dutch motorcycle riders and European motorcycle makers. The two-wheeler uses less fuel and is easier to park, Amsterdam and many other Dutch cities do not object if it is parked on the sidewalk. They also move better on car-clogged roads. Dutch industry groups already reported rising motorcycle sales in January, when they compared 2007 statistics with those of 2006. The manufacturers compared 1997 with 2007, noting that EU sales had nearly doubled over those years. In Europe, the tilt is towards lighter motorcycle models. Sales of most larger motorcycle models have not been increasing at all.