Motorcycling

Not all vehicles with two wheels are bicycles. Motorcycles and their related motorized cousins scooters are an alternate form of navigating Davis. The local motorcycling enthusiast club are the 530 Riders, while scooter enthusiasts can find a home with the Davis Scooter Club.

Scooters are a great vehicle for Davis. Faster than a bicycle, much cheaper to own, operate, and maintain than motorcycles, and can be parked nearly everywhere. The DMV classification of scooters varies according to who you're talking to. Broken down more simply: technically you either stand on a "scooter" (which most people know as gopeds), or it's electrically powered, not being able to top speeds of 25mph. Those guys can be ridden without any special license or insurance. Mopeds, and similar vehicles that have normal pedals are also fine and legal. The majority of the scooters people see and refer to around Davis are gas powered in the "50cc class" (such as the ever-common Honda Metropolitan - despite most all of them actually being 49.XX cc). The 50cc class typically top speed around the mid-30's, and only seat one. You have to jump up to the 125cc model or higher for other uses. These all require a motorcycle permit/license as of 2006. (The Honda Met II is excluded, it's weakened on purpose to get around that.)

The only motorcycle shop in Davis appears to be Davis Motorsports. There are dealers in Sacramento, Vacaville, and Woodland. SteveLambert notes that the shops in Woodland mainly deal in dirtbikes, but BradBenedict recalls seeing a dealer on Kentucky Ave and one on East Street that has around 4 or 5 sport bikes each. Tim Gilbert adds that the Powersports Dealer in Dixon and Woodland has merged to one store located in Davis. The Woodland resources that continue are Bachman's Customs Cycles (Harley service and Customs, Davis Police Harleys & BMWs) on Road 102 just north of I-5 past AM/PM, and Woodland Powersports (Yamaha, dirt bikes and ATV/UTV) at Kentucky just east of West Street.

• 3rd Street and A Street - "cheap" a.k.a. free
  

• Behind the Art building
  

• The lot west of MRAK
  

• Corner of 3rd Street and E Street (just north of Baskin Robins)
  

• The lot north of 3rd Street between E and F has several motorcycle spaces that are not bothered by the pesky 2-hour limit the car spaces have
  

• The lot south of 3rd Street between E and F (now a metered/pay lot for cars, but I think the motorcycle spots are still free)
  

Any one know any more?

According to Taps "motorcycle parking permits are available to all UCD faculty, staff, and commuting students. Valid for display on motorcycles and motor scooters/mopeds only. Valid only in areas designated as "M". Motorcycles may not park in regular vehicle parking spaces."

The following is TAPS' list of all lots with a M designation:

• 3, 5, 6, 15, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 35, 41, 42, 43, 43B, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 54, 81, 82, 83

As of 2006, motorcycle parking permit costs; annual $228, semester $105, quarter $67, and monthly $19-$24. For some reason, daily rates are the same as cars at $6. Note that a motorcycle permit costs more than a carpool permit, despite the fact that 3-5 motorcycles can fit in a car space and motorcycles average over twice the fuel efficiency of cars. But most motorcycle riders are used to these kinds of inequities....

Those learning to ride should consider the California Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Rider Course. Some advantages to the class are:

• the MSF provides motorcycles
  

• it teaches you basic riding skills
  

• only takes 15 hours
  

• many insurance companies provide discounts to people who have finished the class
  

• The DMV skills test (driving test) is waived for those who take the course
  

• the cost is subsidized by the state, so it is very affordable, especially for those under 21

Some find the most important reason in the 1981 study of motorcycle accident cause factors by Harry Hurt at USC (aka the Hurt Study). "The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents."

Comments:

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2006-05-01 19:31:13   Anyone who drives both a car and motorcycle? At my previous school, motorcycles didn't require parking permits. When owning both vehicles, does one really have to purchase both a car and motorcycle permit ($456 + $228 = $684 annual)? Take the position that I will need both permits. —JustinCummins

2006-05-05 15:18:09   You can use a 'A' permit on your motorcycle. I have my 'A' permit mounted to a metal plate which I lock to my bike. The metal plate was purchased from TAPS. Not sure if 'C' permits work but I have seen a car pool permit on a bike. —MarkCoSy

2007-01-27 19:10:20   C permits work on the motorcycle —TimChen

2007-02-03 21:42:07   I see motorcycles parked across the street from EOP/Yummy Cafe by the SSH building. Are those motorcycle spots free? or you need a permit? —KaiWan

2007-02-12 20:39:39   The parking on 3rd by A is free and unlimited for motorcycles. —BenjaminPickett

2007-02-24 04:23:16   where else near campus can you park for free? —KaiWan

2007-06-08 05:23:03   What's the general opinion on bikes parking on sidewalks..? i.e. the divider by the ATM at the U Mall? —TrishAng