ThoseWho Ride on Two Wheels 

　　In the United States there are six million tennis players and twelvemillion golfers.These figures would not surprise most people.But many would besurprised to learn that twenty million Americans ride motorcycles (摩托车).Few people realize that motorcycling is fast becoming one ofAmerica’s most popular sports.

　　According to the Cycle News,many kinds of people enjoymotorcycling.They include black people and whitepeople,businessmen,professionals,and blue-collar workers.Among them,about 55%are businessmen,3% are in the professions and 9% in government service.

　　Such information is offered by the Cycle News in the hope ofimproving the general public’s impression of the sport.The public has tended tobelieve that all motorcyclists are wild and lawless young men.

　　There are several things about motorcycling that the average citizendislikes.A motorcyclist’s appearance has something to do with thisdislike.Motorcyclists often look dirty;in fact,they are dirty.On the road,thereis little to protect them from mud.For practical reasons,they often dress inold clothing which looks much less respectable than the clothing of people whoride in cars.For the same reason,motorcyclists usually wear dark colors.Perhapsthis helps to explain why they are sometimes suspected of having bad natures.

　　Probably motorcycles themselves also produce anger and fear.They arenoisy,though some trucks are even noisier.But trucks are acceptable becausethey perform a needed service.Motorcycles,on the other hand,make anuncomfortable noise just to give their riders pleasure.Roaring along quietstreets,they wake sleeping families and make babies cry.

　　Yet,as motorcycling becomes more and more common,it will beinteresting to see how people in general feel about the sport.Perhaps it willsomeday become as “respectable” as tennis or golf.