For The American Sharing Economy, The Future Of Motorcycles Might Be Imitating Airbnb, Not Uber

Motorcycles are small, easy to park, zip through dense traffic and have lower emissions than cars. In parts of Asia and Africa, they’re transportation staples. But ridesharing services in the United States have mostly steered clear of motorcycles.

There may not be enough motorcycle drivers to serve riders: U.S. purchases of motorcycles—not much relied on for commuting— hover around 500,000 annually; 88% of Americans own cars. Meanwhile, motorcycle-based ridesharing services in Asia and Africa, where motortaxis already thrive, are expanding.

In Hanoi, Vietnam, motorcycles outnumber households, by almost 2.5 to 1. According to Pew, more than 80% of people in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia own a motorscooter. Globally, cars are the most uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as South and Southeast Asia