Is Biking a Better Travel Option Than Flying?
The summer travel season is in full swing, which also means it’s the best time of year to ride your motorcycle. If you’ve got a destination in mind, you may be wondering if it’s worth the stress of flying versus taking a long road trip with your motorcycle. Cycle Trader is giving you answers and insight to the question, “Is biking a better travel option than flying?”
Recent Problems with Airline Travel
If you’ve been keeping up with the news lately, you’ve probably seen negative headlines about flying in the United States during the peak summer travel season. While flying is supposed to be a faster option than driving somewhere far away, Americans have been experiencing a long list of problems at airports, and it’s making motorcycling an alternative to both regional and cross-country trips.
In the last month alone, hundreds of thousands of airline customers around the country have been stuck in airports due to inclement weather delays and staffing shortages with personnel, including pilots and plane mechanics. At the end of June 2023, some 9,000 flights were canceled around the nation. Tens of thousands of more passengers were delayed due to weather conditions like severe storms, droughts, and excessive heat, according to a recent CNN report. These disruptions have also caused more flight connection delays and cancellations. It’s worth noting consumer complaints with airlines are up 300% at this time.
CNN also reports that even with $54 billion of taxpayer funds redirected towards supporting airlines to prevent layoffs during the pandemic, many major airline staff members were offered buyouts and early retirement shortages as an alternative. As a result, the airline workforce hasn’t re-emerged to meet the demands of a high volume of travelers during the summertime and holidays.
Flying vs. Biking
If you’re a motorcycle owner or thinking about buying a bike, it’s worth comparing flying versus biking for travel to see what might be a better option for you. Plus, when you consider all the problems mentioned with airline travel and weigh that against the thrills of riding, the answer seems clear—riding is the best way to go.
Cost
First, compare the cost of your travel based on your destination. Unless you’re finding an exclusive, hard-to-find deal on airfare, chances are you’ll be spending less money traveling with your motorcycle than paying for a plane ticket. You could factor in the distance and time of your trip to plan and save money by riding your bike. Just take a look at the price of fuel, lodging, eating, and attractions for your journey. Plus, you could save more money on your next motorcycle trip when you ride together with a group of friends and split prices of overnight accommodations and food. And don’t forget the hidden fees that you might not have included with the price of your plane ticket, like checked luggage, meals, and entertainment to pass the time.
Control
Next, consider how much control you’ll have when you go for a ride on your motorcycle for your trip against the limitations of airplane flying. At the airport, you’ll face long lines, wait times, and tight security checks just to make a scheduled flight. When you ride, you have more flexibility with timing; ultimately, the decision is up to you when to hit the road, based on your schedule. You also get to choose where you ride, while many airline passengers are dealing with the dilemma of less direct flight options. You’ll also have to follow airline policies for what you can bring in your luggage for your trip (which hopefully won’t get lost during the flight).
Comfort
Finally, consider the experience and comfort of traveling with your motorcycle over plane rides. Both modes of transportation offer a feeling of freedom, but you might have to make more sacrifices with flying during the peak summer travel season with fully booked flights and crowded airports. Think about all the sightseeing and scenery you’ll experience on your summertime ride, especially through the best states to ride your motorcycle. This is your moment to take your time and enjoy a relaxing cruise or blood-pumping ride speeding down the road (instead of jet lag). Feeling the breeze and sunshine outside on your ride seems much nicer than being crammed in a crowded airplane with recycled air. And you get some peace of mind with motorcycle travel that you don’t get with the airplane, like worrying about the risk of a cancellation or overbooked flight.
Find new and used touring motorcycles for sale for long-distance traveling.
If you’re not sure whether flying with an airline or riding your motorcycle is best for your next trip, just compare the prices, hassles, effort, and experience involved with each. You might find that motorcycling is the better option because you’re in the driver’s seat. If you’re shopping for your next new or pre-owned motorcycle, check out all the listings on the nation’s top marketplace at CycleTrader.com.
Ryan Miller
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