Automobiles and Motorcycles
Automobiles are self-propelled vehicles, usually four-wheeled and designed for passenger transportation. They are complex technical systems with thousands of parts. Their development has been spurred by advances in existing technology, new technologies, environmental concerns, and competition between manufacturers around the world. Read on to learn more about automobiles and how they impact our world.
Automobiles were first seen during the Industrial Revolution. In the mid-19th century, bicycles were modified with engines and began to be used as automobiles. These inventions included the velocipedes (a kind of bicycle fitted with an engine), the first motorcycle, and the motorcycle. In 1884, an English bicycle manufacturer named Edward Butler produced a three-wheeler. His machine used a horizontal single-cylinder gasoline engine, steerable front wheels, and a drive chain that connected the rear wheel.
Motorcycles are another common form of automobile. Like other motorized vehicles, motorcycles must abide by laws and regulations. They cannot park on sidewalks or in parking lots. They also cannot exceed the legal limit of 5.0 grams of carbon monoxide per kilometer. Violations of these laws can result in traffic tickets.
While the definition of an automobile is not exact, motorcycles fall under the definition. They are self-propelled vehicles, and they are designed for transportation. The difference is not so clear-cut, and the terms are often used interchangeably. If a motorcycle had been in a storage unit when it caught fire, it would probably be classified as an automobile.