'Mythbusters' Solve Car vs. Motorcycle Myth

In a recent episode of The Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters," hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman concluded that cars are a greener mode of transportation than motorcycles.

1 minute read

October 14, 2011, 2:00 PM PDT

By Kayla Gordon

Savage and Hyneman collaborated with Professor Kent Johnson, an assistant research engineer at the University of California at Riverside, to cross-examine "three cars and three motorcycles, each built in either the 1980s, '90s or '00s, were fitted with tailpipe probes that measured the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions of each vehicle over a closed course."

"In the end, Mr. Johnson observed that while the motorcycles burned fuel more efficiently and produced lower levels of carbon dioxide than the cars, the noxious pollutants generated by the bikes exceeded the levels generated by the cars. Insofar as the hosts sought to determine the greenest mode of transport, the car won by virtue of its lower pollution profile."

FULL STORY: ‘Mythbusters’ on Cars vs. Motorcycles: Which Is Greener?

Friday, September 30, 2011 in The New York Times

Transportation World Green Cars Motorcycles Mythbusters View More

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