In today’s society, having your own form of transportation is becoming more and more essential to daily life, whether a car or a motorcycle. For college students living on or off-campus, being able to get around whenever they need to is vital, especially for off-campus employment and housing. But which form of transportation is best for a college student? You should consider several factors when deciding your preferred style of transportation.

Cost

If you’re the classic “starving student,” know that a motorcycle is always much cheaper than a car, both to purchase and to own. According to the Cycle World website, many high-quality new motorcycles cost well under $10,000. Less-powerful bikes can be had new for around $8,000. Cars, on the other hand, are generally much more expensive, where 10,000 would get you a “lemon” or problem-ridden car. The costs of frequent repairs and maintenance on an older car can be weighty, as well, making a motorcycle the clear winner in terms of financial savings.

Gas Consumption

Gas prices and insurance rates are almost always a concern for any college student who owns a car or motorcycle. While innovations continue toward creating more eco-friendly cars with hybrid technology, there are few if any cars that use less gas than even the heavier motorcycles. This is in great part because motorcycles have only two wheels instead of four, creating less drag, and weigh much less overall. If gas consumption, whether for environmental or financial reasons, is your greatest concern, then getting an efficient motorcycle will be the best choice.

Safety

College students can’t afford to miss school for illness or injury, let alone miss work, and therefore, safety is going to be essential. Unfortunately, this is where the motorcycle falls short. Cars are made heavier purposefully for safety reasons, as a larger vehicle will have more inertia in a collision and act as a physical barrier between the driver and the impact. A motorcycle, however, leaves the rider exposed both to the open road and to any oncoming collisions. Not only that, but collisions can be more likely with motorcycles in many areas, as cars are loathe to share the road with motorcyclists and are less likely to yield to them. If you get a motorcycle, you will definitely want to have motorcycle collision insurance and a motorcycle accident attorney in the event that you are caught in a collision and will be missing valuable work and school time. Preparing in this way will help prevent a collision from leaving you bankrupt from medical and other costs.

Licensing

While you can purchase a car directly after getting your driver’s license, you will need to get a separate license for a motorcycle. This means you will need the time to practice and study to pass the written and driving exams necessary to obtain a motorcycle driving license. When looking at your schedule, think of it as an extra half-semester class. If you have time in your schedule to dedicate to practice and study, as well as someone to teach you on their own motorcycle, then you may be able to consider getting a motorcycle. Also be aware that you will need to maintain a current registration for your motorcycle, as well, or it will be illegal for you to drive.

A motorcycle can be a great money-saver for a student who just needs a simple mode of transportation, but it’s not for everyone. Consider the safety aspects as well, and whether or not you will need to transport others regularly and how comfortable they may be with riding on the back of a motorcycle. Take careful consideration in your choice of vehicle so that you can travel to school, work, and other necessities easily and safely.

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.