Drive a bike

[Glizdka]

I've heard it a few times. Does it work for you?

 

[emsr2d2]

No. We ride a bike, whether that's a bicycle or a motorbike.

 

[probus]

Only if the bike is a motorbike.

 

[5jj]

I rode a motorbike for ten years. I didn't drive one.

 

[Tdol]

It might possibly work for a trike, but two wheels don't work for me.

 

[jutfrank]

I think it's important to point out that 'drive' is the right verb if that's what you mean. These verbs have different meanings, which obviously determines the way we use them. When we say 'ride' something, we're really talking about the sitting position. When we say 'drive' something, we're talking about making it go forward.

So it does, like anything, depend on context.

 

[5jj]

When we say 'ride' something, we're really talking about the sitting position. When we say 'drive' something, we're talking about making it go forward.

Most motorcyclists that I know ride, not drive, their machines when they are making them go forward.

You must do several things before you drive a car or ride a motorcycle. These include getting a driving licence, registering, insuring and taxing your vehicle, and getting an MOT.

Legal obligations of drivers and riders

What you need to do before you can drive a car or ride a motorcycle - driving licence, registering your vehicle, insurance, vehicle tax, MOT

www.gov.uk

 

[probus]

For motorbikes I too prefer ride over drive, but I stand by what I said: drive is acceptable for motorbikes, but not for unmotorized bicycles.

A cultural note for Brits: in Florida you can see ordinary unmotorized bikes whose owners have fitted them with Briggs & Stratton single-cylinder gasoline engines. Some lunatics drive/ride these contraptions at 50 or 60 miles per hour in urban traffic.

 

[emsr2d2]

Ngram result (click for link or see screenshot below).

 

[Greg Pyszczek]

For motorbikes I too prefer ride over drive, but I stand by what I said: drive is acceptable for motorbikes, but not for unmotorized bicycles.

A cultural note for Brits: in Florida you can see ordinary unmotorized bikes whose owners have fitted them with Briggs & Stratton single-cylinder gasoline engines. Some lunatics drive/ride these contraptions at 50 or 60 miles per hour in urban traffic.

That cultural note, love it. Wouldn't fly in Australia though, read in the papers that a bloke got fined for putting a motor on his esky (cooler box) and riding it in the park. Quite harmless if you ask me.

 

[Tdol]

The big fight in the UK is about e-scooters and whether they should be allowed as many say they's not harmless.