India, Motorcycles, and Pollution: The G20 Country with the Highest Motorcycle Percentage
Motorcycles are more than just vehicles in India – they are a way of life. With over 260 million two-wheelers on the roads and more than half of households owning one, India leads the G20 in motorcycle percentage by far. At around 185 two-wheelers per 1,000 people, India surpasses even Italy, which has around 120 per 1,000. No other G20 nation comes close. But this dominance comes with a hidden cost: pollution.
Air Pollution in Indian Cities
Air pollution in India’s urban centers is a severe public health challenge. Delhi, for instance, ranks among the most polluted major cities globally. Urban air quality issues lead to millions of premature deaths annually. The major contributors to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and overall air pollution include traffic emissions, road dust, industrial sources, household fuel burning, and seasonal agricultural practices. Traffic congestion further worsens the issue, as vehicles in jams can emit 4–8 times more pollutants than under ideal driving conditions.
 |
| In Indian cities, motorcycles are among the biggest culprits in traffic noise pollution, often responsible for over half of the total traffic noise load, with peak levels exceeding 80–100 dB. |
Motorcycles’ Role in Air Pollution
Motorcycles and scooters are among the biggest contributors to air pollution in Indian cities. In Bengaluru, for example, two-wheelers make up nearly 70% of the vehicle count in some hotspots, correlating with dangerously high levels of PM10 and PM2.5. Earlier studies suggested that two-wheelers were responsible for 41% of particulate matter (RSPM) and as much as 67% of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the city’s air.
Another study found that in traffic hotspots, motorcycles contributed 65–80% of carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and about 40% of NOx emissions. In Delhi and other major cities, two-wheelers may be responsible for 30–40% of the particulate load from vehicles, and up to 32% of all vehicular pollutants.
In many Indian cities, two-wheelers are one of the dominant sources of vehicular pollution, often surpassing cars in particulate and NOx emissions.
The scale of motorcycle pollution in India is staggering, reflecting both the massive number of two-wheelers on the road and the challenges of enforcing strict emission standards.
Noise Pollution from Motorcycles
Air is not the only thing suffering – so are people’s ears. Noise pollution in India’s cities is consistently above safe levels. The WHO safe limit is 55 dB during the day and 45 dB at night. Yet in Indian metros, traffic noise often reaches 75–90 dB, with busy intersections sometimes climbing even higher.
Motorcycles are a major culprit. Individually, they can emit 80–100 dB, far exceeding safe exposure levels. Aftermarket exhausts, poor maintenance, and high engine RPMs in stop-and-go traffic amplify the problem. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), two-wheelers may account for 60–70% of traffic noise on certain dense roads.
Motorcycles are not just a leading cause of air pollution in India, but also responsible for more than half of urban traffic noise.
City Examples
-
Delhi: Noise levels often exceed legal limits by 15–20 dB, with two-wheelers a major source.
-
Mumbai: Modified exhausts and night racing can push noise levels over 100 dB.
-
Bengaluru: Police routinely seize bikes with illegal silencers after complaints from residents.
Though India has noise standards (≤ 80 dB(A) at 50 km/h for two-wheelers), enforcement remains weak. As a result, motorcycles dominate both air and noise pollution in Indian cities.
Conclusion
India is the G20 country with the highest motorcycle ownership percentage, far ahead of Italy or any other member. But the country also faces the steep consequences of this dominance: motorcycles contribute heavily to both air pollution and noise pollution, harming public health and urban quality of life. As India continues to modernize its vehicle fleet with stricter emission norms like Bharat Stage VI, the challenge will be to balance the practicality and affordability of two-wheelers with the urgent need for cleaner, quieter cities.
Comments
Post a Comment