Is a locomotive the same as a motorcycle?
2 Answers
Locomotive refers to a motorcycle, which is commonly called a locomotive in Taiwan and Japan. Here is some relevant information about motorcycles: Definition: A motorcycle is a two or three-wheeled vehicle powered by a gasoline engine, steered by handlebars for front-wheel turning. It is lightweight, flexible, and fast, widely used for patrols, passenger and cargo transportation, and also serves as sports equipment. Classification: Broadly categorized, motorcycles include street bikes, road racing motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, cruisers, and touring bikes, among others. A motorcycle consists of five main parts: the engine, transmission system, running gear, steering, braking system, and electrical instrumentation.
Yes, in Taiwan, '机车' refers to motorcycles, which might be different in other places. I live in Taipei and ride a motorcycle to commute every day. It feels very convenient and fast, unlike driving a car stuck in traffic. This term might originate from the influence of the Japanese colonial period and has now become a local habit. Common motorcycles on the streets include scooters and heavy motorcycle models, which have low fuel consumption but high speed. When riding a motorcycle, it's important to pay attention to safety and wear a helmet because the accident rate is relatively high. People from other places might think of trains when they hear '机车,' so it's better to say 'motorcycle' to avoid misunderstandings during communication. In short, in Taiwan, it's just another term for a motorcycle.
