5 ms·

I usually don't wanna be that guy, but this is super confusing to read. When you say bike, you mean a motorbike. Bicycle, cycle and bike are synonyms for the 2-

by ascar 8y ago

I usually don't wanna be that guy, but this is super confusing to read. When you say bike, you mean a motorbike. Bicycle, cycle and bike are synonyms for the 2-wheeler without a motor. Bike is only used for motorbike, if the context is clear. I also assume in India most people would use scooters and not motorbikes.

justforfunhere 8y ago
Hey, that's the common lexicon in India:- Bike -> Motorbike Cycle -> Bicycle Edit: Also scooters are super rare these days. Motorbikes provide more mileage and are easier to maintain and have longer life. The number of scooters on Indian roads declined starting around 12-15 years ago I recall.
- ascar 8y ago
  It's confusing for me, because bike is used for both depending on context. But when you are talking about cycling, most people (outside of India) would interpret bike as bicycle. If bike is used without much context, I would also assume you mean bicycle, unless I know you own a motorbike.
  - ido 8y ago
    As someone who spent a couple of months in India (a long time ago) I sympathise with your confusion. But what can we do, Indians say it one way and Americans the other (I have a lot of friends from the UK and they tend to have their own terms for transportation-purposes as well, like Lorrie and Motorway - not to mention more exotic slang like "leccy" for electric vehicles). After you accept the OP is using Indian English it's not that hard to understand what they mean & I don't think we have to enforce everyone using American dialects on HN for these relatively minor inconveniences.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
cimmanom 8y ago
The term “scooter” is also ambiguous, since it can refer to a class of low powered motorcycle or to the optionally motorized miniature skateboards with handlebars that Lime and Bird are trying to popularize.

5 ms·

I usually don't wanna be that guy, but this is super confusing to read. When you say bike, you mean a motorbike. Bicycle, cycle and bike are synonyms for the 2-

by ascar 8y ago

justforfunhere 8y ago
Hey, that's the common lexicon in India:- Bike -> Motorbike Cycle -> Bicycle Edit: Also scooters are super rare these days. Motorbikes provide more mileage and are easier to maintain and have longer life. The number of scooters on Indian roads declined starting around 12-15 years ago I recall.
- ascar 8y ago
  It's confusing for me, because bike is used for both depending on context. But when you are talking about cycling, most people (outside of India) would interpret bike as bicycle. If bike is used without much context, I would also assume you mean bicycle, unless I know you own a motorbike.
  - ido 8y ago
    As someone who spent a couple of months in India (a long time ago) I sympathise with your confusion. But what can we do, Indians say it one way and Americans the other (I have a lot of friends from the UK and they tend to have their own terms for transportation-purposes as well, like Lorrie and Motorway - not to mention more exotic slang like "leccy" for electric vehicles). After you accept the OP is using Indian English it's not that hard to understand what they mean & I don't think we have to enforce everyone using American dialects on HN for these relatively minor inconveniences.
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
cimmanom 8y ago
The term “scooter” is also ambiguous, since it can refer to a class of low powered motorcycle or to the optionally motorized miniature skateboards with handlebars that Lime and Bird are trying to popularize.