What is the preposition for motorbike?

The Preposition Puzzle of Motorbikes: An Exception to the Rule

When discussing vehicles, the choice between “in” and “on” often hinges on the size of the vehicle. Smaller vehicles typically take “in,” while larger ones favour “on.” But motorbikes present a fascinating exception to this general rule. While the small-vehicle rule might suggest using “in,” the overwhelmingly accepted practice is to use “on.”

The common presumption is that a smaller vehicle, like a motorbike, should use “in” to describe someone inside. Think “in a car,” “in a truck.” However, the widespread and accepted usage in everyday speech and writing dictates a different preposition. The preposition “on” is overwhelmingly favoured when referring to motorbikes, even though a motorbike is physically smaller than a car or a truck.

This deviates from the conventional approach based on vehicle size. Why this exception exists is not definitively explained by grammatical authorities. It may be a historical quirk, a matter of convention that has evolved over time, or perhaps a stylistic choice that has become ingrained in language. Regardless of the reason, “on a motorbike” is the predominant and accepted usage.

Ultimately, the best way to understand this seemingly inconsistent rule is to recognise the prevalence of “on” in practical application. While there isn’t a formal, rule-based explanation, linguistic usage and established practice provide the definitive answer in this case. Therefore, when referring to motorbikes, “on” is the appropriate preposition, a notable exception to the general “in” rule applied to smaller vehicles.