North American infrastructure is designed for cars first, and motorcycles are somewhat rare to see compared to the number of cars and trucks on the road. I think it’s maybe more dangerous to ride a motorcycle in NA than in SEA just because everyone around you is in a giant metal box that can kill you, and I think that’s why many people here choose not to ride motorcycles. That, and winter, of course.

As for the licensing, at least in the US, a motorcycle license is actually just an endorsement on a standard driver’s license, so you need to have the standard car license first.