The run-of-the-mill earth-lover might not be a big motorcycle fan. And I’ll confess that nothing drives me battier than a Harley roaring past at eardrum-shattering decibel levels. But, still, there’s a lot to love about motorcycles, which is why it’s exciting to see that the bike industry is making as much of an effort to go green as automobiles.

Motorcycles may seem greener than cars at first glance. After all, they get great gas mileage — up to twice as much as fuel efficient cars. The problem, though, is emissions. An article in the Los Angeles Times [1] last year said that although motorcycles make up only one percent of vehicle miles traveled, they’re responsible for 10 percent of smog emissions from passenger vehicles.

The solution? Electricity. Or maybe fuel cells. But, for now, electricity is the approach many motorcycle makers are adopting. Here are three bikes to keep an eye on:

Zero S Supermoto [2]

This first market-ready electric street bike (pictured above) just went on sale this month. Upsides: Easier to use for people who’ve never ridden a motorcycle before, because it doesn’t have a clutch or gears, and less maintenance than a gas-powered ride. Downsides: The price (almost $10,000 — though tax credits can bring that down a bit), the range (up to 60 miles), and the speed (up to 60 mph).

Full reviews at Engadget [3] and the San Jose Mercury News [4].

Piaggo MP3 Hybrid Scooter

The Italian scooter manufacturer is scheduled to launch its new hybrid plug-in scooter in Europe this summer and in the United States at the beginning of 2010. Upsides: 141 mpg fuel efficiency. Downsides: The price (like the Supermoto, somewhere around $9,000 - $10,000) and the name (“MP3”? Isn’t that going to confuse music lovers?).

Full description at the New York Times’ Wheels blog [5].

Vectrix 2009 VX 1 [6]

This is the company’s original electric scooter updated for 2009. Upsides: Speeds of up to 62 mph and capable of being plugged in anywhere you have access to an outlet. Downsides: Range of 35-55 miles (but if all you’re doing is city driving, that should be enough).

Full write-up at autobloggreen [7].